I started out using iView Media and then Microsoft took it over and turned it into Expression Media Pro and I've had nothing but problems, they even had to pull the SP2 upgrade from the market months ago and still haven't got the issues fixed.
So, I'm looking for other solutions for cataloging my images, both digital and medium and large format film scans. Anyone familiar with the Extensis system? Pros and cons I'd be interested in what you think of the program
Rob - Here's my two cents worth, though I'm not familiar with Extensis.
I've been using IMatch for years. It's not the easiest program to use, but it's capabilities are unbounded, and support is fantastic. You can actually communicate with Mario, the author (Try that with EMP :-)
I have well over 100,000 images cataloged, and IMatch has been Godsend. There is a major GUI update in the works, maybe this year . . Hope this helps, IM
I'm glad that I'm not the only one who has had trouble with Extensis.
The software had promise until it was taken over by MS.
Shortly thereafter they started charging for any upgrade within an unreasonable amount of time.
I never heard of IMatch but, I will look at it.
My recommendation is stay away from Extensis. Bad business people. Fair product.
Posted by Jesse Speer on March 19, 2009 at 2:22 PM
Hello Rob, again.
I used Portfolio for many years (as late as version 8), as it was always a top choice for Mac users like myself. I didn't have one complaint about my experience with the software. I used it to catalog a variety of file types, many thousands. It simply worked ... provided smooth cataloging ... and I enjoyed powerful collection features when needed. Gathering and sending specialized collections to clients was a breeze. And I liked how I could immediately begin working on my files - during a large import. It's robust software, but not slow. At least for me anyway. And it does seem to have powerful website integration features, which I never explored - beyond simple metadata features.
I dropped the extra expense (a couple years ago) when Bridge came into its own, and these days only use Lightroom. Still, I don't have any reason to discourage the use of Portfolio.
Joseph,
Are you referring to Extensis or EMP? Sounds like were on the same page - just got the names crossed
Posted by Jim Bullard on March 19, 2009 at 5:18 PM
I bought a copy of Extensis Portfolio several years back and had problems with RAW files. The thumbnails were all in shades of cyan. I wrote them about it and they said they knew about the problem, it would be solved with the next upgrade. The upgrade came out and it didn't solve the problem. I banged around with other software until Lightroom came out and I got that. I've never looked back.
Discussion
5 repliesSo, I'm looking for other solutions for cataloging my images, both digital and medium and large format film scans. Anyone familiar with the Extensis system? Pros and cons I'd be interested in what you think of the program
Rob
I've been using IMatch for years. It's not the easiest program to use, but it's capabilities are unbounded, and support is fantastic. You can actually communicate with Mario, the author (Try that with EMP :-)
I have well over 100,000 images cataloged, and IMatch has been Godsend. There is a major GUI update in the works, maybe this year . . Hope this helps, IM
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The software had promise until it was taken over by MS.
Shortly thereafter they started charging for any upgrade within an unreasonable amount of time.
I never heard of IMatch but, I will look at it.
My recommendation is stay away from Extensis. Bad business people. Fair product.
I used Portfolio for many years (as late as version 8), as it was always a top choice for Mac users like myself. I didn't have one complaint about my experience with the software. I used it to catalog a variety of file types, many thousands. It simply worked ... provided smooth cataloging ... and I enjoyed powerful collection features when needed. Gathering and sending specialized collections to clients was a breeze. And I liked how I could immediately begin working on my files - during a large import. It's robust software, but not slow. At least for me anyway. And it does seem to have powerful website integration features, which I never explored - beyond simple metadata features.
I dropped the extra expense (a couple years ago) when Bridge came into its own, and these days only use Lightroom. Still, I don't have any reason to discourage the use of Portfolio.
Are you referring to Extensis or EMP? Sounds like were on the same page - just got the names crossed