Embedding data from xml file into metadata of a pdf

Question

Hi All
I'm wanting to do the following, but struggling to figure the right way to go about it.
I want to embedded data from my MIS into a pdf's metadata (as scrnshot). I can create a standalone xml file with all the data I require, but I'm unsure how to automate that being embedded into a pdf's advanced metadata. I know this can be done, as it worked at a previous employer, but I didn't get chance to find out how they did it.
I'm wanting to do this so I can carry out a more advanced search of the metadata in Bridge.
Any advice would be appreciated!

Answer 1

Hi Northern,
    I have modified the modifyingXMP sample for you. After this change, put your xmp file as sample.xml and also put pdf file in the same folder where ModifyXMP executable is. After merging my changes, ModifyXMP file will read the sample.xml and will embed it into pdf file.
   Please follow the following steps
1. Download XMPToolkit SDK and follow the steps to compile Sample
2. Open ModifyingXMP file, replace all the content of that file with the below content
3. Compile the ModifyingXMP file.
4. The ModifyXMP.exe will be generated in folder (samples\target\windows\Debug), if you have changed the output folder it will be generated there.
5. In parallel to ModifyingXMP.exe put the sample.xml (the xml file you have) and also the pdf file (say pdf file name is mypdf.pdf)
6. Go to console and change directory to the directory where ModifyingXMP is and pass the following command
ModifyingXMP mypdf.pdf
7. Open the pdf file and check that value/properties
For your reference, I am putting the content of the sample.xml file too, put this content in sample.xmp and any pdf and you will find subject field is getting added.
************** content of the sample.xml file. Create a file name sample.xml and put that content. Put sample.xml in parallel to ModifyingXMP.exe*******
<rdf:RDF xmlns:rdf='http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#'>
    <rdf:Description rdf:about='' xmlns:dc='http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/'>
        <dc:subject>
            <rdf:Bag>
                <rdf:li>XMP</rdf:li>
                <rdf:li>SDK</rdf:li>
                <rdf:li>Sample</rdf:li>
            </rdf:Bag>
        </dc:subject>
        <dc:format>image/tiff</dc:format>
    </rdf:Description>
</rdf:RDF>
******************* MODIFIED CONTENT OF MODIFYING.CPP FILE. ***************************************************************************************** ************
// ========================================================================================= ========
// Copyright 2008 Adobe Systems Incorporated
// All Rights Reserved.
// NOTICE:  Adobe permits you to use, modify, and distribute this file in accordance with the terms
// of the Adobe license agreement accompanying it.
// ========================================================================================= ========
* Tutorial solution for Walkthrough 2 in the XMP Programmers Guide, Modifying XMP
* Demonstrates how to open a file for update, and modifying the contained XMP before writing it back to the file.
#include <cstdio>
#include <vector>
#include <string>
#include <cstring>
// Must be defined to instantiate template classes
#define TXMP_STRING_TYPE std::string
// Must be defined to give access to XMPFiles
#define XMP_INCLUDE_XMPFILES 1
// Ensure XMP templates are instantiated
#include "public/include/XMP.incl_cpp"
// Provide access to the API
#include "public/include/XMP.hpp"
#include <iostream>
#include <fstream>
using namespace std;
* Creates an XMP object from an RDF string.  The string is used to
* to simulate creating and XMP object from multiple input buffers.
* The last call to ParseFromBuffer has no kXMP_ParseMoreBuffers options,
* thereby indicating this is the last input buffer.
#include <sstream>     
SXMPMeta createXMPFromRDF()
    string rdf;
    //open the RDF file and put it's content into rdf buffer
    ifstream inFile;
    inFile.open("sample.xml");//open the input file
    if (!inFile.is_open()) {
        cout <<"Couldn't open xml file" <<endl;
        exit(1);
    stringstream strStream;
    strStream << inFile.rdbuf();//read the file
    rdf = strStream.str();//str holds the content of the file
    SXMPMeta meta;
    // Loop over the rdf string and create the XMP object
    // 10 characters at a time
    int i;
    for (i = 0; i < (long)rdf.size() - 10; i += 10 )
        meta.ParseFromBuffer ( &rdf[i], 10, kXMP_ParseMoreBuffers );
    meta.ParseFromBuffer ( &rdf[i], (XMP_StringLen) rdf.size() - i );
    return meta;
int main ( int argc, const char * argv[] )
    if ( argc != 2 ) // 2 := command and 1 parameter
        cout << "usage: ModifyingXMP (filename)" << endl;
        return 0;
    string filename = string( argv[1] );
    if(!SXMPMeta::Initialize())
        cout << "Could not initialize toolkit!";
        return -1;
    XMP_OptionBits options = 0;
    #if UNIX_ENV
        options |= kXMPFiles_ServerMode;
    #endif
    // Must initialize SXMPFiles before we use it
    if(SXMPFiles::Initialize(options))
        try
            // Options to open the file with - open for editing and use a smart handler
            XMP_OptionBits opts = kXMPFiles_OpenForUpdate | kXMPFiles_OpenUseSmartHandler;
            bool ok;
            SXMPFiles myFile;
            std::string status = "";
            // First we try and open the file
            ok = myFile.OpenFile(filename, kXMP_UnknownFile, opts);
            if( ! ok )
                status += "No smart handler available for " + filename + "\n";
                status += "Trying packet scanning.\n";
                // Now try using packet scanning
                opts = kXMPFiles_OpenForUpdate | kXMPFiles_OpenUsePacketScanning;
                ok = myFile.OpenFile(filename, kXMP_UnknownFile, opts);
            // If the file is open then read get the XMP data
            if(ok)
                cout << status << endl;
                cout << filename << " is opened successfully" << endl;
                // Create the XMP object and get the XMP data
                SXMPMeta meta;
                myFile.GetXMP(&meta);
                // Create a new XMP object from an RDF string
                SXMPMeta rdfMeta = createXMPFromRDF();
                // Append the newly created properties onto the original XMP object
                // This will:
                // a) Add ANY new TOP LEVEL properties in the source (rdfMeta) to the destination (meta)
                // b) Replace any top level properties in the source with the matching properties from the destination
                SXMPUtils::ApplyTemplate(&meta, rdfMeta, kXMPTemplate_AddNewProperties | kXMPTemplate_ReplaceExistingProperties | kXMPTemplate_IncludeInternalProperties);
                // Check we can put the XMP packet back into the file
                if(myFile.CanPutXMP(meta))
                    // If so then update the file with the modified XMP
                    myFile.PutXMP(meta);
                // Close the SXMPFile.  This *must* be called.  The XMP is not
                // actually written and the disk file is not closed until this call is made.
                myFile.CloseFile();
            else
                cout << "Unable to open " << filename << endl;
        catch(XMP_Error & e)
            cout << "ERROR: " << e.GetErrMsg() << endl;
        // Terminate the toolkit
        SXMPFiles::Terminate();
        SXMPMeta::Terminate();
    else
        cout << "Could not initialize SXMPFiles.";
        return -1;
    return 0;
Please let me know if you find any issue/assistance.
-Sunil