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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Who uses GeoSetter?
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 08/08/2009 05:50:01 PM · #1
Does anyone here use GeoSetter?

I just started using it and, wow!, what a useful piece of software for free.

I've had a GPS tracking device that I use when out photographing but really never used it to its fullest. The main reason is that the software that came with it only updates JPG formatted files. I shoot RAW. If I wait until I'm done processing my RAW files to JPG, then try to inject the location coordinates into the JPG, the natural degradation of the image takes place--not what photographers want.

GeoSetter actually recognizes various RAW formats (including my Canon 40D CR2 format) and I can add the GPS location coordinates to the file. I have my choice of using the XMP Sidecar file or not (which I do use, especially for DPC validation). So now, the location data is batch updated on my RAW files and that information propagates all the way to my final JPG files. This way, when I upload to Flickr, they are automatically placed on the map.

GeoSetter does quite a bit more, like export to Google Earth, or automatically adding altitude (for those GPS units that don't capture that metric). It uses the ExifTool from Phil Harvey for writing data--which is one of the most efficient and comprehensive tool for editing EXIF.

The supported formats are JPEG and TIFF as well as camera RAW formats DNG (Adobe), CRW, CR2 and THM (Canon), NEF and NRW (Nikon), MRW (Konica Minolta), PEF (Pentax), ORF (Olympus), ARW, SR2, SRF (Sony) and RAF (Fujifilm), RW2 and RAW (Panasonic), RWL (Leica).

It can read the following file formats from GPS devices:

NMEA, GPX, PLT, Sony LOG, IGC (and others)

If your device doesn't output sny of the above formats, you can use this free utility to convert it--GPSBabel.

By the way, the GPS device I use is the "Pharos Trips and Pics Photo Linked Portable GPS Unit"



Message edited by author 2009-08-11 18:41:22.
 08/09/2009 05:27:42 PM · #2
(bump)

What other hardware software do you folks use?
 08/09/2009 06:11:10 PM · #3
I'm always looking for better Geotagging software, so I appreciate the link! I hook up my GPS right to the camera, so my images are already tagged... but I like software that does a good job of linking it and displaying it on maps. I just downloaded this, and it looks like it does a nice job!
 08/10/2009 05:53:56 PM · #4
The deciding factor for me (for choosing this software) is that it recognizes RAW files and inserts the GPS data directly into an XMP sidecar file, leaving the original RAW file untouch--perfect for DPC validation.

From the RAW's XMP file, the location data automatically finds its way to any exported TIFFs and JPGs.

Message edited by author 2009-08-11 18:41:31.
 08/10/2009 11:13:49 PM · #5
by the way...for Windoze
 08/11/2009 02:33:09 AM · #6
Of course Windows...if this is any consolation, Phil's ExifTool will run on other platforms. ExifTool is what GeoSetting partially uses "under the hood". Now, if there were someone smart enough to write something like GeoSetter for other platforms, then non-Windows users could partake in all this fun! :-)

Message edited by author 2009-08-11 18:41:39.
 08/11/2009 08:02:24 AM · #7
I don't do geotagging of my photo's (yet), but it's an interesting subject and I have sort of been keeping my eyes open for software options. gpicsync is one that is multi-platform (Win, Max, Linux) and seems to also do what you've described, including tagging of RAW files.
 08/11/2009 10:52:16 AM · #8
I have been geotagging a bit with the Amod GPS photo tracker and it has worked pretty well.

To get the data into the files I have been using geosetter as well. I chose the amod gps because it writes in standard gsv format, not som propietary format that only their software can decifer. This way I can use a hopefully better program, like geosetter to edit the exif for the data.

There is also a little geotagging ad on for adobe bridge. It works sort of, with a warning... but worth checking out.

How does that Pharos unit work?
 08/11/2009 11:04:12 AM · #9
I have also heard good things about just using a Garmin unit.

Another important thing for me was batteries that I could change out. If i am going on a hiking trip for a week I want it to last that long.

There was a good discussion on microstockgroup about this a while ago.
 08/11/2009 12:15:55 PM · #10
Originally posted by gys:
I don't do geotagging of my photo's (yet), but it's an interesting subject and I have sort of been keeping my eyes open for software options. gpicsync is one that is multi-platform (Win, Max, Linux) and seems to also do what you've described, including tagging of RAW files.


Thanks, Gys. I was reading their web site and when it comes to RAW, they keep saying that it can update the EXIF information. My requirements are to update RAW files via the sidecar (*.xmp) files, not directly into the RAW file's EXIF section. Does anyone know if gpicsync uses the sidecar files are used for geotagging RAW files?

.

Originally posted by leaf:
I have been geotagging a bit with the Amod GPS photo tracker and it has worked pretty well.

To get the data into the files I have been using geosetter as well. I chose the amod gps because it writes in standard gsv format, not som propietary format that only their software can decifer. This way I can use a hopefully better program, like geosetter to edit the exif for the data.

There is also a little geotagging ad on for adobe bridge. It works sort of, with a warning... but worth checking out.

How does that Pharos unit work?


Pharos works well. My only complaint is that the actual GPS receiver is mounted on the battery unit and is removable--this is fine, except that when carrying it in your pocket on on a lanyard, the two units can separate slightly (enough to power-off the receiver). No big deal since I simply put a rubber band around the two units to keep them from disconnecting from each other.

The Pharos unit can also write out its data in the open standard format of GPX (GPS eXchange Format). This is the format I use so that GeoSetter can easily work with it.

.

Originally posted by leaf:
I have also heard good things about just using a Garmin unit.

Another important thing for me was batteries that I could change out. If i am going on a hiking trip for a week I want it to last that long.

Just curious, but what happens when you are out-and-about and the batteries die? Could there be a significant amount of time between when they die and when you become aware of it and change the batteries? It seems like a photographer could miss a lot of data, resulting in a series of images that have no corresponding location data.

The Pharos unit performs for 24 hours before the battery runs down. I usually charge it the night before I plan on going out in the field. I've tracked day-long automobile trips (shooting photographs when stopped) and never had the batteries die on me. And that's with the unit recording my position every 10 seconds.

Message edited by author 2009-08-11 18:41:11.
 08/11/2009 06:29:45 PM · #11
Originally posted by AperturePriority:
Of course Windows...if this is any consolation,...Now, if there were someone smart enough to write something like GeoSetter for other platforms, then non-Windows users could partake in all this fun! :-)

Not to worry...enough Mac stuff I have been using. GPSBabel, of course, PhotoGPSEditor, MapthePhoto, HoudahGPS, GPSPhotoLinker, GeoTagger..and others. I'm good. :-)
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