Use the Tag to Filename function to rename/move the files without losing ratings info and other such stuff.

Otto wrote:

Use the Tag to Filename function to rename/move the files without losing ratings info and other such stuff.

I just can't figure it out how this is possible? Maybe I have to write the location where I want to move the files before the tagging options like this: d:\musics\XYZ\ - $ARTIST - $TITLE? : ) I dont't want to try this blindly becasue I don't want to loose any data during the process.

Edit.: Am I miss write something and my post is meaningless or nobody noticed this post yet? Pls help, I'm "dyin" : P to know what's up with this matter.

Edit.: Okay, I'm figured out now how can I move files with "tag to filname", but now I have another problem with this : S
So here goes the problem:
For example I have an mp3 in this directory: d:\musics\XYZ\Album\Track.mp3 and I want to move it here:d:\musics\XYZ\(2006) Album\Track.mp3, but if I write these commands to the "tag to filename" window: (2006) ALBUM\$TRACK the new "(2006) Album" directory will be in the "Album" directory like this: d:\musics\XYZ\Album\(2006) Album\Track.mp3 : / And I can write the full path like this: d:\musics\XYZ\(2006) Album\$TRACK, but still, the new directory will be the same place like the other time.
Can anyone help me? I think I'm missing a basic component from my "forumla" : ), but I can't figure it out what is it.

Last edited by Psycho_Dad (2006-10-19 10:22:52)

I never use the "T2F"-function for moving files. I have to do some test when I have time for it.

Mh, I played a  bit with it and have problems, too. It seems that the new folder structure will always be created in tha actual folder (and you also have limited space for entering you command in the T2F mask).

I wanted to move a file from F:\folder\subfolder\substfolder to F:\subfolder, but at the end the file was here (with ratings): F:\folder\subfolder\substfolder\F\subfolder\.

But this workaround is not the best way at all (always changes in the filename).

So: A "move files with preserving the ratings" is an important function for the future!

I'm currently wrestling with the same problem, and I'd thought I'd share what I've tried and discovered thus far:

1. Firstly, "tag to filename" is indeed unusable, for the reasons described above.

2. Searching the forum I came upon this post:

avatar3d wrote:

Okay, heres a *SIMPLE* little program to help you do what you need. Before you start let me say it comes with no warrenties -- you agree (by downloading this application) that I'm not to be held responsable for anything bad that may happen.   

A rundown of how to use it:

Let's pretend I had an old computer with musikCube installed.  Certain files in my database were located in c:\music\, but I now have a new computer, and these SAME files are now located in f:\casey\music\.  The filenames in musikCube's database on the new computer are wrong -- musikMigrate is a tool to help you fix them.

1) download the file: http://www.musikcube.com/~casey/musikMigrate0.1.zip
2) extract anywhere, then run
3) Select the database you wish to migrate as the "Input Database."  PLEASE MAKE A BACKUP OF YOUR ORIGINAL BEFORE DOING THIS
4) Using my example, I will use "c:\casey\" as my OLD PATH.  These are where the files were located BEFORE (relative to the old computer)
5) I will use "f:\casey\music\" as the REPLACEMENT PATH.  These are where the files are NOW (relative to the new computer)
6) Press "OK," and wait for a confirmation dialog.

Literally, all filenames in the database beginning with "c:\music" will be replaced by "f:\casey\music"

7) Repeat for different paths, if necessary.

(from this topic: http://www.musikcube.com/punbb/viewtopic.php?id=827)

If only this could work that would be the end of it. Only it doesnt.
It actualy seems to work perfect (it even takes longer to change folders with more content than folders with less), but in the end the database isn't changed at all (verified that by opening it). I originaly figured this was because my (win XP SP2) computer is currently having some severe issues with my .NET infrastructure, but it does't work on my other (win 2k) computer either. So, reviews of this tool are unanimously good, but it is quite old, my best guess at this point is that something changed in the database structure between then and my RC2.

Too bad this doesn't work, but still it remains about the best possible solution, so if anyone knows a workaround that would really make my day.

3. After failing there I've downloaded a nifty little app called "SQLite Database Browser" (again acting on a suggestion I've found searching the forum). Since I dont know the first thing about SQLite/databases/programming this simple tool is actualy very good for visualising the database structure. I've Tried several other database programs, but in most I couldn't even correctly load the database.

Problem is, the program offers only the most basic of editing features, and no search/replace whatsoever. So though I could theoreticly change edit every single filepath here, doing so would take days. On the other hand, it does have a execute SQL string function, so is there any chance I could create some sort of query to change the paths? Personaly I'm not even sure if this function is ment to change data, or only to display a certain subset, like in musikcube dynamic playlists. Anyway, any suggestions on this, or other (dummy-proof) sql editors would greatly be appreciated.

4.Last thing i've tried was directly editing the db in a text editor, of wich there is not much more to say than that it completely corrupts it. Well, seemed to easy to work anyway

So, At this point I'm totaly out of ideas, but at least I'm hoping to inspire you guys with my post. Moving files in my opinion is an essential function, and  if it were any other media player, I'd have dumped it within the week, wich I in a strange way tells  a lot about how much I like musikcube

aylo wrote:

But The Database Browser allows you to export collumns as text file. There you could automatically replace the stucture of your music folder and then re-import into the database.
Just an idea...
Ahoha

Yep, that seems to work, the steps are as follows:
1) export as csv
2)make the changes in notepad or similar, also delete the first row, as it would re-import as an empty one (there seems to be no way to delete it in the program)
3)after re-importing, you also have to rename all colums, and assign them the right data type (i.e. varchar255 etc)
Not the easyest of ways (and re-importing takes rather long IMHO), but still I am a very happy person now. Funny how the one way you dont try always turns out to be the right one

On a sidenote, i've also found this http://www.rekenwonder.com/linkmagic.htm. Seems like a very crude solution and I havent tested it myself (I'm a bit affraid of all the scary voodoo it does on your NTFS), but I thought I'd share it anyway, in case someone dissagrees.

Good to know!