TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Set the Sequence Variable to a Specific Value
- Reset the Sequence
- Create a Counter
- Additional Tips
- Where to Use the Sequence Variable
The sequence variable in Photo Mechanic has some unique properties not shared by any of the other variables.
If you are not yet familiar with Photo Mechanic's variables, we recommend you first take a look at the following articles to learn how they work:
You can use the sequence variable by typing {seqn} or toggling the checkbox for "sequence”; which typically appears anywhere that Photo Mechanic allows you to rename images.
Most variables in Photo Mechanic will be evaluated using the metadata taken from the image they are being used on. However, the sequence variable evaluates to an integer based on the initial value set by the user. That number gets automatically incremented for each image it is used on. Using the sequence variable when renaming your files allows you to give your files unique, sequential filenames.
Below the text field where a renaming string can be entered, you will also see the current value of the Sequence variable. In the screenshot above, the value is set to 0001.
Set the Sequence Variable to a Specific Value
- Click the "Set {seqn} var(iable)..." button. This button appears in any window that includes the ability to rename your images. The "Sequence..." button on the Metadata Template will also bring up this window.
- The "Set Sequence Variable" window can also be accessed by navigating to Edit-->Settings-->Set Sequence Variable...
- Enter a value in the field to the right of {seqn}. This field can contain non-numeric characters, but it must end with a numeric character
Reset the Sequence
- Click "Reset" to set the sequence back to 1, with the corresponding number of leading 0's. You can also reset the counter from the Rename Photos window by holding the Modifier Key, and selecting the "Reset {seqn} variable" button (which is typically the "Set {seqn} variable" button).
- Examples:
- if the sequence value is currently set to 89, clicking "Reset" will set it to 01
- if the sequence value is currently set to 3093, clicking "Reset" will set it to 0001
- if the sequence value is currently set to PM-3093, clicking "Reset will set it to PM-0001
The "Set Sequence Variable" window allows you to maintain the state of a number of different counters, differentiated by a prefix.
Create a Counter
Add a prefix to your sequence value, anything up until the last non-numeric character will be part of the prefix, and the entered value must end with a numeric character
Once a prefix is added, the dropdown button on the right of the field becomes enabled. Click this button to reveal the dropdown.
From the dropdown, click the Add option.
Access saved counters, open the “Set Sequence Variable” window and click the dropdown, and choose the one you would like to use from the list.
Additional Tips
- You can set the number of digits to use by adding leading 0's:
- Example: if you would like the sequence to start at 5, but produce a 3 digit number for all values under 100, set the sequence variable to 005
- The sequence variable does not "roll over". Using the example above, when the sequence variable reaches 999, it will increment to 1000, not revert back to 001.
- When holding the Modifier Key, the "Set {seqn} variable..." button will become "Reset {seqn} variable". This will follow the behavior of clicking the Reset button in the "Set Sequence Variable" window, described above
- The value of the sequence variable is persistent throughout the program.
- Example: If you start with the value set at 01 and use the sequence variable on 50 images (such as doing an Ingest of 50 images from a memory card), it will be set to 51 for the next Ingest, but it would also be set to 51 if used in the FTP Uploader.