Wishlist: simplified file associations

[Guest]

Hello,

XnView knows two seperate options for handling file types (File Types, Associations).

Here is my suggestion for an easier selection of associated types.
The link below shows an image with an enhanced options dialog window.
<link to image is broken>

explanation:
- Association: double-clicking these files opens Xnview
- File Browsing: these files are shown (or not) in the browser window and in the single-image window (e.g. I don't like viewing PDF with Xnview)
- Command Line: when a file is sended e.g. via the "Send to" command to Xnview, then it's displayed (or not)

Hope you like it.

Best wishes.

Jan

[Lostclown]

This is a good idea, although it may need to be refined somewhat.

First, a "Save as" column will also be needed to fulfill the role of the current "File types" item in options.

With "File browsing" unchecked the files should still be shown in the browse window but not colored (to indicate it is an image) and don't have any properties. (I am referring to detail browse view of cource).

I see no reason for stopping xnview from displaying images passed through the command line. And specifically using the "Send To" shortcut indicates that the user want's to display the image in XnView. No need to stop him from doing that whatever options are selected.

Lostclown

[helmut]

...
Xnview knows two seperate options for handling file types (File Types, Associations).

Thank you for raising this topic, Jan. The file types and associations are really not a strong point and often confuse users.

Also, there might be a third setting, one day: Browser: "Select the formats which you want to see thumbnails." Then people could include & exclude formats which they want to see thumbnails (suggested and discussed in another thread - but couldn't find it)

I think the problem is not so much the handling, it's more understanding what these options do. So as a simple start some minor changes would help to make things clearer - I think:

1.) In the options dialog, bring both categories closer together, e.g.

...
Installation
Associations
Formats

2.) Make explanations clearer.
Category "Formats": Instead of
"Select the file types which you would like to use in XnView."
it might say for example:
"Select the file types which you would like to use in XnView for opening and saving files."

Category "Associations": Instead of
"Select the file types which you would like XnView to open from the Explorer."
it might say:
"Select the file types which you want to associate and open with XnView. (E.g. when double-clicking on file in Windows Explorer.)"

[Guest]

First thanks to all that you like my idea.

With "File browsing" unchecked the files should still be shown in the browse window but not colored (to indicate it is an image) and don't have any properties. (I am referring to detail browse view of cource).

Then this option should be separated in two cases:
1. indicate as image
2. never show (cause I don't want to view some file types with Xnview)

Best wishes.

Jan

[Dreamer]

I saw this somewhere and I think it would be the best:

Join "Associations" and "File types" - show both on one screen:

Code: Select all

      Associations   File types
BMP   [x]            [x]
GIF   [x]            [ ]
JPG   [x]            [x]   
...

File types with another name maybe

[ckit]

Yes, I like Dreamer's idea

[xnview]

I saw this somewhere and I think it would be the best:

Join "Associations" and "File types" - show both on one screen:

Code: Select all

      Associations   File types
BMP   [x]            [x]
GIF   [x]            [ ]
JPG   [x]            [x]   
...

File types with another name maybe

One problem, Associations can be made by extension almost format, File type can't

[Lostclown]

Combining "File types" and "Assotiations" is a good idea and could make things more simple. But it has implications as Pierre has pointed out. You can disable assotiations by file type or file extension. But you can only disable/enable saving by file type (then there is onle default extension for that type, although the can manually type in other extension if available for that format).

I suggest renaming the "File types" group in options to "Save file types" as a simple intermediate solution that should make things less confusing.

This has been previously posted in another thread
http://newsgroup.xnview.com/viewtopic.php?t=1517
but is better located here as Helmut pointed out.

Lostclown

[Dreamer]

One problem, Associations can be made by extension almost format, File type can't

I misunderstood, could you explain, please?

I think, it's not important what name would be there (for File Types), it would be still confusing for some (many) users - if there would be this:
[x] bmp
[x] jpg
[ ] gif
...
Users might think, this are "associations", if they don't know a File Types feature.

I think the best idea is to have both "Associations" and "File Types" on one screen, if previous idea is not good, what about this?

Code: Select all

Associations

[x] bmp
[x] jpg
[ ] gif
...
buttons [the most used] [add all] [restore all]

File types

[ ] bmp
[x] jpg
[ ] gif
...
buttons [the most used] [add all] [none]

[xnview]

One problem, Associations can be made by extension almost format, File type can't

I misunderstood, could you explain, please?

For "File Save" format list is jpeg, windows bitmap, .... but some formats have more than 1 extension, so you can associate only one of them.

[Dreamer]

One problem, Associations can be made by extension almost format, File type can't

I misunderstood, could you explain, please?

For "File Save" format list is jpeg, windows bitmap, .... but some formats have more than 1 extension, so you can associate only one of them.

Thank you. So what about that, it's not ideal solution, but I think still better than rename "File Type" to any other name... (read also my post above)

Code: Select all

Associations 

[x] bmp 
[x] jpg 
[ ] gif 
... 
buttons [the most used] [add all] [restore all] 

File types 

[ ] bmp 
[x] jpg 
[ ] gif 
... 
buttons [the most used] [add all] [none]

[helmut]

The problem of the "File types" is that they look like file extension, but in fact they aren't. Also, when looking at the categories and searching from top to bottom, one sees "Formats", first. So novice users open this one and make their settings there.

The difference between "File types" and "Associations" should be made clearer. Putting both settings into one category addresses comfort, but does not improve clearliness much (the user knows that there are two settings, still doesn't know what these are good for). Even the opposite might be the case since it will become harder to add explanations.

Before restructuring the options and putting much effort into this, I'd like to see the changes suggested in post of Fri Nov 26, 2004 (see above), implemented first.

[Dreamer]

The problem of the "File types" is that they look like file extension, but in fact they aren't.

Yes exactly.

Putting both settings into one category addresses comfort, but does not improve clearliness much (the user knows that there are two settings, still doesn't know what these are good for).

Yes, of course, but if user see 'Associations' and 'File types' on one screen, he knows (at least) where are 'Associations'

If there would be 'File types' independently with any name, it still would be confusing, because of that (above) - even if you explain it as good as possible.

But explanation is needed of course... maybe this?? "File save types - NOT Associations"

Also, there might be a third setting, one day: Browser: "Select the formats which you want to see thumbnails." Then people could include & exclude formats which they want to see thumbnails (suggested and discussed in another thread - but couldn't find it)

I think this option is not needed, it would be all even more complicated...

I think options "No thumbnail for file larger than..." and "Items shown in thumbnail mode" are enough.

[xnview]

1.) In the options dialog, bring both categories closer together, e.g.
...
Installation
Associations
Formats

Ok, i change order.

2.) Make explanations clearer.
Category "Formats": Instead of
"Select the file types which you would like to use in XnView."
it might say for example:
"Select the file types which you would like to use in XnView for opening and saving files."

Category "Associations": Instead of
"Select the file types which you would like XnView to open from the Explorer."
it might say:
"Select the file types which you want to associate and open with XnView. (E.g. when double-clicking on file in Windows Explorer.)"

Ok, thanks

[Guest]

1. For me the caption in File types configuration pane should be something like "Select file types available in XnView for actions other than displaying" (or "for opening and writing", if these are REALLY REALLY only two actions this option refers to).

2. The message in Associations does not require change imo.

X.