P: Keyboard shortcut for read metadata from files

[Gunther Wegner]

To "Write Metadata to files, we can just press Ctrl-S.
Please add a Shortcut for "Read Metadata from Files" as well!

Thank you!

Background: When editing time lapse with LRTimelapse and Lightroom, the users have to go back and forth reading/writing metadata. A shortcut would speed up the process so much.

[areohbee]

Good idea.

For the mean time, here is a solution:

* Download and install MiscLrScripts (free scripts I wrote).
* Using Auto-hotkey (Windows) or your favorite keyboard mapping tool on Mac, wire up keystroke shortcuts to 'Read Metadata' scripts.

Note: In Library module, on Windows, Alt-s0 runs 'Read Metadata (one)' script, and Alt-s1 runs 'Read Metadata (all)' script - haven't tried it on Mac, but I assume it's something similar.

Hint: if you want to use in Develop module (or other modules) too, use:
Alt-h(right-arrow)0 and Alt-h(right-arrow)1 (respectively) instead.

(i.e. you have to go through the help menu, since the scripts menu is "blocked" by the settings menu in develop module).

On Windows, Ctrl-w and Ctrl-t are free, as are many others..

Auto hotkey example:

/*


    Lightroom



    Ctrl-W to read metadata (most-selected photo).


*/


^w::


lr_win_id := GetLrWinIdIfActive()


if (lr_win_id <> 0) {


    Send {Alt down}h{Alt up}{Right}0


}


return



/*


    Lightroom



    Ctrl-T to read metadata (multi-selected photos or whole filmstrip).


*/


^t::


lr_win_id := GetLrWinIdIfActive()


if (lr_win_id <> 0) {


    Send {Alt down}h{Alt up}{Right}1


}


return

Let me know if you want the 'GetLrWinIdIfActive()' part.

R

[Gunther Wegner]

Thank you Rob, I'm aware that there are ways to do this with some hacking, but that's not something for the average user.
For Adobe it would be just a no brainer to implement that keystroke that has already been requested for so long by the time lapse community.

Thank you anyway for the workaround!

[areohbee]

I agree it should be native, and you have my vote which proves it.

And I also agree that wiring it up to a shorter keystroke sequence is for "advanced" users only.

However it's very easy even for average users to install the scripts, and use the longer version of keystroke sequences, which require no mapping.

Again: I voted for this feature request, but in the mean time, there is an accessible solution if you really want one.

Not pushing, just informing - I understand that it won't seem to be worth the trouble for some folks, and that's fine with me.

[areohbee]

FWIW: Windows users already have keystroke sequences (menu accelerators) for reading metadata, it's just that they're different when you're in develop module vs. library module (ugh).

Library module: you go through the Metadata menu.
Develop module: you go through the Photo menu.

Mac users don't have the menu accelerator keystrokes so mouse has to be used.

[areohbee]

Hopefully a native solution will come soon so "hacking" is not necessary.

[rawmediastudios]

Gunther is correct. With the popularity of time lapse in the photographic community
this shortcut would save so much time and would be a simple implementation.

[John R Ellis]

I agree that it would be much better if LR made it easier to assign keyboard shortcuts to every command. However, there are two more easy options for assigning a shortcut that don't involve third-party programs:

- Edit the file TranslatedStrings.txt for your language (you'll have to create the file if you're in English) and add this line (with the quotes):

"$$$/AgLibrary/Ops/ImportXMP/Key=Cmd+r"

to make Cmd/Ctrl-R the shortcut for Read Metadata From File. Google this forum and the user-to-user forum for where to find TranslatedStrings.txt on your platform.

- On Mac OS, you can use the built-in shortcut mechanism to assign a shortcut to the command; see System Preferences > Keyboard > Shortcuts.

[John R Ellis]

Also:

- On Windows, use Alt-M R.

[areohbee]

Note: That keystroke sequence only works in library module (not develop module..).

In develop module, you can use Alt-P R.

Unfortunately, there are no equivalent keystrokes On Mac.

[areohbee]

Question: is it adequate to read metadata only for most-selected photo? (or are there cases where the keystroke sequence should read all selected even if not in grid mode).

I mean, that is how Ctrl-S works too, unless you're in grid mode - just curious..

[Gunther Wegner]

I always find this confusing. I'd appreciate if those commands would act in a consistent manner, speak reading and writing metadata would be applied to the whole selection regardless of the module the user is currently using.

The way it currently works is counter-intuitive and a frequent source for user-errors and frustration. Maybe we should open up another request for changing this.

[Gunther Wegner]

Thank you John, that's a great tip! Now Adobe only have to include this into the standard language files to prevent that anyone has to modify that file again and again on each update. Thanks for sharing, that's by far the most elegant work around yet.

[areohbee]

I have mapped reading and saving multi-photo metadata to single ctrl-keystrokes (as mentioned in my first post), so behavior is now consistent regardless of module or view mode.

PS - Targeting has always been a confusing aspect of using Lightroom, but I doubt it will change much at this point, but feel free to try..