Created Date to DateTimeOriginal

[Ooteboe]

I have several files where the exif data 'DateTimeOriginal' differs from the XMP-data 'Created Date' which I have filled in by hand. In order to get these files on the right place in the timeline, I want to change the DateTimeOriginal. I can do that by hand with Tools > Modify Exif Date and Time... But that is very time-consuming.

I've tried to make a Metadata template in which the tag 'XMP::exif\DateTimeOriginal' is filled by: '{XMP::xmp\CreateDate\CreateDate|format:YYYY-MM-DD hh:mm:ss} 00:00:00'.

But this doesn't work. Anyone any idea?

Thanks, Hans

[Mario]

Define "Doesn't work". What happens?

Please note that filling the XMP tag requires a write-back so IMatch can map the XMP data back to EXIF.

These dates can be different, e.g. when you digitize a negative on a scanner. There is no need to set both tags to the same value.

[Ooteboe]

Define "Doesn't work". What happens?

Nothing happens. Except that I get unwritten metadata, and when I write it back, nothing changes.

There is no need to set both tags to the same value.

They were always different in my files. But then I start working with the timeline and I discovered that it read the dates from the Exif-data. The correct data is in the XMP, wich I filled in by hand (many scans from old photo's).

Hans

[Mario]

IMatch uses the File DateTime standard value it determines when importing a file for many purposes, including the timeline. This is in most cases the same as XMP.DateTimeCreated.
See https://www.photools.com/help/imatch/#tech_exifdate.htm for details.

Your variable is also wrong. Is should be

{File.MD.XMP::xmp\CreateDate\CreateDate|format:YYYY-MM-DD hh:mm:ss}

See https://www.photools.com/help/imatch/#var_basics.htm for detailed information about IMatch variables and the syntax they use.

Tip: Use the VarToy App  in the App Panel to test your variables.

[Ooteboe]

IMatch uses the File DateTime standard value it determines when importing a file for many purposes, including the timeline. This is in most cases the same as XMP.DateTimeCreated.

In my case it isn't. Many (scanned) photo's i've changed the XMP.DateTimeCreated by hand. And the exif DateTime is still the much later date of scanning. Excuse me if i'm wrong, but iMatch first looks at the exif?

I've found a workaround to prevent changing all data by hand: first copy the data from XMP.DataTimeCreated to XMP.GPS-date. And then with the menu-tool 'Modify Exif Date and Time...' copy the GPS date to Exif.

Hans

[Mario]

Did you write back the file after making the changes?
Where did you change the date?

IMatch favors the XMP tag when determining the "File Date Time" standard attribute which is used (see the help link in my last post).
Changing the XMP timestamp allows you to move the file along the timeline.

[jch2103]

Metadata dates are a real mess. Among other things, the tag names (as created by a variety of vendors/manufaturers/etc/ are misleading and confusing. You might find this post useful: https://www.photools.com/community/index.php?topic=1129.msg45637#msg45637

[Mario]

I've check the procedure.

After changing the tag named "Date Subject Created" (XMP::photoshop\DateCreated\DateCreated) in the Metadata Panel and writing back, IMatch uses the new date as the default "File Date and Time" and also for the timeline. This is how it is supposed to work. IMatch uses the Created Date if it exists, else the Digitized Date. See the help topic I've linked to above for details.

The only reason for this to fail I can think of is that ExifTool fails to update the EXIF data in the file (and the file has an EXIF record). But in that case IMatch should show a warning or at least there should be some warnings visible in the ExifTool output panel after the write-back operation.

[Ooteboe]

After changing the tag named "Date Subject Created" (XMP::photoshop\DateCreated\DateCreated)

Aha, now i know why it went wrong... I was working with: {File.MD.XMP::xmp\CreateDate\CreateDate\0}

I will delete this tag from my personal tags and only work with XMP::photoshop\DateCreated\DateCreated

Thanks again! Hans

[Mario]

Always use the "Standard" tags (Tag Selector dialog) where possible. If you create your own Metadata Panel layouts, check the default layouts to see which tags are used.

There are many similarly named tags, and date and time tags spread across all metadata standards and XMP namespaces. Metadata mess.
IMatch uses the "official" tags, which also ensures that the migration between EXIF > IPTC > XMP > IPTC > EXIF works properly.

[Ooteboe]

Always use the "Standard" tags (Tag Selector dialog) where possible.

They both belong to the standard tags, if i'm not wrong. But their behavior is very different.