Copy/Move files with File Filter

I use File Filter to copy/move files. When File Filter dialog appears, I select the filter and press "Select", some files will be selected according to the filter and then I press "OK" but it does not copy/move those files. I do it again, and the copy/move is done at this second times. I test it many times and get the same results. Why is that? The job should be done at the first time, shouldn't it? Any suggestions?

I am using Directory Opus 10.0.1.5 beta on Windows XP SP3 32 bit.

Thanks!

Please show us the filter you're using and some examples of the file names/paths that should be copied but aren't.

Hi, Leo!
You see this screenshot: http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/853/unledvcn.png/
I want to copy all .dll files. On the File Filter dialog, I select/edit the current filter, press "Select" button, those files are selected but when I press "OK", nothing copied. I recopy and it works at this second times. This happens when I copy/move any file types. I don't know why, please check it, thanks!

Thanks!

I think the answer is to ignore the Select button. The files that may be copied (if they match the filter) are only the ones that are selected (or within selected folders) when you click the Copy button.

(I'm not actually sure why the Copy Filter window has a Select button at all. I'll ask Jon if it's working as intended...)

To do what you're doing in the screenshot, where all the files are in the source directory and not in sub-directories, you don't need to use a copy filter at all. You can select *.dll and then copy them normally.

One way to do that is typing :.dll into the file display. (The ':' puts the Find-As-You-Type field into Select mode.) Another, which lets you use the same sort of filters as the Copy Filter, is via Edit -> Select by Pattern.

If you do want to use a Copy Filter, e.g. because you want files in subdirs as well, just do a Select-All before you click the Copy Files button, then set up the filter and push OK (ignore the Select button completely).

[quote]I think the answer is to ignore the Select button. The files that may be copied (if they match the filter) are only the ones that are selected (or within selected folders) when you click the Copy button.

(I'm not actually sure why the Copy Filter window has a Select button at all. I'll ask Jon if it's working as intended...)
[/quote]
According to the DO help file: "Select: This button takes the current filter definition and uses it to select all matching files and folders in the current file display. This lets you see what the results of the filter would be on the current folder before running the command.". So ignore it or not does not matter. I think the filter will be applied to the current lister (not to the previously selected files).

I knew the ways which you tell me, thank you so much, but I want to use Copy Filter because I can use it later without redefining it. That is faster and more convenient.

Do I have to select all files before proceeding the copy like you say? I think that is not what our developers and users want. Or should I think this is a bug? What do you think? :slight_smile:

There's an error somewhere since the manual (and the text in the dialog itself) aren't consistent with what actually happens: Only files that started off selected are considered for copying.

I'm not sure if the descriptions or the behaviour are wrong, however.

(IMO, the behaviour is fine and the descriptions should be changed. You cannot run the Copy command without selecting something, and it seems silly to have to select something but then have the selection ignored. So you might as well Select-All if you want to consider everything, while keeping the ability to select just a subset of the files/folders if you want that as well... But it's debatable and I'm sure there are arguments for it to work as per the descriptions...)

Yeah, I have tested it many times and I completely agree with you, you're right.

The File Filter copies/moves files/folders from previously selected files/folders, not the current source as I thought. So it seems the Select button isn't necessary on that dialog (if it is used for previewing, we can't see items inside subfolders,...), I think.

Well, I shouldn't bother you any more, let's wait for the answer from the developers in a future version.

Thank you, good time, Leo! :slight_smile: