Need some help with converting categories to keywords and write to images

[msprygada]

So I about 45,000 images that I have cataloged with iMatch since probably version 3. I am not sure if there were keywords back then but in any case, I cataloged my images with categories. But I want to use my images outside of iMatch and from what I am reading on here, putting the keywords in the IPTC of the file is the way to go. 

If that is true, is it possible to convert my categories that are assigned to my images to keywords and write them to my images. What are the general steps to do this right the first time.

Thanks in advance.

[Mario]

IMatch supports hierarchical keywords since version 5, which means for about a decade.
At the time of IMatch 3, XMP was in its infancy and there were no hierarchical keywords.

In principle, to copy categories into keywords, you need to use a Metadata Template and a variable.
For example, if you have a hierarchy like



you can create a Metadata Template using these settings



to copy the category hierarchy into hierarchical keywords in XMP. If you want to merge or replace existing keywords depends on your requirements.

The filter part controls which categories you want to copy into keywords. DO NOT copy all categories into keywords, this makes usually no sense. Be selective.

Tip: Enter the variable {File.Categories} into VarToy to see all categories of the selected file. Then add a filter and see the outcome. More information about variables: Filtering Category Variables

IMatch stores the keywords in the file when you write back, and automatically mirrors them in the @Keywords Category. Your old categories then can be deleted.

A quick Google search for imatch categories into keyworrds revealed this old but still valid post from Ferdinand from many years ago: https://www.photools.com/community/index.php/topic,3428.msg.html?PHPSESSID=06aff677075419658e37d51a8bec3ab8

Important: Make a backup copy of your database before you perform such global scale changes. If something goes wrong, you can copy back the database from the backup and start over. Unless you write-back, all changes are only done to the database.