Import feature

The Import feature allows you to import one or more folders from the file system directly to the catalog. This method is the recommended way to get images that you already have stored on the file system into the catalog.

Also use this method when you have images stored on the file system that have pre-existing metadata in them (for instance written with a competing cataloguing tool). When your images already have pre-exiting images and you select to import the metadata, then IDimager will automatically copy the metadata to the database and create catalog labels for pre-existing keywords.

This method is described in the Getting Started chapter.

Download feature

The Downloader allows you to download images from an image source (like a digital camera or a scanner) to the file system.

This method is described in the Getting Started chapter.

Visiting folders in the Media Explorer

One thing that you should be aware of is that IDimager will create catalog entries in your catalog database as soon as you visit any folder in the Media Explorer. When these folders are already part of the catalog folder, then that is no problem. But if you accidentally visit a folder with images that you don't want in your catalog database, then that may out of your scope. That is why it is recommended to first set  your Media Explorer's root to your image folder. That way you will be ensured that you can not visit folders outside the scope of your catalog.

To set a custom root folder for your Media Explorer you open the Options dialog (Tools -> Options). Then in tab General select your preferred media root folder.

In this case I set my Preferred Media Root Folder to my image folder (in my case the network share Y:\).

After this click <OK> to confirm the folder and <OK> again to apply the options.

This is not a required step, but only a recommended one.

Scanning your Watch Folders

In a working workflow with IDimager, it may well be that you have added images to one of your watched folders while IDimager was closed. Then afterwards you can scan through the watch folders to find new images. This can be done in the Catalog Explorer by clicking the import button in the Catalog Explorer's mini toolbar.

Once you click the import button, a drop down will open which includes a list of all your watch folders. Now either select the folder that you';d like to scan through or select the first entry to scan all watch folders for new images. After making your selection, IDimager will start an import session for that folder.