Multiple directories choice for Move/Copy to...

Ideas for improvements and requests for new features in XnView MP

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lian
Posts: 228
Joined: Wed Nov 24, 2004 8:53 pm

Multiple directories choice for Move/Copy to...

Post by lian »

Hello,
some suggestions for future versions on MP:
1. I have a "common" directory where all my image files ares downloaded and I need to move them to three distincts directories. Maybe it could be nice when moving/coping files with Ctrl+M (or C) to get the choice between the three last directories. So I won't have to chose each time a previous directory where to move these damn images.
2. managing the favorites. It lacks...
SF, illustrations et mes BD sur mon blog: https://www.li-an.fr/
Windows 10 Home 64 bits
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helmut
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Re: multiple directories choice

Post by helmut »

lian wrote:Hello,
some suggestions for future versions on MP:
1. I have a "common" directory where all my image files ares downloaded and I need to move them to three distincts directories. Maybe it could be nice when moving/coping files with Ctrl+M (or C) to get the choice between the three last directories. So I won't have to chose each time a previous directory where to move these damn images.
For the recent directories you have the drop down list at the bottom of the screen, have you tried it? You can open it with mouse click or F4 key.
lian wrote:2. managing the favorites. It lacks...
I agree.
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lian
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Re: multiple directories choice

Post by lian »

helmut wrote:For the recent directories you have the drop down list at the bottom of the screen, have you tried it? You can open it with mouse click or F4 key.
Yes, I use it... daily. But for my usage, I would be more convenient to have some rapid shortcuts to the last visited favorites. Clicking, selecting, it's just one click too much.
SF, illustrations et mes BD sur mon blog: https://www.li-an.fr/
Windows 10 Home 64 bits
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helmut
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Re: multiple directories choice

Post by helmut »

lian wrote:
helmut wrote:For the recent directories you have the drop down list at the bottom of the screen, have you tried it? You can open it with mouse click or F4 key.
Yes, I use it... daily. But for my usage, I would be more convenient to have some rapid shortcuts to the last visited favorites. Clicking, selecting, it's just one click too much.
O.k..

When using the keyboard for the whole moving/copying process, it is:
1. Alt+M (or Alt+C) for opening the "Move to..." (pr "Copy to...") dialog.
2. Cursor keys up/down for choosing one of the most recent directories. Or F4 to view the list and then cursor keys.
3. Enter key for moving (copying) the images to the chosen directory.

Not quite sure how this could be made even quicker/faster and flexible at the same time.
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lian
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Re: multiple directories choice

Post by lian »

Simple: when making Alt+M, it shows the 3 last used directories. You just have to click on the one you need. Only one click so it beats your solution :P
SF, illustrations et mes BD sur mon blog: https://www.li-an.fr/
Windows 10 Home 64 bits
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helmut
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Re: multiple directories choice

Post by helmut »

lian wrote:Simple: when making Alt+M, it shows the 3 last used directories. You just have to click on the one you need. Only one click so it beats your solution :P
Your suggested solution solution does cover your use case, but will not fit for many other users. Dialog design must always balance between simple and fast usage and flexibility and universality. A software can fit well, but never fit 100% to all users needs. Otherwise you would need a custom-tailored software or an XnView with hundreds of options and settings.

Operating a user interface with shortcuts (keyboard), only, is much faster than using a mouse or switching between mouse and keyboard, btw.
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lian
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Re: multiple directories choice

Post by lian »

Well, if I don't ask for anything there is no chance I got it.
I suppose it's not so unusual as you are thinking. Look at Fastone Image Viewer: to move (or copy) a file, you type M - much more simple thant Alt+M - and a window with all favorites is showing. Much more easier to select a destination...
SF, illustrations et mes BD sur mon blog: https://www.li-an.fr/
Windows 10 Home 64 bits
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helmut
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Re: multiple directories choice

Post by helmut »

lian wrote:Well, if I don't ask for anything there is no chance I got it.
Right, sorry for defending the current user interface of Copy to... and Move to.... Your wish and description reminded me of the messy dialog of a popular graphic viewer, which I had seen some years ago (not sure whether this had been changed since then). Perhaps this explains a bit.
lian wrote:I suppose it's not so unusual as you are thinking. Look at Fastone Image Viewer: to move (or copy) a file, you type M - much more simple thant Alt+M - and a window with all favorites is showing. Much more easier to select a destination...
Just had a look at FastStone's dialog and found it o.k.. There, both recent folders and favorites can be accessed in an even quicker way and can be operated using the keyboard (in theory, if you do try, you will notice that switching between History and Favorites is very difficult).

As a first, small improvement in XnView I'd suggest to enable keyboard support for the favorites: Currently, you cannot open the list of favorites using the keyboard (at least, I didn't find a way). F4 key is used for opening the list on dropdownlists, the same should work on the favorites button.

Perhaps in the mid/long run there is more to do...
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xnview
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Re: multiple directories choice

Post by xnview »

2. managing the favorites. It lacks...
Why?
lian wrote:Well, if I don't ask for anything there is no chance I got it.
I suppose it's not so unusual as you are thinking. Look at Fastone Image Viewer: to move (or copy) a file, you type M - much more simple thant Alt+M - and a window with all favorites is showing. Much more easier to select a destination...
Favorites Popup menu is not good???
Pierre.
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lian
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Re: Multiple directories choice for Move/Copy to...

Post by lian »

xnview wrote:
2. managing the favorites. It lacks...
Why?
Because you may have to delete some old favorites or edit them. The ability to change order of appearance could be nice too.
xnview wrote:
lian wrote:Well, if I don't ask for anything there is no chance I got it.
I suppose it's not so unusual as you are thinking. Look at Fastone Image Viewer: to move (or copy) a file, you type M - much more simple thant Alt+M - and a window with all favorites is showing. Much more easier to select a destination...
Favorites Popup menu is not good???
The pop up is good. I was speaking about what the pop up contains. It could list favorites or last folders used so it's quicker to move or copy images.

By the way, I add one more proposition:
when batch renaming (F2), maybe it could be nice that the model name is preselected (I mean all the field).
SF, illustrations et mes BD sur mon blog: https://www.li-an.fr/
Windows 10 Home 64 bits
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xnview
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Re: Multiple directories choice for Move/Copy to...

Post by xnview »

lian wrote: Because you may have to delete some old favorites or edit them. The ability to change order of appearance could be nice too.
But you can already delete or edit them
The pop up is good. I was speaking about what the pop up contains. It could list favorites or last folders used so it's quicker to move or copy images.

By the way, I add one more proposition:
when batch renaming (F2), maybe it could be nice that the model name is preselected (I mean all the field).
Sorry but i don't understand, what must be changed? :)
Pierre.
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lian
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Re: Multiple directories choice for Move/Copy to...

Post by lian »

Default behaviour for F2: http://tof.canardpc.com/view/38bef96e-1 ... 906ae2.jpg
What I need: http://tof.canardpc.com/view/55e6cb83-1 ... d178a0.jpg

For the moment, it seems that the only way to manage favorites is to go in .ini file ? No ?
SF, illustrations et mes BD sur mon blog: https://www.li-an.fr/
Windows 10 Home 64 bits
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xnview
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Re: Multiple directories choice for Move/Copy to...

Post by xnview »

Ok :)
For the moment, it seems that the only way to manage favorites is to go in .ini file ? No ?
No in the favorite pane
Pierre.
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lian
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Re: Multiple directories choice for Move/Copy to...

Post by lian »

No in the favorite pane
Oopsss. You are right. I've asked the question in the forum and someone told me I had to use the ini file... Thanks.
SF, illustrations et mes BD sur mon blog: https://www.li-an.fr/
Windows 10 Home 64 bits