Sidecars and hidden files

Photo Sidecars

A Sidecar stores metadata for one content file. Photos reads XMP metadata from a Sidecar next to a photo.

For a photo named IMG_1234.CR3, the full Sidecar name is IMG_1234.CR3.xmp. calternal also reads the Lightroom form IMG_1234.xmp.

Issue #420 plans support for the Apple edit Sidecar form, such as IMG_1234.AAE.

Hidden dot files

A hidden name starts with the ASCII period (.). Examples are .env, .git, .calternal, and .calternal.json. A look-alike dot character does not make a name hidden.

The Files view hides these names by default. Open the ⋯ menu and select Show hidden files to show user files. Calternal-owned paths such as .calternal stay hidden. A Share never shows a hidden name to its recipient.

Planned controls and Sidecar handling

Coming: Issue #420 plans Settings → Files → Hidden files with two separate switches:

• Show sidecar files will show Sidecars such as .xmp and .aae next to their content file. It will start off.
• Show dot files will show names that start with a period. It will start off.

Issue #420 also plans to carry each Sidecar with its content file when calternal moves, renames, copies, deletes, restores, or shares the file. Sidecars will not appear as separate search results. Their size will count in file totals.

A WebDAV client can rename only the content file and leave its Sidecar behind. The plan is to pair it again on the next index pass only when one content file matches.

These planned rules follow issue #420 and issue #341, question 11.