IDEA: Resident random filename generator

[Serious]

Hello,

My problem is:
I intensively use few graphic programs. The most annoying thing is the file saving dialog,
always showing last filename selected. It can lead to accidental file overwrite.
My idea is little program working in background, which, when activated by certain hotkey,
will generate random filename and place it in the clipboard for later paste.
Filenames could be generated using selected charset, counter-based filename, like
myfile0001, myfile002, date&time based filename like 2008-01-10-12-28-33 and so on.
Program settings could contain selecting charset using for filename generation, selecting
counter start value and number of counter digits, selecting constant prefix and/or suffix
in filenames, automatic adding of given extension...
It is sad, that probably there is no program, working with user-saveable files, which use such
obvious function...

Thanks in advance, at least for reading this

[tinjaw]

Please excuse me, but I am a little confused. If you want to save the file with the same name, you use "save". If you want to save the file with a different name, you use "save as".

Are you saying the following scenario occurs?

1) You create a new graphic.
2) You choose File|Save and call it MyFile1.ext
3) You choose File|New and create a brand new grphic.
4) You choose File|Save and the save dialog is already populated with MyFile1.ext.

[Serious]

> You choose File|Save and the save dialog is already populated with MyFile1.ext.
Yes, this is the case. I'm asking for such filename generator, because I'm really
tired of hitting blindly the keyboard to get filenames like qweuriquerqwer.jpg
or asjdajsdjhasgdhjgasd.jpg. It is easier to use some hotkey combination, to generate
filename and then Ctrl-V to paste it in file saving dialog box. One could create program,
which pastes filename automatically.

And date/time based filenames are helpful, when searching for files (because their date
attribute can change, while editing the files themselves).

[tinjaw]

First of all I would say that whatever piece of software you are using that is doing this is broken. That is not the proper way to do things. So, I would say "The Correct Answer" is to file a bug report with the developer of that software.

The second thing I would suggest is looking to FARR and the plugin I believe HamRadio made, that produces random strings of text based on a template similar to what you are asking for. The developer may be able to extend it to populate the clipboard.

If that can do what you need, great. If not, I should be very easy for somebody to whip up a short AHK/AutoIt script to create such pseudo-random names initiated by a hotkey and based on a template.

Check up on the former and reply with you findings and I am sure somebody (maybed even me, if I can find the time) will be able to wrap this up for you in a script.

[Jammo the OrganizedFellow]

My Methods:

1) I create a new graphic.
2) I choose File|Save and call it MyFile1.ext
3) I choose File|New and create a brand new grphic.
4) I choose File|Save and the save dialog is already populated with MyFile1.ext.
5) I append an incrementing number sequence to my files (MyFile-001.ext, MyFile-002.ext, MyFile-003.ext ... )

What's wrong with that?
I think THAT is farr easier than ...

... hitting blindly the keyboard to get filenames like qweuriquerqwer.jpg
or asjdajsdjhasgdhjgasd.jpg ...

-Serious (January 10, 2008, 06:05 AM)

I've been doing this for many years.
A logo revision would start with this:
logo_.png <~ the _underscore_ denotes an original Fireworks file
logo.gif denotes an exported file
A few revisions later, I'll have:
logo_080112.png <~ original logo Fireworks file modified on Jan.12,2008
logo_080112-2.png <~ original logo Fireworks file modified on Jan.14,2008 revised a second time same day
logo_080114.png <~ original logo Fireworks file modified on Jan.14,2008

Or you could just do this:
logo_000.ext <~original
logo_001.ext
logo_002.ext
logo_003.ext

??NO??

[skrommel]

  Try Now!
Press F1 to sends the current date and time to the active window.

Skrommel

[Select]

;Now.ahk
; Press F1 to send the current date and time to the active window.
;Skrommel @ 2008


#NoEnv
#Persistent
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