Newbie - Assigning Labels

[Jeff F]

I am misunderstanding some basic procedures.
I am creating a client database and want to assign catalog labels that follow the catalog tree structure that I create. I found out that I did not have the "Assign Parent Labels" enabled under preferences. I have enabled it now but am not sure how to fix the files that have keywords that I consider to be out of order.
I am only working with a test batch of 272 files so it is not a scaled up problem.
My very basic structure is as follows:
Clients
Company > Division > site >product

Where many 'products' will have the same name but belong to a different site, division, or both so I need the keywords that are written to the files to line up hierachically.
Currently several files have the keywords in random order.

My 'method' was to create the folder tree in the catalog section in the left hand panel then to open all files from import session and apply the client name to all. Then to select all of the files that belong to a particular division and apply that division's name. Then to choose all that belong to a site etc...

I think the problem occurs when I get to product names that are identical. I simply clicked on the label under 'Recently Used' and I can see where that could be an error. I'm sure that there is some simple way accomplish this but I am missing it.

Thanks for any help,

Jeff

[Hert]

Jeff, a short pointer. To write to the files again, select the thumbs, right click on a selected thumb, Metadata, Save metadata to file (Ctrl-S)
Is that what you need?

[vlad]

Hi Jeff,
I'm not sure, but I don't think you can impose any particular order for the stored keywords, other than alphabetical. Relying on the order of label assignment seems very fragile to me, even if you appear to make it work. I woudn't rely on any ad hoc ordering pattern which is undocumented and may change anytime in the futuure.

What I could suggest is to enable hierarchical keywords and to look at the advanced XMP for the stored hierarchies. You could see there the hierarchy of any stored keyword (product), with the keywords in any branch listed in descending order (guaranteed).

Hope that helps,
Vlad

[vlad]

I am misunderstanding some basic procedures.
I am creating a client database and want to assign catalog labels that follow the catalog tree structure that I create. I found out that I did not have the "Assign Parent Labels" enabled under preferences. I have enabled it now but am not sure how to fix the files that have keywords that I consider to be out of order.

Could you clarify what you mean by out of order? I'm not sure my previous answer addressed your concern.

Currently several files have the keywords in random order.

An example, please?

I think the problem occurs when I get to product names that are identical. I simply clicked on the label under 'Recently Used' and I can see where that could be an error.

I'm not in front of PSU - does hovering on a label in Recently Used display its path (hierarchy)? If not, I could suggest searching again for the label name (in the assignment panel) - l'm pretty sure this suggests all the relevant label hierarchies, such that you can pick the right one.

I'm sure that there is some simple way accomplish this but I am missing it.

What precisely is 'this'?

[Jeff F]

Thanks all.

Perhaps my assumption about keyword order was wrong as Vlad suggested.

Essentially, the end images (product) can all look the same, a bathroom in NJ can look like another bathroom in NJ and also like a bathroom in MD, but the client needs to keep them assigned to the proper site.

What I think you are saying is that a search for: 'NJ, Grover Mills, bathroom' should get me there even if the keywords are in random order in the actual file.

[Jeff F]

Jeff, a short pointer. To write to the files again, select the thumbs, right click on a selected thumb, Metadata, Save metadata to file (Ctrl-S)
Is that what you need?

Yes, Thanks!

[vlad]

Thanks all.

Perhaps my assumption about keyword order was wrong as Vlad suggested.

Essentially, the end images (product) can all look the same, a bathroom in NJ can look like another bathroom in NJ and also like a bathroom in MD, but the client needs to keep them assigned to the proper site.

It's not clear to me if the client has access only to the images or to the PSU database as well. But I have two more suggestions:

1) You could distinguish in PSU among labels with the same name by employing synonyms. For example, you could define the NJbathroom synonym for the bathroom label on the NJ hierarchy and the MDbathroom synonym for the label on the MD branch. You may also choose if the synonyms are stored as keywords or not (there's a global option, I think). In any case, you can use synonyms in PSU to refer to the corresponding labels. Very useful.

2) Have you considered organizing the images by hierarchical portfolios (for clients and sites) and collections (for products)?

What I think you are saying is that a search for: 'NJ, Grover Mills, bathroom' should get me there even if the keywords are in random order in the actual file.

If you're talking about a search in PSU (using the Search Bar), then I think the correct search would be something like: NJ+"Grover Mills"+bathroom. Just run some tests to get familiar with the specific details and ask back if you need more help.

HTH,
Vlad

[Jeff F]

Again, Thanks!

No, the client will not have access to PSU yhey will have access to a PhotoDeck site. The site has search functions that I am assuming* (*again) use the keywords embedded in the images.

Employing synonyms wasn't even on my radar thanks I will look into it as I move forward.
Hierarchical portfolios (for clients and sites) and collections (for products) - again, Great!

Thanks,


Jeff