Old Version of iMatch

[Lana]

Hello!
I have an old version of iMatch on my old computer, been using it for years.  The version is 3.6.0.118.

My old computer used Windows 7, my new computer is Windows 10.  Can I use my old version of iMatch on my new computer with Win10?

And if I do choose to upgrade to the newer version, is there an upgrade price?

Thank you.

[Mario]

Hi,

IMatch 3.x is no longer supported. This software is several years out of date.
It may run on W10 or it may not run. I never tested this. IMatch 3 was outdated long before Windows 10 even existed.

There are no discounts anymore for IMatch 3.x users.
You were offered a discount when IMatch 5 came out. And there were several special sales over the years. But no more for IMatch 3.

Note: IMatch 5, IMatch 5.5 and all IMatch 2017 versions included a database converter which could upgrade the old IMatch 3.x format to modern IMatch versions.
This converter is no longer supported. Your version is just to old.

To start fresh with IMatch 2019, follow the steps explained in section 4.1 of the old "IMatch 3 to IMatch 5" guide:

https://www.photools.com/2928/upgrading-to-imatch-5/

This explains how to create a new database and how to transfer your categories (and properties, if you used those) from IMatch 3 to IMatch 2019.

[Lana]

Thank you.  And thanks for the link, I will definitely upgrade.  I'm recently retired, so I have more time now to work on this.

Thanks again Mario for all your help.

[Mario]

Very good.

Post in this community when you run into trouble.
Many things have changed since IMatch 3.

I recommend watching some of the free tutorial videos for IMatch in the IMatch Learning Center: https://www.photools.com/imatch-learning-center/
This will show you how to create a database, add files, use the File Window, Metadata and Keyword panel etc.

[Lana]

Mario,

I just need something clarified.  Before I pay for the new version of iMatch, I was hoping to download a free trial version first, then (per your instructions) follow the instructions in 4.1 of the old "IMatch 3 to IMatch 5" guide.

I understand the converter is no longer supported.  However, I was going to give it a try anyway.  But according to the instructions, I need to download the 32-bit version in order to get the converter.  Looks like I can only download the 64-bit version though.  There doesn't seem to be a 32-bit version that I could find.

Does this mean the converter is no longer available?

Again, I understand the converter is no longer supported.  If I need to start from scratch, I just need to know that going in.

Thanks.

[Mario]

As I said, the converter is no longer available. It was included in version 5, 5.5, IMatch 2017 and IMatch 2018 - until IMatch switched to 64-bit only support.

If you still have IMatch 3 your database and metadata is many years out-of-date. Just start fresh with a fresh database and import your files. See section 4.1 in the "IMatch 3 to IMatch 5" guide for a way to manually export/import your categories.

[Lana]

Got it, thank you! 

[Lana]

So I purchased the new version of iMatch, downloaded it and set up a new database.  I am now trying to export my categories from the old version of iMatch, but I keep getting the following error message "Error During File Creation".  I understand I'm starting over, but it would be nice to at least have my categories.  Any thoughts or suggestions?  Thank you.

[Mario]

I don't recall IMatch 3 anymore all to well, sorry.

But the error message indicates that IMatch cannot write the category file.
Maybe try another folder.
Check the IMatch log file in the TEMP folder on your system for additional info.
To open the TEMP folder, type %TEMP% into the Windows Explorer address bar. The log file is named something like IMatch... log when I recall correctly.

Also, make sure you select the "with file links" format so IMatch 3 exports your categories and file assignments.

[Aubrey]

IMatch 3.x is no longer supported. This software is several years out of date.
It may run on W10 or it may not run. I never tested this. IMatch 3 was outdated long before Windows 10 even existed.

I just loaded up Imatch 3.6.0.60  (June 2008) appears to run fine on W10.
Interesting exercise, amazing how far we've progressed. The interface is (unsurprisingly) very dated. We've progressed a long way - well done Mario !!!

Aubrey.

[Mario]

12 years old, still working 

[Lana]

Ok, it worked!  Your suggestion to "Maybe try another folder" worked!  I just chose a different folder to save the file.  Easy, peasy.  Thank you!
And importing the categories also worked great as well.   iMatch actually found the files and assigned them to the categories.  I feel on top of the world right now.   I thought I had to assign all my picture files to the categories myself.  That would have been a daunting task, and I admit I was dreading it. 

By the way, the new version of iMatch is REALLY different from 3.6.  Wow!  Looks awesome.  I have a lot to learn.

Thank you again.  Have a great day.

[Mario]

That's excellent news. Good job!

By the way, the new version of iMatch is REALLY different from 3.6.  Wow!  Looks awesome.  I have a lot to learn.

You've skipped 12 years of continuous development. Many things in the imaging and DAM world have changed since 2008...

Up till IMatch 2018 there was a special section in the help, "For IMatch 3 users", which explained the differences between the 3.x releases and the 5.x releases (which worked very similar to IMatch 2019). This section has been removed from the help some time ago. I did not think it was worth the effort to keep it up-to-date.

Your best friend will be the IMatch Help System. Accessible via <F1> in IMatch and also via https://www.photools.com/help/imatch/
Check out the free video tutorials in the IMatch Learning Center: https://www.photools.com/imatch-learning-center/
These should get you started quickly.