digiKam Discussion

Any digiKam users here besides me ?

Installed digiKam yesterday after I got annoyed by Adobe Bridge's slowness and lack customization (e.g. shortcuts) options. Main usage is for culling purposes, but having might utilize also tagging etc. features so I would find something even after the culling (backlog of around 12 years ).

Only 30 min experience so far (I might have tried this around 10 years ago), but liking it. Seems faster and UI is polished enough to enjoy tedious culling process.

Tropicaltuna wrote in post #19549153
Main usage is for culling purposes,

You will find that nobody nowhere has a better, more solid, Keyword Tag handling ability than digiKam; plus, all the various flag-tagging options.

Are you on a Windows machine ?

Yes, I am. For RAW editing purposes - which I will connect to digiKam - I have bought DxO Lab 3 in 2019 and upgraded to 5 in 2021. Maybe this is finally the year where I postprocess my first picture .

Are the tags included as metadata, i.e. I will see all tags I do also on capable other software?

Tropicaltuna wrote in post #19549181
Are the tags included as metadata, i.e. I will see all tags I do also on capable other software?

You set that up in Settings > Configure digiKam > Metadata(I think)

You have the choice of Keyword Tags being in database or written into the file; I keep mine set to written in the file.

Sometimes, after writing tags in digiKam, some other program will come along and strip them away = if I catch it before anything else is done, I select the affected files in digiKam and do Item > Write Metadata to File(s) and digiKam will replace the lost data --- so long as the data is in digiKam's database.(don't get mixed up and do ReRead Metadata from File)

There is a switch somewhere in Settings that you will need turn ON in order for digiKam to write to RAW files; some are safe to write to and others not; so, you need to investigate this before you write to RAW files.

Thanks - I will take a look and keep your comments in mind.

Minor thing, but it seems I can't replicate a filmstrip view from Adobe Bridge in digiKam since "Preview" doesn't allow any modification to layout (so thumbnails are on top and not below selected picture) but nevertheless the interface is quite nice and allows a fast workflow.

BuckSkin wrote in post #19549205
There is a switch somewhere in Settings that you will need turn ON in order for digiKam to write to RAW files; some are safe to write to and others not; so, you need to investigate this before you write to RAW files.

Any hint where I can investigate properly if it is safe to write to my RAW files? Is camera model or just manufacturer/RAW format important? I have shot RAW files with Canon 450D and Canon 60D + have a couple of Nikon RAW files.

Based on this interesting discussion https://www.dpreview.c​om/forums/thread/45036​94 it doesn't matter by manufacturer, but it is just a (minor) risk a user should consider when writing directly to RAW files instead of using XMP.

Tropicaltuna wrote in post #19549448
Any hint where I can investigate properly if it is safe to write to my RAW files? Is camera model or just manufacturer/RAW format important? I have shot RAW files with Canon 450D and Canon 60D + have a couple of Nikon RAW files.

Based on this interesting discussion https://www.dpreview.c​om/forums/thread/45036​94 it doesn't matter by manufacturer, but it is just a (minor) risk a user should consider when writing directly to RAW files instead of using XMP.

I would practice with some of those blurry shots of the toe of your boot or the back of that ladies head that popped up just as soon as the shutter clicked; be sure to set digiKam to write the info to the file; add a bunch of Keyword Tags and then thoroughly investigate the outcome.

If anything went South, it will corrupt the image info in the files and make them appear weird, like with bars or blocks or stripes or something.

With Canon CR2 files, you should be safe --- but try a few samples first.

I can't speak for the Nikon, but probably safe as well.

A good place to ask about RAW file compatibility (or any digiKam questions that I can't answer) is HERE

I have real good results writing data of all types in Canon CR2 files by using FREE exifToolGUI = once you get it figured out, it is really quick and simple to use.

To write heirarchical Keyword Tags in ExifToolGUI, I first write their heirarchy on a notepad txt document and add them all together like thus:

Animal/Big Animal/Big Wooly Mean Animal/Bear*Vehicle/Tr​uck/Big Truck/Peterbilt/Peterb​ilt W900*People/Women/Wome​n over 600lbs/Cousin Jill

The / denotes the heirarchy = Parent Tag/Sub-Tag/Sub-Sub-Tag/etc.

The * separates the tags.

I put this all together on a txt document and then copy/paste it in the appropriate field in ExifToolGUI

It sounds a lot more complicated than it is.

That being said, if digiKam will safely write your information in your brand of RAW files, then it is the quicker/better way to do so.

Big thanks to your thorough reply. I will check and try both approaches.