[GUI Plugin] View Manager

[kiwidude]

Release Notes:
https://github.com/kiwidude68/calibr...anager-v1.10.0

[Rellwood]

I don't know if this has been asked, but is there some way of being able to get the views from one library into another?

I have one library (main) that has all the best views, but another library I am working with has only a couple. The columns are pretty much the same, but I can't figure out how to do it without copying over one metatadata_pref.json to the other and just resetting the library from the metadata - which ends up a mess.

Any suggestions?

[kiwidude]

Originally Posted by Rellwood

I don't know if this has been asked, but is there some way of being able to get the views from one library into another?

I have one library (main) that has all the best views, but another library I am working with has only a couple. The columns are pretty much the same, but I can't figure out how to do it without copying over one metatadata_pref.json to the other and just resetting the library from the metadata - which ends up a mess.

Any suggestions?

I definitely wouldn’t recommend messing with copying over the entire json file, it will wreck all your other plugin settings. If you were extremely careful you could copy the relevant json section from one to the other but chances are high you screw up with the wrong number of braces or commas unless you are diligent. So you should definitely keep a backup copy you can rollback to if you were to attempt it.

It sounds a reasonable feature request for the plugin. I will put it on the rainy day list to investigate. There are a few wrinkles I’m not sure how I will deal with until I try it - custom columns in a view that don’t exist in the target db, a view already existing with that same name etc. It will need at least one new dialog to pick the library. So not a five minute change…

[ownedbycats]

Is it possible to copy/paste between Customize View Manager > View Library Preferences? Though ss mentioned in #378, this may result in problems if the db isn't compatible.

[kiwidude]

Originally Posted by ownedbycats

Is it possible to copy/paste between Customize View Manager > View Library Preferences? Though ss mentioned in #378, this may result in problems if the db isn't compatible.

Yeah that is effectively the same thing, just scoped to a subset of the file. But all the same concerns over making sure you copied just the right data remain if you were trying to only copy a specific view.

Actually I presume the plugin must already handle custom columns in a view not being present - after all if users delete custom columns calibre doesnt automatically go fix up View Manager plugin views. So it might work ok as a quick stop-gap.

[kiwidude]

Release Notes:
https://github.com/kiwidude68/calibr...anager-v1.10.2

This is a pre-emptive strike change - an API this plugin relied upon is not going to exist shortly. Thanks to @chaley for the heads up and the fix...

[Rellwood]

Originally Posted by kiwidude

I definitely wouldn’t recommend messing with copying over the entire json file, it will wreck all your other plugin settings. If you were extremely careful you could copy the relevant json section from one to the other but chances are high you screw up with the wrong number of braces or commas unless you are diligent. So you should definitely keep a backup copy you can rollback to if you were to attempt it.

It sounds a reasonable feature request for the plugin. I will put it on the rainy day list to investigate. There are a few wrinkles I’m not sure how I will deal with until I try it - custom columns in a view that don’t exist in the target db, a view already existing with that same name etc. It will need at least one new dialog to pick the library. So not a five minute change…

Perhaps and import/export feature like Calibre does for their look/feel settings, and if the column doesn't exist then it does what the plugin currently does when columns in views don't exist and just skipps over them rather than throwing an error - or some kind of indicator that the columns have been changed.

ALSO - would REALLY like the ability to save an updated version of the view instead of having to rename it. I open views, fiddle with them and want to save them, but I have to rename them and end up with two views - one is outdated and the other is a different name. Too many Default, Newest Default, etc. Instead of going in and deleting them. I have to do this everywhere in Calibre so I suspect it's not something that is overlooked but rather a necessary evil. Just "save" rather than "save as"

[Rellwood]

Originally Posted by kiwidude

Yeah that is effectively the same thing, just scoped to a subset of the file. But all the same concerns over making sure you copied just the right data remain if you were trying to only copy a specific view.

Actually I presume the plugin must already handle custom columns in a view not being present - after all if users delete custom columns calibre doesnt automatically go fix up View Manager plugin views. So it might work ok as a quick stop-gap.

Instead of one view at a time it probably would have to be a complete write over with every view. That was what I was thinking.

I have Beyond Compare and WinMerge/Compare and it was using those programs that I was thinking of for copy/pasting the information in the .json. Just lining up the two files and copying over that particular section.

[BetterRed]

This may have been raised before.

The sort direction icons are very hard to see in dark mode, see attachment.

BR

[ownedbycats]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

This may have been raised before.

The sort direction icons are very hard to see in dark mode, see attachment.

BR

The github had XCF (gimp file format) with lighter arrows. I exported them to .png for you.

[BetterRed]

Thanks, but for me they're worse, I'll go with these for now:



BR

[BetterRed]

If I use the Re-apply current view action when there's an active search, (e.g. authors:"=Tim Winton") the search is discarded. I use the Re-apply… action after moving a column, showing a column, sorting on a specific column etc.

I'm sort of surprised I only just noticed it. IMO the search should be retained… or reinstated.

BR

[ownedbycats]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

If I use the Re-apply current view action when there's an active search, (e.g. authors:"=Tim Winton") the search is discarded. I use the Re-apply… action after moving a column, showing a column, sorting on a specific column etc.

I'm sort of surprised I only just noticed it. IMO the search should be retained… or reinstated.

BR

That doesn't happen to me unless the view is set to clear the current search.

[BetterRed]

Inexplicably I had Switch to Virtual library checked and (No Virtual library) set. Hunky dory now I've I unchecked it.

Aah-ha now I see why. The Search and Virtual Library Options are per-library settings, my other libraries. . . where I'm more likely to use the Re-apply… action. . . have all three options unchecked.

Thanks for the tip.

BR

[sios00]

Is there an easy way to select a view without first having to click the View Manager button on the toolbar, then selecting the view?

For example, making tabs on top like the "Show virtual libraries as tabs", which then creates tabs right below the top search bar.