AP: New Panorama Add directory window does not sort properly

[LenC]

This is a change in behavior within the last few days. (The period might have included an upgrade from OS 10.14.5 to .6.)  I export iPhone files from Apple Photos to a working directory from which, to choose a sequence to stitch, I usually display files sorted by Name ("Group Items by" in the window's icon's terminology). Ordinarily I can then scroll to the IMG_nnnn.jpg files sorted numerically. Today they did not sort correctly by name; the recently exported were grouped roughly together but not in numerical order. Initially they were  increasing but scrambled. After switching to different sort choices they ended up in the decreasing order shown in the screen shot, with the recently exported ones at the top. After choosing different sort/group by options, Name now always returns to this screen.

Sorting is correct if I choose Show items as List rather than Show items as Columns, so I can still operate the program, but does anyone have an idea why something so basic does not seem to work? I did a full reboot, but the behavior does not change.

[Dan C]

Hi LenC

I'm sorry to hear you're having trouble, am I correct in saying this is the Panorama import dialog shown in your screenshot?

I've tested this here with 13 files named DSC_001 - DSC_013 and with the following settings these were grouped correctly -

Were these the settings you were using here?

[LenC]

Yes, those are the settings

I can contribute some more observations, but not solutions. Years ago I observed Apple Photos copying files from iPhone to computer out of order taken, so I thought perhaps the window here is sorting based on file creation date (to high precision). But apparently not.

In Finder, under the cog one can choose View Options and get a window, labeled in the title bar by sidebar folder, that lets you choose Group and Sort separately. Apparently a 2-level sort. Perhaps there's a fix in there if one can understand what is meant.

A side issue, but I think some Finder style windows (in Finder or an app) allow one to reverse sort. Why not all?

Not even sure this is true, but I once had the impression that the behavior of an app Finder-style directory window was changing based on changing settings in Finder.

Happy to try any experiments you suggest if time permits.

[Dan C]

Apologies for the delayed response and many thanks for your further information provided. 

I've been tested this internally on multiple Macs and I'm yet unable to replicate this issue here - can you please confirm for me, does the sorting work in other Folders? Do you see the same behaviour from File>Open?

On 9/10/2019 at 2:53 PM, LenC said:

 that lets you choose Group and Sort separately. Apparently a 2-level sort.

I'd recommend using Sort over Groups here.

On 9/10/2019 at 2:53 PM, LenC said:

A side issue, but I think some Finder style windows (in Finder or an app) allow one to reverse sort. Why not all?

I'm honestly not certain for the reasoning behind this, it appears to be a MacOS choice but this is all I know!

On 9/10/2019 at 2:53 PM, LenC said:

the behavior of an app Finder-style directory window was changing based on changing settings in Finder

AFAIK your Finder settings externally should be used in any Finder window that opens in-app. Could you please open the folder shown in your screenshot in a separate Finder window and check if the sorting options work correctly here?