Using folder shortcut links

[Zaflis]

In Windows system it is easy to right-click drag folders to create shortcuts. These however are not currently useable in the asset. They might work differently on Linux but i don't use it so can't test...

[yasirkula]

Do you mean the quick links in the left section of SimpleFileBrowser or actual shortcuts to files/folders that we can create in Windows file explorer?

[Zaflis]

The actual shortcuts in Windows (11 and earlier), you can make them on desktop etc. But it makes it easier to make a reference folder for images for example when they are actually located somewhere entirely different on harddrive, and when actually moving those folders there as permanent holding is either not feasible or possible.

[yasirkula]

I see. This would require fiddling with native Win32 APIs. I honestly don't think this will be supported in SimpleFileBrowser because I find its benefit-cost ratio low. I'll keep the Issue open but I'd recommend not waiting for this feature.

[Zaflis]

I do have a workaround for now, using "Another File Browser" conditionally only on Windows. It has another advantage of also showing image previews (as i'm primarily opening images for textures i change at runtime from any images on disk). As it's using native OS level file dialog it's perfect, only wish there were such calls for other operating systems. Nobody has ever made an asset wrapping them all together like that. Custom file browsers nearly always have drawbacks over native ones.

Unity allows us to use script conditions so same build still works on all platforms without any code or project setting editing from us. Things like filters may work slightly differently when using different dialogs though.

[yasirkula]

For native experience:

• On Windows, Mac and Linux, you can use File Browser PRO (paid): https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/tools/utilities/file-browser-pro-98713
• On Android and iOS, use Native File Picker: https://github.com/yasirkula/UnityNativeFilePicker
• On WebGL, there are solutions on Asset Store and GitHub

PS. I also prefer native dialogs which is why I'm using File Browser PRO in a standalone project.