Set path for original images using paperclip in Rails?

Question

The situation

I have a simple model with an attached image using paperclip, which has a couple of processed styles for it (thumbnail, full, feature). At this point

Answer 1

If it is acceptable, you could skip saving the originals, by setting the default style.

  has_attached_file :image,
                    :styles => { :normal => "800x600>" },
                    :default_style => :normal

If not, and you want to keep the originals, if you are using apache, you could use a .htaccess file to restrict the access to the originals directory

<FilesMatch "^\.(jpe?g|gif|png)$">
   Order allow,deny
   Deny from all
</Files>

Answer 2

I would recommend using a custom interpolation that will place your original files outside the public directory. Something like this:

Paperclip.interpolates :maybe_public do |attachment, style|
  style == :original ? "private" : "public"
end

has_attached_file :image, :path => ":rails_root/:maybe_public/:attachment..."

This will save your :original files in a non-publicly accessible directory for protection, but still allow Paperclip access. And it will keep your thumbnails in the public directory for standard access.