Character validation of entry paths
Each platform has its own rules governing which characters can be used in file names. zipcreator does not restrict you from using such characters in entry paths.
However, if you extract or drag an entry containing characters not supported on the host system, zipcreator will alert you.
This flexible approach lets you prepare zip files on one platform for use on other platforms, without the zip files inheriting the limitations of the first platform.
Parent directories of added entries
When files and directories are added to the list, the directory structure is preserved relative to the first entry added.
This principle is best understood by practising adding entries from various directories, but the following examples may help.
- If the first file you add is C:\My Documents\Recent work\Notes.txt, the entry will be added at the top level, i.e. it has no parent directory.
- If you then browse to the directory C:\My Documents\Recent work\Sketches\ and add the file Portrait.riff, this entry will have a path of Sketches/Portrait.riff. This is because subsequent entries have their directory structure preserved relative to the first entry added.
- If you add the file C:\Reminder.txt, this entry will have a path of Reminder.txt and, like the first entry, it will be added at the top level.
- If you add the directory C:\Database\Data, an entry named Data/ is created. Entries also appear for the contents of the directory, each having a parent directory of Data/.
- After saving the zip file, zipcreator will interpret directory structures anew. So if you then browse to the directory C:\My Documents\Recent work\Sketches\Comic\ and add the file Storyboard.psd, this entry will be added at the top level in the zip file, i.e. its path only contains the file name.
Changing the storage method of entries
By default, files added to the list of entries will have a storage method of "Compressed". You can choose whether file entries should be stored in a compressed or uncompressed state using the popup menu.
Some files may not benefit from compression. After saving the zip file, you can review the size information in the list to identify such files. Using the popup menu, set the sort order to "Ratio as saved". The least compressed files will then be shown at the top of the list. You can then select any entries with a compression ratio of 100% or higher and change their storage method to "Uncompressed".
Making changes to existing zip files
Like a word processor application, the changes you make in zipcreator are only committed when you choose to save them.
An asterisk appears against the name of an opened zip file to indicate that changes have been made since the file was opened.
Adding file entries
Added entries are only written to a zip file when the zip file is saved. Do not move, rename or delete the source files of added entries before saving the zip file.
Missing directory entries
Prior to saving, zipcreator checks all entry paths for associated directory entries. The following prompt may appear.
zipcreator offers to create all missing directory entries for you. For example, if an entry has the path Installation/Readme.txt, but has no corresponding Installation directory entry.
Using multiple instances of zipcreator
If you open a second zipcreator window you can:
- Create a subset of a zip file using copy and paste or drag and drop to populate the second window.
- Split a zip file into two smaller files by selecting some entries and cutting them to the clipboard. Then paste them into the second window and save both files.
- Open a zip file from inside the list of entries by dragging the entry to the title bar of the second window. This lets you view the contents of the dragged zip file, while leaving the original zip file open.