Write and read exif data from metadata, not directly to the image?

[gm649]

I want xnviewmp to auto rotate the image on exif data i set
but i dont want to modify (write data) directly to the image
i want to write exif data to something like xnview meta data
but im not sure this feature exist already
is it possible to save exif rotation to metadata (without writing data to image) ,so xnview can auto rotate the image when reading exif data from meta data , instead of exif data from the image ?
Thanks

[michel038]

The definition of exif data is to be embedded in the photos. Another possibility exists, which is to create companion files containing a copy of the exifs for each photo.
I'm not sure that XnViewMP can read or modify the exif orientation tag only in the companion file without modifying the embedded exif...(except, perhaps, if no embedded exif data exists ?)

You also suggest a parameter that XnviewMp could have stored in its database, unfortunately I think this is not possible.

I hope that someone will be able to find a better answer ...

For my own use, I change the orientation of the photos, (lossless rotation) or I work on duplicates of the photos