Cataloging Files in the Database

ACDSee Professional automatically adds file information and thumbnails to the database as you browse. You can use the Catalog dialog box to add groups of files to the database without having to first browse the folders. This can be particularly useful when using ACDSee Professional for the first time, and when browsing or managing large collections of images, as it reduces the loading time required for these folders.

The first time you run ACDSee, you are prompted to catalog your files.

To Catalog Your Files:

  1. In Manage mode, click Tools | Database | Catalog Files...
  2. Select the files to be cataloged. For more information see the Catalog Options table below.
  3. Click Start.

    4. A progress bar shows your files as they are cataloged.

  4. Click Finish.

Catalog Options

Catalog
 

Add Folder...

Click the Add Folder... button to browse for folders to be added to the database.

Remove Folder

Select a folder in the Folders to Catalog table and click the Remove folder button to remove the folder from the table.

Import from Cataloged Files
 

EXIF and IPTC metadata

Enable to import EXIF and IPTC metadata.

IPTC Keywords to ACDSee Keywords

 Enable to import IPTC keywords into ACDSee Keywords. IPTC keywords can also be imported by right-clicking on the image, and selecting Metadata | Import IPTC Keywords.

Files with ACDSee Keywords assigned will import IPTC Keywords without overwriting or removing existing ACDSee Keywords.

IPTC Supplemental Categories to ACDSee Categories

 Enable to import IPTC supplemental categories to ACDSee Categories. IPTC supplemental categories can also be imported by right-clicking on the image and selecting Metadata | Import IPTC supplemental categories.

Files with ACDSee Categories assigned will import IPTC Supplemental Categories without overwriting or removing existing ACDSee Categories.

ACDSee Metadata, including categories, keywords, tagged, and collections

Enable to import ACDSee metadata, including categories, keywords, tagged, and collections.

If a file's Embed Pending flag is set, it will not import ACDSee Categories and Keywords.

If a file's Embed Pending flag is not set and it has embedded ACDSee Categories and Keywords, it will unassign the file's existing categories and keywords and import those values from the embedded data.

Face Data, including face outlines and names

Enable to import Face Data, including face outlines and names. Enabling the Face Data checkbox activates the ACDSee Face Data radio button and the Lightroom or Picasa Face Data radio button.

ACDSee Face Data

Enable to import ACDSee Face Data. The ACDSee Face Data radio button is only activated if the Face Data, including face outlines and names checkbox is enabled. Enabling the ACDSee Face Data radio button disables the Lightroom or Picasa Face Data radio button.

Lightroom or Picasa Face Data

Enable to import Lightroom or Picasa Face Data. The Lightroom or Picasa Face Data radio button is only activated if the Face Data, including face outlines and names checkbox is enabled. Enabling the Lightroom or Picasa Face Data radio button disables the ACDSee Face Data radio button.

File Formats
 

Catalog Images

Only image file types will be cataloged

Catalog Images and videos

Both image and video file types will be imported.

Catalog all files

All files in the selected folder will be imported.

Options
 

Build and include thumbnails in database

Enable to build thumbnails of the image or video files and include the thumbnails in the database.

Include contents of archive files

Enable to include the contents of archived files.

Create preview files for RAW images

Enable to create preview files for RAW images.

Other
 

Help

Opens the help file related to cataloging files in Media mode.

Start

Starts the process of adding thumbnails and file information to the database.

Cancel

Closes the window.

If you are cataloging a large collection of files, do not disrupt the process, or use other software while it is running. For large file collections, it is best to run cataloging overnight.