Technical Issues - File open/save dialogs

Default FTG Software file open/save dialogs resemble the following. Note the inclusion of a Description text box, a Delete button and a List Files button. The dialog can be resized; if using very long file names, drag vertical edges to widen the dialog. Settings are retained while the program is open. 

You will probably prefer not to use file descriptions, putting such information in long file names. In that case you might also prefer to use Windows common dialogs rather than FTG file dialogs. This is accomplished by selecting "Use Windows dialogs" in File Configuration Preferences. (So far, this option has been implemented in DESIGN 2.24.3200, INDEX 2.24.1200 and MEASURE 2.24.2100.) The FILM Archive file dialog will then resemble the screen shot at the bottom of this page (depends somewhat on Windows version):

One advantage of common dialogs in DESIGN is that component files (Graph Axes, etc.) can be saved without remembering obscure shortcut keys or switching from FILM Archive to FILM mode. Also, when opening a spectrum, file format (.csv or .dx) can be selected without having to change options in Spectra Format Options.

If you have been using FTG file dialogs and now prefer Windows common dialogs, you might like to include the file description in the new file name. This can be done automatically with FilmStar BASIC program DescToName.bas. This program is provided in the latest full installation or separately in

http://ftgsoftware.com/files/basic32.zip 

Since Windows common dialogs are already used for opening and saving graphics, Workbook files, etc., utilizing them for file operations provides a more consistent look and feel.  Another advantage is that various operations can be performed upon right clicking on the file name. It should also be noted that Windows common dialogs support network drives, while FTG file dialogs do not. (This is not really a limitation since a network drive can be mapped to a local drive.) If Windows common dialogs are preferred, it is still possible to use FTG file descriptions as illustrated in the following BASIC program

Sub Main
    Dim s$
    s$ = InputBox("Enter description", "FILM Archive")
    If Len(s$) > 50 Then s$ = Left$(s$, 50)
    FileDescription(8) = s$
End Sub

FilmStar Windows file dialogs can be displayed with files sorted in most recent order.

1. Close open folders and programs.
2. Double-click the My Computer icon on your desktop and navigate to a folder, say c:\Winfilm\Designs.
3. With the My Computer folder still open and View...Details checked, click on the Date Modified column so that items are listed in most recent order.
4. Click on Tools...Folder Options...View and click the button Apply to All Folders.
5. We have had no success in checking Remember each folder's view setting and assigning different sorting for different directories (i.e. most recent for Designs and alphabetic for Index Tables). If any user figures this one out, please let us know. Difficulties with Windows dialog settings are well-known.

Assuming that you are using Windows dialogs for file operations instead of FTG dialogs (see File Configuration Preferences)? Here are two useful improvements:

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