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smokeonthewater
Member
Obviously a same picture can be qualified in a lot of different categories and be tagged with as many keywords. Both categoried and keywords allowing for a better classification of the pics and faster identification of the pics matching certain criteria.
My question here is when, and eventually matching what conditiond, is it wiser or better to use a keyword or to create a category if needed ?
Sam Dring
Moderator
We are talking Pro 2.5 here so I would start by asking which keywords we are talking about. If you intend to use itpc keywords (auto-embedded in the image as you enter them) such information would be available to the public were you to upload those images. You might, therefore, be inclined to use categories (ACD dbase) to hold information pertinent to images which is for your information only. Dbase categories might include:
1. Collections - e.g. John's BBQ where you captured a stunning sunset (keyworded 'sunset')
2. Workflow - e.g. new images downloaded not yet keyworded.
Whether or not you publish images, most people here would recommend using iptc (rather than dbase) keywords for security of information if nothing else but because of the quirks of Pro 2.5 it is not easy to batch iptc keywords. Many people, therefore, enter them first as dbase keywords and then use Batch Set Information to copy them to iptc.
smokeonthewater
Member
Sam Dring said: Whether or not you publish images, most people here would recommend using iptc (rather than dbase) keywords for security of information if nothing else but because of the quirks of Pro 2.5 it is not easy to batch iptc keywords. Many people, therefore, enter them first as dbase keywords and then use Batch Set Information to copy them to iptc.
Sorry if my english is not up to it, but I really feel the way you put things is contradictory in writing. First sentence encourages to use IPTC rather than DB as it is not easy to batch IPTC keywords. Second sentence, states just the contrary. Could you clarify ?
NA
Inactive
A very important difference between keywords and categories is that the latter lets you define and enforce a hierarchy of terms (by using subcategories), allowing you to drill-down to whatever images you're looking for.
When searching you just tick off the appropiate easy-select boxes in the organize panel; so much faster than setting up a search on keywords.
Cheers,
Mogens
Sam Dring
Moderator
Sam Dring said: Whether or not you publish images, most people here would recommend using iptc (rather than dbase) keywords for security of information if nothing else but because of the quirks of Pro 2.5 it is not easy to batch iptc keywords. Many people, therefore, enter them first as dbase keywords and then use Batch Set Information to copy them to iptc.
Sorry if my english is not up to it, but I really feel the way you put things is contradictory in writing. First sentence encourages to use IPTC rather than DB as it is not easy to batch IPTC keywords. Second sentence, states just the contrary. Could you clarify ?
First, I and many others recommend that if you use keywords, you should be using iptc keywords. Iptc keywords are embedded in the image; are recognised by most other applications and, in my case, mean I do not have to worry about dbase corruption. Because I use nothing but iptc, I can wipe the dbase, re-catalogue my images and I am ready to go.
Entering iptc keywords for one image is fine. However, if you select more than one thumbnail, you will notice that the iptc pane disappears but you can still enter dbase keywords for multiple images. It is because of this that many users here prefer to do their data entry for keywords into dbase keywords and then, using Batch Set Information, map their dbase keywords into iptc.
smokeonthewater
Member
Thanks to both of you for your answers.
One more thing, you mention the advantages of IPTC keywords as they are easily read across multiple application. Is that true for categories as well ?
Marc Sabatella
Moderator
One more thing, you mention the advantages of IPTC keywords as they are easily read across multiple application. Is that true for categories as well ?
No. While IPTC does define a "category" field, it is for special IPTC-defined three-letter codes used in the news industry. There is a "Supplemental Categories" field you can copy your db category info to, but the hierarchy info won't be preserved - IPTC defines no way to do this. So basically, IPTC keywords are the only way to share information reliably among programs.
Because of this, I use IPTC keywords for anything I care about sharing with others. Categories I use only for things that are of intereast to me but there is no point sharing - like keeping track of which images I want to use for which slideshows, to upload to which services, etc. but anything having to do with the actual *content* of the pictures is in keywords. Well, actually, I use caption and notes too, and copy these to IPTC caption and headline, respectively, but keywords is really where the meat of it is.
If you haven't already, you might want to check out my writeup on digital asset management (DAM):
http://community.acdsee.com/pro/2007/08/digital-asset-management-dam-with-acdsee-pro-2-part-15/
smokeonthewater
Member
Marc, thank you for your time. I have read your DAM articles with great interest and have a few questions on them. Should I for that start a new post here in the forum or comment under the article ?
Marc Sabatella
Moderator
Marc, thank you for your time. I have read your DAM articles with great interest and have a few questions on them. Should I for that start a new post here in the forum or comment under the article ?
I'd do it here. I don't check for comments on that blog article very often.
smokeonthewater
Member
Marc, as your answers to some of my questions on your DAM workflow may benefit others, I feel I should start a thread titled "DAM with ACDsee pro - A few questions" to let them find access the info easily. Hoping to find your answers under that new thread. A happy and musical new year to you.
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