Image Database and Cataloging Software Applications

Creating "catalogs" or image databases of your images is a great way to keep track of where all your images are stored. There are numerous applications that can make the task of creating an image catalog or database less work — generating thumbnails, automatically extracting information about the file (size, resolution, filename, color space, etc), and noting where it's located — but only a few work in a cross platform environment.

Nearly all applications can be divided into the "browser" or "cataloging" software camps. How are they different? Browsers allow you to quickly see the images in a specific folder, as well as provide a way to see the metadata embedded within the file, and often modify or add to that information. Cataloging applications note the path to a particular image asset, generate a thumbnail (or sometimes a thumbnail and a larger "preview" image), and extract the embedded metadata into their own database. They allow you to search across multiple folders, drives and even removeable media, even if the image is not currently accessible, or was moved by another application. Unless they employ some level of caching information, browsers only show you what is there now. If the image is moved; the application not only won't be able to tell you where it is now, but may not even know it was ever there.

Which application is right for you? That's hard to say without knowing what it is that you need to do. Choosing an image database product is like buying a car. Some go fast, some hold a lot of stuff, each have their own perks and quirks. One way is to outline the features you need and then check the various offerings to be sure that the application will do all that you need.

With that methond in mind you might find the Comparative Matrix for Evaluating Image Databases useful. Use this PDF (compatible with Acrobat version 5 or later) as an aid in your comparison of some of the programs mentioned below. This blank worksheet contains several columns where you can make notes on over 170 common features you can expect to find in many top-level image database software applications. A modifiable spreadsheet version is available to members of the Controlled Vocabulary Discussion Forum in the File Archives. If you are interested in collaborating on a revised version of this document, please contact me.

For another perspective on what to look for see the Catalogs vs Stock Management article by James Cook on the Hindsight website.

If you are looking for a large set of keywords that can be used with a number of the applications below, take a look at the Controlled Vocabulary Keyword Catalog (CVKC) which now works with a dozen of the top image browsers, and cataloging applications.

Image Cataloging Software

 

Metadata Annotation Software

The following applications are designed to add embedded metadata to your image files. Metadata is often described as "information about information" though a better description is that it's structured information about resources. Several of the following applications have image editing functions as well as the capability to create web galleries, but their strength is in the speed at which you can add descriptive metadata to a single file, or as part of a batch action.

BreezeBrowser Windows only digital camera file and metadata processor for all Canon formats including RAW files. The pro version can handle most major image file formats (TIFF, JPEG, PNG, JPEG 2000, GIF, BMP, Photoshop PSD and Paint Shop Pro, including RAW conversion for Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Minolta and Olympus cameras) together with EXIF shooting data and IPTC data associated with images. BreezeBrowser Pro also supports the linked viewing of raw+JPEG images from Canon and Nikon cameras allowing the raw and JPEG images to be viewed, renamed, copied and deleted as a pair. IPTC Core compatible since version 1.5.
Bridge: What started out as the file browser for Adobe Photoshop has grown into a cross platform cached browser that reads and writes metadata for a wide variety of image file formats, as well as PDF, video and other digital files. The latest version for use with Creative Suite 5 has support for both IPTC Core and IPTC Extenssion metadata schemas.
Image Info Toolkit: Mac and Windows compatible, this legacy IPTC utility can read and insert metadata into JPEG and TIF files images one at a time, or as a batch process. It's unique integrated hierarchical keyword catalog makes adding keywords to your images a simple task. For more information, read the Controlled Vocabulary review of IIT on this site.
Irfanview is free Windows only image viewer, capable of adding legacy IPTC metadata to single images or as part of a batch action. Can also be used to batch rename images as well. It is very quick to load and is great for making screen captures.
METAmachine from HindSight Software is a "metadata browser" that allows you to read and write IPTC Core metadata and PLUS Licensing info to DNG, TIFF, PSD and JPEG files.
Photo Mechanic (from Camera Bits), Mac and Windows program for reading and writing IPTC Core metadata from a wide variety of Raw digital camera files, PSD, TIFF, JPEG and even some video formats. Check out the Controlled Vocabulary Review.

Online Image Database Software

The following applications are designed to allow online searching of your image files. Some will require advanced computer, HTML or programming skills to install, while others are available as services. The capabilities of each vary considerably, so you will want to invest some time to investigate whether they meet your specific needs.