The Easiest Way to Tag Multiple Pictures IPTC at Once?

[p0peye]

Hi,
I am trying to find the easiest way to add keywords to (multiple) pictures.
I am aware that I can:
Select multiple pictures,
Right click > Edit IPTC Data (Ctrl+I)
Go to keywords tab, and TYPE the needed keywords.

However, I see there is a Folders/Favorites/Categories panel, and I can define hierarchical categories there. But I can't select them and apply them to selected files?

My question: Is it possible to select (multi)pictures, and to tag them with predefined keywords/categories - to choose from a pre-made list, and not to type them every time from scratch...?
Yes, I know there is an option to add the once typed keyword to "defined keyword list", but the list of keywords should be indented (with sub-categories), because if there are 200+ keywords, it would be very difficult to find the right ones (from my example I can easily choose "Belgrade, 2009, Baptize" to tag the selected files. The other, also important, fact is that the "defined keyword list" can display only 6 rows at the time, and then one should use sliders to navigate trough keywords. The ability to choose keywords from (stretchable) Categories panel would be much more practical...

Example (I am currently using Zoner Photo Studio 13, and this is how it's done there):
From the on-screen panel that can be switched on/off, you can choose the wanted KEYWORDS:
Places+
-Home
-New York
-Moscow
-Belgrade
--New Belgrade
---Block 70a
--Zemun
-Mali Jasenovac
Years+
-1974
-1975
-2008
--2008-02
-2009
-2011
Heppenings+
-Weddings
-Funerals
-Baptize
-Vacations
...
You get the point.
Now, if I want to add more then one keyword to multi-selected files, I select the files, select the keywords, right click on the (one of pre-selected) keyword, and choose "add to selected files".

This way is convenient, because I have a predefined keywords, I don't have to type them all over again, and the keywords are easy to find in the kw list. (One thing that lacks in ZPS13 though, is the "recent" list, that would keep a number of recently used KW, + the list of most used KW, both for even more easier selection...)

Note: Not criticizing XnWiew, just trying to find out is there a mentioned option (but I can't find it) - and discussing an idea if there is not...

Thanks in advance,
p0peye

p.s. - there are many other features of XnView I like but this one is crucial for me, as I am in a process of tagging over 200gb of my family's pictures... Cheers

[p0peye]

Okeeey...

So - we are not very fond of snoopy people asking strange questions...?

OK. Forget about the poll.

Can anybody at least confirm my conclusions - (in XnWiew) I can't have a categorized keywords, multiselect few of them and tag multiple files?

Like this:



Thanks in advance,
Cheers,
p0peye

[xnview]

Can anybody at least confirm my conclusions - (in XnWiew) I can't have a categorized keywords, multiselect few of them and tag multiple files?

You can select the files, and drag&drop them into categories

[JohnFredC]

You can select the files, and drag&drop them into categories

Hi Pierre...

Drag&drop (though essential) is only efficient if the category tree is already displayed and expanded to the proper category. Also, drag&drop only works with one category at a time.

OTOH, if the expanded category tree would display in the info panel when multiple images are selected (it doesn't in 1.98.5), then the user could make multiple assignments to multiple images easily. This is the way it works in MP and is a very good solution.

If XnView Legacy is to continue as a separate entity from MP, would you please consider adding a function to display the category tree in the browser info pane also for multiple selections?

Thanks for listening!

[p0peye]

Hi, I missed this replies.
Thanks for the info,
I will try to see if I can use it in less time consuming way then ZPS.
Thanks again,
Cheers

p.s. - I know that you can't make the program to sute everybody's needs (and for free, not a negligible fact), but this is the way I see a perfect picture view/tag/edit program.

- a preview like in FastStone (when you move the cursor to the edges, you get different options to choose)
- tagging and some picture editing options like in ZPS13
- maaaany other options like XnView (including a multiple tab, date changer, the fact it don't change the date when you add tags (unlike the ZPS)... ... ...
This is NOT a whish list, just a whisper what one of many happy users is thinking about...
Thanks again, Marry Christmas and Happy New Year