Ability to switch between cached and "online" images

[axel.hennig]

Based on this thread (https://www.photools.com/community/index.php/topic,12847.0.html) I would like to have an easy option to switch (in the full screen mode) between cached images and the original ones.

Reason: Mostly I use IMatch on my Laptop and I'm only working with jpg-files. All jpg-files are cached and the original files are stored on an external drive. If I'm travelling, I can view the images (cached files), but if I'm at home (with plugged-in external drive) I would like to have the possibility to easily view the original files within IMatch.

[Mario]

Caching JPEG files does not make much sense, since cache images are also JPEG files.
This basically duplicates all your files in the IMatch cache - unless you settle for producing cache files with smaller dimensions that the original files, which has also many drawbacks.

[axel.hennig]

I use smaller dimensions. My cache is approx 30GB in size and my original files apporx 550GB. The cache fits on the laptop SSD, but the original files do not.

When travelling I've got the cache-jpg's which I can work with, but at home I would like to easily switch to the original files.

I made this decision to have "viewable" files always with me. Cache image width x height = 2000 x 2000, which is enough on my laptop-screen to work with (apply categories, rating,...). Until now I don't see "many drawbacks"...

[javiavid]

+1 
The exact same thing happens to me as to you, Axel.

[thrinn]

When travelling I've got the cache-jpg's which I can work with, but at home I would like to easily switch to the original files.

In theory, you could change the "Don't cache JPG files" option when you are at home. In this case (I believe) IMatch would use the original image. But there is a severe drawback: You would have to remember to clear the option each time you ingest new or updated files so that cache files are created. I don't know, but this does not sound very reliable when I am thinking about.

[axel.hennig]

That could be a workaround... thanks Thorsten

[Darius1968]

+!

[Tveloso]

In theory, you could change the "Don't cache JPG files" option when you are at home. In this case (I believe) IMatch would use the original image. But there is a severe drawback: You would have to remember to clear the option each time you ingest new or updated files so that cache files are created. I don't know, but this does not sound very reliable when I am thinking about.

I have a Data-Driven Category that I think might help address the drawback that Thorsten points out - it allows all files that lack a Cache image to be identified:

   

   

...so before traveling, you could select all files in the NoCache Category, and do a Shift+Ctrl+F5, and select the Update Cache only option.

[Mario]

With only 600GB of original JPEG images, I would just put them on a USB stick and have them available everywhere. Saves a lot of work, cheaply...

[axel.hennig]

Great suggestion Tveloso (Tony), thanks a lot.

[thrinn]

Very good idea, to use data driven categories. I did not think of this approach.