Unify v1.8 adds support for linked media. Every patch in a library can optionally have a link to an associated media item. Three distinct media types are supported:

1. An image file (stored somewhere under the library's Media folder),
2. A HTML file (also stored under the library's Media folder), or
3. A URL link to content hosted on a separate server (e.g. on the Internet)

The presence of a link is indicated by a colored outline around the patch's library image, shown just to the right of the patch metadata banner. (See Navigating Unify's graphical user interface.) Clicking the library image opens the linked media item.

• Local image files are opened in the Unify window; click anywhere in the image to close it.
• Local HTML files are also opened in the Unify window, in a simplified browser interface with Back and Close buttons at the top.
• Internet URL links are usually opened in the user's default web browser, but these can also be opened in the Unify window if desired, in one of two ways:
  • The default can be changed in the Settings view
  • Holding down Option/ALT while clicking the library image will override the default on a one-time basis.

Links for a library's patches are defined in a file links.txt which may optionally reside in the library's Media folder. This is a plain text file; you will need to have a true plain-text editor if you want to change it.

The links.txt file is basically a list of pattern / target pairs, one per line. Blank lines may be interspersed to improve legibility, and comment lines (indicated by an initial “#” symbol) may also be added to provide documentation. Here is an example:

# This is a links list. Blank lines and lines starting with "#" (comments) are ignored.
# Remaining lines consist of 2 parts: a "pattern", and a "target".
# Use quotation marks if pattern or target contain embedded spaces.
# Unify will search down the list for the first pattern which matches the current patch name.
# The target can either be a web URL or a path (relative to Media folder) to a local image file.
 
  Bloo*           http://192.168.1.99/phpinfo.php   # Open URL "locally" in Unify window
  "Colours Test"  hubble_ngc3318_potw2203a_0.png    # Open image locally
  "Clicking *"    http://192.168.1.99/phpinfo.php/  # Slash at end means open in browser
 
# The pattern "*" will match anything, so I put it last in the list.
# Adding "?" at the end of the web URL causes unify to add "library" and "patch" parameters
# automatically, for the benefit of e.g. PHP scripts at the server end.
    *       http://192.168.1.99/unify.php?/     # Can be combined with slash (which will be removed)