Need help navigating image archiving software?

I know we're supposed to be discussing Bridge here, but the simple fact is that many folks don't use Adobe products and yet still need to find a way to archive a large collection of image assets. More critically, perhaps, Bridge as we know all too well is a browser program and for truly effective image archiving we should be using a database program. (Money, money, money.)

So, if you're keen on finding just the right database program to organize your images, where to turn?

There are few resources today that provide a broad, up-to-date look at DB programs available to help you sort and archive images. One that I've recently discovered is an incredible print magazine called c't Digital Photography. affiliated with Rocky Nook Publications in the US, the magazine is in fact printed and published in Germany, and is also available in a cool app for the tablet. The magazine is in a large format, feels solid, looks professional, id in English and comes with a free cd of tutorial files and demo software (something that has pretty much gone away here in US magazines).

In the Fall 2012 issue (no. 9) one of the feature articles is called "Organize your Photos," and covers a wide assortment of database archiving software. Using tables, charts and wonderful illustrations, the article, deftly written by Sascha Steinhoff, discusses everything from "Database Basics" to "File Import and Management," and "All about Metadata."

The really important part of this very long article comes, of course, near the end: "Image Database Software Test Results," where the author nicely lays out in two easy-to-read tables, "Image Database Software for Network and Multi-User Environments" and another table for "Single-User Environments."

Finally, there is a page-by-page look at each of the major programs discussed, with key information and handy screen shots.

Anyway, I subscribe now. For more information check them out online. Oh, and their magazine app is tres cool.

Which image archiving option to use? part 2

In my last post I started reproducing a dialogue that began as a series of comments between myself and a reader but on an older post. The dilemma "Anonymous" raised, over which image archiving tool is the best, affects more than just the two of us and our respective organizations.

Any suggestions or comments you might have by all means jump into the conversation!

I have included the latest reply from Anonymous (January 6) as well as my response:

I've had some time to actually discuss a bigger picture of what's going to be needed with the department professionals and the list of needs has left me a bit concerned that we may need something made? Keep in mind this is a for-profit company. I'm not too certain about what product could achieve all of the following:

1. -Intranet systems for internal information use
2. -Simple template input portal for uploading, labeling, and tagging images.
3. -Database look ups for linked images across multiple programs (ex: inDesign)
4. -Simple search portal to narrow down images and permit more in the way of browsing capabilities.
5. -Use of multiple search terms for searching directly.
6. -A bulk file rename utility.
7. -There is also a want for something like an OPAC for use within the company to find both images and books within the company library.

Again, I'm not sure if something like Asset Bank or Portfolio Server can come up to this level of complex organization, mixed with the simplicity of input and search needed at this particular location.

It is also important to note that I am a staff of one for this particular function, with limited programming history and a Mac OS to work around. 

Like you, I'm a staff of one with limited technical background and although I use both a PC and a Mac as benchmark machines to maintain the library, virtually everyone else with access to the library uses a Mac.

Looking over your bullet list above, I would have to say that, with a couple of possible exceptions, Bridge can pretty much accomplish all those tasks.

1. We use it on a network
2. Photo downloader is a handy little tool for importing and applying metadata templates to images straight from a camera or memory card
3. While it's not a database, Bridge can certainly search across various file formats -- if I understand you correctly
4. It's search features are pretty easy to use -- of course much depends upon the keywording and search strategies developed to access images in the library - I do agree that bridge has limitations here to be sure
5. Bridge's search features are quite robust and allow for multiple metadata searching
6. Bridge CS4 has a handy bulk renaming feature, which has been significantly enhanced in CS5
7. I'm a bit unclear here on exactly what you have in mind here -- but again, if the "book" is in a file format that can be tagged and if the item has been tagged properly, Bridge should be able to find it.

Of course, I want to emphasize again that Bridge has some very serious limitations. And those limitations are most readily experienced in setting up and maintaining a large image library.

Having said that, the key deciding factor for our organization -- and from conversations I had with other readers here I sense we're not alone -- the key factor is cost. Bridge is free (or nearly so). And there's also the learning curve: many designers, for us the most likely users of an image library, have some familiarity with the software already.

OK, so any thoughts?

Which image archive option to use?

I've had a running conversation with a reader on one of my older blog posts about the dilemma we all face in trying to come up with the right option for creating and using a large image library. Since the issues raised touch at the very heart of what many of us are faced with, I thought I would share them.

January 4 Anonymous asked: In your opinion, would a product like Extensis Portfolio work as an extension of Adobe Bridge? 

My response: On the face of it yes, Bridge can pretty much function as an extension of any database cataloging program.

Are you planning on sharing your image library among multiple users? If so, I believe Extensis Portfolio has a number of limitations in that regard -- they want multiple users to upgrade to their vastly more expensive Portfolio Server system I suppose).

Still, using a browser program like Bridge with a DB program like Portfolio in tandem should not be ruled out.

For example, I use Adobe Lightroom 3 as a file verification tool for our school's digital image library. But since no one else has the program we can't share catalogs -- which would be ideal, of course.

Anyway, you can use a program like Portfolio along with Bridge but I would suggest you test out the metadata copying and synching between the two programs. thoroughly before making any serious commitment.

Ultimately, though, I might suggest you go with one or the other and reduce your workflow while keeping your costs reasonable and making your life simpler. 

Anonymous said: Well, I have a large volume of images (100,000+ with new ones daily/weekly) in a corporate setting where the images need to be accessible to over 20 people. We're working with macs, so I'm trying to find something simple that performs a better search than spotlight or the bridge program itself. I was considering Asset Bank as another option to work within our server, since we don't need to make the images accessible to clients or the public. These were the package options I'd seen. http://www.assetbank.co.uk/product/packages/

Third Light also looks like an option, but I'm a bit unsure where to go.
 
I replied: Like you we also have a large image library ( more than 153K photos) shared by 16 workstations (all but two Macs).

Regarding the options noted, comparing Bridge to either Assetbank or Third Light is a bit like comparing apples to dirigibles: Bridge is a simple straightforward browser program while other two are mega-expensive, server-based systems (like Portfolio Server) and frankly way out of our price range. Like you, we just need to share among the tight department so keeping our costs down is primary right now.

In fact, that's what drove us to initially test out the viability and reliability of Bridge in the first place: it's free, or rather it comes with Adobe's Creative Suite of programs used by all our designers and writers. And, while it's a space hog (for the cache), slow to search sometimes (OK, most of the time), we have found it does work nonetheless.

But I'd be curious to hear more about what you decide to do -- and I'm sure there are others who pop by here every so often who might be keen on hearing about how to resolve your nagging dilemma.  


To be continued. . .