Retaining Categories in the Batch Processor

[fincire]

When I use the Image Batch Processor to output an image, it carries over metadata I specify in the "Copy Metadata" list, but I can't see any way to copy an image's category. Is this possible?

Similarly, is there a way to add metadata (and/or categories) using the Renamer?

Thank you!

[Mario]

The Batch Processor is used to create / export images from IMatch. In 99% of all common use cases, the resulting images are never managed by IMatch. They are written to folders not managed by IMatch.
The BP does not copy categories and only the metadata you explicitly specify.

The Renamer allows you to rename files in batch. It cannot add metadata or categories. Renaming a file does not change the metadata or categories assigned, so there is no use case for this.

[fincire]

I ask because I often use the Batch Processor and/or Renamer to perform various functions in Imatch, rather than using an external program. For example, I use the Batch Processor to "export" a copy of an image at a different size, or to convert a PNG to a JPG, etc.

I've found that Photoshop often strips metadata when I use it. It also tends to balloon the file size -- I might edit an image in Photoshop, then Flatten/Save/Close, and the resulting overwrite is 5x bigger than the original for no good reason. Thus I was hoping I could then have Imatch re-optimize things without losing data.

Granted, it's not what these functions are meant for. Could you or anyone recommend an alternative way to accomplish what I'd like to do?

Thank you!

[hluxem]

I think what you like to do could be accomplished with file relations. If you define the exported picture as a version of the original, you can propagate the categories from the master file. You can have multiple versions for one master if needed.
It's best to test with a small test database until you know what works best for you. You will need to define a naming scheme and the location of the versions.
See the help for more details on versioning.

Heiner