As an example of how the Folder Consolidation feature works, let's say that you have several sub-folders that only have a few embroidery files in each one, such as in the following:

	c:\Embroidery
		\Alphabets
			\CuteFontbyBetty
				\A
					a.pes
				\B
					b.pes
				\C
					c.pes
				:
				:	:
					:
				\Y
					y.pes
				\Z
					z.pes
			

Obviously, these all should probably be directly in the "CuteFontbyBetty" folder, instead of each letter being in a separate sub-folder. However, you downloaded each letter as a separate zip file, because that's how Betty made you download it from her website. Normally, the Deduper creates a sub-folder for each zip file, because it assumes that there is a logical reason why the contents was placed in a zip file and it therefore must be kept "together". However, in the example above, there isn't a logical reason that a separate sub-folder is needed for the contents of the zip files. The Folder Consolidation Add-On looks for cases in which there are only a few embroidery files and no supporting files (such as color charts, JPGs, etc.) and offers to move the files to the "parent" folder. It does this all during the "dedup" process and is very fast and convenient. Without the folder consolidation add-on, you would have to manually move each embroidery design up to the parent folder and then either remove the empty folder manually or run the Deduper against the "CuteFontbyBetty" folder to eliminate the empty folders left behind.

Using the Folder Consolidation Add-On, the above example would end up like this:

	c:\Embroidery
		\Alphabets
			\CuteFontbyBetty
				a.pes
				b.pes
				c.pes
				:
				:
				y.pes
				z.pes
			

Of course, the Embroidery Deduper prompts you at the end of the dedup job before performing any folder consolidation. You can deselect any folders that you don't want consolidated. Without the folder consolidation add-on, you had to manually move each embroidery design up to the parent folder and then either remove the empty folder manually or run the Deduper against the "CuteFontbyBetty" folder to eliminate the empty folders left behind. You can set the maximum number of embroidery files in a given sub-folder that you're willing to consolidate to the parent folder (the default is 3). In addition, you can choose whether to consider only sub-folders that were created by the Deduper (as a result of unzipping) or if all folders being scanned should be evaluated for consolidation. This allows you to clean up your existing folders. Choosing the option of considering only folders that are created as a result of unzipping gives an effect of "Intelligent zip file flattening", in which sub-folders are created when it makes sense (because supporting files or numerous embroidery files are present in the zip file) and sub-folders aren't created (effectively) when it really wasn't necessary.

The Deduper sounds great! I want it!