Overview

Learn how to create an action that renames files and applies a predefined metadata template to the pictures before copying them to a folder on your local hard drive. This action is useful for importing pictures from a memory card and can be expanded to include additional functionality.

Creating a new action

• First off, right-click an empty area in the right side panel and choose Create action.
• Name the action ("Rename and add basic metadata") and optionally assign the action to a group.
• Next, choose how Fotostation should handle any JPEG+RAW bundles on the memory card: Assuming you want to keep both RAW and JPEG versions of each shot, choose Process RAW + JPEG.
• Click on Add to add a sub action to the workflow. Start with Rename File and click OK.
• Now, configure file naming. Assuming you want to add a job name to the filename, you can, for instance, enter the following in the File name field: Jobname_%%INSFNUMBER
  

  Note

  The %%INSFNUMBER Operator will add a running number to all the files imported. This way, all files will be named according to the job name and have a running number added to it.

   
• Select Add again and add the sub action called Add text macro/template. Then click OK.
• Choose Use a text template and choose the template from the dropdown list. If you don't have a text template ready-made, you can create a new macro/template.
• Now it's time to choose where to copy the files on your local drive: Click on Add to add the Copy File sub action and choose the destination folder you want to copy it to.

Tip: When configuring a copy action there's a multitude of ways that it can be configured to work precisely the way you want it to. Learn more in the configuring the copy file sub action topic.

Having completed the steps above, you have an action that you can use when importing files from a memory card. After having made your selections using the selection carousel, you can simply drag them onto the action to have them renamed, updated with a metadata template, and copied to a folder on your local hard drive.