A method and architecture for obtaining a desired frame and identifying a selected frame in an image container. A request for a frame of an image is received. The request may include an identifier that identifies a type of frame. In response thereto, a frame is located corresponding to the identifier and a reference to the frame is provided. In another aspect, a request is received to identify a frame of an image. A determination is made as to what identifier identifies the frame. The identified frame is returned to the requesting component.