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FAQ
1. What are the computer and software requirements for using ImagePASSPORT and ImageVISA? 2. Why do these programs run inside Photoshop* CS*? 3. Could the ImagePASSPORT/VISA image file processing just be done in a complex Photoshop Action? 4. Is the image file processing really just click, then return when finished? 5. What is the difference between ImagePASSPORT and ImageVISA? 6. I have different sets of Metadata Spreadsheets with varying formats and requirements. How does ImagePASSPORT work with them? 7. Can ImagePASSPORT fix all Metadata problems? 8. What happens when I want a custom data adjustment that's not currently available? 9. I'm a Photographer using Adobe Lightroom* for entering Metadata. I have my own needs for data that are different from my Photo Agency's standards. How will your software simplify my life? 10.How do I process a very large batch of image files? 11.What other software programs have comparable functionality? 12. What is ImageAUDIT, and why do you just give it away? 13. Why do ImageAUDIT and your other programs have to open each file just to get technical info? What are the computer and software requirements for using andImagePASSPORTImageVISA? Both work on either the Mac or PC Platform, and require any version of Photoshop CS, and Microsoft* EXCEL* to function. If you are processing image files, the processing speed and RAM of your computer are important- the faster the speed and higher the RAM, the faster you'll get your processed images. If you are only processing data the processor speed and RAM aren't nearly as important, but Photoshop CS and EXCEL still need to be on your computer. top Why do these programs run inside Photoshop CS? To achieve the highest quality of image file adjustment, we use Photoshop, the industry standard, Metadata archiving and adjustment came after our image file processing. This functionality, also designed for the image industry, was retained in the same operating environment. top Could the ImagePASSPORT/VISA image file processing just be done in a complex Photoshop Action? No, definitely not. While all image processing in ImagePASSPORT and ImageVISA is performed through Photoshop, there's an element of human judgment and experience that would have to be added at many of the processing steps to equal our results. That's the differenct between what can be done in Actions and in JavaScript. For example, a major collection requires its histogram shadow/highlights settings no wider than 5/250- in 5 from each endpoint. PASSPORT and VISA adjust only those files with values wider than that standard. Adjusting files with narrower values would damage the image. If you had numerous Actions made, could pre-sort your image files so that only the files relevant for your Action 1 would be processed, then only certain files output from that Action run through Action 2, while others receive Action 3, then you are mimicing the processing of our software. And not only are many of the hundreds of available setttings "smart-adjustments," but an entire set of these adjustments can be performed on each image during one operation- and even that while corrected metadata is being imported into the file. top Is the image file processing really just click, then return when finished? Yes- in most cases- but not for a few. Damaged files (usually found in older libraries) stop Photoshop, and produce a warning message before the next file can be opened. You'll know what to do if this ever happens during your processing. The vast majority of processing runs by our clients don't encounter damaged files. And we are currently working on an automated detection and segregation of these files. top What is the difference between ImagePASSPORT and ImageVISA? Just as a Passport permits entry into many countries, ImagePASSPORT can adjust image files and metadata to virtually any standard. It was designed for Photo Agencies, and other businesses that rely on photos submitted from multiple sources. A Visa will permit entry to one country. ImageVISA, designed for Photographers, is coded to one set of standards, usually those of a specific Photo Agency. top I have different sets of Metadata Spreadsheets with varying formats and requirements. How does ImagePASSPORT work with them? ImagePASSPORTreads from a set of operating instructions contained in an "Options" folder. If, for example, you are preparing Photo Agency metadata for five different Distributor standards, you would have an Options folder for each standard. Running the program on a specific set of spreadsheets involves simply chosing the appropriate folder for that job. Otherwise, ImagePASSPORT runs on your default instructions. It is sold with sets of your custom instructions. Additional sets of instructions are programmed upon your request, at a nominal charge. top Can ImagePASSPORT fix all Metadata problems? ImagePASSPORT can repair most of the data problems we've found. We're sure that some new ones will appear. Updates to the program will have new repairs we develop. In some cases our processing won't fix all problems, but will get your data much closer to your desired result. You'll still save valuable QC time that would have been expended without the processing, often dramatically reducing time spent on the data. Before developing repair instructions for your spreadsheets, you will sign-off on the agreed-upon results, so you'll know if any further work is required. top What happens when I want a custom data adjustment that's not currently available? We'll determine whether your request is so rare that you'd likely be the solution's only user; or if this functionality would be relevant to other clients. If your adjustment could be widely useful, it could be developed without charge. If it would be extremely rare, you'll be given an estimate of charges before any work is done. top I'm a Photographer using Adobe Lightroom* for entering Metadata. I have my own needs for data that are different from my Photo Agency's standards. How will your software simplify my life? Using the Metadata template of ImageTEXT, you'll first see the data you've already entered. If your agency's standards are different, you'll be guided into meeting its standards. Saving the Metadata for your Agency does not alter your previously archived data. When you've finished the adjustments to your Agency's standards a few clicks will make copies of your image files, adjust them to standards, embed the new Metadata, make Previews, and place all in a folder. Your original image files and Metadata are left unaltered. (You can also get full technical reports on the files, including camera settings, the major raw file processing settings (if done in Adobe), raw filenames matched to processed image filenames, etc.) top How do I process a very large batch of image files? It's best to use two external hard drives, both with eSATA connections. Take your image files from one, and send them to the other after processing. Avoid using your root drive (C:) or desktop for processing image files as the increase in used disk space could affect your program files. top What other software programs have comparable functionality? None that we know of. Please tell us if you find one. top What is ImageAUDIT, and why do you just give it away? ImageAUDIT, released in 2003, is the most comprehensive preflight technical checker available. For years, Photographers and agencies have used ImageAUDIT to learn which files need adjustments. They could either do the adjustments "by hand" or use our services. Our new consumer-operated programs deliver that automation to you directly. top Why do ImageAUDIT and your other programs have to open each file just to get technical info? ImagePASSPORT, ImageVISA and ImageAUDIT give you all the technical readings produced by your image files. We say "produced by" because certain files need to be opened, and an action performed on them, to give readings that can't otherwise be delivered. This process takes more time than simply reading closed files, but we often identify substandard files that other programs may miss. For truly comprehensive image file analysis and adjustment to standards, file opening is sometimes necessary. top *Photoshop, CS, and Lightroom are trademarks of Adobe Systems, Inc. Microsoft and Excel are trademarks of Microsoft Corp. |
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