Resetting finder to rename files

I share a network with 4 other designers. Sometimes we cannot rename folders or move folders others have opened unless all of us relaunch our finders. It seems unnecessary. Is there something else in the preferences that would take care of this issue?

No, you need to find a system where you would know if another user is working on a file. You should not be working on the same file at the same time.
Even something as simple as leaving a file in a folder saying xx is checked out by yy.

Similar Messages

Can't find a renamed file using Applescript

Here is what I'm trying to accomplish:
1) User selects .csv file
2) Finder duplicates file and renames as a txt file
3) Microsoft Excel imports this newly made file as a pipe delimited text file with text formatting in all cells (On a Mac, Excel won't take pipe delimited csv's, it automatically assumes they are comma delimited)
4) Microsoft Excel then saves this as the same name of the original user extraction location with the same name but in the .xlsx or XML format
Preferably with that duplicated file now gone, whether its used and converted with Excel, or later deleted from Finder.
Here's the code that I'm working with so far:
on run
          set csvfile to (choose file) as alias
          tell application "Finder" to set tempname to (name of csvfile as text) as text
--display dialog "" & tempname
          tell application "Finder"
                    set theDupe to duplicate csvfile
                    set name extension of theDupe to "txt"
          end tell
          tell application "Microsoft Excel"
open text file filename theDupe data type delimited field info {{1, text format}, {2, text format}, {3, text format}, {4, text format}, {5, text format}, {6, text format}, {7, text format}, {8, text format}, {9, text format}, {10, text format}, {11, text format}, {12, text format}, {13, text format}, {14, text format}, {15, text format}, {16, text format}, {17, text format}, {18, text format}, {19, text format}} other char "|" with use other
                    set theworksheet to worksheet 1 of active workbook
save as theworksheet filename tempname file format Excel XML file format with overwrite
          end tell
end run
The error I run into is that after it duplicates and renames the file, it is trying to refer to something that it can't find.
Please I'm stuck at this point, any suggestions or helpful hints??

This actually works, I just need to rename "theDupe" file at the end to take off the " copy"
on run
          set csvfile to (choose file) as alias
--tell application "Finder" to set parentFolder to container of file csvfile
--tell application "Finder" to set tempname to (parentFolder as string) & (name of csvfile as text)
--display dialog "" & tempname
          tell application "Finder"
                    set theDupe to (duplicate file csvfile) as alias
                    set name extension of theDupe to "txt"
--display dialog theDupe as string
          end tell
          tell application "Microsoft Excel"
open text file filename (theDupe as string) data type delimited field info {{1, text format}, {2, text format}, {3, text format}, {4, text format}, {5, text format}, {6, text format}, {7, text format}, {8, text format}, {9, text format}, {10, text format}, {11, text format}, {12, text format}, {13, text format}, {14, text format}, {15, text format}, {16, text format}, {17, text format}, {18, text format}, {19, text format}} other char "|" with use other
                    set theworksheet to worksheet 1 of active workbook
save as theworksheet filename (theDupe as string) file format Excel XML file format
          end tell
--tell application "Finder" to delete file (theDupe as string)
          tell application "Finder" to set name extension of theDupe to "xlsx"
end run

Finding and Renaming Files

I am trying to fix a bunch of file names by adding the appropriate extension based on file type.
I had downloaded a bunch of images from my webserver and noticed the '.jpg' or '.gif' got cut off because the file names were too long.
So, I want to locate all Files of Type 'JPEG', for example, then filter by those whose name or name extension are missing the '.jpg' on the end, and simply add that to the file name.
The problem is Automator can't seem filter these files and perform the desired action on them. Every time, and every which way I've tried, it finds ALL the files, with and without the .jpg at the end.
I have:
Filter files by File Type is JPEG Image File
Name Does not contain '.jpg'
(I've tried Name Extension does not contain 'jpg' too - same result)
Any suggestions?

Renaming a file to add an extension is fine, if you know what the file type is to begin with. Since the file was downloaded from a web server, there may not be any Finder info or other metadata to determine what the type is, so you would need to look at the file data and make a guess. There is a built-in shell script that tries to determine a file's type, and some of the more common types (such as text, jpeg, and gif) are checked for. The following Run AppleScript action uses that to try to guess what the file type is and filters accordingly:
<pre style="
font-family: Monaco, 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;
font-size: 10px;
margin: 0px;
padding: 5px;
border: 1px solid #000000;
width: 720px;
color: #000000;
background-color: #FFDDFF;
overflow: auto;"
title="this text can be pasted into an Automator 'Run AppleScript' action">
on run {input, parameters} -- find file types
try to determine file types using the 'file' shell script and filter accordingly
input: a list of Finder items (aliases) to filter
output: a list of Finder items (aliases) filtered
set output to {}
set FileType to (choose from list {"JPEG", "GIF", "PDF", "RTF"} with title "Filetype Filter" with prompt "Select a type to filter:")
if the result is false then error number -128
repeat with AnItem in the input -- step through each item in the input
tell application "Finder"
if (name extension of AnItem) is "" then
do shell script "file -b " & quoted form of POSIX path of (AnItem as text)
if the result contains FileType then set the end of the output to (AnItem as alias)
end if
end tell
end repeat
return the output -- pass the result(s) to the next action
end run
</pre>
Tested workflow:
1) Ask for Finder Items (Type: folders)
2) Get Folder Contents
3) Run AppleScript (the above script) -- choose JPEG or whatever the file type is
4) View Results
5) Rename FInder Items (Add Text - Add: .jpg after name) -- or whatever the extension should be
HTH

Finder Bug Renaming files with cover flow

If I try to rename a file using finder with cover flow using left and right arrows for moving in the filename, it goes up and down on file selection

A similar issue is evident in "List" view, when renaming a file inside a folder whose "disclosure triangle" is expanded. If you happen to be working a few levels down, it closes them all.
Maddening!
If you feel so inclined, please submit a bug report. Hopefully issues that receive a lot of complaints will be addressed.
http://developer.apple.com/bugreporter/

Deleting & renaming files - is there a shortcut to finder?

I am a recent convert from PC to Mac. So far so good. However, one thing starts to drive me up the wall which is deleting/renaming files in programs such as photoshop, word, excel etc.etc.
As far as I can tell, this is only possible in the finder menu. Is this Correct? I am using a lot of folders and subfolders - sometimes 3-4 levels deep. Every time I need to change/delete a file or filename - lets say while in photoshop, I have to go to finder and click my way through several levels of folders to the actual file I need to change. This is somewhat annoying and timeconsuming.
Question 1: is there a way to do these operations in - lets say photoshop directly?
Question 2: If not, is there a shortcut key that would point me automatically to the file in finder where I can make the changes?
Your input would be very helpful and save me some aggravation.
fupe

Hi Greg,
Thanks for your input. You are correct as far as "save" and "save as" is concerned. Windows and Mac work the same way.
However, as far as I can tell, in Mac you can only "delete" or "rename" a file in "finder" which forces you to open up finder and locate the file in order to delete or change it.
In windows you can do these 2 functions directly in the program (such as photoshop, excel or words). You do not have to go to "explorer or root directory" to make these changes which I believe would be the equivalent of "finder".
In any case, Terence solved the problem. By command clicking the name (title) of the file in any program, it opens up the directory in "finder". This way makes it easy to select the file and do the changes.
fupe

Tried opening a file in library and it states can't open database with library name? It says Relaunch then will not open? and Blocks me completely from Aperture. I have to go to Finder to Rename it? I need this file how do I get it to open?

Tried opening a file in library and it states can't open database with library name? It says Relaunch then will not open? and Blocks me completely from Aperture. I have to go to Finder to Rename it? I need this file how do I get it to open?

Aftershotz,
You're going to have to give a bit more information.
What do you mean by "opening a file in library?" There is no function of Aperture to open files -- you can open (switch) libraries.
You'll have to be more specific about error messages, too. Perhaps some screenshots would be useful to diagnose your problem. "Can't open database with library name" is not enough detail about what Aperture is really telling you.
nathan

Custom batch rename files with Aperture 3 in the following format: IMG_0023.cr2 to Smith_YYMMDD_0023.cr2? I cannot find a way to structure the date in Aperture as such, as well as extract only the camera file

Please advise how to custom batch rename files with Aperture 3 in the following format: IMG_0023.cr2 to Smith_120816_0023.cr2? I cannot find a way to structure the date in Aperture as such (YYMMDD), as well as extract only the camera file (0023, for example). Adobe Bridge CS5 can do this, but NONE of the Adobe software is retina optimized, and is terrible to look at.

In Aperture you are limited to renaming files by the entries in the File Naming preset window.
At what point are you looking to rename, import or export? It might be possible to do what you are looking to do external to Aperture either via a script or other software.
regards

Keyboard shortcut to rename files in Finder

Hi,
How can I create a keyboard shortcut to rename files in Finder, preferrably "F2"?
I know I can click on the filename twice in Finder with a short delay and then I can rename it - but that's a drag if you have to rename a lot of files....
I'm also aware of the possibility to create shortcuts in
System Preferences -> Keyboard & Mouse -> Keyboard Shortcuts
...just can't figure out how to create the shortcut I need
Thanks,
Koinseb

Select a file and press return to edit the name without the delay.
You might look at A Better Finder Rename if you have many files to rename:
http://www.publicspace.net/ABetterFinderRename/
hth,
b.

Difficult to Rename Files (Finder windows keep Refreshing)

Has anyone else noticed how difficult it is to rename files in a folder? It is almost as if Leopard's Finder keeps refreshing (or building thumbnails) or something. Here is my scenario:
- Browse to a folder (in my case a folder with large files)
- Hit enter on a file and start renaming the file
- After 1-2 seconds, finder jumps out of edit mode by itself (as if the page somehow refreshed)
- Hit enter again and keep on editing
- 1-2 seconds later, jumps out of edit mode again.
- Leave the window for 20-30 seconds
- Then hit enter, then it is easy to rename the file.
- Thereupon, immediately try to edit the next file, and bam, it exits edit mode after 1-2 seconds (almost as if the previous file rename triggered a 'refresh this entire view' event)
It is incredibly annoying to attempt to rename a bunch of files with Leopard.

Ah - I cant seem to get into the habit of "get info" to rename my files. It seems counter productive.
Is there any other workaround / fix to make the finder stop jumping me out of renaming a file?
It is incredibly annoying. I will get a few characters typed in, and it will jump out of editing... and then to add insult to injury, the folders is updated and the file jumps to its new alphabetical location in the list - So I have to go find the partially named file to finish the job.
People ask me if I like Windows or Mac. I say both have benefits and weaknesses. Renaming files is one of my Mac's weaknesses - it seems. It shouldn't be - it is a basic part of an operating system.
Help!

PLEASE PLEASE HELP! finding and locating files..

Hellooo!..
First of all, I'd like to start by saying that i am a DJ and music producer using Logic Pro 9.
..I have just spend the last 5 days organising my whole iTunes, adding albums, renaming, adding artwork and pritty much making sure that everything is bob on and perfect!
So last night i was nearly done and had pretty much completed the organising of my itunes; everything looks cool everything is labelled correctly etc..
This morning, being the absolute TOOL that i am! i (without realising at first) deleted every song in the iTunes Media folder, which i didn't realise was the default file directory for all my music. (i still have all my music files around the laptop they are not deleted, what has deleted are just the copys of the songs that itunes automatically makes and places into the 'Media' folder) Dont even ask how and why i did this or what was going through my mind! just one of those moments i suppose! So still i deepened my problem by emptying the Trash bin so everything had gone.
So.. obviously as you would presume, the dreaded ''!'' appears when i try to play a song and says that it could not find the original file and would i like to locate it? ..after emptying the recycle bin i downloaded some software that restores what you have deleted but this was no use as certain files were missing or corrupt etc so that idea was scrapped.
All of the music in my library IS on my macbook located in various folders a lot are in 'downloads' folder and alot are in another folder named 'Albums from old computer'
So all of my music is on my laptop but i really dont want to have to go through 2689 songs individually to locate them.
when i tried locating one, i found the file and this song was allowed to be played etc but it also popped up with 'Would you like iTunes to use the location of 'song name whatever' to find other missing files in your library?' ..amazed that it came up with this i clicked yes,but no files were found still :S even though many of the files are in the same folder as this song ive just located.. so this option seems to make no sense?
Basically im looking for a way for iTunes to either search the whole laptop for where the song is located or anything else that would allow them to be found and played. The reason i need this to happen is because the whole library is amazingly organised now it all still looks perfect but would also sound perfect too if i could play the effing songs!
I dont know if ive explained this clearley enough or what but i would really really appreciate it if someone could get back to me on this! This is 5 days work gone down the drain!
Thanks,x

Hi, FlyBeatz.
In your iTunes music folder, is there still a file called iTunes Library which has the word "Lib" under the iTunes logo? Normally iTunes has an "iTunes folder" which contains the above and "iTunes library Extras.itbd, iTunes Library Genius [all with lib under the itunes logo] and iTunes Library.xml.
iTunes lib contains the metadata, the info that says album, artist, tracks name. the music folder just has track1, 2 etc and the track name. You need the Lib file to make iTunes display the tracks properly. If this is lost or deleted then its the hard slog.
There is also a folder called iTunes music which contains the audio tracks filed under artist, then album[s].
If the iTunes Lib file is intact then you might be able to import all the music files back into the one folder and have iTunes recognise them as before the great delete. Make sure its the same name, and file structure or 'tunes will get confused. It also puts a lot of stuff into the various artists or compilations folders when it shouldn't, so watch that if you get discrepancies.
You'll need to create a separate folder for each artist, then inside that, create a folder for each album [or track] and copy the audio files into the appropriate location. Then open iTunes and see if it recognises the library correctly.
Warning. If this doesn't work - and iTunes is not a great piece of software for this kind of repair- it could make things worse.
Another option. Do you have time machine enabled? If so, simply reset the computer to a time [say 2 days ago] just before you did the delete. If TM is running automatically, it usually backs up every 30-60 minutes automatically.
I'd also suggest running time machine before attempting my first suggestion in case that solution makes things worse, then you simply restore the machine to its current [somewhat scrambled] state.
Third option is to ring apple tech support and ask for an iTunes expert to help you.
Which you may have already done.
If none or these - or someone else's - solutions don't fix the problem then its the long hard slog.
I've had to do it with over 120G and 200G of wavs more than once thanks to iTunes stupid behaviour, so I know where your at.
Good luck with it fellow Logic Pro user.
Scorpii.

IWeb works, but I can't find the domain file!!!!

OK - this one has had me stumped for a few days now... I have iWeb (vs. 1.1.2 - from the '06 iLife). I need to find the domain file. It isn't in the home/library/app. support/iWeb folder. I didn't move it. I searched for it using command-F and using spotlight on my computer.
iWeb is to reset and start from scratch if there isn't a domain file on your hard drive. So I know it's there somewhere (at least, I think it is?). My site is there. I can publish. I can make changes, however I can't find the domain file to make a back up of it. I don't think that I made it invisible - could I have somehow done that? And if so, is it possible to find it? I believ the program only works if the file is named "domain" so I don't think that I could have accidentally renamed it.
Is there someone out there who can help me? I don't want to have to start from scratch and rebuild the websites.
Thanks for your input!

This is from Multisite's Technical Page:
Technical Information
While you don’t need to understand how data is stored to use Multisite for iWeb it can be helpful occasionally to understand what is going on behind the scenes. At a nuts and bolts level Multisite for iWeb stores all of its sites in your home folder’s Documents folder in a single package (which is really a fancy folder dressed up to look like a file) called “Multisite for iWeb Data.mfi.”
You can open that package like this.
Once you get your domain file straightened out I'd definitely get Varkgirl's Automator application to make frequent backups of that file. You can get it Varkgirl's iWeb Tips and Tricks site.

Is there an ap for finding/deleting corrupt files on OS X 10.7?

I seem to have a corrupt file(s) which cause my MacBook Pro to freeze inexplicably (and randomly) upon start-up. I've been told that this is a symptom of having a corrupt file.
Is there an an for finding/deleting corrupt files on OS X 10.7?
I'm pretty much bound to my computer and simply don't have the time to go through it manually.
Thank you.

This is an old post and I am not the person who posted the original query, but I ran your terminal diagnostic and am hoping you are still attending to this forum. I have a mid 2011 macbook Air 11", 256 GB SSD, 1.8 GHz Intel Core i7, 4 GB 1333 MHz DDR3, Mac OS X v. 10.7.5 Lion. I have had various problems in my user homefolder for a while. I have gone through quite a few other troubleshooting and fixing steps, the most extensive following a posting here "Step by Step to fix your mac" by ds store in the Apple forums. These steps helped a lot. I did remove some 3rd party software as part of this process.
My computer is running well in general now, but one thing that has been a recurring problem is problems with move/cut-paste. I researched this online and ACL's being present where they're not supposed to be seems to be an issue. I have used terminal commands to remove ACL's, used Onyx to repair user permissions, rebooted with command-r to reset password screen and reset user permissions. They all help, but then a some point later on the problem recurs. When I run repair disk permissions with either disk utility or onyx I always get this message:
Repairing permissions for “maggieairHD”
Warning: SUID file “System/Library/CoreServices/RemoteManagement/ARDAgent.app/Contents/MacOS/ARDAg ent” has been modified and will not be repaired.
ACL found but not expected on “Users”
Repaired “Users”
Permissions repair complete
This ALWAYS comes up, even if I run it immediately after running it and haven't done anything else on the computer in between.
I created another user and did not have the same problems I was having at the time with some programs, although I haven't used it that much to be able to really compare. The home folder permissions repair in Onyx comes out the same in that user, though.
Here are my results from your diagnostic terminal commands:
Last login: Wed Dec 26 09:36:47 on console
Maggies-MacBook-Air:~ maggieair$ kextstat -kl | awk '!/com\.apple/ {print $6 $7}'
com.rim.driver.BlackBerryUSBDriverInt(0.0.68)
com.logmein.driver.LogMeInSoundDriver(1.0.0)
com.protech.NoSleep(1.3.1)
com.parallels.kext.prl_usb_connect(7.0
com.parallels.kext.prl_hypervisor(7.0
com.parallels.kext.prl_hid_hook(7.0
com.parallels.kext.prl_netbridge(7.0
com.parallels.kext.prl_vnic(7.0
Maggies-MacBook-Air:~ maggieair$ sudo launchctl list | sed 1d | awk '!/0x|com\.apple/ {print $3}'
Password:
com.parallels.vm.prl_naptd
org.x.privileged_startx
org.postfix.master
org.ntp.ntpd
org.cups.cupsd
com.vix.cron
com.sharpcast.xfsmond
com.parallels.desktop.launchdaemon
com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper
com.adobe.fpsaud
Maggies-MacBook-Air:~ maggieair$ launchctl list | sed 1d | awk '!/0x|com\.apple/ {print $3}'
org.x.startx
org.openbsd.ssh-agent
com.parallels.vm.prl_pcproxy
com.parallels.DesktopControlAgent
com.parallels.desktop.client.launch
com.maintain.CocktailSystemEvents
Maggies-MacBook-Air:~ maggieair$ ls -1A /e*/mach* {,/}L*/{Ad,Compon,Ex,Fram,In,Keyb,La,Mail/Bu,P*P,Priv,Qu,Scripti,Servi,Sta}* L*/Fonts 2> /dev/null
/Library/Address Book Plug-Ins:
RCFaxAB.bundle
/Library/Components:
/Library/Extensions:
/Library/Frameworks:
AEProfiling.framework
AERegistration.framework
Adobe AIR.framework
AquaticPrime.framework
AudioMixEngine.framework
HPSmartPrint.framework
NyxAudioAnalysis.framework
PluginManager.framework
RIM_VSP.framework
RimBlackBerryUSB.framework
iTunesLibrary.framework
/Library/Input Methods:
/Library/Internet Plug-Ins:
AdobePDFViewer.plugin
AdobePDFViewerNPAPI.plugin
Flash Player.plugin
Quartz Composer.webplugin
QuickTime Plugin.plugin
Silverlight.plugin
flashplayer.xpt
googletalkbrowserplugin.plugin
npgtpo3dautoplugin.plugin
nsIQTScriptablePlugin.xpt
/Library/Keyboard Layouts:
/Library/LaunchAgents:
com.maintain.CocktailPurgeInactiveMemory.plist
com.maintain.CocktailSystemEvents.plist
com.parallels.DesktopControlAgent.plist
com.parallels.desktop.launch.plist
com.parallels.vm.prl_pcproxy.plist
/Library/LaunchDaemons:
com.adobe.fpsaud.plist
com.apple.remotepairtool.plist
com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist
com.parallels.desktop.launchdaemon.plist
com.sharpcast.xfsmond.plist
/Library/PreferencePanes:
Flash Player.prefPane
JavaControlPanel.prefpane
NoSleep.prefPane
/Library/PrivilegedHelperTools:
Google Drive Icon Helper
com.bresink.system.securityagent3
com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper
/Library/QuickLook:
ParallelsQL.qlgenerator
iWork.qlgenerator
/Library/QuickTime:
AppleIntermediateCodec.component
AppleMPEG2Codec.component
/Library/ScriptingAdditions:
MTL.osax
/Library/Services:
AScrEd • New Script for Frontmost Application.workflow
AScrEd • Open Application Scripting Dictionary.workflow
AScrEd • Open Dictionary of Frontmost Application.workflow
AScrEd • Open with AppleScript Editor.workflow
Audio • Encode to iTunes Format.workflow
Browse Movie Library.workflow
Browse Photo Library.workflow
Browse iTunes Library.workflow
Disk Item • Rename Selected Items.workflow
Disk Item • Set Spotlight Comments.workflow
Image • Add Metadata to JPEGs.workflow
Image • Change File Type.workflow
Image • Import into iPhoto.workflow
Image • Print Image Files.workflow
Image • Rotate Clockwise.workflow
Image • Rotate Counter-Clockwise.workflow
Launch Terminal.workflow
PDF • Encrypt File.workflow
PDF • Set Metadata.workflow
Terminal • Get Manual for Command.workflow
Terminal • Insert Current Finder Directory.workflow
Terminal • Insert Selected Finder Items.workflow
UNIX • Apply Command to Selected Items.workflow
UNIX • New Terminal Window to Insertion Location.workflow
iPhoto • Spotlight Search for Detected People.workflow
/Library/StartupItems:
Cocktail
/etc/mach_init.d:
/etc/mach_init_per_login_session.d:
/etc/mach_init_per_user.d:
Library/Address Book Plug-Ins:
.DS_Store
SkypeABDialer.bundle
SkypeABSMS.bundle
Library/Fonts:
Library/Input Methods:
.localized
Library/Internet Plug-Ins:
CitrixOnlineWebDeploymentPlugin.plugin
Google Earth Web Plug-in.plugin
WebEx64.plugin
Library/Keyboard Layouts:
Library/LaunchAgents:
com.apple.AddressBook.ScheduledSync.PHXCardDAVSource.7D3946E8-ADA6-4982-87CA-565 69B042BAC.plist
com.apple.FolderActions.enabled.plist
com.apple.FolderActions.folders.plist
com.google.keystone.agent.plist
com.macpaw.CleanMyMac.volumeWatcher.plist
Library/Mail/Bundles:
Library/PreferencePanes:
.DS_Store
Archives.prefPane
Library/Services:
.DS_Store
GraphicConverter.service
Sync with MacDropAny.workflow
Maggies-MacBook-Air:~ maggieair$ osascript -e 'tell application "System Events" to get the name of every login item'
NoSleep, iTunesHelper, Caffeine, Dropbox
Maggies-MacBook-Air:~ maggieair$
I have removed NoSleep, Caffeine, itunesHelper and Dropbox from login items before and didn't notice any difference, so I put them back. Some of these I know I don't want, like rim/blackberry, adobe AIR. Skype has never worked consistently on this computer. I don't use most of these Services, and I know I had trouble with some that were not compatible with Lion before. I am not using Parallels much now, have been thinking about taking it off as it uses a chunk of my SSD. But I don't feel confident about getting rid of .frameworks etc safely.
I am glad to remove anything I don't use if I know how to do it safely. I am willing to remove anything I do use if it's necessary, but obviously would prefer to find a way to keep things that I find helpful.
I appreciate any suggestions!

Rename files and retain portions of the original filename

I posted a thread about this a while ago, but no solution was given:
http://discussions.info.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2564646
The issue is this: I can't figure out how to rename imported files while also retaining part of the original filename. The images come off of the camera like this:
DSC_3497.nef
I need to do the following:
+- Retain the unique number that the image already has. I don't want to rename the files by date, location, lunar phase, or some other esoteric identifier. I think having a unique ID for each image (one that shows up in standard OS-level searches on both Mac and PC systems) is useful.+
+- Replace "DSC" with the camera model (D3X), since I use multiple cameras with different resolutions and also need to be able to search for images from a certain camera outside of Aperture (i.e. tags/keywords would not help).+
+- Add a digit prior to the four-digit string to indicate the true numeric sequence of the file. Since Nikon cameras reset the number sequence every 10,000 files, I want to indicate the true sequence number directly in the filename. This will also avoid filename overlaps. It also lets me know how many images I've shot with each camera.+
The intended final result would look like this:
D3X_63497.nef
Showing the 63,497th image taken with my D3X.
In Aperture's "File Naming" dialog, I don't see a way to split the existing filename in this way. It looks like I can only append or prepend a Custom Name to the Version/Master name. I don't see a way to split the existing filename at the underscore, for example, so that portions of the original filename can be selectively replaced.
This is not about finding a workable naming scheme for Aperture and then renaming all existing files. I spend time on the PC side for various things and also work with a number of people who don't use Aperture but need access to my image library. I also have hundreds of references to existing filenames in various print and web design projects, as well as my Flickr account with 3000+ photos.
Going back and updating all that stuff is not going to happen. But using a System Service to rename files after every import is also pretty tedious.
Any solutions that meet the three criteria outlined above would be greatly appreciated.

sempervirent,
You're asking for some pretty advanced file naming. Most people aren't going to need that sort of function, so I doubt there will be a hook into Aperture to do such a thing. I suggest using a shell script or Applescript along with EXIFTool to rename files before you import them into Aperture. http://www.sno.phy.queensu.ca/~phil/exiftool/
Retain the unique number that the image already has
If you're not afraid of the command line, it's easy enough to use a tool like awk or maybe perl to parse that sequence number from a well-formatted string like the picture name
Replace "DSC" with the camera model (D3X)
You can use EXIFTool to extract the camera model from the EXIF dat ain the photos
Add a digit prior to the four-digit string to indicate the true numeric sequence of the file.
Good luck with this one. You'll have to do a filename search through all of your previous files to find out what 10,000 you're on. It's possible, but you'd have to do some specialized coding in AppleScript or shell script.
nathan

How do I find a photo file in the Finder + future migration question

Being a recent Mac convert, I am just getting used to the 'complete control' approach to photo management that iPhoto has. I'm used to knowing where my photos physically reside on my computer - this is useful for doing things like uploading photos to a website for example. How do I actually find a particular photo in the Finder (or even give photo files recognisable names, as opposed to whatever automated naming system iPhoto uses)?
A followup question to this is, what happens if I ever want to migrate my photos out of iPhoto one day to another application or even back to a PC (God forbid - just my paranoia about being forced to use a particular system forever kicking in here!) - is there a way to do this, and keep photo modifications etc? Or once I start using iPhoto, have I made my decision for life??
My apologies if this has been asked before, I couldn't find anything in the forum when searching.

poddster
I hope you've a notebook and pen, but you've asked a lot of questions:
I'm used to knowing where my photos physically reside on my computer
You photos are stored in the iPhoto Library at your Pictures Folder. This is a Unix style Package Folder that very easy to see inside: right click on it and choose show package contents. A finder window opens with the library exposed.
Here's how the library is laid out:
In this folder there are various files, which are the Library itself and some ancillary files. Then you have three folders
Originals are the photos as they were downloaded from your camera or scanner.
(ii) Modified contains edited pics, shots that you have cropped, rotated or changed in any way.
iPhoto always preserves the original file, all operations are carried out on a copy.
(iii) Data holds the thumbnails the the app needs to show you the photos in the iPhoto Window.
And here's a warning: It is strongly advised that you do not move, change or in anyway alter things in the iPhoto Library Folder as this can cause the application to fail and even lead to data loss.
this is useful for doing things like uploading photos to a website for example
No it's not. Don't surf the iPhoto Library. The idea with iPhoto is that you do everything via the iPhoto Window or media browsers:
So, to access pics use one (or more) of the following:
There are three ways (at least) to get files from the iPhoto Window.
1. *Drag and Drop*: Drag a photo from the iPhoto Window to the desktop, there iPhoto will make a full-sized copy of the pic.
2. *File -> Export*: Select the files in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Export. The dialogue will give you various options, including altering the format, naming the files and changing the size. Again, producing a copy.
3. *Show File*: Right- (or Control-) Click on a pic and in the resulting dialogue choose 'Show File'. A Finder window will pop open with the file already selected.
To upload to MySpace or any site that does not have an iPhoto Export Plug-in the recommended way is to Select the Pic in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Export and export the pic to the desktop, then upload from there. After the upload you can trash the pic on the desktop. It's only a copy and your original is safe in iPhoto.
This is also true for emailing with Web-based services. If you're using Gmail you can use THIS
If you use Apple's Mail, Entourage, AOL or Eudora you can email from within iPhoto.
If you use a Cocoa-based Browser such as Safari, you can drag the pics from the iPhoto Window to the Attach window in the browser. Or, if you want to access the files with iPhoto not running, then create a Media Browser using Automator (takes about 10 seconds) or use THIS
iPhot doesn't name the files, those names are given by your camera. You can add titles in iPhoto and if you use the File -> Export command there's a facility there to name the resulting file (it'll be a copy - remember what I said about all operation being done on a copy...) with the title.
Do not rename files in iPhoto, That comes under the heading of making changes in the iPhoto Library Folder and alters the path to the files. If you do, iPhoto will lose track of the file. But the truth is there's simply no need to. However, you can rename the files before importing them if you like.
Migrating is really easy. You've seen the layout of the Library above. The originals are all there, in the originals folder, the Modified versions in their folder. If you want to have only the most recent versions of pics, then export them from iPhoto to a folder on the desktop.
By all means post back if you need more.
Regards
TD

Rename files or folders in Windows 8 not working

Rename a file or folder on a Windows CE device is not working from Windows 8 when connected through Windows Mobile Device Center.
From Windows 7 it worked just fine!
This has been a problem for a very long time now, and im not alone according to all forums.
But no fix as far as i can find!
Is there anyone that have found a fix on this?

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows8_1-files/windows-8-unable-to-rename-files-on-pocket-pc/abae21b7-7ee1-41c7-853e-1ac7ea5b0413
It seems a issue in window 8.x system. Maybe you can ask for a MS support ticket.

Resetting finder to rename files

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