# Tk-multi-loader2 - any way to get thumbnails from linked entity, rather than published file entity?

**URL:** <https://community.shotgridsoftware.com/t/tk-multi-loader2-any-way-to-get-thumbnails-from-linked-entity-rather-than-published-file-entity/4124>\
**Category:** Pipeline Integrations\
**Tags:** loader, thumbnails\
**Created:** [December 4, 2019, 3:06pm UTC](https://community.shotgridsoftware.com/t/tk-multi-loader2-any-way-to-get-thumbnails-from-linked-entity-rather-than-published-file-entity/4124 "2019-12-04T15:06:57Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![greener2](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/shotgunsoftware/user_avatar/community.shotgridsoftware.com/greener2/32/258_2.png) [@greener2](https://community.shotgridsoftware.com/u/greener2)\
**Post date:** [December 4, 2019, 3:06pm UTC](https://community.shotgridsoftware.com/t/tk-multi-loader2-any-way-to-get-thumbnails-from-linked-entity-rather-than-published-file-entity/4124/1 "2019-12-04T15:06:57Z")

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Hi there,

I’m looking to use Shotgun Load as a tool for our set assembly artists to quickly pull in set dressing elements. However, out of the box, the loader app shows the thumbnail for each published file entity listed for each asset/shot - and oftentimes, our artists are a bit slack about taking a screenshot in the publish tool.

Ideal behaviour for me would be to have the thumbnail from the entity that is linked to the published file, e.g. if it’s a set dressing asset, could it be possible to get the latest thumbnail from the asset entity (e.g. a turntable or other still render, possibly from an uploaded Version)?

I’m not really interested in forking the loader app, unfortunately, so if this is the only option, I can work around it.

Thanks for your help!

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**Author:** ![philip.scadding](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/shotgunsoftware/user_avatar/community.shotgridsoftware.com/philip.scadding/32/30_2.png) [@philip.scadding](https://community.shotgridsoftware.com/u/philip.scadding)\
**Post date:** [December 4, 2019, 3:22pm UTC](https://community.shotgridsoftware.com/t/tk-multi-loader2-any-way-to-get-thumbnails-from-linked-entity-rather-than-published-file-entity/4124/2 "2019-12-04T15:22:52Z")

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Hey Rob

I’m not sure, without trying it my self, but you might be able to make use of the [filter\_publishes.py](https://github.com/shotgunsoftware/tk-multi-loader2/blob/v1.19.4/hooks/filter_publishes.py) hook.

The hook provides you with a list of publishes, and you can filter down the list using custom logic. But you could also change the `image` field’s value on each publish dictionary to point at a different URL, and that might work?

Also, a different approach entirely would be to add a validation check to the publisher, so they can’t publish without a thumbnail, but you might end up suffering the wrath of your artists then 😉 .

Cheers  
Phil

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![greener2](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/shotgunsoftware/user_avatar/community.shotgridsoftware.com/greener2/32/258_2.png) [@greener2](https://community.shotgridsoftware.com/u/greener2)\
**Post date:** [December 4, 2019, 3:25pm UTC](https://community.shotgridsoftware.com/t/tk-multi-loader2-any-way-to-get-thumbnails-from-linked-entity-rather-than-published-file-entity/4124/3 "2019-12-04T15:25:45Z")

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Hi Philip,

Thanks for the quick reply! That’s an interesting approach, I didn’t know about the filter\_publishes hook. I’ll give that a whirl when I get a few minutes and see if it’s something that can be done. Do you think just switching out the URL might be enough, or would I have to download the thumbnail?

As regards enforcing thumbnails at publish time - it’s low priority on my to-do list, but I’ll gladly have fights with artists about it!! I think it’s essential!

Thanks again,  
Rob

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![philip.scadding](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/shotgunsoftware/user_avatar/community.shotgridsoftware.com/philip.scadding/32/30_2.png) [@philip.scadding](https://community.shotgridsoftware.com/u/philip.scadding)\
**Post date:** [December 4, 2019, 3:36pm UTC](https://community.shotgridsoftware.com/t/tk-multi-loader2-any-way-to-get-thumbnails-from-linked-entity-rather-than-published-file-entity/4124/4 "2019-12-04T15:36:50Z")

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> [@greener2](#):
>
> Do you think just switching out the URL might be enough, or would I have to download the thumbnail?

I just mocked up a rather crude test here, and this worked:

```python
        for apub in publishes:
            apub["sg_publish"]["image"] = "https://sg-media-ireland.s3-accelerate.amazonaws.com/72477b394a...full URL redacted"
        return publishes

```

So looks like you should be able to just pass a URL with out downloading it.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![greener2](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/shotgunsoftware/user_avatar/community.shotgridsoftware.com/greener2/32/258_2.png) [@greener2](https://community.shotgridsoftware.com/u/greener2)\
**Post date:** [December 4, 2019, 4:00pm UTC](https://community.shotgridsoftware.com/t/tk-multi-loader2-any-way-to-get-thumbnails-from-linked-entity-rather-than-published-file-entity/4124/5 "2019-12-04T16:00:17Z")

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I love that, thanks Philip.