GPS data

[wblink]

Hi,

I cannot find any entry to GPS-data in the IPCT data. Am I searching in the wrong way or am I searching for something that is not (yet) there?

I don't have a GPS connected to my camera, but with ie "MS ProPhotoTools" in combination with "Virual Earth" it is really easy to add the info afterwards.

Any idea about what I have missed?

 

[Sean McCormack]

Yes.
GPS data is not directly editable in Lightroom. You need to use a third party to write it and then Read Metadata from Files for Lightroom to see it.

 

[johnbeardy]

For Windows, get Geosetter.

 

[leifurh]

GPS data in RAW files?

Rather than start a new thread I figured this was a related question - so here goes.

I use RoboGeo to geocode my NEF files, the program doesn't generate XMP sidecars but writes to the NEF files themselves. Lightroom (2.' Beta) regrettably doesn't seem to be able to read the data - at least it doesn't show any location information (I haven't tried burning jpegs to see if the data is preserved).

How can I address this? Would importing the NEFs to DNGs make a difference? If I were to do that, what non-Adobe software could I use to quickly browse such a collection (I currently use Picasa to weed out the rubbish - I find it quicker than Lightroom).

Any info much appreciated.

 

[johnbeardy]

Describe the exact sequence of importing the files to LR and doing the geotagging. Which action comes first? Does an xmp file already exist at the time the geotagging is done?

 

[Juergen]

I only know it for Canon RAW files, but there MS ProPhotoTools stores the GPS data in the VRD block. This is the place, where DPP normally stores the recipes and I wonder if any serious app will ever look there for GPS data.

Juergen

 

[leifurh]

John,

There aren't any XMPs at all - that's actually the point (though I'd be interested in knowing if XMPs are supported for NEFs).

Basically I have NEF files and GPX files recorded at the same time. The NEFs have all been imported (in place) without any geographic data embedded.

If I run RoboGEO or GeoSetter on the NEFs/GPXs the GPS data gets written to the correct location (at least the programs find each other's GPS data) but remains hidden from Lightroom even after I have the program synchronize metadata (and LR does detect the need to do this when I ask that the input folder be synced.).

Also (though not relevant) there seems to be a minor difference in the format the two programs use because Windows XP Explorer cannot generate thumbnails for RoboGEO-processed NEFs but CAN do so for GeoSetter ones.

Cheers,

 

[johnbeardy]

OK, the geotagging is happening after LR has imported the files. You say Synchronize metadata - not Metadata > Read Metadata from File ?

One danger is if you have adjusted the images before geotagging - Read Metadata can wipe those adjustments, so I would first save out the metadata (ie Ctrl S) , apply the geotagging, and then read the metadata in.

Geosetter gives you the option of writing into the NEF or generating an XMP file.

John

 

[leifurh]

John,

Thanks for the hint about not doing tweaks prior to geocoding.

As for what to sync, actually I just tell Lightroom that the folder in which the files are to be found needs syncing - the program discovers for itself that nothing needs adding or removing but that metadata needs updating.

The problem is of course that doing the sync apparently changes nothing. I have, since writing my earlier message, verified that Vista understands the geographic information - it reports the GPS data as part of the file properties. The only program that doesn't seem to want to know is Lightroom :-(

Is writing XMP sidecars the only way to get LR to handle NEF geocoding data or should I keep trying?

 

[johnbeardy]

Leifur

What I was also pointing out is that I don't think Sync is the way to go. Use Metadata > Read Metadata from File. I think that should do the job.

XMP is a different issue - a question of whether you want to write into your NEF files. I've preferred not to do so, and am adding GPS only when I've converted my keepers to DNG. I don't think it affects whether LR can see the GPS.

John

 

[johnbeardy]

Oh, and my point about tweaks was that if you do any before geocoding, use Ctrl S to save your work out to sidecars before you geocode.

John

 

[leifurh]

John,

You were right, "Metadata" -> "Read Metadata from file(s)" works like a charm - and presumably overrides any tweaks (it says it will!) so you were also right in saying this belongs early in the processing chain.

I'd say my problem is "done and dusted" - thanks.

Leifur

 

[Brad Snyder]

leifurh

Just a point of clarication on what led you astray. In this context, 'Sync metadata' means to make the metadata the same between selected files, and not as you (rationally) supposed make LR agree with the files, and vice versa.

This is a subtle User Interface terminology issue/bug. In general 'sync' means make the images the same. Yet there is a contravening example in 'Sync Folders' which updates the catalog to agree with the disk directory.

So, anyway, glad the problem's solved.

 

[johnbeardy]

...presumably overrides any tweaks (it says it will!) so you were also right in saying this belongs early in the processing chain.

Again to be clear, it's the sequence which is important (rather than simply early or later). You can do geotagging before or after LR/ACR adjustments. But, if you geotag after making adjustments, save the metadata with Ctrl/Cmd S, then geotag.

 

[KED]

Leifur

What I was also pointing out is that I don't think Sync is the way to go. Use Metadata > Read Metadata from File. I think that should do the job.

XMP is a different issue - a question of whether you want to write into your NEF files. I've preferred not to do so, and am adding GPS only when I've converted my keepers to DNG. I don't think it affects whether LR can see the GPS.

John

John, I know this thread is a month old, but hopefully you will see this. I have just become interested in geotagging, and was having issues relating to DNG's handling of timestamps. I sort of have that resolved, but now that I'm concentrating on getting this info into LR2, I don't even see metadata categories for longitude, latitude and altitude -- can LR even deal with that information?

 

[Brad Snyder]

Kent, yes it can deal with existing GPS data, but can't apply it. You'll have to apply the GPS metadata with an external tool, and then as John points out above, read the metadata in from the source file.

There's another informative thread here, and as soon as I find it, I'll edit, and post the link.

Edit : Try this thread: http://www.lightroomqueen.com/community/showthread.php?t=25'8&highlight=geosetter&page=2

 

[KED]

I haven't checked the link yet, but what I'm getting at is, the Metadata panel looks pretty formatted, and I'm wondering if I were to find a way to successfully import geotag data, I'd be able to see it in LR anyway. Perhaps your link will inform me . . .

Checked it now and seems like that added data is somehow discoverable. Back to HoudahGeo to figure out the integration process. Thanks Brad.

BTW, since I am most often asking or nudging here, let me say for the record (perhaps with a very tiny audience) that despite a few trials and tribulations, LR2 rocks!

 

[Sgt_Strider]

For Windows, get Geosetter.

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I'm wondering if you have any instructions on how to use Geosetter to geotag photos? Do you have any suggestions on the settings as well?

 

[wblink]

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I'm wondering if you have any instructions on how to use Geosetter to geotag photos? Do you have any suggestions on the settings as well?

"Sorry if this is a stupid answer" ... Grin: there are NO stupid questions.

The hel pin geosetter tells it all, at least if you want what I did: get te picture in geosetter, search my memory (crunch, crunch) about where is was taken and makt the place on the map, then sync.

Better: I just boughht me a "Dawn-tech Di-GPS Pro": the advertisement says:

Built-in 1'pin connector for Nikon 1'pin accessories.
- Moisture and dust sealing.
- Ultra low power consumption, new SiRF Low Power Single Chip (45mA typical).
- Very compact size 54mm x 37mm x 17mm.
- Mounted on the flash accessory shoe or attached to the camera strap.
- 2'-Channel GPS Receiver for fast acquisition and reacquisition.
- 2'',''' effective correlators for fast TTFF (Time To First Fix) and Extremely fast TTFF at low signal levels.
- Very high sensitivity (Tracking Sensitivity: -159 dBm), provide superior positing information in environments, through urban canyons, and under dense foliage.
- Built-in WAAS Demodulator.
- NMEA '183 data protocol.
- Built-in backup battery to reserve system data for rapid satellite acquisition.
- Built-in patch antenna, no external antenna required.
- Direct connect to Nikon DSLR without MC-35.
- No Setup Required.
- Support Nikon D3*, D3''*, D2XS, D2X, D2HS & D2'', Fujifilm S5 Pro.

Website: http://www.dawntech.hk/di-GPS/index.htm

So far I like the thing. It does what it has to do.

 

[snapper]

Other gps tools

I've just returned from a three week vacation in France. One of my aims was to be able to capture GPS data to match up with the images I was planning to take. These were a mix of "tourist snaps" and some serious photography that I could later use in the training courses I give as part of my business.

I shoot Nikon - but though the investment in a dedicated device as mentioned above looked good, my "out and about" camera (ie when on a bike/touring chateaux/can't be bothered with the D3 moments) is a coolpix 71'. This can't be attached to a dedicated device - so my decision was to use a handheld gps and later synchronise the gps data from the device with the images.

By carrying the gps with you at all times, then a tracklog is created that can be exported in gpx format (pretty universal)) and then synched with the exif time data in your images. I used GPSphotolinker for the mac - which also interpolates between track points if they don't exactly match the exif data in the photo. It also has a batch mode so that a number of images can be geocoded against a single track log - handy if you have a days tracks which you can match against a day's images.

Once I'd added the gps info to the images, I re-read the meta data in lightroom and my gps data appeared.

I havn't done all the images yet, but the test set that I did whilst away has worked well - certainly well enough for my purposes - and all my images from different cameras can be geocoded this way.

Handy hint: get the time right on the camera! I forgot to swop time zones - and embarrassment as I make a point of telling people to get time right on the courses I teach.

I think geocoding is an exciting and important topic, and will become more so in the future as location based digital services become more pervasive.

Gareth

 

[wblink]

Handy hint: get the time right on the camera! I forgot to swop time zones - and embarrassment as I make a point of telling people to get time right on the courses I teach.

I think geocoding is an exciting and important topic, and will become more so in the future as location based digital services become more pervasive.

Gareth

Do you have to set the LOCAL time, or is GMT ok?