Is there a way to remove Metadata when copying a file

[voronwe]

Hi

I have the following problem:
All my files contain a lot of Metadata. For some reasons, I want to make a copy of the file without the Metadata (e.g. for uploading it to the Internet.). The file itself should not be touched, only all (or part of) the Metadata shall be removed.

I tried with the Export-Module (Bild Stapelverabeitung), but when setting in "Format" "Originaldatie exportieren" and in "Metadaten" unchecking "Metadaten immer in Ausgabedatei schreiben", the Metadata is still there in the copied file.

Greetings

PS: The copied file will not be put into the DB again, it is just for publishing

[Mario]

When you tell the BP to export the Original file, this is exactly what you get. A copy of the original file. All processing except file name mangling disabled, as it says in the docs.
To strip metadata by default, disable this option.

[Mario]

I have improved this for IMatch 2021 as follows:

A new option trim metadata has been added. It is available when the copy original file option is enabled.
If trim metadata is enabled, all metadata is removed from the output file.

If the copy original file option is off, only the metadata selected on the Metadata page is copied, as before.

[voronwe]

I have improved this for IMatch 2021 as follows:

A new option trim metadata has been added. It is available when the copy original file option is enabled.
If trim metadata is enabled, all metadata is removed from the output file.

If the copy original file option is off, only the metadata selected on the Metadata page is copied, as before.

Thanks, that seems to be a good improvement.
I the current way it seem that the image is allways rerendered, which would lead to qualitiy issues with jpg. Maybe a point would be not just to trimm the metadata, but having also the possiblity to remove specific Metadata (e.g. GPS) without rerendering the image itself. 

[Mario]

When you use the copy original file option, the Batch Processor does not re-render or modify the file at all.
This is the sole purpose of this option. To use the BP to distribute/rename files.
It also does not touch the metadata yet.

All other modes create a new output file from the original and don't copy metadata from the original unless you enable it on the metadata panel.
Most exports done with the BP are using a format/size conversion, so this is a problem not many users will ever have.

To remove metadata from a file, use the "Delete All Metadata" option in the ECP.

[miker]

Mario,
I found this post and gave it a shot.
It is not working for me.
I took photos as jpg.
I added them to photools.
I selected Tools | Import & Export.
I dragged one file (as an experiment after failing with multiple files) over to the "Image batch processor" app.
I created a new preset: RemoveMetaData
- units: no change
- Format and size: Export Original file unmodified=True; Trim Metadata=True
- Folder and Filename: I output the file to a local folder: C:\Users\myname\Documents\scratch\photools\web
-- also: no sort profile set. Remember sequence and keep filename=True. Sequence is 1 and digits is 1
-- clean output folder=True
-- add folder to database = Dont add.
-- stop on error = true
- The next editable preset is Metadata
-- Copy metadata: non checked.  Always write metadata to output file=False. Include annotations, include face annotations = false, custom metadata=false

Then I went and saved the profile with it's current options.
Finally  ran it.
The metadata is not removed.

imatch is up to date: 2021.11.4 (64bit)
ExifTool version 12.36
windows 10

[Mario]

I have fixed an issue with the Trim option. See #1609 at https://www.photools.com/release-notes/.

When you open your preset again, is Trim still enabled? If not, the behavior you see is caused by the Trim glitch and it will work again when the next IMatch release is shipped.
I have verified that this works correctly: Copy original file unmodified + Trim => only the minimum required metadata in output file.

Tip: You can run the ExifTool Command Processor on the output files with the "Remove all Metadata" preset as an alternative.