Currently, the data driven category permits a handy visual representation of the camera makes (and models, too), with the counts for each. From this, I can see that for manufacturers like Canon, Nikon, Olympus, and Sony, etc., etc., there are many files. However, then, there are the more obscure vendors, for whom there may only be 1, 2, 3, 4, or just several files. It is for such cases that I seek a way to quickly, and on-demand lump all of these manufacturers that fit this criteria into one single category, instead of having to one-by-one click each category, or select check boxes in the metadata filter.
I know that a custom app could possibly be written for special cases of statistical analysis. Also, exporting the files withe the camera make into a CSV Excel file might be possible, and then the statistical analysis could be conducted therein, and then reimported back into an IMatch attribute, so that a corresponding DD category could be created. I wanted to see, however, if an easier, more self-contained solution is possible.
QuoteIt is for such cases that I seek a way to quickly, and on-demand lump all of these manufacturers that fit this criteria into one single category,
Why not just quickly drag these
vendor categories into the The Category @Builder (https://www.photools.com/help/imatch/#cat_builder.htm) to combine them?
Super fast. You can do that ad-hoc as needed. Or keep the resulting formula-based category for later.
Alternatively, you can use the
replace mask in a data-driven category to 'fold' multiple vendors together, e.g. replacing Kodak/Ricoh/Fuji with "X" with the expression Kodak,X;Ricoh,X;Fuyi,X.
This combines these vendors into one, labeled 'X'. You can to the same to fold camera models if needed.
Your suggestion to "use the replace mask in a data-driven category to 'fold' multiple vendors together" is a start because it does allow to consolidate the bigger names together under a category "A", for instance. And, then, I'm left with the other vendor categories that have 1,2,3, ... up to maybe, 50 or so files. Indeed, at this stage of the game, I can quickly select these categories, and drag them to a formula category, if needed. What I was hoping for though, is a way to sort these categories such that those with not so many files are on top; those with many, on the bottom. This way, I could quickly do a selection range, without having to acknowledge the bigger players that have 38 or 45 files, to get those that have under ten. Is there a way to effect such a sort?
Categories are always sorted by name. There is no options which sorts the child categories of a category by the number of files assigned to them. I doubt that this would be used often.
Alternatives:
Export file data into a CSV file with the CSV Exporter in the Import & Export panel. Make;Model;FileName and then do a pivot table in Excel or something.
Use the Statistics Panel (https://www.photools.com/help/imatch/#panel_statistics.htm) in IMatch to show files per camera maker:
(https://www.photools.com/community/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=10476.0;attach=24860;image)
Tip: You can select files directly from the Statistics panel (right click a bar / slice), or copy them into the clipboard.
Selecting the files allows you to view them in a Result Window or use the Copy Data App to copy selected data into the clipboard, for pasting into Excel or whatnot. Saves the export to a file.
Well, the Statistics Panel might be a possibility, if there is the ability to resize the chart, with scroll bars. Is that doable?
You can resize the panel as needed, float it in a separate window... Like any other panel. See Panels (https://www.photools.com/help/imatch/#panel_basics.htm)