Irfanview Batch Conversion / Rename Tool Guide
Free How to Help Guide on Performing Mass Conversions and Renames
Popular photo and image editing freeware program Irfanview (homepage here, download here) offers many manipulation and optimization options typically found only in expensive photo editing software. One of the most useful options for webmasters, photographers, and anyone else dealing with largescale groups of photos, is the option to perform "batch conversions" and "batch renames."
What is the Batch Conversion / Rename Tool in Irfanview?
"Batch Conversion" is a tool that converts or manipulates a largescale group of photos. A webmaster could convert a whole folder of photos to a smaller size to lower bandwidth cost for the website, or to create a whole new folder of smaller photos, each set at a specific size for thumbnails.
Beyond just file size and file type conversions, users can set Irfanview to alter a whole folder of photos to increase/decrease sharpness and brightness, alter contrast, convert to grayscale, and much more.
"Batch Rename" is a tool that renames a largescale group of photos. A photographer could change the names of all the photos in a folder to something more descriptive.
Most digital cameras automatically name photos with a specific convention, usually something like "DSX1001." Batch Rename is capable of renaming the files to something more appropriate. For example, changing the files DSX1001 - DSX1203 to summertrip001 - summertrip203.
Whether for professional or personal projects, Irfanview's Batch Conversion / Rename tool saves a tremendous amount of time over altering, converting, or renaming files one at a time.
How to Use Batch Conversion in Irfanview
After loading up the Irfanview program, select "File" and from the dropdown menu, then select "Batch Conversion / Rename." (See Irfanview - Reference Picture 2 for a visual aid).
A new window will open up. At the top left of the window under the "Work as:" section, make sure to select the dot for "Batch Conversion." (See Irfanview - Reference Picture 3 for a visual aid)
Under "Batch Conversion Settings:" select the desired file type from the menu box. The "Options" button will bring up another window with various options related to the file type, while the "Advanced" box will bring up another window with more advanced settings.
For simple file type conversions, the advanced settings are unnecessary. However, if changing the file is desired (such as: resizing, cropping, rotating, etc.), all the options to alter the photos are found in the Advanced settings.
Once the file types and advanced settings are set, look below at the "Output directory for result files". Type in the directory, or find one through the "Browse" section. If the directory is the same as the originals, all the originals will be replaced with the converted files, if the directory is different from the original files, new files will be created. It's advised to create a new folder so the new files will not replace the originals, just in case a setting is wrong.
After selecting the desired directory, find the files that need to be converted in the folder search section in the top-right corner. After finding the files, select them with the mouse (holding SHIFT or CTRL to select multiple files will save additional time) and then click the "Add" button when all the desired files are selected. Look at the bottom-right corner in the "Input Files" section to make sure the selected files were added.
Review all the options to make sure everything is setup correctly, and press the "Start Batch" button at the bottom-left corner when ready. A new window should open, displaying all the files and their conversion status.
How to Use Batch Rename in Irfanview
Similar to Batch Conversion, select "File" And then select "Batch Conversion / Rename" from the dropdown menu.
Under the "Work as:" section, select "Batch Rename." From there, look under the "Batch Rename Settings." Under "Name Pattern:" Irfanview will rename files in regards to the pattern that is typed in. Use "$N" to keep the original file name, and use "#" for numbers.
For example, to convert the files DSX1001 - DSX1203 as mentioned in the first section, would require the following formula: " summertrip### " (no quotes). The # signs represent numbers in a series. However, if the original file name were desired but simply needed a "_t" added at the end to indicate that the file is a thumbnail, use the following formula: " $N_t " (no quotes). The "$N" means the original file name, so with this formula, the names would stay the same, except a "_t" would be added at the end of each name.
While getting used to using Batch Rename, make sure to create new files in a new folder. Do not replace the original files.
When ready, select the files from the folder section in the top-right corner, and add them with the "Add" button. After reviewing the rename options, click the "Start Batch" button to make the renames.
Irfanview Tool Guide - Conclusion
If this seems like a lot to take in, don't worry. Experiment with the conversion and rename options for a while, and soon the process will feel seamless.
Just like anything new, the process may seem more difficult at first than doing things the long way, but after learning how to use the Batch Conversion / Rename tool, renaming or converting files one at a time will seem like a thankless, pointless chore.
Irfanview - Reference Picture 1
|
Irfanview - Reference Picture 2
|
Irfanview - Reference Picture 3
|
What do you think about this article?
Comments
More in Technology
Latest Articles