Write Tags with -mwg

[ame]

Hi,

Exiftool version 9.48

I created 3 new files in Photoshop and saved them in PSD, TIF and JPG

I have write Description Tag with exiftool using:

exiftool -mwg:Description='Bla bla bla' /Users/adminosx/Desktop/test.jpg (and the same for other TIF and PSD)

According to MWG documentation:
http://www.exiftool.org/TagNames/MWG.html

In my mind writing one field "Description" exiftool should update and sync all 3 fields:
EXIF:ImageDescription
IPTC:Caption-Abstract
XMP-dc:Description

Reading the documentation of mwg it should write all 3 possible fields:
But when I inspect the "touched" files with exiftool with this command that generate a text file:

exifool /Users/adminosx/Desktop/test.jpg >jpg.txt

I see that only "Image Description" and "Description" have been written (this for both 3 files)

Where I'm wrong?

And about:
CurrentIPTCDigest
IPTCDigest

I need to "think" to them or they are automatically updated by exiftool?

The alternative without use mwg is to write the 3 fields right? And in this case what I can do with the digests?

Ame

[Phil Harvey]

Hi Ame,

To quote the documentation:

        When writing, the appropriate associated tags are written. The value of the
        IPTCDigest tag is updated automatically when the IPTC is changed if either
        the IPTCDigest tag didn't exist beforehand or its value agreed with the
        original IPTC digest (indicating that the XMP is synchronized with the
        IPTC). IPTC information is written only if the original file contained IPTC.

Doesn't this answer both of your questions?

- Phil

[ame]

Hi Phil,

I have don't understand why the field IPTC:Caption-Abstract is not written.

About digests the values are automatically updated with or without -mwg?

Ame - Stefano

[Phil Harvey]

I have don't understand why the field IPTC:Caption-Abstract is not written.

IPTC information is written only if the original file contained IPTC.

About digests the values are automatically updated with or without -mwg?

Updating associated tags is not automatic.  This is only done when writing some writable Composite tags, such as these MWG tags, and then only the named "Derived From" tags may be updated.

Basically, ExifTool only writes what you tell it.

- Phil

[ame]

Thanks Phil,

Sorry but I'm not expert like you on various tags name... ;-)

OK Understood why Caption-Abstract was not present on the new images. In the meantime I executed some test and this is confirmed.

So if I want to be sure that all 3 fields but be written everytime the only solution is to write them without -mwg I think.

Ame

[Phil Harvey]

So if I want to be sure that all 3 fields but be written everytime the only solution is to write them without -mwg I think.

There are lots of solutions.  You could add -codedcharacterset=utf8 to your command for example, to make sure that IPTC is created.

- Phil

[ame]

Thanks ;-)