ASP beginner questions

[MarkZ]

How do you delete a folder from a catalog?

I've got rid of folders from various catalog entries by first, emptying the folder. Select all the images in the folder and version/remove version. Make sure that "delete master file" is NOT checked. Once the folder is empty you can right-click and select "remove empty folder". I can't remember whether it was with removing foders from the catalog or from the file system (probably the latter) but I had to remove some extraneous files using the explorer before I could remove the folder. In the end you can also remove catalogs in this way.

I've cleaned up quite a few folders this way. I find that on occasion I come across files in various spots in the "AfterShot Pro Catalog" directory or in AppData that don't appear in the catalog and have removed them (carefully) without unpleasant repercussions.

[fotojrb]

I've got rid of folders from various catalog entries by first, emptying the folder. Select all the images in the folder and version/remove version. Make sure that "delete master file" is NOT checked. Once the folder is empty you can right-click and select "remove empty folder".

Thanks! That did the trick.

[fotojrb]

I posted the question about deleting folders from a catalog to Corel Tech Support, and I just got this reply:

We wish we could help you with your How-to question.

They then directed me to this forum and a couple of other resources.

Doesn't exactly inspire confidence,does it?

Anyway, thanks again, MarkZ.

[fotojrb]

In the thumbnail view, what does a question mark in a red box mean? I don't find any explanation in the Help. They seem to go away if you click on the thumbnail and wait a moment.

[bananahead]

In the thumbnail view, what does a question mark in a red box mean? I don't find any explanation in the Help. They seem to go away if you click on the thumbnail and wait a moment.

It means that ASP couldn't find the master file that the preview refers to. It's normally a sign that a file has been deleted or moved outside of ASP. Maybe the disk that the master files on has powered down but powers up when you click on the preview.

[df]

I for one was hoping this program was going to be more of a Digital Asset Manager than it is. Bummer.

[MarkZ]

In the thumbnail view, what does a question mark in a red box mean?

In ASP help under Organizing . . ./Thumbnail Indicators this icon is shown. I store many images in offline storage and this icon shows up against all those thumbs, but I still can get a decent size preview. I suppose the icons will disappear when i connect the external HD.

A poor man's asset management I guess and better than nothing.

[marktuma]

I posted the question about deleting folders from a catalog to Corel Tech Support, and I just got this reply:

We wish we could help you with your How-to question.

They then directed me to this forum and a couple of other resources.

Doesn't exactly inspire confidence,does it?

Anyway, thanks again, MarkZ.

I think that is a symptom of the development team all being in Austin as a somewhat separate unit rather than an fully in-house group. I would expect things like this to improve in the next few months, but we'll see.

The asset management has improved little by little, but there are still some important features missing (search expressions for one!), and the folder convention in ASP is just odd right now. Hopefully this will all improve!

[claudermilk]

Remember this program started out as a RAW converter. The DAM part was pasted on recently. IMHO, if you want a full-featured DAM, go get a separate one (I use IMatch--far, far more powerful than what is here). I think it was added to try to compete with Lightroom and I personally don't agree with the all-in-one philosophy. Anyone remember Microsoft Works?

[df]

Anyone remember Microsoft Works?

I remember Microsoft working pretty well actually after Vista SP1 and then Win7.

[df]

Anyone remember Microsoft Works?

I remember Microsoft working pretty well actually after Vista SP1 and then Win7.

And now I'm thinking damn about that whole DAM thing. That was the main reason I thought of buying this software. The RAW performance and all other adjustments is amateur hour.

[Edzo]

A new question.

I am a total dummy on Photo Software, till last week using PSP X4 just for "basic adjustments".
After installing the demo version of ASP I was surprised that you can use ASP not even for structure in your photo management, but also for "easy photo adjustments". Great!!
The other thing I like, is that it is possible to go from ASP directly to PSP X4.

And here is my question:
When rating the pictures with one or more stars in ASP, I don't see this rating show up in PSP X4.
This is strange, while you suppose that ASP includes the rating in the EXIF of the picture.
In the properties of a JPEG file you see the rating, but not in the properties of a RAW file.
However it is strange that PSP X4 won't show the rating of a JPEG file.

Is this normal or is this because I am an dummy?

[ogrizzo]

A new question.

I am a total dummy on Photo Software, till last week using PSP X4 just for "basic adjustments".
After installing the demo version of ASP I was surprised that you can use ASP not even for structure in your photo management, but also for "easy photo adjustments". Great!!
The other thing I like, is that it is possible to go from ASP directly to PSP X4.

And here is my question:
When rating the pictures with one or more stars in ASP, I don't see this rating show up in PSP X4.
This is strange, while you suppose that ASP includes the rating in the EXIF of the picture.
In the properties of a JPEG file you see the rating, but not in the properties of a RAW file.
However it is strange that PSP X4 won't show the rating of a JPEG file.

Is this normal or is this because I am an dummy?

ASP will never touch the original file. You should write out a standard XMP file, supposing that PSP would honor it.

I expect that a future release of PSP would read metadata from ASP XMP files (from a programmer's point of view, it's a triviality).

Ottavio

[Edzo]

A new question.

I am a total dummy on Photo Software, till last week using PSP X4 just for "basic adjustments".
After installing the demo version of ASP I was surprised that you can use ASP not even for structure in your photo management, but also for "easy photo adjustments". Great!!
The other thing I like, is that it is possible to go from ASP directly to PSP X4.

And here is my question:
When rating the pictures with one or more stars in ASP, I don't see this rating show up in PSP X4.
This is strange, while you suppose that ASP includes the rating in the EXIF of the picture.
In the properties of a JPEG file you see the rating, but not in the properties of a RAW file.
However it is strange that PSP X4 won't show the rating of a JPEG file.

Is this normal or is this because I am an dummy?

ASP will never touch the original file. You should write out a standard XMP file, supposing that PSP would honor it.

I expect that a future release of PSP would read metadata from ASP XMP files (from a programmer's point of view, it's a triviality).

Ottavio

OK, thank you for your answer.
I made a standard XMP-file in ASP, however PSP won't honor the ratings.
It is strange, because the other way round (rating in PSP) is read by ASP.

I suppose this is a strange bug in the ASP software, when you suppose Corel want to sell it together or in addition with PSP, it isn't handy at all that such "normal"things don't work........

[Edzo]

In the thumbnail view, what does a question mark in a red box mean?

In ASP help under Organizing . . ./Thumbnail Indicators this icon is shown. I store many images in offline storage and this icon shows up against all those thumbs, but I still can get a decent size preview. I suppose the icons will disappear when i connect the external HD.

A poor man's asset management I guess and better than nothing.

You also get this question mark if you rename a directory (just adding one letter or one number to a directory) and you open the workflow via the catalog and not via the folder.
Strange, because you have to import the folder again in your catalog and cannot remove the old folder out of the catalog.