Hi All:
I don't know if this is a Exif-solvable question or not ...... but thought it can't hurt to ask.
I have several folders full of JPG image files taken in time-lapse sequence. Long story, short ... there are too many files to combine into a QuickTime video. I am looking for a way (application, Terminal commands, Apple Script, other?) to automate a process in which, variably, every Xth image (i.e. every 3rd, or every 5th, etc.) could be copied or moved to a different folder. Copying the files to a new folder, leaving all the originals intact in their current folder, would probably be the better than moving them.
Files are all arranged sequentially by creation date/time in their folders, and could be renamed using numerals only if the filename can somehow be utilized in the sorting process.
Having little experience with Terminal, only a little with Automator, and none with Apple Script, suggestions using those utilities will have to be very specific.
Thanks in advance to anyone who can provide a solution.
Tom
Hi Tom,
This can be done fairly easily by 1) renaming the files sequentially, then 2) copying the desired files to another folder:
1) exiftool SRCDIR -fileorder filemodifydate -filename=%.5c.%e
2) exiftool SRCDIR -o DSTDIR -if '$filename=~/(\d+)/ and not $$1 % 5'
If you are on Windows, use double quotes instead of single quotes in the 2nd command. This example copies every 5th file, but you can change the "5" in the 2nd command, or change the logic to copy whatever you want to the destination directory (DSTDIR).
- Phil
Hi Phil:
I got sidetracked for a couple of days and have just tried your scripts. What an amazing time-saver !!!!! Thank You !!!!! :) :) :)