Block direct image loads but allow them in PHP

Hi I have a bit of a problem which might just be due to my lack of knowledge with Apache. Basically, what I want to do is to *not* allow users to enter particular URLs in their browser (namely to *.jpg and *.xml files under a particular directory, let's call it "imagesDir"). However, I can't simply Deny all or stick a .htaccess in the folder because I *do* want these images to load from within a particular PHP file I have coded. I originally thought that I could stick a .htaccess file in the images folder and just set the AUTH_USER sort of variables from within the PHP but that didn't work--it still prompted me for a login (understandably so, but worth a try). I have also tried to see about modifying my httpd.conf file, but I'm afraid I'm not terribly knowledgable in this area. :-/ Any suggestions? Also, in case it matters, I'm running Apache on Mac OS X. Thanks in advance! -m^2 __________ Hi! I'm a .signature virus! Copy me into your ~/.signature to help me spread! __________