Batch Processing Nikon NEFs with PM

[theim]

Hi Kirk,

I must reprocess a large number (thousands) of Nikon RAW files (NEFs).
The reason I must reprocess is another story, but suffice it to say reprocessing is critical.
I believe Photo Mechanic could be a great tool for this.

Before I embark on this large task, I'd like to see if my assumptions are correct.
Would PM be able to do the following?

For NEFs which I reprocess:
1. Use PM to extract the embedded JPGs to another folder.
2. Batch process the original NEFs to a new folder.
3. Use PM to copy IPTC metadata from the JPGs to the newly processed NEFs.
4. Delete the original NEFs and JPGs

The original NEFs reside in hundreds of folders, so I will probably be doing this one folder at a time, or perhaps, will the folders in groups by opening multiple folders into one contact sheet.

Thanks,
-Tom

[theim]

I forgot to mention I am using PM version 4.6.1 and can run the aforementioned procedure on either Windows XP or Mac OS X 10.5.

Thanks,
-Tom

[Kirk Baker]

Tom,

I must reprocess a large number (thousands) of Nikon RAW files (NEFs).
The reason I must reprocess is another story, but suffice it to say reprocessing is critical.
I believe Photo Mechanic could be a great tool for this.

Before I embark on this large task, I'd like to see if my assumptions are correct.
Would PM be able to do the following?

For NEFs which I reprocess:
1. Use PM to extract the embedded JPGs to another folder.
2. Batch process the original NEFs to a new folder.

What program will be doing step #2?
Why do you need to extract the JPEGs from the NEFs before you process them?

3. Use PM to copy IPTC metadata from the JPGs to the newly processed NEFs.
4. Delete the original NEFs and JPGs

The original NEFs reside in hundreds of folders, so I will probably be doing this one folder at a time, or perhaps, will the folders in groups by opening multiple folders into one contact sheet.

#3 and #4 are definitely doable with PM.  I need to know more about steps 1 and 2.

-Kirk

[theim]

Sorry - I did not provide enough information!

Many of the original NEFs I will be processing contain keywords and other IPTC information I wrote to these files using PM.
I prefer to use only PM to write information to my original RAW files.

I will be batch processing these original NEFs through NX2, which will create a copy of the NEF.  Yesterday, I was concerned that when the new NEFs were created (via NX2 batch) that the new copies would not retain the keyword/IPTC info.  I ran a test this morning and found this is not the case!

So it won't be necessary for me to create temporary JPGs (using PM) for purposes of copying the keyword/IPTC info back into the newly created NEFs.

That's a long-winded way of saying I'm all set!

As always, thanks for your prompt response and excellent support.
-Tom