Import/Export and Metadata Archives

Since first released, Yate has the ability to import and export metadata for a single audio file. A files's metadata can be exported from and imported to a Mac OS property list, (plist), file. Large chunks of information such as images and binary data are stored in separate files referenced by the plist. Yate v6.19 added the ability to import and export archives containing the metadata for multiple files.

The Export menu item is also used to export the current filtered display of a Database Viewer window. For more information on exporting Database Viewer displays, click here.

Legacy Importing and Exporting

When importing a file's tagging information, all previous information is overwritten. Unhandled metadata is never exported or imported.

When exporting to (File>Import/Export>Export) and importing from (File>Import/Export>Import...) a Mac OS property list, (plist), file is used. Large chunks of information such as artwork and binary data are stored in separate files referenced by the plist. Note that Unhandled metadata is not exported.

The exported files are placed in a subfolder named Exported Metadata in each track's containing folder. The following files may be written:

OutputFileName.plist

This file is the primary source for the exported data. This file refers to any other files which are produced. This file is always written for each track being exported.

OutputFileName Blob #.png

This file contains album artwork stored as a png file. The # is replaced by an incremental number bumped for every blob file which is written.

OutputFileName Blob #.jpg

This file contains album artwork stored as a jpg file. The # is replaced by an incremental number bumped for every blob file which is written.

OutputFileName Blob #.yateblob

This file contains binary data. This is how tag data for Private Information fields and General Encapsulated Object Fields are output. The # is replaced by an incremental number bumped for every blob file which is written.

Note that the blob files will not be duplicated for equivalent data. If all tracks being exported contain a single common artwork item, only one artwork blob file will be exported.

Metadata Archives

Metadata archives are implemented using the legacy Import and Export functionality. The new functionality is largely provided by a suite of actions which are automatically called by the menu items.

Yate metadata archives have a yatearchive filename extension. When a yatearchive file is opened in the Finder, Yate will be invoked to display the archive contents.

The following menu commands are available on the File>Import/Export menu:

Export to Archives>Folder Archives

For each folder represented by a selected file, an archive is written named Metadata Archive.yatearchive. If there are audio files in a folder which are not selected, you are given the option of selecting the missing files. If you elect to include the missing audio files, and the missing file is loaded, it will be used. Otherwise the missing files will be dynamically loaded.

Export to Archives>Specified Archive

You will be asked to specify the name and location of a single archive to be produced.

Import from Archives>Folder Archives

For each folder represented by a selected file, the process will look for an archive named Metadata Archive.yatearchive in each folder. If a folder does not have the file, you will be given the option of locating an archive to use for the folder, or skipping the files associated with the folder.

Import from Archives>Specified Archive

You will be asked to specify the name and location of a single archive to be read.

Import from Archives>Prefer Auto Import

This is a status displaying a green circle when enabled and a red circle when disabled. When enabled and all files can be mapped to files in an archive with 100% accuracy, the import will proceed silently. Otherwise, a panel will be displayed showing the mapping of selected files to files in the archive. You can drag and drop files to change the mapping and select or deselect any file for import. When the panel is displayed, you can also display the archive's contents or skip the import.

Note that when importing, you can import any combination of files represented in an archive. There is no need to import them all.

If the required actions are missing, you will automatically be given the opportunity to import them. You can also manually import the actions from the Help menu.

Additional information on Metadata Archives can be viewed in the online action documentation which can be viewed by clicking here.