Image only "Model" items

[Gaffers2277]

Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.

So i am a 3D Model creator so i have collections for my downloaded models, models i make and model reference. Ideally i would like to be able to use Manyfold as my All in One solution for organising my collections. Currently it works like 90% for my needs, includes .blend file, sub collections, etc. But one area it is lacking is image only collections, i use a lot of image and model reference when i model my own work, things like concept art, game ripped models and such. This is my current folder structure I'm using in Manyfold:

Library - Reference
	Collection - Games
		Franchise (Sub-Collection) - Ratchet and Clank
			Game (Sub-Collection) - Rachet and Clank HD
				Tag - Bosses
					Model Folder - Alien Queen
						Reference Images
							Concept_Art_1. jpg
							Concept_Art_2. jpg
							Concept_Art_3. jpg
						Textures
							texture0.png
							texture1.png
							texture2.png
						Alien_Queen.obj
						Alien_Queen.mtl
						Description.md
						Ratchet&Clank_Alien_Queen.zip
				Tag - Characters
						Model Folder - Ratchet
							Reference Images
								Concept_Art_1. jpg
								Concept_Art_2. jpg
								Concept_Art_3. jpg
							Textures
								texture0.png
								texture1.png
								texture2.png
							Ratchet.obj
							Ratchet.mtl
							Description.md
							Ratchet&Clank_Ratchet.zip
				Tag - Concept Art
					Model Folder - Concept Art
						Concept_Art_1. jpg
						Concept_Art_2. jpg
						Concept_Art_3. jpg
						Description.md

Describe the solution you'd like As of right now, if i create a "model" folder with just images it doesn't auto pick up any metadata like Collections, Sub-Collections and Tags using the Model path template, but if i add a 3d file before scanning/uploading it works. Ideally i would like a way to organise images collections the same way as 3D file collections and display them more as a image gallery with things like Grid/ Wall Views and Viewing images in Full Screen. I do really like that i can drag and drop upload images straight into a model item, makes saving organised reference a breeze.

My current idea would be to first respect the Model path template even when there are no 3D models present. And add sub-collections as a Model path template option.

Make sub-collections nest inside collections, so when you create a Collection you then get an option to add a Sub-Collection inside the collection. Rather then the current way of creating multiple collections that are just linked but are all still visible from the Collections tab. More like a typical folder structure where folders are nested inside other folders. This way when you have tons of sub-collections they don't appear in the collections tab but inside the parent collection. I hope i explained that well, haha.

Then add an option to toggle different view options like grid and carousel. As well as an option in the model settings for a default view. Maybe default to grid view if no 3D model is in the folder?

Describe alternatives you've considered I know this is probably a big ask to add a whole image gallery alternate view so i did find a kind of work around using Photoprism to display image collections and use the URL links to link to the collection in Photoprism. But i would rather and all in one solution and not run two services.

Additional context Add any other context or screenshots about the feature request here.

[Floppy]

This is an interesting one; image-only models certainly should be possible, and should pick up metadata just the same. I'll check it out, there could be something strange going on.