VST plugins: scan for PDF/docs

[Evan]

Synopsis:

When scanning for VST plugins, also scan for common document files (e.g. PDF, txt). Allow for a simple way to view the documents (through external software) that come with each plugin.

In more detail:
I often have PDF and other document files in the same folder as the plugins. I want a simple way to have access to these documents from within Reaper FX browser (benefiting from the search and filtering). Reaper just has to index the document files, and allow us to launch them in an external editor.


Vote here: http://forum.cockos.com/project.php?issueid=5421

[Banned]

Originally Posted by Evan

[...] I often have PDF and other document files in the same folder as the plugins. [...]

Fwiw, this is not how it's done on OS X's filesystem, and (afaik) some flavors of Windows, so I guess such a feature would be kind of incompatible with the whole cross-platform thing.

I do see your point, though. Easy access to documentation is important.

[Evan]

Originally Posted by Banned

Fwiw, this is not how it's done on OS X's filesystem, and (afaik) some flavors of Windows...

I don't know about OSX, but on Windows, VST plugins come as .dll files most of the time. This FR is also especially suited for "portable" plugins, where the dll and PDFs are often found together, and the user has a say on the plugin folder structure. And that includes a lot of popular commercial and freeware plugins.

It is a convenience FR really. Much like the Reaper manual can be detected and launched from the Help->Documentation menu (when found in specific paths). Those of use who use many portable plugin installations will find this FR very handy.

[ivansc]

For the rare occasion son which I need to consult the docs on my #plugins, I have a sub-folder"Docs" within the main plugin directory.
Makes it real easy to navigate there and access the dos outside of reaper.
Not sure I would even want to see extra clutter in Reaper just so I didnt have to click on the desktop or start button "this PC" to view a pdf. Thus seems slightly counter-productive to me, especially with the shopping list of more music related FRs and Bug report waiting to be dealt with

[DarkStar]

Extracted from Issue Tracker:

Originally Posted by Lokasenna

+1

I was actually thinking about this last night, as I was looking through the action list for a way to "pin" a few PDFs of mixing books to my toolbar.

Originally Posted by Dstruct

I always copy the PDFs to REAPER'S Docs folder and then I can access them via Help menu ...

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Related FR: http://forum.cockos.com/project.php?issueid=4885

Related discussions:
http://forum.cockos.com/showthread.php?t=25405
http://forum.cockos.com/showthread.php?t=53136
http://forum.cockos.com/showthread.php?t=99332

[Evan]

Originally Posted by ivansc

For the rare occasion son which I need to consult the docs on my #plugins, I have a sub-folder"Docs" within the main plugin directory.

That's one way to do it, yes.

Originally Posted by ivansc

Not sure I would even want to see extra clutter in Reaper just so I didnt have to click on the desktop or start button "this PC" to view a pdf.

This is a clutter-free FR. It can be as simple as a single toggle "show docs" on/off.

Originally Posted by ivansc

Thus seems slightly counter-productive to me, especially with the shopping list of more music related FRs and Bug report waiting to be dealt with

True there are more important issues to be dealt with. This is one of those FRs that may just be very simple to add, and not take much time from anything else. Or when the team is messing with the FX browser, one more detail to consider bolting in there.

Sometimes it's the small details that make everything a tad more comfortable and joyful to use.

[Fex]

Originally Posted by ivansc

Not sure I would even want to see extra clutter in Reaper just so I didnt have to click on the desktop or start button "this PC" to view a pdf.

This is exactly where I'm at. I hardly ever consult manuals; if something isn't user-friendly enough for me to just plug in and play, I don't use it unless it's really special. When I do want such documents, they're easy enough to find. If REAPER were to index all those silly little PDF & txt files for me, I guess that would be cool, if it did it quietly in the background and stayed out of my way; but it has to be a really low priority.