Bug in v1.97: IPTC-Editor may corrupt IPTC data

[KlausT]

How to reproduce this bug in v1.97 on WinXP SP3:

1. in browser mode, select one or more pictures with IPTC data
2. call IPTC-editor
3. press "Clear All" button
4. add some new IPTC data (which means: not previously existing data)
5. from "Writing options", select "Combine new & curent values"
6. select "Add new values to current value ..."
7. select "Keep current value if new value is empty"
8. deselect "Replace only if current value is empty
9. write data, close IPTC editor and check results:

In case of "Write" to a single picture, only the new IPTC data will be stored to the file, all previously existing data are deleted; this is unexpected and contradicts the option "Keep current value if new value is empty".

In case of "Write all selected", XnView v1.97 shows expected behaviour, no data are lost.

Additional notes: XnView 1.96 works well for both write options; XnViewMP v0.21 behaves like v1.97.

[Clo]

KlausT

Hello ! Welcome aboard !

…3. press "Clear All" button …

• IMHO, this removes all existing data… Please, test skipping that step.

Kind regards
Claude
Clo

[KlausT]

Claude,
thanks for your welcome and for the hint concerning the "Clear All" button, but this is not my point. You are telling me a workaround to avoid the data loss, but this is not a solution to this obvious bug:

- there is a discrepancy between the option "Keep current value if new value is empty" and the result;
- the unexpected result with potential data loss is irreversible (there's no "preview" mode nor an "undo" function);
- there should be no difference with respect to the result in writing to a single or to more than one picture;
- there should be no incompatibility to v1.96.5 behaviour without good reasons.

I think, it is important to have a clear and consistent user interface, especially for a complex application like XnView. A workaround can help to overcome a problem until a bugfix is available. Please imagine what happens if the user interface consists of too many workarounds...

Thanks,
Klaus

[xnview]

In case of "Write" to a single picture, only the new IPTC data will be stored to the file, all previously existing data are deleted; this is unexpected and contradicts the option "Keep current value if new value is empty".

Ok, right. Could you send me your email by PM?