Saving metadata directly to master file

I have 20,000+ photos (JPEG format) in iPhoto, which I have annotated with creation dates, titles, descriptions, keywords, GPS coordinates, place names, and faces. I wish to liberate myself from iPhoto and Apple, so I would like to transfer the metadata directly into the original/master JPG files, but I want to do that without mucking around with the original images. I was told in an iPhoto discussion topic that Aperture could do this, but I could not figure out how to do it, and the guy then refused to provide instructions.
When I had to add creation dates, I always checked the "Modify original files" box, so I believe that is already in all of the master files. I also believe (and have to accept the fact) that there is no way I will ever be able to retain the place names or faces metadata. So, that leaves the titles, descriptions (captions), keywords, and GPS coordinates.
I can add all of that metadata by exporting from iPhoto, but the option that allows inclusion of metadata also insists on recompressing the image with another pass through lossy JPEG compression. At "Maximum" quality, my ~2.5 MB files balloon to ~6.7 MB (on average). At "High" quality, they remain about the same size, and I suppose it is doubtful that any loss in quality would be minor, it just seems illogical and inelegant to recompress the images just to alter the metadata in the file header. A workaround I have discovered is to do the export, then use ExifTool to extract the metadata and then write it directly to the master file headers without mucking with the image itself. If the freeware ExifTool can do this, it would be nice if iPhoto could do it.
In the other topic linked above, the guy implied that Aperture could export some, a little, a lot, or all of the metadata (whatever I wanted). I did quite a bit of testing, but I could not figure out how to do that. Does anybody here know whether that is possible? He refused to tell me, as things devolved into a meaningless argument about whether iPhoto was "recompressing" images using JPEG when exporting as a JPEG (I claim it does). If I am wrong about that, I would like to correct that.
Below are the highlights of my findings in Aperture from the other topic, which I would like to correct, as well, if I am wrong.
Aperture Original export
Aperture Original export does not seem to alter some images, and it can embed Description and Keywords as IPTC fields. However, it substantially changed the size of some of my images (far more than could be accounted for by adding a tiny bit of metadata), so I am not sure it is really leaving all images untouched. More importantly, it does not seem to embed Title or GPS information. So, it seems like the most useless option.
Aperture Versions export
The Aperture Versions export, unlike the Aperture Original export, does include the GPS information, but, like Aperture Original export, it does not include the Title. And, like iPhoto export, Aperture Versions export modifies the original image, albeit with much lower inflation in file size. This also seems like a relatively useless option.

splinke wrote:
In any event, although the Aperture Original export can apparently embed Description and Keywords metadata in the original/master file when the IPTC option is selected, it does not seem capable of embedding Title or GPS coordinate metadata. So, it does not seem to be useful for my purpose. Am I missing an option somewhere to include all metadata in the export? It seems like this is my best bet, if I can just figure out how to include those other fields in the export.
When you export the original, select the metadata option IPTC4XMP Sidecar file.
In addition to your original Image file, you'll also get an extra file ending .XMP.
This contains all the metadata you're looking for, including others such as the colour label, star rating, etc.
When you import your images to your new software, just make sure you choose software that supports reading the XMP file (it's a pretty common standard).
Andy

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LR 2.1 is consistantly failing to export metadata information to PSD files over 200Meg. Most of these files are layered.
Stuff under that seems AOK.
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Keywords in Master file and AP database-- Export Problem.

I believe that I have a conflict with keywords. I believe that I have "baked in" keywords by writing IPTC to the Master files and then added more keywords which I am guessing are in the Aperture database and not "baked in". When I then look at exported images using the XMP sidecar file with Adobe Bridge all of the keywords do not show up. I want to experiment with Lightroom and I want all of the keywords.
My process has been:
1. Add keywords to images from the keywords panel.
2. Write the IPTC metadata to the master files.
3. Add more keywords to the images from the keywords panel.
4. Export the images using the File/Export Masters/Create IPTC4XMP sidecare file.
5. Look at the exported images in other applications (Bridge and PhotoMechanic).
How can I export using XMP sidecar files and have ALL the keywords be exported???
DickB

Yes, this is a known problem; sqldev distinguishes between the Constraint and the Index although the former implies the latter...
Regards,
K.

Error saving master file

i'm trying to export jpegs to an external hard drive from aperture library, and repeatedly get error msg "there was an error saving master file." any ideas???

Hi Salman,
Thanks for posting this issue,
Just remove this below given tag and check out. It might be happened that your control is conflicting with others.
Also, browse the below mentioned URL for more details
http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/office/en-US/b32d1968-81f1-42cd-8f45-798406896335/how-apply-custom-master-page-to-performance-point-dashboard-useragent-not-available-file?forum=sharepointcustomization
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Blog : http://sharepoint-community.net/profile/DharmendraSingh

Lightroom 3: file changes not propagating into Finder even after saving metadata?

Hello,
I have recently purchased Lightroom 3 and have spent the past couple days educating myself on the program. I have developed a file in Lightroom and I am now trying to open it in Photoshop Elements 10. I am running into two problems.
1. I have defined Elements as an additional external editor. When I try to launch the photo in Elements, Elements launches, but the file never actually opens in the program. My options are as follows: Edit a copy w/ Lightroom Adj., PSD format, sRGB, 8 bits, Res 240, stack with Orig.. When I click edit, the PSD is created and visible within the Lightroom library. I can drag and drop the PSD into Elements as a workaround.
2. When I look at the (.NEF/.jpg) file in Finder, none of my changes are apparent. I have saved the metadata both manually, and updated my preferences to automatically update the metadata into an xmp file. This is the bigger problem for me because I would like to edit my photo's in both programs.
Can anyone shed some light on why I am having these problems?
Thanks!
Angelique

Thanks Lee. Yes, I knew it was non-destructive, but I thought I saw on a tutorial that if you saved the metadata, it was embedded in the file as opposed to just in the Lightroom db, and that subsequently, other products (like Elements) would/should be able to recognize it. It makes sense that Finder wouldn't see it, but I do wonder as to why Elements didn't see it (when I finally dragged and dropped from finder).
Regardless, I exported to .dng and was able to open it Elements with the changed visible.
Thank you so much for your response. I am going to open a new thread as to why I am having the problem listed in point 1.
Thanks again!
Angelique

Saving metadata manually - saves to all files, not only touched

Since "Automatically write XMP" didn't work properly before version 1.3, I'm still not using it in 1.3. Still a little scared.
My idea is to once in a while select all pictures (or just right click the topmost folder in the folder view) and select "save metadata". But I did some tests now with various images, and this command actually wrote metadata to ALL selected files, even though no keywords, metadata or adjustsments had been made. The import was done with no preset too.
So how do I ensure that only changes I have made are written to the files and that old files remains untouched? And what imaginary metadata does it write?

Hi
Some files may have had metadata written by other applicatons (IPTC - not XMP), but the recent test I did yesterday was fresh files from my cellphone-camera. So what I did was first to select just a few images in the grid and select "save metadata". All files were updated (both the timestamp and the archive-attribute. And with the archive-attribute changes, everything will be backed up again if a normal incremental backup procedure is used). I also right-clicked a folder in the left pane and selected "save metadata" and the same happened.
So I did not do this operation on my whole library, still not trusting LR I prefer to test things in small scale first. Lucky for me.
I checked the files and what had happened is that XMP-data was written to the files. This is just like when I turned on "automatically write XMP" on LR 1.0 - it updated all my image files, even those that was not changed. So it seems I have got almost the same situation again.
So, no - it did not re-write files that had already been touched. This is the first time LR writes to the files, but I don't see why it should write to files that are not changed. I don't agree that LR needs to write to the files once. Why should it? What should it write?
Did this make sense?
Funny, I'm listening to an old Lightroom podcast right now and the team says that one of the design ideas was to be friendly to existing image catalogs. Saving data to unchanged files is not really friendly.

How to edit raw files' metadata directly?

Is it possible to edit raw files' metadata directly? If so, how? (I am using Bridge CS6 v5.0.2.4 x64). In my case, raw files are from Nikon digital cameras, i.e., .NEF.
By directly, I mean the original file is changed, rather than the sidecar .xmp file.
This is necessary under some circumstances where it may be required to prove ownership or origin of a photo.
Help most appreciated.
Thank you.

So how do you prove an image is yours?
I did understand the ownerships problem but I also would point to the impossibility of hard proof with current technology.
As said, I put my energy in good clients and for my images that are used on personal websites without my permission I really don't bother.
Don't know where you live and what your country has in its law regarding copyright. I also don't know to what extend you want to go and how much money is involved with your problem.
Never had to do it myself but I heard of several cases in the Netherlands. If you are certain it is your image and it is used without your permission and without paying you there are normal ways to seek justice.
First call the person or company that betrayed you for info and explain, then put this in writing with the request of a reasonable fee. If no luck seek a lawyer for a first letter with warning for extra costs and fine.
If you want (depending on the law in your country but most western countries do respect copyright) you can get it to court. Be sure to have the original raw files at hand (the whole series makes it more believable) and eventually if needed or possible seek witnesses seeing you taking the pictures.
But it can be a long and hard road that is certainly not suitable for a small case. Then again, most of the cases have been decided in favor of the photographer, the company that first refused to pay left with the usual fee to pay including a fine (mostly the same or more as the fee) and having to pay for the costs of the court…
Also keep in mind this is not good advertisement for you as a photographer, especially if the fine is big the word will spread around in the business. It is always problematic in this cases, hence my advise to invest in good clients...

Renaming master files before import using metadata information

In order to be sure that none of my master files has the same names I am using the following naming format:
<camera model> YYYYMMDD HHMMSS
Example: Nikon D2X 20070218 213445
Until now I have used Photoshop CS2 in order to rename all my master files but it would be easier if is possible to automate the process. The date and time is taken from the metadata in each file. Which is the specific time the photo is taken and not just the "file creation date and time".
Has anyone found a tool/automation that could do this?

Karsten
Have a look at DIM:
http://www.alanlight.com/dim/Dim.htm
In order to be 'future proof' I import and rename all images into a Finder folder structure created by the above. I then import them into Aperture - so I have the same structure in the Finder and in Aperture. I keep al RAW images in a different structure from JPEG images.
DIM will do all you need
Brian

Saving Metadata to Files NOT Working?

Hey guys,
I have been using lightroom to organize my files with keywords on my windows computer and I just realized that I could embed the keywords into files by using the feature "Save Metadata to Files". So I tried using it by selecting photos that had keywords in lightroom. Then, I click the feature under metadata and it started going through the process. After the writing of xmp data was done, there still were no keywords in the files. I tried the same thing on my mac, and low and behold it worked!!! ...But why can't I get it to work with my windows computer? That is where all my files are stored and my main catalog is on that computer... Let me know the solution please... Thanks!

I don't use windows for photography, so I don't really know. I just know you
cannot see the metadata in the original files. You should be able to read it
when you export images from Lightroom, in which case LR uses a different
metadata standard that windows should know how to read. This is just an
issue for originals that you export metadata into, in which case Lightroom
uses xmp metadata. Bridge (comes with Adobe CS4) will work fine as a
browser/indexer for these files as of course Lightroom itself does and I am
sure there are others. That said, you might not want to be looking at your
originals in Explorer or anything else. They are meant to be untouched by
Lightroom or anything else for that matter. Perhaps Dorin knows some good
browsers/viewers that you can use on the windows side if you really need to
browse these folders and see the metadata. I've heard irfanview is
good but I wouldn't know.

Help - Ext HDD Referenced Master Files Gets Connected to Wrong Drive

I just bought Aperture and upgraded to 1.5 and am a new user. Prior to the external/open library, I would not have bought Aperture because I need to access my images on both Macs and PCs.
I spent all day yesterday creating project structure, albums and importing images into Aperture. This morning when I launched Aperture, the referenced masters on external HD were somehow now connected to my Boot Camp WindowsXP partition. When this occurred, I did not have my external drive connected.
Naturally, I connected the external drive and relaunched Aperture but all the images were referenced to my XP partition with directory path that belongs to my external HD (i.e., path is XP/Photo Lib/2006/..., instead of what it should be LACIE/photo Lib/2006/...) I was able to reconnect by selecting one image and reconnecting all function. Easy enough but troublesome.
Has anyone else experienced something like this? Is this a bug on 1.5? Am I doing something wrong - I could not find any setting that would cause this behavior.
I am using MBP so this is bit of a big deal for me....
Thanks in advance.
Mac OS X (10.4.7) XP Pro

My comment was too generalized - sorry.
Actually, the version file I was referring to is a version that gets created when an external editor is used. As you know, Aperture can create either TIF or PDS file to be used by an external editor. Once it is saved in the external editor, the preview is updated and the version is stored in Aperture Library. Unless I save the file using "Save As" into a different location manually, the edited file is in Aperture Lib. I will have to export the file into the directory of choice.
If Aperture saved the external edited file into where the master file is located, then Photoshop'd or any other editor modified files can be accessed directly without having to go through the extra steps

Move metadata & tags to original file

I installed PE 4.0 a year ago, and organized my many photos that I had taken since 2001. I always saved the original photo files to one master file, with subfolders by year that the picture was taken. I then would use the camera software to rename the files which I then saved in various folders (for business: by client name; and for personal photos: by event or subject). I did not have a lot of hard drive space, so I often backed up and copied files to off-line media. Now that I have installed a much larger hard drive, I have moved all of my photo files onto the hard drive. I would now like to take all of the metadata & tags associated with these copied photos (almost 10,000 photos) and move it to the original photo(s) so that I can then delete these copies of the originals that are spread all over the place. I could <GET> the original files and bring them into the collection. I could then retag and retype the information on every photo, over to the original file and then delete the copy. Does anyone have any suggestions on a faster method of moving all of this date to the original files?

I started by importing all of my existing photo files into PSE and tagging them and adding captions. Before PSE, I would download my photos using software that came with my camera. My first camera was a Kodak easyshare. It would download the files from the camera to a folder: "Image Transfer/Photos <year>/<date of download>/DSC00xxx.jpg". It would then open the files for editing. I would rename the photos and file them under sub-folders in "Business" and "Personal" folders. I backed up the original "Image Transfer" files frequently. When I installed PSE 4.0 a year ago, I imported the photos in the "Business" & "Personal" files, rather than the original files in "Image Transfer". At various times I have had corrupted files and had moved some photos without using PSE. I have "re-connected" several times, not always to the copy that was originally used, but sometimes to another copy stored elsewhere on the hard drive or sometimes to the original photo in "Image Transfer". In the process of adding a new hard drive a few months ago, I moved files and copied files and backed up files all over the place. I now have copies of all of my 10,000 photos in PSE, or should I say at least the thumbnails, with all of the tags and metadata. I have had to "re-connect" many of the files. I now have most of the thumbnails connected to a photo file, but often that file is a copy of the original and the copies are spread out over many files (the original "Business" and "Personal" files as well as various other copies or backups that I have spread over 3 hard drives). I would like to take each thumbnail and have it point to the original photo file (under "Image Transfer/Photos 200x/<date file originally saved>/DSC .......), rather than the copy. I could then get rid of all of these other files spread over the hard drive. Remember that the original files have no tags or captions. How can I get the tags, captions and metadata moved or copied from the copy over to the original? I hope that this is clearer.

"not known error system" saving metadata

very often, but no always, when I save metadata in the file, appear an "not known error system" message

Hi, thanks for reply,
I use mainly raw files,
Giancarlo Majocchi
cell +393356263390
www.buildup-it.com
Inviato da iPad
Il giorno 17/mar/2014, alle ore 13:19, Tony Jay <[email protected]> ha scritto:
Re: "not known error system" saving metadata
created by Tony Jay in Photoshop Lightroom - View the full discussion
Hi welcome.
Are you able to furnish information about which files metadata is being saved - RAW files (XMP sidecar files in reality), JPEG, TIFF, PSD etc?
Are there any patterns to this error message appearing?
Tony Jay
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Missing files "Unavailable master files cannot be relocated."

Please help
I have missing masters -
I had 25,000 referenced masters in a directory next to the aperture library and ran consolidate (thought it was successful) but now I see 1012 "Missing" Masters. When I do "Locate Referenced Files" Aperture says I do not have any referenced files. But if I go do a Finder search for files in the old referenced location they are all still out there - (and not in the Aperture Library Masters) (They all have the "Arrow/Triangle/exclamation mark" badge)
So my question is - can I connect the "Missing" to the existing file? Or do I have to delete all the "missing masters" and loose all the aperture metadata I have on them?
I have read all the treads I can find and have not seen the same issue -
"Locate Referenced Files" is not an option.
and if I run relocate on the files I get this error:
"Unavailable master files cannot be relocated.
The selected master image is either offline or not found. Please reconnect it and try again."
Any advice or help from the community would be very appreciated - this is my first post - hope it was intelligible
(living in a cave like you do)
John P.

Hi Frank,
Yes my aperture library and the "master" directory are right next to each other in ~/Pictures/. The history of this is as follows:
1. I copied my entire library and masters from my laptop to my iMac ( was out of room )
2. I verified everything was good - looked fine
3. Deleted my MacBook libraries.
4. Consolidated my library - in prep to clean up
5. Did a bunch of heavy cleaning efforts like merging projects within the library.
6. Ran a program to find duplicates - all it does is add keywords to suspect images.
7. Then I tried to relocate masters to a new directory and it errored out
8. Did a search for all "missing" (1000)
9. Started reading all the blogs - looking for answers
10. Ran all the repairs I could find
11. Posted this help request.
12 1/2 - now looking at the SQLlite blogs out there - but as you can see my situation is... Odd. I wish I could query the aperture DB directly and see what it is thinking....
* Sorry - everyone. I'll try to get back to the rest of the replies later tonight

Bind Directly to Driver File

I have an ASP application that connects to a Oracle 9 driver through a DSN. My manager wants to eliminate the DSN connection and bind directly to the driver file. I am seeking help in identifying the syntax as well as the necessary files I need to have to accomplish this. Thanks in advance!

splinke wrote:
In any event, although the Aperture Original export can apparently embed Description and Keywords metadata in the original/master file when the IPTC option is selected, it does not seem capable of embedding Title or GPS coordinate metadata. So, it does not seem to be useful for my purpose. Am I missing an option somewhere to include all metadata in the export? It seems like this is my best bet, if I can just figure out how to include those other fields in the export.
When you export the original, select the metadata option IPTC4XMP Sidecar file.
In addition to your original Image file, you'll also get an extra file ending .XMP.
This contains all the metadata you're looking for, including others such as the colour label, star rating, etc.
When you import your images to your new software, just make sure you choose software that supports reading the XMP file (it's a pretty common standard).
Andy

Automating archiving a master file, applescript & Filemaker

I need to automate archiving an Final Cut Pro master file. If I archive it to a tape back up would you use applescript? I cannot think of another way to automate the process besides applescript. Would this FAT file be the binary file? This file only references the source files if this is true then to open up this file on a server
then applescript would open that file and reassemble the binary file with the source media files?
Furthermore, the path to the archive on the server would be stored in Filemaker.I am thinking an applescript sent from Filemaker would find the path to the server and then open the file by sending an apple event to FCP. It is possible I should ask this question to an Applescript list.

I don't have FCP. I will check and see if there is a applescript library for FCP? How can it open it if there aren't other commands to get it to do what you want? I have a hard time believing that if apple created FCP it isn't fully applescriptable?
If you are correct about not being able to automate it with applescript then in order to automate archiving a project would you have to create the project in the XML interchange format? I started reading about that it said you could archive all clips ever used in FCP projects in one repository. later the editor can use a previous version of sequence and import it back to FCP. I'm not clear on this. I want to archive the entire master version. So the individual clips make up the whole project? So it sounds like with XML I can archive parts of the whole but not the entire project. I may be mixing up the editing process. So is XML used for the end result or for saving metadata about the project or only parts of the project?
Message was edited by: jjoplin

Saving metadata directly to master file

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