Custom sort

[surrender]

Sometimes before batch renaming, i want to sort files my own way (which doesnt fit any logic or sort styles). Can I drag and arrange files like i want and then batch rename?? For Eg: i want 0001-0025 to be placed in between 001-025 and 01-25 and then rename.

[David.P]

Can I drag and arrange files like i want?

I wonder which file manager on this planet will be first to have that revolutionary feature...

See also the discussion here.

[admin]

Can I drag and arrange files like i want?

I wonder which file manager on this planet will be first to have that revolutionary feature...

XYplorer! Once we have Drop Stack.

For what exactly do you need it?
And do you expect it to be retained between sessions?

[David.P]

For what exactly do you need it?

Have a look at the discussion @Dopus linked above.

I'd really very much like to have a custom sort order of my files -- to be able to better organize my project folders. Read more at the Dopus discussion.

And do you expect it to be retained between sessions?

Sure! Have a look at FastStone ImageViewer, where the custom sort order is retained by a simple hidden text file "fssort.ini" inside the respective folder, containing for example the following:

fssort.ini:
----------------------
SANY6524.png
Rico 4.png
Rico 6.jpg
Rico 2.jpg
Rico 5.jpg
SANY5420.jpg
Rico 3.jpg
----------------------

David.P

[admin]

For what exactly do you need it?

Have a look at the discussion @Dopus linked above.

I'd really very much like to have a custom sort order of my files -- to be able to better organize my project folders.

Ever tried XY's "Catalog"? It's made exactly for this and it has custom sort built in already!

[David.P]

Ever tried XY's "Catalog"? It's made exactly for this and it has custom sort built in already!

Well I have like some hundred projects/cases and each has its own windows folder. Having to create a separate Catalog for each project/folder probably would turn out to be too time-consuming.

David.P

[admin]

And do you expect it to be retained between sessions?

Sure! Have a look at FastStone ImageViewer, where the custom sort order is retained by a simple hidden text file "fssort.ini" inside the respective folder...

Leaving hidden text files in local folders is not compatible with XY's portable nature. But there would be other solutions... that's no big problem.
Custom sort will come anyway along with Drop Stacks...

[admin]

Ever tried XY's "Catalog"? It's made exactly for this and it has custom sort built in already!

Well I have like some hundred projects/cases and each has its own windows folder. Having to create a separate Catalog for each project/folder probably would turn out to be too time-consuming.

Depends. If you custom-sort by drag'n'drop then it would mean just one more drag'n'drop to create the category. (That is, after I have added creating categories by drag'n'drop... )

[David.P]

Leaving hidden text files in local folders is not compatible with XY's portable nature.

Umm, why is this? File sort order is a property of the respective folder, not a preference or something of the file manager.

Custom sort will come anyway along with Drop Stacks...

This sounds GREAT!

David.P

[David.P]

PS:

... that feature surely could make me move from DOpus -- if only a few other indispensable features could be transplanted

especially

- the "find as you type instant file filter box";
- thumbnails for almost any file type (of course including PDF, if Adobe Reader is installed); and
- possibility for preview pane placement on second monitor!

Cheers,
David.P

Here's my current file manager layout:
(click to enlarge;)

[admin]

... if only a few other indispensable features could be transplanted ...

Well well... The good old tune. Do you know the second verse of the song? It goes like this: "if you buy a license then I will add a few indispensable features..."

Just kidding. Tell me about the "find as you type instant file filter box" (I don't have DOpus, too expensive! ). You know, XY has "find as you type" without the box, just type into the file list and you will find... So, what's so great about the box?

[lukescammell]

I like the "Find as you type filter box (kinda like a progressive VF...) and even the option for preview on another monitor...

...but imo, MAN that is one ugly looking setup you've got there!

[David.P]

...but imo, MAN that is one ugly looking setup you've got there!

Haha! As long as it is not as ugly as Tot*l Command*r, I'm perfectly happy with it...

if you buy a license then I will add a few indispensable features...

Well I'm more than happy to buy a license for a program that has the features that help me saving time and money with my everyday work

Tell me about the "find as you type instant file filter box"

It's the box in the middle at the top of my screenshot. Being a feature that actually was suggested by someone called David.P *gg*, the box instantly filters the current file list, showing only the files (and/or folders) that contain the expression typed in the box, anywhere in the file name. You don't need asterisks or something, you just type what you think the filename might contain, and there you are with only the files / folders having the respective letters inside their name!

I use this feature about like one million times a day, it's become absolutely indispensable for me .

Cheers,
David.P

[admin]

I use this feature about like one million times a day, it's become absolutely indispensable for me .

Yeah, that sounds like quite indispensable.

XY's "Visual Filter" is in fact a file find under the hood: the data are filtered at browsing time rather than at showing time. This would be too slow for a "Find as you type filter box". So I would have to rewrite my VF for this... (should have done it the right way in the first place ). I'll insert that into the roadmap...

[JustinF]

I like the "Find as you type filter box (kinda like a progressive VF...) and even the option for preview on another monitor...

I second both of these requests...more the second monitor feature.

...but imo, MAN that is one ugly looking setup you've got there!

I also second that!