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Different editors for different filetypes (F4 key)

Posted: 2016-06-13, 11:26 UTC
by Stedronsky
Currently there is only 1 setting for editor started by F4 key. It is applied on all files but not always it is the right choice. Needs for images are completely different from needs for text files.

I suggest enabling possibility to configure different editors for different file types:
1. There can be 1 default editor.
2. User can add new editor for selected extension(s) (with atributes list of extensions, program, and parameters)

For example:
  • BMP file edited in Paint.
    PSD file edited in Photoshop.
    ICO file edited in Icon Craft.
(And all these files viewed in ACDSee.)

I think custom editors would simplified and speed up editing scenarios.

Posted: 2016-06-13, 11:34 UTC
by Ovg

Posted: 2016-06-13, 13:26 UTC
by Stedronsky
2Ovg: Thanks you very much for tips I didn't know about this programs! Unfortunatelly these solutions are a bit cumbersome - each one in different way.

ChooseEditor always displays editor selection so you must confirm opening editor even if there is only one. Speed up goal is missed. (But solution idea is not bad it can be easily programmed in more direct way.)

F4MiniMenu depends on other third party program AutoHotkey. I do not wan't custom editors so badly to install and let running all the time program without any other use.

Still I think integrated functionality would be much more usable.

P.S. In Total Commander custom viewers are already implemented in very similiar way. It is possible to set it up for editing but there are no parameters and there is cognitive dissonance (editing is F4, (external) viewing (someting+) F3).

Posted: 2016-06-13, 13:51 UTC
by Ovg

Posted: 2016-06-13, 14:02 UTC
by Horst.Epp
Why not using TCs internal associations ?
Then you can use the context menu for opening with your defined tools.

Posted: 2016-06-13, 14:20 UTC
by Ovg
2Horst.Epp
one key press is less than two mouse click (I prefer keyboard when possible) :mrgreen:

PS F4menu allows open a few different files in own editors with single key press ...

Posted: 2016-06-13, 16:53 UTC
by hi5
@Stedronsky: you can compile it and have a f4minimenu.exe - it only consumes 1-1.5 mb of memory or so depending on the AHK version - so it is light on system resources if that is what your worried about.

I understand you want it to be part of TC, until that time you will have to find another method - in the f4minimenu post I link to a few other solutions some are very small (exe) and don't have to run all the time.

IN general: You will find plenty of other uses for AHK not only with TC but in general with other programs as well so you wish to give it a shot regardless.

Posted: 2016-06-14, 12:53 UTC
by Stedronsky
@Ovg: F4Menu, that's it. It can be configured to open desired editor without asking. Until it become an integral function, I can use it. Thanks.

@all others: I also thanks for your suggestions.

It is up to TC author to decide if it is good idea for extending Total Commander capabilities.

Posted: 2016-06-14, 12:57 UTC
by Ovg
Stedronsky wrote:@Ovg: It can be configured to open desired editor without asking.
That's why I advised F4menu

Posted: 2016-06-14, 16:25 UTC
by hi5
Just to be clear, f4minimenu acts the same, just press F4 on selected files with various extensions and it will open them in the defined programs e.g. selected a txt, bmp, doc opens in notepad, paint and Word at the same time.

Only when you invoke the foreground menu (esc & f4) you can select a specific program to open the selected files in - this allows you (just like F4menu) to open DOC in OpenOffice for example).

Posted: 2016-06-15, 20:37 UTC
by Ovg