Ingest / workflow question

[perg]

From pdnonline:
"A wire service photo editor I worked with in testing out Photo Mechanic 4.5.2 says he automates much
of the captioning right at Ingest so that by the time it comes to going through all the shots, three-quarters
of the captions are already done. He also sets up the program to recognize the serial numbers of cameras
of the various photographers he's working with on location so he doesn't have to keep track of which
photographer handed him which flash card."

What is the best way to set up the Stationery Pad to use camera serial numbers to insert the right byline? Code replacement?
I'd really need that trick.

Kirk: I cleaned the desk today and found a 1998 Ap Viewer CD. We've come a long way... 

Per

[Kirk Baker]

Per,

From pdnonline:
"A wire service photo editor I worked with in testing out Photo Mechanic 4.5.2 says he automates much
of the captioning right at Ingest so that by the time it comes to going through all the shots, three-quarters
of the captions are already done. He also sets up the program to recognize the serial numbers of cameras
of the various photographers he's working with on location so he doesn't have to keep track of which
photographer handed him which flash card."

What is the best way to set up the Stationery Pad to use camera serial numbers to insert the right byline? Code replacement?
I'd really need that trick.

The variable you want is {serial} which when it evaluates will be a different value for each camera.  What I would do is get at least one image from each camera then put the {serial} variable in one of the Contact Sheet label fields (Preferences->Contact Sheet->Labels).  Then when you browse the images, you'll see the serial number under each thumbnail.  Copy those down and put them into your Code Replacement text file, each on their own line.  After each number, enter a tab character followed by the text you want to be replaced for each serial number.  Then save the file and load it into the Code Replacement dialog.

Then you can use \{serial}\ in your IPTC Stationery Pad and wherever you put it, (when Ingested) your images will have that corresponding text applied to that field.

Kirk: I cleaned the desk today and found a 1998 Ap Viewer CD. We've come a long way... 

Yep, we've been around for a long time.  That's cool that you found it.

-Kirk

[perg]

Tried to find the serial number, but none of our cameras seem to display them. Have tried Mk II, Mk III and D3, but the serial number is blank on all. 

Per




[attachment deleted by admin]

[Kirk Baker]

Per,

Tried to find the serial number, but none of our cameras seem to display them. Have tried Mk II, Mk III and D3, but the serial number is blank on all.

Can you post a screenshot of your Info Text dialog?  Also, what version of Photo Mechanic are you running?

-Kirk

[perg]

Kirk,

Not sure what you mean by info text dialog, would this be it?
images were straight from ingesting, nothing done to them.
I also searched the files with CS3, Graphic Converter and EXIF Viewer. No serial number anywhere.
PM version is 2.5.2, Apple Mac Powerbook G3 15" running OS 10.5.0

I am totally stumped,
Per



[attachment deleted by admin]

[perg]

Sorry,

PM version 4.5.2

I am getting tired 

Per

[Kirk Baker]

Per,

Not sure what you mean by info text dialog, would this be it?
images were straight from ingesting, nothing done to them.
I also searched the files with CS3, Graphic Converter and EXIF Viewer. No serial number anywhere.
PM version is 4.5.2, Apple Mac Powerbook G3 15" running OS 10.5.0

What I want to see is the dialog that you get from the "Set Info Text..." menu item on the Edit menu.

Thanks,

-Kirk

[perg]

Sorry,

I am getting thick, close to midnight and long day.
I tried all three variable versions without luck.

Per




[attachment deleted by admin]

[Kirk Baker]

Per,

Sorry,

I am getting thick, close to midnight and long day.
I tried all three variable versions without luck.

At this point I would suggest you try the 4.5.3 beta.  Support for the D3 was not in 4.5.2 yet.

-Kirk

[perg]

Nope, same result in 4.5.3. No serial number.
Just got another crash, will tell you more on the support forum.

Per

[Kirk Baker]

Per,

Nope, same result in 4.5.3. No serial number.
Just got another crash, will tell you more on the support forum.

I'm going to need to see some sample images from you.  Contact me privately for upload info.

Thanks,

-Kirk

[nharnik]

Per,
Don't sweat it out with Nikon serial numbers.
The serial number method seems to work best with Canon cameras (but last I heard not so well with the MK III).
Instead use the camera user comment or owner ID that the Nikon user can add to the camera. Then use the {id} or {owner} or {comment} variable to achieve the workflow bliss you seek
nati

[perg]

nharnik,

Thanks, I'll try that way. I always muddle it when I get a handful of cf cards from my photographers, so an easy way to ID the images would be worth a lot.

Per

[vAfotoriporter]

I use a Canon 1D MKII and a 5D. They both give me the serial numbers in their RAWs but not in the embedded JPG (I never tried the out of camera JPG).

I prefer adding a camera identifier to the filename during ingest but it is impossible using the PM default \ delimiter (since Win permits using \ in filenames) so I changed the delimiter to be + instead so adding +{snum}+ to the filename puts a predefinied signal (a,b,c whatever in my case) to the filename. Of course you may add your shooter initials as well.

Of course if you have troubble using the serial number you should try the owner variable just set all cameras for different owner IDs with their software.