Is Art Filter metadata stored in Olympus raw image files?

A visitor to my youtube show and tell of Olympus Viewer 3

asked how he could find out which Art Filter was nominated in the camera in a raw file and whether it could be applied in bulk to other raw files. I was puzzled by this and had to make a fresh raw file from my E-PM2 (it was handy) to verify my response. Indeed,

1. Olympus Viewer 3 does not display which Art filter was applied to the raw file.

Note that the Art Filter is not pre-selected by Olympus Viewer 3 even though the EXIF Makernotes metadata stores the info

2. The Art Filter *is* stored in EXIF metadata in the MakerNotes category in the tag ArtFilterEffect (shown using EXIFGUI / EXIFTOOL third party software)

The name of the Art Filter is stored as text but the but the parameters of the secondary adjustments is not labelled in text, just numeric codes.

1. You can find out which Art Filter was selected in the camera when you look at the EXIF of the raw file.
2. You have to manually choose this Art Filter in Olympus Viewer 3 yourself.
3. You have to manually choose the secondary variations yourself.
4. There are two alternative workflows if you want to apply your Art Filter to other raw files, 

Workflow A

1. Select the Raw Development Module by clicking on the RAW icon in the toolbar.
2. Choose the Art Filter manually and the secondary settings manually.
3. Save the raw develop settings as an .ORS file
4. Select raw file one by one and nominate that Raw Develop Setting to apply

Raw Develop Settings in the Raw Edit Module of Olympus Viewer 3

Workflow B

1. Instead of the clicking on the Raw icon in the toolbar, click on the Edit icon in the toolbar
2. Choose the Art Filter manually and the secondary settings manually.
3. Choose the menu Edit > Copy Edit Settings (Ctrl+Shift+C)
4. Choose other raw files in the thumnail strip in the toolbar - choose the first one you want then Shift Click the last one or Ctrl+Click each subsequent one
5. Choose from the menu Edit > Paste Edit Settings (Ctrl+Shift+V)

The Art Filter or the Effex filter

Olympus was the first to incorporate in-camera  Art Filters into their DSLR and ILC-M  (Intercheangeable Lens Cameras - Mirrorless). From there they have progressed the their product naming to Magic Filters which may be a more palatable term for conservatives.The branding of the "Art Filter" name is of course to capture the imagination of the public. We all know taking a ready made can of "Art" vs producing a work of Art, aren't the same thing. But I like the idea of having effects filters in the camera - just like you can buy a can of Niks for the computer, why not let the camera have one as well?  And you know when you're onto a Good Thing when the competition flatters you with imitation. So far, several camera brands have responded by incorporating this into their products.

For those who don't "get it", an  Effex filter when implemented in the camera does the following:

• display a result show on the LCD after the shot - in your hand, in situ - if you don't like it, you can shoot again immediately. Even something simple like conversion to black and white helps me visualise the patterns by suppressing the colour during framing and composition.
• show you in Live View before and during the shoot to predict the shot - this allows you to tweak settings, change framing and composition, depth of field - it all becomes tangible and real rather than waiting for some hours later to sit at the computer
• often you can shoot RAW + JPEG. This allows you to the ability of preview and look at your result, yet, you have an untampered copy where the manufacturer's software can render at the computer or avoid the effect altogether.
• for those who shoot movies, it seems really cool to be able to apply live filter effects, in situ.

Anyway, Robin asked today, whether we had any Art Filtered shots to show off. Here are some.