Some IMatch 5 questions: Plain flat category list for current selection?

[leifel]

Hi,

I plan to finally switch from IMatch 3.6. Database conversion went well except for a few formula categories that made the converter hick about some categories not found. It turned out that the converter expected '|' as category name separator (in the category references of the category formulas) even though IMatch 3.6 formulas used a '.' character. Strange, but no big deal except it took me a while to figure out since the error messages in the conversion report only said something like "unknown category".

The new IMatch 5 looks nice and I look forward to a much improved workflow. What I need to test next (before I uninstall IMatch 3.6 and "go for it") is how the new scripting engine works, and its compatibility level with scripts from 3.6. Can I assume most scripts will be able to run with v5 without major modifications? Is the scripting APIs conceptually the same, or is it changed in ways that force us to think differently?

One thing I am used to from IMatch 3.6 is the view of plain categories assign for the current selection (see attachment).I cannot find anything like this among IMatch 5 view panels. Do IMatch 5 provide any such panel where I can easily see (and unassign) which categories are assigned to the current selection?

[attachment deleted by admin]

[Ferdinand]

Most scripts will need at least some modification.  The help file has a specific page titled "IMatch 3 to 5 Scripting Migration Guide".  Overall it's quite similar, but there are some important changes to the document object model and to some methods and object properties.  There are also plenty of sample scripts.

Most changes are search and replace.  I've uploaded my own migration notes:
    https://www.photools.com/community/index.php?topic=3088.0
but some things require more work.  Any scripts that deal in IPTC will need to be modified to work with the corresponding XMP fields, and properties are now attributes.

Re "plain categories", are you looking to hide @Keywords, data-driven and formula categories?  I think the "Current" tab in the Category panel does this, does it not?  Also, you could open an app panel and select the category dashboard and you will get a listing of both kinds of categories.

[Ferdinand]

p.s.  a lot of scripts that were used in 3.6 are no longer needed in 5.1, so before you make the effort to migrate a script, see if you can use native 5.1 functionality.  For example, most scripts that manipulate metadata can be replaced with a 5.1 metadata template.

[Mario]

Many scripts have become obsolete because IMatch 5 contains a lot more functionality.
Check out the Scripting Migration Guide in the help for a start. Many users have migrated scripts over the past year. If you have specific questions, post in the Scripting board and other users will be most likely able to help.

The Category Panel (View menu > Panels > Category Panel) contains the functionality you are looking for (and a lot of other features).
You may also like the Category Dashboard App, which you can run in the App Panel (View menu > Panels > App Panel).

Tips:

1. Read the For IMatch 3 Users topic in the help (Help menu > Open the Help System. Right at the top).
2. Browse the Visual Index  in the help for a good overview of all IMatch 5 features.
3. Print out the keyboard cheat sheets in the Quick Start Guide (also in the Help menu). They show you all frequently used commands and their keyboard shortcuts.

Don't hesitate to use the built-in help system. It is rather good and only <F1> key away...

[leifel]

Ferdinand: Your script migration notes are just excellent. Looks like they come from a real programmer. Thanks!
Mario: The "Current" tab is exactly what I was looking for. Great! Thanks, and congratulation with a fantastic product with IMatch 5.
And, yes, I will certainly read and use the built-in help. Looks like it is well structured and has meaningful content. I am impressed.

[Ferdinand]

Looks like they come from a real programmer.

Appearances can be deceptive.