=== OMEGA Image Engine ===
Contributors: omegawebapps
Tags: image optimization, webp, responsive images, lazy load, performance
Requires at least: 5.0
Tested up to: 6.6
Stable tag: 1.0.0
License: GPLv2 or later
License URI: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html

OMEGA Image Engine generates WebP and responsive image variants, rewrites HTML <img> tags, and improves front-end performance with lazy loading.

== Description ==

OMEGA Image Engine is a standalone image optimization plugin for WordPress.

It focuses purely on images:

* Generates WebP versions of JPG/PNG files
* Generates multiple responsive sizes (e.g. 480, 768, 1024, 1600)
* Rewrites front-end HTML <img> tags to use optimized assets
* Adds srcset and sizes attributes for responsive loading
* Adds lazy loading to non-critical images
* Uses a manifest file to map original images to generated variants
* Provides an admin page to scan uploads, clear cache, and clear manifest

There is **no dependency on any SEO plugin**.  
OMEGA Image Engine runs as a **standalone** optimization layer.

== Installation ==

1. Upload the plugin folder to `/wp-content/plugins/omega-image-engine/`
2. Activate the plugin through the “Plugins” menu in WordPress
3. Go to **Image Engine** in the WordPress admin sidebar
4. Click **Scan Uploads Now** to generate optimized images

== Frequently Asked Questions ==

= Does this require a separate SEO plugin? =
No. OMEGA Image Engine is fully standalone and does not depend on any SEO plugin.

= Does it modify my original images? =
No. Original files remain untouched. Optimized WebP and responsive variants are stored in a separate cache directory and mapped via a manifest.

= Does it work with page builders like Elementor? =
Yes. As long as the final HTML output contains standard <img> tags, the HTML rewriter can optimize them.

== Screenshots ==

1. OMEGA Image Engine admin page
2. Cache status and actions
3. Example of optimized <img> output

== Changelog ==

= 1.0.0 =
* Initial release of standalone OMEGA Image Engine
* WebP generation
* Responsive image variants
* HTML <img> rewrite with srcset and lazy loading
* Manifest-based mapping of original → optimized assets
* Admin tools for scanning uploads and clearing cache/manifest

== Upgrade Notice ==

= 1.0.0 =
First standalone release of OMEGA Image Engine. No SEO dependency.
