File types with different extensions: cbr/rar & cbz/zip

Question

File types with different extensions: cbr/rar & cbz/zip

I have a bunch of cbr & cbz files, which are comic archives that are just rar and zip files with different extensions. When I double-click one of these, I want it to open in Simple Comic. When I double click on a zip or rar file, I want the archive utility of my choice to uncompress it. However, when I tell the finder to open a cbz file with Simple Comic, it does the same with zip files. If I tell it to open zip files with the Archive Utility, then the cbz files will get uncompressed when I open them.

Is there any way of getting the Finder to believe that cbz/cbr files are different from zip/rar files, and to treat them differently?

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.6.2)

Posted on Mar 26, 2010 9:26 PM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

361,995 points

Mar 27, 2010 12:12 AM in response to Dylan Winslow

Select a cbz or cbr file. Press COMMAND-I to open the Get Info window. In the Open With section select Simple Comic from the drop down menu then click on the Change All button. Repeat the process for zip and rar files except select the unarchiver of your choice.

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Answer 2

Mar 27, 2010 2:44 AM in response to Kappy

Yes, this is what I've done, except that when I click "Change All" for cbz files, it changes the zip files as well, and when I change zip files, it changes all of the cbz files.

The Finder thinks that zip and cbz files are the same thing.

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Answer 3

roam

Level 6

13,637 points

Mar 27, 2010 3:06 AM in response to Dylan Winslow

The Finder thinks that zip and cbz files are the same thing.

You could check to see if they are, using the Terminal command, example,

file manga.cbz

After file (type a space) and drag one of these files into the Terminal window to complete the command, then press return.
Do the same for its corollary eg. do a cbz and zip, cbr and rar and compare the results.

I have a feeling that they are both .rar and .zip files and that ComicBook app just alters the extension to give itself prestige.

If this is the case, give Finder the default you would use the most, and then for the other, the workaround would be to use drag and drop onto the app in question to open it.

Dragging and dropping is almost as convenient as a double click.

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Answer 4

Mar 27, 2010 4:06 AM in response to Dylan Winslow

Hi, I'm the dev of Simple Comic. It sounds like another app has tied both extensions to the same file UTI. What archive and comic applications do you have installed?

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Answer 5

Mar 27, 2010 4:28 AM in response to Alexander Rauchfuss

I'm using The Unarchiver for rar/zip files, and I have, or rather had, Stuffit Expander installed.

From poking around elsewhere, I realized that this might be the problem, so I had a look at the info.plist for The Unarchiver and I deleted the cbz and cbr entries there. That seems to have fixed the problem, and The Unarchiver still seems to work.

As an additional bonus, quicklook now works with both cbz and cbr files, which it didn't before.

Great app, by the way. Thanks.

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Answer 6

boro057

Level 1

0 points

May 5, 2010 7:55 PM in response to Dylan Winslow

I have this exact problem. I've changed the info.plist found in the app folder, then "show package contents," then "contents." Is that the right .plist file or is there another one I should edit because that didn't change anything? I appreciate any help.

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