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caddberry
Member
Hi..
I've got a TON of photos, but before I got any kind of cataloging software I just simply put them in sub folders to organize them. I've hunted and hunted and I can't find anything on this so I'm not even sure it can be done, but I'd LOVE to be able to add keyword data either IPTC or ACDSee's database keywords based on the names of my sub-folders. Is this possible or should I just get ready to spend a few weeks batch renaming each folder?
NJHeart2Heart
Member
Cadd,
If you are looking just to keyword your pictures based on your folders I think that's pretty easy. You would do a batch rename on all photos in each folder, then just add the tag "Birthday 2001" or whatever your folder name is. However, I don't know of (but I'm a beginner myself) any AUTOMATED way to take the subfolder names and get the computer to add them to all the pictures in the folders. I think you need to manually navigate to each folder of pics, then rename as mentioned above. Make sense?
Dawn "NJHeart2Heart"
Marc Sabatella
Moderator
The automated way is something I mentioned in another thread recently: take a top level folder, drag it to the Categories area of the Organize pane, and chosoe the option to have ACDSee create a category hierarchy that matches the folder hierarchy and to populate it for you. You could then run Batch Set Information to copy the category names to keywords if you prefer.
This wouldn't automatically add keywords for the parent folder names, but if you didn't mind spending a *litte* extra time browsing your category hierarchy after it was generated then gong selecting the images in each category and clicking the boxes for each of its parent categories, that would get you there with relatively little effort.
caddberry
Member
First off, I apologize for the late response. My Mother was in the hospital recently and I haven't had all the free time I'd like because I'm also buying a house.
That said, I was able to get the images into categories based on the folder name, so I'm really happy about that. I think I'm one step closer to getting where I want to be.
I can't seem to figure out how to copy the category names to the IPTC category field though. If it involves typing it into every folder manually then I haven't really saved any time at all. I am happy that I got them into their own categories based on folder name.. Perhaps I should just settle for that.
Is there an easy way to copy the category data over? I'm going to hunt around the forum for a bit and see if I can find something on my own, but your responses are greatly appreciated.
Marc Sabatella
Moderator
First, sorry to hear about your mother - I hope she is doing better...
The way to copy info from the db to IPTC is Tools->Batch Set Information. From that window, select the filed you want to copy *to*, click the little arrow next to it to pop up a dialog allowing you to select the field you wish to copy *from*. Repeat for each field you want to copy, then save all this work as a preset and use the advanced tab to make these settings the default. So in the future, all you have to do is hit the keyboard shortcut for Batch Set Information (I have customized mine to shift-S) and hit Enter and everything is done for you. BTW, you shouldn't use IPTC Category for this - that field is for the predefined 3-letter news agency codes. Instead, I recommend IPTC Supplemental Categories, which is free form text.
But note only the folder names are preserved, not the whole hierarchy above each folder name. Right now IPTC doesn't support an standardized way to preserve a category hierarchy.
caddberry
Member
Wow.. I looked and I couldn't find anything.. Thanks so much for sharing that info with me.. It helped me quite a bit.. I'm now set to batch set info all over my photos..
I've been quite messed up lately, and when I said IPTC category I meant IPTC Keyword..
I'm not too sure whether or not it's better for my goal to use keywords or categories, or if it even makes any sort of difference in the grand scheme of things, but I can now properly set IPTC information so I'm very happy. I also hope that this thread helps someone else new to Batch setting information.
Thanks a ton!
Marc Sabatella
Moderator
Keywords versus categories are a pretty personal choice. I prefer keywords because a) they are easier/faster to enter and b) while hierarchical organization of categories is nice, there is no standard way to preserve this portably in IPTC, and if it can't be preserved in IPTC, I would rather not spend the time doing it. Others find the hierarchical organization valuable enough to not care that it's slower and can't be preserved portably in IPTC.
caddberry
Member
To me hierarchy isn't necessary.. I'd just like to be able to type in a name and view all my pictures based on random keywords.. So I think keyword will suit me fine.
Thanks again.. You've helped me a lot.
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