Bridge in a streamlined workflow

[havezet]

As you may have noticed Bridge automatically "picks up" XMP-changes that idImager writes to the file. It is able to do that because IDI notifies Windows that a change is made to the file. Windows broadcasts this message to all applications enabling Bridge to pick up the changes.

The disappointing thing is that Bridge itself does not notify Windows of a file change after it updates the XMP. That is why IDI is unable to automatically pick up the changes that Bridge makes and is why IDI users have to use the "XMP/IPTC Exchange -> Read from XMP" each time they use Bridge to make changes to the file.

This makes it less efficient for photographers to create a streamlined workflow where changes are exchanged back-and-forth between Bridge and cataloguing tool. Right now Bridge is mainly usable at the beginning of the workflow and less afterwards.

I hope the developers of Bridge read this message and pick this up for it would be a main step forward in workflow efficiency.

@Peter; I notice that photographers start with Bridge, then step over to IDI and somehow have the need to go back to Bridge quite a few times. As if they are using Bridge as the only tool to assign ratings. Actually I would personally say that once you have handed over a photo to the cataloguing tool, you should use the cataloguing tool to "maintain" the photo. That includes assigning rating and/or labels etc. What is your opinion about this?

Hert

[peterkrogh]

Hert,
I agree completely.  My workflow brings images trough Bridge once, assigns bulk metadata, ratings, CR settings and then convert to DNG and catalog.  I do all my subsequent ratings in iView.

One of the many reasons for that is the issue present.  But further, I would suggest that the metadata is best handled by the cataloging application. Once you start creating metadata in your cataloging application, you are likely to have a mismatch between the original file and the catalog for at least part of the time. One of the principle advantages of cataloging software is the ability to collect and manage all the information about your images in one place.

I would suggest that it greatly complicates the workflow to create metadata on a multiple alternating basis with several applications.  Keeping it in sync, and dealing with backup and restoration issues make this a very complicated process. 

There will be specific instances when you might want to do that work in Bridge rather than in the Catalog, but I would suggest that this would only be when Bridge is uniquely able to do the work.  In my view, that would generally only be an instance where you need to go back in to Camera Raw in order to make critical evaluations of image quality.

Otherwise, it is much simpler to do all post-Camera Raw metadata manipulation in the catalog application.

Peter

[crashbowman]

Peter and Hert,

I understand and agree with what you guys  are saying, however there is one thing I do not understand.  How does the mismatch quoted below get corrected.  For instance if the cataloging software has the information, but not necessarily in the file.  What happens if 5 years down the line someone is not using IDI or Iview.

Once you start creating metadata in your cataloging application, you are likely to have a mismatch between the original file and the catalog for at least part of the time. One of the principle advantages of cataloging software is the ability to collect and manage all the information about your images in one place.

Thanks,
John

[peterkrogh]

Both programs let you push the information back into the files whenever you choose. 
Peter

[havezet]

Hi John,

First of all I want to make clear that IDI will always store edited meta information straight back to the file. What might become out of sync are the assigned catalog labels. However there is an option that allows you to store those straight to the file as well (Tools -> Options -> Catalog -> Store assigned catalog label to XMP/IPTC automatically). Although you should keep in mind that this slows the catalog assignment process down. Writing meta info to a file is always slower than writing to database only.

Personally I don't use this option but choose to label all my photos and at the end of that process I select them all (Ctrl+A) and write the info to meta by using "right click -> XMP/IPTC Exchange -> Store catalog info to XMP/IPTC". The downside is that this is an extra step which is not required when the auto-store option is selected.

Hert

[crashbowman]

First of all I want to make clear that IDI will always store edited meta information straight back to the file.

Hert,

I thought that was the way IDI worked, but I wanted to make sure.

Thanks,
John

[peterkrogh]

Hert,
How does IDI handle offline images?  Does it sync next time it sees the photos?  Does it ask you before syncing?
Peter

[havezet]

Hi Peter,

IDI does handle offline images and you can also enter meta information for the images while they are offline. It does not sync them back automatically right now. I figure that would only be needed for network shares or swappable/writable drives since images archived to CDs/DVDs are not writable anymore.

I like the feature so this will be part of IDI very soon

Hert

[peterkrogh]

Hert,
This will be a good feature to include.  Ideally, IDI would keep a record of images that have un-synched changes and images that are current.  This way, you could work on images while on the road, and only sync the files that have changed. 
Peter

[havezet]

Hert,
This will be a good feature to include.  Ideally, IDI would keep a record of images that have un-synched changes and images that are current.  This way, you could work on images while on the road, and only sync the files that have changed.  
Peter

Hi Peter,

Today I have release idImager V3 build 3.0.5. It now offers scalable thumbnails, visual color labels from Bridge, and also the feature you mentioned here to be able to write meta data for offline images and then write them back to the original files when they are available.

Thank you for the request

Hert

[peterkrogh]

Dude,
You are out of control. ;-)
I'm going to have to actually figure out how to use my PC now so I can put idImager through its paces.
Peter

[havezet]

lol, so that implies you *do* own a PC too I guess I'm gonna have to buy me a mac one day too, especially since they are shipping the dual code Intel macs now.

[peterkrogh]

Well the score is Mac 12, PC 1, so it's pretty lopsided.
Peter