MetaScope v1.2.0

MetaScope 1.2.0 (Build 23)

December 2025 - Build 23

MetaScope 1.2.0 is a foundational release that rebuilds the metadata architecture for long-term extensibility while delivering powerful new features for professional workflows.

Highlights

• Unified Template Manager: Single registry-driven template system replaces fragmented IPTC and EXIF templates with automatic migration
• MetadataFieldRegistry: 102 metadata fields (69 base + 33 struct sub-fields) across 7 categories as single source of truth for all metadata operations
• Metadata Favorites: Star frequently used fields for quick access with inline editing, group organization, and persistent preferences
• Enhanced Location Tab: Manual GPS coordinate entry, address search with autocomplete, recent locations, and reverse geocoding
• Keyword-Driven Metadata (Pro): Rule-based automatic population of IPTC/XMP fields from keywords with preview and batch application
• Finder Metadata Visibility: View macOS Finder tags and comments alongside photo metadata
• 5-Tab Info Panel: Reorganized interface with Favorites, Essentials, Editor, Location, and Advanced tabs
• Keyboard Architecture: Modernized keyboard event handling for reliable shortcuts across all windows

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Unified Template Manager

The template system has been completely rebuilt around the MetadataFieldRegistry for consistent, reliable metadata operations.

Registry-Driven Architecture

• 102 Metadata Fields: Single source of truth across 7 categories (Descriptive, Creator, Rights, Location, Technical, Administrative, Workflow). 69 base fields plus 33 struct sub-fields for Location and Artwork metadata
• Canonical Namespaces: XMP-dc, XMP-photoshop, XMP-iptcCore with compatibility aliases for cross-application support
• Dynamic UI Generation: Appropriate controls rendered based on field type

Template Categories

• Metadata Templates: Full 102-field access for comprehensive metadata workflows (migrated from legacy IPTC templates)
• Technical Templates: Scoped to 10 editable technical fields (Artist, Copyright, Orientation, etc.)
• Custom Templates: User-created templates with arbitrary field selection

Automatic Migration

• Legacy Field Migration: Automatic conversion of old field IDs to current naming conventions
• Graceful Handling: Fields not yet in the registry are handled without data loss

Batch UI Consolidation

• Streamlined Tabs: Reduced from 6 to 5 tabs by consolidating legacy IPTC Templates and Technical Metadata into unified “Metadata Templates” tab
• Grid Card UI: Professional template cards with category badges and visual feedback
• Category Filter: Filter by All/Metadata/Technical/Custom
• Template Preview: See field values before applying
• Built-in Management: Delete any template, restore defaults with “Restore Built-in Templates”

Access: Window > Template Manager (Command+Option+Shift+T)

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Metadata Favorites System

Create a personalized quick-access panel with your most-used metadata fields.

Features

• Star Toggle: Click star icon on any field to add to favorites
• Group Organization: Create named groups to organize favorites logically
• Drag-to-Reorder: Reorganize favorites and groups via drag gestures
• Inline Editing: Edit field values directly in the Favorites tab when Edit mode is enabled
• Dual Source Support: Works with both registry fields and raw ExifTool keys
• Persistent Storage: Favorites saved per-user and persist across sessions

Manage Mode

• Remove Fields: Remove individual favorites or entire groups
• Reorder Items: Drag to change display order
• Group Management: Create, rename, and delete groups

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Enhanced Location Tab

Comprehensive GPS and location management with modern UX patterns.

Manual GPS Entry

• Coordinate Fields: Enter latitude and longitude directly with validation
• Format Flexibility: Supports decimal degrees and DMS formats
• Apply to Selection: Set coordinates for single files or entire selections

Address Search

• Autocomplete: Type addresses with intelligent suggestions
• Geocoding Integration: Convert addresses to GPS coordinates via Apple Maps
• Regional Awareness: Results prioritized by current locale

Recent Locations

• History List: Quick access to recently used locations
• Delete Individual: Remove unwanted entries from history
• Timestamp Display: See when each location was last used

Reverse Geocoding

• Coordinate Lookup: Convert GPS coordinates to human-readable addresses
• Automatic Display: Shows location name when viewing geotagged photos
• Cache Integration: Efficient lookups with persistent cache

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Keyword-Driven Metadata (Pro)

Automatically populate IPTC and XMP metadata fields based on assigned keywords. Requires MetaScope Pro subscription.

Rule Engine

• Match Types: Exact match and hierarchy prefix matching (e.g., Places/Germany/Berlin)
• Template Substitution: Use {keyword} placeholder in field values
• Apply Modes: Overwrite (replace existing) or Fill if empty (preserve existing)
• Priority System: Rules execute in priority order with deterministic conflict resolution
• Persistent Rules: Rules saved and persist across sessions

Rule Editor UI

• Rule List: Enable/disable toggles with Name/Match/Field/Priority columns
• CRUD Operations: New, Duplicate, Edit, Delete with keyboard shortcuts
• Match Configuration: Choose between exact match and hierarchy prefix
• Field Mapping: Select target IPTC/XMP fields with value templates and apply mode
• Drag Reorder: Change rule priority by dragging

Preview System

• Change Preview: See proposed metadata changes before applying
• Field Highlighting: Affected fields highlighted with new values
• Mode Indication: Clear labels for overwrite vs. fill-if-empty
• Cancel/Apply: Review changes, then commit or discard

Batch Application

• Context Menu: “Apply Metadata from Keywords” on file selections
• Menu Access: Metadata > Apply Keyword Rules
• Progress Indication: Real-time progress for large selections
• Consistent Results: Running same rules repeatedly produces identical results

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Finder Metadata Visibility

View macOS Finder metadata alongside photo metadata in the Essentials tab.

Displayed Information

• Finder Tags: Color-coded tag indicators matching Finder UI
• Finder Comments: User-entered comments from Get Info
• Download Source: URL for files downloaded from web
• Quarantine Info: Security attributes for downloaded files

Implementation

• Spotlight API: Primary data source for Finder metadata
• xattr Fallback: Extended attribute reading when Spotlight unavailable
• Read-Only: View Finder metadata without modification
• Essentials Tab Only: Clean integration without cluttering other views

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5-Tab Info Panel Architecture

Reorganized Info Panel for improved workflow efficiency.

Tab Structure

1. Favorites: User-defined quick-access fields with inline editing
2. Essentials: Key metadata summary with Finder integration
3. Editor: Expandable metadata editing with multiline support
4. Location: GPS coordinates, address search, map integration
5. Advanced: Full EXIF/Raw data, technical details

Benefits

• Reduced Cognitive Load: Related information grouped logically
• Faster Access: Favorites tab puts most-used fields one click away
• Dedicated Location: GPS and geolocation tools in one place
• Clean Separation: Editing separate from viewing

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Keyboard Architecture

Complete rebuild of keyboard event handling for reliable shortcuts across all windows.

Improvements

• Reliable Shortcuts: Command+A/C/V/X/Z work correctly in all text fields
• No Double-Handling: Eliminated duplicate paste/cut issues
• Window Isolation: Shortcuts don’t leak between windows
• Consistent Behavior: Same keyboard experience across all MetaScope windows

Affected Windows

• All auxiliary windows (Batch, Search, Templates, Export)
• Popout viewers (Image, Video)
• Settings window
• Keyword Rule Editor

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Additional Improvements

Search & Compare Registry Alignment

Complete alignment of Metadata Search and Compare systems with MetadataFieldRegistry.

Search Index Enhancements:

• Expanded Filter Fields: 63 to 102 advanced filter fields with registry-driven architecture
• Schema v10 Migration: 129 total columns including 58 IPTC Extension fields
• FTS5 Index Expansion: 92 full-text searchable fields (up from 61)
• Category-Grouped Filters: Filter picker organized by category (Descriptive, Creator, Rights, Location, Technical, Administrative, Workflow)
• IPTC Extension Fields: PersonInImage, OrganisationInImageName, DigitalSourceType, ModelReleaseStatus, PropertyReleaseStatus
• PLUS Schema Support: Licensor, CopyrightOwner fields with XMP-plus namespace extraction

Index Management:

• Single File Removal: Remove individual files from search index without clearing entire database
• Clear Index Confirmation: Modal dialog prevents accidental index clearing with file count display
• Stale Entry Cleanup: Automatically detect and remove entries for files that no longer exist

Window Improvements:

• Settings Popout: Dedicated Search & Index Settings window (accessible via gear button)
• Jump-Free Presentation: Windows open at correct size without visual resize flash
• Minimum Size Enforcement: Search window and Settings window enforce minimum sizes to prevent UI clipping
• Frame Persistence: Windows remember size and position across sessions

Ingest Stability:

• Sequential Processing: Reliable ExifTool integration avoiding processing errors
• Per-File Progress: Live counter updates for every processed file

Export Improvements:

• Full Field Export Default: CSV and NDJSON export now includes all 102 indexed fields by default (previously 28 common fields)
• Registry-Driven Fields: Export columns dynamically generated from field registry plus essential file metadata

Schema Ingest Pipeline

Major expansion of searchable metadata fields with full IPTC Extension support.

• 58 IPTC Extension Fields: Complete coverage of IPTC Photo Metadata Standard fields including accessibility fields
• 129 Total Columns: Database schema expanded from 61 to 129 columns
• 92 FTS Searchable: Full-text search covers 92 text fields (up from 61)
• Struct Sub-Field Support: Location and Artwork struct sub-fields now fully indexed
• Schema v10: Additive migration with no re-index required for existing databases

Video/Image Editor Parity

Complete structural and functional alignment between video and image metadata editing.

• Video Editor Modal Restructure: 5-section layout matching Info Panel organization (Content Information, Classification, Rights & Attribution, Production Credits, Technical)
• Image Essentials Favorites: Star buttons added to all Image Essentials fields
• Multiline Video Fields: Description and Comment fields support multiline editing with 2000 character limit
• Validation Integration: All editable video fields use registry-based validation with character limits
• Consistent UX: Identical interaction patterns for image and video metadata editing

Compare Tray Improvements

• Registry-Driven Labels: Field labels use consistent naming across the application
• Single Field Removal: Hide individual fields from comparison view with hover-visible buttons
• Reset Fields: Restore all hidden fields with single button click

Export System Improvements

• Semantic Filtering: “Descriptive Metadata” export filter now uses semantic matching instead of namespace prefixes
• XMP-dc Core Fields: Export filter now includes XMP-dc core fields (Title, Creator, Description, Rights, Subject)
• UI Clarification: “IPTC Information” label renamed to “Descriptive Metadata” across all export surfaces with helpful tooltips

Photos Integration

• XPC Recovery: Comprehensive idle connection failure handling prevents Photos library disconnects
• Asset Reloading: Automatic recovery when PHAsset operations fail

Batch Operations

• Completion Toast: Moved to main window for visibility when batch window is closed
• Template Preview: See field values before applying templates
• Category Filtering: Filter unified templates by type

Multiline Metadata Fields

• Expand/Collapse: Long-form fields (Caption, Description, Usage Terms) expand for editing
• Character Counters: Live count with red warning when limits exceeded
• Scrollable Content: Automatic scrolling for lengthy content

Keyboard Navigation

• Arrow Key Fix: Restored thumbnail grid navigation
• Shift+Arrow Selection: Range selection in thumbnail view with shift+arrow keys
• Focus Tracking: Text field focus properly tracked for shortcut routing
• Menu Stability: Improved menu item state management
• Settings Toolbar Button: Quick access to Settings via gear button in main toolbar

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For questions, feedback, or feature requests, contact support via the MetaScope Help menu or visit the Mac App Store listing to download the update.