How to reference a predefined selection of files

[Brink]

Ok ok, let's keep this friendly.

Technically a USB key is a drive, thus why they are also called USB flash drives.

With that said, other than having a drive letter unlike a folder, drives are pretty much treated the same as a folder in Windows.

That's why it could be a bit confusing, but it still is a drive at the end of the day.

 

[Britton30]

Thanks for the clarification Shawn. That's what I meant but expressed it poorly.

 

[Slartybart]

Ok, back to the normally scheduled program....

@keysms92: I think a new library for photos based on a star rating will do you best. I played around with tags, and found that some file types can't be tagged (JPEG-yes....PNG-no). Tagging gives you extra information, but if you can't do all filetypes, then that won't give you consistent results.

You might get more bang for your buck with Media Player or Photo Gallery where the application can add meta tags.

I only took a quick look at file properties and how Libraries can organize and present them to you. I'm sure that once you delve into Libraries, you'll find what you need. Libraries can "collect" data from different locations on your computer and present the data in many ways. Don't get hung up on folders - if you add 12 folders to a library, you can present the contents of ALL of them as if it was one location.

image of my attempt to arrange by tags.

Good luck.

.

 

[edwar]

I doubt I can help. The Windows Library system doesn't seem to allow the addition of single files, only Folders. Which if I have the Data I want all in one place in one folder then there is no need for me to have a Library of that data.

If the files are spread out in different folder, along with other data in those folder, then adding those folders would included all the other data and not just the files I want in the Library.

Never liked the Library system, Saw no need for it and now I see why.


Thanks.

 

[Slartybart]

keysms92 - you still with us? If you want to explore Libraries as a solution - post back with what you tried, I'll be glad to help with what I can.

 

[Slartybart]

A bit more involved solution would be to create a soft link to the image in the panoramas folder
Open an elevated Command Prompt
Change Directories (cd) to the panoramas folder
mklink pic1.png %userprofile%\bestpics\pic1.png

You'll have to create a link for each photo in the panorama

Let me know if you want to pursue this method.

Bill

 

[daanodinot]

Thanks all for your suggestions and active thinking ; )

Regarding the two possible solutions Slartybart mentioned, I want to take some more time later today to fiddle around with them. However, my first impressions are:

- I like the feel of the "Arrange by" - it's not as clunky as search. At the same it has made long for a "Filter by" option in that same menu. The problem with "Arrange by" is that it still feel like you're presenting all the file in the folder in a different way instead of filtering or selecting the files. Not so strange, considering the option is meant to do just that

- The soft link option results in exactly what I need, but what if I want to present a selection of several hundreds of photos? Creating several hundreds of soft links feels somewhat awkward...

 

[Slartybart]

Yep, it would be difficult - not impossible though. You're doing something that Windows doesn't quite have a nice user firendly GUI to do for you.

If you read up on Command Prompt - you'll find a way to automate some of the process. Old terminology - batch file.

I'm not up on scripting, so I'll present a simplistic "solution". I'm rusty so this won't be exact - research a bit to make sure that I have the syntax correct.
Not knowing your directory structure, I had to guess at the locations. With a little study, you'll be able to supply the values / locations in the example below.

This is NOt confirmed - it is an example to use so that you can roll your own. It is an over simplified version - basically, you'll need to know about variables to make it work for you.

And then again I might have forgotten more than I remember - good luck.

REM variable explanaiion
REM %1 = panorama folder you in which you to want create the soft link
REM %2 = image & link name (the same to easily identify)
REM %3 = image location
REM %userprofile% = your login folder structure (i.e. C:\Users\YourLogin

REM -------------------------------
REM Name: PanaLink.cmd
REM usage: PanaLink <compilationfolder> <imagename.imagetype> <imagefolder>


REM -------------------------------
REM Change to the panoramas folder
REM -------------------------------
cd %userprofile%\Pictures\Panoramas\%1

REM -------------------------------
REM Make a soft link to the original image
REM - ie: mklink pic1.png C:\Users\YourLogin\bestpics\pic1.png
REM -------------------------------
mklink %2 %userprofile%\Pictures\%3\%2

exit

.....

- The soft link option results in exactly what I need, but what if I want to present a selection of several hundreds of photos? Creating several hundreds of soft links feels somewhat awkward...

 

[daanodinot]

OK, thank you very much for your help Slartybart! I'm not sure if this is the solution I'm going to go for, but if I do, I'll be sure to give you an update.

 

[Slartybart]

@keyms92: You're welcome. Whatever you decide, please post how you provided for your special situation. I'm sure other photogs might find it useful. I offered the soft-link/batch file as a one-off solution, but still believe that libraries will serve you best - it's just a matter of organizing them suited to your needs.

Good luck
.