Metadata and notes – Adobe Photoshop CC 2014 v.14.xx User Manual
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Metadata and notes
About metadata
Metadata is a set of standardized information about a file, such as author name, resolution, color space, copyright, and keywords applied to it. For
example, most digital cameras attach some basic information to an image file, such as height, width, file format, and time the image was taken.
You can use metadata to streamline your workflow and organize your files.
About the XMP standard
Metadata information is stored using the Extensible Metadata Platform (XMP) standard, on which Adobe Bridge, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe
InDesign, and Adobe Photoshop are built. Adjustments made to images with Photoshop® Camera Raw are stored as XMP metadata. XMP is built
on XML, and in most cases the metadata is stored in the file. If it isn’t possible to store the information in the file, metadata is stored in a separate
file called a sidecar file. XMP facilitates the exchange of metadata between Adobe applications and across publishing workflows. For example, you
can save metadata from one file as a template, and then import the metadata into other files.
Metadata that is stored in other formats, such as Exif, IPTC (IIM), GPS, and TIFF, is synchronized and described with XMP so that it can be more
easily viewed and managed. Other applications and features (for example, Adobe Drive) also use XMP to communicate and store information such
as version comments, which you can search using Adobe Bridge.
In most cases, the metadata remains with the file even when the file format changes (for example, from PSD to JPG). Metadata also remains when
files are placed in an Adobe document or project.
If you’re a C++ or Java developer, use the XMP Toolkit SDK to customize the processing and exchange of metadata. If you’re an Adobe Flash
or Flex developer, use the XMP File Info SDK to customize the File Info dialog box. For more information, visit the Adobe website.
Working with metadata in Adobe Bridge and Adobe Creative Suite components
Many of the powerful Adobe Bridge features that allow you to organize, search, and keep track of your files and versions depend on XMP
metadata in your files. Adobe Bridge provides two ways of working with metadata: through the Metadata panel and through the File Infodialog box.
In some cases, multiple views exist for the same metadata property. For example, a property may be labeled Author in one view and Creator in
another, but both refer to the same underlying property. Even if you customize these views for specific workflows, they remain standardized
through XMP.
Notes
You can attach notes to an image in Photoshop. This is useful for associating review comments, production notes, or other information with the
image. Notes appear as small non-printable icons on the image. They are associated with a location on the image rather than with a layer. You
can hide or show notes, or open notes to view or edit their contents.
Add notes
You can add notes anywhere on your Photoshop image canvas. When you create a note, an icon appears on the image.
1. Select the Note tool in the toolbox. (If the tool isn’t visible, hold down the Eyedropper.)
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