[Digikam-users] digiKam file browsing mode / using as image browser

[Mikolaj Machowski]

Dnia Monday 24 November 2008, Gilles Caulier napisał:
> Thanks for your feedback. it's very instructive...
>
> What do you mean by file-browsing mode exactly ?

I'd like file-browsing mode too so I will describe how I'd like it to
be:

On the left is panel with regular tree like in Konqueror, Dolphin or any
other file manager. In main window are shown files which digiKam can
show - images[1]. Those files aren't in database, you can open them in
IE, edit, simple corrections. There are few questions I am not sure how
they could be solved:

- how to treat metadata; Tags are disabled or directly written to images
  as IPTC tags - is it possible without database as backend? The same
  question about Comments.
- adding to collection; The most obvious way is menu action - "Add this
  directory as Collection." In directories tree, directories already in
  collection should be marked appropriately and of course dragging there
  images from "Album" view will copy/move files from current directory
  to the directory in collection and add files to database.
  There could be also menu action for individual items: "Move images to
  collection". After this user would be presented with dialog asking
  for: a) Root album where images should be added  or create new and b)
  Should files be copied or moved. This could be somewhat merged with
  current import dialog.

> In digiKam for KDE4, you can set more than one root album, including
> removable and networks repositories. Each one are add to album tree view
> on the left side of album GUI. This is not enough ?

Not exactly: adding new directories to collection or images isn't
straight. Possibility to use well known browser view could lower
barrier.

digiKam is absolutely great when importing files from cameras but has
usability problems with management of photos acquired from non-camera
sources.

m.