XnView Software

While dealing with Klaus' suggestions and bug report I learnt quite a bit about the new file listing creation of XnView MP (menu "Create > File listing..."). The possibility to add and remove columns makes this file listing very flexible, which is pretty cool.

S1: File listing out of the box
When starting the file listing creation the very first time, there are no columns and the user is forced to add columns. Would be good if there was an default file listing which can be used out of the box. Default columns should be similar to the Windows version, e.g.:
1. {Directory}{Filename With Ext}
2. {Size}
3. {File Type} (Note: Currently there is no such place holder)
4. {Comment}

S2: User-defined headings
Currently, the column headings depend on the placeholders and are generated automatically. I'd find it very cool and flexible if the user could specify a column header when adding a column. A column header could be derived automatically from the placeholders, but the user should have the option to edit the column header.

S3: Clearer user interface
Currently, the user interface is not really self explaining. It would be good if...
...tool tips "Add column" and "Remove column" could be added.
...the panel had a title "Columns".

S4: Quicker result
It's good to have an option "Copy to clipboard" for a quicker test and output. But even when checking "Copy to clipboard" the user has to specify an output file and save. Would be good if there would be a way to export to the clipboard only. And it would be good if there was an option to generate the file immediately (like XnView Classic) with an automatic file name (e.g. C:\Temp\file list.txt).

Here's a draft which shows the user defined columns and a clearer user interface: S5: Align column headers and column data
Currently, columns are separated by tabs. Instead, the column headers should be separated by space and be aligned with the column data (assuming that a fixed font is used). Currently it looks like this: Instead, it should look like this: Alternatively there could be a format "Text (Tab separated)" and a format "Text (preformatted)".

Generally agree with everything you said. However, there is a danger at S5: Align column headers and column data:

Let us not forget that the file listing in many cases will be further parsed by another program, hence the tab-delimited format is much more powerful / easier to parse than the fixed-width format which you suggest. But I agree to have two formats: "Text (Tab delimited)" and "Text (Fixed width)"

Me again.

IMHO, the GUI isn't correct.

[Ok] is a destination, a decisive action and is a button.
'Copy to clipboard' is a destination, a decisive action but is a check box.

Confusing.

My proposal:

1. Get rid of the 'Copy to clipboard' check box.
2. In the buttons footer have the following buttons:

• 'Preview' - (discussed in another thread) will show the list in a simple window with a memo / text box in it, but will NOT close the form.
• 'Copy to clipboard' - will have the actual code which copies the list to the clipboard, but will NOT close the form.
• 'Save As...' - will have the actual code which saves the list to a text file, but will NOT close the form
• 'Close' - will just close the form

The non-modal character of the buttons will allow us to chose the desired destination (not everybody will want to save it in a text file) and, also, will help us to refine the list till will reach to the desired output.