IFC with Canon 5D files, working for anyone?

[jfiora]

I'm having various and erratic problems taking my 5D capture files (CR2+JPG) through IFC. Some of what I'm experiencing is: Really long processing times on a pretty fast PowerBook (10.4.3). Sometimes locking up Bridge and having to force quit. Unclicking the "Rename files as a linked set" is the only way to get them to be renamed. Having it selected produces a "renaming complete" message but ends up with an empty folder. Some of the JPGs get renamed with the original date and others with the current date. And so on. I'm definitely a newbie with all things metadata and the only reference I have for doing this is Peter's book. He's obviously got a lot of confidence in the script because he doesn't go into detail with any workarounds. Is there any other documentation or instructions for using the script? Is anyone using it sucessfully with Canon 5D files? Any tips? Thanks, Jim Fiora

[jfiora]

For those monitoring this thread interested in the Canon aspect of this issue what I've recently learned you may, or may not, already know. If you use EOS Capture with any Canon there is the ability (in the Save Settings menu) to write info to both the card and the hard drive as well as being able to set the prefix file name. What that means for me is that I don't need IFC. I can have my files named correctly right from the get go, RAW & JPG, I achieve double back-up as I'm shooting and I get to set up the folder structure (source folders) in DPP as I go. The only thing that leaves is using Bridge to append metadata with a ready made template. This is a quick and easy standard function of Bridge that doesn't rely on IFC. So unless I'm missing some other function, for new work using Canons, I don't need IFC at all. Now the legacy files are another kettle of fish entirely and I'd still love to hear from anyone who has any tips on how to get IFC to behave rationally. Thanks, Jim Fiora

[peterkrogh]

Jim,
Glad you found a solution for your file importing.
I should repeat what I said elsewhere.  IFC is a tool that is probably not well-suited to working with legacy files.  I would rename with Bridge, or, more likely for legacy files, iView.
Also, remember that IFC is a script, not a full application, so it has not had the same rigorous quality control that Photoshop has.  If it does not seem to perform a particular task with reliability, then don't beat your head against it.  Move on to other tools.
Peter

[jfiora]

I just revisited IFC with my 5D files and successfully used the script to import, rename and append metadata on both my raws and jpgs. Don't know what I did differently but if any Canon users run into a snag with this I'm glad to compare notes. Jim Fiora

[SeanD]

if any Canon users run into a snag with this I'm glad to compare notes. Jim Fiora

Jim... the only snag I have run into with Canon 10D files is that it crashes Bridge 1.0.3 on a Mac if the "Preserve Original File Name" option is checked. If that is left unchecked all works fine.

--Sean