XnView Software

When using "Save as.." the dialog behaves like a black box with no way to tell what the current settings are (crucial esp. for jpeg) and any means to change them. You need to cancel, go to "Format Settings", select the "Write" tab, search for the correct file format tab, change settings, repeat...

Req: Add a shortcut to the settings for the selected file type to "Save as" including an option to make changed settings permanent or use them just for this one save operation.

I agree with this. I occasionally change jpeg settings and in the next session forget to check and change them back.

Another minor problem with having to go back to "format options" is that you also have to remember to navigate to the "write" tab and then find the correct image format tab.

The batch conversion window provides a example of how it works well, where the "settings..." link takes you directly to the write options for the chosen format.
In fact, in a new session I often use "batch convert" on a single file from the browser window as my "save-as" for this very reason. After I know the settings are as I want them then I can use the right-click "convert into" - although I often keep using the batch convert as my save-as.
And I have just realised that batch-convert also works in the image view window.

Marsu42 wrote:Req: Add a shortcut to the settings for the selected file type to "Save as" ...

This is an existing request which Pierre has already added to his To-Do list...

Marsu42 wrote:... including an option to make changed settings permanent or use them just for this one save operation.

That would be a new feature for XnView software, I think...

cday wrote:

Marsu42 wrote:Req: Add a shortcut to the settings for the selected file type to "Save as" ...

This is an existing request which Pierre has already added to his To-Do list...

Sorry, "csfe" (can't search for everything) , I'll try to improve.

cday wrote:

Marsu42 wrote:... including an option to make changed settings permanent or use them just for this one save operation.

That would be a new feature for XnView software, I think...

... but at least this *is* a new suggestion. I know I saw this feature somewhere, probably ACDSee. The rationale: I have default settings that make sense for most of my jpeg saves, but often I'd like a smaller or larger file just this once. If the "Save" dialog always changes the default settings (quality, subsampling, ...) it's a pita to change them back.

The most useful way for save settings would probably what for example Lightroom does - profiles ... so I could have a "web", "hq", and "everything else" jpeg setting.

Marsu42 wrote:...
The most useful way for save settings would probably what for example Lightroom does - profiles ... so I could have a "web", "hq", and "everything else" jpeg setting.

As I see it there are 3 potential ways to address this issue, starting at the most flexible (most effort to create)

1. settable profiles, as you have described here. To maximise usefulness, would need to indicate the current profile name in the save-as dialogue and on the convert into right-click menu option
2. a single (default) profile that could be saved and restored (and that is restored automatically on program restart) - I think this was mentioned in the previous thread
3. a "just this once" settings option.

I would prefer option 2 over option 3, because if I use a different (lower grade) setting then I am often preparing a series of images and want the same settings retained for the duration of the session. Option 2 might also be slightly easier to code.

Having said all that, because I have developed the habit of using the batch convert as my save-as I do not place this at a high priority. But having these slightly obscure workarounds is not good usability, especially for new users.

CameronD wrote:

Marsu42 wrote:Having said all that, because I have developed the habit of using the batch convert as my save-as I do not place this at a high priority. But having these slightly obscure workarounds is not good usability, especially for new users.

Thanks to everyone who mentioned this possibility, I'd never got the idea by myself ... this makes this request less urgent, at least for users who read this.