How are duplicate files detected?

Hello.

Just looking to modify one of my scripts that auto handles the organization of imported photos. Since I don't want to loose any photos via an automated system, I'm just looking for some more details on how Hazel detects duplicate files. Is it a simple filename comparison, or is it more complex than that (i.e., file analysis)?

Thanks,
Kristin.

It's geared towards duplicates created by downloading the same file twice or copying the file into the same folder. It only applies to files in the same folder which follow a certain naming scheme, usually involving add a number at the end. Hazel will compare the actual contents so it will never throw away duplicates unless they have the exact same contents.

OK, let me expand a little.

I'm using this rule to organize iPhone photo imports (moving videos into a Master Videos directory, photos into a Master Photos directory, which then gets backed up each night, locally and offsite). The rule also auto-organizes the files based on YYYY-MM directories. This is all working great.

So, scenario #1 (typical): I forget to delete the archived photos from my iPhone, shoot more photos, then on the import, all the photos I already imported previously are imported again, along with the new photos. Since I don't need duplicates, I'd like Hazel to "ignore" them (or "throw them away"—though, ideally, I'd like them to go into a "Safety Net" folder I've created, but that's another thread...). This is all good.

But, scenario #2 (pretty random, but I'm paranoid of losing photos): A completely different photo (or even a modified version of the photo) is imported with the same name. While the contents of the file are different, the name is the same (say, the photo was retouched)—so, this is where I'm not sure what would happen. Since the files have the same name, would they be considered "duplicates" (thus one of them is "thrown away"), or would Hazel understand that, even though they have the same name, they're not actually duplicates and thus re-name (appending "-1" or whatever) to the second file upon import? I realize this is being paranoid, but just like to get everything sorted before automating a process like this).

Thanks again,
Kristin.

In the options, "file exists" means another file with the same name. "duplicate" means a file with the same contents. If you want to play it safe, I would suggest always having it rename the file (which ends up adding a number). You can use the "Throw away duplicate files" option on the folder itself to weed out actual duplicates after the fact. I think that should give you some semblance of what you want but you'll still have to tweak it.

Thanks!
k.

Hi,

I am having this issue. I am using "IMAGE CAPTURE" for importing images from my iphone into a laptop folder and hazel moves MOVIES & PNGs to subfolders with those names.

If I don't delete the images/movies from my iPhone and then reimport them to my laptop, hazel rule moves the MOVIES/PNG to the correspoinding directories and duplicates are renamed with -1, -2, -3 etc. added to the end of the filename.

I have "Throw away" duplicate files.

How can I prevent hazel from copying the duplicate files to the directories or deleting them when it detects they are duplicates.

Thanks.

Already answered in another thread. Please do not post the same thing multiple times.