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Image-ExifTool
Posted on 2008-10-03 05:12:17-07 by kailash
Newbie: Exporting to a text file using -T and -All
I have just recently started using exiftool (on WinXp). I tried exporting the IPTC tags using the -T and -iptc:All option but the "-" is not added to the empty fields. It does work if I ask for a particular tag using -[tagname].

Is exporting of "-" for empty tags in the -All option purposefully left out? Is there any option to export tag names as well?

Just curious to know if these could be good addon features, if not already present.

Thanks for the amazing tool!
Direct Responses: 8927 | Write a response
Posted on 2008-10-03 10:34:24-07 by exiftool in response to 8925
Re: Newbie: Exporting to a text file using -T and -All
The "-" is only exported for specifically named tags. There are almost 6000 unique tag names (not to mention duplicate tags), so adding a "-" for every missing tag with -All isn't really what you want to do. With IPTC alone, there are still 119 tags. So your only option to to specify the tags you want to extract.

- Phil
Direct Responses: 8932 | Write a response
Posted on 2008-10-03 14:08:59-07 by kailash in response to 8927
Re: Newbie: Exporting to a text file using -T and -All
Yes! when I imported all the available image tags information into my relational database and ran a distinct query for tag names, it gave me 654 values! I figured that adding "-" would cost a lot of space to the database and would not be a viable option. I guess, XML would be a better option to store all the tags.

Guess, that means -T and -All option should not be used together.

Digressing, I would like to add that exiftool is one of the most wonderful tools that I have come across (not just w.r.t Meta Information softwares). It is one of those few tools that makes you just instantly fall in love. Kudos to you!
Direct Responses: 8933 | Write a response
Posted on 2008-10-03 14:24:16-07 by exiftool in response to 8932
Re: Newbie: Exporting to a text file using -T and -All
You wrote:
"I would like to add that exiftool is one of the most wonderful tools that I have come across (not just w.r.t Meta Information softwares). It is one of those few tools that makes you just instantly fall in love. Kudos to you!"

Why thank you! I know that not everyone gets along with exiftool as nicely as you -- I think it takes a certain sort of geek to appreciate exiftool (and I mean that in a nice way). It is good to know that it works well for you.

Incidentally, I would add an XML output option to exiftool in a heartbeat if it weren't for the fact that XML is too darned flexible. Everyone seems to use a slightly different format. If I could determine a good, universal, XML output format that everyone could use, I would do it.

- Phil
Direct Responses: 8934 | 8935 | Write a response
Posted on 2008-10-03 14:28:19-07 by mtpaper in response to 8933
Re: Newbie: Exporting to a text file using -T and -All
.... on the subject, I'd love to see ways to spoil your wife in addition to your kids at Amazon... or you. Kitchen Gadgets are great fun to have, especially ones you'd like but wouldn't get for yourself. Or books.... Marion in NY
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Posted on 2008-10-03 16:20:57-07 by kailash in response to 8933
Re: Newbie: Exporting to a text file using -T and -All
:-) Yes, the XML format is very flexible. I guess i would still be waiting for the new XML feature. If you can post a sample structure on the forum, then probably the users can comment and point out their personal preferences. I believe that most personal users would use the decided upon format as it is.
It would be great to see the XML feature finalized and integrated.

- Kailash

PS: I was a little confused when I read the previous post (8934) in the email. Perhaps it's misplaced on this thread. Appeared like an ad from Amazon. :-D
Direct Responses: 8936 | Write a response
Posted on 2008-10-03 16:24:47-07 by mtpaper in response to 8935
Re: Newbie: Exporting to a text file using -T and -All
Kailash - my post about amazon is not misplaced at all, nor is it an advertisement. Someone was expressing their appreciation of ExifTool. Phil has indicated that we can spoil his kids by purchasing items from their wishlist - which is linked at the bottom of the forum page. I have interpreted this to mean it is a way for users who appreciate his hard work can demonstrate their thanks. My post was asking whether he or his wife have wishlists as well, as I would like to spoil them rather than their kids. Does that make sense to you now? Marion
Direct Responses: 8937 | 8939 | Write a response
Posted on 2008-10-03 16:39:36-07 by kailash in response to 8936
Re: Newbie: Exporting to a text file using -T and -All
oops! sorry about that...

Actually, the wishlist seems to be for Gabor Szabo - maintainer of the forum site. But, I get the point. Thanks for clearing it out.

- Kailash
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Posted on 2008-10-03 17:17:37-07 by exiftool in response to 8936
Re: Newbie: Exporting to a text file using -T and -All
Yes, the amazon link at the bottom of the forum page is for the forum's creator, not for me. The "Donate" button on the exiftool home page is maybe what you were looking for. :)

I will start a new thread with some XML examples.

- Phil
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