I actually like this program...

[InTheFlow]

I'm only using the trial version so far. I like how it is simple to use, yet seems to be powerful beneath the surface. I had IDi5 and had purchased the workbook (great job on that, Mike) to better understand and learn how to use the program. The problem is, I never made time to go through all the training. As a result, I never cataloged many files and hardly ever used the program. Once Hert said that label assignment is available with PS, I decided to give it a whirl.

To my surprise, I've cataloged more pictures in just a few hours than I've done over the years of having both IDi 4 & 5! I found that I wasn't 'lost' while using the program. There are certainly things that need to be improved but overall, I'm happy with a program that lets me properly catalog my pictures with ease (mostly).

As the program develops, I hope it will stay true to the usability and accessibility that has been my first impression.

[Hert]

Thank you very much!
Our focus *will* continue to be on usability and accessibility
Hert

[lnh]

I concur with the original poster's overall impression. This is a program which I really hope eventually gets a large following in the marketplace. I've been using it for a couple of days now, and have also found it much more accessible than IDi. I REALLY want to start using this program and making use of it's features, but my experience so far has left me uncertain whether to jump in now or wait till the product matures. On the surface most everything seems OK till you start loading in lots of files, and see some unexpected things happen. I expect some rough edges in a v1 product, but need confidence that the db is solid and any use issues aren't too difficult to work with or work around.

For example:

1) As posted in another note, there doesn't to be anyway of deleting portfolios once they're created. The context menu item shows up, but it's grayed out. Maybe this is an unimplemented feature? Maybe only in the non-trial version?

2) Import isn't 100% solid. I've setup custom settings to change file names and create files in a new location, however about 20% of the files (several thousand) have ended up in the catalog pointing to files in the original source folder happening over multiple import sessions. I'm still trying to figure this out, but at least part of it seems to stem from PS's inability to properly deal with files which would result in a unique name (I name my files by date taken with a specification down to the second). It seems that RAW/JPEG combinations get versioned correctly as each file extension is unique, but places where I may have created a modified version of an original via Photoshop still had the same date taken file spec with a unique modifier in the original folder which didn't get processed correctly upon import. In those cases, the image is part of the catalog, but points to the file in the original folder. My intent is to build a new folder with the images for use with PS, so straggler files in the old folder are a problem. My other reason for doing it this way rather than just copying all the data to a new folder and importing is that IDi actually mis-created some file names originally, and was hoping PS would "fix" this problem by doing an import from basic data.

3) Lack of feedback during "long" operations such as compacting the thumbnail db. The activity panel didn't show any progress during the ~30 minutes it took to process the thumbnails. The program appeared to be hung, and "not responding", but eventually came back. Task Manager showed the application not responding, but there was an active process using cpu, so I decided to just keep waiting.

4) Haven't discovered a good way to search for images meeting a set of conditions over an inclusive date range. I see how you'd do a dynamic search and specify a year or year-month or year-month-day, but having to build-up a compound dynamic search that way is fairly tedious. Maybe it can be done using "Filter by Macro Command", but can't find any documentation about this command.

5) In general, it would be nice to see more complete documentation. Sometimes playing around trying to figure something out seems to lead you down a path you didn't really want to take. For example, the Verify Catalog Folders seemed to do things I wasn't certain I wanted. I only want PS to deal with my images sitting on an external drive, but this command started to search though my "C" drive for images even though I hadn't imported a single image from my "C" drive.

Overall, I impressed with the ease of use of PS vs. IDi, and fully understand why they created this new program.

Anyways, I'll keep plugging along for a couple more days, and then decide. For me, PS is more what I'm looking for in a DAM, but want to minimize the pain of adopting and moving to this new software.

[andrew.heard]

1) As posted in another note, there doesn't to be anyway of deleting portfolios once they're created. The context menu item shows up, but it's grayed out. Maybe this is an unimplemented feature? Maybe only in the non-trial version?

- same in non-trial version 1.0.8.67 - you could try a Merge or Relocate context menu command as a temporary measure although it would be a hack.

[InTheFlow]

I have some feedback/requests now that I've used the program more. I've attached a screenshot for each of these. Hopefully, they'll make it easier to understand what I'm asking for.

1. I'd like to see all pictures in a category and its sub categories displayed below the 'folder'.

Not a good idea in general if the total number is big, because it will slow down. You can click the white number in the bubble ("271") to see all images including sublabels.

Edit: I've changed my mind on this one. The functionality is already there so there isn't much point in my idea. Although, #4 really is needed so that you can more easily click on the oval.

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PhotoSupremeRequests.gif (59 KiB) Viewed 14096 times

2. I'd like to be able to set defaults on the Label creation screen.
Edit: I've changed to Lightroom key words so I've changed my mind on this one too. Using LR keywords kind of makes assigning parent labels pointless. I came to my decision after reading more about them on this forum...this post helped a lot.

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PhotoSupremeRequests_02.gif (27.66 KiB) Viewed 14096 times

3. Once a label has been assigned, I'd like it to automatically be removed from the import session. Once the import session no longer has any pictures, I'd like it to be removed automatically as well.

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PhotoSupremeRequests_01.gif (73.86 KiB) Viewed 14096 times

4. I'd like larger font sizes available so that I don't have to be so near to the screen while I'm doing a label session.
Mantis Feature Request Link - http://bugs.idimager.com/view.php?id=1356

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PhotoSupremeRequests_03.gif (77.9 KiB) Viewed 14096 times

Is anyone else interested in these improvements?

Edit: Added Mantis request link for #4: http://bugs.idimager.com/view.php?id=1356

[Lars]

I'd like to see all pictures in a category and its sub categories displayed below the 'folder'

Not a good idea in general if the total number is big, because it will slow down. You can click the white number in the bubble ("271") to see all images including sublabels.

[InTheFlow]

That is pretty cool...thanks Lars!

[andy@damroundup.com]

I would not wish the import sessions to be modified... I use them as a quick way to view images that were downloaded together... even months later! You can delete these if you wish once you complete the labeling process... also, you filter on not having catalog labels with just the import session as a quick way to find images that still need labels... Nice list of ideas and I'm glad you have found the program to work for you!

[InTheFlow]

Thanks for the feedback Andy. Making that feature an optional choice, would be a better idea.

I have some feedback on the label assignment panel too. Haven't decided if I should make a thread just for that or add it here. Any recommendations are welcome. Thanks.

[jstartin]

3. Once a label has been assigned, I'd like it to automatically be removed from the import session. Once the import session no longer has any pictures, I'd like it to be removed automatically as well.
4. I'd like larger font sizes available so that I don't have to be so near to the screen while I'm doing a label session.
Is anyone else interested in these improvements?

For (3), in addition to Andy's comment, this seems to assume that the first label assigned is also the only label needed; that is seldom true for me.
You could try filtering for Label: With no labels which might do what you want anyway.

I agree with (4) - need to be able to adapt so different screen sizes/resolutions are comfortable to work with.

[Tom]

I actually like it more and more. One good thing, in comparison to IDI5, is that metadata sync does not overwrite the Lightroom develop settings. IDI5 used to do so.

[InTheFlow]

I actually like it more and more.

Me too! With the new favorites section, I'm able to label much more efficiently. I don't want to say it is addictive to label things, but I do find myself labeling 'just one more' because it is so simple to use. PS is a huge step forward in the ease of use category.

[PhotoBob]

I've just begun using Photo Supreme. I had V5 before. I'm having trouble putting labels into the favorites section. I'm sure it's easy, but I can't figure it out. What is the way? thanks.

[InTheFlow]

I've just begun using Photo Supreme. I had V5 before. I'm having trouble putting labels into the favorites section. I'm sure it's easy, but I can't figure it out. What is the way? thanks.

Sorry for the delay in response PhotoBob. You may have already figured this out but in case you didn't, it is very easy to do. Just click the little star icon to the right of the label name in the catalog (left side of screen). It will fill in with the color yellow and be added to your Favorites. Removing it is just as simple. Just click the yellow star and it will be 'un-favorited'.

BTW if anyone else is interested in my #4 request to have the font size increased or user selectable, please take a moment to increment the feature request in mantis. Thanks!

http://bugs.idimager.com/view.php?id=1356