Problems getting to work with Windows 7 and LR4

[newmoon]

Hello everyone
I'm a complete newbie, to the point where I haven't got Exiftool working yet.
I use a Pentax with an older manual focus Pentax lens, and the metadata doesn't pick up either the focal length or the lens details at all. In LR the focal length box is blank, and the field for lens type is missing when I use this lens.
I've had incredible help on two other forum threads here http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1006&thread=41395588 and here http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-medium-format-645-6x7-645d/189245-645d-35mm-lightroom.html. I'm amazed and grateful at the patience and generosity of the people who have been helping.
Initially the problem was my minimal knowledge of even basic programming.
But now, having been given detailed instructions on what to do, I'm not so sure.
Exiftool seems to be working to me, except the additional information doesn't seem to be appearling in the metadata in LR (and I am updating the metadata).
The files are .DNG and everyone advises me that Exiftool works with .DNG
When I chose a file, type the lens details in Exiftool and press enter I get a new window for Windows Live Photo Gallery and the message 'Photo Gallery can't open this photo or video. This file format is not supported or you don't have the latest updates to Photo Gallery'
I'm still confused about Exiftool and GUI so not sure if that's the problem.
One poster has asked me to open Windows powershell and type 'Exiftool -ver' and this is what I get:

I wonder whether the location I have Exiftool makes a difference, I have it in a folder in the C:\ drive. All my programs are on the C:\ drive and all my photo files are on the E:\ drive.
Also I don't need to add Exiftool as a plugin in LR do I (nobody has said I do)?
At someone's suggestion I have also uploaded a plug-in LensTagger, which requires Exiftool to work. That seems to work also, except it doesn't change the metadata!
That's where I'm at.
Thanks anyone for any advice.
Has anyone any ideas please?

[BogdanH]

Hi David and welcome in ExifTool forum.

Forget about PowerShell and see Requirements and preparations chapter in ExifToolGUI manual here: https://exiftool.org/gui/
Without going into "why that.. why not this", here's a short summary:
1. After unzipping ExifTool, rename ExifTool file according to manual (link above).
2. After renaming, move ExifTool file into Windows directory!
3. Unzip ExifToolGUI to root of C drive, so you'll get something like:

Code Select Expand

Local disk (C:)
  L ....
  L exiftoolgui
     L ExifToolGUI.exe
     L ExifToolGUI_readme.txt
  L ....
  L Windows
  L ...
4. Right-click on ExifToolGUI.exe and choose menu Send to > Desktop (create shortcut).
5. Close everything and on Desktop, doubleclick on ExifToolGUI shortcut and ExifToolGUI is ready for use.

After we are sure, that above has been done right, we can discuss about how to modify/add metadata tag values.

Bogdan

[newmoon]

Brogdan
Thank you.
OK I think that's done.
Here's a screenshot of the C Drive

Here's an attachment of the Windows directory

Hopefully correct so far!
David

[BogdanH]

Hi David,
It looks fine on screenshots. Now, I hope you can run ExifToolGUI successfully... that is, when you start it, no error notice appears.
And if you browse to your image files (within GUI) and select any of it, metadata values should appear on right panel. If that's the case (and button Workspace is pressed), then you can edit any metadata tag shown there. You do that by selecting the tag you wish to edit (i.e. Artist) and then start typing the value into bottom input field. When done with typing, press Enter key and then click on Save button (next to input field) -and value is permanently saved into image file.
I will be glad to help you further, but you first confirm that you can manage what I've described above.

Bogdan

[newmoon]

Bogdan
Brilliant - it works! THANK YOU.
Not only does it work, but it works fantastically, and the GUI interface makes it simple to use.
I'll post the good news on the other forums, and let the people who helped there know.
As far as I could see there isn't a donation button on the Exiftool site, but if I've missed it, please point me in the right direction!
Thanks again.
David

[BogdanH]

Hi David,
I'm so glad you've made it. And I'm quite sure, very soon, additional questions will arise  I suggest you practice for a while on spare image files, so you get the "feeling" what's going on.

About donation, see here: http://www.exiftool.org/index.html#donate -thank you.

Greetings,
Bogdan

[Phil Harvey]

Thanks Bodgan!

[shadows86]

Hi all, I've been trying to use GUI but a message error saying that exiftool is not found and that the metadata is disabled. I've done all newmoon has done: renaming, moving the exiftool  to windows directory and unzip and move the exiftoolGUI to c:/
so, what can I do? Am I doing something wrong?

[Phil Harvey]

If you open a cmd window (from the Windows Start menu) and type "exiftool", what happens?

- Phil