more thoughts on the date issue

[bill albert]

the 'last modified' date that is found in the file directories used on computers should be ignored in an asset manager such as ACDSee.

the last modified date is changed whenever the image is re-saved. for example: if it is given a rating, or a tag(keyword), cropped, re-sized, edited for gamma-correct etc.

for the purpose of data management the original date -- as shown in the EXIF/General section -- should be retained -- in the photo catalog.

Scanners

I like to use an Epson V500 scanner for slides and negs. needless to say these media do not contain EXIF data. ACDSee should recognize this when images are imported. Generally images are organized into Events and all of the images for a given event will be in a specified directory that is being imported. The directory name might contain a date -- hopefully in ISO standard format ( yyyy-mm-dd ) but if that cannot be discovered from the directory name using a regular expression then the operator ought to be prompted for the event date and minimal EXIF data added to the image files.

an event might contain more than one set. sub-sets would be sub-directories within the event directory such as "Big Famliy Reunion -- labor day weekend 1994". This could include photos from Fri, Sat, Sun, and Monday and possibly from more than one contributor.

the finest software developed incorporates good user input.

[GusPanella]

About data integrity
(ACD Ult2020 > [select_image] > Exif > Date/Time Original) matches (Win10 > Properties > Details > Data Taken)
In my mind, this seems OK.

Important consideration
EXIF data is not set by the operating system
File data is set by the operating system (not ACD)


As far as updating file dates
Manage Mode > [Select a bunch of file]
Tools > Process > Batch > Adjust Time Stamp may help with getting the EXIF file dates like you want them.

[bill albert]

thanks -- I'll check that option out!! the thing that concerned me though is this: if you bring images from another computer on a "device" ( e.g. a thumb drive ) -- when you IMPORT them in ACD you want them to go into a directory dated IAW the "Date Taken" from the EXIF data -- not from the "last modified date" that is found in the computer file. There may be a difference if: the sending computer had set a rating, or added "keywords"("tags") -- cropped or resized, or otherwise adjusted the image. doing any such edits will result in resetting the "modified date" in the computer file structure and when the images are brought into ACD they'll end up in the wrong directory. on import ONLY the "Date Taken" should be used, and -- if there is none -- as there will be none on scanned images -- then the operator should be asked for -- what will like be a "good guess"

thanks for the come back / this is very helpful!!

[GusPanella]

From critical inspection on how 8+ photography tools work, I have always looked at it a bit differently.
Three sets of attributes: File attributes; EXIF attributes; IPTC attributes

The EXIF data (written by he camera) is typically considered the reference of the photo capture time/date. Although it can be overwritten by programs designed to do so, it is typically not changed by stars, tags, or color labels.

The terminology for file attributes and EXIF data do seem a bit conflicted.
"EXIF: Date Taken" is different than "file attribute: date created" and " file attribute: date modified"
Date Taken - the date the file is captured
Date - modified - The date any modifications may have happened (changes in non-image data attributes)
Date - Created - I never look at this field, but it does seem to be related to the date when a destructive edit was done or possibly when a file is transferred.

There is also IPTC data which is something else all together.

There is a standard for EXIF and IPTC (see WIkipedia), but the Operating system companies have their own needs. The three are poorly coordinated at best.

[bill albert]

<snip>

The EXIF data (written by he camera) is typically considered the reference of the photo capture time/date. Although it can be overwritten by programs designed to do so, it is typically not changed by stars, tags, or color labels.
<snip>

yes: it is Date/Time (original) from the EXIF/General section that should be used to determine which (dated) folder to put an image in. The "modified" Date/Time -- found in the "FILE" section may have been changed if the image was modified and re-saved.