easy to locate current working folder(s)... and file(s) i suppose

[nudone]

[my memory is going but i think there might be a util that has already been mentioned on the forum that might do something similar to what i'm about to describe. suggestions please...]

your working on a 'project', that is to say, a folder that contains several files of several varieties perhaps.

the project requires several apps to work with all the files.

i'd like a tool (or a method) that allows me to quickly locate the 'project' folder i'm working with regardless of the application i'm using.

in other words, when i use the open/save dialog box from inside an application, there will be an automatic or very quick way of navigating to the 'project' folder i'm currently working with.

i'm thinking along these lines of how the util would work:

1. i specify my current project folder inside the util. the util stores the path to the folder.

2. ANY program i then use whilst working on the project has an auto or single button click method of navigating to the project folder when i open or save files.

the important part is the number of clicks required to get to the project folder. i'm thinking a single click would be about right - the idea is to cut out all the laborious navigation.

i think it might be possible to do what i'm asking with a dialog box extender - it wouldn't do the automatic part of finding the project folder but i can accept that. in this case, which file box extender would provide the least amount of clicks to set up the project folder and then retrieve it?

ta

edit:

i'm going to try to get in the habit of using 'dialogmate2' as this should cover what i want.

[app103]

Unless you are running Vista, FileBox Extender is pretty simple to use and will accomplish what you want to do.

It adds a little heart to the titlebar of the dialog, that when you click it, you get a menu.

All you have to is navigate to the folder once...then activate the menu and click the option at the bottom of the menu to add that folder, then select your file you wanted to open.

Next time you want to navigate to that folder, even in Explorer, you just click the heart and it will be in the list.



This is one application I don't think I could live without, just because of this feature, alone. But it has some other useful ones too.

[nudone]

right, i think i'll try that then. dialogmate 2 doesn't have the 'add' feature direct from the menu. thanks for the suggestion.

i bought 'file-ex 3' a while back but stopped using it because i think it slowed the open/save dialog window opening (maybe i imagined it) so i could have just used that for the task. i shall try filebox extender (again) as it's probably simple enough for the job.

[nudone]

now using filebox extentender - perfect!

thanks again, app.

[justice]

Beta2 works on vista: http://www.hyperionics.com/downloads/beta/FbxVista32bit-Beta2.zip

[app103]

That's great news!

I was under the impression that they couldn't get it to work with Vista, and as a result they abandoned the project and turned it into freeware.

[justice]

No I've been using it for a few months without big problems. See the related tech support thread here.

[yksyks]

I'm using FlashFolder for similar purpose (http://www.zett42.de/flashfolder), it simply does what it's supposed to. I like its bar more than extra buttons on the dialogs.

[lanux128]

yksyks, FlashFolder is quite a find! i also kinda like the bar it places above open/save dialogs..

FlashFolder's toolbar
[attach=#]

FlashFolder Options
[attach=#]

[ak_]

I recommand this ahk script because it uses the middle-click button, which is very convenient. There are a few modified versions on the ahk forums. I modified it myself so it ignores clicks on titlebar.

[dalchina]

I've used Filebox Extender (free) for a long time, but it doesn't work with Wordpad/notepad or Foxit Reader.

I tried the ahk script, but with DOpus it invokes a new 'lister' rather than changing the path in the existing one.

My current favourite is Chameleon Folder (not free though!), as it offers the greatest compatibility I've found, and recent files & folders too.

For more see:
http://www.donationcoder.com/forum/index.php?topic=9427.new#new

David L

[skywalka]

I'd like a program to detect what folder I am viewing in Windows Explorer since that is so often where I want to save files to.

A breadcrumb bar would make life a lot easier too.

[neel]

Perhaps this would help?

http://www.ntwind.com/software/utilities/visual-subst.html

creates a virtual drive pointing to a folder - then you just need to choose the drive from the drop down drive list...

[edbro]

One of my Common Dialog folders points to a folder of shortcuts to other folders. Works great. Gives you an unlimited amount of favorites.

[PhilB66]

Perhaps this would help?

http://www.ntwind.com/software/utilities/visual-subst.html

creates a virtual drive pointing to a folder - then you just need to choose the drive from the drop down drive list...

You do not need a third party tool to do that. You could create virtual drives via SUBST.EXE tool (in %WINDIR%\system32).

[neel]

you don't need it, it just provides a simple gui to interface with subst, plus you can have it restore the drives every time windows starts, which I don't think subst can do on its own... and its freeware, so you're not having to crack open your wallet either

[yksyks]

New version of FlashFolder is out with some improvements (http://www.zett42.de/flashfolder). Enjoy!

[jzippo]

WOW! FlashFolder, how I have been waiting for you!!! This is great, I hope there's some way of donating!

[lanux128]

FlashFolder doesn't seem to be working on Win7 RC. anyone else having this problem?

[AndyM]

when i use the open/save dialog box from inside an application, there will be an automatic or very quick way of navigating to the 'project' folder i'm currently working with.

I just stumbled across this thread so I offer this in partial response to the op in case any might find it useful.

Here's VBA code (assign to a button, menu, and/or hotkey) to open an explorer window to the location of the current file in Word and Excel.

for Word:

Code

Sub OpenCurrentFolder()
On Error Resume Next
Dim CurFold As String
Dim CurFile As String

CurFold = Application.ActiveWindow.Document.Path
CurFile = Application.ActiveDocument.Name

Call Shell("c:\windows\explorer.exe /e, " & CurFold & ",/select," & CurFold & "\" & CurFile, vbNormalFocus)

End Sub

For Excel:

Code

Sub OpenCurrentFolder()
On Error Resume Next
Dim CurFold As String
Dim CurFile As String

CurFold = Application.ActiveWorkbook.Path
CurFile = Application.ActiveWorkbook.Name

Call Shell("c:\windows\explorer.exe /e, " & CurFold & ",/select," & CurFold & "\" & CurFile, vbNormalFocus)


End Sub

I do a lot of work in Word and Excel and often have files opened from other than an open Explorer window.  It's handy to open the current folder with a click on a toolbar button.

[thefritz_j]

I use "Shell Object Editor" (in XP) that puts a folder reference (hardlink, live usable reference) under "My Computer" at the same level that C:\ and other drives are at.  Love it.  

Also, this way I can use the vertical windows built-in "places" bar to get to my folders easily in dialog boxes.

Shell Object Editor
===================

Windows 2000+XP+later only!
This program does not and will never work with Windows 9x or NT4!


for new versions go to
http://www.tropictech.de

...

mail: shellobjecteditor@tropictech.de

[MilesAhead]

Not sure if this gizmo is related but I noticed on GOTD is Handy Folders

http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/