Viewing Metadata content using Windows XP

[ryanbeddow]

We've created metadata information embedded into images using aperture on a mac.  Then used exiftool to convert metadata for a pc.  However, we are running into a problem using Windows XP.  The problem that we are running into is that all the metadata is not visible such as keywords and topic.  Therefore when using keywords to search for a particuliar type of picture, it proves incredibly difficult.  This problem does not exist when using newwer programs such as Windows 7. 

[Phil Harvey]

The only difficulty is in determining where Windows XP expects the keywords to be stored.  I would guess IPTC:Keywords.  If possible, use XP to write the keywords then see where they went with exiftool -a -G1.  Then use exiftool to write them in the same location.  (this is FAQ number 3)

- Phil

[ryanbeddow]

It seems as though Window's XP is storing the metadata as EXIF under where the date time, aperture, program that created it and such are. How do we modify our metadata to be there. Sorry if this seems like a dumb question, but we are really stumped. Thanks in advance.

[Phil Harvey]

When extracting, the -G1 option gives you the specific location in brackets, and the -s option gives you the tag names.  For example:

[IFD0]          Artist                          : Phil

To write this exact tag, do this:

exiftool -ifd0:artist="some other name" FILE

Where FILE is the name of the file you want to write the information to. 

You can write as many tags as you want with a single command by adding more assignments like this on the command line.

- Phil

[ruedigers]

We've created metadata information embedded into images using aperture on a mac.  Then used exiftool to convert metadata for a pc.  However, we are running into a problem using Windows XP.  The problem that we are running into is that all the metadata is not visible such as keywords and topic.  Therefore when using keywords to search for a particuliar type of picture, it proves incredibly difficult.  This problem does not exist when using newwer programs such as Windows 7. 

Hello Ryan,

I assume you are trying to view this information in explorer, using the properties of XP (right-click on a file, and choose Properties from the drop-down).  XP stores (and I believe reads) keywords in a field called "xpcomments".  Windows 7 works differently, and reads them from and writes them to all sorts of fields.  If you use Windows7 Explorer to add a keyword, it will likely end of in 3, 4 or 5 different tags.  Same for displaying keywords.  To avoid a big mess, I suggest to install exiftool and the exiftool-gui on all PCs that need to work with those keywords.  That will put you very much on the safe side. 

Cheers, and Good Luck! 
Rudy