Custom Sort

[jelvers]

In IMatch5 it is possible to define an individual picture sequence via "custom". This is indeed very convenient, when I want to show pictures from different directories, years etc in a desired sequence. I normally define a certain category (say "Slideshow_NYC") for the given set of pictures and then determine the custom order of the pictures. Whenever I use that and use "custom" I see always the pictures in the desired order. I can for instance make another category for another slideshow and determine the desired order within that category. In other words whenever I go into my different "slideshow" categories their respective custom order is always used.

Now, when I open one of those categories with different custom sort orders in IMA and go into the sort profile and click "custom", I do not get the defined sort order.

Do I make a mistake or is it a bug or does "custom" mean something different in this contert? I haven't found anything in the Helpfile either. Anyway, I am not quite sure and that's why I posted this message here.

Regards, Juergen

[Mario]

Basically this could work. It's an open design concept...

The problem is that in WebViewer you are not looking at the files in a category. You are looking at the result produced by the Navigator.

You can look at files from a folder and a category at the same time. Or multiple categories in combination with files from a collection. All files from a specific year (timeline) which are also in the category "Family". All files matching the search term "beach" which are also in one of the categories "vacation" or "holidays" or "family".

How to apply the custom sort order in such cases?
In IMatch there is always a defined scope (you click on a category in the Category View). You don't see files from folders or collections in the same file window.

My initial idea (and this is also why the Custom sort profile entry is still visible) was to check the Navigator query to see if the user has selected only one folder or one category and then to apply the time line. But this only worked in this one specific case and otherwise the sort result was based on Default. Not good.

Your post reminds me that I wanted to remove the Custom sort profile but have forgotten about it.

But I'm open to suggestions. I see the benefit of having the ability to see custom sort orders also in IMatch WebViewer. But what to do if no custom sort profile can be applied because the user has made a selection in the Navigator that crosses category or folder borders (or selected more than one category/folder)?

- Show a message box (annoying)
- Fall back to "Default" silently (irritating)
- Remove Custom and be safe
- ...

[jelvers]

Got it! At this point of time removal of the "custom" option would probably be the best, as it may cause confusion (as in my case). For me personally the provided sort options like "capture time" is sufficient, as this reflects in combination with the phantastic flexibility of categories ca. 98% of my search queries with IMA. But I still have the option to produce "tailor made" slideshows within IMatch, which I can easily export in the requested sequence if needed.

So, all in all just an observation from my point of view. As said before, I am more than happy with the current  IMA and recommend it to all my friends, also to those who do not have IMatch yet, but should get it beacuse then they can use IMA  and easily watch the photos on their TV/mobile screen according to their wishes.

Regards, Juergen

[Mario]

I agree. I have removed the entry from the menu now.

So, all in all just an observation from my point of view. As said before, I am more than happy with the current  IMA and recommend it to all my friends, also to those who do not have IMatch yet, but should get it beacuse then they can use IMA  and easily watch the photos on their TV/mobile screen according to their wishes.

That's good to hear. IMatch Anywhere is received very well by the initial users. Every license sold fuels the further development. And I have great plans for IMatch and IMatch Anywhere for 2017!