Summary
Introduction
Step-by-step usage
Exif
Menu Fichier
Option Menu
Prefix options
Prefix with date
Use masks
Counter options
Raw file
File association
File type
Help menu
Toolbar
Main window toolbar
Photo (file) transfer module
List of Exif information
Image viewing
Image + Exif viewing
Buttons
Other
Introduction
To name is always to call; it is already to order.
Roger Caillois, *Man and the Sacred* (Gallimard). There are certain situations in which it is useful to rename files in batches.
The primary target audience for this program consists of digital camera users. These devices generate files that are named automatically.
The filename is created using a predetermined prefix, followed by an alphanumeric string that acts as a counter. The name concludes with an extension that identifies the file type.
For example:
dsc00001.jpg
dsc00002.jpg
.
dsc00010.jpg
When you transfer these files to a directory on a hard drive, the first transfer goes smoothly. However, when you transfer a new set of images, the new files overwrite the existing ones due to the similarity in their names.
To avoid this, you would otherwise have to rename the files one by one. If you are still familiar with DOS, you have the option to rename files in batches while maintaining the implicit counter sequence.
Example:
ren dsc*.* aaa*.*
Resulting in:
aaa00001.jpg
aaa00002.jpg
.
aaa00010.jpg While this method is effective, it limits the filename to 8 characters.
In DOS (versions later than 6.2—i.e., the DOS found in Windows 9x), it is possible to use filenames longer than 8 characters, and even to include spaces in the target name (in which case, the target name must be enclosed in quotation marks). ren dsc000001.jpg "my new name.jpg"
In this case, however, the concept of a counter is lost (no matter how you look at it), and you have to name the files one by one—you might as well just do that using Windows Explorer.
This is where *Renomme* proves useful: it allows you to keep an incrementing counter as part of the filename. Website creators will also find this little program beneficial.Retour au sommaire
Step-by-step usage
1) Select the working directory.
2) Set the file mask for the files you wish to rename. You may use the same wildcards as in DOS (e.g., *.*, ABC??DE.JPG, etc.).
3) Enter a prefix, or refer to the "Prefix with date" option.
4) Specify the minimum number of digits for the automatic counter. See "Counter options."
5) Choose whether or not to specify an extension. If you do not check the "Specify extension" box, the original file extension will be retained. If, conversely, you wish to remove the file extensions (use with caution), check the box and leave the input field directly below it blank.
6) Click "Test before" to check for any potential conflicts.
7) Click the "Rename" button.
See "Exif button".
See "Manual modification".
File Menu
Folder selection
File Menu / Select Directory
The first step when using Renomme is to specify the directory where the processing will take place.
It is strongly recommended to create a copy of the original directory before working on a group of files.
Exit
Close the program.
Option Menu
Prefix Options
Prefix with date
Menu Options / Prefix Options / Prefix with Date
This option allows for the quick entry of a prefix. When retrieving digital images, you may want to prefix their filenames with the date they were retrieved. The filename is thus automatically generated based on the date selected from the calendar.
It is this specific date that is used, rather than the "date modified" attribute attached to each individual file. By choosing one of the first two available formats, your files will be sorted chronologically in any file-viewing application (provided that you have also selected the counter option to follow the prefix).
At the request of some users, date formats using a two-digit year have been added. In general, these formats should be avoided if you need to rename files with dates prior to the year 2000. Furthermore, many date-handling algorithms rely on "pivot" years other than 2000, and the well-known "Y2K" (Year 2000) issue may still resurface in the years to come.
Prefix with Use of Masks
Menu Options / Prefix Options / Using Masks
While the default options in Renomme create a list of target names that have no connection to the source names, masks are designed to preserve specific elements from the original filenames. Numeric mask [*&N]: This mask retains the trailing numeric characters from the source filenames, if present. It effectively preserves an existing counter.
This mask is particularly useful for maintaining the internal counter increment from your digital camera (provided the camera is "smart" enough—unlike mine—not to reset the counter every single time).
In this mask [*&N], the asterisk (*) must be replaced with your chosen prefix.
Example: [summer 2002 &N] or [summer_2002_&N]
If you fail to do so, a warning will prompt you to make the change.
Use this mask with caution if the same directory contains a mix of files—some with a counter and others without.
It is still possible to do so, however. Find-and-Replace mask [ {FIND} {REPLACE}]: Replaces the string "FIND" with the string "REPLACE" within the source filenames. You want to rename the following list:
Guadeloupe Vacation - Boat Trip.jpg
Guadeloupe Vacation - Bike Ride.jpg
Guadeloupe Vacation - Running.jpg
Guadeloupe Vacation - Stroll.jpg
to:
Family Vacation - Boat Trip.jpg
Family Vacation - Bike Ride.jpg
Family Vacation - Running.jpg
Family Vacation - Stroll.jpg
To do this, enter the pattern: [ {Guadeloupe} {Family} ]
When you return to the main screen, a new option appears: "Disable counter," which allows you to perform these find-and-replace operations either with or without adding a counter. In some cases—such as a simple replacement—a counter might already be present in the original filename, and you may prefer not to add an additional one.
To remove a substring or add a counter without renaming, see the "Tips and Tricks" section. The "Prefix/Suffix Pattern" [PREFIX*SUFFIX] allows you to append text to the original filenames. Starting with the following list: 200040327_13h52s.jpg
200040327_13h59s.jpg
If you want to obtain:
200040327_13h52s_redimensionne.jpg
200040327_13h59s_redimensionne.jpg
Apply the mask [*_redimensionne]
If you want to obtain:
Ski_200040327_13h52s_redimensionne.jpg
Ski_200040327_13h59s_redimensionne.jpg
Apply the mask [Ski_*_redimensionne]
You can therefore add a prefix, a suffix, or both.
When you return to the main screen, a new option appears: "Disable counter." Since the source list contains no duplicates, there is no reason for adding a prefix or suffix to create any; the counter is therefore optional.
Counter Options
Options Menu / Counter Options
Counter Type
The name generated for each file is constructed as follows, depending on the chosen configuration:
prefix (entered in the mask field) + alphanumeric or numeric counter + extension
or
alphanumeric or numeric counter + prefix (entered in the mask field) + extension (see "Counter Position").
The numeric counter follows the format: 0001
The alphabetic counter follows the format: __AA
For the alphabetic counter, any positions not used by the counter itself will be filled with the underscore character (_).
Counter Position
The counter can be placed either to the left or to the right of the prefix.
If the "to the right of the prefix" option is selected, the filename will be constructed as follows: prefix (entered in the mask field) + alphanumeric or numeric counter + extension.
If the "to the left of the prefix" option is selected, the filename will be constructed as follows: alphanumeric or numeric counter + prefix (entered in the mask field) + extension.
Regardless of the option chosen, the layout of the counter settings in the main window will reflect this selection (showing the counter either to the left or to the right of the replacement prefix).
If you choose a prefix that includes a date, it is recommended to use the first method (counter to the right of the prefix) to ensure files remain sorted chronologically in your file manager.
Initialize Counter
This option was added in response to requests from early users, allowing you to define the starting point for the numbering sequence.
You must enter an integer, even if you intend to use an alphabetic numbering system.
The equivalent of the entered integer is automatically displayed in an alphabetic format for your reference.
RAW File Options
Options Menu / RAW File
Main Window Toolbar
RAW files are unprocessed sensor data files generated by digital cameras.
Since each format is specific to a particular camera brand, finding the documentation required to extract EXIF data for every manufacturer can be challenging.
Canon RAW
Options Menu / RAW File / Canon
This section covers the older Canon RAW format (up to the 20D model). This version of "Renomme" leverages the fact that RAW files from Canon cameras (with the .CRW extension) are accompanied by files (with the .THM extension) that are, in essence, JPEG-format thumbnails. Because these thumbnails contain all the information from the original image, "Renomme" uses them to rename the files. Therefore, to utilize this option, you must keep both the .CRW and .THM files in the same directory.
- Check the box labeled "Process Canon RAW files."
- Click the "EXIF Options" button that appears.
- Select your desired options and confirm.
The "EXIF Info" button in the main window will change to "Canon RAW." Once you have finished renaming your files, you can deselect the "Process Canon RAW files" option by returning to the RAW settings window—accessible via the "Canon RAW" button or the corresponding button on the toolbar. The checkbox labeled "I am not currently working with Canon RAW files" is provided to simplify the interface by hiding buttons that are not relevant to your needs. If you later acquire a Canon digital camera that produces RAW files, you can reactivate these buttons by returning to the window via the menu: Options / RAW Files / Canon. For newer Canon RAW files (later than the 10D model), you will need to use the file-association-based naming option.
NIKON and PENTAX
Nikon’s NEF format and Pentax’s PEF format are handled more simply in this version of Renomme, as these files contain a TIFF file header that Renomme is able to process.
In the case of Nikon’s NEF format, this header belongs to the thumbnail image associated with the RAW file, which explains why less information is available for use in this instance.
File Association
Options Menu / File Association
This option allows you to rename any file using the EXIF metadata from another file. For example, your camera might generate AVI video files that are associated with THM files containing EXIF data.
Enter "AVI" on the left and "THM" on the right. You can also use this feature to rename RAW files—which "Renomme" might not otherwise recognize—by using their associated JPEG files.
For instance: enter "CR2" on the left and "JPEG" on the right for newer Canon RAW files.
File Type
Option Menu / File Type
This option allows for more precise filtering of the criteria for files to be renamed. In practice, you should not use the "All files" option for renaming; it is intended simply for viewing the subdirectories within the current directory—unless, in a specific scenario, you wish to batch-rename a set of subdirectories (though this is not a common practice). Viewing by attribute follows the same logic.
Help Menu
Help Menu / Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Table of contents for the help section on this site.
Tips and Tricks
Help Menu / Tips and Tricks
1 - When using the "File Exif Information" window with the "Maintain existing counter (using the [*&N] mask)" option, you may want to separate the counter from the rest of the prefix—even though there is no built-in setting for this. Simply check the "Free zone" box (leaving it empty), move the "Free zone" item to the end of the list, and you're all set.
2 - If you are using Exif options to rename files and have kept a counter (the default counter, without using a specific mask), you might want to move that counter to the beginning of the filename (using the arrows in the main window). Since there is no direct option to add a separator, you can achieve this by checking the "Free zone" box (leaving it empty) and moving the "Free zone" item to the start of the list. Once you return to the main window and click the left arrow, the counter will be properly separated.
3 - To remove a specific substring from a list of filenames, use the "Search-Replace" mask. For example, to remove the word "hiver" (winter) from a list of files like "Vacances-hiver-2003-00X," enter the mask [ {-hiver} {} ] and then check the context-sensitive box labeled "Make counter inactive."
4 - To add a counter without renaming the source files, use the "Search-Replace" mask. Assuming your filenames do not contain the substring "tartempion" (which is unlikely), enter the mask [ {tartempion} {REPLACEMENT} ] and ensure that the context-sensitive box labeled "Make counter inactive" remains unchecked. 5 - You can use Exif options for renaming; the default information separators are the underscore, the hyphen, and the space. In fact, you can enter any separator you like—even multiple characters to serve as a separator string:
20030301@@@14h58mn13s@@@F2.9@@@1_50_th@@@ 7.10 mm@@@DiMAGE Xi.JPG
6 - Changing the file extension without renaming the files: use the Search-Replace mask. If your list does not contain the substring "tartempion" (which is unlikely), enter the mask [ {tartempion} {REPLACEMENT} ] and then check the box that appears contextually: "Disable counter." Finally, specify the desired extension in the "Specify extension" field.
About
Help / About Menu
This window serves as a reminder that this program is completely free. My pleasure is yours. It is distributed under the "cardware" model—a fun way of sharing: if you use this software, you take the time to send me a little postcard to let me know. I do not ask for any addresses or information that could be used for other purposes.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank those—still few in number—who have done so.
Toolbar
Main window toolbar
The toolbar provides access to buttons that offer functions not directly related to the "naming" of files.
Photo (file) transfer module
Main Window Toolbar
This module is designed to copy photos (or any other files) to your hard drive before renaming them. It was developed with "6-in-1" memory card readers in mind; these readers create four additional logical drives on your system. Consequently, the program allows you to store up to six source directory paths for your files.
Images stored on a digital camera's flash memory card are located within subdirectories of a specific folder named "DCIM." An option is available to automatically locate this folder; if enabled, the program will scan all subdirectories within "DCIM" to find your images.
1- Use the first directory selection button to choose a source directory. The program will display the number of files found there. If the source is a digital camera's flash memory card, you can simply select the corresponding logical drive (e.g., "F:\") and check the "Source is a digital camera flash card" box. The program will then automatically locate the "DCIM" folder.
2- Save this directory path by clicking "Add to list" (the top button).
3- Use the second directory selection button to specify the destination directory.
4- Save this directory path by clicking "Add to list" (the bottom button).
5- Click either the "Copy files" or "Transfer files" button.
6- Close the window (by clicking "OK"); your files are now ready to be renamed. In step 3, you can create a subdirectory within the selected directory by entering a name into the input field located to the left of the "Create subdirectory" button. Once you click this button, the newly created directory becomes the destination directory.
In step 5, when using the "Transfer files" option, files are first copied to the destination before being deleted from the source. If an issue occurs during the copy process (for example, if two files share the same name), the files that have already been copied will remain, but no files will be deleted from the source. Since the paths are saved in the lists, you can easily select them later by clicking on the relevant row.
To help you remember what each path refers to, you can add a descriptive label in the first column of the lists:
Example:
Dimage Xi I:\DCIM\
Sony J:\DCIM\
Canon H:\DCIM\
You are limited to 6 rows.
To clear a row, simply delete the path entered in that row.
Any new row added will be placed in the first available empty slot. If a "DCIM" directory is selected, the program will copy all image files found within its subdirectories. Files that are not images will be ignored. Currently, files identified as images are those with the following extensions: JPEG, JPG, TIF, THM, CRW, PEF, and NEF.
If any extensions have been overlooked, please let me know via the contact form on the website.
While files are being copied or moved, an [Interrupt] button appears at the bottom of the window. Clicking this button will stop the copy process.
Any files that have already been copied will not be removed. The interruption only affects files that have not yet been processed. Since a move operation consists of a copy followed by a deletion, an interruption during the copy phase will leave the source directory intact.
To restart an interrupted copy (or move) operation, delete the files that were already copied to the target directory (using File Explorer, for example).
List of Exif Data
Main Window Toolbar
When you select a row in the main window and click the "EXIF infos" button, you will see specific EXIF data for the corresponding file. This information can be used by the program to rename files.
The "EXIF" button on the toolbar provides a more comprehensive list of EXIF data.
1 Click on the row for the file about which you wish to obtain information.
2 Click the button on the toolbar.
Viewing an image
Main Window Toolbar
1 Click on the file entry for the image you wish to view.
2 Click the toolbar button. The image can be resized; simply drag its edges using your mouse. You can navigate through the images in the current directory using the arrow keys (left, right, up, and down) or the Page Up and Page Down keys.
If you do not wish to keep an image, you can delete it by pressing the Delete key. You will be prompted to confirm the action.
For these keys to function, the image window must be the active window. In other words, if the keys do not seem to respond, click on the image window with your mouse. See Viewing Images + EXIF Data.
Image visualization + Exif
Main window toolbar
Use this button to display both the image and its EXIF information simultaneously.
The windows are automatically positioned optimally on the screen.
You can scroll through the images (see Viewing an image).
When you close the image window, the EXIF window also closes.
Button: Test before
Interface button
Before renaming a group of files, you should consider several potential types of conflicts:
- The target filename already exists in the current directory.
- Multiple target names are identical (if you have modified them manually).
This option attempts to generate a report of potential conflicts, allowing you to address the underlying causes. Example of a possible report:
The file 20000618_002.jpg is set to be renamed to 20000619_001.jpg;
this file already exists.
Change the target (20000619_001.jpg) for 20000618_002.jpg. Another, more complex example:
You are renaming 20000628_001.jpg to its own name. You are renaming 20000628_002.jpg to its own name. You are renaming 20000628_003.jpg to its own name. The file 20000628_006.jpg is set to be renamed to 20000628_005.jpg;
this file already exists,
but since the file 20000628_005.jpg is itself being renamed to 20000628_004.jpg,
the file 20000628_006.jpg can therefore be renamed. The file 20000628_007.jpg is set to be renamed to 20000628_006.jpg;
this file already exists,
but since the file 20000628_006.jpg is itself being renamed to 20000628_005.jpg,
the file... The file toto_001.jpg needs to be renamed to 20000628_007.jpg.
However, this file already exists.
But since the file 20000628_007.jpg must itself be renamed to 20000628_006.jpg,
the file toto_001.jpg can therefore be renamed.
EXIF
EXIF Info Button
Files created by digital cameras—as well as camcorders that include a still-photo function—are generated as JPG or TIFF files containing a specific header. This header is attached to the image and includes information such as:
- The date and time the photo was taken.
- The camera manufacturer.
- The camera model.
- The focus distance.
- Whether the flash was used.
- The aperture (f-stop).
- The exposure time (shutter speed).
etc.
Renomme allows you to use some of this information to rename your files. The date and time a photo was taken are generally sufficient to uniquely identify an image. However, if you use multiple cameras (for example, triggering one with your left hand and another with your right at the exact same second), you may find it useful to include the camera model. For this reason, when renaming files using EXIF data, the software offers the option to omit the auto-incrementing counter from the filenames. To use EXIF information:
1- Check the box labeled "Use EXIF info for renaming."
2- Select the EXIF data you wish to include in the filenames by checking the box to the right of each item.
2b- If you select the "custom/free text" field, you must, of course, enter the desired text.
3- Arrange the selected information using the grid and the up/down arrows.
4- Choose whether or not to include an "information separator" to distinguish between the different data elements.
5- Choose whether or not to include a "final separator." This option is unavailable if the setting "Do not include a counter in the filename" is selected, as this separator is intended to divide the prefix from the counter.
6- Check or uncheck the box "Maintain existing counter (using the [*&N] mask)."
This option relates to the concept of a replacement mask. It allows you to preserve the original numbering of your files (for example, to maintain the internal counter increment from your digital camera).
This choice conflicts with the option "Do not include a counter in the filename": if a counter already existed for a given file, it will be retained; if no counter existed, the standard counter will be added.
If you select the option "Do not include a counter in the filename," ensure that you also select "Date" and "Time." If you fail to do so, a warning will be displayed.
- The example showing what a renamed file will look like is updated in real time.
- To return the main screen to its original state (for entering a prefix, configuring counter options, etc.) after having selected the EXIF option, you must deselect it.
Recent changes:
- If the "EXIF info" button is clicked while the first file in the list—or the file currently selected by the cursor—lacks an EXIF header, a message will notify you and prompt you to move the cursor to a different row until you select a file that contains EXIF data.
- If you check the box "Use EXIF info for renaming" and a file in the list does not contain an EXIF header, a message will identify the first such file and ask you to confirm whether you wish to proceed with the renaming process. Files lacking EXIF data will be marked as such in the list and will not be processed.
Manual Modifications
You can always return to the list to make specific adjustments to the name of a target file.
In other words, you can click on a cell in the second column to edit it. If you manually modify the name of a target file, that specific name will be used instead of the predefined pattern.