iView Media Pro 3 review

Digital Asset Management (DAM) application with an attractive price and an impressive feature set, iView MediaPro has always been popular with photographers. However, its ability to handle other document types makes it suitable for small design or publishing studios, too.

It does almost everything that a high-end DAM can do, except that it’s single-user – two or more networked copies can access a shared database, but they can’t both make alterations.

A new full-screen lightbox allows you to compare up to four images, and an easier annotation workflow lets the user define keyword vocabulary. There’s better support for standard metadata including IPTC/XMP, batch import and renaming of files, more file formats, and improved Web publishing features. The software even includes an FTP client. New XML import/export of catalogues and metadata will help if you want to switch to another DAM in future.

There’s a basic Media version for just £25 plus VAT, but the fully-featured £110 plus VAT Pro version is a much better bet. Both run batch functions including renaming, copying and back-up.

To create a new catalogue, you just drag folders or whole volumes into the application. While Media can store up
to 8,000 records per catalogue, the Pro version can store 128,000 records (with unlimited catalogues), and includes custom import filters, and automatic file and folder watching. It can create QuickTime slideshows and customized contact print or Web pages, with watermarks. Pro can be automated via VBS or JavaScript (Windows) or AppleScript (Mac).

• Topics
• Photography,
• Interactive,
• Cameras,
• Software,
• Web,
• Fonts,
• Business & Career

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