[Wontdo] Convert & Modify: Drop Area as source should implement "Copy folder structure" preference
Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2022 6:22 pm
Preferences > Convert > General > Section Convert & Modfiy: Don't copy folder structure
Use Case 1: The preference is properly respected if Convert & Modify's "From:" panel (the center vertical panel) is navigated to a particular folder and there you select a bunch of folders as the source and then press "Start selected Function (ββ) ."
Use Case 2: Doesn't work with drop area as the source
1) Open a GraphicConverter browser window.
2) Show the Drop Area (bottom panel).
3) Drop multiple files from different parent folders there.
4) Right-click anywhere in the drop area. In the context menu click "Open in Convert & Modify".
5) The Convert & Modify window opens. Press "Start selected Function (ββ) ."
Result: The files are copied together flat regardless whether "Don't copy folder structure" is ON or OFF.
Proposal:
1) Not the main issue, but nevertheless, first let's fix some wording:
Preferences > Convert > General > Section Convert & Modfiy: Rename all options into a "positive verbal form":
β’ Activities not as nouns but really as verbs (a frequent usability problem in German, English tends to a verbal form for labels anyhow)
β’ In a positive form because that is far easier to comprehend in combination with the boolean checkbox. Some users struggle with double negations (Not Don't createβ¦")
β’ So our label should be simply "Copy folder structure" and ON by default. Without the double negation pitfall it is much easier to comprehend and to talk/write about it, e.g. here on this forum.
2) Now the real issue:
If "Copy folder structure" is ON and the source is "Drop Area" then folders should be re-created up until their common root.
Drop area:
/Users/jondoe/Documents/letters/A.png
/Users/jondoe/Documents/letters/B.png
/Users/jondoe/Desktop/numbers/1.png
/Users/jondoe/Desktop/numbers/2.png
/Users/jondoe/Desktop/colors/purple.png
/Users/jondoe/Desktop/colors/pink.png
Destination: /Users/jondoe/Desktop/my-export/
Result with "Copy folder structure" ON:
/Users/jondoe/Desktop/my-export/Documents/letters/A.png
/Users/jondoe/Desktop/my-export/Documents/letters/B.png
/Users/jondoe/Desktop/my-export/Desktop/numbers/1.png
/Users/jondoe/Desktop/my-export/Desktop/numbers/2.png
/Users/jondoe/Desktop/my-export/Desktop/colors/purple.png
/Users/jondoe/Desktop/my-export/Desktop/colors/pink.png
Explanation: "/Users/jondoe/" is their common root folder. Hence all folder below that got re-created.
Result with "Copy folder structure" OFF:
/Users/jondoe/Desktop/my-export/A.png
/Users/jondoe/Desktop/my-export/B.png
/Users/jondoe/Desktop/my-export/1.png
/Users/jondoe/Desktop/my-export/2.png
/Users/jondoe/Desktop/my-export/purple.png
/Users/jondoe/Desktop/my-export/pink.png
Explanation: All files merged together flat at the destination.
Use Case 1: The preference is properly respected if Convert & Modify's "From:" panel (the center vertical panel) is navigated to a particular folder and there you select a bunch of folders as the source and then press "Start selected Function (ββ) ."
Use Case 2: Doesn't work with drop area as the source
1) Open a GraphicConverter browser window.
2) Show the Drop Area (bottom panel).
3) Drop multiple files from different parent folders there.
4) Right-click anywhere in the drop area. In the context menu click "Open in Convert & Modify".
5) The Convert & Modify window opens. Press "Start selected Function (ββ) ."
Result: The files are copied together flat regardless whether "Don't copy folder structure" is ON or OFF.
Proposal:
1) Not the main issue, but nevertheless, first let's fix some wording:
Preferences > Convert > General > Section Convert & Modfiy: Rename all options into a "positive verbal form":
β’ Activities not as nouns but really as verbs (a frequent usability problem in German, English tends to a verbal form for labels anyhow)
β’ In a positive form because that is far easier to comprehend in combination with the boolean checkbox. Some users struggle with double negations (Not Don't createβ¦")
β’ So our label should be simply "Copy folder structure" and ON by default. Without the double negation pitfall it is much easier to comprehend and to talk/write about it, e.g. here on this forum.
2) Now the real issue:
If "Copy folder structure" is ON and the source is "Drop Area" then folders should be re-created up until their common root.
Drop area:
/Users/jondoe/Documents/letters/A.png
/Users/jondoe/Documents/letters/B.png
/Users/jondoe/Desktop/numbers/1.png
/Users/jondoe/Desktop/numbers/2.png
/Users/jondoe/Desktop/colors/purple.png
/Users/jondoe/Desktop/colors/pink.png
Destination: /Users/jondoe/Desktop/my-export/
Result with "Copy folder structure" ON:
/Users/jondoe/Desktop/my-export/Documents/letters/A.png
/Users/jondoe/Desktop/my-export/Documents/letters/B.png
/Users/jondoe/Desktop/my-export/Desktop/numbers/1.png
/Users/jondoe/Desktop/my-export/Desktop/numbers/2.png
/Users/jondoe/Desktop/my-export/Desktop/colors/purple.png
/Users/jondoe/Desktop/my-export/Desktop/colors/pink.png
Explanation: "/Users/jondoe/" is their common root folder. Hence all folder below that got re-created.
Result with "Copy folder structure" OFF:
/Users/jondoe/Desktop/my-export/A.png
/Users/jondoe/Desktop/my-export/B.png
/Users/jondoe/Desktop/my-export/1.png
/Users/jondoe/Desktop/my-export/2.png
/Users/jondoe/Desktop/my-export/purple.png
/Users/jondoe/Desktop/my-export/pink.png
Explanation: All files merged together flat at the destination.