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Batch-processing file names, keywords, and metadata in Bridge

Michael Ninness


This video shows you how to rename a series of images all at once in Bridge, and how to manage options for batch-renaming. You also learn how to create a metadata template and use it to apply metadata to multiple images.

Requirements

To follow along with this article, you will need the following software:

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Batch Processing, File Naming and Metadata

  1. Start Adobe Bridge CS3.
  2. Open a folder of images on your computer that you would like to rename. I'm choosing a folder of that contains a number of images that have been imported straight from a digital camera. They've been named by the camera, in a non-intuitive, sequential manner: IMG-001, etc. It's best to name images as descriptively as possible. You can rename a number of images all at once in Adobe Bridge.
  3. Press the Cmd/Ctrl and A keys to select all the images in the folder.

  4. Choose Tools > Batch Rename. This opens the Batch Rename dialog box (see Figure 1).

    The Batch Rename dialog box lets you rename a number of images all at once.

    Figure 1: The Batch Rename dialog box lets you rename a number of images all at once.

  5. Notice the various options in this dialog box. The first is, where do you want these images to reside? You can rename them in the same folder, move them to another folder, or copy them to another folder.
  6. Select Rename in Same Folder.
  7. Now you need to choose the structure of the new filename. The dropdown defaults to a text name. Choose Sequence Number.
  8. Choose 2 Digits from the Options dropdown.
  9. Leave the Sequential Number at 1, the default. You can override the sequential number simply by typing another number
  10. Click the Add button to add additional criteria.
  11. The new criteria defaults to Text. Type a descriptive phrase of your choice in the text box.
  12. Turn On the option to Preserve The Current Filename In Metadata. New in Bridge CS3, this option is useful for tracking every image that came off a digital camera and viewing the sequential numbering.
  13. The Preview section contains a preview of the new filename, along with the number of files that will be renamed as a result.
  14. Click Rename. In a couple of seconds, the process is complete.

  15. Click on any image in your folder. Choose Window > Metadata to open the Metadata panel. The original filename appears next to Preserved Filename (see Figure 2).

    Batch renaming preserves the original filename in the file metadata.

    Figure 2: Batch renaming preserves the original filename in the file metadata.

    You can apply other sets of metadata to multiple images. Rather than choosing the Metadata fields individually and typing in the information, you can create a template and apply it to all the images.

  16. Choose Tools > Create Metadata Template to open the Create Metadata Template dialog box (see Figure 3).

    Use the Create Metadata Template dialog box to create a template of metadata to apply to multiple images.

    Figure 3: Use the Create Metadata Template dialog box to create a template of metadata to apply to multiple images.

  17. Type My Metadata in the Template Name text box.
  18. Type your name in the Creator text box.
  19. Enter your website (if you have one) in the Creator: Website text box.
  20. Click Save. Now you can apply the template.
  21. Press the Cmd/Ctrl and A keys to select all the images.
  22. Choose Tools > Replace Metadata > My Metadata.
  23. Now all of the selected images automatically have the new metadata added. Select any image in your folder and choose the Metadata panel to view the changes.

Where to go from here

For more information and additional tutorials, visit the Adobe Design Center.