I use PM and Portfolio at the moment, and can't wait for a PM cataloging feature.
Currently, I import into PM where I do all my sorting, tagging, adding IPTC info, and editing via Photoshop. PM handles all my daily chores because it's simply the best browser ever. The files stay on my hard drive until I have enough to fill a disc, then I burn a disc and catalog it using Portfolio. I use Portfolio simply because I need the ability to find photos that I've catalogued offline... I don't like it much for anything else, searching offline is the only thing I can't do in PM.
I've read on this forum where some feel image editing features should be integrated into PM, others feel cataloging should be integrated, and still others feel that cataloging should be an add-on program. Although I see image editing as very separate from PM (leave that to Photoshop), I see browsing and cataloging as extentions of the same idea... looking through, searching for, and generally handling digital photos. Only difference is that some are on your HD and some aren't. I don't think a cataloging program really needs to DO much more than PM already does, it just needs to broaden the existing scope to include offline images. Same contact sheets, preview windows etc, with the ability to find and display offline files as well as HD files. In that respect, it seems to make more sense to integrate cataloging abilities with the current PM rather than building a stand alone or "add-on" program. Knowing the PM gang, they would never allow it slow down other tasks or get too big and bloated. I think an integrated approach will ultimately be simpler, plus the best features the PM will be right there are at your fingertips.
Perhaps in addition to the "navigator" and the "favorites" columns on the left, PM could simply add a "catalog" column to accommodate custom and /or smart galleries of all your cataloged photos. Otherwise, hopefully the look and feel of the PM we all know and love could remain basically unchanged.
I guess one question is whether all photos ingested into the PM browser automatically become part of the PM cataloging database, or does the user add them manually when ready? I would prefer the latter so nothing ends up in the catalog until it's ready (sorting, IPTC info, editing etc). Perhaps a simple "add to catalog" command that sends the selected photos to be cataloged.
As for features, here's a few I'd like (many of these are features I like and use already in Portfolio):
- the whole point of cataloging is the ability to find you're photos, so powerful and highly customizable search features, saved searches and integrated "smart galleries" are important. Also handy would be the option to search for only offline photos, only photos on HD, or both. The ability to limit the search to user-selectable folders on a HD as opposed to the Spotlight-style whole HD approach would also be great.
- automatically update the thumbnail/preview file path when photos are burned to disc and removed from the HD so you don't have to re-catalog the disc.
- if cataloged photos are still on your HD, they will be visible in the browser area and the catalog area. Therefore it would be nice if the PM browser had the ability to identify photos that have already been cataloged to avoid accidentally sending them to be cataloged again.
- when sending images to be cataloged, the option to build custom-sized full screen previews as well as thumbnails.
- within a contact sheet, in addition to the filename under each photo add the variables option so extra info like date or file path (disc name) can be viewed.
- option to view contact sheet in a list-type view so all IPTC info and/or camera data (user customizable?) can be seen next to each thumbnail.
- sorting of galleries using any of the variables options, or custom manual sorting.
Sorry to go on at length, but a PM cataloging solution has been on my wish list forever. Hope to see it soon... tomorrow would be nice! (kidding... sort-of). Do you know/are you able to share any details yet, like; integrated program vs add-on program, features, timeline etc?
Cheers.
