My Catalog has been killed

[HaiStein]

Hello everyone
I need urgent help.
I just killed my catalog by changing the base path.
The number of assigned images is still displayed for the individual categories, but it no longer displays the images.
What can I do so that the photos for the categories are displayed again?

[michel038]

First, copy xnview.db file to get a backup.
Then, at the top of Categories pane, use "File's categories" > Export menu , so you will save a xml file that can be viewed in a text editor.
These two actions should avoid losing any information.

Can you describe the path that is in the xml file for a sample photo, and the right path for this photo ?

Did you always use the export to iptc or xmp keyword options in "settings, Metadata"?

[xnview]

you can modify the base path or you can send me the .db and i'll change the path

[HaiStein]

Hello Pierre,

many Thank you for your quick reaction. I'm afraid the database is much too big. There is no chance via email. Is there a way for me to see what the original path looked like and to reset it.

Best regards
Haike

[HaiStein]

... if I find the correct path is there a chance to save the catalog and link to the photos?
If not, how can I reset the program or the catalog?

[xnview]

you can send it to me with wetransfer for example

[HaiStein]

First, copy xnview.db file to get a backup.
Then, at the top of Categories pane, use "File's categories" > Export menu , so you will save a xml file that can be viewed in a text editor.
These two actions should avoid losing any information.

Can you describe the path that is in the xml file for a sample photo, and the right path for this photo ?

Path in the xml-file and Keywords:
<File filename="X:/Fotoarchiv/Busspur/Reutlingen - Busspur 02.JPG">
<Keywords>1. Autor (C)</Keywords>
<Keywords>1. Autor (C)|1. PGV-Alrutz</Keywords>
<Keywords>2. Ort</Keywords>
<Keywords>2. Ort|Deutschland</Keywords>
<Keywords>zz Datum</Keywords>
<Keywords>RVA, Str. begleitend</Keywords>
<Keywords>O_ÖPNV |Busspur</Keywords>
<Keywords>zz Datum|2010|11.2010</Keywords>
<Keywords>2. Ort|Deutschland|Reutlingen</Keywords>
<Keywords>RVA, Str. begleitend|Gehweg, RV frei</Keywords>
<Keywords>O_ÖPNV </Keywords>

Original path at the server:
x:\Fotoarchiv\A-B\Busspur\

Did you always use the export to iptc or xmp keyword options in "settings, Metadata"?

Yes, I did/do.

Many Thanks for Helping

[HaiStein]

you can send it to me with wetransfer for example

?Did you received it?

[michel038]

Path in the xml-file and Keywords:
<File filename="X:/Fotoarchiv/Busspur/Reutlingen - Busspur 02.JPG">
<Keywords>1. Autor (C)</Keywords>
(...)
Original path at the server:
x:\Fotoarchiv\A-B\Busspur\

- With a text editor (less slow than notepad.exe), you can replace all "/Fotoarchiv/" by "/Fotoarchiv/A-B/" in your XML file ( and "save as...", with a new name, perhaps with TXT extension, which you will rename with xml extension).
Set "base path" field empty, then in categories pane , launch File's categorie > Import , with this updated xml file ...

Did you always use the export to iptc or xmp keyword options in "settings, Metadata"?

Yes, I did/do.

-in the worst case,if all else failed, you will be able rebuild the catalog by setting import options (Settings, metadata) , deleting the catalog (Settings, Catalog, Delete all ) and read all the photos (Import Folder, and choose the parent folder ). On a server, it might be quite slow.
But before that, wait for the solutions proposed by Pierre

Note : Star ratings and color labels can be saved only in xmp metadata. And I don't know if "tags" are saved/ restored in the xml export.

[xnview]

Why do you have remove the 'base path'?

yes i have it, i see that you have used 'base path' for folder like 'R/RAL'. Which absolute path is it?
Do you want that i remove 'base path' from database?

[HaiStein]

Hello,
sorry I was in holiday for a few days.
To your questions:


Why do you have remove the 'base path'?

- The folder on the server with our photos had changed. I didn't Know the consequences changing the base path.

yes i have it, i see that you have used 'base path' for folder like 'R/RAL'. Which absolute path is it?

- What means "R/RAL"?

Do you want that i remove 'base path' from database?

- If it's the solution of my problem, than please remove it.

Thank you in advance.

[xnview]

what is the full path?

[HaiStein]

what is the full path?

Hello Pierre,

sorry for the very late feedback. I was ill until yesterday.
What do you want to do with the full path. I'd try to rechange the path's (there are a few different path's) in the .xml-file allready, like in the discription of Michel, but it didn't help.
Than I'd restartet the system in the hoping to have any solution.
The program now shows the catalog with the number of stored images for the individual keywords, but it does not display the images.

What am I doing wrong? Probably everything

[xnview]

if you want that i change the .db catalog, you need to tell which is the full path of your images?

[HaiStein]

if you want that i change the .db catalog, you need to tell which is the full path of your images?

,

It is difficult. I think it is impossible. Because there are many, many path's in the directory (see attached picture).
Do you want/have to change the paths in the xmp.file or in the db.file?

If you can describe exactly what to do maybe I can help myself. Or is there a user help that I can download from the net?