How does catalog program ID image file location?

[Big-T]

I looked for the most appropriate forum for this 'search' question - software or backup seemed to be best choices; sorry if this is not the best area as I did not see a forum for 'search' discusssions/questions. This is also posted in the 'backup' forum but not getting any traction on it, so . . . . .my I am trying to determine how the catalog program knows where a given image file resides on your PC or disk after a search query? And, is the query runa against your volume of backup DVDs or your hard drive and how will it kno what image files are on the individual backup DVD discs -

Question: I am amidst the process of applying most of the same approach points as Peter has outlined for us in his book aand subsequent discussions on overall DAM.

My question is this - in using iView Media Pro to rename and apply metadata to my image files, in the future, how will iView know which disc/DVD contains a given image file according to the search criteria? Will the search query be run against what is on my hard drive with file directories such as O_DVD001. . . . O_DVD010 ("O" stands for original). . . . or  D_DVD001. . .D_DVD10 ("D" stands for derivative) and my result location(s) will be identified to a given hard drive DVD#/folder and since my archived DVD discs mimic the hard disc directory structure (O_DVD001. . .etc.) that if it says it is on hard disk O_DVD009 directory that I will just get the matching O_DVD_009 DVD disc to find it? That is, if I keep the hard disc directories as O_DVD001. . . . . .and so on and copy them offline to DVD backup with same naming and content, this is how it is done?

The thought of metatagging all the images, copying them over to 2 other hard drives for safety then burning them to DVD and then loading the iView catalog program from DVD discs one at a time so it knows which offline disc has what given file seems duplicative and convuluted. If the hard drive directories are the same as what is archived to disk, do you run the search locally on your drive and then just grab the correlating DVD disc if needed? Clearly I missing something basic here or  . . .?

Thanks for any help and enlightenment!

-T

[danaltick]

T,

You should maintain 3 copies of your images: one primary copy that is local and live, one secondary copy on hard drives that are kept offsite, and one DVD copy that is kept offsite.  Once the secondary and DVD copies are made you should not have to touch them again except for disaster recovery or occasional verification of the data on them.  The primary archive is kept on a local hard drive on your PC and imported into iView.  iView does not know anything about the secondary and DVD copies; however, if you are using buckets as outlined in the book, they will be in the same bucket numbers as the primary buckets because you back them up by manually coping the buckets and burning them to DVD.  You do all of your derivative creation using the originals from the primary archive and store those derivatives in separate derivative buckets that are imported into the same iView catalog.  When you search for images you typically search on metadata embedded in the files such as keywords, date created, filename, event, etc.  iView will locate all images in your primary archive containing your search criteria.  Hope that helps.

Dan

[Big-T]

Thank you, Dan, I think that cover it. . . .for now (sigh, taking good pics is easier for me than workflowing all of them) 

-T.

[danaltick]

T,

It can appear overwhelming, but so much of DAM can now be automated, with tools like IIP and RapidFixer as well as backup software like Genie-Soft and TI.  Here's a tip: If your just doing personal work or even self assignments, go ahead and "chimp" in camera using your LCD to purge those images you don't want.  This will make the workflow go quicker.  I have made a point not to let DAM deter me from shooting; that would defeat the purpose.  Remember, for the most part, automation is a one time setup, and as computers get faster, so does the workflow.... happy shooting!

Dan

[Big-T]

Hi Dan,

I was going to ask you what IIP and Rapid Fixer are, but saw our tag-line. Right now I am doing ingest just within IvMP, then going in (as a separate step - not desired) and using IvMP to rename those ingested files with the devised file-naming convention and applying a meta-tag template of information to each iamge file.

I am going to go out on a hunch and say I bet that IIP does those 2 actions in one fell swoop. . .?

Also, I am curious about Rapid Fixer now so will have to visit their product page. If you are using it early on in your workflow are you using it to apply or tweak files in some global way (to all files ingested) before bringing them into an editor or IView catalog program?

Thanks again.

[danaltick]

T,

Yes, IIP does that and much more.

RapidFixer is great for making quick adjustments to your Raw images without having to load them into the Raw editor.  It's a proofing utility plug-in for Bridge that can significantly speed your workflow for large shoots when you're just trying to get nice looking proofs to the client quickly for downselecting.  Check out Peter's movie on it here http://www.damuseful.com/pages/rapidfixer.html#anchor_movie.

Dan