Messages

451

Finished Programs / Re: DONE: Batch adjust shortcut targets

« on: June 22, 2012, 06:02 PM »

Yep, does make sense.

I actually need to replicate (but with tiny path-tweak) all the shortcuts 12 times.  12 huge folders of images in total.

The conundrum is..., File Punter has already created one great workable set of shortcuts.  All are perfect.  16110 of 'em.  Buried and organized nicely within the relevant shortcuts folder for the first set of images.

So I was hoping to simply copy the entire set of shortcuts 11 more times, and merely adjust the shortcuts (recursively) to point to the next image folder.

It's not really that I'm "moving" the first set of images.  I just used that as an understandable illustration.  What I'm actually doing is creating 11 more image sets, in addition to the first.  So will need sets of shortcuts for each set of images.  Since I have a perfect set of shortcuts for the first set of images, it does seem reasonable to use it again and again, if the path-tweak can be made for each of the additional 11 sets.

Set #1 Shortcuts --> Set #1 Images
Set #2 Shortcuts --> Set #2 Images
.
.
.
Set #12 Shortcuts --> Set #12 Images

But, too, does seem like a useful program to have available for the world.  No one seems to have come up with it yet.

452

Finished Programs / DONE: Batch adjust shortcut targets

« on: June 22, 2012, 05:26 PM »

Let's suppose we have thousands of shortcuts pointing to images (contour plots), with the images all grouped together in the particular folder:

C:\4\images\50501\

Partial list of the image files:

50501_20104_21901.png
50501_20104_21902.png
50501_20104_21903.png
50501_20104_22001.png
50501_20104_22002.png
50501_20104_22003.png
etc.

All the shortcuts -- one per image above -- are burried in carefully named and organized subfolders within the particular root folder:

C:\4\shortcuts\50501\...

Now suppose we decide for whatever reason that we want to move all the images to another folder:

C:\work\images\50501\

Notice that the "4" has changed to "work".

Now all the shortcut files pointing to the first folder need to be changed accordingly.

The shortcut-altering program should be 'recursive', as the shortcuts are buried in subdirectories within the main shortcut folder.  But the task is identical for each shortcut.... 

change

"C:\4\shortcuts\50501\(image file)"

to

"C:\work\shortcuts\50501\(image file)"


Anyone here interested in writing a program that can accomplish the task?  Seems this would be a useful program.  If one already exists, I haven't found it.

The solution we presently have is to recreate all the shortcuts from scratch.  Skwire's "File Punter" can do that nicely.  Perhaps, however, it might be appropriate to have a "Batch adjust shortcut targets" program.

Comments appreciated.

Thanks.

Nicholas Kormanik
[email protected]

453

Finished Programs / Re: DONE: Organize files into folders based on flename wildcard parsing

« on: June 21, 2012, 09:07 PM »

Two enhancement requests:

1)  Skwire, I do feel it would be quite a bit more reassuring to show the total number of lines/commands selected to be seen somewhere -- status line or elsewhere.  I'd just feel more at ease seeing that number.

2)  Perhaps, also, allow configuration .ini to set default location in which to begin, from which to open text files containing command lines.  My preference is to look in same directory where the executable is.  For whatever reason when I say Open, File Punter wants to look in Desktop.  I keep all the text file commands within the File Punter executable directory buried somewhere else.

Thanks!

454

Post New Requests Here / Re: Chop off extra junk in file names

« on: June 21, 2012, 03:15 AM »

den4b's ReNamer looks really good.  I still would like to try the others, though.

455

Post New Requests Here / Re: Chop off extra junk in file names

« on: June 21, 2012, 02:35 AM »

Thanks AbteriX for pointing that out.  Yes, I want the last underscore to remain.

As for what's between the last underscore and the period, it's variable -- from one to six digits.  That's really the crux of the problem.  The 'junk' varies in length.  Need to cut out that junk.

Probably a magic RegEx code is called for.  Look forward to the RegEx gurus coming back with updated code (sorry I made the mistake about which underscore...).

456

Post New Requests Here / Re: Chop off extra junk in file names

« on: June 20, 2012, 11:56 PM »

To all, thanks for your help.  I made a mistake in my original post:

Chop junk between third underline character and period of the file extension.

Should read:

Chop junk between FOURTH underline character and period of the file extension.

_50501_22004_22305_3005.png

i.e., the 3005 part.

Hate to bother you, but would you please adjust your RegEx?

I've downloaded all three RegEx programs and will experiment when you provide the corrected code.

457

Post New Requests Here / Chop off extra junk in file names

« on: June 20, 2012, 05:10 PM »

Another little problem has come up....

I'm generating a bunch of contour plot images in a statistics program.  The resulting plot images are supposed to be named according to the script of commands as such:

_50501_22004_22404_.png
_50501_22004_22403_.png
_50501_22004_22402_.png
_50501_22004a_22401_.png
_50501_22004_22306_.png
_50501_22004_22305_.png
_50501_22004_22304_.png
_50501_22004_22303_.png
_50501_22004_22302b_.png
_50501_22004_22301_.png

I've deliberately set up this naming approach because of the problem I'm about the describe.

For some crazy reason the program creating the plot images adds numbers to the ends of the names:

_50501_22004_22404_3000.png
_50501_22004_22403_3001.png
_50501_22004_22402_3002.png
_50501_22004a_22401_3003.png
_50501_22004_22306_3004.png
_50501_22004_22305_3005.png
_50501_22004_22304_3006.png
_50501_22004_22303_3007.png
_50501_22004_22302b_3008.png
_50501_22004_22301_3009.png

I would like the original names, or, rather, the names as they were intended to be.

One solution to the problem is to create a batch file:

ren    _50501_22004_22404_3000.png    _50501_22004_22404_.png
etc.

The total number of files is in the tens of thousands.  Over repeated times.  I believe all the underlying names are unique (no repeats).

I'm wondering if any of you can come up with a better approach than creating a basic batch file to chop off that extra junk after the third underline character, but, of course, before the file name extension.

Or, chop junk BETWEEN third underline character and period of the file extension.

Some of you might come up with a magic RegEx solution?  Please then suggest, too, a RegEx program.

Or maybe one of you will create a small program to do the trick?  Hopefully generalizable so that others can use the program for their specific needs.

Not sure.  If no better solution than the creating basic batch file approach, I'll have to continue using that.

Thanks much!

Nicholas Kormanik
[email protected]
.

458

Finished Programs / Re: DONE: Folder Properties Auto-Update....

« on: June 18, 2012, 11:49 PM »

Amen to that.

459

Finished Programs / Re: DONE: Folder Properties Auto-Update....

« on: June 18, 2012, 11:27 PM »

Unreal.  Terrific job!

460

Finished Programs / Re: DONE: Folder Properties Auto-Update....

« on: June 18, 2012, 03:48 PM »

The Window title feature is great, too, because it's a much larger font, and easy to see.

Useful little program.  I presently have it running on two different computers -- one to my left, one to my right -- while I work on a third.  At a glance I can see that the underlying operations are chugging along, adding image files to the folders being monitored.

Hopefully others can think of additional ways of using FolMon, so that you can add more goodies, as you are obviously on a roll.

Thanks again!

461

Finished Programs / Re: DONE: Shortcuts Creator

« on: June 18, 2012, 03:46 AM »

Okay, Skwire, worked just as you said it would.

I also tried the regular wild card route, and that worked fine as well.

One possible enhancement, but not a big deal, would be some sort of 'status line' at bottom of program window saying how many items were checked.

For instance, using the regular wild card route, I had 180 lines.  Would be good to see "Checked Items = 180" or some such.

Not a biggie, though.

Thanks for all the work on this project.  I greatly appreciate it.

462

Finished Programs / Re: DONE: Folder Properties Auto-Update....

« on: June 18, 2012, 12:49 AM »

New look is super!!

463

Finished Programs / Re: DONE: Folder Properties Auto-Update....

« on: June 18, 2012, 12:31 AM »

Fantastic.

I'm enjoying the first iteration, and will even more this second one.

Sleep well.

464

Finished Programs / Re: DONE: Folder Properties Auto-Update....

« on: June 18, 2012, 12:00 AM »

Windows XP Pro, with latest updates.

No need to do the second if you do the first.  Light grey, light blue, any....

Again, thanks!

465

Finished Programs / Re: DONE: Folder Properties Auto-Update....

« on: June 17, 2012, 11:41 PM »

Pretty close to perfect.

Although it does the trick very, very well -- and I'm using it right this minute -- two possible enhancement requests:

-- change background color to some color darker than white.  I'll leave it running on my desktop, and am always concerned about monitor burn-in image caused by white.

-- when the program is minimized in the task bar, allow it to show the data (at least number of files) as opposed to the title.

But, as I say, as it is now works great.  Thanks a million.

Sure hope other people use this stuff.  It's quite good.

466

Finished Programs / Re: DONE: Folder Properties Auto-Update....

« on: June 17, 2012, 11:23 PM »

How about THAT.

Precisely what was asked for.  And auto-updating.

Can we assume that it won't be interfering too much with the file-creation process being monitored?

Thank you so much!!

467

Finished Programs / DONE: Folder Properties Auto-Update....

« on: June 17, 2012, 08:31 PM »

Here's another request:

I'm creating image files from a statistics program.  Total image files = 16,110.  Time needed to create each image file = 30 seconds.  Total needed time to create all image files (on computer off to the side) = 5 days.

I've minimized all the windows.

Periodically I right-click on the folder where the image files are being created, and bring up the "Folder Properties" to see how many files have so far been created.

Windows "Folder Properties" window is not 'dynamic' -- it does not automatically update as new files are created within it.

What I have in mind is a little program that shows a small window with the following:

--- Folder being monitored
--- Number of files currently in the folder

The font should ideally be reasonably large in size, maybe even user-configurable.

The 'refresh' time should be perhaps a minute or so, possibly user configurable.

User should be able to move the window around on the desktop, for optimal placement.

The idea is for user to glance over at the computer doing the work and see that the number of files in the monitored folder is steadily increasing, and will have an idea about total completion of the file-creation project.

=====

Another approach would be to create within the "Folder Properties" window a way to refresh the information (button to click on periodically), or to auto-refresh it.

=====

There may be other already existing approaches to the problem.  If anyone knows of one, please post.


Thanks much.

Nicholas Kormanik
[email protected]

468

Finished Programs / Re: DONE: Shortcuts Creator

« on: June 17, 2012, 06:12 PM »

Okay, just tried it, the way I have it above.  File Punter created the shortcuts.  But put all the shortcuts into one subdirectory:

c:\shortcuts\

All 16110 of 'em.

So, it appears that the "Destination" will have to be changed from what I have, in order to create the separate folders per filename section within c:\shortcuts\.

By the way, nice touch that File Punter remembers the previous setup, and populates the order on that.

Also..., going to put up another program request:  Folder Properties Auto-Update....

469

Finished Programs / Re: DONE: Shortcuts Creator

« on: June 17, 2012, 05:27 PM »

It'll take a few days to create the actual image files.  For now I've created 'dummy' image files, to test.

So, in the following subdirectory are 16110 files:

c:\images\

Partial list of those files:

50501_20104_21901.png
50501_20104_21902.png
50501_20104_21903.png
50501_20104_22001.png
50501_20104_22002.png
50501_20104_22003.png
etc.

I've created an empty subdirectory in which to hold the shortcuts File Punter will create:

c:\shortcuts\

I've set up File Punter as follows:

C:\Images     .*_(.*)_     C:\Shortcuts     No     Yes
C:\Images     .*_(.*)\.     C:\Shortcuts     No     Yes

I haven't tried running yet, because I'd like assistance on the "Destination."  Above in this thread you said to use the following:

Destination:  c:\path\to\destination_1\??1
Destination:  c:\path\to\destination_2\??1

Please change your instructions for the actual case at hand.  I'm not following what exactly to do regarding "Destination."

End result should be:

c:\shortcuts\20104\50501_20104_21901.png.lnk  (i.e., a shortcut)
etc.

c:\shortcuts\21901\50501_20104_21901.png.lnk  (i.e., a shortcut)
etc.

470

Finished Programs / Re: DONE: Shortcuts Creator

« on: June 17, 2012, 12:26 AM »

Wow!

471

Finished Programs / Re: DONE: Shortcuts Creator

« on: June 16, 2012, 11:55 PM »

I haven't created the actual files yet.  Was planning ahead.  Figuring that, of course, it would take any programmer a week or so to come up with something.  That is, if they could at all.

I didn't figure on Skwire completing the task in a few hours....

However, I do have a list of the files that should result.  Here is a partial list:

50501_20104_21901.png
50501_20104_21902.png
50501_20104_21903.png
50501_20104_22001.png
50501_20104_22002.png
50501_20104_22003.png
50501_20104_22004.png
50501_20104_22005.png
50501_20104_22006.png
50501_20104_22101.png
50501_20104_22102.png
50501_20104_22103.png

There will be 16,110 of these image files.  Let's assume that all these image files are held in the folder:

c:\contour plot images\

Pairing up the second and third sections of each file name -- these two variables are the x and y in a contour plot.

The first section of the file name, 50501 here, is the z variable in the contour plot.

It's the second and third sections of each file name that I want to focus on in providing shortcuts.

There are a total of 180 variables in the second and third name-section combinations.

So the task, for instance, if 20104 is mentioned in the filename, create subdirectory 20104, and make a shortcut in that folder to the image file which contains its name:

c:\contour plot shortcuts\20104\50501_20104_21901.png.lnk  (i.e., a shortcut)
etc.

In the 21901 folder will appear the exact same shortcut, because 21901 is mentioned in the filename:

c:\contour plot shortcuts\21901\50501_20104_21901.png.lnk  (i.e., a shortcut)
etc.

There will be 180 shortcut folders.  And 180 shortcuts in each folder.  (Maybe 179, actually.)

Using File Punter..., 180 lines of commands, one for each of the variables.

c:\contour plot images\     *20104*     c:\contour plot shortcuts\20104     No     No
c:\contour plot images\     *21901*     c:\contour plot shortcuts\21901     No     No
etc.

Pretty straight forward.

Only issue will be getting tabs between the component parts of the commands in the text file which will be imported by File Punter.  I'm assuming that tabs as delimiters are indeed needed (as opposed to spaces).  Please mention if that's not the case.  I think it would have to be, because of spaces being in the file path.  Hmmm.  What's the easiest way to get tabs between the component parts?

472

Finished Programs / Re: DONE: Shortcuts Creator

« on: June 16, 2012, 05:15 PM »

One additional little feature you could add would be a button to "Select All" -- instead of user having to click in every single box.

Say, if user imports a text file of 200 lines, so that 200 check boxes would need to be manually clicked on.

Better to have a "Select All" or "Check All" button.

Maybe a "Check None" as well.

473

Finished Programs / Re: DONE: Shortcuts Creator

« on: June 16, 2012, 05:05 PM »

Bingo!

Amazing program, Skwire.

Really nice touch, too, that the destination folders need not actually exist, but will be automatically created.  That is an extremely important feature.

Seems, in answer to my original request, that using plain wild cards alone will do the trick using your program.  User just needs to create a text file containing the snippets one per line.  And import that text file into File Punter.  Press start.

I suppose using Regular Expressions, though, would be more efficient.  Trouble is, I have yet to figure out RegEx....

Fantastic job!  Thanks a million.

474

Finished Programs / Re: DONE: Shortcuts Creator

« on: June 16, 2012, 01:58 AM »

This feedback may better belong in the File Punter thread.  But..., I tried the new "Create Shortcuts" option using plain wildcards, and no shortcuts were produced in the destination folder.

"Copy files to destination" worked fine.

"Simulation only" worked fine.

code used:

C:\Downloads    *.jpg     C:\4     No     No

475

Finished Programs / Re: DONE: Shortcuts Creator

« on: June 16, 2012, 01:27 AM »

Thanks, Skwire, for adding the "Create Shortcuts" option.  I think that's exactly what's needed.  Thanks, too, for the clear instructions.

I'm still somewhat unclear on regular expressions, but will experiment and continue learning.

Hope this has been helpful for others as well.