iMatch equivalent for Photomechanic code replacement

[Martin P Wilson]

The prodigal son is in the process of returning to the iMatch fold, I used it probably 15 years or more ago In the interim I went elsewhere but they have become so expensive I cannot justify the annual cost (CaptureOne and PhotoMechanic). I have also been tied up with doing a PhD so doing much less photography.

I will really miss PhotoMechanic especially its code replacement capability but it has doubled in cost. When I covered sports events I could set up all the teams and players beforehand in text file and then as I processed the pictures between races/ events I would enter them as a shortcode into the metadata that PM replaced with the full text. For example '/MB44' would become 'Mercedes-Benz, Lewis Hamilton' - I would also set up the event and  other details in a template that would propogate using variables into the IPTC headline in the form my agency required.

IPTC metadata handling is the key issue for me. Can I do something similar in iMatch, perhaps using scripting?

I will be downloading the trial this evening to try it out, but I would appreciate it if someone could get me started. I always felt iMatch was good but never really had the time to get properly to grips with it especially as Pm was so good. I am thinking I will use it with DxO Photolab which seems to be a favoured combination.

[Mario]

This sounds like something you would do with Metadata Templates or AutoFill.

You can trigger templates and AutoFill via Favorites, which allows you to apply them with a single click or a custom keyboard shortcut. Or, for the most frequently used items, you can just add them to the File Window ribbon.

When I understand your "code replacement" thing correctly. You select something or type in something somewhere and then PM fills multiple metadata tags in legacy IPTC or modern XMP IPTC tags.
This is how you "trigger" AutoFill by typing into one of the tags you have used: AutoFill

Both AutoFill and Metadata Templates support Variables for dynamic on-the-fly content generation, copying of metadata between tags (e.g. copy camera make/model/serial into the tag your agency requires) and more.

Tip: For stationary data like copyright info, legal, usage restrictions, storing camera make/model in keywords etc, you can also use Metadata Templates and make IMatch apply them when it ingests new or updated images.
You can trigger different templates for files you have marked as read-only in camera, which thus can be used to process keepers in a different way.

To rename files and distribute them into date-based or camera-based folders, use the Renamer.
You can run a Renamer preset when new files come into the database, to automatically rename them and move them into date-based folders, for example.

I have not used PM in more than a decade (I have IMatch  ) but these features should get you a long way.

[Martin P Wilson]

Thanks Mario, that information is very useful. Variables looks exactly like what I need and currently use for creating Headline, Title, Description.

Autofill is close, I need to play with that but you have given an invaluable starting point. Saved me quite a lot of time, thanks.

Of course there is a lot more to explore.

Regards

Martin