* Media

[tatewise]

The Media items that are used, or to be used, in FH need to be in the location “C:\.... \Reiflan Tree._data\Media” prior to being placed or linked to FH.

No, they do not. See next answer.

When I Add Media to a project use either of the two options:
Link to Existing Media Record
Insert from File

Link to Existing Media Record does NOT add Media Files to your project.
It links an existing Media record along with its linked existing Media file to an Individual, Source, or other record.

Insert from File adds a Media file and creates a new Media record linked to some other record.
You can choose a Media file from anywhere on your PC.
The Copy File(s) To: prompt lets you choose where to copy that file into the project.
The <Default Location within Project Folder> option will use the C:\.... \Reiflan Tree._data\Media folder or you can choose a Location... subfolder within that folder. You can also set a different filename.
Try practising with the Family Historian Sample Project to become familiar with how it works.

One final question – when I perform a backup, I use the third option and back up all the media. Is that overkill or will one of the first two options suffice?

1) Small Backup will only backup the GEDCOM file and NOT any Media. (Do not use this option)
2) Medium Backup includes the GEDCOM file and the Project Data Folder where your Media are now held.
3) Full Backup includes all the above plus the project Public folder.
So you can use either 2) or 3) to make a backup copy including your project Media.
But remember it needs to be saved on a separate device in a location external to your PC.
Otherwise, anything that upsets your PC will probably upset the backup copy, which makes it worthless.
Also, consider a backup regime for everything else on your PC that you would not want to lose if the PC failed.

[PhilipR]

Hello Mike

Sorry to take so long to get back to you regarding your last post of 21.4.2023.

Regarding my first question, is there any problems with having all my FH media in the location mentioned for ease of access?

I understand your answers to the second two questions. From our previous discussions I understand that all my FH data and media is on Onedrive. I would prefer it that way for the reasons you mentioned.

Philip

[tatewise]

Regarding my first question, is there any problems with having all my FH media in the location mentioned for ease of access?

I'm not sure what you are asking. Exactly what "ease of access" are you thinking about? Please explain.

BTW: I've moved this thread to the new Media forum that we have created recently.

[PhilipR]

Hi Mike

I am still having problems with my Media - I decided to tidy up my media file names which I did in media. I now find that all my media files are unlinked and have not been repaired using the Auto Repair Link.

I have attached the following three screenshots:

1. "File Name Media" to illustrate that I have changed the Media name but the file path does not reflect the change. I note that the word "Backup appears in the file path.

2. "File Path Existing Media" to illustrate the current file path I am using for my Media. I note that Explorer indicates that some of the files has possible not updated even though the OneDrive indicates that it is "up to date"

3. "File Path" to indicate that I cannot complete the link as there is no "Family History" option as I try to complete the file path.

What I want to be able to do is to load all the media pertaining to FH into a single file that I can use to link the media to my project. Should I delete my current media and rename it outside FH before returning them to C:\Users\fagan\OneDrive\PERSONAL INFORMATION\Documents\ Family Historian Projects\Reiflan Tree\Reiflan Tree.fh_data/Media?

This is getting very frustration - I have just got Sync working now this problem. I don't know what I am doing wrong.

Hope you can help.

Philip

[tatewise]

Philip, you cannot change the Media Filenames in the Media records without making identical changes to the Files themselves.

Each FH Media record uses the Media Folder and Filename to link to the actual file. If they don't match then the link is broken and FH cannot find the file.

Auto Repair Link relies on at least the Media record Filename matching the actual File name.

I strongly suggest you reverse all your Media record Folder and Filename changes.
Then I can suggest some options to achieve your objectives.

I hope you have not made any other changes to your Project other than the Media record changes.
If so then you can revert to before all those Media record changes by using the Automatic Snapshots.
Use File > Backup/Restore > Revert to Snapshot... and choose a Snapshot Taken just before you started the Media changes then click Revert to Snapshot...

If you have made many other changes then you will have to reverse the Media changes one by one by hand.

Let me know when you have restored all the Media so there are no broken links.

[PhilipR]

Hello Mike - thanks for getting back to me.

I thought that by changing the name in File Media in the Media Record that the file name in the Media File was also altered - I was wrong - thanks for the clarification.

There is no way they will link to the project because there is no match between the Media Record and File Name. I tried "Auto Repair Link" and only half a dozen media items were linked.

I have used "File>Backup/Restore>Revert to Snapshot" which has changed the File Media names which has reversed the media changes.

I have worked on the project since the date of reverting so I think I will have to change every media item manually.

I just want to confirm that I need to rename the files, using my criteria, in the media file - outside the FH project? Once that is completed the file names should match and then I can use the "Auto Repair Link" to re-link the media to the project. Is it OK if I alter the folders within the Media File to make the file more workable?

That will take me a few days so I will be in touch when the re-linking is completed.

Thanks
Philip

[tatewise]

Either change the Media record Filenames or use File Explorer to change the actual Filenames.
As long as they match then the links will be restored.
I recommend that you keep the sub-folder names as they were originally if at all possible.
There is no advantage in moving all the files up so they all reside directly in the Media folder.
But if you are determined to move them then we can deal with that after the links are restored.

[PhilipR]

Hi Mike

I have completed, at this stage, the organization of my media. Currently the media is in the Media file in two subfolders Photos and Documents. There are no broken links.

I am using the file name format "Surname-Initials-DOB- Subject matter" with my media but want to add a married name to the format to make it easier to track married women. How do I alter the names in FH7 which, I think, would be easier then altering them in File Explorer?

Synchronization between our two computers is working seamlessly.

I also want to conform the file path for my backups as "This PC\C\User\fagan\OneDrive\FAMILY TREE\Backups\Family Historian?

Thanks
Philip

[tatewise]

Philip, there are two ways to 'track' media.

1. Alter the Title of the Media Record
   In FH, that Media Title is the primary way of identifying Media and lets you 'track' the media.
   The actual Windows Filename is rarely shown in FH unless you are inspecting Media Record fields.
2. Alter the Media Record File link and Windows Filename
   In FH 7, there is a new feature that lets you alter both of these in sync as explained below.

I am not sure what naming convention you are using for Media Record Titles and Media Filenames.
Are they both identical or totally independent?
To aid 'tracking' do you really need to change the Filenames or will the Media Title be sufficient?

Changing the Media Record Title is easy and has no impact on the Media File links to the Windows Files.

The new feature in FH V7 lets you rename files and adjust the Media Record link and Windows Filename at the same time.
Open the Media Window and select the Media Record whose Filename you wish to change.
Use the menu bar Media > Rename Media File... command to simultaneously change the Media Record File link and the associated Windows Filename.

To set the default Backup folder use Tools > Preferences > Backup tab Default Backup Folder setting.

[PhilipR]

Hi Mike

Thank you for that information - there are a couple of points I wish to clarify.

Media Query
In the "Media Record query" snapshot I have attached does the Title name and the File name need to be the same or can the Title be a convenient and/or meaningful name of the media? I think I misunderstood your previous comments and thought that Title and File names needed to be the same.

Backups Query
I have attached screenshots of the Backup File location on my Desktop and Laptop computers. As you can see they are different. When I try to backup on the Desktop I get the warning as per the "Desktop Warning" screenshot included on the next post.
I have also included a screenshot, in my next post, of the "Preferences Backup" window. I presume, from the last paragraph of your previous post, that by hitting the "<<Select" button I can input my desired file location?

Thanks
Philip

[PhilipR]

Hi Mike - me again

The two other screenshots are attached.

I am about to purchase a new laptop that will replace the Desktop and Laptop that we currently have - downsizing to a smaller property- so will not have need of Sync but I think that you previously advised that I would be better off still backing up to the Cloud.

Regards
Philip

[tatewise]

Media Query
The Tile and File link are completely independent, although some users like to keep them the same.
The File link must be identical to the Windows file that it links to, otherwise you get a broken link.

Backups Query
It would be preferable if you did not mix up two independent concepts in one topic thread.
The backup locations are different because the Tools > Preferences > Backup tab, Default Backup Folder settings are different on the Desktop and Laptop. Such settings are not part of the OneDrive synchronised Project data.
Few of the Tools > Preferences and other customisations are part of that synchronised data and that is a whole new topic.

Yes, use the Default Backup Folder << Select button to browse for a suitable folder.

New Laptop
If you don't use OneDrive sync then you must use some other form of external device backup to avoid the risk of total PC or disk drive failure. Saving backups to the same PC is not sufficient.

Please start a new topic to discuss the migration of Projects and settings from your current PC to the new laptop.
There are plenty of pitfalls if you don't use the correct techniques.

[PhilipR]

Thanks Mike.

I will start a new topic when the new machine arrives.

Philip

[Vyger]

I am using the file name format "Surname-Initials-DOB- Subject matter" with my media but want to add a married name to the format to make it easier to track married women. How do I alter the names in FH7 which, I think, would be easier then altering them in File Explorer?

Philip, it is possible and recommended to rename files within Family Historian, several programs now offer this feature and it prevents links being broken by renaming in the OS and not updating in the program.

I preview the file within FH and then decide on the appropriate file name using a convention I adopted years ago.

I cover this in the video below at the time code embedded;

https://youtu.be/qjzP-epaF9c?t=1335