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WhyIsThereNoRum
Participant
December 18, 2014
Question

Script to convert metadata to xml file - Bridge CS6/InDesign CS6

  • December 18, 2014
  • 1 reply
  • 1303 views

 

I need a script that will convert metadata in Bridge to an xml file I can import into InDesign so that when I export long documents the alt text for photos is already included with the images.  


Two problems -

1) I need the scripting for dummies version - from step 1 to end.  I have zero experience with using scripts, as in - did not know they existed until a few days ago. 

2) If the script needs adapted - see #1; there is very little hope that I will have any idea of how to do that without assistance. 


I will be grateful for any assistance!!  I do want to learn how to do this, if I can. 

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1 reply

Stephen Marsh
Community Expert
Stephen MarshCommunity Expert
Community Expert
February 7, 2016

‌Is there still interest in this?

If the metadata is in the image, InDesign can use it for ALT text. There is no need for a script in Bridge.

Stephen Marsh
Community Expert
Stephen MarshCommunity Expert
Community Expert
February 7, 2016

InDesign CS6 supports the following XMP metadata based possibilities via Object Export Options for Alt Text (object menu/object export options):

Alt Text Source =

  1. From XMP:Title
  2. From XMP:Description
  3. From XMP:Headline
  4. From Other XMP

In the case of “From other XMP”, you will need to find the “namespace” and possibly the “array value”.

Select your image in Bridge or open it in Photoshop and go to the File/File Info menu option. Then look on the “Raw Data” tab.

I’ll use the “Creator” metadata info that usually contains the author of the file (a person, a company etc). You should find an XMP section such as:

<dc:creator>

<rdf:Seq>

<rdf:li>Stephen Marsh</rdf:li>

</rdf:Seq>

</dc:creator>

You will be interested in the following "namespace":

dc:creator

As another example, we can look at “Keywords” metadata. Bridge may have two Keywords entered against it for an image, such as: Australia; Sydney

<dc:subject>

<rdf:Bag>

<rdf:li>Australia</rdf:li>

<rdf:li>Sydney</rdf:li>

</rdf:Bag>

</dc:subject>

If the goal is to use the second Keyword, then in addition to the “namespace” of dc:subject one would also need to add an “array value” [2] for the second entry:

dc:subject[2]

An example from InDesign’s Object Export Options for Alt Text:

Prepression: InDesign Alt Text from Image XMP Metadata

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