Getting Started

This guide walks you through installing RapidCull, creating your first project, and completing your first culling session.

Installation

Windows: Download the latest .exe installer from the Releases page, run it, and launch RapidCull from the Start Menu.

macOS: Download the latest .dmg, drag RapidCull to Applications, and launch it. You may need to right-click and select “Open” the first time to bypass Gatekeeper.

Creating a Project

RapidCull offers two ways to start a project:

Direct Mode (Recommended) — Point RapidCull at an existing folder. Your files stay in place and are never moved or modified.

1. Click New Project
2. Select Direct mode
3. Browse to the folder containing your images
4. Click Create

Import Mode — Copy images from a source (like a memory card) into a new managed project folder.

1. Click New Project
2. Select Import mode
3. Browse to the source folder
4. Choose a destination parent folder
5. Enter a project name (defaults to today’s date)
6. Click Create

Your First Culling Session

1. Quick scan — Browse the grid to get an overview. Use arrow keys to navigate, Enter to open the viewer.
2. Label obvious picks and rejects — Press P for Pick, X for Reject, C for Candidate. Enable Auto-Advance in the viewer to speed things up.
3. Compare bursts — Select a burst member and press B to enter knockout comparison.
4. Review candidates — Filter to Candidates (press 3) and make final decisions.
5. Export — Click Export, choose a destination, select which labels to include, and export with XMP sidecars.

The Labeling System

RapidCull uses a simple three-tier classification system:

Press U at any time to remove a label and return an image to Unlabeled.

When to Use Each Label

• Pick — Use sparingly. In a burst of 10 similar shots, there’s usually 1–2 picks.
• Candidate — Use when you’re unsure. Better to keep an image as a candidate than to accidentally reject a good frame.
• Reject — Use liberally. The faster you eliminate clear rejects, the smaller your remaining set becomes.

Labels persist across sessions. When you reopen a project, all your labels are exactly where you left them.

Grid View

The grid view is your primary workspace for browsing and organizing images.

Layout

The grid automatically adjusts the number of columns based on your window width. Resizing your window immediately reflows the grid.

Thumbnail Indicators

• Label dot — A small colored dot (green, yellow, or red) indicating the image’s current label.
• Burst badge — A numbered badge on images that are part of a burst group.
• Smart Score badge — A small color-coded number (0–100) in the top-right corner showing the image’s quality score. Green (70–100) = high, yellow (40–69) = moderate, red (0–39) = low. Only appears after Smart Analysis has been run.

Navigation

Interactions

• Single-click to select an image.
• Double-click to open it in the viewer.
• Click a burst badge to enter burst comparison for that group.
• Hover over a burst badge to highlight all siblings in the grid.

Performance

RapidCull uses virtual scrolling so only visible rows are rendered. A project with 10,000+ images feels just as responsive as one with 100. Thumbnails are generated in the background and cached to disk.

Viewer Mode

The viewer provides a full-screen experience for examining individual images at full resolution.

Navigation

The viewer respects your current filter. If you’re viewing only Picks, navigation only cycles through Pick images.

Info & Bottom Bar

The top shows the filename and your position in the sequence. The bottom shows label buttons (P C X U), the current label badge, a Smart Score badge (when analysis has been run), zoom level, and the Auto-Advance toggle.

Captions

Each image can have a single-line caption. The caption field lives in the bottom bar between the label badge and the zoom indicator.

To add or edit a caption:

• Press T to focus the caption field, or click the caption icon
• Type your caption (single line)
• Press Enter to save and collapse, or Escape to cancel
• Clicking outside the field saves and collapses it

Captions are saved immediately and persist across sessions. When Auto-Advance is enabled, pressing Enter in the caption field saves the caption but does not advance to the next image — use your labeling keys to navigate.

Auto-Advance

When enabled, labeling an image automatically advances to the next one. This is extremely useful for rapid culling — you can go through hundreds of images by repeatedly pressing P, C, or X.

Zoom and Pan

When you zoom close to the fit-to-screen scale, the viewer snaps back to fit mode automatically.

Preloading

The viewer preloads the next and previous images in the background so navigation feels instant.

Focus Assist

Focus Assist is a sharpness overlay you can invoke at any time in the viewer. Hold F (default, rebindable in Settings) to display it. Release the key to hide it.

While active, the overlay divides the image into a grid of regions. Low-sharpness areas are darkened, making soft focus immediately visible. A score badge in the corner shows an overall sharpness score from 0 to 100:

The grid detail level (coarse to fine) is adjustable in Settings → Focus Assist. Higher detail reveals smaller focus regions, useful for comparing fine differences between burst frames.

Subject Bounding Box

When an image has been analyzed and a subject was detected, press B in the viewer to toggle a bounding box overlay showing where the subject was found in the frame. A button also appears in the bottom bar when detection data exists. If the image hasn’t been analyzed or no subject was found, B has no effect.

Photo Info Panel

Press I in the viewer to toggle the Photo Info panel — a sidebar that displays full EXIF metadata and Smart Analysis results for the current image. Press I again to close it. The viewer canvas resizes to accommodate the panel so nothing is obscured.

Camera & Exposure

Smart Analysis (shown after running analysis)

Filtering

The filter bar lets you focus on specific subsets of your images.

Each filter button displays a live count that updates in real-time as you label images. The current filter affects the grid view, viewer navigation, and burst detection. Switching filters is instant.

Sorting

A Sort dropdown in the filter bar controls the order images appear in the grid and viewer.

The Smart Score sort option is only available when Smart Analysis is enabled in Settings.

Smart Analysis

Smart Analysis is an optional feature that scores your images for technical quality. It runs entirely on your device — no internet connection, no uploads — and never modifies your original files.

Running Analysis

Once enabled, an Analyze button appears in the project toolbar. Click it to start. A progress bar below the toolbar shows “Analyzing images (done/total)” while it runs. You can cancel at any time and resume later — already-analyzed images are not re-processed.

If the Analyze button is not visible, the analysis model was not found in the installation. All other features work normally without it.

The Smart Score

Each image receives a score from 0 to 100 (higher is better) based on sharpness and perceptual quality.

The score reflects technical quality only. It says nothing about composition, expression, or creative intent. Use it as a signal, not a decision.

Where Scores Appear

• Grid thumbnails — A small color-coded number badge in the top-right corner of each analyzed image.
• Viewer bottom bar — A High / Mid / Low badge next to the label buttons.
• Photo Info panel — Full details including detected subject and sharpness rating (press I in the viewer).

Subject Detection

As part of analysis, RapidCull looks for recognizable subjects in each image (people, birds, cats, dogs, and other animals). When a subject is found, its location is recorded and used to measure focus in that specific region. You can visualize this as a bounding box overlay in the viewer by pressing B.

Burst Detection & Comparison

Burst comparison is RapidCull’s signature feature. It formalizes the process photographers already use — comparing similar frames side by side — into a structured knockout tournament that guarantees convergence in the minimum number of decisions.

How Burst Detection Works

RapidCull reads the capture timestamp from each image’s metadata and groups images shot within a configurable time window. You can change the threshold at any time in the filter bar.

Burst detection respects your current filter. A burst only appears if it contains 2 or more visible members.

Entering Burst Comparison

1. Select a burst member in the grid and press B, or
2. Click the burst badge on any thumbnail

The Knockout Tournament

1. The first image loads as the champion (left/top pane)
2. The second image loads as the challenger (right/bottom pane)
3. You pick the stronger frame
4. The winner becomes the new champion
5. The next image becomes the new challenger
6. Repeat until all images have been compared

For a burst of n images, this requires exactly n − 1 decisions. No cycling back and forth, no unresolved comparisons. A progress indicator shows your position (e.g., “Round 3 of 7”).

Controls

Rescuing Runner-Up Frames as Candidates

A burst often has a second or third strong frame that you don’t want to reject outright. There are two ways to rescue it as a Candidate:

• Shift modifier (inline) — Hold Shift while picking to mark the losing image as Candidate instead of Reject. Both panes get a subtle amber tint to confirm. Use this during the rounds whenever you spot a close second.
• Confirmation filmstrip (after) — When the tournament finishes (and Auto Apply is off in Settings), a filmstrip of all loser images appears below the winner. Click a thumbnail or press its number key (1–9) to toggle it to Candidate. Press Enter to apply, or Escape to go back.

Layout Options

Toggle between side-by-side (default, best for landscape images on wide monitors) and top-bottom (best for portrait images) with V.

Linked Zoom

Press L to synchronize zoom and pan between both panes. This is ideal for comparing fine details like sharpness and focus at the same position in both images.

Results

• The winner is automatically labeled as Pick (green)
• Images you marked with Shift are labeled as Candidate (yellow)
• All remaining losers are labeled as Reject (red) by default
• Labels are immediately visible in the grid and filter counts update in real-time

Tips

• Adjust your threshold — If bursts are too large, reduce it. If sequences are splitting, increase it.
• Use linked zoom for sharpness — Zoom in to the subject’s eyes or primary focus point to spot differences.
• Trust your first instinct — The format works best with quick, intuitive decisions.
• Work through bursts in sequence — The fastest way to cull a burst-heavy shoot.
• Rescue runner-ups — Hold Shift when picking to save the loser as a Candidate instead of rejecting it outright.

Keyboard Shortcuts

RapidCull is designed for keyboard-first interaction. Press ? at any time to open the in-app shortcuts overlay.

Labeling

Grid Navigation

Viewer Navigation

Viewer Zoom

Filtering

Burst Comparison

Quick Reference

LABELING          GRID              VIEWER            FILTERING
P  Pick           Arrows  Move      J/Left   Prev     1  All
C  Candidate      Tab     Next      K/Right  Next     2  Picks
X  Reject         S-Tab   Prev      Esc      Close    3  Candidates
U  Unlabeled      Enter   Open      +/-      Zoom     4  Rejects
                                    0        Fit      5  Unlabeled
                                    F(hold)  Focus Assist
                                    I        Photo Info
                                    B        Bbox overlay*

BURST COMPARISON                    ZOOM
B         Enter burst mode          +/=      Zoom in
1/Left    Pick left (champion)      -/_      Zoom out
2/Right   Pick right (challenger)   0        Reset fit
S+1/Left  Pick left, mark right     Dbl-clk  Fit/100%
S+2/Right Pick right, mark left     Scroll   Zoom to cursor
1-9       Toggle candidate (confirm) Drag    Pan
Enter     Apply (confirm screen)
Z         Undo
V         Toggle layout
L         Linked zoom
Esc       Exit

* Viewer B: toggle subject bounding box (when AI detection data exists).
  Grid B: enter burst comparison for the selected image.

Export & XMP Integration

RapidCull’s export system copies your selected images to a destination folder and generates XMP sidecar files compatible with Adobe Lightroom Classic.

Starting an Export

1. Click the Export button in the top bar
2. Choose a destination folder
3. Select which labels to include
4. Click Export

Export Options

A live count shows exactly how many files will be exported based on your selection.

The Export Process

• Missing files are automatically excluded
• Disk space is checked before starting
• Files only appear in the destination once the entire export succeeds
• For each image, an XMP sidecar file is generated with your label

During export, a progress dialog shows the number of files copied, current file name, and a Cancel button.

XMP Sidecar Files

For each exported image, RapidCull generates a companion .xmp file with the same base name (e.g., IMG_0042.CR2 → IMG_0042.xmp).

If an image has a caption, it is written to the dc:description field in the XMP sidecar. This field is read by Lightroom Classic, Capture One, and other XMP-compatible applications as the image description or caption.

Lightroom Classic Integration

RapidCull can launch Lightroom Classic automatically after an export. Configure the executable path in Settings → Integrations and enable the toggle. You can also show a per-export checkbox in the export dialog so you decide each time.

To import manually:

1. Export from RapidCull to a destination folder
2. Open Lightroom Classic
3. Import the destination folder (File > Import Photos and Video)
4. Lightroom automatically reads the XMP sidecar files
5. Color labels and star ratings appear immediately in the Library module

Cancellation and Safety

You can cancel an in-progress export at any time. Your destination folder is never left in an incomplete state — if the export completes, all files are there. If it’s cancelled or fails, the destination is untouched.

Supported Formats

Standard Formats

RAW Camera Formats

How RAW Files Are Handled

RAW files are not fully decoded — that’s the job of your editing software. Instead, RapidCull extracts the preview image embedded in each RAW file for fast viewing. Most modern cameras embed high-resolution previews which are more than sufficient for culling decisions.

Previews and thumbnails are generated in the background and cached when you first open a project. Subsequent opens are instant.

Recursive Directory Scanning

When you create a project, RapidCull scans the entire directory tree recursively. Images in subfolders are included automatically. The .rapidcull cache directory is excluded.

Unsupported Formats

RapidCull does not currently support:

• Video files (MP4, MOV, etc.)
• HEIF / HEIC images
• WebP images
• PSD / PSB (Photoshop) files

Unsupported files are silently skipped during scanning.

Project Management

Opening a Project

Click on any project in the home screen to open it. RapidCull will load the database, scan for new or missing files, generate thumbnails for new images, and display the grid view.

Missing File Detection

When you open a project, RapidCull checks that all indexed files still exist on disk. Missing files are marked with a distinct icon but are not deleted from the database — if you restore them, they’ll work again.

Deleting a Project

Click the delete button next to a project on the home screen to remove it from RapidCull. This removes the project from the registry. Your original image files are not affected.

Project Data Storage

Each project stores its data in a .rapidcull folder inside the project directory. This folder contains your labels, cached thumbnails, and project settings. It is self-contained — you can safely move your project folder and re-create the project pointing to the new path.

Settings

The Settings dialog is accessible from the toolbar gear icon, available on both the Home screen and inside any open project. It persists across sessions.

Appearance

Choose the application theme:

Burst Comparison

Focus Assist

The Analysis detail slider controls the grid resolution used by Focus Assist (1 = Low, 5 = High). Higher detail divides the image into more regions, making it easier to pinpoint small areas of soft focus. The grid is orientation-aware — portrait images get taller grids.

Experimental

Integrations

Configure third-party application launch behavior.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Click any key badge to rebind that action. Press the desired key when prompted, or press Escape to cancel. Custom bindings are shown with a distinct style. A Reset button appears next to each custom binding to restore the default.

Rebindable actions:

• Labeling — Pick, Candidate, Reject, Remove label
• Viewer — Next image, Previous image, Focus Assist overlay
• Burst Comparison — Pick left, Pick right, Undo pick

Frequently Asked Questions

Does RapidCull modify my original files?

No. RapidCull never modifies, moves, or deletes your original image files. Labels are stored in a separate database. Export creates copies.

Does RapidCull require an internet connection?

No. RapidCull is fully local-first. No cloud services, no accounts, no internet needed.

Is RapidCull free?

RapidCull is currently in beta and free to use. See the License Agreement for full terms.

How many images can RapidCull handle?

RapidCull is designed for large projects and can handle 10,000+ images without performance issues.

Are labels saved automatically?

Yes. Every label change is saved immediately. There’s no “save” button.

What happens to labels after burst comparison?

The winner is labeled as Pick. Any images you saved with the Shift modifier become Candidates. All other losers are labeled as Reject. Existing labels on those images will be overwritten by default (configurable in Settings).

Can I skip burst comparison and label manually?

Absolutely. Burst comparison is optional. You can label any image manually using P, C, X, or U.

What if I want to keep a second-best burst frame?

Hold Shift while picking a winner to mark the losing image as Candidate instead of Reject. You can also promote losers on the confirmation screen that appears after the tournament finishes.

What is an XMP sidecar file?

An XMP sidecar is a small XML file that sits alongside your image and contains metadata. RapidCull generates XMP sidecars with color labels, star ratings, and any caption you’ve added (dc:description), all readable by Lightroom Classic.

Can I export to Lightroom directly?

RapidCull doesn’t integrate directly with Lightroom’s catalog. Instead, export files with XMP sidecars and import the folder into Lightroom. It reads the XMP files automatically. You can also configure RapidCull to launch Lightroom Classic automatically after each export in Settings → Integrations.

What is Smart Analysis?

Smart Analysis scores your images for technical quality (sharpness, clarity, subject focus) and assigns a 0–100 Smart Score to each one. It’s currently available on Windows only, entirely optional, and runs on your device. Enable it in Settings → Experimental.

What does the Smart Score mean?

The score (0–100) reflects technical quality only — sharpness, noise, and whether a recognizable subject was in focus. It says nothing about composition or creative intent. Use it as a guide, not a final decision. Green (70–100) = high, yellow (40–69) = moderate, red (0–39) = low.

Will Smart Analysis change my labels?

No. Analysis only writes score data. It never reads or modifies your Pick/Candidate/Reject labels.

The Analyze button doesn’t appear after enabling Smart Analysis. Why?

The Analyze button requires the analysis model to be present in your RapidCull installation. In a standard installation it is included automatically. If the button is missing, the model file was not found — try reinstalling RapidCull.

How do I view EXIF data for an image?

Press I in the viewer to open the Photo Info panel. It shows camera, lens, shutter speed, aperture, ISO, focal length, capture time, and file details. If Smart Analysis has been run, it also shows the Smart Score, detected subject, and sharpness rating. Press I again to close it.

Does RapidCull develop RAW files?

No. RapidCull extracts a preview from RAW files for fast viewing. Full RAW development is the job of your editing software.

Why do RAW files look different in RapidCull vs. my editor?

RapidCull shows the camera-generated preview embedded in the RAW file. Your editor applies its own processing. For culling — evaluating sharpness, composition, timing — the preview is sufficient.

Why are thumbnails slow to load the first time?

RapidCull needs to generate thumbnails for all images the first time. This is a one-time process — the results are cached. Subsequent opens are instant.

Does RapidCull support dark mode?

Yes. Open Settings and choose Dark, Light, or System (follows your OS preference) under Appearance.

Can I customize keyboard shortcuts?

Yes. Open Settings and scroll to Keyboard Shortcuts. Click any key badge to rebind it. Arrow keys always navigate in the viewer and burst comparison regardless of custom bindings.

What does the Focus Assist score mean?

The score (0–100) represents the relative sharpness of the image. Scores of 65 or above (green) indicate a sharp image. 40–64 (yellow) is moderate. Below 40 (red) suggests soft focus. Use it as a guide alongside your own visual judgment.

How do I report a bug or request a feature?

Please open an issue on the GitHub repository. Include your OS and version, the version of RapidCull, steps to reproduce, and any error messages.