Do you, like I used to, have a folder “template” that has a subfolder structure that you copy/paste/rename for each field recording session? Well, without rambling more than I already do in the video below, I wrote a simple tool that names and builds a folder structure based on responses to prompts delivered in a command prompt window. I originally built this for post production projects, but have restructured it here to show how one might use it for a recording session folder. I also briefly go over how you can customize this into just about any layout you’d like.
The example code can be found below. Use/customize at your own risk!
To use it:
- Copy the below text
- Open notepad
- Paste text/Customize as desired
- Save
- Change the extension from ‘.txt’ to .’cmd’
Then double click the cmd file to give it a go!
I’m definitely no pro at this, so I’m sure there are ways to optimize this and make it nicer, but I can say it’s been reliably working at my office for about a year now. If anyone has any cool uses or upgrades for this, let me know!
@echo off
:: Welcome
echo Hello, %COMPUTERNAME%.
echo.
echo This tool will create a custom record folder naming/structure.
echo.
echo ADD ANY EXTRA MESSAGE HERE
echo.
echo AND ANOTHER LIKE THIS
echo.
:: Ask for Record Date
echo When was the recording date (YYYY-MM-DD)?
set /p recorddate=
:: Ask for Record Location
echo What was the recording location?
set /p recordlocation=
:: Ask for Record Subject
echo What is the recording subject?
set /p recordsubject=
:: Make base directories
mkdir "%recorddate% %recordlocation% %recordsubject%"
mkdir "%recorddate% %recordlocation% %recordsubject%\01_Raw"
mkdir "%recorddate% %recordlocation% %recordsubject%\02_Edited"
mkdir "%recorddate% %recordlocation% %recordsubject%\03_Pictures"
mkdir "%recorddate% %recordlocation% %recordsubject%\04_Videos"
mkdir "%recorddate% %recordlocation% %recordsubject%\05_Session"
:: Display folder name
echo Project Folder Created: %recorddate% %recordlocation% %recordsubject%
echo.
:: Ask if special project
echo Is this a special project? (yes/no)
set /p is_special=
if /i %is_special% == yes (
mkdir "%recorddate% %recordlocation% %recordsubject%\05_Session\Special Folder 1"
mkdir "%recorddate% %recordlocation% %recordsubject%\05_Session\Special Folder 2"
)
echo Folders Created!
start "" "%recorddate% %recordlocation% %recordsubject%"