MP Bulk converter auto-restarts over and over again

[Wilfried5719]

So now i understand that this is a default behaviour from the moment one ever touches the Hotfolder button. Although i dont understand why it must do so, and not being able to undo this choice. I guess most XNViewMP batch beginners will try to use this Hotfolder, thinking it means Favourites. Anyway, this means i cannot use XNView.

Then i always use a batch-converter for several reasons like autocontrasts, autolevels and to finally also create a nice (downsized) set to play in my and my families photoplayers.

To do so i always first copie the original folder to a copie-folder. I use the copie-folder to run the batchconverter actions and (in that folder) always also rename all files to -new. Downsized files i always extra rename to -800 (since i resize them to 800x600). I always save the new files in the same copie-folder. The reason for the latter is simpel for me. As far as i know the only way to judge original and new files fast and simpel is to toggle them within 1 viewer and so they must be in the same folder. When i am finished with the photo- and file-editing i end up with 3 folders: Dir-Org (file-x), Dir-New (file-x-new) and Dir-800 (file-x-new-800).

As far as i remember the MP batch converter did what i need before i clicked the Holtfolder, and i think i liked it (convert and rename into origional folder). The classic converter version seems to difficult for me, i dont want to first rename all files to any (other) sequence.
Then I would loose all explorer and search options between my originial files and the resulting files. Also the change of overwriting (the wrong) files would be enorm. Then how to remember which series of new filenames i (or XNView?) (already) used last week so i dont use them again? The new, actual renamed files would be in another dir then the ones last week so i would have no warning about already existing filenumbers. But sooner or later files will get overwritten although they are not at all the same photos.

So is there any decent way to "undo" my Hotfolder clicking in my Win81 laptop? Without restoring or re-installing Win? Only then can i use XNviewMP, else not...

Thanks and regards,
Wilfried

[cday]

So now I understand that this is a default behaviour from the moment one ever touches the Hotfolder button. Although I dont understand why it must do so, and not being able to undo this choice. I guess most XNViewMP batch beginners will try to use this Hotfolder, thinking it means Favourites.

No, that shouldn't be the case... Clicking the button opens the window to enter a Hot folder path, but if no path is entered the function shouldn't be enabled. And even if a Hot folder path has been entered, the function should only be active if you place your images in the nominated folder. And even then, the infinite loop effect should only occur if the you output to the same folder.

I always first copie the original folder to a copie-folder. I use the copie-folder to run the batchconverter actions ... I always save the new files in the same copie-folder. The reason for the latter is simpel for me. As far as i know the only way to judge original and new files fast and simple is to toggle them within 1 viewer and so they must be in the same folder.

That should work as intended in XnViewMP... What isn't clear is whether you might have revealed a subtle bug in the Batch convert function, possibly related to the recently introduced Hot folder function.

Could you please try the quick test of making the output folder a different folder to the input folder, and see if that works correctly: that could help clarify the situation. It might be best to do the test on your Windows 7 computer given the extra uncertainties concerning Windows 8.1.

If that does work, you can then batch convert and rename your images as you wish with the current version of XnViewMP. If you then copy the resulting images into the input folder, you should then also be able to do the comparison by toggling between the new and original images the way you usually do.

[xnview]

Hot folder can't be used when source pathname = destination pathname else new files will be converted...

Wilfried5719 says that he has never set up a Hot folder path, and the same issue has recurred after uninstalling and reinstalling XnViewMP...

But there is no "auto" convert if hot folder is empty

[Wilfried5719]

My problem at my Win81 laptop was that in case the source folder was once added as hotfolder there was an endless auto-rerun of all source-dir files. I could not correct that anymore, not even after a full un- and re-install.

Today and contrarery to all my tests of the last days my XNViewMP batch converter does not auto-rerun anymore if i just remove the hotfolders. Up to yesterday after having added a hotfolder once it kept on auto-rerunning, with or without hotfolders in the hf list. It even did so after a complete un- and re-install without hotfolders selected.

Now i can just do whatever i want with hotfolders but after removal of them bc now stops auto-rerunning. Without re-install and without pc- and prog restart. I really have no idea why this changed, but i did have some win81 updates yesterday and today.

To be sure from now on i have put a piece of black tape over the screen to hide that hf button... This way i can use MP-BC the (only) way i like best.

Thanks and regards,
Wilfried

(I have not tested Win7 again since that netbook screen is to small for editing anyway. Maybe later, i then will let you know. I now first have to make some more progress with the about 20.000 photo files of 2014 yet that i have to process into some 8000 final ones... )

[cday]

I can see that the name 'Hot folder' could be confusing at first as it isn't a very common term...

So, the previous behaviour remains unexplained -- and whether there might possibly be a subtle bug if a certain sequence is followed -- but in fact that function was in any case irrelevant for the processing you wished to do.

You can now use XnViewMP as you wish to convert and rename files, placing the converted files in the source folder?

[Wilfried5719]

Laptop was still running, so all info without any restart today.
Just tested bc without hf and it runs source files just ones. I bc-rename the results to xxx new and bc-save (add) them in the source folder.

My workflow:
I rename the original folder to a folder Photos YYYYMMMDDD Location org. From that moment i use this folder only for backup.
I copie that folder "org" to a folder Photos YYYYMMMDDD Location new.
On that folder "new" i run bc to (at least) auto-level, auto-contrast and also auto-rename all files to "file new". I always auto-save then in the source folder "new", so in the same folder.
Then i toggle them with the arrow keys in any viewer and delete the lesser ones (file or file new or both).
Then i rename that folder to Photos YYYYMMMDDD Location new ready. Now the master files are final.
Then i copie that folder to another new folder Photos YYYYMMMDDD Location new ready 800.
Then i run bc to downsize them to 800x600 and put some text in them (my gps and photo sites). These "800" files are the ones i use to play in my photoplayer, it is great fun to see them every evening, If at random, which most players dont.

From now on i will start using and adjusting XNViewMP more in detail.

So all works fine now.

[cday]

So all works fine now.

[Wilfried5719]

XNViewMP runs fine now. So i just changed language to dutch.

Then Hotfolders in the bc is translated to "Veelgebruikte mappen". Which (for dutchies) means "Often used folders".

That to my opinion confirms that also the translator(s) saw it as Favourites. Which is not really un-confusing

[cday]

XNViewMP runs fine now. So i just changed language to dutch.

Then Hotfolders in the [Batch convert] is translated to "Veelgebruikte mappen". Which (for dutchies) means "Often used folders".

That to my opinion confirms that also the translator(s) saw it as Favourites. Which is not really un-confusing

A very valid point that could indeed cause serious confusion, affecting the Dutch translations of both XnViewMP and XnConvert and quite possibly other translations...

'Hot folder' is specifically a computer-related term and could be difficult or impossible to translate into other languages: possibly the safest answer will be to always use the English term on the relevant button, and leave it to the user to determine its meaning. That way the risk of using it unintentionally with confusing consequences would be minimised.

I'm not sure how to pass that information to the various translators, but no doubt a moderator can arrange that...

Edit:

Actually the term 'Hot folder' is potentially confusing even in English, as it is only used in a fairly small number of programs and will not be familiar to many users: ideally some sort of explanation or 'Do you really mean it?' warning would be provided, but I don't know how that might be done??

Edit_2:

Although 'Hot folder' is a good name except that it could cause confusion, an alternative name that is used that should avoid any confusion in English and also translate better would be 'Watched folder'... But would it fit on the button?

[Wilfried5719]

To my opinion such specialized options should not be activated per default but from/via/after the settings menu only.

"Do you want the Hotfolder button to show up in Batch converter?"

And ofcourse a very inside explanation and help text (for dummies and dutchies, so they understand to not switch it on).

By the way, the dutch name did not confuse me in the former discussion since i ran in english, just to have no text and translate confusions...

[Wilfried5719]

For your info: about Batch converter Output-tab.

There one can choose Source map or (user defined) Map to save files in.
If you choose Map but dont specify any map it also saves in Source map.

Fine for me! But it might confuse any helpdesk and forum item if you dont realise that.