Hotkeys not working on selection in Filmstrip

Submitted by Arbo on Fri, 02/21/2025 - 16:02
Forums: 
General discussion

Hotkeys are not operating on the selected files in the Filmstrip when in Single view mode.
Setup:

  • Preferences/Selection
    • Advanced selection mode: Enabled
    • If the current file is not in the group of selected files single-file shortcuts will work with: Selected group
    • Single file keys work for multiple files too: Enabled
  • View mode: Single
  • Keyboard Focus: Filmstrip
  • Multiple files selected: Yes

With the above setup, using a hotkey to apply a rating, label, etc. to the selected images only applies to the current image, not the selected files.
 
This is inconsistent with the same operation in Grid view, where the same hotkey applies the label, rating, etc. to the selected files.
 
Disabling the "Single file keys work for multiple files too" enables the "Batch rating", "Batch label", etc. shorcuts, but this doubles the number of hotkeys to configure and remember for the same operation so it is not ideal, especially if the "Single file keys work for multiple files too" has been explicitly enabled by the user.  If the "Single file keys work for multiple files too" option is enabled, it should operate consistently thoughout the app's various modes.
 
Example Screenshots:
Selection Preferences

Multiple files selected

"Set Rating to 1" hotkey used - rating only applied to current file, not selected group.

Details:

  • OS: MacOS 15.3.1
  • FRV version: 2.0.9-2038 and 2.0.10-2048

lexa

Sat, 02/22/2025 - 01:12

As clearly stated in the Manual, page 69 ( https://updates.fastrawviewer.com/data/FastRawViewer2-Manual-ENG.pdf#pag... ):

In Single file View Mode, the actions always work with the current file, not the group.

So: either enable separate 'batch' hotkeys set (Single file keys work for multiple files too: Disabled) and attach separate key combination(s) for needed action(s), or use Filmstrip context menus for batch operations in single file view mode.

--

Alex Tutubalin/FastRawViewer team

Arbo

Sat, 02/22/2025 - 02:29

Yes, I am aware of that.  That is why I made this feature request, and why it is specifically for when the Filmstrip is visible and has keyboard focus.
In this state, it is closer to a hybrid grid view (thumbnails + an enlarged image viewer), so behavior matching the grid view would make it more consistent throughout.

lexa

Sat, 02/22/2025 - 05:40

Separate hotkeys for the batch and the single image remove any ambiguity.

At the same time: keyboard focus analysis will lead to users who do not track focus (and they are the majority) thinking that they are seeing inconsistent behavior.

Single/group behaviour is already complex (including the 'If the current file is not in the group of selected files...; rule), further complication of these rules will be appreciated by a few users, but not understood by the majority

--

Alex Tutubalin/FastRawViewer team

Arbo

Sat, 02/22/2025 - 14:36

Yes, though it would seem that existing options such as "Single file keys work for multiple files too", "Advanced selection mode", etc. are for users who explicitly desire that functionality despite the potential ambiuity.  As you say, such features may increase ambiguity and be appreciated by a minority of users, but they were determined to be worth adding to FRV and are some of the key reasons I purchased a license.
 
It is just as easily possible for the selected files to be out of view in Grid view and thus confuse a user when a hotkey is pressed and they don't see the expected result.  If they enabled those advanced settings, they would just need to become familiar with such situations.
 
I see your point about users not tracking focus, yet focusing on the filmstrip requires a user to explicitly click or press a hotkey, so the potential for confusion is low.
 
This request is just to ensure that the functionality is consistent whenever working with thumbnails (i.e. to reduce ambiguity), whether in Grid view or focused on the Filmstrip.
 
Thanks.

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