Choose which WCX plugin to use to open an archive

[Hacker]

Hi Christian, all,
I'd propose that if there are several different packer plugins that are able to open an archive, TC would present us with a popup menu just like when there are several internal associations (cm_ContextMenuInternal). Perhaps the default (first) plugin could be used when pressing Enter and the menu would pop up when using Ctrl-PageDown.

Rman

[MVV]

I support possibility to chose packer plugin from full list for generic file, sometimes it would be handy. Feature to auto-ask for plugin should be tweakable (perhaps with cm_switch for turning it on/off). Ctrl+PgDn is used quite often for entering archives with another extension or SFX ones so I don't think it should be used specifically for selecting plugin.

I'd suggested to add new cm_command for entering archive with chosing plugin, it would be even better (shortcut may be assigned for it).

[Hacker]

Yes, a new internal command would be nice, agreed.

Roman

[MVV]

Such command would allow user-friendly usage of packer plugins for NTFS streams, format conversion and any other function that doesn't require specific file format in same TC installation.

[X-Byte]

Yes please! It was often suggested before but christian never really reacted to it. Now, with a solid idea on how to implement it, I hope christian will reconsider it.

[Flint]

Definitely support the idea with the new cm command for showing such menu.

[MVV]

Would be nice to see in TC 8.5x internal commands for:
* opening focused file with specific packer plugin (something like OPENASMSI <filename> where last part is variable),
* and/or for displaying list of packer plugins in order to apply one of them for focused file.

[petermad]

opening focused file with specific packer plugin (something like OPENASMSI <filename> where last part is variable),

This can already be done - just make a button or usercommand with for example this cmd:

%COMMANDER_EXE% /S=L:Pimagine

to explicitly use the imagine plugin.

[MVV]

petermad,
Here we are talking about packer plugins. How can one open some file using specific packer plugin? E.g. in order to list PE sections, resources or NTFS alternative streams?
I want to be able to tell to TC: "Hey, I wanna open this file as RAR/MSI/PE/etc archive, please do it". There are many packer plugins that may be applied to all files, so it is wrong to associate them with all files, but such ones may be useful in some cases. And, TC is already able to open files with plugins, but currently it enumerates plugins and asks which one can handle this file while it doesn't allow chosing plugin on user wish.
I know that internal associations allow creating context menu item calling specific plugin, but TC doesn't allow creating such menu items for all files, it doesn't mix menu items for different templates while it has been requested many times.

[petermad]

2MVV

Here we are talking about packer plugins.

Oops, my bad

[ghisler(Author)]

This can already be done by defining an internal association. Just define an extra verb, and set the command to **ext (with ext the extension for which the packer plugin is defined). From the help:

**ext
Use packer plugin defined for extension "ext" to view contents of file

[Hurdet]

Do it is possible also to use internal 7zip to unpack and plugin to pack?

[MVV]

ghisler,
I mentioned that above too, and something that does this feature unusable. I'm using some internal association templates, and it is unreal to add commands with packers to all templates, it would be quite logical to add such commands to one template and inherit them for others.

[ghisler(Author)]

2Hurdet
No, sorry, it can only be used for packer plugins. Why would you want to do this?

[MVV]

ghisler,
What about implementing some command with parameters (packer extension and filename or at least packer extensions for opening focused file; it should be any feature allowing to use em-commands with %A parameter in order to create some drop-down bar with different packers) in a next beta?
There are a lot of cases when packers conflict, e.g. Vivaldi browser installer contains 7Z package and CAB stub in resources and TC opens it as a CAB but I want it to be opened as 7Z. Also sometimes multiarc conflicts with other archive types... So it would be very nice to have such command, and I'm sure it won't be hard to implement 'cause TC already supports it in internal associations.