Questions/Comments on New Features in 1.9.4

[jkm]

Since there are so many new features in XnViewMP 1.9.4, I thought it would be helpful to have a thread dedicated to general questions or comments about these new features.

First, thanks to Pierre for adding so much capability to the app. Bravo!

I'll start us off with a tip:

When you launch 1.9.4 for the first time, you can see a message that says:
"You need to update the catalog (Settings>Catalog>Update metadatas) if you want to use new node in 'Catalog Filter'"

Here's what this is about, and what to do (for people that have the Catalog enabled)...

In the Catalog Filter pane, there are several new items, including a "Date" tree and an "EXIF" tree. These new trees allow you to browse your images by metadata.

In order to populate this information in the Catalog Filter, your database must be updated. Go to Settings:Catalog and you will see an "Update Metadata" button in the lower right corner. Clicking this button will update your database and refresh the metadata. This process will take a short time, from a few seconds to a few minutes, depending on the size of your catalog.

Another tip that is not obvious:
The "Date" tree by default organizes files by "Date Taken" from the metadata. This metadata field would ordinarily be set by your camera. You can change to using a Date from another source by right-clicking on the word "Date" at the top of the Date tree and selecting an option from the menu that appears.

[Updated with revised instructions for the Update Metadata button]

[jkm]

Another tip... It's listed in the release notes as a bug fix but actually there's a new feature.

The QuickFilter now has an option to search XMP data. Click on the "magnifying glass" icon at the left end of the Quick Filter box and you'll see a checkbox to enable XMP fields.

[jlrjlr]

Many thanks for this explanation, I was looking for it! The new Date and Exif trees looks promising. Thanks Pierre for this always improving tool.

But What did I do wrong ?

when I press on "Update metadata" after selecting all my directories a small panel appears very briefly then disappear. The trees are not populated.

I am running xnView 1.9.5 on W11

[jkm]

Have you tried exiting and restarting the app?

[jlrjlr]

Thanks for your answer
Did I restart : Yes many times. I started the trial with 1.9.4

[v1nc3]

In order to populate this information in the Catalog Filter, your database must be updated. Go to Settings:Catalog and you will see an "Update Metadata" button in the lower right corner. Clicking this button will only update metadata for the folder that is currently selected in the directory list on this screen. So to update the entire database, select all the directories in the list (by clicking on one and then hitting Ctrl-A to select all, or clicking on the first one and then shift-clicking on the last one to select all) and then once all the directories are highlighted, click the "Update Metadata" button. This process will take a short time.

I've done this quite a few times and I keep getting that stupid message to update the catalog every time XnviewMP launches. Every. Single. Time. From 1.9.4 to the current 1.95. It never goes away.

[jkm]

I've done this quite a few times and I keep getting that stupid message to update the catalog every time XnviewMP launches. Every. Single. Time. From 1.9.4 to the current 1.95. It never goes away.

On what OS? Make sure your xnview.db and xnview.ini are not read-only. If on Windows, try running XnViewMP as administrator to circumvent any permissions problems.

If you have run it multiple times, you should see several files with names starting with XnView-2025_xxx.db in the folder where your xnview.ini file is located. How many such files do you see?

[jkm]

Thanks for your answer
Did I restart : Yes many times. I started the trial with 1.9.4

I haven't seen that happen. There's nothing under Date or Properties at all?

Are you sure your files have the appropriate metadata?

Please post a screenshot of your catalog filter pane showing the Date and Properties trees, and a screenshot of the Exiftool tab in the Info Panel showing the "EXIF" section for one of your files.