Skipping a file in a batch

[tomczak]

Would it make sense to, in addition of Terminating the Batch Process, there was also an option to skip the file being processed and proceed to the next image?

It has to do with the way I was processing a bunch of images semi-automatically - batch with breakpoints. I set it, at the and, to Export the processed image and overwrite any previous outputs with the same name, to allow some corrections to already processed images but not to produce too many unnecessary versions. When I process like this, there are often images in the list that I know are OK and I don't want to fiddle with them again, and I would like to skip them, and go to the next image.

[jsachs]

If you de-select files in the file list (in File Open), they will be skipped over.

Aborting and skipping files in the middle of a recalc can leave the transformations in an inconsistent state where some have been updated and some have not. There is probably a way to deal with this, but it would not be a simple change.

[jsachs]

Here is a quick way to do what you want.

Bring up the file list in File Open. The red dot indicates the current file -- you can click to the left of any pathname to make it current, and this reads the file and displays it. Do this to make a pass through all the files and deselect the ones you want to skip. Finally, set the red dot back of the first image you want to process and start the batch job.

I am considering adding a single-step run mode to batch that pauses after each image is read and before it is processed and asks you if you want to skip it, process it or go back to the previous image, but you can get the same effect using the procedure above.

[tomczak]

It works just fine the way you described it. Thanks. The only thing is that I find myself realising that I want to skip an image in the middle of a batch, because I unwisely selected it at the beginning. Not much of an issue though, as I can always terminate the batch, reselect images and keep going.

BTW, the batches run smooth after the recent fixes. Thank you.

[jsachs]

For the next release I am working on a modification to the existing Test mode in File Open (the check mark instead of the running man). Currently it asks for each image if you want to continue or terminate. The new version will now ask if you want to process the current image, skip it, go back to the previous image or terminate.

[pierrelabreche]

That sounds great

If this feature were available in the running man normal process, it would be tantamount to culling and retrying integrated with batch processing

[jsachs]

Exactly.

[tomczak]

The new version will now ask if you want to process the current image, skip it, go back to the previous image or terminate.

One idea: an option to automatically process the current and all subsequent images, or switch to the running man mode.

[tomczak]

Im testing the new Batch Test. Some comments:
- it looks like when I keep skipping files and the batch terminates, the files are removed from File Open list
- since Test mode can be used to process selected files, maybe renaming it to 'step-wise' or the like would make its new (great) functionality clearer?
- when I skip files, a thumbnail of a current file is displayed in the Batch Progress window. That's good, but as I was thinking of using this to cull images, maybe an option to Apply so that the image shows in preview window would be useful?
- I'm not yet sure what is causing it exactly, but if I, in the middle of batch, with the Open File list open, I click OK in there, the PWP terminates silently

I'll be reporting...

[tomczak]

A few more observations:
- I'm probably confused, but in Test (as the name indicates) hitting the Process button goes through the workflow, ignoring Breakpoints, but doesn't produce an output. Is it how it should work - i.e. testing if the workflow completes only?
- the new window 'Batch Image', the one the contains the new buttons, is in focus and can't be minimised. That may be ok if intended, but the 'Batch Process' window can be minimised. I was thinking that it would be good to be able to examine the outputs of transformation when moving through image list.
- I can't replicate the disappearing files from the list, but it did happen while skipping the files.