Organizing in Adobe Bridge

[danger girl]

so I just tagged all my files with keywords, how do I search for "Paper, blue"? It appears that you can only search for a keyword in the same folder, and it has to be the bottom-line folder with the images in it. For example, say I have a big "Digistuff" folder. Inside that folder I have a folder for DesignerName KitName. Inside that folder I have a folder KitNamePapers. Repeat thios set up for 100 kits or so. All the individual files are tagged with keywords. Can I search Digistuff for "paper, blue"? Or do all the image files have to be in the same folder?

[Hummie]

Wow, this question was not answered.....I think it's a good question. I'm just playing around with the program, but I see what you mean.

[Rita (Blue Flower Art)]

I discarded Bridge as a method of organising my files because I couldn't find a satisfactory way of backing up the index files. It seems pointless to do something that you can't conveniently back up or transfer.

[Hummie]

Oh, wait....right click on the keyword and choose the find popup box to sort?

Click on the plus sign to add more sorting field options.

I'm playing still and should be sleeping.

[Joan]

I recall asking this question months ago in another thread and I don't believe it was ever answered. I started to tag things in Bridge and quickly got frustrated. It didn't look like it was going to be even close to what I wanted. Not to mention it shut down constantly.

[Hummie]

I am wondering though, if it writes the keywords directly into the file as a metatag....you wouldn't need to back up an index/database....ever...if that were the case.

I need to play if no one knows the answer.

If it does write directly into the files---wow....this is what I've been looking for! I'm half-excited--keeping back my joy until I get an answer....

I may need to play between my two computers.

[Rita (Blue Flower Art)]

I am wondering though, if it writes the keywords directly into the file as a metatag....you wouldn't need to back up an index/database....ever...if that were the case.



As far as I could tell, it didn't do that. I wanted to be able to work on my laptop and transfer to my PC and sync the files. I found a way but I had to delve into the depths of "my documents and settings" then (from memory) I had to delete a file or two so that it could regenerate them and start keeping the index file. It seems asinine to me that if you invest so much time tagging, that you can't conveniently back up the file.

[Hummie]

WHO HOOOO!

So, I am SO excited!

I just went to my desktop and put some keywords on some photos with Bridge there.

I came back to my laptop and accessed the same files through the network and...wha-la! The keywords (tags) were there!

I have been SO stupid to have had this program a year now and not used it!

This is what I've been looking for.....I never could get into the PSE Organizer or ACDSee just because of the database, backing up, chance of loosing tagging...but from what I can see with the Bridge....it writes into the files and there's no loosing the information!

Someone else confirm I'm right...really!

[Hummie]

As far as I could tell, it didn't do that. I wanted to be able to work on my laptop and transfer to my PC and sync the files. I found a way but I had to delve into the depths of "my documents and settings" then (from memory) I had to delete a file or two so that it could regenerate them and start keeping the index file. It seems asinine to me that if you invest so much time tagging, that you can't conveniently back up the file.

What version were you using? Mine is CS3.

[clikchic]

Found this on the adobe forums.


In Photoshop/Bridge all metadata is either stored in XMP sidecar files (when processing raw images) or within the image file itself. There is no database like there is in Lightroom. So backing up your images and XMP files will give you a good backup.

There is an exception to this rule. There is an option where you can store your changes in a central database, but I don't believe very many people use that option. If you do, then it will be necessary for you to back up that database. I cannot give you the details because I don't use the central database option.



I LOVE Adobe Bridge, I use it all the time. I am a bit behind in tagging my photos tho, and have yet to start tagging design files.

[Hummie]

Okay...another test.....a snafoo.


I copied the file that was tagged on my desktop onto my laptop. I did a "find" for the tag and it did not find the photos.

However, I navigated to the folder and opened it; back out of the folder; then did another "find" and this time it found the photos.

Very interesting. Tags/keywords not lost, yet not found in a search until I accessed the folder once.

[Hummie]

I am wondering if I copy them over and then reopen Bridge if it will find them then?

But it is 2:10 a.m. here and that would require another run to the living room to conduct a test. lol.

[Hummie]

Okay, I took the file off of my desktop and put it in my documents folder. A "find" did not find them.

I restarted Bridge---still not found.

Of course, once I navigate to them, they will be searchable as above.

[Joan]

I LOVE Adobe Bridge, I use it all the time. I am a bit behind in tagging my photos tho, and have yet to start tagging design files.What is it that makes you love Bridge? And how do you search by keywords. Like, for example, if you wanted to bring up "papers" and "green?"

I would love not to buy another program, but Bridge seemed pretty frustrating to use for organizing your scrap stash. I guess it all depends on how each person ideally likes to organize, but for me I couldn't see myself being happy with it. I'd be happy to be proven wrong though! :)

[Hummie]

HA! Amazing!

Okay.....so....I did a search under Windows folders......and it came up with my tag/keyword immediately!

Okay....I'm back to loving it.


I even plays my videos from within it; and it gives me thumbnails for .psd too.

[debbiel]

I couldn't do this in Bridge, but when I tried in Picasa, it worked. The keywords I used in Bridge, were automatically put in Picasa. So I searched in Picasa.

[Hummie]

Yes, this occurred to me last night also. Because the keywords are being written into the files, they can be imported into other programs. I was thinking of the PSE Organizer and Vista's Windows Photo Gallery.

I think I'm going to do a quick video this morning because I am so excited!

[Gina.Maria]

Are any of you who like this method using CS2? I'm not ready to dole out for CS3 (especially with CS4 coming out in just a couple of weeks) and my Bridge is extrememly slow and incredibly unreliable. Also, is there some "preferences" setting that allows you to tag the files? I find that I can only tag files I create on my own - not files I import.

[Hummie]

After testing, I found it does read the keywords in the Windows Browser and Vista Windows Photo Gallery for the .jpg's, but not the .png's.

[Hummie]

Gina, in CS3, I do not see any way of "importing" the files.
It acts just as the Windows Browser does and I can see all of my files anywhere.

[Hummie]

Shucks, I have to go to work!

I will continue to test and record....I'm going to try to get the video uploading before I leave for work so I can share it.

However, for me personally, any program that writes directly into the file is one I will spend time tagging with.....so I am excited!

I will have to play and work out the feasibility details later.

[chengie]

I also use Bridge to view my files and especially for the batch renaming. I like how you can view .psd and .ai etc etc files. However, I discovered early on that you cannot tag .png files. So no tagging for me. I don't miss it because I back up most of my files on cd and clean my HD as I don't have that much space.

[Hummie]

I was able to tag .png files.
The tags are just not showing up in two of the other programs I tested, but they are showing up in Bridge.

See my video I recorded in my thread here (http://www.hummiesworld.com/Forum/showthread.php?t=2052). The buttons I tagged are .png files.

[Just Plain Kristi]

This looks like a proprietary xmp sidecar for png's similar to what ACDSee just launched for it's Pro 2 software...it's a free update to Pro 2.5 for Pro users. I'm playing with the new features now...it also embeds the xmp data and attaches a sidecar for files that don't support xmp...there are some other new features too like saving custom searches which I think could be really helpful. But it's another proprietary formatting thing so the info embedded in ACDSee Pro 2.5 is only readable in Pro 2.5. But the technology has potential. I'll keep playing with it.

[Hummie]

There was a .BridgeSort file on my desktop. I deleted it, but it still read the .png files. My internet reading said the .BridgeSort file was something about an xmp sidecar, but I didn't understand that.

It's just not reading them when I move them outside of the program until I click on the folder.

I'm downloading Picassa right now to see if it pics up the tags.

[Hummie]

So far, Picassa is not showing any .png files.....do I remember I have to have a patch?

[Hummie]

Never mind. I found it under the options to scan for .png's.

[Just Plain Kristi]

sidecars are what bridge and acdsee pro 2.5 are using to attach metadata to files that don't support xmp embedding (like png's) you might have deleted something's tagging info, no idea what though. I'm still playing with ACDSee Pro 2.5's new features but it looks like the sidecars don't show up on my desktop...not sure where those files are located. Hummie, I tried to chat you up in yahoo...let's talk soon, ok?

[Hummie]

The internet set something about that file being a bug/problem...and I think it's more related to batch processing....not sure...still letting all this new information sink in and churn about my head.

Oh, my Digsby is not logged in...I had it turned off while recording that video this morning...have to turn it on...thanks for pointing that out.

[chengie]

There was a .BridgeSort file on my desktop. I deleted it, but it still read the .png files. My internet reading said the .BridgeSort file was something about an xmp sidecar, but I didn't understand that.

It's just not reading them when I move them outside of the program until I click on the folder.

I'm downloading Picassa right now to see if it pics up the tags.

Haven't checked out your video yet, but will soon. My connection is a bit slow today.

The .BridgeSort comes when you rename a file in Bridge or when you manually sort your files in a different order. You can order your files in any way you want, not only alphabetically or by document kind (see all options in View>Sort>...), but try dragging the last file and put it as the first or second etc.
Deleting the .BridgeSort (in Windows Explorer) returns the files to their normal alphabetical order.
Don't know if it has any other function though...

[Rita (Blue Flower Art)]

What version were you using? Mine is CS3.

Yes, mine is CS3 too. I had a post here about it and Al Ward (? is that his name) was going to look into it but never got back to me with it.

If the tag is attached to the file, and from your research it appears that it is, then it's fine. I never had the time to look at it again since back then.

That the format of the tag is proprietary bothers me a bit, but it looks like I'm stuck with PS at any rate. You would have a problem if Adobe changed the format. Sometimes software houses will do that as a product advances.

I'll revisit it again because Bridge can really work in well with PS.

You know about saving the windows don't you? On the bottom right hand side there are 4 numbers, you can save different types of work spaces there. It is so easy to change to different workspaces.

Rita

[Gina.Maria]

Gina, in CS3, I do not see any way of "importing" the files.
It acts just as the Windows Browser does and I can see all of my files anywhere.

Sorry about that. I didn't mean "import" I meant, well, files created by others and uploaded to my system. I realize there's no need to import files to Bridge (though you can use Bridge to import files) and that it can be used as a form of file browser. What I wanted to know is this - Is there a setting I need to activate to allow me to modify the file info on files created by others? So far, I've only been able to do this with my own files - those created by me, from scratch.

[Hummie]

Thanks Chengie...that makes sense and it is a stupid file! lol!

Rita, yes, the proprietary bothers me a bit too. From my learning this week as I continue to study this, because some file types like .png do not have an availability for the tags, they have created a "sidecar" proprietary file ...think of it as attaching to the xml that comes with that file type.

However, the proprietary file only works in the program that it is created it. Those files types like .jpg that have the tag fields initially available are readable in all programs.

Gina, I have not tried to modify anything made by others. Maybe if you send me a file I could experience this problem!

Also, I am still having the one bug. As I learn more, I am beginning to understand more.

When a file is moved outside of Bridge, the tag information is no longer available within the program. It is my understanding that when the folders are accessed, it imports the xml/tag information into Bridge. So, just accessing the files fixes the search feature.

I want to test it though to see if accessing it works with sub-folders. If I access a top folder, does it read the xml/tags of all the subfoldrs? That would make things easier to deal with.

Also, I tried using Bridge as a file browser exclusively last night and I did have trouble with moving files from my laptop to my desktop. It's a Vista issue with permissions over the network.