Ability to jump from one code replacement point to the next in caption

[David Maginnis]

This one is for those who work in the field (literally) in all sorts of inclement weather conditions trying to capture, edit and caption photos with one hand on the camera and the other on the laptop.  I shoot soccer (football over here  and my captions are largely the same basic structure with "Team A's /Ta and Team B's /Tb during this evenings game at...." etc etc.  I often struggle when placing the cursor at the replacement code position particularly when using the mouse pad especially when the hands are cold or wet.  It often ends up either in front of the word "and" or before the first letters of the code. Very frustrating when under pressure to get that image captioned and sent within minutes of the action.
I was thinking it would be great if, when you open your image to enter the caption details, there was a shortcut which would automatically insert the cursor after your code replacement symbol and then, when you'd completed the code entry allowed you to jump to the next one without having to insert the cursor manually.   It would speed up my captioning significantly.   
Any alternative suggestions which would improve this particular scenario would be gladly welcomed.

[FVlcek]

When shooting sports, I use code replacement (CR) from unused IPTC fields, because it's easier to enter there precisely for the reasons you stated, combined with variable evaluation (both are insanely powerful Photomechanic features, and everybody should learn about them!)

Therefore my caption might read something like "{suppcat1} and {suppcat2} during the..." where I enter the replacement into the two supplemental category fields, and it gets autopopulated correctly.

Only problem with that approach - your system might use these fields for something already, your agency might use them for something already or might have a problem with them being prepopulatech (better check). I guess you could use Group Label 16 through 20, I am not sure they are ever used for anything except perhaps some specialised agency label, though I might be mistaken.

I used supplemental category since back in the days of hardwired IPTC stationery ("classic"), these fields were visible and I did not have any use for them. Now, that you can for several years customise your IPTC info and stationery dialogues (and if you haven't, you should! ) , you can easily put and use the group label 16-20 in your default IPTC dialogues (it's in Preferences/Accessibility/Customise...).

Or, if the Group label is needed (or would interfere with IPTC processing on the agency's side), perhaps file a feature request here in the forums for several Custom labels to be added to the dialogue (and appropriate Variable to go with them). These Custom labels would NEVER get written to the file (and a appropriate warning would be writtren in it's description in the preferences), and would be used ONLY for writing the replacement codes and their evaluation elsewhere in the Caption field or wherever via variables. How about that ?

[Kirk Baker]

Frantisek,

Only problem with that approach - your system might use these fields for something already, your agency might use them for something already or might have a problem with them being prepopulatech (better check). I guess you could use Group Label 16 through 20, I am not sure they are ever used for anything except perhaps some specialised agency label, though I might be mistaken.

The Group Labels are those 'blue header' items that you can use to organize or delineate your custom layout.  They don't accept text input and have no variables to represent them.

Your workflow suggestion is otherwise good.  You could always apply an IPTC Stationery Pad to clear out those fields that you used temporarily to fill for the purposes of Code Replacement as a final step for preparation for delivery.

-Kirk

[David Maginnis]

When shooting sports, I use code replacement (CR) from unused IPTC fields, because it's easier to enter there precisely for the reasons you stated, combined with variable evaluation (both are insanely powerful Photomechanic features, and everybody should learn about them!)

Therefore my caption might read something like "{suppcat1} and {suppcat2} during the..." where I enter the replacement into the two supplemental category fields, and it gets autopopulated correctly.

I actually use the Supp Cat fields for the names of the 2 teams in the IPTC stationery pad.  eg Supp Cat 1 could contain text : "Liverpool's /liv" and Supp Cat 2 could be "Arsenal's /ar"  With the caption text containing [Supp Cat 1] and {Supp Cat 2} during this afternoons game.  I then apply this standard IPTC stationery to each of the selected images then, in each individual image, complete the codes by adding in the players shirt numbers to automatically insert their names.  Once the IPTC stationery pad is applied to the batch of selected images, surely its too late to then add the players number to the Supp Cat fields to allow auto insert of their names into the actual caption field?  I did try it using the fields, and whilst it inserts the names in the Supp Cat fields it doesn't add the names into the actual caption which I need.  Unless I'm missing the trick somewhere. 

[Kirk Baker]

David,

Generally, to utilize alternate fields for code replacement, it is an iterative/multi-pass process:

1) Apply base information via IPTC Stationery Pad to all common images.
2) Use IPTC Info to add codes/code fragments to alternative fields by looking at each image and identifying subjects
3) Use IPTC Stationery Pad to look up codes from alternative fields via their corresponding {variable}, placing them at various spots in your Caption.

There is a bunch of documentation and examples here: http://wiki.camerabits.com/en/index.php/User_Manual_Flat_View#Speeding_Up_Captioning

If you'll show more concrete examples of the type of Captions you're trying to create (screenshots are great) then I'll try and suggest specific things to improve your Code Replacement experience.

Use the 'Attachments and other options' link when you're composing your reply to this message and there you'll be able to upload your JPEG format screenshots.

Thanks,

-Kirk

[Bob]

David: I have the same issue trying to place the cursor directly after the "\" for code replace in a hurry trying to edit as many photos as possible at an NFL halftime, for example. My solution was to use a macro that, in this case, moves the cursor one line down, then one character over to the right, each time the IPTC Info opens... which is exactly where it needs to be to be after the "\" in my caps. It does require running a very useful app called "Keyboard Maestro" (paid, unfortunately), but once loaded, it will also do many other useful things, like allow quick key macros of anything (email addresses, anything). It's very powerful.
If anyone is interested, I will share the macro for this, you just import it into Keyboard Maestro.

[David Maginnis]

David: I have the same issue trying to place the cursor directly after the "\" for code replace in a hurry trying to edit as many photos as possible at an NFL halftime, for example. My solution was to use a macro that, in this case, moves the cursor one line down, then one character over to the right, each time the IPTC Info opens... which is exactly where it needs to be to be after the "\" in my caps. It does require running a very useful app called "Keyboard Maestro" (paid, unfortunately), but once loaded, it will also do many other useful things, like allow quick key macros of anything (email addresses, anything). It's very powerful.
If anyone is interested, I will share the macro for this, you just import it into Keyboard Maestro.

Thanks Kirk,
I'll take some time out on Monday to outline my current workflow so you can see what I have currently.  Any suggestions for improving would be very welcome.  Thanks again. 
Working at International soccer match tomorrow so don't really want to change anything radically for the time being until this assignment is completed.

[David Maginnis]

As requested.  Screenprint of my edited IPTC stationery pad. 

[Kirk Baker]

So /cr/ turns into "Jordan Owens" and /gl/ turns into "Rhys Marshall"?

Is that correct?

-Kirk

[David Maginnis]

So /cr/ turns into "Jordan Owens" and /gl/ turns into "Rhys Marshall"?

Is that correct?

-Kirk

Thats correct.  I enter the players shirt number and the backslash and the code is replaced as norm.   

[Kirk Baker]

OK, then from what I can tell of your workflow you're making it a bit more complicated than it needs to be.

1) First pass, move through the images identifying players and put their codes in suppcat1 or suppcat2
2) Apply IPTC Stationery Pad with this as the caption:

{copyright} {iptcday}-{iptcmonth}-{iptcyear2}
{headline} - {object}
/{suppcat1}/ and /{suppcat2}/ during today's game at {location}, {city}.  Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press

3) The images should now be captioned with the names you wanted.  I suggest having multiple values for each code so you can get the player name, the team name and player name, etc.  You can use the #x syntax to pick out which replacement you want. (cr#2 in the example below will return Jordan Owens name only)

cr[tab]Crusader's Jordan Owens[tab]Jordan Owens
gl[tab]Glenavon's Rhys Marshall[tab]Rhys Marshall
etc.

Then there is absolutely no need to skip around in the Caption fixing up code delimiters.  The work will be done for you by the IPTC Stationery Pad.

HTH,

-Kirk

[David Maginnis]

OK, then from what I can tell of your workflow you're making it a bit more complicated than it needs to be.

1) First pass, move through the images identifying players and put their codes in suppcat1 or suppcat2
2) Apply IPTC Stationery Pad with this as the caption:

{copyright} {iptcday}-{iptcmonth}-{iptcyear2}
{headline} - {object}
/{suppcat1}/ and /{suppcat2}/ during today's game at {location}, {city}.  Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press

3) The images should now be captioned with the names you wanted.  I suggest having multiple values for each code so you can get the player name, the team name and player name, etc.  You can use the #x syntax to pick out which replacement you want. (cr#2 in the example below will return Jordan Owens name only)

cr[tab]Crusader's Jordan Owens[tab]Jordan Owens
gl[tab]Glenavon's Rhys Marshall[tab]Rhys Marshall
etc.

Then there is absolutely no need to skip around in the Caption fixing up code delimiters.  The work will be done for you by the IPTC Stationery Pad.

HTH,

-Kirk

I can see the logic in the approach, but am struggling with the actual procedure.   I selected a batch of new images in PM, entered the players code in SuppCat 1 and 2 then applied the IPTC Stationery as directed.  Applying the stationery template overwrote the SuppCat fields leaving them blank and the caption displays // in place of the code. 
What am I doing wrong?

[David Maginnis]

Ok resolved it by removing the tick in the IPTC stationery pad beside the 2 suppcat fields which prevented them from overwriting the completed fields with the codes already inserted. 
That should be a help.  Will take a bit of re-working my code replacement text files but should be a great help when the weather gets poor over here.  Thanks for your assistance Kirk.

[Kirk Baker]

David,

Ok resolved it by removing the tick in the IPTC stationery pad beside the 2 suppcat fields which prevented them from overwriting the completed fields with the codes already inserted. 
That should be a help.  Will take a bit of re-working my code replacement text files but should be a great help when the weather gets poor over here.  Thanks for your assistance Kirk.

You're welcome.  Should be much faster/less tedious and as a last pass you can apply another IPTC Stationery Pad to cleanup those two suppcat fields (clear them) so they aren't in your delivered metadata.

-Kirk

[David Maginnis]

Ok all going nicely with 2 players from different teams.  If I have 2 players from the same team celebrating a goal, I only want the team name entered once, with player 1 and player 2 celebrate after scoring as the text. 
Can you show me what my code replacement text file format should be to allow me to insert the team name + player name or, the player name on its own.  I understand using the #with the player code could be used to bring in the player name without the team name, but I'm not sure of the actual structure of the code replacement file to allow that to work.

At the minute I have re-structured my squad lists on my code replacement text file as follows

cr18   Crusaders Jordan Owens

What do I need to add to this data to allow me the option of pulling through the players name on its own?