DNG and cache

[ElsieHull]

 Hi Peter,

Sorry for so many questions.  I am trying to get through your whole workflow once so that I can learn, understand and apply. I am up to having converted files to DNGs

I have chosen to use distributed cache so as long as the files stay on my laptop I don't need to export the cache.  But if I am going to store these DNG files to an external drive or burn them to DVD do I need to export the cache then.  If so, how do I do that and how do I find the correct cache files for a specific set of DNG files? Also,  I got a message that my rank and file info was going to be stored as an xmp file.  Is that correct? 

Many thanks for your help?

Elsie

[Patrick Cox]

Hi Peter,

Sorry for so many questions.  I am trying to get through your whole workflow once so that I can learn, understand and apply. I am up to having converted files to DNGs

I have chosen to use distributed cache so as long as the files stay on my laptop I don't need to export the cache.  But if I am going to store these DNG files to an external drive or burn them to DVD do I need to export the cache then.  If so, how do I do that and how do I find the correct cache files for a specific set of DNG files? Also,  I got a message that my rank and file info was going to be stored as an xmp file.  Is that correct?  

Many thanks for your help?

Elsie

If you are using distributed cache, I think you would simply view the folder in Bridge to ensure that the cache is created, then burn the entire contents of the folder to a DVD.  Then, the cache would be there, I believe.

Pat

[peterkrogh]

If you make the folder on a local drive (rather than one that  is on a server) and open the folder in Bridge, the cache will be created.

Otherwise, if the drives are on a server, you will have to export cache if you want it in the folder.

Are you running Rank and File on RAW files or DNG files?  RAW files should give you this warning (and I suggest you click the "don't show again")

Peter

[ElsieHull]

I am running rank and file on RAW files before I convert them to bridge so that my ratings and labels will be seen in Iview.  Let me know if that is the wrong work flow.

I quess my question is do DNG files need cache or just Raw files?  If I convert Raw files to DNG files should I then open the DNG files in Bridge to create their cache?  Or do I somehow  export the cache  from the original Bridge Raw file folder to the newly created DNG file folder.

 I appologize for being slow at this.  Elsie

[Rick McCleary]

I'll offer some answers.  Peter, tell me if I'm the right track.  Or tell me that I'm in the ditch.

I am running rank and file on RAW files before I convert them to bridge so that my ratings and labels will be seen in Iview.  Let me know if that is the wrong work flow.

Rank and File is run on files in Bridge to turn star ratings and labels into keywords.  So I assume you meant to say:
"I am running rank and file on RAW files before I <b><i>import</i></b> them into <b><i>iVIew</i></b> so that my ratings and labels will be seen in Iview."

iView will see only the star rating keywords added by Rank and File.  If you want the labels to be seen in iView, you will have to manually apply the label term to the files containing the R&F keyword.  I do this in the following way:
1) In iView, from your most recent import, do a Find to select the files containing the label keyword applied by Rank & File. (ex: <i>RM label: Outtakes</i>)
2) Edit > Select All to select all the visible files.
3) Under Catalog Fields: Urgency, find the label you wish to apply.
4) Control-click (or right-click) on that label, scroll to "Add Term to Selected Media Items".
5) It's done.

This explanation took three times as long as it actually takes to do that task.  Very easy.  Although it would be a nice feature to add to iView for the R&F labels to be recognized.  And even a nicer feature to not have to deal with R&F at all -- just have iView and Bridge be able to communicate directly regarding ratings and labels.  Perhaps Lightroom is headed in that direction.

I quess my question is do DNG files need cache or just Raw files?  If I convert Raw files to DNG files should I then open the DNG files in Bridge to create their cache?  Or do I somehow  export the cache  from the original Bridge Raw file folder to the newly created DNG file folder.

The cache is a function of Bridge, not iView.  It is simply a file that contains the thumbnail views of any folder of files that Bridge displays. It is handy to save the cache so that when you go to view that folder again, you don't have to wait for Bridge to build the thumbnail views one more time; Bridge just loads the cache file.  That said, in Peter's workflow, it is not essential that the cache be built for a folder of newly minted DNG's that you'll be importing into iView for cataloging.  This is because iVIew will be your primary contact point for those files, not Bridge.  Once the DNG's are archived, DVD'ed and imported into iView, there is very little reason to ever go back into Bridge.  All further metadata work can be done directly in iView, all image editing  and creation of derivative files can be done in Photoshop.

I am not building cache for my archive folders of DNG's.  Seems like an unnecessary step.  Wherever the development of the tools of the DAM trade go, I think that we'll always be managing the files from a catalog (like iView), not a browser (like Bridge).  (Peter, please correct me if I'm wrong.)

I appologize for being slow at this.

Join the crowd!  
I alternate between thinking I've got a firm handle on this stuff and being convinced I have a major DAM learning disability.  I'm feeling pretty good about it today.  Let's see what tomorrow brings.
We're all in the same boat here.

[danaltick]

Rick,

I'm not an expert with iView yet, so I'm not really sure what you are doing with steps 4 & 5, but I believe if you just set up your labels in iView the way Peter shows on page 203, you should be able to replace those steps with using the label menu to assign your labels.

Dan

[Rick McCleary]

Dan,

Perhaps there's a glitch on my end, but unless I do steps 3 & 4, the colored label does not "take" in iView.

[danaltick]

Interesting.  I'm going to start running some files through my working files structure this weekend for the first time.  I'll see if I have the same problem when I get to that step.

Dan

[Rick McCleary]

Dan,

Just to be clear, the R&F-generated keywords are definitely in the file's metadata and seen by iVIew, it's just the color label that's not applied.  If you take the long view, it's ultimately the keyword that's most important, but the ability to select and view by color label is nice.

[danaltick]

Rick,

I'm not sure how to get to Catalog Fields: Urgency.

Don't misunderstand me here.  You still have to assign the labels manually for the Outtakes, Unrated, and TrashMe keywords using the R&F keywords, but you should be able to do that using the Label menu pulldown if you have your labels assigned like on page 203 and you have the images selected via the implanted R&F keywords.  Hope that makes sense.

Dan

[Rick McCleary]

Dan,

I think we're saying the same thing here. 

I may be confusing the issue with imprecise language.  "Catalog Fields: Urgency" refers to the list of labels at the top left of the iView screen.  If you have your Field Names preferences set to use IPTC terms, it will say "Labels".  (I have my Field Names preferences set to "Adobe Photoshop CS".)

And yes, you have to manually assign the Outtakes, Unrated and TrashMe labels (or whatever you have named labels 6-9).

Rick

[danaltick]

Got it.  Yes we are saying the same thing .  I have my Field Names preferences set to IPTC Core.

Dan

[peterkrogh]

I think you folks have got it.


Rick,
although I have not been building cache for DNG folders, it does make some sense.  I just wish it was not an extra step.  I've been thinking of hooking up my JBOD to my powerbook and having it export cache to alll the folders on all the Original and Derivative Drives.  It would be a one-step process, albeit one that takes a while to run.

I wish there were not so many steps that one has to do manually, but, well, this is the case right now.
Peter

[Rick McCleary]

I'll have to give some thought as to whether or not it's worth the extra step to have the archived DNG folders cached.  Assuming it is, how do I accomplish that?

I currently have my preferences set to <i>Use Distributed Cache Files When Possible</i>.  Since <i>Export Cache</i> is not available under this scenario, what to do?

Also, after I create my two hard drive copies and one DVD copy of the DNG folder, I delete the files from my working folders to make room for more.  I assume this also deletes the distributed cache.  So what is there to export anyway?

I guess I'm coming to the conclusion that centralized cache is the way to go.  Yes?

[peterkrogh]

No.  If you point Bridge at a folder while it is on a local drive, cache will be created.  You can then move the folder.

If you point Bridge at a folder on a network drive, then the Export Cache will become available, and cache documents can be exported.  Unfortunately, this must be done one folder at a time over a network, while it can be done to folders full of folders locally. (Point Bridge at a folder on a local drive and use Build Cache for Subfolders)

In any case, I agree that it is not particularly necessary once you move to iView. 
Peter