photools.com Community

IMatch Discussion Boards => General Discussion and Questions => Topic started by: Dp-4711 on August 15, 2023, 09:58:54 AM

Title: mass delete of duplicates in a dedicated folder
Post by: Dp-4711 on August 15, 2023, 09:58:54 AM
Hi,

searching for duplicates returned 6000+ results, OK.

Reason is my way, I handled pictures in the past:
1. all pictures are saved first hand in a single big folder, lets say 'iphone backup'
2. from there I copied selected pictures into theme-folders, for instance 'visiting prague'
3. all pictures are on a NAS share, original ones and the copies
4. I like imatch to organize that NAS share

Question: is there any automated way to delete only the duplicates in the 'iphone backup' folder, i.e. the original ones, leaving the copies in theme-folder untouched ???

Thanks for any advice,
Title: Re: mass delete of duplicates in a dedicated folder
Post by: Mario on August 15, 2023, 10:09:08 AM
This is easy to do. When the Result Window opens, use the Folders (https://www.photools.com/help/imatch/panel_filter.htm#a_folders?dl=folders) Filter in the Filter Panel (https://www.photools.com/help/imatch/panel_filter.htm#a_folders?dl=hid-1) to show only files from the folder you want to process.
Since the original files are by default shown separately in the group headers, you also need to Including the Original with the Matches (https://www.photools.com/help/imatch/ws_resultwnd.htm#include_originals?dl=include_originals). This makes them accessible like any other file in the result.

This leaves only the original images in the Result Window and easy to delete with <Ctrl>+<A>, <Del>.
Note: Verify before you actually delete files.
Title: Re: mass delete of duplicates in a dedicated folder
Post by: rolandgifford on August 15, 2023, 11:13:10 AM
Quote from: Mario on August 15, 2023, 10:09:08 AMThis leaves only the original images in the Result Window and easy to delete with <Ctrl>+<A>, <Del>.
Note: Verify before you actually delete files.

Probably not relevant to this specific instance but is there not the risk that more files will be deleted if the ones to be deleted are part of Buddy Sets?
Title: Re: mass delete of duplicates in a dedicated folder
Post by: Mario on August 15, 2023, 12:59:42 PM
QuoteProbably not relevant to this specific instance but is there not the risk that more files will be deleted if the ones to be deleted are part of Buddy Sets?

If you rename/move/copy/delete a file which has buddy files, the buddy files will also be renamed/moved/copied/deleted.
That's the purpose of buddy files.
Title: Re: mass delete of duplicates in a dedicated folder
Post by: rolandgifford on August 15, 2023, 01:14:20 PM
Quote from: Mario on August 15, 2023, 12:59:42 PMIf you rename/move/copy/delete a file which has buddy files, the buddy files will also be renamed/moved/copied/deleted.
That's the purpose of buddy files.

Which is what I expected.

Limiting the files displayed as you suggest doesn't limit the ones to be deleted as the OP wants if these files are part of Buddy sets.
Title: Re: mass delete of duplicates in a dedicated folder
Post by: Mario on August 15, 2023, 01:29:20 PM

QuoteLimiting the files displayed as you suggest doesn't limit the ones to be deleted as the OP wants if these files are part of Buddy sets.
Correct. Filters don't affect buddy files.
Title: Re: mass delete of duplicates in a dedicated folder
Post by: rolandgifford on August 15, 2023, 01:35:28 PM
Quote from: Mario on August 15, 2023, 01:29:20 PM
QuoteLimiting the files displayed as you suggest doesn't limit the ones to be deleted as the OP wants if these files are part of Buddy sets.
Correct. Filters don't affect buddy files.

Is there any way to ignore Buddy relationships before deleting files? Or break Buddy relationships before doing so?
Title: Re: mass delete of duplicates in a dedicated folder
Post by: Mario on August 15, 2023, 01:40:25 PM
You can disable buddy relations via Edit > Preferences > File Relations.
Just untick the box.