Adjust Capture Dates and Times: See Adjust Capture Dates and Times
Change Resolution
This tool changes the image resolution (ie: pixels per inch) for photos selected in a contact sheet. This does not affect actual pixel data of the photos. An existing resolution tag or resource must already exist in a photo in order to change it.
Convert RAW to DNG
This tool converts selected RAW files to DNG format. Adobe DNG Converter must be installed before using this function. Options include creating a Compressed DNG, creating a linear DNG, embedding the original RAW file inside the DNG file, an embedded preview size of Medium or Large, and the option to output the resulting files into the source folder.
Convert IPTC Text Encodings
This tool converts the IPTC encoding in selected image files to a different encoding of your choosing from the 'Convert to encoding' list options.
Remap
This tool allows you to remap assigned Color Classes to star ratings or remap Star Ratings to Color Classes.
Update IPTC/XMP
This tool updates the IPTC/XMP metadata in the selected photos, according to your IPTC/XMP preferences. Photo Mechanic will first read IPTC or XMP according to your reading preferences, then it will write IPTC and/or XMP according to your write preferences. This tool is useful for synchronizing the metadata in RAW+JPEG pairs, or for embedding IPTC/XMP data into TIFF-based RAW photos based on IPTC/XMP metadata in a JPEG.
For example, with this tool you can:
Update the XMP from the IPTC in JPEG, TIFF or Photoshop PSD photos.
Create XMP sidecar files from embedded IPTC in RAW photos or vice-versa.
Make sure the “Always create and/or update XMP sidecar file” is selected under For TIFF-based RAW photos in Settings→IPTC/XMP
For RAW+JPEG pairs, update the IPTC/XMP in the RAW photos from the IPTC/XMP in the JPEGs (or vice versa.)
A) To update RAW photos from JPEGs, in the Update IPTC/XMP dialog, choose the "Read IPTC/XMP from JPEG" option "For RAW+JPEG pairs." B) To update JPEGs from RAW photos, in the Update IPTC/XMP dialog, choose the "Read IPTC/XMP from RAW" option "For RAW+JPEG pairs."
Apply Rotation to JPEGs
The Apply Rotation to JPEGs tool rotates your selected photos so that they appear the same in all applications. Only JPEG photos that have a "soft" rotation will be affected by this tool.
This operation is often called "loss-less" rotation since no pixels are re-compressed. However, due to round-off errors in the JPEG calculations, there may be slight differences when opening the rotated file and the original. But since there is no "generational" loss that would occur during normal JPEG saving, the rotated JPEGs are visually loss-less when compared to the original.
Trim Data After End of JPEGs
This tool trims any data after the end-of-JPEG marker. The JPEG standard defines the two byte sequence 0xFFD9 as seen in a hex-editor to mark the end of a JPEG datastream.
Some software will append proprietary data after the end-of-JPEG marker. This extra data can cause problems with other software that expects a JPEG to end with 0xFFD9, such as photo printing services. The extra data can also include unwanted metadata such as IPTC-IIM which can interfere with some Content Management System software.
Embed ICC Profile into Photos
This tool can embed a predefined ICC profile such as sRGB or AdobeRGB into selected photos, or embed a custom ICC profile into selected photos.
There is an option to replace any existing profiles with the chosen ICC profile.
Extract JPEG Previews from RAW Photos
This tool extracts JPEG previews embedded within certain RAW photos. A JPEG photo will be created with the same file name base as the original RAW photo.
There are four optional settings to apply when extracting previews:
- Copy IPTC/XMP Info
- Preserve Exif data where possible
- Preserve image preferences (Tag and Color Class)
- Embed ICC Profile
There is also an option to extract the JPEGs to the source folder.
Delete Metadata
Option to remove the following types of metadata from selected image files:
- Exif (Exif metadata cannot be deleted from RAW files)
- IPTC
- XMP (deletes embedded and sidecar file data)
- TIFF Image Description
- TIFF Artist
- ICC Profile
- Photo Mechanic end of file preferences
Warning: This operation is permanent and irreversible. Make sure you have backups or are working with duplicate files.
Mask/Unmask
This tool will mask or unmask certain types of information from JPEG, TIFF, PSD, and TIFF-based RAW photos. Data that is masked is not deleted, and can be unmasked to retrieve the original info (except as noted below). Masking simply hides the data from most applications by changing the normal tags or resource IDs to something different. Unmasking restores the normal tags or resource IDs.
Masking data can be useful to diagnose certain workflow problems. For example, if you suspect that some other application is having problems with embedded XMP data within a photo, you can mask the XMP data for a photo (or group of photos) and see if this fixes the problem. If masking XMP data fixes the problem, you can choose to not embed XMP into photos in the IPTC/XMP preferences. If that didn't fix the problem, you can unmask the XMP and look for another cause.
Special notes:
- Exif info and ICC profiles cannot be masked in RAW photos.
- If you mask IPTC and/or XMP in a photo and then add new IPTC info, you won't be able to mask or unmask IPTC and/or XMP because both masked and unmasked data exist. The same is true for ICC profiles in JPEGs.
Remove Crops
The Batch Remove Crop tool will remove any existing crops from selected items in the Contact Sheet.
Revert TIFF-based RAW to Original
Removes any IPTC/XMP edits made by Photo Mechanic from the selected TIFF-based RAW photos. Includes an option to backup XMP metadata to XMP sidecar files or re-applied to DNGs.
Reverse Geocode
The Reverse Geocode tool will contact the Camera Bits Reverse Geocoding server to find location data for GPS coordinates embedded in selected photos.