XnView Software

There are two simple tasks I would like to accomplish, but can't get my head around:
1. Convert a bunch of files from HEIC to JPEG.
2. Rename them from <original folder>\<original filename> to <new folder>\<EXIF timestamp>_<original filename>.
If the latter is not possible in XnView, I can use IrfanView, once I have accomplished the former.
I have read XnView MP for Beginners - Guides and Tutorials and watched the video How to batch rename and resize using XnView MP. but still can't figure it out.
I don't get any sound in the video, and far prefer written instructions.

Tools > Batch convert.. is probably the easiest way, on the Output tab look for the small horizontal arrow to the right of the Filename field to select metadata options.

Or use XnConvert, an excellent standalone software nominally identical to the XnView MP batch convert function.

Thanks, I managed task #1 with XnConvert, after I figured out that I should just skip the "Actions" tab.
I guess XnView would require ExifTool to do task #2.

rsbrux wrote: Sat Aug 17, 2024 11:15 am.
I guess XnView would require ExifTool to do task #2.

I don't know as I don't use Exif, but did you check all the Exif options available if you click on the small right-arrow I indicated, which opens two levels of options?

If not currently supported could possibly be added if you request that.

Thanks, I hadn't noticed that right arrow before. It opens up a multitude of possibilites, including what I want. However, the resulting files are processed, not just renamed. The file sizes are different, even though I picked "same as original" for file format. The JPEG quality in percent seems to affect the file size. How can I have XnView (or XnConvert) just *rename* the files, without processing the contents?

rsbrux wrote: Sun Aug 18, 2024 6:48 am I hadn't noticed that right arrow before. It opens up a multitude of possibilities, including what I want.

However, the resulting files are processed, not just renamed. The file sizes are different, even though I picked "same as original" for file format. The JPEG quality in percent seems to affect the file size.

You would need to also click on the Settings... button below the Format button and then set your preferred options, there is one to resave using the original compression value when possible, which might solve your issue.

How can I have XnView (or XnConvert) just *rename* the files, without processing the contents?

I don't think that is currently possible, but you might suggest that the option be added to the Output or Settings tab if it could be implemented, best make the request as a new thread.

Many thanks for the prompt response!

cday wrote: Sun Aug 18, 2024 8:16 am You would need to also click on the Settings... button below the Format button and then set your preferred options, there is one to resave using the original compression value when possible, which might solve your issue.

I tried that, but the output files were still different from the input files.

cday wrote: Sun Aug 18, 2024 8:16 am I don't think that is currently possible, but you might suggest that the option be added to the Output or Settings tab if it could be implemented, best make the request as a new thread.

WIll do. Meanwhile I will stick with IrfanView for renaming. There are few things that IV can do that XnView can't and many more that XnView can but IV can't, but it seems that I will still be usinng both for a while.
Thanks again for all your help!

Obviously, I should have been using "Batch rename..." instead of "Batch convert...". However, I was too stupid to realize:
a) that I had to select the files in the browser before invoking "Tools - Batch rename"
b) that I had to use "Tools - Search" to do so
Since the operation of batch rename is so different from batch convert, it would be really nice if there were a dedicated topic for it in the wiki.
The title of How to batch convert and batch process with XnView MP leads one to expect it to handle both, but it only deals with batch convert.

rsbrux wrote: Sun Aug 18, 2024 6:48 am Thanks, I hadn't noticed that right arrow before. It opens up a multitude of possibilites, including what I want. However, the resulting files are processed, not just renamed. The file sizes are different, even though I picked "same as original" for file format. The JPEG quality in percent seems to affect the file size. How can I have XnView (or XnConvert) just *rename* the files, without processing the contents?

Please use 'batch rename' to only rename files