Copy and paste Metadata - prevent pasting camera model

[hannes_hab]

I often have the problem that when copy and paste metadata - the raw file is damaged (cannot be read by ASP) because also the camera model is changed.
How can I copy and paste all metadata except the camera maker and model?

[JohnZeman]

See The Toolbar section of this help page: https://www.photools.com/help/imatch/#md_panel.htm

Basically you configure a metadata panel layout to only show the metadata fields you want to copy to another image.  Then you click the copy button of the source image, switch to the destination image, and click Paste.

Only the metadata shown in your metadata template will be copied to the destination image.

As always try it on a few test images first.

[Mario]

If you are copying metadata using copy & paste in the Metadata Panel, you should use a dedicated layout as John points out above.
Copying a wrong make or model tag into another file is not a good idea.

When you copy metadata via Copy Attributes, don't copy EXIF data. Especially not between different files. Especially not between different files taken by different cameras.

[mastodon]

That is an old problem for me. How to copy only data from selected fields OR one or more panels. I have used the copy icon in this moment, but a lot of metadata are copied to the clipboard, not only the five of the Location panel. Why? How to copy only the data of the visible panels?

[hannes_hab]

Thank you JohnZeman - I will try it this way!

[Mario]

The open/close state of the panels does not matter for the copy to clipboard function in the Metadata Panel.

As John explained, if you want to copy metadata that way, setup a Metadata Panel layout which contains the fields you want to copy.
This is mentioned in the help and there is also a DYK entry for this, I believe.

If you copy different tag sets, just setup different MD Panel layouts as needed.

[hannes_hab]

would be fine to have an option "Do not copy camera data" for Copying Attributes and Metadata Between Files

[Mario]

The copy & paste function in the Metadata Panel copies all tags in the current layout.
If you don't want to copy camera data, just do not include it in your layout?

The "Default" layout which you probably use has been designed to show relevant tags, which includes the make and model of the camera. If you copy that willy-nilly to a file created with another camera, you are responsible. The Metadata Panel does not know anything about camera models or which file you are planning to copy the data to. Or if you just want to copy the data to the clipboard to paste it into Word or Excel for documentation.

Please use the features IMatch offers. Create a layout which copies only the tags you want to copy. There is no need to change how the Metadata Panel works. It already can do everything you want.

Metadata Panel Layouts

[hannes_hab]

I think I used the wrong tool - searched for copy & paste Metadata - found :  https://www.photools.com/help/imatch/#paste_attributes.htm - I will try it inside the metadata panel ...

[Mario]

This feature is unrelated to the metadata panel.
Like with versioning, you decide which data to copy from the source file to the target file(s).
Keep in mind that as documented in the help, this does not work in-database (and sets the pending write-back), it works directly on the files.
Make sure to read the help.
Don't copy EXIF data unless you have to and you know what happens.

[mastodon]

Is it possible to copy only selected tags from one pic to another, without any specific preparation, like making a metadata layout? Jaust simply selcting and copy.

[Mario]

Is it possible to copy only selected tags from one pic to another, without any specific preparation, like making a metadata layout? Jaust simply selcting and copy.

See Copying Attributes and Metadata Between Files

[mastodon]

Thanks, the HELP is clean and clear, but huge.

[Mario]

That's because IMatch is a very capable software and can do many things.
It's easy to keep the help short and small when you have an app with only 3 buttons and four functions.

There is also a big difference between casual users who use IMatch occasionally or every other week, and users who work with IMatch every day.
Impossible to know what a user needs or wants to know in any situation.

Also, in my experience, many users only visit the help system when they absolutely have to. And then read only as little as possible.
Which causes the problem that these users never learn what IMatch is really capable of.
And then, one day, learn that they could have saved 50% time in their workflow if they would just have used the feature IMatch offers for the task.

This is why I've created the 'Did You Know?'' App, which is a constantly growing collection of tips & tricks for things many users overlook. And I made this app launch automatically so users see it at least once. And there is even a notification which tells users to check out DYK once in a while. If you have not used it, I highly recommend keeping it open and reading one tip every time you use IMatch. May save you lots of time.

Since you wanted to copy metadata between files, I typed in copy into the IMatch Help System search box, and the 4rd result was "Copying Attributes and Metadata Between Files (attributes)". Which is OK in my book.

[mastodon]

Thank you. Yes, your service is excellent.
That was a so general word, that I did even not tried to search. I am just bit lazy like an average user, sticks to a workflow, hardly reads manuals. (Oncer I read the Handbook of MS Word 6.0 5 cm thick, but that was in another century.)
Now I am learning a lot in this forum, and I prefer video tutorials. BUT I know that these are time consuming to make.

[Mario]

Video tutorials are very time-consuming to make. Especially if you are not a native speaker (or have one around who does the dubbing).

On the other hand, even simple questions are now often answered in form of YouTube videos - because that generates ad revenue for the person answering the question.
So we now often end up with 5 minute videos answering question like how to empty the Windows recycle bin