Revise Metadata in browser without recompressing JPEG?

M
Posted By
MCMMCMMCM
Aug 19, 2004
Views
403
Replies
5
Status
Closed
I wish to be able to add or revise metadata in JPG files without degrading the image by recompressing it.

If I open the JPG file in Photoshop CS and modify the metadata with File > File Info, the file must be resaved, the compression image quality respecified, and an inevitable mild further degradation of the image results from this recompression.

However, if I use the file browser and modify one or more of the editable fields in the displayed metadata IPTC section (or if I request to Append Metadata or Replace metadata from a template), there is no indication that the file is being recompressed when this metadata is added.

I would like to know for sure whether or not revising metadata with the file browser in this manner involves a new JPG recompression cycle and therefore does or does not degrade the compressed image further.

Thank you
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browse metadata

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George_Austin
Aug 20, 2004
Sorry, I don’t know the answer, but what a neat question!!
IL
Ian_Lyons
Aug 20, 2004
I would like to know for sure whether or not revising metadata with the file browser in this manner involves a new JPG recompression cycle and therefore does or does not degrade the compressed image further.

The file is not re-compressed because it was never reopened. The additional/revised metadata when applied via the File Browser does no harm to the image.

You can apply the additional/revised metadata directly into the "Editable" fields (indicated with a pencil symbol) on the metadata palette of File Browser or by right clicking the image and choosing File Info (bottom of floating menu) or by choosing the File Browser File menu and again choosing File Info.

BTW: with Camera Raw images the additional/revised data is NOT applied to the actual image but instead an XMP file (otherwise known as a sidecar file). These files are usually placed in the same folder as the original and use the same file name.

You should not need to reopen any file to apply additional/revised metadata!
M
MCMMCMMCM
Aug 20, 2004
Many thanks for confirming what I suspected.

Now for another closely related question. Does anyone know how to invoke the File Browser method in scripts of revising JPG file metadata without introducing recompression degradation. I have played with the sample code and the method shown in < http://partners.adobe.com/asn/photoshop/scripting/docs/Photo shopScriptingGuide.pdf > and their example for changing metadata involves opening the file, making the changes, and doing a file save causing a recompression. I have not been able to locate an object or technique that will allow directly invoking the lossless method that the file browser uses. Any ideas? I do not have access to the Photoshop SDK currently.
AH
Alan_Harper
Aug 25, 2004
See my response in a thread named "Handling EXIF, IPTC Metadata"

Alan Harper "Handling EXIF, IPTC Metadata" 8/24/04 10:00pm </cgi-bin/webx?13/4>

There is a program that purports to change IPTC information (metadata). However it will involve an additional purchase.
M
MCMMCMMCM
Aug 30, 2004
Thank, really want to do this without buying 3rd party software, via scripting.

M

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