Rename with Sequence

[ptakeuchi]

I am constantly renaming files and always adding sequences and have found that the extra click to add a sequence feels superfluous. Couldn't the sequence info just be incorporated on the rename dialog?  When you check the sequence box, below would be an ungrayed out box for the digits.

Also, I have two suggestions for making adding sequences easier and not having to type, just use the mouse. The most useful would be for PM to figure out the minimum number of digits I need to pad. Say if I've selected 9, images than I need just 1 digit; if I've selected 46 images, then I need 2; 245 images, then 3, etc. If that were not possible, having a way to click up or down the number of digits would be helpful so I wouldn't have to let go of my mouse and use the keyboard. Also, I'm happy to have found the shortcut of option-clicking on the  Set seqn variable which resets it--very nice. If you implement the single dialog paradigm with sequences incorporated, I think you should have a reset button along with the up/down clicker for number of digits.

Thanks for listening.

[Kirk Baker]

I am constantly renaming files and always adding sequences and have found that the extra click to add a sequence feels superfluous. Couldn't the sequence info just be incorporated on the rename dialog?  When you check the sequence box, below would be an ungrayed out box for the digits.

Renaming is done in several different dialog boxes.  That user interface would then have to be duplicated in several different places.  Since most people just choose a padding like 0001 or 001 and just want to reset from time to time the UI as it stands is quite efficient for most people.

Also, I have two suggestions for making adding sequences easier and not having to type, just use the mouse. The most useful would be for PM to figure out the minimum number of digits I need to pad. Say if I've selected 9, images than I need just 1 digit; if I've selected 46 images, then I need 2; 245 images, then 3, etc.

Most people like to use a consistent amount of padding in their file names for the digits part.  If we were to implement such a feature it would definitely have to be optional.

If that were not possible, having a way to click up or down the number of digits would be helpful so I wouldn't have to let go of my mouse and use the keyboard. Also, I'm happy to have found the shortcut of option-clicking on the  Set seqn variable which resets it--very nice. If you implement the single dialog paradigm with sequences incorporated, I think you should have a reset button along with the up/down clicker for number of digits.

Why the aversion to typing?  It's not like you have to click in the text field first to begin your typing.  As soon as the Set Sequence dialog appears, you can start typing and hitting enter OK's the dialog.  It seems very efficient to me.

-Kirk

[ptakeuchi]

Kirk,
Thanks for your detailed reply.

I did not realize that most people keep a consistent number of padding digits in their filenames. It's a decent idea for uniformity's sake, but my feeling is to always keep the filename as short as possible. Also the number of digits has a meaning: if there is just a single digit, then I know that I shot 10 or less pictures; 2 digits means less than 100, etc. Not extremely revelatory info, but it does give me an indication of how significant a shoot was when I'm looking at one picture later on. Also, while generally I shoot hundreds of pictures in a shoot, on almost every CF card I'm taking extra pix of friends, the cats, my son, etc. These odds and ends almost always number 20 or less. So quickly adding a sequence to these would make life easier.

Thanks for the tip about not having to click in the digits box. I don't mind typing at all, I just don't like having to go back and forth with the mouse. If I was a left-hand mouse user, access to the numpad and delete button could better be accomplished with my right hand while my left stayed on the mouse.

Though I do realize it would require more coding, having the sequence digits in the same dialog box, I think is a more elegant solution. It would also make exclusively using the keyboard or mouse easier because you could tab to the sequence digits box.

Anyway, it's a testament to how good and speedy your program is, that I'm able to quibble about such specific UI enhancements. If only the Finder and Nikon Capture NX2 were as responsive as Photo Mechanic!

Paul