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Getting Started

Photo by Aditya Chinchure

PhotoStructure User Guide

Howdy, and welcome to PhotoStructure! Here’s a “guided path” through some of PhotoStructure’s documentation. Please don’t feel like you have to read through all of this! We’ve tried hard to make PhotoStructure “just work” right out of the box, and for most of our users, they don’t have to read much (or any!

What is a “PhotoStructure library”?

Your PhotoStructure library contains 📚 your image database, ⚙️ library settings, 🖼️ preview images, and 🎞️ transcoded videos (if enabled). These files are created when PhotoStructure imports your photos and videos, and enable PhotoStructure’s fast and fun user interface.

Install PhotoStructure

💻 PhotoStructure for Desktops This is not a stable build. Read more about alpha and beta builds here. Click here to install the latest stable build. If you have 🎥 videos, follow these steps

HEIF/HEIC support with PhotoStructure

Why? Several smartphones default to storing photos as .heic, rather than .jpeg. These .heic files are compressed with the High Efficiency Image File Format. Unfortunately, due to patent and licensing issues, it’s up to you to manually install one of these software packages on your own computer if you’re not on macOS.

How do I prevent a directory from being imported into my library?

When PhotoStructure is importing files, it automatically excludes all hidden files, as well as operating system and application support directories. Additionally, across all platforms, the following rules are also applied:

PhotoStructure Tools

By installing PhotoStructure for Node or PhotoStructure for Docker you’ll get access to a number of tools that can help answer a number of questions about your PhotoStructure library. Some level of proficiency with the terminal is required to use these tools.

Automatic library organization

If your photos and videos are disorganized, PhotoStructure can bring some order to your chaos. If you’d like all your photos and videos to be organized into one, tidy place, choose “Yes” on PhotoStructure’s settings page:

PhotoStructure's advanced settings

PhotoStructure’s settings page is simple and only offers a handful of configuration options. There are many configurable settings within PhotoStructure, though, including: how “nice” PhotoStructure is with your system’s CPU: should it auto-pause imports if CPU exceeds 75% (which is the default), or is it running on a server, and can use 100% of the CPU?

What keyboard shortcuts does PhotoStructure have?

If you’re on a desktop or laptop, knowing a couple keyboard shortcuts will help you get around your library faster. Hover over any button to see a description, and if there is a keyboard shortcut, it will be in the tooltip as well.

Post-installation #protips

So, you’ve got PhotoStructure installed, and it looks like it’s importing every photo and video you’ve got. What should you know now? Tip #1: Initial PhotoStructure imports Importing thousands of photos and videos is a workout for your computer.

Video support with PhotoStructure

PhotoStructure requires FFmpeg to be installed to support videos in your library. Why? PhotoStructure uses open source video processing software called FFmpeg to extract preview images and transcode the videos in your library so they can be streamed to browsers on your mobile and computer.

How to zoom in PhotoStructure

PhotoStructure has a several ways to view your photos at different magnification levels. PhotoStructure’s new loupe slider (added in v0.8.0). Zoom Select a zoom level directly by clicking the loupe slider in the header.

Where should I install PhotoStructure?

You’ll want to install PhotoStructure for Desktops on a computer that you can leave powered on for a while, at least during the initial import. Ideally, you’ll install PhotoStructure on a computer that you can leave on all the time, so you can have access to your library whenever you want from wherever you are.

How much disk space do I need?

Your library’s disk space is proportional to the number of photos and videos you have in your library, and whether or not you choose to have PhotoStructure organize your photos and videos by copying them into your library.

How do I start and stop PhotoStructure?

When you close the main PhotoStructure window, PhotoStructure continues to run in the background, which may include synchronizing your library’s photos and videos. Shut down PhotoStructure by clicking the ☰ navigation menu in the upper-left corner of your PhotoStructure window, and selecting “Shutdown.
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  • PhotoStructure is a personal digital asset manager designed to make organizing, browsing, and sharing a lifetime of photos and videos effortless and fun.

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