How to import XMP when migrating from other software?

This site is best viewed in a modern browser with JavaScript enabled.

How to import XMP when migrating from other software?

Bobspiders

Hi,

I have been using an old version of Daminion until now, and I am planning to migrate to Darktable. So far I have embedded my tags in the JPG files (I'm not a pro, just a lazy amateur, and don't keep the RAW files except for a few cases), but it seems that these embedded tags are not recognized upon import into DT.

I have then tried to export the tags on XMP files using Exiftool. Unfortunately, however, also these XMP files are not recognized by DT (I have selected the option to look for existing XMP files, and the XMP files are in the same folder as the JPG, with the same name as the corresponding file, FILENAME.XMP)
Any suggestion on why it would happen?

Also, I noticed that the XMP files generate with Exiftool begin with the line "<?xpacket ...", which I think is the correct XMP standard, while the XMP generated by DT after import start with a more generic "<?XML ...".Is it relevant?

Thanks for any help,
Roberto

Bobspiders

Bobspiders @MrSteveVee, I have received an answer from you but strangely cannot see it on the forum ...

Anyway, I had already tried to name the XMP file as "abd.JPG.XMP" with no success (even though the DT documentation states that also the name xxx.XMP would be read ...)

MrSteveVee

Sorry I use several software packages, the answer I gave related to another software package so I deleted it quick, apologies as it was the wrong answer

MrSteveVee

See if this helps:
https://docs.darktable.org/usermanual/3.8/en/overview/sidecar-files/sidecar-import/

Bobspiders

Thanks, I had already checked this page and tried to follow all the steps, but without success. Here it mentions "Lightroom-generated XMP files", should I assume that perhaps it doesn't work with XMP files generated by other software (in my case, Exiftool)?

To be noted also that I don't receive any message at all, i.e, it seems that my XMP files are not detected, or simply completely ignored.

Has anybody ever tried to import XMP files generated by Exiftool?

In addition from the automatic load on import (that doesn't work in my case), is there a way to explicitely load an XMP?

MrSteveVee

Although XMP is an Adobe standardised format, I guess it depends if DT is following it fully or only for parts that is compatible with its own internal workings. As a (extremely poor) example, Adobe may state the contrast needs values X Y & Z, but DT contrast module works different and wants X Y and A so it could not understand X Y & Z, however, keywords are keywords!
I do not use DT anymore so cannot help directly to test, what I would try is:
Import an Image with an associated xmp file
Modifiy the image in DT
Did DT overwrite, amend or create a new xmp
I would then import an Image without an XMP
Modify in DT by adding a keyword(s)
now see if Exiftool can see the image and keywords that DT created
It might give some clues

jaw-dt

You might poke around the ExifTool Forum if you haven't done so yet.