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Jun 25, 2026

Embedded Image Metadata (Full Capture)

Heratio extracts and displays the complete embedded metadata of an image — every EXIF, IPTC, XMP, GPS, MakerNotes and ICC tag — not just a curated handful. This is the metadata cameras, scanners and editing software write into the file itself.

Where it appears

On a digital object's show page, the Embedded Image Metadata panel has collapsible sections:

  • EXIF / IPTC / XMP — the curated, human-friendly highlights (title, creator, dates, camera, rights, location).
  • All metadata (N tags) — the complete set, grouped by ExifTool family (EXIF, IPTC, XMP-dc, GPS, MakerNotes, ICC_Profile, Composite, File, …), with a filter box to search across every tag.
  • GPS Location — map links (OpenStreetMap / Google), shown only when coordinates are present and only expanded on demand.

How it is captured

Metadata is read with ExifTool using -G1 -a -u — grouped by family, including duplicate and unknown tags — and stored complete in digital_object_metadata.raw_metadata. The curated columns (title, creator, camera, GPS, etc.) are derived from the same extraction.

Extraction runs automatically when a master file is processed. To populate the full set for files ingested earlier, run the backfill:

php artisan ahg:backfill-embedded-metadata          # all masters
php artisan ahg:backfill-embedded-metadata --id=123 # one master

Privacy / GPS

GPS coordinates are sensitive. In the All metadata section the entire GPS group is redacted for non-administrator viewers (shown as [redacted]); administrators see the full values. The curated GPS row and map links follow the page's existing access rules.

Notes

  • The full set flows through to the IIIF metadata enricher (which reads raw_metadata), so deep-zoom viewers can surface it too.
  • The panel only appears when an image actually carries embedded metadata.

Tracked as issue #1106 (PSIS twin: atom-ahg-plugins#113).