How to remove ALL Structured keywords

[30west]

This is another twist on metadata previously imported as structured keywords. I have used the "Find and Replace" technique to remove the "Lightroom" embedded duplicate keywords (Places| US| State | City) etc so that the Keywords field in all (approx 50k) photos show keywords as a "flat list" as desired IN PHOTOMECHANIC. I thought my issue was resolved, but when looking at SOME photos in ON1 and some other software (xnView), there still appears to be structured keywords that I am not seeing in PM+. Photo Mechanic did not create the problem, but I want to fix it ExifTool still shows a "creation" field from Photo Supreme, which is where all this "structure" originated. I DO have a set of Structured keywords in the Master Keyword list, but as I understand it, just having a list or snapshot of Structured Keywords does not mean that they apply to individual files.

So, is there any tool or method in PM+ (2025.1 version) to completely remove this "hidden" structure so that there is nothing remaining in the file metadata that other software (primarily ON1 which I use for edits) will just "see" the bottom level "flat" keywords? I must say this issue is beyond annoying...thanks...gary

[Kirk Baker]

Gary,

This is another twist on metadata previously imported as structured keywords. I have used the "Find and Replace" technique to remove the "Lightroom" embedded duplicate keywords (Places| US| State | City) etc so that the Keywords field in all (approx 50k) photos show keywords as a "flat list" as desired IN PHOTOMECHANIC. I thought my issue was resolved, but when looking at SOME photos in ON1 and some other software (xnView), there still appears to be structured keywords that I am not seeing in PM+. Photo Mechanic did not create the problem, but I want to fix it ExifTool still shows a "creation" field from Photo Supreme, which is where all this "structure" originated. I DO have a set of Structured keywords in the Master Keyword list, but as I understand it, just having a list or snapshot of Structured Keywords does not mean that they apply to individual files.

So, is there any tool or method in PM+ (2025.1 version) to completely remove this "hidden" structure so that there is nothing remaining in the file metadata that other software (primarily ON1 which I use for edits) will just "see" the bottom level "flat" keywords? I must say this issue is beyond annoying...thanks...gary

If PM can't show it, PM can't edit it either.  ExifTool would likely be able to remove the metadata you want removed.

-Kirk

[30west]

Thanks Kirk. this is pretty weird though, because DxO Photolab, ON1 Photo Raw, Graphic Converter and xnView all see it. I'm thinking Photo Mechanic CAN see it, but I don't know where to find it. Where I'm seeing the "flat list" is in individual photo "info" and also under Catalog / Browse / Metadata / Keywords, where no hierarchy or "nested items" appear.

Might I look elsewhere in PM to reveal this structure?

thanks....gary

[Kirk Baker]

Gary,

Thanks Kirk. this is pretty weird though, because DxO Photolab, ON1 Photo Raw, Graphic Converter and xnView all see it. I'm thinking Photo Mechanic CAN see it, but I don't know where to find it. Where I'm seeing the "flat list" is in individual photo "info" and also under Catalog / Browse / Metadata / Keywords, where no hierarchy or "nested items" appear.

Might I look elsewhere in PM to reveal this structure?

Please post a sample file and I'll investigate.  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 file.  If it is a RAW file, post the matching XMP sidecar file as well.

Thanks,

-Kirk

[30west]

Hi Kirk, you replied so fast, I was just getting ready to post my "mea culpa"...."my bad"

It turns out that the issue I was having was the result of side cars in ON1 and perhaps others (working through that now).

After deleting ON1 sidecars which retained non current information, everything in ON1 worked as expected with flat keywords. I think I am still seeing some residual structure with Parent Categories in xnView, but the actual keywords are flat. I only really care about the compatibility between Photo Mechanic and ON1 as Catalog / metadata master (Photo Mechanic) and Editor (ON1).

Thanks very much for your tenacity and help.

gary

[Kirk Baker]

You're welcome, Gary.

In any of these cases involving metadata, providing sample files in advance will give me the chance to help out the quickest.

-Kirk

Hi Kirk, you replied so fast, I was just getting ready to post my "mea culpa"...."my bad"

It turns out that the issue I was having was the result of side cars in ON1 and perhaps others (working through that now).

After deleting ON1 sidecars which retained non current information, everything in ON1 worked as expected with flat keywords. I think I am still seeing some residual structure with Parent Categories in xnView, but the actual keywords are flat. I only really care about the compatibility between Photo Mechanic and ON1 as Catalog / metadata master (Photo Mechanic) and Editor (ON1).

Thanks very much for your tenacity and help.