Can link original field with custom one

[robertlzj]

Hi~ I use FileMeta to adjust order of picture metadata field shown in explorer. But I found, even not add any new fields, the metadata is totally been taken over by FileMeta, so, when copy the file to other computer, the default metadata is empty.

[Dijji]

File Meta never deletes any property values. So this is what I think must be happening.

1. On computer A, you add the File Meta property handler and write values to some of the well-known properties of the file. Because the File Meta property handler is in use, the values are written to the alternate stream associated with the file, and not the body of the file itself.

2. You copy the file to computer B. If the computer has an NTFS drive, the alternate stream is copied with the file. But if you do not add the File Meta property handler on computer B, the meta data will be invisible. If the drive on computer B is not NTFS, or you copied it via a medium that is not NTFS, such as email, or a USB stick formatted as FAT, then the alternate stream will not be copied with the file, and the meta data is not present on computer B.

Does this make sense?

Dijji

[robertlzj]

Thanks. I understand now. But in this case - "not add any new fields", "adjust order of picture metadata field" Can synchronize/map property from alternate stream to original one. So, when copy, at least, the property would been keep.

[Dijji]

The catch is the copy step. What you suggest would require copying meta data properties from the alternate stream of the original to the main body of the copied file. However, this would require knowledge of the format of the file being copied, which File Meta does not have, as well as a hook to intercept the copy operation, which is far as I know, is not provided by Windows.

I am afraid that it is a characteristic of File Meta that if you write properties to the alternate stream, then you must install File Meta on all the computers where you wish to read it.

[robertlzj]

Eh...Not exactl, some update. Not synchronize when copy file, but when edit property. For case - property value is the same, only the organization order in alternate stream and original one is different. So, I thought they two could be mapped.

User could write property from windows explorer, without the knowledge of format of file. So, is there any interface could be use? Wrapped explorer, then would be easy to use, and perfect to control by script.