3 digit subseconds in the Renamer.

[JohnZeman]

I'm trying to resolve an issue I'm having with the renamer.  For years I've used FastPictureViewer Pro to rename my photos using the format of YYYY_MMDD_HHMMSS_SUBSECONDS where the subseconds is always a 3 digit number.  Now I want to use IMatch for all of my renaming.

I've got the renamer working as I want except for the subseconds.  IMatch's subseconds are from 00 to 999 which means the result may be a 2 digit or a 3 digit subsecond number.  Is there a way to always end up with a 3 digit subsecond?

Currently I have to manually search through the images to run a second renamer command that appends a 0 at the end of the images that only have a 2 digit subsecond.

[thrinn]

The help is your friend: 
{File.MD.Exif::Main\37520\SubSecTime\0|numformat:int,03}
Look at the end of this section:
https://www.photools.com/help/imatch/#var_basics.htm?dl=h-31

[Mario]

Precisely, thanks.

You can search that page for

Formatting EXIF sub-seconds

to find the info.

[JohnZeman]

Ah, thanks for that Thorsten and Mario!
This solves the problem for me nicely.
(Kind of embarrassed I didn't think of that myself though)
Now I can retire FastPictureViewer Pro from my normal workflow.

[Mario]

Variables are indeed very powerful and can solve even very tricky cases or requirements...

I once did a poll like "How do you rename your files" in another group. My idea was to create a set of presets for the Renamer, to cover the most frequently used rename schemes.
After receiving over 50 "common" rename schemes from only 60 participants, I gave up and canceled the "built-in presets" plan 

Judging by the number of Renamer "How to..." questions we get here (or I in my inbox) it seems that most users manage. Special cases like 3-digit sub-seconds are quickly solved here in the community.

And there is even a dedicated example in the help, because the question came up a while ago already. So I've added an example to the help at that time.
Problem is, how users try to find the info. When you type sub-second in the help search, the first hit is Variables. Which might be helpful, or not...
If you want me to flesh out the Renamer help topic with some infos, let me know via the link available at the bottom of every help page.

[JohnZeman]

My problem happened when I was going down through the list of renamer processing instructions, my brain stopped thinking when it came to the processing instruction "Sub-Seconds in 00-999 format" I just used it and didn't think to use a variable instead.

Normally I scour the help before asking a question but didn't this time.

Oh well, problem is solved so I'm a happy camper.

Thanks again guys.

[Mario]

I see. This setting is set to use at least two digits, but extend to 3 digits in case the sub-seconds exceed 99.
This is in place since IMatch 5.

I don't recall why I did not use a 000 to 999 format instead. Strange. Probably something covered in a standard or similar I used at that time.
Well, too late to change it. And probably a separate 000 to 999 would be too much...

[Mario]

I've added a new step type for sub-seconds, which always outputs 3 digits (000 - 999).
This was quick to do, does not break existing presets and may be helpful for some.

[JohnZeman]

Thanks Mario, I'm sure it will make things a little easier for some other users.