Not propagating Metadata if unchanged

[Rene Toepfer]

Hello,

can I set that IM does not propagate metadata if they are unchanged? For example, following case:
I have a master RAW and versions of it in different resolutions. Now I create a new image and refresh the folder within IM so that the new image will be registered as a version of an already existing RAW.
If I look in the browser of IM the master RAW now shows the pen because there is a new version with unwritten metadata. So far so good.
If I tell IM to propagate the metadata it will also propagate them to the previously registered version which already contains these metadata. How can I set that IM does not propagate metadata if the metadata are unchanged?

[Mario]

I'm not sure that I understand the question.

IMatch propagates metadata when you write-back the master.
It writes back the master, then copies from the master to the versions what you have configured.

[Rene Toepfer]

That's correct.

I try it with different words. In my case I have a master RAW and nine different versions as JPG. Now I create a new - 10th - JPG and IM "links" it to the master RAW.
In the new JPG the metadata are not written and/or different to the master RAW. That's the reason why the pen appears on the master RAW.
If I tell IM to write the metadata, they will not only written into the 10th JPG but also all existing nine JPG and the master RAW itself - even the metadata on the master RAW are not changed.
Now my question: Can I set IM to write metadata only into files where is a difference to the master RAW?

[Mario]

If I tell IM to write the metadata, they will not only written into the 10th JPG but also all existing nine JPG and the master RAW itself - even the metadata on the master RAW are not changed.

This is how this works.
You write back the master, which produces new and updated timestamps, maybe digests (check sums) etc. Many things can change during a write-back.
And then this data must be transferred to all versions. Including new digests, time stamps, whatnot.
IMatch does not check individual versions to figure out if and which data must be written. This would be way to complicated and would consume more time than a simple write-back.
I mean, writing 10 JPG files takes a few seconds, tops.

And you control when the write-back is performed so if you have to write-back many files, you can let IMatch do it when you don't need your PC.
IMatch writes back multiple files in parallel, depending on the performance of your PC and the settings under Edit > Preferences > Application.
And ExifTool is usually very fast.

[sinus]

If I tell IM to write the metadata, they will not only written into the 10th JPG but also all existing nine JPG and the master RAW itself - even the metadata on the master RAW are not changed.

This is how this works.
You write back the master, which produces new and updated timestamps, maybe digests (check sums) etc. Many things can change during a write-back.
And then this data must be transferred to all versions. Including new digests, time stamps, whatnot.
IMatch does not check individual versions to figure out if and which data must be written. This would be way to complicated and would consume more time than a simple write-back.
I mean, writing 10 JPG files takes a few seconds, tops.

And you control when the write-back is performed so if you have to write-back many files, you can let IMatch do it when you don't need your PC.
IMatch writes back multiple files in parallel, depending on the performance of your PC and the settings under Edit > Preferences > Application.
And ExifTool is usually very fast.

Hm, I have to check my preferences.
I have just checked again:

I have a master (nef). Write-back is done.
Then I open Photoshop and create a jpg.

IMatch does recognise this, adds the jpg as a version and set the write-pencil to the version, but not to the master.

I then let propagate the version with F4 P.
Then I write back the version.

I open the nef again in PS and create a second version.

Here is the same: I let propagate this version and it gets a write-back-pencil (and is also in the write-back-section of collections), but the master stays without pencil.
Hmm, I have to check this.

[Mario]

Your Photoshop operations don't affect the master.
If you add versions after the fact, you need to propagate manually once (F4,P) unless the master has a pending write-back. See help for details.

[Rene Toepfer]

Thanks for the help! F4,P I have not yet realized.