Welcome to the Directory Tiffs archive.

This document was written by Howard Ship, last updated on 3/29/94.
Update: Timothy Reed Sun Dec  4 11:54:34 EST 1994

NeXT has kindly provided us with the ability to give our directories virtually any image we want ... we can replace the boring old ¬ with the much more fun ¬.

This archive directory contains a number of replacement directory images I've collected from an FTP site.  It is based on a mailing list called next-icon@gun.com devoted to just this purpose.  I've selected about two dozen of the better images, and will be adding more as they pop up.  A copy opf the achive is in the next-icon subdirectory.  I organize the files differently than the FTP site, and have changed some names around. 

How it works ...

In each directory, including your home directory, you can place two hidden files. .dir.tiff and .opendir.tiff.  Normally, these files are won't show up in the file viewer, unless you use Preferences and turn on Unix Expert.

The first file, .dir.tiff, is the normal shape of your directory.  When you attempt to copy or move files into the directory, the image is replaced with .opendir.tiff.  If either of these files is missing, the Workspace uses a default  image (usually the simple folder).

Copying the two files to a directory replaces the images (sometimes there will be a lag before the change will show up in your file viewer).

What to do ...

The best way check out the icons is by using Icon view in the file viewer.  Since the archive is read-only, you won't be able to see the alternate images, but you'll get a flavor of what each one is like.

The easiest way is to simply copy the directory to your local file system.  The hidden files will be copied with it and voila!  you have your custom directory image.  Rename the directory to something relevant, and start tossing  in your files.

To change the appearance of an existing directory, you must turn on Unix Expert.  Click on the archive directory you're interested in, select both files inside (.dir.tiff and .opendir.tiff) and copy them to your directory.  Again, there may be a lag before the new images take effect.

Timothy Reed adds:
Here's the command line program link.dir.tiffs:
¬
This script will install .dir.tiff and .opendir.tiff links for you in your Library/Images icon folders.  Type 'link.dir.tiffs Homes Tools' in a Terminal or Stuart window to replace the standard folder images that appear in the subdirectorys of next-icon/'Homes and next-icon/Tools.  Run the script with no arguments  to see the help page.

Sun Dec  4 11:56:26 EST 1994