File Export: Order of Operations when Pending Metadata Updates

[Jingo]

Hi Mario - I just ran across something and was curious as to the logic behind it.  

I exported 30 images that had pending metadata updates (typical for me as I manually update these in batches during quiet PC times). 

After the drag/drop to the export panel (where my preset is set to write back XMP data), IMatch began exporting all the images as expected to the selected folder. 

After the process was done, the system asked if I wanted to write the pending update to the files. I said Yes and noticed the system not only did the writeback to the files, but also re-exported the images to include the metadata (which is logical and makes sense).

My question is: should the system ask this question before the first export is done to avoid duplicate exporting?

Thx - Andy.

[Mario]

I assume you mean the Batch Processor?

It exports the images in step one, and when metadata output is configured, it uses ExifTool to copy metadata from the source images to the newly created output images.

If it finds that the source images have pending metadata, it asks for a write-back, so ExifTool can see the latest metadata when it copies the data to the output files.

[Jingo]

Yes - I did mean the batch processor.. I just thought it would save time to do the write-back first, then export the images WITH that metadata intact.. but I didn't realize how the export and metadata write-out worked so perhaps this is the best approach.  Thx!

[Mario]

The output images must exist before the metadata processing can be performed.
Only then metadata (if configured) can be copied from the original files, which is why IMatch checks for pending write-back at that time. It makes no difference in the end if the sequence

create-images / write-back / copy metadata
write-back / create output images / copy metadata

is performed.
If this is a concern for you, use an automation favorite which first writes back and then runs your Batch Processor Preset.

[Jingo]

All good.. thx for the explanation!