download_transformer 1.0.3

A dart transformer for downloading assets. This is useful, if you don't have to check in large assets or want to pull assets from a directory shared with non-programmers.

Download Transformer

Download Transformer is a simple asset transformer that fetches files over HTTPS at compile time. Ideal for managing large assets without checking them into source control or sharing assets with non-programmers. It works on all platforms at compile-time, but since you only build the app from Desktop, only those are listed as platforms.

Installation

Add download_transformer to your dev_dependencies in pubspec.yaml:

dev_dependencies:
  download_transformer: ^1.0.3

Usage

1. Create an empty placeholder

   In your assets folder, add an empty file named after the target asset, e.g., texture_sample.png.

2. Specify the download URL

   Open the file and insert the asset URL on a single line, for example: https://dekeyser.ch/texture_sample.png

3. Configure the transformer

   Reference the placeholder in your pubspec.yaml and attach the transformer. You can also transform assets of entire folders:

   flutter:
     assets:
       - path: assets/texture_sample.png
         transformers:
           - package: download_transformer
       - path: assets/folder_with_many_assets/
         transformers:
           - package: download_transformer
   

4. Build your project

   During compilation, the transformer replaces the placeholder with the downloaded asset.

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That’s it! No more checked-in binaries—just maintain URLs and let the build process fetch your assets automatically.