Welcome to the Manual of Photo Mate. This document gives you explanation over most common tasks and settings.
This section covers how to get your images transfered to your device. This can be either by attaching the camera to your tablet or using cardreaders.
You can either use a Micro-SD to SD-Adapter and insert the Micro-SD card into it while shooting with your camera, and afterwards put the Micro-SD card into your tablet.
Or connect a SD- or CF- card-reader to your tablet using a "USB-Host Adapter Dongle".
In Photo Mate, check the Storages list on the left. Press the refresh button. You should now see your external sd-card.
You can directly open and edit your images on your sd-card.
Throubleshooting:
To access the importer, use the "Camera Import" button at the top.
The importer will ask for the source storage. This can be either an external sd-card or your connected camera.
Use the "Choose-Directory" option to set the Import-Location (where your files are imported to).
The "Set Filenames..." option can be used to rename the files on import. You can also create folder-structures like /year/month/image to group your images based on the exif date or current date while importing. Check the presets in the dialog for different samples.
You can Copy or Move (delete) the files from your camera storage.
Note: Some sources or cameras may not support moving. If the app freezes while importing, please use the copy mode instead.
Select "Start Import" to let Photo Mate load all the images available for import. You can now select which images you want to import.
If you've connected a card-reader or insert a micro-sd card, you can also work directly on the storage and rate or edit files directly on the card.
Use the "Storages" Menu on the left side in the gallery to find your storage. Tap on it to open the storage.
Photo Mate may come up with a dialog for gathering write-access to the storage. Please follow the steps carefully!
This section covers the basic features of the gallery.
The gallery allows you to easily browse and navigate through your images.
Single tap on images to open them in a full-view.
Single tap on folders to open this folder in the gallery
Long tap on folders to rename or remove them
Long tap on images to start a Multi-Select operation
Pinch-To-Zoom to change the size of your thumbnails.
Swipe from the left to open the sidebar.
The sidebar gives you access to favorite folders, image library, storages and your folder history.
Tap on "Add Folder" to add the current folder to your favorite folders.
Long-Tap on a favorite folder to change the name in the list or add a shortcut to your android launcher
The library is a virtual collection of all your images. Regardless in which folder your images are stored, the library can show all your image files. |
Further more, the library allows you to quickly filter images based on metadata, ratings and more.
When viewing images, these are automatically added to your library. To add a whole folder to your library, please read the following pages.
Open the sidebar in the gallery (Swipe from the left)
The first folder in your Favorite Places is the library. Tap on it to go to the library.
Go to Menu -> Manage Library...
Choose "Add Folder".
Navigate to the folder you want to add. This folder, including all sub-folders, will be added to your library.
We recommend to just add folders where you actually manage your images. Adding the whole sdcard (/storage/emulated/0) to your library also adds a lot of unwanted images and icons from other apps
Go to Menu -> Library Details
You'll see information about how much space the library is consuming, how many images are indexed.
You can Clean the library, which will remove all files which are not existing anymore on your storage.
You can Reset the library, which will remove all images and folders from your library.
You can save current filter settings as a quick access.
The image view allows you to view your images in full-size.
Swipe to the left or right to switch to the previous or next image
Pinch-To-Zoom to zoom in and out
Double Tap to zoom in and out
Tap on an image in the bar at the bottom to directly switch to this image
Tap on this icon to toggle between no overlays, exif and exif + rating/label | |
Tap on this icon to change the size of the bottom thumbnail bar or to hide it | |
Tap on this icon to share the current image (send via mail or social network) | |
Tap on this icon to edit/develop this image |
Go to menu -> Compare Image
You can compare images side-by-side. Use all regular gestures like Pinch-To-Zoom to check details on both images.
Go to Menu -> Print
Choose the preffered mode for image scaling:
Scale image to fit | |
Crop image to fit |
For printing via Android, a Printer Bridge is required. See the following links below for your printer:
The develop function includes all major tools for editing images, including cropping and straightening, whitebalance correction and much more. |
When firstly accessing the editing features, you can choose between a default or simple mode
Is intended for lightweight editing and adjustments. It covers basic options including whitebalance, Exposure, Contrast, Shadows and Highlights, Clarity, Sharpness and Noise Reduction.
This mode is recommended for Smartphones, smaller tablets or for users who just want to do quick edits.
Extends the simple mode by offering Whitebalance presets (raw images only), Layer-Based adjustments (Gradient, Circular, Brush, Lasso), Lens-Corrections and Effects
Since the default mode has a lot of options and sliders, it's recommended to use on tablets or devices with larger screen size (at least 7")
You can always switch your mode, even while editing your images. Go to Menu -> Edit Mode
Use the cropping icon in the menu to switch to the cropping mode |
Use your fingers to adjust the cropped area
Use two fingers to rotate your image
Tap on the to show additional options
You can now choose a fixed Aspect Ratio, Mirror and rotate the image (in 90° steps) or straighten the image.
Photo Mate supports saving of edits.
This means, all the changes you do to an image (exposure, contrast and even layers) can be stored as a preset for similar or other images.
Furthermore, you can also import or export multiple of these presets to save them or get presets from other users.
You can export all your presets in case you want to share them with other users or copy them to a new device.
Go to the "Preview" heading. There are several icons to use:
Show the whole edited image | |
While this button is pressed, Photo Mate will show the "before" image | |
Show the current edits on the left, and the "before" on the right | |
Show the current edits on the right, and the "before" on the left | |
Show the current edits on the top, and the "before" on the bottom | |
Show the current edits on the bottom, and the "before" on the top | |
Switch the current edits and the "before": All edits you've done will now be stored in the "before" side, and you can do a new edit. Press it again to switch the current edits again with the last stored edits. This allows you to easily compare two seperate edits. |
Photo Mate allows you to customize your editing interface.
Go to Menu -> Histogram to choose the Histogram mode or to disable it
Use the to unlock the bar from the top.
Long-Tap on an heading (like "Basics") to re-order the tools.
Note: You should close all tools first by tapping once on each of the headings
Go to the "Tools" heading and use the "Sidebar Size" slider to adjust the width of the tools section
This section covers various information about using Lens-Profiles or doing custom lens-adjustments.
Lens-Profiles provide an easy way to automatically correct distortion, vignetting and chromatic-aberration for common lenses.
Photo Mate ships with the Lensfun Database, which contains several profiles for lenses from various manufacturers.
When you open a raw-file, Photo Mate will read the exif-data and check if it finds a suited lens. If so, the option "Use Profile" is enabled. Activate it to use the automatically detected profile.
Note: When you use a Fixed-Lens camera and edit your raw, this option is may active by default.
Important: When editing jpg-files, your camera may already applied lens-corrections. Do not use this option in such cases.
Layers are a great way to make local adjustements to an image.
Open the "Layers" panel and choose the icon to add a new layer.
Choose one of the layer types from the list:
After the layer is added, you will see several adjustment options below.
To delete a layer, select the layer from the list and use the icon.
This section covers information about the options for image exporting.
Choose the destination of your files to export. Use the "Choose Directory..." option to select a directory on your device.
if you enter a folder, Photo Mate will create a new folder at your destination location and store the images to export there.
Choose a renaming-option. Use "Set New File-Names..." to create a custom name using the jokers shown at the bottom.
The Format your image should be converted or saved to
Note: Exif-Data can just be copied if you export to jpg
Use "Choose Size..." if you want to resize the image
Choose a watermark preset from the list you want to apply. Please also see the information in the watermark section
This will post-sharpen the image. Only recommended if you resizing the image.
What should happen if a file with the same name exists:
If this option is turned on, any editing changes you made to the images are applied to your exported images. In default settings, activating this option also means that real raw-decoding is done (otherwise, just the embedded preview will be exported)
This will copy all exif-information from your original file (like date, camera, ISO, etc.) will be copied into the exported image.
Save all the settings as a preset for similar exports. Enter a name for the preset. If you enter a name which already is a preset, this preset will be updated with the current settings.
You can apply watermarks to your exported images.
To create a new watermark preset, open Photo Mate, go to Menu -> Preferences -> Watermarks. Enter a name for your new watermark setting.
Choose if you want to use a png image as a watermark or a text.
In case you choose a png-image as your watermark type, choose a transparency png file as a watermark. You can use any software to create this file.
In case you choose text as your watermark type, enter the text you want to render. You can use multiple lines as well as special jokers for displaying exif data.
Set position and size of your watermark. Also use this option to see a live-preview of your watermark.
When activated, the watermark will not be stretched or squeezed.
Watermark is a special kind of file. Learn more in this tutorial:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eB0vQf_fcwQ
When done, choose the new watermark under "Apply Watermark" in the export dialog.
This section explains how to stack (e.g. HDR) or Stitch (create Panorama) multiple images together.
Mode | Usage scenario |
Stitching (Panorama) | Combine multiple images to a panorama |
Average (Noise-Reduction) | Averages the pixel values of all images, can be used to reduce noise or to simulate long-exposures |
Median (Remove Objects) | Uses the median value of each pixel across images, can be used to remove moving objects, but usually needs at least 5 images |
Maximum | Uses the highest pixel values of all images, can be used for star-trails |
Minimum | Uses the lowest pixel values of all images |
Add (Bright images) | Adds all the pixel values of all images, can make a lot of underexposed images brighter |
Light-Compression (HDR) | Compresses the lights and shadows of all images. Useful if you have an exposure bracketing and want to generate a HDR-Image |
Some things to keep in mind when stacking images
This section covers operations for multiple images.
To access the batch operations, open a folder or the library, long-press on any image you want to apply settings. Now, mark all other images you also want to apply the same settings. If done, choose "Batch Options" in the top menu.
Here are the individual functions explained which can be applied in batch:
Press "Apply" to begin the batch operation.
This section explains all the individual, customizable options in Photo Mate.
While in the Gallery, go to Menu and choose "Preferences..."
Group Raw & Jpg Files
When enabled, the app will look for files with the same name where both a jpg and raw file exists. For viewing, the jpg will be used, for editing, the raw will be used. Changing metadata will affect both files. Deleting an image will delete both files.
Hint: This option does not affect displaying in the gallery. In this case, files are not grouped.
Hide XMP files
When enabled, the xmp files (files containg editing information and metadata for raw files) won't be shown in the gallery.
Use Recycle
Choose this option to use a recycle bin. When you delete files, they're moved to the recycle bin first. You can access the Recycle Bin in the left sidebar in the gallery.
Item Count Portrait / Landscape
Number of images per row in the gallery.
Hint: This value can also be changed by using a 2 finger pinch to zoom gesture in the gallery
Show Favorite Folders
When enabled, the left sidebar will always be shown when opening Photo Mate.
Show Ratings / Labels / Edits
When enabled, the metadata of the image is shown in the gallery.
Hint: These option may affect the performance when enabled
Default preview method
This option allows you to choose what happens when you tap an image. You can either directly open or edit it, or always show a dialog to ask for it.
Render folder content
When enabled, all folders will show small thumbnails inside with images they're containing.
Automatically add images
When enabled, all images you view or open will be added to your library
Keep missing files
When you disable this option, Photo Mate will regulary check which files are removed and also remove them from your library
Raw-Cache duration
Choose the number of days Photo Mate will keep previews of raw-files (for editing only). Using 0 will disable the cache.
Full-Size Preview
When enabled, Photo Mate will edit the full-size resolution for previewing. Only affects editing raw files. May causes crashes when your device has too less memory.
Left-Hander-Optimized
When enabled, the toolbar will switch position so it's easier to access for left-hander.
Lock orientation
Locks the orientation to landscape in the editing mode.
Choose your lenses
You can select all the lenses you own here, so when you choose a lens profile, you'll only see your lenses.
Export XMP presets
Exports all your current xmp presets. Useful if you want to switch to an other device or share your presets online.
Set Color theme
Choose a different color theme for the app look (e.g. White or Black)
Maximum screen brightness
Choose the screens where you would like to always have the full screen brightness
Use Immersive Mode
When enabled, the android navigation bar and status bar will be hidden to have more real estate for Photo Mate.
Double Tap Zoom Factor
Control the zoom factor when double tapping on images to zoom in (e.g. 100% or 200% zoom)
Choose language
Use a language different from your current
Custom Exif Display
Use a different exif display layout (the exif information you see on top on the image).
Thumbnail Scaling
Choose whether to crop thumbnails to let them all have the same dimensions or to fit the dimension to the image size
Menu-Appearance
Choose if you always want to see text explanation for all menu items, or just see symbols, or use the default (sometimes on, sometimes not, recommended)
Render XMP settings
When enabled, edits you've done to images will be displayed everywhere, even when you view the still un-exported image
Hint: May affect performance when enabled
Set Label-Names
Choose the names for the different colors of your labels. We recommend to use the same names as you use in your desktop software.
XMP Data inside JPG
When enabled, Photo Mate will store editing and metadata information inside the exif data for jpg files. Disable it if you don't want Photo Mate to alter your original files.
Raw Decoder
Enable or disable the raw decoder.
Raw Decoder Quality
Choose the bayer interpolation mode. Recommended modes are PPG or AHD.
This section covers tips and tricks to improve the performance of Photo Mate.
Some general tips to improve the overall performance of the app:
How to improve the speed of the gallery:
(Settings can be found under Menu -> Preferences -> Performance)
This section covers some Frequently asked questions and answers.
All edits you do on an image won't touch the original image, but are stored in a sidefile (raw images) or the exif data (jpg images). The edits are just getting applied when you export the images.
If you always want to see the edits you've done, you can enable this by going into Preferences -> Displaying -> Render XMP settings.
Note: This will reduce the performance of browsing and viewing significantly, so only use this if you actually need it.
By default, Photo Mate does not decode raw data and only reads the embedded jpg-file of your Raw-Image when viewing images.
However, when you're going to edit an image, Photo Mate will decode the actual raw-data.
Here are some of the differences between actual decoding and reading embedded jpg data:
Embedded-JPG | Raw Decoding | |
Speed / Performance | Fast | Slow |
Size | Not always full-size | Full-Size |
Quality | Good, but already processed | Good, Unprocessed |
Dynamic Range | Limited | Full Camera Range |
Editing Capabilities | Small | Large |
A common question asked by users is how long it actually takes to edit and convert raw-images on a device like a tablet. Unlike a "real" pc, tablets and smartphones have significantly weaker hardware, although on first sight it may looks like they also delivering desktop-class performance, but that's not true. Since these hardware is made for low power-consumption, passive cooling and small form-factors, you have much lower computing power than on any desktop pc (even low-end desktop pc's).
However, the question is still interesting, especially if you want to convert a lot of images. Raw-Image Processing is usually not a lightweight task, if you used software on your pc before, you probably already noticed that even desktop-pc's need some time to handle and edit these files.
So this page shows a chart for processing times on common devices. All these measures where taken manually, so they're may not perfectly accurate.
The measured time includes the full image decoding (Raw Image, Canon CR2), processing and saving as jpg-file in full resolution (including exif-data).
The "Basic" option includes: Whitebalance-Changes, Exposure, Contrast, Vibrance, Clarity
The "Advanced" option includes: Everything from Basic + Luminance + Color-Noise Reduction + Lens-Profile Adjustments (Vignetting, Distortion and Chromatic Aberration)
All Measurements were done using Photo Mate R2 2.5 (Release Version)
Photo Mate R2 1.7 introduces Auto-Lens Correction features.
Vignetting (light falloff at the borders of the image), Chromatic Aberration (Red/Cyan color-fringing) as well as Lens-Distortion can be corrected automatically.
When you open an image and Photo Mate says "Lens Profile found" (Tab Lens-Adjustments), you probably don't have to do anything. Your Lens is already supported.
Depending on your lens, some of the features (Vignetting/CA/Distortion) may not supported, though. In this case, you can still refer to this tutorial.
There are 2 variants in this case:
Press on it, and see if you can find the lens you shot with in the list. If yes, please send us a raw-file and the actual lens-name of the lens you was using via mail.
Check this by using Photo Mate, open the image and go to Exif-Data. If you see your Lens information (just the Focal-Length is not enough!), contact us. Otherwise, check the Exif-Information from your raw-image with some external software. If there is no Lens-Information, you always have to select the Lens manually.
If not, read ahead at "Creating a new profile"
In this case, Photo Mate could not find a camera-profile. In this case, we also need the raw-file and information about your camera (if you have some). Otherwise we'll look ourselfs online.
Then set the checkbox "Use Lens-Profile". See what parameters are supported. If you can see that some are missing (like Chromatic Aberration Red/Cyan sliders are still available or Vignetting options are still available) you can read ahead at "Creating a new profile"
In case your lens is currently not supported or some important corrections are missing, you can help us supporting your lens in a future release.
First, please go to wilson.bronger.org/lensfun_coverage.html and check if your lens or the corrections are really not supported. Otherwise please contact us first!
Since Photo Mate supports the Lensfun-DB data, you can use their tutorials to create profiles. Here are some links to the tutorials.
Put all the values together in a XML-File like described in the tutorials. If you edit a lens, we recommend you extend the current lens-profile and edit it.
Please also make sure that you add your camera's crop-factor. You can find it in the xml-files, simply search for your camera.
You've got two options:
Please, just use one of the options! If you send it to us, we'll forward it to the project, so you just need to send one mail.
Since Android 4.4 ("KitKat"), external apps are not allowed to write on any external storages (External SD-Cards, USB-Storages, etc.)
For Photo Mate, this means you may view and even edit images on that storages (when you edit, the XMP-Data is stored in the internal Photo Mate folder), but exporting images to that location is not possible. What if you want to save to your external storage, anyway?
If you store your files in the external app directory, make sure you backup this directory before you uninstall the app! Android will delete this folder when you uninstall Photo Mate!