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Idea #240: Previews or thumbnails in file chooser

bug This idea is marked as implemented. Available starting Ubuntu 8.04 Hardy Heron.
Written by jimmux the 28 Feb 08 at 23:46. Category: Look and Feel. Related project: Nothing/Others. Status: Implemented
Rationale
Too often I have to select images with cryptic file names from a file chooser. Because I can't see the images I typically have to open the folder I am browsing separately so I can find image I am looking for, remember the cryptic name, and return to the file dialogue to select the file I want.

This could be easier if their was an option to view thumbnails, or to at least preview the image.
Tags: (none)


Developer comments
File preview is now in Hardy.

909
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#1): Auto-generated solution of idea #240
Written by jimmux the 28 Feb 08 at 23:46.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #240 was submitted before this update, its rationale and solution are not separated. Please vote accordingly, and if you have the necessary rights, please separate the rationale from the solution. Thanks!

Attachments
forum Ubuntuforums.org thread #40385


Duplicates


Comments
exactopposite wrote on the 29 Feb 08 at 06:13
This is something that really bothers me too. For example If i want to upload an image to a website, when I get the browse dialog i can see the files but no thumbs. Ofen I end up having to go back and find the file name in nautilus.

captainpugwash wrote on the 29 Feb 08 at 06:55
This is essential. It would be easy to do.


nfilus wrote on the 29 Feb 08 at 12:02
This request is better suited to be posted at the DE (Desktop Environment, ex. GNOME) feature request site. I know KDE has/had this feature last time I used it in eary 3.x days.

I really would love to have a kind of preview for already thumbnailed files on mouse-over, with information like zoomed thumbnail and some meta data.

markba wrote on the 29 Feb 08 at 13:28
I filed a bug report on this one:
"an icon view for the fileselectors would be useful"
https://bugs.launchpad.net/gtk/+bug/137606

csmth wrote on the 29 Feb 08 at 13:43
I am not necessarily opposing this idea, but:
1) Pls have this an option
2) Pls default turn this option "off"

happy_tux wrote on the 29 Feb 08 at 20:38
I'm sure its a GNOME issue, and, as these guys are all about making their user interface as accessible as possible, this is a very good idea to implement straight away.

Workflow would be greatly improved. If I visually see the thumbnail image in a directory full of images, I make my selection and continue.
Like a previous comment (as it is now, if you don't know the filename, you need to open the directory in nautilus and reference the image filename)

Of course a option to turn on/off this feature also.

Thanks :-)

rawsausage wrote on the 29 Feb 08 at 22:44
Gnome upstream definitely. Good idea.

azag wrote on the 1 Mar 08 at 02:29
we need not just a thumbnail preview, we need a full file manager on the dialog boxes. open/copy/paste/delete and all toe views posibles, with thumbnails included

anselme wrote on the 2 Mar 08 at 04:34
I want this feature so much!!! I don't understand why it hasn't been implemented before!!

pescez wrote on the 2 Mar 08 at 18:24
i vote definitely up this idea. it's so annoying to upload some image to a website and to have to open nautilus to discover the name of the image you want..

shadowber wrote on the 3 Mar 08 at 21:42
Heh I wanted to post this very idea because it just happened to me again... I think this is really needed.

jarreboum wrote on the 3 Mar 08 at 23:19
A Windows option I'm missing is the ability to choose "View" or "open" after right-clicking on a file in those kind of file-choosing boxes. Its a good way to be sure of the file you are choosing without having to navigate with Nautilus at the same time.

gaspard.leon wrote on the 5 Mar 08 at 22:50
GTK file chooser strikes again... one of my biggest pet peeves with GNOME/GTK

example of classic work-flow problems:

1. Open GIMP
2. Open file from the menu
3. Find folder with > 100 images...
4. even with the side-preview turned on it's pointless, you have to scroll through each image to "preview" it.
5. no thumbnail view!

or even:

1. install ubuntu
2. marvel in actual thumbnails of documents etc in nautilus
3. use open file dialog
4. cry


mathis94 wrote on the 10 Mar 08 at 12:58
Very good idea +1

jimmux wrote on the 11 Mar 08 at 03:30
Great to see that file previews are in! Would I be pushing my luck to keep asking for thumbnail views?

gaspard.leon wrote on the 11 Mar 08 at 22:12
previews are good, thumbnails are better, similar behaviour to nautilus (file rename etc) would be best in my opinion.

jimmux wrote on the 11 Mar 08 at 23:44
Now that this idea is considered done, I am tempted to submit a new idea to push for thumbnails in the file chooser. However, to avoid duplication I will just suggest that people take a look at the following ideas and vote them up instead:
http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com/idea/1658/
http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com/idea/1199/

rimbaud0000 wrote on the 30 Oct 08 at 00:25
GTK file chooser strikes again... one of my biggest pet peeves with GNOME/GTK "

Agreed, it is TERRIBLE. I wish they'd use a subset of Nautilus. I've read all their reasons for it and don't agree at all.


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