Microsoft Releases Pro Photo Tools 2

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.on10.net/blogs/nic/Microsoft-Pro-Photo-Tools-20-Released/' target='_blank'>http://www.on10.net/blogs/nic/Micro...ls-20-Released/</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"Microsoft Pro Photo Tools provides a set of tools for photographers allowing them to perform various tasks with their images-including RAW captures. The current version enables you to quickly geotag your photos, edit metadata, and organize your images by leveraging the power of Microsoft Live Local."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1224282856.usr1.jpg" border="1" /></p><p>I haven't used this tool yet, but it looks like it could be useful - the geotagging stuff is cool, especially if it works in batch mode. And hey, it's free! Anyone taken it for a spin yet?</p>

[Bob12]

I just downloaded it a short while ago but haven't dug too deeply into it. Yes, it does work in batch mode. However . . .

The first time I tried it, I loaded the program from its menu shortcut then loaded 83 pictures into it and added my name, copyright info, and a couple of other things. When I saved the files with the new metadata, it errored and did not save the data on any of the files. I tried it a second time loading the program from the right-click menu after highlighting five files. This time, everything worked properly and the new data was saved correctly. Not sure if the different loading method was the culprit or the number of files I tried to change. I'll play some more and let you know.

Update: I tried another group of photos, this time loading 107 files into Pro Photo Tools from the right-click menu. All added info was saved properly.

[Jason Dunn]

Thanks for the report Bob - I wonder why it didn't work properly on your first batch of images?

[Bob12]

I'm not really sure. I've tried several times to load the program first then add picture files to it. In every instance, I get the same error and metadata fields are not saved. It doesn't appear to be the number of pictures involved either; I get the error with just a few as well as with several dozen.

But, as long as I highlight the pictures first in Windows Explorer, then launch Pro Photo Tools from the right-click menu, it hasn't missed a beat. Strange.