If I refine/change the organization of my metadata I am unable to delete previous metadata

[EdRaponi]

I am trying to add meaningful metadata to my pictures and there are a few instances where I added more levels of organization to the metadata but Bridge will not allow me to delete the first metadata.  For example, I originally was naming all the pictures of swimmers I was taking.  Over time I then realized I wanted Swimmers to be a Keyword and each swimmer to by a Sub Keyword; but I have thousands of pictures where each swimmer still shows up as a Keyword.  Is there a way I can write a script or use another program that would allow me to select all the files in all the directories I have which could allow me to move all the swimmers to fall under the new Swimmer keyord?

[Lumigraphics]

Yes you could write a script, there is not a way built-in to do that knid of update.

[Stephen_A_Marsh]

I believe that I have a ready-made solution and easy fix, however I'd like to better understand the existing metadata and your Bridge setup first.

Q1: What are your Bridge > Preferences > Metadata settings for writing metadata? Do you have "automatically apply parent keywords" selected, or do you have "write hierarchical keywords" selected?

Q2: Can you post a screenshot of your Bridge Keywords Panel, expanded to show all keywords associated with a selected image that has this metadata embedded? Also, is there anything under "Other Keywords".

Q3A: Can you select the image and go to File > File Info > Raw Data and copy and paste the metadata into a forum post? I only wish to see keyword related metadata entries, such as:

        <lr:hierarchicalSubject>

            <rdf:Bag>

               <rdf:li>Australian Swimmers</rdf:li>

            </rdf:Bag>

         </lr:hierarchicalSubject>

         <dc:subject>

            <rdf:Bag>

               <rdf:li>Australian Swimmers</rdf:li>

            </rdf:Bag>

         </dc:subject>

Q3B: If you can share a few images, even cropped content or resized small, that would help, it is all about the metadata (the image could be 1x1 px).

Q4: Do you use Lightroom?

[Stephen_A_Marsh]

Hey Lumigraphics do you have a script/fix for Bridge incorrectly writing the Lightroom Hierarchical Subject tag incorrectly as a flat tag? Sorry I can't recall, but I know you are aware of this bug.

EDIT: It appears that your Utility Script Pack 2.0 Keyword Optimizer should address this issue.

[Lumigraphics]

Yes, I filed a bug about that and it was marked as designed. :sigh: Your preference settings will dictate how keywords are written, its kind of a PITA.

Nested, hierarchal keywording | Adobe Bridge

My Keyword Optimizer script is designed to fix the problem.