Newcomer - couple of basic queries

[terrypin]

Hi,

Just installed ExifTool GUI, which was recommended to help me add/edit/manage the JPG Comments I use on my photos.

Q1: I don't see that data in the main window anywhere? Yet if I export to a TXT file it is included as the field 'Comment. Does that mean I can't view or edit it in the program?

Q2: After that TXT export I edited the comment in IrfanView then exported from ExifTool GUI again. But that gave an error because the file already existed, with no option to override or change the TXT file name.

--
Terry, East Grinstead, UK

[Phil Harvey]

You need to add the Comment tag to the workspace to edit this information.  Read the ExifToolGUI manual for instructions

- Phil

[terrypin]

Thanks, Phil, appreciate the fast reply.

Any comment on my second query about file saving/replacing please?

I obviously have a lot of studying ahead if I'm to master this! I suspect it's going to prove overkill for the purpose I have in mind. I merely want to manage my Comments on many thousands of photos.

This would be a piece of cake (e.g in programs like Irfanview or Picasa, integral with viewing and editing) were it not for one big snag. My main image editor, PaintShop Pro, destroys all EXIF, JPG Comment and IPTC Caption data - IOW all metadata - whenever it saves a photo. I've used it for about 20 years and am too comfortable with it to change. Even current versions, up to X5 at least, have the same awful flaw.

So I'm seeking a simple way to manage these comments, usually entered in IrfanView > JPG Comment.

Any further advice would be much appreciated please.

--
Terry, East Grinstead, UK

[Phil Harvey]

Sorry I missed the second question.  I don't know about the GUI, but from the command line you can overwrite output .txt files with -w!.  If the GUI doesn't provide this option, maybe it is easiest to just delete the .txt files yourself beforehand.

- Phil