About XMP metadata

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Metadata is—in the simplest sense—data about data. In practical terms, metadata is a set of standardized information about a file, such as author name, resolution, color space, copyright, and keywords applied to the file. For example, most cameras attach some basic information to video files, such as date, duration, and file type. You can add additional metadata with properties such as location, author name, and copyright. Because you can share and use this metadata across Adobe Creative Suite applications, you can use this information to streamline your workflow and organize your files.

The Extensible Metadata Platform (XMP) is the metadata standard used by Adobe applications. 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. For example, adjustments made to images with Adobe Camera Raw are stored as XMP metadata. The XMP standard is based on XML.

In most cases, XMP metadata for a file is stored in the file itself. If it isn’t possible to store the information in the file, XMP metadata is stored in a separate file called a sidecar file.

In most cases XMP metadata remains with the file even when the file is converted to a different format—for example, from PSD to JPG. XMP metadata is also retained when files are placed in a document or project in an Adobe Creative Suite application.

A metadata schema is a collection of properties specific to a given workflow. The Dynamic Media schema, for example, includes properties such as Scene and Shot Location that are tailored for digital video projects. Exif schemas, by contrast, include properties tailored to digital photography, such as Exposure Time and Aperture Value. More general properties, such as Date and Title, appear in the Dublin Core schema.To see a tool tip with information about a specific schema or property, place the pointer over it in the Metadata panel.

When After Effects imports a file with associated XMP metadata, you can view the metadata in the Metadata panel, convert the metadata to markers, and include the metadata in output files.

XMP metadata is written to output files if the Include Source XMP Metadata option is selected in the output module settings for the output file.

XMP ID values are written to source files when they are imported into After Effects if the Write XMP IDs To Files On Import preference is selected in the Media & Cache preferences category. This preference setting affects other Adobe applications, too; see the helpful text in the Preferences dialog box for details.

Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe Soundbooth provide the ability to convert speech in a video or audio asset to text metadata. Each word is stored as a metadata element at the corresponding time in the timeline. When a file with temporal metadata such as this is imported into After Effects and used as the source for a layer, each word appears in a layer marker at the corresponding time.

Scripts and expressions can read and use data stored in markers. Because XMP metadata for source footage items can be converted to layer markers, expressions and scripts can work with XMP metadata.

To view video tutorials on working with markers and XMP metadata visit the Adobe website: