File browser or database?

KIM Keywording is a database and not a file browser. This is what distinguishes KIM Keywording from many other keywording programs. Using a database has many advantages for professional keywording. The differences between file browsers and database solutions are briefly explained here.

Most programs that support keywording are so-called file browsers. They read the files in a directory and, when you click on a file, show the metadata contained in this file. In other words, file browsers only refer to the images themselves.

KIM Keywording, on the other hand, is a database. When importing images, a separate data record is created for each file. The database is, so to speak, an extra level of information. With this extra level, additional information can now be recorded for which there are no IPTC fields: Additional languages for keywords, license information, releases, project names and project codes, notes for pictures with problematic topics (drugs, violence, nudity, …) and the like. In addition, the workflow can be better organized by providing information on project progress, keywording status and customer contacts.

KIM Keywording is a database, but does not save the images themselves, it only creates information above the pictures. Of course there is a link from each data set to the corresponding image. In contrast to a file browser, however, the database can also be viewed separately from the image files. The keywording does not take place directly with the image files, but is solved in the database. Only the result is (can) be saved back in the image files, provided that IPTC fields are provided for this.

A database can also be used, for example, if the images themselves are currently inaccessible. This can be the case if you use different drives. As long as the files have already been imported into KIM Keywording, you can edit, search, expand and also export the information.

There are many advantages of a database. Are there any disadvantages? Of course, there are also limitations, for example with regard to the data formats. KIM Keywording only supports JPEG files (as of August 2016). There are two reasons for this: Images that are sold online are almost exclusively available as JPEG files. That is the standard. On the other hand, not all metadata of all data formats can be read out in Filemaker. The self-imposed limitation on JPEG files is therefore a pragmatic approach. KIM Keywording is not intended to replace your previous file browser. As keywording software, KIM Keywording comes into play at a very specific point in your workflow, namely to the image processing and image selection and in front of publication. The effort for high-quality keywording should only be made for the best images.

Think of KIM Keywording as the database for your published images.

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