Multi-resolution image management system, process, and software therefor

The invention comprises a system, method, and software for selectable, inverse hierarchical management and archival storage of multi-resolution images on multiple storage media for faster access and rendering of the images for electronic and/or print reproduction and distribution. Digital images typically acquired by scanning in Full Resolution (FR) size are organized into logical groups, or rolls. Smaller Screen Size (SCR), Preview (PV), and Thumbnail (TN) size proxy images are created, ranked by resolution, hierarchically and inversely stored with the smaller, lower resolution image files on the fastest media (hard drives) and higher resolution files on the slowest storage/retrieval media (optical or tape drives). This significantly improves effective image density and speeds on screen image retrieval and rendering.