Batch rename - rework UI

[user0]

XnViewMP 1.4.5 64bit
Windows11 (22H2), display resolution 3840x2160, win scaling 150%

Batch rename
dialog looks a little bit clumsy

batch_rename_original.png

Suggestion
make few UI adjustments

• General
  - add functionality to add/delete files
  - rework Name_template saving functionality into global Preset (similar to Batch convert dialog)
  - rename OK/Cancel buttons to Rename/Close
  - actually Directory column is not that essential in this dialog (see Advanced Renamer UI below), but I left it in place for now.

• A
  - rearrange dialog layout to display more files on the screen
  - remove 'Create new name template when opening dialog' as it does not required anymore

• B
  At that point it feels like, why not to use Batch convert instead - just add rename actions and new Filelist tab after Before/After in Preview.
  Not sure, pro - all-in-one, cons - tool became more complicated.
  - remove image preview as there are not that much space left
  -- maybe show it as on_hover popup if required OR
  -- add thumbnails to the filelist
  - rework UI into Actions (same as in Batch convert)

• C
  - move Preset from bottom to the top
  - use bottom space as status bar
  - move Action up/down buttons to the top AND remove Enabled label for cleaner UI

• D
  - add Details collapsible pane (under filelist area) that appears on file selection
  - add Error (or Status) column that indicates if there are any issues with renaming sequence (or file access)

• E
  - add Details pane on the right. Invokes via checkbox, can be sized as in Draw

batch_rename_rework_ui.png

UI examples

• Advanced Renamer
  the best renamer I know so far
  advanced_renamer.png

• ReNamer
  ReNamer.png

• ACDSee
  acdsee_batch_rename.png

[xnview]

Mockup A is better but in this case we can't resize dialog to grow preview

[user0]

but who need to resize preview in rename tool..
it is also possible to zoom_by_mouse_scroll and drag it by RMB.

As for me, I never wished anything bigger than small preview in Advanced renamer.

ps: the main benefit of 'Action structure' - clear understanding of actions sequence and ability to duplicate/reposition them

UPD
added mockup D (my favourite so far)

[xnview]

but who need to resize preview in rename tool..

I have customers that need it

[user0]

Mockup E - it can be positioned on the right and be:
- collapsible, like regualar Preview
- resizable, like details panel in Draw

[xnview]

yes Mockup E is good, without Actions. Only collapse/expand the option...

[user0]

sounds good

ps. regarding Error column, I guess it deserves separate post

[xnview]

i've tried Mockup E, but i think that dialog is too big.
Should the preview be resized?
Thoughts from other users?

[cicciobello]

i've tried Mockup E, but i think that dialog is too big.
Should the preview be resized?
Thoughts from other users?

In this dialogue the preview has only the control function, and is secondary. So the small preview is fine.

The most important thing is the filename column (old name -> new name). Sometimes I have long file names, and I would like to read them completely.
Having the column with the directory name is also very useful to me.

In my opinion, the D mockup (with preview below) can be enlarged to better read the file names and adding the directory.

[xnview]

yes mockup D is better to resize, something like that

Clipboard-1.png

You can resize the file list/preview

[cicciobello]

Approved!

[xnview]

Thoughts from other users??

Approved!

[michel038]

Approved... If the filenames list is long, the preview will become smaller ?
For me, a detailed preview isn't very important when renaming as said above

[cicciobello]

One thing only: is it possible to add the ability to delete only the current template?

[user0]

i've tried Mockup E, but i think that dialog is too big.

actions pane can be narrower ~30%, eg:
- replace "Clear template" button with "X"
- rephrase "Create new name template when opening dialog" to "Create new template on open", but I would rework this as it feels too complicate
eg mockup E is 1770px wide, can be squeezed to 1630px

Should the preview be resized?

yes, the same way as details pane in Draw
but there shall be some minimum size limit

yes mockup D is better to resize, something like that Clipboard-1.png

well..

• if there is no ability to change actions' order, I doubt its required to place them one under another, eg "Extension" and "Case" can be left untouched

• "Clean diacritic characters" also can be left as is, I doubt it deserves its own group without details

• its better to align beginning of Replace fields

You can resize the file list/preview

Resizing is fine, but I'm afraid there will be a lot of unused space in preview area when its minimized in favor of filelist.
Judging from personal experience in other apps, I usually add ~50-500 files to rename, and quick scrolling to see if there are any errors is much easiest with tall filelist area.