Multiple Catalogs

[ChasZuck]

Does XnView support multiple catalogs? Here is what I would like to do. I would like one catalog for all photos not connected to my cameras and another catalog for just the photos taken by my cameras. Is that possible and can you direct me to instructions on doing that? Currently all those photos are under Pictures folder with many sub-folders.

[jkm]

XnViewMP does not support multiple catalogs at this time. This is a feature that is needed by many Lightroom users, and is under consideration for a future release.

If you want this feature, I suggest posting in the Suggestions board. This will help increase the priority.

In the meantime, you can make it use multiple catalogs yourself with either a couple of different approaches:

1. Use two different Portable installations of XnViewMP, keeping all files in the portable folder. (Easy to setup, but this will mean you have two different settings/preferences files unless you override from the command line, which is a bit annoying)

2. Use a batch file to switch between catalogs.
This is very effective, but it has a couple of caveats and you need to know a couple of things.
-XnViewMP must be fully closed when you "switch" catalogs
-There are 2 important files in your XnViewMP data directory: XnView.db and Thumb.db

Those are the catalog and thumbnail files. Those are the file names the app will use when it launches. Your current catalog is stored in those two files now.

So if you create yourself a couple of catalogs, you can copy them off to new files named like this:
XnView_1.db
Thumb_1.db
XnView_2.db
Thumb_2.db

Then you can have a batch file "XnViewMP-Catalog1" that looks like this:
copy XnView_1.db XnView.db
copy Thumb_1.db Thumb.db
xnviewmp
copy XnView.db XnView_1.db
copy Thumb.db Thumb_1.db

Your XnViewMP-Catalog2 batch file would look the same, but with the _2 files.

It copies the saved catalog to the working file names, runs the app (which uses whatever is in the working file names, then copies it back when you're done.)

This can be a bit slow, with all the copying, but it's safe. Just run only one of them at a time.

If this sounds too complicated or scary for you, then post the suggestion and wait patiently.

Have fun...

[ChasZuck]

I was thinking I could save then remove the saved catalog, then start a new catalog. It is frustrating trying find find thee information I need, I am soon ready to uninstall and just use File Explorer to manage my photos.
Much of what you say is over my head. I need something simple. The only problem I have with file explorer is I have not been able to find where the tags names are stored and as a result I end up with many similar tags because I don't remember the tags I used. So, I want to remove the catalog and uninstall XnView. How do I do that?

[jkm]

I was thinking I could save then remove the saved catalog, then start a new catalog.

You can. It's just those 2 files: XnView.db and Thumb.db

... I am soon ready to uninstall and just use File Explorer to manage my photos.
The only problem I have with file explorer is I have not been able to find where the tags names are stored and as a result I end up with many similar tags because I don't remember the tags I used.

Yeah, File Explorer won't do the sorts of things necessary. It's not for image management. It's doesn't remotely have enough tag support. So you can give up on that idea.

I'm afraid you're really not being reasonable in your expectations. You think you want multiple catalogs. That's fair. But any software that supports multiple catalogs (like Lightroom) is complex and is going to require a learning curve. That's just the way it is. There isn't any software that does everything and has no learning curve. So I advise you to prepare yourself to do a bit of learning.

I suggest that you pick a piece of software that seems to offer most of what you need, or at least software that you seem to like, and then stick with it a while to learn it. Whatever application you pick, you'll be better off with that approach.

If you want to learn more about XnViewMP, you can ask questions here or look at the thread in this link. Other than that, XnViewMP is not well documented I'm afraid. But it is free, actively developed, and getting better all the time.
XnView MP for Beginners - Guides and Tutorials Those guides are old, but they're what there is.

So, I want to remove the catalog and uninstall XnView. How do I do that?

Well, you installed it. Reverse the process. Either uninstall it, or delete the directory.

Bye...

[ChasZuck]

Yeah, File Explorer won't do the sorts of things necessary. It's not for image management. It's doesn't remotely have enough tag support. So you can give up on that idea.

I'm afraid you're really not being reasonable in your expectations. You think you want multiple catalogs. That's fair. But any software that supports multiple catalogs (like Lightroom) is complex and is going to require a learning curve. That's just the way it is. There isn't any software that does everything and has no learning curve. So I advise you to prepare yourself to do a bit of learning.

I suggest that you pick a piece of software that seems to offer most of what you need, or at least software that you seem to like, and then stick with it a while to learn it. Whatever application you pick, you'll be better off with that approach.

If you want to learn more about XnViewMP, you can ask questions here or look at the thread in this link. Other than that, XnViewMP is not well documented I'm afraid. But it is free, actively developed, and getting better all the time.
XnView MP for Beginners - Guides and Tutorials Those guides are old, but they're what there is.

I thank you for your reply. My frustration exceeded common sense. You have many valid points and I do like many things about XnView. I think that guides and tutorials link will be a great help. My main goal with XnView is to combine many keywords/tags that are similar. File Explorer used to have auto-complete for tagging that helped eliminate the variations that I have ended up with. I think the best thing I can do at this point is to remove the current catalog and start over fresh and work through the Guides link you gave me. You're right, File Explorer does not do near what XnView can do. I find Lightroom confusing and don't like how it actually stores a copy of the photo, which takes more room on a PC. As you said, I need to stick with whatever I use. I know there is a learning curve and need to be patient and work with it. With people like you on the forum, I think I can learn XnView. It is so nice to be able to see all the photos on the screen regardless of the folder they are in. So, in closing, thank you for wise information.

[jkm]

You’re very welcome.

It’s easy to get frustrated with computers and software. It happens to me all the time, and I’ve been in the business for a very long time indeed.

XnViewMP is unquestionably extremely poorly documented. It has a lot of sometimes-confusing options, and a considerable number of idiosyncrasies. And that makes it difficult for new users to learn. But free and constantly improving counts for a lot. If you stick with it and learn it, and leverage it for what it is, then in six months or so, with the additional improvements that are coming, I think you’ll be better off than you are now.

Cheers…

[ChasZuck]

You’re very welcome.

It’s easy to get frustrated with computers and software. It happens to me all the time, and I’ve been in the business for a very long time indeed.

XnViewMP is unquestionably extremely poorly documented. It has a lot of sometimes-confusing options, and a considerable number of idiosyncrasies. And that makes it difficult for new users to learn. But free and constantly improving counts for a lot. If you stick with it and learn it, and leverage it for what it is, then in six months or so, with the additional improvements that are coming, I think you’ll be better off than you are now.

Cheers…

Again, thank you for your advice and encouragement. Much appreciated. I have had this program on my PC off and on for years mostly just using it to look at my photos. Now I hope to use it to consolidate my keywords and add more information to my photos.