1. Open a local photo folder
Create a session with JPEG, PNG or WebP photographs. Keep originals in place and choose a separate destination when exporting. For RAW shoots, read the preview workflow and its limitations.
2. Mark before rating
In Quick Cull, use P/K to keep, X to reject and U to mark pending. Enable Auto Advance if you want the next photo after each decision. Z undoes a decision; N moves to an unhandled photograph.
3. Review similar frames
Use Burst Groups to review capture-time groups together. Adjust the time interval and manually split or merge groups when the metadata does not match your shoot. Grouping does not decide which expression or composition you prefer.
Use Fit to judge composition and 100%/200% for detail. C pins a reference; compare it side by side with a candidate. Use arrows to change candidates and B to switch manually between A and B.
4. Rate your selects
In Hero Selects, use 1–5 for ratings or S for a five-star favorite. These keys continue to rate images; zoom uses its separate controls. Existing session decisions are saved locally by the desktop application.
5. Export copies
Choose the selections and destination. Desktop export copies photos into selection folders and writes XMP ratings. Follow your editor's instructions to read the sidecars. JPEG decisions are not automatically applied to related RAW files.
The browser demo illustrates marking/rating and exports JSON only; it clears on reload. Complete product facts.