Cancel command data writeback

[Aubrey]

I am using IMatch for the first time on mixed data files; pdf, xlsx doc etc.
There is a set of jpg scans which have been orientated incorrectly.
I used 1 star 2 star 3 star to delimit how these should be rotated in a batch type operation.
After the rotation I removed the stars.

I have a yellow pencil asking me to writeback, and generate the xmp buddy file. Is there a way to cancel all the writebacks (I have no need to the xmp files). I know I could select and then delete the xmp files, but is there a more elegant way.

Thanks,
Aubrey.

[Mario]

If you work with the rating (stars) you effectively change the XMP data associated with your files. And IMatch of course will then update the files (creating XMP sidecar files or update the embedded XMP data). There is no way to "cancel" that because IMatch must prevent the data in the file from becoming out of synch with what you see in the database. Or at least make it clear to the user that the data in the file does not match what he sees in the user interface.

You can force IMatch to reload the metadata via the <Shift>+<Ctrl>+<F5> command > Reload Metadata. This will also reset the pending write-back because IMatch will forget the changes you have done to the metadata in your files. It just deletes the database contents and re-fills it from the metadata in your files.

Before you do that, go to Edit > Preferences > Metadata 2: Protection and disable the options to protect unwritten metadata (because otherwise IMatch protects modified metadata in the database from becoming replaced).

For the future: If you don't want to change metadata, don't change it.
IMatch offers many other ways to "mark" files for certain purposes. Actually, that's the main purpose of collections like Pins, Flags, Bookmarks and Dots. These are only managed in the IMatch database itself and do not cause a change in the metadata associated with your files. Rating, Label etc. do.

[Aubrey]

Mario,
Thanks for the info applied the suggested technique.

First time I've used the DB for anything other than photos.
It works really well for opening excel files in different folders - easy to see in the hierarchy, highlight all files required to open and then CRTL enter to open.
I can then nicely scroll through the different workbooks with the EXCEL CRTL-TAB and compare parameters easily. Prior to this it was always difficult to get the correct set of excel files open.

Aubrey.

[Richard]

IMatch offers many other ways to "mark" files for certain purposes. Actually, that's the main purpose of collections like Pins, Flags, Bookmarks and Dots. These are only managed in the IMatch database itself and do not cause a change in the metadata associated with your files. Rating, Label etc. do.

That answer solves a problem I have been having. I have been rating files to show that I have verified one category assignment is correct. Then have a filter to remove all files with a rating. It works but the filter can not do its job until the reading and writing have been finished. Pins, etc. will speed my work. I will blame "Old-Timers" for not thinking of it on my own. This is one old dog that needs to learn more new tricks.

[Mario]

I have added two more paragraphs to the Collections topic based on this thread. It's hard to anticipate how users are going to use a feature, or in which problems they run. I now explain explicitly that rating/label causes write-backs (before this was only implicit). I also explain that the flag, bookmark, dot and pins collections are stored in the database only and are a fast way to "mark" files for something, e.g. later processing.

[Richard]

I have added two more paragraphs to the Collections topic based on this thread.

I am sure that will help others but it would not have helped me. I knew it already but forgot to remember what I knew. 

[Mario]

Well, we can only strive to be better... 

[Ferdinand]

Now that I have a production DB, I can see the value of all those dots and pins.  I regard them as like multiple bookmarks.  I.e. for transitory file assignments.  They're very useful for temporarily marking images in a complex workflow.  Any file assignments that need to persist should be made to a category or keyword or similar.  Of course you could use dots and pins for persistent assignments, but they're a limited resource, whereas categories are not.