Overview of Phil Harvey ExifTool for macOS

It is a powerful command-line tool that revolutionizes the management of digital image metadata. With its extensive features, including comprehensive format support, batch processing, and geotagging capabilities, it offers photographers and enthusiasts a versatile solution for efficiently organizing and customizing metadata. Its continuous development and strong community support make it indispensable for users seeking precision and control over their digital assets.

Features of Phil Harvey ExifTool for macOS

• Powerful, fast, flexible and customizable.
• Supports a large number of different file formats.
• Reads EXIF, GPS, IPTC, XMP, JFIF, MakerNotes, C2PA JUMBF, GeoTIFF, ICC Profile, Photoshop IRB, FlashPix, AFCP, ID3, Lyrics3 and more.
• Writes EXIF, GPS, IPTC, XMP, JFIF, MakerNotes, GeoTIFF, ICC Profile, Photoshop IRB, AFCP, and more.
• Reads and writes maker notes on many digital cameras.
• Reads timed metadata (e.g., GPS track) from MOV/MP4/M2TS/AVI videos
• Numerous output formatting options (including tab-delimited, HTML, XML, and JSON).
• Geotags images from GPS track log files (with time drift correction).
• Generates track logs from geotagged images.
• Shift date/time values to fix timestamps in images.
• Renames files and organizes them in directories (by date or any other metadata).
• Extracts thumbnail images, preview images, and large JPEG images from RAW files.
• Copies meta information between files (even different-format files).
• Reads/writes structured XMP information.
• Deletes meta information individually, in groups, or all together.
• Sets the file modification date from EXIF information.
• Supports alternate language tags in XMP, PNG, ID3, Font, QuickTime, ICC Profile, MIE, and MXF information.
• Processes entire directory trees.
• Creates text output file for each image file.
• Creates binary-format metadata-only (MIE, EXV) files for metadata backup.
• Automatically backs up the original image when writing.
• Organizes output into groups.
• Conditionally processes files based on the value of any meta information.
• Ability to add custom user-defined tags.
• Support for MWG (Metadata Working Group) recommendations.
• Ability to read tags from multiple files simultaneously, allowing metadata to be compared and combined.
• Generates MD5/SHA256/SHA512 hashes of image data only for many file types (for comparison and validation of image data).
• Recognizes thousands of different tags.
• Tested with images from thousands of different camera models.
• Advanced verbose and HTML-based hex dump outputs.

Technical Details and System Requirements

macOS 10.12 or later

FAQs

Q: Is it suitable for beginners?
A: While it has a command-line interface, its documentation is well-crafted, and numerous online resources and forums offer guidance. Users with varying skill levels can adapt to it with some learning.

Q: Can it handle video files?
A: It supports various file formats, including t image and video. It is not limited to just photos.

Q: How often is the tool updated?
A: The Creator actively maintains the tool and releases updates regularly. Users can stay informed about the latest developments on the official website.

Conclusion

It is a versatile and powerful metadata management tool that brings order to the chaos of digital photography. Its extensive features and continuous development make it an invaluable asset for users passionate about maintaining and manipulating metadata in their image collections. Whether you're a professional photographer or an enthusiastic hobbyist, it provides the tools needed to unlock the full potential of your digital assets.