Is it possible to copy a module/tool group to a new build?

Software darktable
1

I use a module group with my favourites in it. When I build a new DT, I have to set it up from scratch. Is there a slick way to copy a file or something from my previous build into the new one? (I use new config and cache folders with a new build, it feels like a good practice, however perhaps that is why I don’t see my group?)

2

The groups are defined in darktablerc. In linux you find this file in ~/.config/darktable. An example for one (favorite) module :

plugins/darkroom/toneequal/expanded=FALSE
plugins/darkroom/toneequal/favorite=TRUE
plugins/darkroom/toneequal/gui_page=1
plugins/darkroom/toneequal/modulegroup=1
plugins/darkroom/toneequal/visible=TRUE

3

“Perhaps”, yes…

Removal of cached data (or pointing to a new cache) shouldn’t lose data (it just temporarily slows down operations).
But why would you expect configuration data to be avaible when you point dt to a new, empty, configuration folder?

1 Like
4

@pehar, thanks for this. I had a look at my darktablerc and it didn’t match your info very well. Also I couldn’t see in my file how the modules were related to the group I’d created. So I think this is not a simple solution and too messy for my elementary linux skills!

@rvietor, I don’t expect the config data to be available, I was simply asking if there was a neat way to copy over the module groups!

5

Having self-created module group(s) you have to keep darktablerc and data.db (both in ~/.config/darktable). I did not examine where exactly which part of the information is stored in these files. A quick test shows that keeping only one of these files mentioned, your individual module group settings will be messed up.
To have a closer look into the SQLite database file, you can use tools like the database frontend sqlitebrowser. But you will need some knowledge of SQL to understand the content of the database. And be aware: you can damage your db if you apply changes.

6

I tend not to do this because any changes in the new build may cause issues. For the most part, it may not be the case but I generally start over whenever I update my apps just in case. And I don’t think it takes much effort to reestablish the groups.