Need to load, store and display images in MySQL blob fields

[mparak]

Dear Friends,

I have always referenced images in their original form and location and loaded them on the fly into a Timage component.
A very fast, reliable and efficient method.

This has worked well for me until I removed all network shares and suddenly need to embed the images into a blob field in MySQL, from within Delphi. Clearly easier said than done. The questions that I ask are..

Is the concept viable?,
Does the MySQL storage engine store images effeciently?
How do I save and retrieve the images into Delphi Timage components.

I use Zeos (best tool in my toolbox) and would love to know how all of you are dealing with the topic of images. If you could include code examples, it would be greatly appreciated.

Warmest Regards

MParak.
www.cad.co.za