Remove Author from File Info

[ericm1019097]

When saving my work, an unwanted gibberish appears in File Info's Author. How do I permanently delete this author info?

Thanks for any help.

[kglad]

what app?

[ericm1019097]

I'm using Photoshop 24.6.0 on Mac.

[kglad]

in the future, to find the best place to post your message, use the list here, https://community.adobe.com/

p.s. i don't think the adobe website, and forums in particular, are easy to navigate, so don't spend a lot of time searching that forum list. do your best and we'll move the post (like this one has already been moved) if it helps you get responses.

<"moved from cc desktop">

[ericm1019097]

Thanks for this helpful info.

[kglad]

you're welcome.

[Stephen Marsh]

@ericm1019097 

We need to understand where this is coming from—the source; otherwise, you will constantly be removing it (though it can be automated as a last resort in Photoshop).

Is this metadata in the file before it goes to Photoshop?

Are you using metadata templates?

Is the file coming from 3rd party raw development software, Lightroom, a DAM or some other upstream content management system?

Can you show a screenshot and or provide any other helpful information for working this out?

[ericm1019097]

Hi, Stephen - Thanks for getting back. I doubt that I'm using any metadata templates, although I might have inadvertantly invoked one. My workflow is as follows: I download photos from my Nikon D850 into Bridge 2022; I make some preliminay adjustments in ACR; I then open the file in Photoshop 24.6.0, and I make final adjustments using Nik Collection. I typically save as jpegs and when I view the final product, an unwanted bit of text appears in Author when I investigate File Info. I can delete that author info and save the resulting image, but I'd much prefer not to have to do that for every photo.

[Stephen Marsh]

@ericm1019097 – You need to examine the file info at each workflow step to see where it is being introduced. So, step 1, look in Bridge directly after importing from the camera. Are you using the Bridge Photo Downloader and if so, check it's settings in advanced mode.

[ericm1019097]

That's it, Stephen: in the Advanced Dialogue of Photo Downloader, the unwanted Creator info appears in "Basic Metadata" Template to Use. But: I've tried clearing it, and I've also tried the option of "None" in the Template to Use, and neither seems to give me the option to save the change, so it still appears. Any idea about what I need to do? Much appreciated . . .

[Stephen Marsh · Accepted solution]

In Bridge > Tools > Create Metadata Template or Edit Metadata Template to make your own custom one.

[ericm1019097]

Thanks again, Stephen. I'm generally not so obtuse. I did create a new Metadata Template, with only the Creator box checked and I left the box blank (which is what I want), gave it a name, but I must have missed a step because new photos *still* show the unwanted Author in File info. Geez! I'll put this away until tomorrow, but I really appreciate your continued help.

[Stephen Marsh]

You can batch clear or update/change the incorrect Autor text on existing files using a metadata template where you only have the Creator applied.

Or you can use a script, changing "My Name" to whatever it needs to be within the quote marks:

#target bridge

if (BridgeTalk.appName == "bridge") {
    AUT = MenuElement.create("command", "Change Author", "at the end of Tools");
}
AUT.onSelect = function () {
    var thumbs = app.document.selections;
    if (!thumbs.length) return;
    if (ExternalObject.AdobeXMPScript == undefined) ExternalObject.AdobeXMPScript = new ExternalObject("lib:AdobeXMPScript");
    for (var a in thumbs) {
        var selectedFile = thumbs[a].spec;
        var theAuthor = "My Name";
        var myXmpFile = new XMPFile(selectedFile.fsName, XMPConst.UNKNOWN, XMPConst.OPEN_FOR_UPDATE);
        var myXmp = myXmpFile.getXMP();
        myXmp.deleteProperty(XMPConst.NS_PHOTOSHOP, "Author");
        myXmp.setProperty(XMPConst.NS_PHOTOSHOP, "Author", theAuthor);
        if (myXmpFile.canPutXMP(myXmp)) {
            myXmpFile.putXMP(myXmp);
            myXmpFile.closeFile(XMPConst.CLOSE_UPDATE_SAFELY);
        }
    }
};

 https://prepression.blogspot.com/2017/11/downloading-and-installing-adobe-scripts.html

[ericm1019097]

Thanks a bunch, Stephen: I finally got things sorted out today. I simply edited the metadata template in Photo Downloader to not show Author and eveything is great now. Much appreciated!

[Stephen Marsh]

Glad you have it sorted @ericm1019097