Why do I need to use the library to edit images? Why can't I just edit directly from the images folder.

When you change a library item, you can choose to update all documents that use that item. If you choose not to update, the documents remain associated with the library item; you can update them later by choosing Modify > Library > Update Pages.

Other kinds of changes to library items include renaming items to break their connection with documents or templates, deleting items from the site’s library, and recreating a missing library ite

Also, a library item is just a snippet of (usually HTML) code.

So the library item just points to the image using <img src="/image/this.jpg"> or similar.

Therefore, if you edit the actual image and resave as the same filename, then upload to your server, you wouldn't need to update the library item at all, as it will still be pointing to the same image filename.

If you change the dimensions of your image, then you will need to update your library item, if the library item IMG tag includes the WIDTH= and HEIGHT= paramaters.

Rich