* Export GEDCOM File - question on prefix for exported media files

[BillH]

Mike,

I searched around on the forum and in the plugin help, but didn't find what I was looking for.

What is the use of the prefix 0O01xxx that is tacked on to the beginning of the exported media files from the plugin? I was wondering because I would prefer not to have this tacked on and have the files keep their original names unless it is necessary. Also, if it is not necessary, is there a way to suppress it so the file names on export are the same as the original?

Thanks,
Bill

[tatewise]

The explanation is in the FAQ at plugins:help:export_gedcom_file:the_faq#how_are_the_exported_multimedia_file_names_derived|> How are the exported Multimedia file names derived?.
FH uses the same Media image together with Face/Detail Frames to display various 'cropped' images.
Most products, such as RM, don't support that feature so need multiple actual cropped image files for each part frame.
Those prefixes are needed to differentiate each part frame from each other and the full frame.

If you don't want the prefixes then use Multimedia Conversion: (FILE~ABS) Multimedia via Absolute Link Records.
But then you won't have any part frames, only full frames everywhere.
Also the primary image won't be automatically tagged to each individual as that only works for Local Media Objects (LMO).

One idea that has just occurred to me is instead of adding prefixes the part frames could go in different sub-folders and retain their original filenames. i.e. All the part frames with prefix 1O... would go in sub-folder 1, those with prefix 2O... would go in sub-folder 2, and so on. I will put that on the back burner for a future release.

[BillH]

Mike,

I forgot to look in the KB. Thanks for the link.

That sounds like a nice solution. I would like to keep my the face frames. If and when you can get around to it would be fine, no hurry on my part.

Thanks!
Bill

[tatewise]

Bill, I have a version with an option to use numbered sub-folders to hold part & full frames and retain their original filename.
Those sub-folders actually use a [n] format so they look like instance indexes.
That technique works with both the flat Export folder and the mimic Media folder structure alternatives.

One side effect is that in the target product (i.e. RootsMagic) there are multiple images all with the same filename.
So for a group photo, each cropped head & shoulders image has the same filename as the group photo.

Another idea I had was to keep the original folder structure and add an instance index [n] suffix to each filename.

[BillH]

Mike,

I think your idea of using [n] suffixes would be just fine. This would make it easier to find pictures in the folders than having the prefixes and would put the face frames next to the original group photo. Would it be possible to have the group photo have no suffix or maybe a suffix of [1] in order to make it stand out from the face frames? If not it is no big deal, just a thought.

Thanks!
Bill

[tatewise]

I was expecting the full-frame files would have a suffix of [0] but will look to see if no suffix is possible.

[BillH]

Either way would be great.

Thanks,
Bill

[tatewise]

You know where to find a prototype plugin to try.

[BillH]

Mike,

Worked great. See my comments where the prototype plugin is.

Thanks,
Bill

[BillH]

Mike,

I was just wondering.

Did you ever publish a version of the plugin with the option for RMT to use suffixes instead of prefixes? If I had one from beta testing, I no longer seem to have it.

I just tried version 4.4 from the plugin store and it is still creating the media files with prefixes. If there is an option to use suffixes I have been unable to find it.

Thanks,
Bill

[tatewise]

It is there on the Basic Options tab as a Frame Naming option top left.
There are three options: (PREFIX), (SUFFIX) & (FOLDER).
The details are explained in the Help & Advice.

[BillH]

Mike,

I really did look in the help file.

I guess I was looking at the Extra Options and Other Options and overlooked the Basic Options. . I was looking for a setting with Media in the name so might have overlooked it anyway.

Thanks!
Bill

[tatewise]

I deliberately put it next to the Multimedia Conversion: options
BTW: It applies to all exports like the Shared Settings below.

[BillH]

Mike,

As my wife says... I can't see what is right in front of my nose.

I ran the plugin using the SUFFIX option and it worked great.

Thanks!
Bill