Skip to main content

⚠️ Please note that this topic or post has been archived. The information contained here may no longer be accurate or up-to-date. ⚠️

batch editing keywords within C1P across sessions

NNN635647456474013726
Is there anyway to retroactively batch edit keywords across sessions in C1P? I can't figure it out. I am an enthusiast, still working on getting my keywording down. I also refuse to use LR (long story). I am using a Mac.

My situation: I work in sessions and use an external app for DAM (but not keywording...I have found it simpler in testing so far to just use C1P). I use a mix of JPEG, TIFF, and RAW
My workflow is to import into C1P, cull, edit, keyword then export as JPEG for the DAM.

The issue is for example, lets say in the next 2-3 years I get really into bird photography. Now I want to go back and redo the keywords for all my "Birds" to be more specific.

My understanding is that C1P does not write keywords to files until export, instead keeping them in a database/cos file.

I have tried importing multiple sessions into a catalog and also referencing sessions in a catalog, but changing the keywords in the catalog there does not reflect back into the session. I cannot get reliable results using other programs to edit keywords in sessions either (may be due to incompatibility or my lack of knowledge, but not for lack of googling and trying!)

So I gave up that idea and figured I wound convert my images to a catalog if need be. When I reference a session in a catalog and try to rearrange organization within C1P by moving files (so I don't have 100s of folders, each with 4 subfolders), deleting the sessions once the images are reorganized out causes problems/crashes/missing files.

As far as I can tell, my options are to either export TIFFs into a new folder structure, or use a catalog layered upon a complex folder structure of multiple sessions.

I have considered using a catalog from the beginning instead of sessions, but I tried C18, importing all my straight from camera backed up images, re-editing and keywording them, and once I hit 10k images at about 2months of hard work, the program became unusable with many crashes and I don't want to go though that again.

Any ideas on how to edit keywords across sessions?
0

Comments

4 comments

Date Votes
  • SFA
    Hmm. An interesting challenge.

    Are you starting out with a "master Keyword list" or are you looking to create one from what you already have in some existing sessions?

    At a guess importing a set of common and shareable keywords to each session ans then keywording might be the simplest approach.

    Whether you could also create a "global" Session that included existing folders from other sessions and then edit the keywords and have them save back to the original edit files I'm not sure. If that did work, in theory the original session would update the next time it was opened since keywords are being treated as a dynamic resource when a session is opened.

    I have, recently, been using keywords quite frequently an in theory ave cross session commonality to benefit from BUT in practise for my shoots the sharing of keywords does not turn out to be as useful as one might hope due to relatively low levels of commonality.


    Grant
    0
  • NNN635647456474013726
    I've tried importing sessions into catalogs and catalogs into sessions, but the changes and keywords don't transfer. An external editor won't manage the keywords in C1 Pro easily; it would involve automatic XMP sync (I have heard it is unstable) and different/punctuated KW structures (which might be unacceptable or confusing).
    I have found the solution, but it is not easy. This is for anyone who has the same question.

    First, about how C1P handles keywords: For JPEG and TIFF, keywords are only written to the file on export. For RAW, a XMP sidecar is made, and then exported. When you export the files. The hierarchical structures translates to LR, albeit it displays in the keyword panel with punctuation as opposed to separate keywords.

    To avoid all this hassle, you can manage keywords in Photo Supreme, but you won't be able to see versions, crops and I did find some nonrepoducible keyword translation issues. However, keywords can be restructured and edited to all images easily and quickly. I recommend you do you own testing.

    If you want to edit keywords in multiple sessions in C1 Pro, it must be done manually. Fortunately, with the addition of persistent keyword libraries its not that bad.

    For a new keyword, it should be added to the keyword library in the appropriate location. Open each session and use the keywords filter to get as specific as possible, then add the keyword from the library.
    If you are deleting a keyword, just go through sessions removing the keyword, then remove it from the library keyword list at the end.
    If you are restructuring keywords, add the new parent/children to the keyword library. Then, in each session add the new keyword path and remove the old path. Then at the end, delete the path from the library.

    Its a huge PITA. I would highly recommend just making sure you have a VERY well thought out keyword method at the beginning.

    This only applies to people making their own keyword structure or who restructure keywords. Not sure how may people using C1P do that, but I figured any information was good to add as there are often questions re: metadata and keywords here. Hopefully this post isn't confusing.

    If anyone is interested in my workflow, it is: import into C1P->rename, cull->backup files->edit and keyword in C1P->export JPEGs to offline Photos library.

    I just use Photos as a browser, if I ever need anything beyond a JPEG, I find it in Photos and open the session(s)
    If I had large amounts of photos I would probably keyword with Photomechanic before backing up files and avoid C1.
    The ease of restructuring keywords was not worth the compromise of using Photo Supreme for me. Keyboarding in C1P is pretty fast and easy.
    0
  • SFA
    Are you dealing with Hierarchical keyword structures in the main?

    I would imagine that unless you start out with some fairly rigid rules applied across already processed sources the potential for some conflicting situations could be significant - depending on what sort of shoots and commonality you are dealing with.


    Grant
    0
  • brianmerwin
    Just a quick interjection regarding writing sidecar files.

    My understanding is that C1P does not write keywords to files until export, instead keeping them in a database/cos file.


    Sort of.

    Like Lightroom, you can configure this behavior. By default, you are correct. Keywords/metadata are not written to XMP sidecar files until export.

    There IS a setting you can enable that will automatically write XMP files on the fly. I recommend you avoid it. It's been a problem for many versions now and if you leave it on when shooting tethered it causes all sorts of problems.

    BUT, what you can do (and what I recommend) is force capture one to sync the metadata settings (write the keywords to xmp sidecar files) manually. It works quite well, but the option is buried a little bit because these guys like their tiny tiny interface buttons.


    • Enter your keywords

    • Select the images in the session/catalog that need to have a sidecar file written/updated

    • Click the "Sync Metadata" menu option.

    • Success!


    Once you've got that done, the keywords will be applied, the XMP sidecar files will be written and so long as you keep the XMP files next to the RAW file, any other program should be able to read your keywords no problem.

    http://i.imgur.com/10oS4Q3.png
    0

Post is closed for comments.