Smart album - add filesystem search

Ideas for improvements and requests for new features in XnView MP

Moderator: xnview

User avatar
user0
XnThusiast
Posts: 3046
Joined: Sat May 09, 2015 9:37 am

Smart album - add filesystem search

Post by user0 »

XnViewMP 1.9.8
Windows11 (25H2), display resolution 3840x2160, dpi scale 150%

Browser - smart album(search)
saved smart album searches in Catalog only, which is inconvenient

Suggestion
  • add filesystem search
    add an option to change search scope between Catalog/File system/both (like in Bridge)




Example
Bridge, Lightroom, CaptureOne
other_apps_smart_album_collection_dialog.png





Related
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Last edited by user0 on Sun Jun 21, 2026 5:33 am, edited 1 time in total.
Top
jkm
Posts: 659
Joined: Sat May 11, 2024 12:43 am

Re: Smart album - add filesystem search

Post by jkm »

The Smart Albums feature is implemented as it is because it provides instant results. This makes it very useful and convenient.

Searching against the filesystem would be slow, and the resulting delay when clicking on a Smart Album could confuse some users.

Moreover, if the search against the filesystem was also constructed to use exiftool fields, then the search would be even slower, as all the files in the filesystem target area would additionally have to be scanned by an exiftool process. So that would be even worse.

I understand the need to be able to search the file system from time to time. But in the Search Dialog, saved search presets are provided for exactly this purpose. Admittedly it is an extra couple of clicks compared to saving it as a smart album. But it does not take long compared to the time a metadata search of the filesystem will take.

If repetitive searches for the same data (which is what a smart album does, by definition) are to be frequently performed, leveraging the catalog is to be encouraged.
Top

Return to “MP - Suggestions”