Level 1

4 points

Rotating pictures in Preview

A co-author and I are writing a book. Research entailed visiting many archives, and photographing pages of cellar books, and of wine catalogues. Naturally enough, pages were photographed in order: at each archive, oldest books first, and within each book the pages from oldest entry to newest.

We have about fifteen thousand pictures, my folder structure on my computer being the same as that on his.

With Snow-Leopard Preview I would go to the folder for that archive, command-A command-O, and all the pictures would open. I could scroll from one picture to the next, either gesturing within the sidebar, or with appropriate keys. About half of all pictures needed rotating, done with command-R. So far, so good. Indeed, so excellent.

Now to my new Mac, a 27" beauty that came with OS Lion. The large screen is to see big pictures at the same time as editing the words of the book. And again, command-A, command-R, and scroll away. Ooooh: that picture is at ninety degrees: command-R. Annoying rhythm-breaking dialog box asks whether I want to unlock it (no, never ever change my original pictures, just never) or duplicate it (or, uselessly, cancel). Duplicate. So now there is a new window with just that picture, rotated. About half of all pictures need rotating, so quite quickly my screen is a disorganised mess of one-picture windows.

I have owned a Mac since 1988: please let this not be Apple’s Mr Clippy moment. Hi ho, hi ho, it’s off to the Apple store I go. I get some sympathy, and some agreement that for my purposes new Preview doesn’t work well. Suggestion: download the old Preview from somewhere. So to my old Mac, now somebody else’s; archive Preview (and TextEdit); FTP up; back to my machine; FTP down and unpack.

Preview has a long complicated error message, the crunchy bit perhaps being “Library not loaded: /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/MeshKit.framework/Versions/A/MeshKit”.

(Aside: TextEdit works, which I hoped was great—no more over-writing my files behind my back. Alas the new TextEdit in the applications folder is super-locked and can’t be overwritten.)

Back to Preview. Please, how can I have a bulk open of pictures, in the right order, which are not altered by Preview, which are easily rotated (no dialog box), and which post-rotation remain in the right order? No new files; and no changes to the old (=only) files. Rephrased, Snow-Leopard Preview was really good: please could I have it back?

iMac

Posted on Nov 7, 2011 11:51 AM

123 replies

Tony T1

Level 6

10,247 points

Nov 25, 2011 5:57 AM in response to jdaw1

jdaw1 wrote:

Thank you.

Hopefully the powers at Apple will observe that users are attempting to de-Lion their computers. We can’t de-Lion Preview, so are attempting to find Lion-free alternatives.

The existence of an alternative would not mean that Lion is good. Indeed, the seeking of an alternative is a criticism of Lion.

Absolultly not. You want an image viewer. Preview is an image editor/viewer. Instead of waiting for Apple to do what you want, just use uPhoto Quick Viewer

Tony T1

Level 6

10,247 points

Nov 25, 2011 6:08 AM in response to Tom in London

Tom in London wrote:

I've just gone back and reread jdaw's original post at the top of this thread.

I'm flabbergasted that the task jdaw describes is no longer possible.

When using the wrong tool, what do you expect?

(But of course, this does not apply to you as you are boycotting Lion. How's that going, btw, has Apple reached out to you to negotiate a settlement?)

Tom in London wrote:

None of the posts added to the thread have been able to suggest any way of getting back to jdaw's workflow

Even were I to attempt to do it in Lion in the way some people have been describing, each image would take me 4-5 times as long.

Yeah, adding ⌘L to the workflow! I can see how that adds a 500% increase in effort 😁

Stoaty

Level 1

4 points

Nov 25, 2011 6:17 AM in response to Tom in London

I think that most photographers, including me as a keen amateur, actually want the new functionality of Preview in Lion. I do not want to confirm to save a photo with Cmd-S after I have changed it to the correct orientation or preserve the original file in the wrong orientation. It makes amending the rotation a 1-step process not a 2-step process so improves the workflow. If you really want the old one back you can use "Revert to Saved".

The original poster wanted to keep his files "as was", and the originals were old enough to be locked which created an additional step - which was answered by switching it off.

Tony T1

Level 6

10,247 points

Nov 25, 2011 6:38 AM in response to Stoaty

The problem is that the OP is using an Image Editor (Preview) when he needs (wants), a dedicated image viewer. This worked for him in Snow Leopard, only because he was able to treat the images as a temporary file (i.e. not saved unless ⌘S).

Well, OS X has evolved an now has a new "modernized" document model that does not fit his old work habits. He can either change his habits, use a different App, revert to SL or complain and wait for Apple to return Preview to the way he is used to. Unfortunatly, the OP has chosen the last option when a dedicated image viewer is the best option.

jdaw1 Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 25, 2011 2:16 PM in response to Tony T1

He can either change his habits

Much much slower, and much worse user interface. I know — awful users lessen OS developers’ fun.

revert to SL

Yes please! Really, yes please. New Mac that came with Lion installed. Apple store says that PRAM settings prohibit installation of pre-Lion OS. If that can be dodged then I’m sorted. Yes please.

use a different App,

S-L Preview was so nice. Like so many things in life, I failed to appreciate it until it was taken away. Loss of workflow is a regretted loss. Yes, I know, OS developers own the OS, not the awful users with only twenty-three years Mac practice. A different application will be chosen, though not now as I’m away from my machine. It will probably taken half a dozen purchases to find something as good as old Preview.

wait for Apple to return Preview to the way he is used to.

I would have preferred the phrasing “encourage” rather than “wait for”.

jdaw1 Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 25, 2011 2:19 PM in response to Tom in London

I've just gone back and reread jdaw's original post at the top of this thread.

I'm flabbergasted that the task jdaw describes is no longer possible.

None of the posts added to the thread have been able to suggest any way of getting back to jdaw's workflow

It was so surprising to me that it took two trips to the Genius Bar to believe the vandalisation (aka ‘modernization’).

So jdaw - how's the book going?

Slowly, fault being both mine (new job etc) and Apple’s.

Tony T1

Level 6

10,247 points

Nov 25, 2011 2:39 PM in response to jdaw1

A different application will be chosen, though not now as I’m away from my machine. It will probably taken half a dozen purchases to find something as good as old Preview.

The App I pointed you to is free, and does exactly what you want, but I guess to use it now would be too difficult 😁

I really believe that your only solution is to keep tilting your head while complaining about Lion and waiting for Apple to listen to you and give you what you want, as you will never be satisfied with anything but Preview.

Tony T1

Level 6

10,247 points

Nov 25, 2011 2:37 PM in response to jdaw1

revert to SL

Yes please! Really, yes please. New Mac that came with Lion installed. Apple store says that PRAM settings prohibit installation of pre-Lion OS. If that can be dodged then I’m sorted. Yes please.

Did you try seaching the discussion boards?

Re: Transfering software back to SL

Aug 25, 2011 1:48 PM (in response to jsd2)

Thanks jsd2,

Called Apple and they first said I coul not install SL, a day latter and I received a call from the manager saying that I had gotten the wrong information, so yes, I can install SL. They sending me the grey disk free of charge.

I'm going to install SL in one partion and work off that for while. I don't think I can do the migration from lion to SL, so I guess I'll have to deactived CS5 and all the other programs from Lion in order to run them in SL.

Thanks again for your precious time and help.

jdaw1 Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 26, 2011 1:07 AM in response to Tony T1

Tony T1 wrote:

The App I pointed you to is free, and does exactly what you want, but I guess to use it now would be too difficult

It is now too difficult as I am away from my computer. When that is remedied the application will be tested. Thank you for recommending it.

Failing which I will revert to Snow Leopard, following the linked thread.

But either way, I am attempting to de-Lion part or all of my computer. Even if the new document model is typically better, for some users (me) with some tasks (viewing not changing) or requirements (security) it is worse. Apple need to find ways to make the new model selectively optional.

Tony T1

Level 6

10,247 points

Nov 26, 2011 5:49 AM in response to jdaw1

jdaw1 wrote:

... for some users (me) with some tasks (viewing not changing)

You are making changes to your images.

jdaw1 Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 26, 2011 7:58 AM in response to Tony T1

You claim to like the new document model. (Or you work for Apple and are obliged to say that.) Under the new document model, if I rotate then that is automatically saved. Therefore you claim that it is I who is making changes.

I want to view without changing, as was easy for my previous two-and-a-bit decades of Apple use. The new document model means that Apple auto-saves the rotations, whether I want that or not. Therefore I conclude that the new document model is sometimes† much worse than the old, and so should be optional.

Your preferred phrasing blames me. My preferred phrasing blames Apple.

† I am not claiming always. Obviously some people, perhaps even some who don’t work for Apple, think that it can do much good. Hence I am not arguing for it being scrapped; I am arguing that it be optional, or at least much more optional than now.

Tony T1

Level 6

10,247 points

Nov 26, 2011 8:48 AM in response to jdaw1

jdaw1 wrote:

Under the new document model, if I rotate then that is automatically saved. Therefore you claim that it is I who is making changes.

Not a claim. Its a fact. (Unless, of course, OS X is rotating the image without your consent)

I want to view without changing, as was easy for my previous two-and-a-bit decades of Apple use.

Then don't issue a ⌘R command, just "view" (and lock the images in system preferences)

Therefore I conclude that the new document model is sometimes† much worse than the old, and so should be optional.

You are entillted to your opinion. I agee that it should be optional, but no amout of voicing it here will change things. Post your suggestions to: http://www.apple.com/feedback/macosx.html

One purpose of these forums are for assisting user questions. You were given various responses. IMO, the best suggestion is for you to use a dedicated image viewer, not one that also allows the user to edit images.

Tony

jdaw1 Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 26, 2011 9:35 AM in response to Tony T1

Tony T1 wrote:

jdaw1 wrote:

Under the new document model, if I rotate then that is automatically saved. Therefore you claim that it is I who is making changes.

Not a claim. Its a fact. (Unless, of course, OS X is rotating the image without your consent)

Without my consent Apple has linked rotation and saving.

Somebody sneaks into your yard, and ties your car to the wall of your house. In the morning you drive away. The wall collapses. Did you do it (command-drive), or was it done by the person who connected the car and the wall?

I want to view without changing, as was easy for my previous two-and-a-bit decades of Apple use.

Then don't issue a ⌘R command, just "view" (and lock the images in system preferences)

So I have to lock every file? Then use the Finder’s mini view window? Or use Preview and its annoying rhythm-breaking dialog box and profusion of new windows? That is Microsoft-grade user-friendliness.

Tony T1 wrote:

I agee that it should be optional, but no amout of voicing it here will change things. Post your suggestions to: http://www.apple.com/feedback/macosx.html

The agreement is, of course, most agreeable.

And the good suggestion, which you made earlier, has already been followed.

Tony T1 wrote:

One purpose of these forums are for assisting user questions. You were given various responses. IMO, the best suggestion is for you to use a dedicated image viewer, not one that also allows the user to edit images.

For which you have already been thanked, and I am happy to do so again: thank you. To be done on return to my machine.

Tony T1

Level 6

10,247 points

Nov 26, 2011 9:52 AM in response to jdaw1

So I have to lock every file? Then use the Finder’s mini view window? Or use Preview and its annoying rhythm-breaking dialog box and profusion of new windows?

.....or use a free 3rd party dedicated image viewer.

But, there is always hope that Apple will make Versions an option. They do listen to users (i.e. a year after the buttonless iPod Shuffle, they brought back the buttons)

Yer_Man

Level 10

165,912 points

Nov 26, 2011 10:10 AM in response to Tony T1

Without my consent Apple has linked rotation and saving.

Apple doesn't need your consent. It's their software, they own it and they can do anything they like with it. You licence it for use, that's all.

Regards

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Rotating pictures in Preview