I think I've found the Holy Grail

[KenByrne]

I downloaded IMatch recently http://www.photools.com/ I'm still evaluating it but I'm seriously thinking about purchasing. You add folders containing your pictures and then you can define categories, assign them to the pictures and then search on the categories.

The example shows some of the categories I've used and an example search for all diver shots in temperate sea water. Up to now I've filled pictures by location and date and then finding a specific pictures was a case of remembering when and where. I was trying to think of a better way of organising the pictures but using folders always imposes some limitations. With this software the actual location doesn't matter. Plus points are that it recognises RAW files and can be configured to open PS or whatever you use when you doble click on a file. The one minus point is that it shows the RAW file as shot, unlike Adobe bridge which shows the thumbnail as processed by the RAW convertor.

[Tank]

Hey Ken,

Have a look at cam2pc. I use this, which looks similar in functionality to imatch.
I use cam2pc mainly for downloading images. I love the way it creates directorys with the date and any name (makes finding an image, way easy). It does a lot more basic sorting of files. Create web gallery, burn to cd, create slideshows and video files! Its cheap too
One of those hidden gems I came across. Although not so good with the RAW function -like imatch, it really does display the image in its RAW form












http://www.nabocorp.com/cam2pc/

Cheers

[Mattdiver]

How about Picassa? Anybody using it and satisfied with the prog? It's free, so always interesting to try...

[KenByrne]

I tried Picassa and found it didn't really suit my way of working. My daughter uses it though and thinks it's great. I think one of the reasons for the difference of opinion is that she doesn't have any RAW files to deal with.

Thanks Tank I'll take a look at camera2pc.

Ken