Suggest Image Database Software

[soleah]

Can anyone suggest a software that can catalogue images, input captions, description, etc? Most important, capable of exporting the database in another format.

It won't hurt if it's also free. Thanks.

[chillin]

Still free “Adobe Photoshop Lightroom”

[soleah]

I'll try and test it. Thanks chillin.

[blue dog]

I am using a very capable and flexible tool called IMATCH from IPHOTO. http://www.photools.com/support.php It is one of the very best shareware products that I have ever found (i.e. Very Professional). There are constant revisions which solve real problems and add worthwhile enhancements. Its has very good Text editing and searching tools and can even be programmed using its own script language if you need to. There is a very active volunteer support community.

It can import and export to many of the common tools and utilities, generate web pages, and generate slide shows.

It may be too complex for some, but not if you have some amount of database experience. Highly Recommended.

[Frank Lopes]

One of the best: iView Media Pro from http://www.iview-multimedia.com/
It is also expensive: US$199
The company was purchased this summer by Microsoft. The plan is to call it from now on: Microsoft Expression Media.

A few notches below it, there is ACDsee Photo Manager.
Much less capable, but it only costs US$39.

I'm curious about the "database export" question: what formats would you want to be able to export to?

Originally Posted by soleah

Can anyone suggest a software that can catalogue images, input captions, description, etc? Most important, capable of exporting the database in another format.

It won't hurt if it's also free. Thanks.

[Jerryb]

hi,
Some of the items you mentioned unclear to me to what extent referring however...
a program I use GWSPRO (Grahicworkshop pro--shareware) alchemymindworks.com .. does most of those things..

1. it will do batch processing conversion of grapics file into 60 or 70 graphic formats , it will even open/convert psd files...
2. it has a caption function.. it add the caption to the bottom of the picture not on it!!!
3. depending on the graphic format, you can embed a comment section....
4. it will create a graphic catalog , that can be printed, of the thumbnails previews of the graphic files that in a folder...

also it graphic file managment i really like, being able to move my graphic files around..

this link will give you a overview and screen shots of the program...
http://www.mindworkshop.com/alchemy/gwspro.html

if yo want to try gwspro... the trial download,,, is full operational, no time limites or crippling of the program.... leave it to your conciounse.. smile...

you may want to take a look at xnview (xnview.com) ... it free.. it does alot of the things that gwspro does... (pro is my favorite by far) but you need to add the free plugin for batch processing...

Originally Posted by soleah

Can anyone suggest a software that can catalogue images, input captions, description, etc? Most important, capable of exporting the database in another format.

It won't hurt if it's also free. Thanks.

[soleah]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Really appreciate it.

Well, I tested the Adobe Lightroom and it only exports the images, not the catalogue, which is what I really need. Great software though.

Originally Posted by Frank Lopes

I'm curious about the "database export" question: what formats would you want to be able to export to?

Frank,
I need to be able to convert it to a dbf format. If not at least a text format would suffice.

[Janet Petty]

I like IMatch. It is fairly cheap, easy to use, and doesn't take up a lot of room on my hard drive.

Janet

[Frank Lopes]

Download the iView Media Pro 21 day trial...
It will do what you want and more... much more.

Originally Posted by soleah

Frank,
I need to be able to convert it to a dbf format. If not at least a text format would suffice.

[Jerryb]

Hi,
If you don't need the graphics thumbnails and all you need is a "directory listing" of your graphic files, that can be done....

not sure if this is of interest to you however....

there different ways to get a file listing....

the original method requires some basic knowledge of msdos commands...
basically
1. navigate to the folder where your files are located.
2. then use a command like dir/o/n>(filename).txt now that will give you listing of all the file in alphabetic order that you can then open in any text editor or word processor program .. and even maybe your favorite database program ... possibly going in and converting it to a comma delineated file would allow to import into a datebase programs...

the above way... is the basic however.. there are other programs that can do this.. easier.. smile....
this link http://www.econsultant.com/i-want-fr...ies/index.html , in the file and folder utility section has a few programs that will print lists of files in a folder....

there are some free file manager programs that will print lists (catalog ) of files among other abilities.. check out tucows.com or zdnet.com ... i don't have no recommendations at the moment... for these...

the very least the above suggestions are a short gap measure untill you find a program that meets all your needs...

Originally Posted by soleah

Thanks for all the suggestions. Really appreciate it.

Well, I tested the Adobe Lightroom and it only exports the images, not the catalogue, which is what I really need. Great software though.



Frank,
I need to be able to convert it to a dbf format. If not at least a text format would suffice.

[philbach]

I use Extensis Portfolio. I've used it for about 10 years. A very robust photo database program. In addition it can catalog numerous other types of files like mp3 and other audio files which is handy when making movies. I.e. fill up the hard drive with music and use the database to sample and select what you need.

www.extensis.com