Don't change date by writing XMP?

[RobiWan]

Hi,

is this possible?
I want this because if the date is not changed, then my backup software will not backup this files. This is OK for me because my PSU Database is always backuped

[Hert]

You mean write XMP but not have the file date of the XMP file changed? I'm afraid PSU won't do that. Reason is that the file dates should reflex the truth. If the file was updated then the date should change. Maybe your backup software has an option to only backup files that have their content changed?

[RobiWan]

Hello Hert,

I'm sorry you know my english. I mean its different.
If PSU writes XMP files then it change the time/date for this file to "now time". I would like disable it if possible.

[Hert]

And what date/time would it then be? The time that is was previously written?

[RobiWan]

Time/ Date from Image

[Hert]

The thing is: if the file is now written then the "modification" time of the file should also be now. Setting it to the image date/time is "untrue". That's why we have dates in the metadata. That is the date that the image was shot. You should never use file dates (there are several) for metadata purposes. They reflect when the file was created/modified and writing false information in there (I know some software allows this) is defeating the whole purpose of these dates.

I do realize that it's cumbersome for your backups. But that is a problem of the backup software. It should not backup files that have time stamps changed, but files that have their content changed.

[sanphotgn]

Are you writing your XMP to XMP side car files? Or directly into the RAW/JPG files?

[RobiWan]

I write if possible only to sidecar files.

Now I have XMP files completely excluded from backup.

[Hert]

Now I have XMP files completely excluded from backup.

That actually makes sense as the XMP is already backed up in the PSU database.

[sanphotgn]

I look at XMP sidecar files like this. They are EVERYTHING. They are the individual databases to one's photos. They are easily searchable (which is very cool). They make databases, like PSU, possible. Worst case scenario: the PSU database (production and backup) is lost and the production XMP sidecar files are lost. The backup XMP sidecar files, which are out of date, are the only source to rebuild the database.

[sgbotsford]

Hert is correct: File mod times should reflect reality. And you want to backup the new version, not ignore it.

Lots of things under the hood depend on file times for actions to be taken. Don't mess with the magic.