Linking Filemaker records to files on a hard disk

2 ways:

1
Use the folder import: this will import all files in a folder without specifying their names while importing 1 by 1 requires the name. But, if you move files, the link is lost, and that won't work for existing records.
2
Far better, the Troi File plug-in which allows to import a file of which the name is extracted/calculated from a field.
Moving the files in this case would only be a matter of changing the calculated path. And still a valuable investment, fmaker 7 is the same as 6 for this matter.

Hi -

Thanks for your quick response.

I have the Trois Plugin, but I don't see how that will solve my problem of creating a dynamic link between the sound files on the HD and the records in the FM database.

Files on the hard drive may be moved or added to.

Did you have in mind some kind of calculated field using Trois that would serve as the match field when Importing?

Thanks,

I am not sure I understand 100% yr question.
I am doing this with images, this may not fully apply to other type of media files.
I use FilereferenceToClip to import an image of which the path is calculated from other fields.
The restriction seems to be on the fact that it uses the clipboard.
What platform do you use? mac or pc? what type of sound file? supported by the OS (condition for FM to play it directly) or do you need an external app to play it?
When I'll have a bit of time, I'll try to simulate what you need, but this won't be before next WE.
In between let me know the anwsers to the above questions.

Hi -

I'm using Mac OS 9.2.2, FM 6. The sound files are .mp3 which can be played from within my FM container field.
(I am anticipating trouble when and if other sound fornats are used, but that is not part of my question here.)

While waiting for your response, I will try to get  to know Filereference to CLip better.

Thanks

Hi leseouf -

Did I miss your response? I thought you would be free in a week...

Still need h e l p...

No, I completely forgot about it! probably doing too mny things at the same time...
And I need to try that in the office, I only use a PC at home while I have both machines in the office. So, I'll try tonight.

Just tried, I am confused now because the regular Folder import does that for images and sounds/movies. So what more do you need?
File/Import/Folder...
You show which folder to import, and it can even strip the path and store it in a separate field while storing a link to the real sound file in the media field.
Only drawback: should not be moved afterwards, but if you sort them properly before importing, that should do it.
Do you need more?
The troi file plug-in (according to documentation, not tested) import also movies (therefore sounds), but not with 'reference to clip' which is dedicated to images. The only advantage with it is that you can move images, since the path is used to locate the mp3 files while the path you get from teh regular function of FM is just for info, altering it does not tell the sofwtare the image has moved!
let me know how you like the basic FM function (needs quicktime installed of course)

Please remember that I already have a database with info on thousands of soundfiles. The regular  FM import procedure you describe would have to be done thousands (30,000!) times to import each soundfile into the proper record.

The database has only the filename, not the path to the file.

Is there a way to use match fields when importing in this case?

I also need to be able to refresh the link between the database record and the soundfile to accomodate moving the files, deleting files, and adding new files.

Quicktime is installed and the sound playback perfectly from within the database, so that is no problem at least.

If you use this folder import in a separate base, with name extracting, you can then link it to your existing one via the sound name to recurerate existing info? And this should be quicker than anything else.
But to accomodate moving files, nothing magic, except respecifying the path with the Troi file plugin.
The protolight file toolbox may be of some help for this too: http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Network/9327/plPLUGs.html

Hi -

I tried to add the following comment months ago - I am surprised to see it was not added:


I follow you about doing a one-time folder import into a separate database.

And I have gotten the two databases linked via the filename,

I lose you  where you suggest 'respecifying the path' with the Troi Plug In.

I need a step by step explanation of what this means.

(BTW, Will it help the problem of handling additions and updates?)