XnConvert 1.114 All buttons from the Input tab have gone missing

[Stock]

I've just upgraded to XnConvert 1.114
Instead of the old buttons, there is now just a gigantic drag & drop field:

xnconvert 1.114 new input tab.png

I can't add all images from a folder anymore.
All the old buttons to add a file, add a folder, remove one or all images or filter them have gone missing.

Only after having selected at least one image, the button bar shows up:

add folder button is missing.png

-> Please restore the old button bar, especially the "Add Folder" button, because they are sorely missing!

[cday]

... and drag and drop is definitely NOT my preferred way of loading files!

Edit:

With no changelist, are there any other changes in XnConvert 1.114?

[xnview]

I've just upgraded to XnConvert 1.114
Instead of the old buttons, there is now just a gigantic drag & drop field:

I thought it would be simpler, you can drag&drop files or folder.
What is the best, a settings to hide it, or the 'add folder' on the top? One click open already 'add files'

[xnview]

With no changelist, are there any other changes in XnConvert 1.114?

no, this ui change, and security vulnerabilites

[Stock]

The "Add Folder" button is essential IMHO:

add folder button is essential.png

Thing is, once files are added, you also want the rest of the functionality (remove one; remove all; filter), so you have to show the button bar anyway.

In the end, I'd say keep the entire button bar as it is in XnConvert 1.112.

Maybe put a checkbox into the settings that toggles the button bar on/off, like this:

button bar toggle.png

[cday]

+1 Display button bar...

Not sure whether the primary aim of the interface change was to simplify the interface, or mainly to add support for drag and drop?

Could drag and drop into the present file list window be added? Possibly with a checkbox to enable the option, which would also advertise the addition of the new option.

[user0]

I'd either remove drag&drop zone visualization entirely (as it is expected for desktop apps by default, unlike in web-interfaces) or use something like this:

xnconvert_input_drag_drop.png

also I would:
- move Hot folders to the top
- move Export to NConvert to Settings

[Stock]

Yes, let's have both! Button Bar + Drop Field.

[cday]

I'd either remove drag&drop zone visualization entirely (as it is expected for desktop apps by default, unlike in web-interfaces)...

Maybe, has drag and drop support ever been requested?

... also I would:
- move Hot folders to the top

Hot folders is an alternative operating mode, isn't it, I don't think it fits naturally with the file loading controls, and might be missed there...

- move Export to NConvert to Settings

That option only relates to the Actions tab selections, doesn't it, at present the Output settings are not exported: it needn't be on the Input tab or Output tab, and shouldn't be hidden on the Settings tab... And even if Output settings export is added later, the Actions tab would still be the natural place to display it.

[xnview]

Hot folders is an alternative operating mode, isn't it, I don't think it fits naturally with the file loading controls...

its not good on bottom, in file loading controls, perhaps but not sure...

- move Export to NConvert to Settings

That option only relates to the Actions tab selections, doesn't it, at present the Output settings are not exported: it needn't be on the Input tab or Output tab, and shouldn't be hidden on the Settings tab... And even if Output settings export is added later, the Actions tab would still be the natural place to display it.

yes action tab is perhaps better...

[user0]

Hot folders is an alternative operating mode, isn't it, I don't think it fits naturally with the file loading controls...

its not good on bottom, in file loading controls, perhaps but not sure...

maybe disable all other controls (Add/Remove/Filter/Filelist area + Convert button) when 'Hot folders' checkbox is enabled

[cday]

maybe disable all other controls (Add/Remove/Filter/Filelist area + Convert button) when 'Hot folders' checkbox is enabled

My understanding, not confirmed by, as far as I know, the question ever having been raised, is that the normal and Hot folder modes can be used at the same time? The actions and other settings would, of course, be the same, but conceivable that possibility might sometimes avoid a need to run a second XnConvert instance.

[user0]

maybe disable all other controls (Add/Remove/Filter/Filelist area + Convert button) when 'Hot folders' checkbox is enabled

My understanding, not confirmed by, as far as I know, the question ever having been raised, is that the normal and Hot folder modes can be used at the same time? The actions and other settings would, of course, be the same, but conceivable that possibility might sometimes avoid a need to run a second XnConvert instance.

they can work together, which isn't the most user-friendly approach imo, but it's not a major issue

[cday]

Thank you for your test, I'm not sure whether it covers all conceivable cases that might arise, but still a useful test!

From the interface design point of view, ideally operation might be controlled by something like two check boxes enabling either or both modes to be enabled? But keeping the interface simple is also important, so some thought possibly required.