Problem using search facility

[saltireblue]

2019 MBP, Ventura 13.4.1, PM6, Version 6.0, build 6784 (409cf99)

Hi! Am experiencing the following problem, which has arisen out of the blue:

I have a problem with PM6 finding my back-up files on my NAS when using the spotlight search. It used to work fine when searching for images using keywords, but for some unknown reason, it has ceased to work. It works fine, finding the NAS when I want to browse the back-up folders there and open one in a new contact sheet, and it also works perfectly if I search another back-up disk (copy of the NAS backup) when that is connected to the mac by cable. It has just stopped searching when using spotlight to search the NAS.
Any ideas?

[Kirk Baker]

2019 MBP, Ventura 13.4.1, PM6, Version 6.0, build 6784 (409cf99)

Hi! Am experiencing the following problem, which has arisen out of the blue:

I have a problem with PM6 finding my back-up files on my NAS when using the spotlight search. It used to work fine when searching for images using keywords, but for some unknown reason, it has ceased to work. It works fine, finding the NAS when I want to browse the back-up folders there and open one in a new contact sheet, and it also works perfectly if I search another back-up disk (copy of the NAS backup) when that is connected to the mac by cable. It has just stopped searching when using spotlight to search the NAS.
Any ideas?

If you use Spotlight (outside of PM) to search for the filename of one of your images on the NAS, does Spotlight find the file?

-Kirk

[saltireblue]

Hmmm...it seems not to be working consistently. The first search I did just now, it found a folder on the NAS using the keyword, but not any image with the same keyword. A second search which should have found a folder on the NAS came up blank, as have subsequent searches.
I opened PM and it found the NAS and contents immediately, opening a folder in a contact sheet happened immediately, so PM does have contact with NAS - the problem seems to be with Spotlight...

[Kirk Baker]

Hmmm...it seems not to be working consistently. The first search I did just now, it found a folder on the NAS using the keyword, but not any image with the same keyword. A second search which should have found a folder on the NAS came up blank, as have subsequent searches.
I opened PM and it found the NAS and contents immediately, opening a folder in a contact sheet happened immediately, so PM does have contact with NAS - the problem seems to be with Spotlight...

Spotlight does not index NAS drives (at least none that I know of).  https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/252131/get-spotlight-to-index-a-nas

-Kirk

[saltireblue]

Thanks, Kirk. Looks as if I will have to find another approach for searching for images, based on a cabled solution instead and using another of my back-up drives.
Appreciate your input.

- Malc

[ahoward]

We recommend using Photo Mechanic Plus for what you are trying to accomplish. You choose what gets indexed and added to your catalog, and once images are added to the catalog, they are searchable even if the drive that stores them is not connected to the computer.

[saltireblue]

That's great! Just the solution I need...will have a look at the Plus version.
Many thanks.
Malc