I really don’t understand why the whole import/collections/film roll even exists in Darktable.
What is wrong with the Windows File Explorer tree? It’s the perfect way to navigate your assets.
Why not just get rid of the whole Collections business altogether. This Collections module is such a mess compared to the operating systems navigation. Or if it is not possible to get rid of, PLEASE use the file folder tree system. This Collections module should display a tree of imported folders. My files are in folders labeled YYYY_MM_DD. Within that folder, it generally contains numerous sub-folders. By adding a sub-folder into DT, it is inserted into Collections under the sub-folder name. So for one day of photos, DT lists numerous folders instead of one.
I have spent a couple of weeks endeavoring to use this collections module and have come to absolutely HATE it. I have now resorted to using Windows File Explorer and clicking on the file and it opens in Darktable. This is how every other app navigates and opens files, why not Darktable?
Have you tried changing it to “folder”? darktable 4.2 user manual - collections
I never interact with collections… I just use add files to library as if it were a file open command and then navigate my folders. Initially I uploaded them to a master folder using OneDrive and my PC… Inside DT I just navigate that folder and subfolders…
Yes I have been trying the Folder option. When hovering the mouse over the Folder option it says "click to include current + sub-folders (suffix ‘*’) which I have been trying with no success.
The manual says “Click on a folder to include the contents of that folder and all sub-folders in the collection” but that is not adding the sub-folders either
Do you have the subfolders added or imported?
@dnlyko I completely agree with you. The collections module is a nightmare and I’ll never get used to its logic. Even when you change to the “folder” view, next time you’ll open a file in DT it will switch back to film-roll. And having read the manual didn’t help.
because the developers of the DAM modules finds a value in having DAM functions in their raw processing tools and so don’t need to have a separate tool for that.
Different usecases, different solutions - quite simple. And in foss the developer decides, where to spend his time on.
quite simple: just try to understand where you spend your spare time - in stuff relevant for you or in stuff just relevant for others somewhere around in the world ?
It’s not wrong, but it’s simply not the one size fits it all approach.
There are two simple solutions:
- fork darktable, implement that alternative file handling and then convince the developers that that is worth to be integrated
- use some of that other apps
This has already been changed in current master. You will have to wait for 4.2.1 or 4.4 (not sure with which version it will be published) or build yourself from current git master.
Thank you!
Well I am just a dumb photographer that wants to move my workflow over to DarkTable. I do not know how to code so creating a fork is out of the question. Both the manual and hover tips did not give me the answer so I posted on here. I have been using PCs since IBM DOS changed to MS DOS and am able to get up and running on most software without consulting a manual or forum. I just strongly believe the Darktable interface needs clarity. After all, this is 2023 and if a new user as experienced as I is having a very difficult & frustrating time, it illustrates a need for improvement. I wish I could write code or know how & what code to copy from other open source photo processing navigation app.
Well it looks like this is the year of Googles fall.
I got an email from MS.
It’s a new dawn. It took MS Bing Chat to give me the answer I have been looking for in a few seconds.
One would logically think that this should at least be mentioned in the Darktable manual and on the hover tips.
I had to look up the meaning of ‘recursive’.
Perhaps it should be labeled ‘include sub-folders’.
AND this one really baffles me, when I hover over ‘recursive’ this is the helpful tip that pops up: ‘recursive directory traversal when importing filmrolls’ ???
Just saying…
Just use add files button every time. If there are new files it will add them. This takes you strait into a file tree every time… no collections… If you need collection I guess you will need to figure out a workflow but if you just want to use a file tree just use add files to library as if it were and open file or perhaps better as a browse function. I have used DT for 6 years now and I never use filmrolls or collections… I just use it as an editor
I really want to move away from FastRawViewer and my numerous processing apps and only use Darktable. I believe Darktable is the endgame for me. I just wish it’s interface was intuitive.
Well the bing bot read the manual so you didn’t have to. I guess that’s good?
You should still read the manual.
Try switching it to folder view:
You’ll still need to import files, though.
if you’re asking an AI for darktable and lightroom it assumes you’re talking about that adobe product since there are ways more articles on lighroom than on darktables lightroom that doesn’t exist since it’s called lighttable
that explains the first answer - but it’s quite clever enough to deliver also an answer for darktable.
if that AI gets that, it’s definitively ‘intuitive’ 
Very impressive Bing result for sure.
I just changed my default search to Bing on all my devices.
Microsoft has really outdone themselves this morning.
@kofa I have been trying that out. I have been hovering my mouse on top of it and devouring to understand it’s tool tips. No success.
Bing answered my question and I am now finding more problems with DT.