I posted about Advanced Attachments being a lock-in plugin before. Meaning, you have to keep it activated to retain any previous functionality. The response was that this is because it uses shortcodes to insert the images inline with the post content. For this reason, I have not used the plugin after paying for it and kept using upload form that comes stock with wpForo (limited to one image, displayed at the bottom of the post content).
Instead of inserting shortcode for uploaded images, which completely disappears when the plugin is deactivated for any reason, why can't you just insert the image URL? I want the URL to be there whether the AA plugin is activated or not, then it won't feel so locked-in. This option is actually better because it works well with your wpEmbeds plugin that can display the image from the URL.
If you're not willing to consider this method of displaying AA uploaded images, can you please share how to either:
Disable reliance on the shortcode or provide a function that can display previously uploaded images even when the AA plugin is disabled?
(The concept of AA plugin is great, but the stock upload and AA plugin are two extremes. Just a simple method to upload more than one image without a My Media gallery and all of the other bells and whistles would be even better for some of us. I would happily pay for a less "advanced" attachments plugin!)