Using 'special fields' to add Code Replacements

[alexmacnaughton]

Hi, I'm not sure whether someone else has already suggested the following workflow. If they have, please let me know.

Like most people, I want to add metadata as quickly as possible, but even with CR, I end up putting it in the wrong place, especially under stress. So I've been thinking of a way to reduce human error.

What I've come up with is to create a custom IPTC template, which you can do under Settings > Accessibility. I've moved Supp Cat 1, 2 & 3 to the top template (you could move more fields you don't use to increase the number of 'special fields' you have available). In these 'special fields', I can enter metadata using CR.

The caption is also added using CR. The caption extensively uses Variable Substring Extraction.

Caption

{city:0:UC}, {clientstate} - {monthname:0:UC} {day0}: {suppcat1} and {suppcat2} of the {suppcat3} celebrate a win after the game between the {event::tr:v./and the} at {location} on {dow}, {monthname} {day0}, {year4} in {city}, {state}.

Which returns

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 13: Will Smith #16 and Alex Vesia #51 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate a win after the game between the New York Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium on Monday, April 13, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.

You could also use the 'special fields' to trigger Hot Code for more complicated workflows, but you would need to create a separate Hot Code name space for each field.

[Claude Diderich]

Interesting approach. I especially like that it allows to move data to multiple fields at once (caption and keywords). I always find it challenging to enter player names in the caption and then have to re-enter them in the "People" field. The challenge with your approach is that you are limited to a fixed (3) number of variables (which may work depending on the sport).

You may find the following related requests (somewhat) to your suggestions: https://forums.camerabits.com/index.php?topic=17179.0 and https://forums.camerabits.com/index.php?topic=16733

[alexmacnaughton]

Hi Claude, thanks for your feedback. Reading some of your previous posts about the issue of adding players' names to multiple fields was part of what led us to start thinking about this workflow.

Also, this workflow makes it very easy to replace a name in a caption.

If you want more 'special fields', you could use other fields, i.e., model release fields. It may be a good idea to clear the 'special field' before wiring.

[Kevin M. Cox]

Agreed that this is an interesting approach, thanks for sharing.