Image Import Tool

This tool imports JPEGs (and paired RAWs) from a source folder into a structured destination folder while letting you select, preview and batch-assign descriptors.

Import Destination Pattern

All files are copied into folders like: Destination/YYYY/MMDD-Descriptor/YYYYMMDD-Descriptor.sequence.ext with three-digit sequence numbers restarting per day.

Basic Workflow

  1. Select Source and Destination: Once both fields are set, thumbnails load automatically. The thumbnail window scrolls back to the top after loading.
  2. Select Images: Click dots to select (red). Shift-click selects a range. Ctrl-click toggles. Green dots mean “ready to import”. Black dots mean “already imported”. Clicking a green dot clears its descriptor (back to gray).
  3. Assign Descriptors: Right-click any red image to assign a descriptor. You can type a new descriptor or pick from previously used ones stored in descriptors.txt. All selected red images turn green and their proposed filenames appear in the preview list. If the preview list is long, it automatically scrolls to show the newly added entries at the bottom.
  4. Preview: The Transfer Preview shows proposed filenames in red. It always appends new items at the bottom so previously listed items stay in place. Below the preview you’ll see counters: “Files to transfer” = number of pending files (JPEG + RAW). “Files transferred” = total files successfully copied this session.
  5. Import: Click Import to begin copying. The window scrolls to the top to show the first file. As each file finishes, its name in the preview turns green and the thumbnail dot turns black. Both the preview list and the thumbnail window automatically scroll to keep the current file visible.

Metadata Writing

  • For JPEGs, ExifTool writes the Description tag directly into the file.
  • For RAWs, a minimal .xmp sidecar is created containing only the Description tag.
  • No other metadata tags are copied from the RAW file.

Other Features

  • Sequence numbers automatically increment if a filename already exists in the destination.
  • Keyboard shortcuts: Shift-click to select a range, Ctrl-A to select all, Esc to cancel selection.
  • Help button opens this help file.