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Batch rename - rework UI

Posted: Tue May 16, 2023 3:04 pm
by user0
XnViewMP 1.4.5 64bit
Windows11 (22H2), display resolution 3840x2160, win scaling 150%


Batch rename
dialog looks a little bit clumsy
batch_rename_original.png

Suggestion
make few UI adjustments
  • General
    - add functionality to add/delete files
    - rework Name_template saving functionality into global Preset (similar to Batch convert dialog)
    - rename OK/Cancel buttons to Rename/Close
    - actually Directory column is not that essential in this dialog (see Advanced Renamer UI below), but I left it in place for now.
  • A
    - rearrange dialog layout to display more files on the screen
    - remove 'Create new name template when opening dialog' as it does not required anymore
  • B
    At that point it feels like, why not to use Batch convert instead - just add rename actions and new Filelist tab after Before/After in Preview.
    Not sure, pro - all-in-one, cons - tool became more complicated.
    - remove image preview as there are not that much space left
    -- maybe show it as on_hover popup if required OR
    -- add thumbnails to the filelist
    - rework UI into Actions (same as in Batch convert)
  • C
    - move Preset from bottom to the top
    - use bottom space as status bar
    - move Action up/down buttons to the top AND remove Enabled label for cleaner UI
  • D
    - add Details collapsible pane (under filelist area) that appears on file selection
    - add Error (or Status) column that indicates if there are any issues with renaming sequence (or file access)
  • E
    - add Details pane on the right. Invokes via checkbox, can be sized as in Draw
batch_rename_rework_ui.png




UI examples
  • Advanced Renamer
    the best renamer I know so far
    advanced_renamer.png
  • ReNamer
    ReNamer.png
  • ACDSee
    acdsee_batch_rename.png

Re: Batch rename - rework UI

Posted: Tue May 16, 2023 3:45 pm
by xnview
Mockup A is better but in this case we can't resize dialog to grow preview

Re: Batch rename - rework UI

Posted: Tue May 16, 2023 4:17 pm
by user0
but who need to resize preview in rename tool..
it is also possible to zoom_by_mouse_scroll and drag it by RMB.

As for me, I never wished anything bigger than small preview in Advanced renamer.

ps: the main benefit of 'Action structure' - clear understanding of actions sequence and ability to duplicate/reposition them

UPD
added mockup D (my favourite so far)

Re: Batch rename - rework UI

Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2023 1:48 pm
by xnview
user0 wrote: Tue May 16, 2023 4:17 pm but who need to resize preview in rename tool..
I have customers that need it

Re: Batch rename - rework UI

Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2023 2:46 pm
by user0
Mockup E - it can be positioned on the right and be:
- collapsible, like regualar Preview
- resizable, like details panel in Draw

Re: Batch rename - rework UI

Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2023 5:52 am
by xnview
yes Mockup E is good, without Actions. Only collapse/expand the option...

Re: Batch rename - rework UI

Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2023 6:42 am
by user0
sounds good 👍

ps. regarding Error column, I guess it deserves separate post

Re: Batch rename - rework UI

Posted: Thu Sep 28, 2023 6:52 am
by xnview
i've tried Mockup E, but i think that dialog is too big.
Should the preview be resized?
Thoughts from other users?

Re: Batch rename - rework UI

Posted: Thu Sep 28, 2023 11:52 am
by cicciobello
xnview wrote: Thu Sep 28, 2023 6:52 am i've tried Mockup E, but i think that dialog is too big.
Should the preview be resized?
Thoughts from other users?
In this dialogue the preview has only the control function, and is secondary. So the small preview is fine.

The most important thing is the filename column (old name -> new name). Sometimes I have long file names, and I would like to read them completely.
Having the column with the directory name is also very useful to me.

In my opinion, the D mockup (with preview below) can be enlarged to better read the file names and adding the directory.

Re: Batch rename - rework UI

Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2023 2:00 pm
by xnview
yes mockup D is better to resize, something like that
Clipboard-1.png
You can resize the file list/preview

Re: Batch rename - rework UI

Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2023 5:01 pm
by cicciobello
Approved!

Re: Batch rename - rework UI

Posted: Sun Oct 01, 2023 7:31 am
by xnview
Thoughts from other users??
cicciobello wrote: Fri Sep 29, 2023 5:01 pm Approved!

Re: Batch rename - rework UI

Posted: Sun Oct 01, 2023 7:51 am
by michel038
Approved... If the filenames list is long, the preview will become smaller ?
For me, a detailed preview isn't very important when renaming as said above

Re: Batch rename - rework UI

Posted: Sun Oct 01, 2023 7:54 am
by cicciobello
One thing only: is it possible to add the ability to delete only the current template?

Re: Batch rename - rework UI

Posted: Sun Oct 01, 2023 8:21 am
by user0
xnview wrote: Thu Sep 28, 2023 6:52 am i've tried Mockup E, but i think that dialog is too big.
actions pane can be narrower ~30%, eg:
- replace "Clear template" button with "X"
- rephrase "Create new name template when opening dialog" to "Create new template on open", but I would rework this as it feels too complicate
eg mockup E is 1770px wide, can be squeezed to 1630px
xnview wrote: Thu Sep 28, 2023 6:52 am Should the preview be resized?
yes, the same way as details pane in Draw
but there shall be some minimum size limit


xnview wrote: Fri Sep 29, 2023 2:00 pm yes mockup D is better to resize, something like that Clipboard-1.png
well..
  • if there is no ability to change actions' order, I doubt its required to place them one under another, eg "Extension" and "Case" can be left untouched
  • "Clean diacritic characters" also can be left as is, I doubt it deserves its own group without details
  • its better to align beginning of Replace fields

xnview wrote: Fri Sep 29, 2023 2:00 pm You can resize the file list/preview
Resizing is fine, but I'm afraid there will be a lot of unused space in preview area when its minimized in favor of filelist.
Judging from personal experience in other apps, I usually add ~50-500 files to rename, and quick scrolling to see if there are any errors is much easiest with tall filelist area.