File Browser vs. Thumbs Plus

GB
Posted By
George_Butch
Aug 24, 2004
Views
424
Replies
7
Status
Closed
Let me start by saying that I upgraded to PS CS from version 6, skipping version 7 altogether. Back in Version 6 I began using Thumbs Plus as my image filing system. It works great with PhotoShop, but also works just as seamlessly with other imaging applications I use.

So the obvious question for me is this: To use or not to use the PS file browser. I am quite happy with Thumbs. I am a paid and registered Thumbs Plus user through 3 version upgrades. It keeps track of images and media files on my hard disk as well as those that are stored off line on CDs. I have more than 50 CDs of images off line.

What am I missing if I continue to use Thumbs Plus and ignore the PS file browser? I ask as one who upgraded to CS just 3 days ago after several years of using PS version 6 with Thumbs Plus. I have yet to open or look at the file browser.

Thank You.

George Butch
Plantation, FL
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P
pboone
Aug 24, 2004
I’m a paid for and registered owner of Compu-Pic which I used in place of a file browser on PS 6 and I also upgraded to CS, skipping PS7.

What I found was that Compupic quickly ceased to function correctly and I am using the Photoshop file browser exclusively. I don’t know why the two programs didn’t want to play together, but that is the way it seems.
Y
YrbkMgr
Aug 24, 2004
There’s no reason you can’t use both George. But if you’re using TP to categorize your images and like the program, and have a lot of time invested in your categorization, stay with it.

PS’s file browser can be most useful for things other than categorization/ranking. You can select files in the browser and have actions run only on those files, etc.

It’s handy to use, but as I say, if you have a product you like, you’re not missing a whole bunch, from what I can tell, by using it as your main viewing/sorting/categorizing/viewing tool.

Peace,
Tony
JJ
John Joslin
Aug 24, 2004
The file browser in PS CS offers a lot of very useful functions in addition to browsing and cataloguing but is, in many peoples’ opinion, very clunky and non-intuitive. It even exhibits behaviour which some people classify as buggy. Do a forum search on "File Browser" to see what I mean.

Its main disadvantage is that it will only run within Photoshop: ie you have to start PS to browse. It also only runs in the PS workspace and cannot be put on a 2nd monitor.

Cheers – John
BS
Brian_Smithson
Aug 24, 2004
George

One of the things T+ does not offer currently that is available with the Image Browser is support for RAW files, if you are a digital photographer. I do believe, though, that Cerious is readying an upgrade which will address this lack of functionality.

I would say that if you have invested time in organising your image files in T+, then I would stick with it. I think I will – I am also a registered user.

Brian
GB
George_Butch
Aug 24, 2004
To all that replied,

Thank you. I’m going to stick with Thumbs for the time being. As I get deeper into learning PS CS, there may come a time when I rethink this.

But for now, the fact that Thumbs runs as a stand alone app that I can use with other image programs weighs heavily in its favor.

Thumbs also runs very well on the second monitor where I also keep all of my PS palettes. I toggle between the palettes and the Thumbs display with a mouse click and routinely drag images from Thumbs into the PS workspace. Simple and intuitive.

Thanks again.

George…..
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pboone
Aug 24, 2004
Yes, the second monitor capability would be reason enough to keep your current program. Especially as you have so much of your work organized through it already.

I’ve wondered if I should uninstall my Compupic program and reinstall it. Maybe a second time around would work out better.
Y
YrbkMgr
Aug 24, 2004
I’ve wondered if I should uninstall my Compupic program and reinstall it.

I would Paz. At least, if you like it – things like that drive me nuts so I spend a lot of time noodling out why it doesn’t work. So you have nothing to lose by trying an uninstall/reinstall.

Peace,
Tony

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