Multiple Extensions for Hot Folders?

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Sprawl2459
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Multiple Extensions for Hot Folders?

Post by Sprawl2459 »

Hi there!

I'm trying to get a hang of the Hot Folders option for Batch Convert, and for the life of me I can't figure out how use the Extensions field. Using just one, like png, works fine but how to separate multiple extension? I tried jpg,png, jpg|png, jpg png, [jpg] [png], but to no avail.

Thanks!
cday
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Re: Multiple Extensions for Hot Folders?

Post by cday »

I haven't used Hot Folders recently, but does writing extensions from left to right with a space between them not work?
Sprawl2459
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Re: Multiple Extensions for Hot Folders?

Post by Sprawl2459 »

Thanks for your reply, but no, I tried that too (see my first post).
cday
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Re: Multiple Extensions for Hot Folders?

Post by cday »

But maybe with the dots: .jpg .png ?

Otherwise, maybe a bug?
Sprawl2459
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Re: Multiple Extensions for Hot Folders?

Post by Sprawl2459 »

Good guesses I reckon, but I now tried .jpg .png, .jpg,.png, JPEG PNG, and JPEG,PNG. It doesn't work for me. : (
cday
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Re: Multiple Extensions for Hot Folders?

Post by cday »

Is the Hot Folder option working for you with a single extension?

I've tied a quick test using XnConvert 1.98, and am not getting the expected result, but I would be cautious about drawing any conclusion from one quick test when there could be a simple explanation.

One possible unrelated bug or limitation is that the Convert button to launch processing is greyed out unless a file is loaded on the Input tab, seeminly not possible to set up Hot Folder operation in isolation??
Sprawl2459
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Joined: Thu Aug 10, 2023 12:57 pm

Re: Multiple Extensions for Hot Folders?

Post by Sprawl2459 »

Yes, if I only type png it works as intended. But I gotta add more formats.

I can confirm your second observation. One has to start the conversion of at least one file, for the Hot Folders operation to kick in. I would kinda expect once the Hot Folders checkmark is set either the Convert button gets un-grayed, or the Input list gets populated with files from the hot folder(s). But that's off-topic, for now. ; )
cday
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Re: Multiple Extensions for Hot Folders?

Post by cday »

Earlier versions are available here if you have time to investigate either issue further.

Possibly a bug arising from the recent addition of recursion??
cday
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Re: Multiple Extensions for Hot Folders?

Post by cday »

A possible temporary workaround, if needed, might be to use two program instances, either installed 'MP plus a ZIP, or two ZIP versions which I think it should be possible to configure to work independently. Or maybe neater, two XnConvert ZIP instances.
Sprawl2459
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Re: Multiple Extensions for Hot Folders?

Post by Sprawl2459 »

What earlier version would you suggest for a try-out?

I applaud your suggestion regarding using two instances of XnView MP. Very out of the box thinking. : ) But yeah, I don't need this feature THAT much. ; )
cday
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Re: Multiple Extensions for Hot Folders?

Post by cday »

Sprawl2459 wrote: Thu Aug 10, 2023 5:53 pm What earlier version would you suggest for a try-out?
For XnView MP, I would suggest going back a fair number of versions due to the frequency of updates, while confirming that the functionality you need is supported; you could also look back through the change lists to see when something that might be relevant changed.

For XnConvert, a really neat utility nominally the same as 'MP Batch convert, but updates not synchronised, as updates are less frequent not so far, change lists also easier to scan through.
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XnTriq
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Re: Multiple Extensions for Hot Folders?

Post by XnTriq »

Sprawl2459
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Re: Multiple Extensions for Hot Folders?

Post by Sprawl2459 »

Hey, thanks for these links. I reckon they confirm it should work. But I still struggle finding the correct syntax using the Extensions field. It's nowhere mentioned in these links me thinks...
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XnTriq
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Re: Multiple Extensions for Hot Folders?

Post by XnTriq »

For me, XnView MP v1.5.3 @ Windows 10 Pro 22H2 works as expected:
  1. Go to ToolsBatch convert…InputHot folders…Add folder… and add something like X:\Test\Source\.
  2. Enter png jpg in the Extensions field and confirm with OK.
  3. Back in the Batch convert dialog, go to ActionsAdd action>Image and select Mirror.
  4. Go to OutputOutput and enter X:\Test\Destination\ in the folder field.
  5. Open File Explorer and copy test.png to X:\Test\Source\.
  6. Open File Explorer and copy test.jpg to X:\Test\Source\.
Sprawl2459
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Re: Multiple Extensions for Hot Folders?

Post by Sprawl2459 »

Hi, thanks for replying in such detail. : ) So I reckon the way I used the Extensions box wasn't the issue. I'll save the sequence you layed out. It works no problem now.