Enhancement request – Cross-platform compatibility of XnView catalog

[ChrisFrance]

Hello,

I would like to submit an enhancement request regarding the XnView catalog functionality.

Currently, the XnView catalog is not compatible between Windows and macOS environments due to the different folder path structures used by each operating system. In my case, the photos I catalog are stored on an external hard drive, which I use interchangeably on both Windows and Mac systems.

This limitation forces me to maintain separate catalogs or to regularly reconfigure folder paths, which is neither practical nor reliable in the long term. Ideally, it should be possible to use a single, shared catalog, regardless of the operating system, for example through:

the use of relative paths,

an abstraction layer for system-specific paths (Windows / macOS),

or any other mechanism that would ensure catalog portability.

Such an enhancement would significantly improve the usability of the XnView catalog for users working across multiple environments, especially in professional contexts such as photography, communication, or archiving.

Thank you in advance for considering this request.

Best regards,

Christophe

[xnview]

you need to use 'base path'