Mike Chaney's Tech Corner

Mike's Software => Qimage Studio Edition (archived) => Topic started by: artwo on April 18, 2010, 01:56:53 PM



Title: Feature request
Post by: artwo on April 18, 2010, 01:56:53 PM
Some capabilities I would like to see in Qimage:
- thumbnail view: an icon to automatically mask pictures already in queue. It would then be easier to see picture not added when there are 50 or more pictures in a folder.
- quick access to "enter specific size" and "layout". Why not the ability to record some workspaces configurations with buttons that we could add. My aim is to have a workspace for printing one image (fit page button or usual buttons), printing books (freehand placement, layouts, fit page, poster...) and another one for printing multiple pictures (optimize, sized buttons...).
- quick access to common profiles. I can use printer profiles as well as usual profiles (adobeRGB, ProphotoRGB...) if I send the file to a printing service.
- a window that could help to have a general view on all the pages and where we could move, copy, delete pages. Useful when I prepare a book.
- a window with all the layouts that we could add on pages. Drag&drop would then be perfect. I use a layout for each page I add. For the moment, I have to select "custom", "layout", validate, select the good one, validate...
- a button to add page without the warning that ask me if I really want to add a page.
- the ability to display the distance in pixel between each images on the page.
- when we save layout, the ability to notice that it must save all the pages or only the last one.
- when I select poster, I would like to see the pages in the preview pane instead of "2x1". Then I would like to change position or alignment of it on the page. Perhaps I can already do that but I'm not a master of this function.
- in thumbnail view, a search dialog to quick filter pictures on IPTC/XMP as in vista or W7 explorer.
- a much more ergonomic dialog for adding text.
- a better scaling function when we want to change the size of the file. Text don't scale well. It should be a fundamental function in Qimage as its major role is to interpol/sharpen pictures depending on the final destination.

- no more bugs. I'm always scared when I want to insert a new page or I replace a picture with another one. Will I loose my file? Will I have to do again all the job? Will I have to wait for a future version to continue my job?


Thanks in advance and sorry for my english.


Title: Re: Feature request
Post by: Terry-M on April 18, 2010, 03:15:29 PM
Hi,
I'll only address those points you mentioned where there are already existing features or your suggestion would not suit me.
Are you aware there is a "menu cheater" button that gives direct access to menus more than one level down, 4th icon from the left at the top?

Quote
thumbnail view: an icon to automatically mask pictures already in queue. It would then be easier to see picture not added when there are 50 or more pictures in a folder
I disagree, the latest version makes it very clear which images are in the queue with the bright green dot in the bottom RH corner. I would not want the image obscured.
Quote
quick access to "enter specific size" and "layout". Why not the ability to record some workspaces configurations with buttons that we could add. My aim is to have a workspace for printing one image (fit page button or usual buttons), printing books (freehand placement, layouts, fit page, poster...) and another one for printing multiple pictures (optimize, sized buttons...).
All this exists in practice, we don't want a myriad of buttons I think. You can save layouts, templates, jobs, print set-ups, that covers everything. I don't know what you mean by "optimise"; sizes are easy with the customisable drop-down list.
Quote
quick access to common profiles. I can use printer profiles as well as usual profiles
That exists, it's one of the blue dots in the Job Properties panel, bottom right of the main screen.
Quote
Useful when I prepare a book.
I would expect most people would use a Desktop Publishing Application for a book, You wont get the image print quality though  :(
Quote
For the moment, I have to select "custom", "layout", validate, select the good one, validate...
I don't know where you get the "validate, select the good one" from. Sounds as though your saved layouts are not organised/named very well  ???
Quote
- when we save layout, the ability to notice that it must save all the pages or only the last one.
If you want to save individual pages, set then up as that in the first place. You can recall a whole series to make a mulpiple page queue. I've said that before on here, was that to you?
Quote
n thumbnail view, a search dialog to quick filter pictures on IPTC/XMP as in vista or W7 explorer.
That feature exists for IPTC data. You can search a whole directory even if the to level has no images in it, eg. Windows (My) Pictures directory. Right click on a thumbnail, blank one in an empty folder/directory.
Quote
a much more ergonomic dialogue for adding text
Define "more ergonomic", give at least one example, the comment is meaningless otherwise.
Quote
no more bugs. I'm always scared when I want to insert a new page or I replace a picture with another one. Will I loose my file?
I'm not sure there are bugs. It's a question of understanding how it is designed to work. This was covered some weeks ago; I'll have to look up the reference later.
Files are usually lost due to operator error, not the program  ::)

Terry.




Title: Re: Feature request
Post by: artwo on April 18, 2010, 03:51:59 PM
Hi,
I'll only address those points you mentioned where there are already existing features or your suggestion would not suit me.
Are you aware there is a "menu cheater" button that gives direct access to menus more than one level down, 4th icon from the left at the top?

Quote
thumbnail view: an icon to automatically mask pictures already in queue. It would then be easier to see picture not added when there are 50 or more pictures in a folder
I disagree, the latest version makes it very clear which images are in the queue with the bright green dot in the bottom RH corner. I would not want the image obscured.

it's better now, but it would be easier if I could filter these pictures. One on/off button would be perfect.

Quote
quick access to "enter specific size" and "layout". Why not the ability to record some workspaces configurations with buttons that we could add. My aim is to have a workspace for printing one image (fit page button or usual buttons), printing books (freehand placement, layouts, fit page, poster...) and another one for printing multiple pictures (optimize, sized buttons...).
All this exists in practice, we don't want a myriad of buttons I think. You can save layouts, templates, jobs, print set-ups, that covers everything. I don't know what you mean by "optimise"; sizes are easy with the customisable drop-down list.

I can only select sizes in the dropdown list. I would like to have a panel with customizable buttons for the functions I use for the specific job.

Quote
quick access to common profiles. I can use printer profiles as well as usual profiles
That exists, it's one of the blue dots in the Job Properties panel, bottom right of the main screen.

There is a quick access to the dialog, but I would like that Qimage remembers the 3 or 4 last profiles instead of choosing in a folder after selecting "all profiles". Easy, simple, ergonomic, fast.

Quote
Useful when I prepare a book.
I would expect most people would use a Desktop Publishing Application for a book, You wont get the image print quality though  :(

I prepare pages, export them then get a pdf file to send to the society that prints my book. I made several ones like that. The quality is very good. Qimage is a good soft to do it.

Quote
For the moment, I have to select "custom", "layout", validate, select the good one, validate...
I don't know where you get the "validate, select the good one" from. Sounds as though your saved layouts are not organised/named very well  ???

dropdown list -> select layout -> "OK" -> select layout in my perfectly organized folder -> "open"
One layout button could be so easy, quick, fast, ergonomic.


Quote
- when we save layout, the ability to notice that it must save all the pages or only the last one.
If you want to save individual pages, set then up as that in the first place. You can recall a whole series to make a mulpiple page queue. I've said that before on here, was that to you?

Not me. I don't really understand what you mean. My issue is that when I make a new layout when arranging a page, I don't manage to save this specific page as a layout. It saves everything. I must close the document, reopen a new one, recreate this layout, save it as a layout.

Quote
n thumbnail view, a search dialog to quick filter pictures on IPTC/XMP as in vista or W7 explorer.
That feature exists for IPTC data. You can search a whole directory even if the to level has no images in it, eg. Windows (My) Pictures directory. Right click on a thumbnail, blank one in an empty folder/directory.

right click, search IPTC, select keyword, add the search word, go then a new box to see pictures. But it is not a filter that could be used for select pictures to add in the queue.
Both Mac and Windows have a dialog where you just have to add a word. So easy. That's what I propose to add. So ergonomic and intuitive.


Quote
a much more ergonomic dialogue for adding text
Define "more ergonomic", give at least one example, the comment is meaningless otherwise.

My english is to poor to define precisely what it could be. I'm very sorry for that. For example, you have a template and a text associated to one picture of the template. How can I know what is the picture it is attached to?
Why must we open a new dialog to choose the font? The preview on the page could be in real time.


Quote
no more bugs. I'm always scared when I want to insert a new page or I replace a picture with another one. Will I loose my file?
I'm not sure there are bugs. It's a question of understanding how it is designed to work. This was covered some weeks ago; I'll have to look up the reference later.
Files are usually lost due to operator error, not the program  ::)

I use Qimage for several years. My fingers are not bad on a computer. Qimage is one of the softs I use the most with Lightroom. Anyway, If you don't save your job before inserting a page and then add a new picture in this created page, you should have to do the job one more time. That's right, Qimage logs the job in real time now. A good point. But it is not a designed problem and I don't think that the issue is between the keyboard and the screen.  :P

Terry.





Title: Re: Feature request
Post by: Fred A on April 18, 2010, 04:50:37 PM
Maybe I can help a little too.

Quote
I can only select sizes in the dropdown list. I would like to have a panel with customizable buttons for the functions I use for the specific job.

This is already in Qimage. Just right click the print size and you can customize.

Quote
There is a quick access to the dialog, but I would like that Qimage remembers the 3 or 4 last profiles instead of choosing in a folder after selecting "all profiles". Easy, simple, ergonomic, fast.

Qimage does this even better than that.
Simply set up to print and SAVE the "P" printer setup.
It will save the profile and rendering intent along with paper size, print size, printer, and driver settings.
Make a second and a third for any other combination  you need. When you change profiles, you usually change paper selection too, so that's a better way.

Quote
I prepare pages, export them then get a pdf file to send to the society that prints my book. I made several ones like that. The quality is very good. Qimage is a good soft to do it.

Sorry, PDF has been covered in detail before. It is not considered a photo and consequently, Qimage is not disposed to make prints in PDF format.

Quote
Not me. I don't really understand what you mean. My issue is that when I make a new layout when arranging a page, I don't manage to save this specific page as a layout. It saves everything. I must close the document, reopen a new one, recreate this layout, save it as a layout.

What Terry is saying is, like the printer setups, initially save the Layouts. If you need it to use again and again. You can save them as a bunch of pages or single pages. If you  open a single page and add images, and then add more images, a second page will appear, and a third, etc.
All using the same layout. You can couple layouts too.

Quote
right click, search IPTC, select keyword, add the search word, go then a new box to see pictures. But it is not a filter that could be used for select pictures to add in the queue.
Both Mac and Windows have a dialog where you just have to add a word. So easy. That's what I propose to add. So ergonomic and intuitive.
Qimage says, SEARCH IPTC when you look for a keyword, or use EDIT IPTC when you want to add a key word.

The majority of what you have issues seems to stem from lack of familiarity with Qimage.
Some of your post, I have not been able to figure out what the complaint is about. So some of your issues will be left to Terry.

Hope some of this helps you.

Fred


Title: Re: Feature request
Post by: artwo on April 19, 2010, 06:27:14 PM
Maybe I can help a little too.

Quote
I can only select sizes in the dropdown list. I would like to have a panel with customizable buttons for the functions I use for the specific job.

This is already in Qimage. Just right click the print size and you can customize.

I can customize sizes but I would like to add button like "layout" or "enter specific size". For example, an icon with "custom" would be quicker than the dropdown list.

Quote
There is a quick access to the dialog, but I would like that Qimage remembers the 3 or 4 last profiles instead of choosing in a folder after selecting "all profiles". Easy, simple, ergonomic, fast.

Qimage does this even better than that.
Simply set up to print and SAVE the "P" printer setup.
It will save the profile and rendering intent along with paper size, print size, printer, and driver settings.
Make a second and a third for any other combination  you need. When you change profiles, you usually change paper selection too, so that's a better way.

In fact, I sometimes change the profile because the destination is internet and another one for printing. In this case, this is the same source job. But saved printer setup can do the job. A good point  ;D

Quote
I prepare pages, export them then get a pdf file to send to the society that prints my book. I made several ones like that. The quality is very good. Qimage is a good soft to do it.

Sorry, PDF has been covered in detail before. It is not considered a photo and consequently, Qimage is not disposed to make prints in PDF format.

I export in jpeg and then insert pages in another software. No problem for me.

Quote
Not me. I don't really understand what you mean. My issue is that when I make a new layout when arranging a page, I don't manage to save this specific page as a layout. It saves everything. I must close the document, reopen a new one, recreate this layout, save it as a layout.

What Terry is saying is, like the printer setups, initially save the Layouts. If you need it to use again and again. You can save them as a bunch of pages or single pages. If you  open a single page and add images, and then add more images, a second page will appear, and a third, etc.
All using the same layout. You can couple layouts too.

Yes, I know. But, let's play a game:
- add a layout with template.
- add another layout with template. It is added automatically on a second page.
- add a picture with "fit page".
The previously added layout disappear...

now:
- add a layout.
- add a page.
- add another layout
- add the picture in fit page. The layout is replaced and the other page is still there! As it should be!


Quote
right click, search IPTC, select keyword, add the search word, go then a new box to see pictures. But it is not a filter that could be used for select pictures to add in the queue.
Both Mac and Windows have a dialog where you just have to add a word. So easy. That's what I propose to add. So ergonomic and intuitive.
Qimage says, SEARCH IPTC when you look for a keyword, or use EDIT IPTC when you want to add a key word.

Yes, I know. But to select picture with that keyword, you have to right click, select SEARCH IPTC, write the keyword, click "ADD", select keyword if it is not previously done, click GO and another dialog opens.

I propose a empty dialog on top of the thumbnail view: you xrite the keyword and only pictures with that keyword are displayed. Quick, fast, easy and intuitive because win and Mac use this method.

Or I didn't understand what you were saying.


The majority of what you have issues seems to stem from lack of familiarity with Qimage.

Perhaps. But I think I'm quite familiar with it and I'm not bad with a keyboard. My English is not so good  ;D
If I don't find or I don't manage to do a task, it could be an ergonomic issue.


Some of your post, I have not been able to figure out what the complaint is about. So some of your issues will be left to Terry.

Again my English  :-\
So sorry  :'(


Hope some of this helps you.

Fred

JC


Title: Re: Feature request
Post by: Fred A on April 19, 2010, 07:51:29 PM
Quote
I can customize sizes but I would like to add button like "layout" or "enter specific size". For example, an icon with "custom" would be quicker than the dropdown list.
Both of those already exist too.
Click CUSTOM and Specific size.
Click Custom and Layout

OR click the icon on the right that looks like a sickle.
Create your own sizes and save as (name it) and keep all the sizes you want in a size set of your own creation, or add all the new sizes you want without changing the preset sizes.
If I didn't get it right yet, then I have to quit.
I just don't understand what you find difficult.

Fred


Title: Re: Feature request
Post by: artwo on April 19, 2010, 07:58:08 PM
I know what exists in custom panel. I just say that I would like to add button in preview page panel for a direct access.
I also have my own set of buttons depending of the kind of job I do.

But as I often use layout, I just say that access is not fast. It could be better.


Title: Re: Feature request
Post by: artwo on April 25, 2010, 02:36:53 PM
And today, I was on page 78. I 've just inserted a layout on the current page and all the job is gone... Only last page left!


Title: Re: Feature request
Post by: Terry-M on April 25, 2010, 03:21:33 PM
Quote
I 've just inserted a layout on the current page and all the job is gone... Only last page left!
I can't reproduce that - user finger problems??? and save save save.
Terry.


Title: Re: Feature request
Post by: GlossyBlacky on June 04, 2010, 10:05:37 AM
I know what exists in custom panel. I just say that I would like to add button in preview page panel for a direct access.
I also have my own set of buttons depending of the kind of job I do.

But as I often use layout, I just say that access is not fast. It could be better.

Yes a button or a menu (Job Properties-Select; arranged under Job Properties) with a select menu for all (or the last 5 - 10) custom saves printer settings "job settings" would be very much better. Similar Print Properties.

Wolfgang