Batch Processing RAW files with macros

[mojo95]

Hello all,

I know this has been discussed countless times earlier, but I still can't wrap my head around about how this feature still isn't available by now.

As a timelapse photographer coming from Lightroom I need to process about 400 photos for each timelapse sequence. What is so difficult to just provide the feature of copy and pasting adjustments on one photo to a bunch of others? Or, since you provide the macro feature, use this also on the development panel? I really hope to see this feature in an update soon, or at least I'd like to have an explanation on why an apparently simple option like this can't be implemented.

I saw this topic being discussed for more than 5 years already. I really like AP and it's interface but this is a must have for me. Otherwise I need to go back to LR which is not what I want to.

Best regards

Mo

[John Rostron]

You can set up a batch process that reads a set of raw files, applies one or more macros to them and then saves in another format (including resizing). You need to be aware that the default development processing is not the same as a non-batch develop, but you can adjust your macros to obtain the desired effect.

John

[W A Tolbert]

On 5/25/2020 at 6:30 AM, John Rostron said:

You can set up a batch process that reads a set of raw files, applies one or more macros to them and then saves in another format (including resizing). You need to be aware that the default development processing is not the same as a non-batch develop, but you can adjust your macros to obtain the desired effect.

John

"You can..." but how? Is there a tutorial video? How do you make a macro for the Develop Persona when macro recording isn't available there?

 

Not trying to be a smart-alec, I'm just asking because I have the same questions as OP.

[walt.farrell]

On 5/25/2020 at 7:30 AM, John Rostron said:

You need to be aware that the default development processing is not the same as a non-batch develop,

I believe they improved that in 1.8.3 for batch processing, John.

[John Rostron]

16 hours ago, W A Tolbert said:

You can..." but how? Is there a tutorial video? How do you make a macro for the Develop Persona when macro recording isn't available there?

You cannot record Develop actions in a macro. What I was suggesting was that you create a macro to run in the Photo persona following on from the Develop persona.

I have not explored what @walt.farrell is suggesting in 1.8.3. I will try it out.

John

[ashers]

Yeah this feature is desperately needed. I am using Affinity 1.8.3.latest there is no (obvious) way to use customized raw develop settings.

Also as an aside, how do you stop a batch process once it's started? Other than just killing the application in the task manager :)

J.

[YM77]

I second (or third?) this feature request!

The method mentioned below isn't a real alternative to what the OP (and myself) really required.

On 5/25/2020 at 4:30 AM, John Rostron said:

You can set up a batch process that reads a set of raw files, applies one or more macros to them and then saves in another format (including resizing). You need to be aware that the default development processing is not the same as a non-batch develop, but you can adjust your macros to obtain the desired effect.

John

I believe what this does is to develop first and then apply adjustments on the developed file (presumably only 8-bit). On the other hand, developing persona does use the higher bit info (10/12/14 depends on your camera manufacture) in raw files. This will results in significant difference if one need to adjust aggressively.

Here is a demo attached: the first picture is process in batch with a macro (+3EV and some denoise tweak). For the 2nd picture, the same tweak is applied in develop persona. I intentionally used a way underexposed photo to exaggerate this (note the bright spot in the sky is moon). But you can see the difference is non-trivial

[jonatious]

I third or fourth or may be hundredth this request. Applying changes in develop persona is not the same as applying later. If they were the same, why do we even have a develop persona? I really need this feature on AP and this is one of the features that is pushing me to LR

I really wish this one feature doesn’t push me away from AP.

Edited July 23, 2020 by jonatious

[ThisGuy]

me too, add my name to the list of people who want this feature.

 

[J. V. K.]

I agree!

I can't make the adjustments I desire to my raw files in the photo persona. The changes I need to make aren't available in the photo persona; therefore, I can't batch the changes I want to make to between 100 - 500 files per session. Can a dedicated macro panel be added to the develop persona? I really need this ability.

Thanks

[jonatious]

I don’t know if the dev team monitors this forum. But I really wish I can escalate this. I might have to move to Adobe only because of this feature missing in AP

[UncleMonkey]

Really needed. How about a reply from Serif here?

 

[walt.farrell]

5 hours ago, UncleMonkey said:

Really needed. How about a reply from Serif here?

 

Serif generally does not reply to feature requests. They read them, and factor them into their planning, but they do not generally engage in discussion about them nor discuss whether they plan to implement them.

[UncleMonkey]

Yes indeed, it's v e r y noticeable that Serif doesn't reply to feature requests, or commit themselves to delivering particular improvements. Giving firm dates would be imprudent, but assuming they *do* have a development plan, it would be great for users to see what to expect in Wave One, Wave Two and so on — not as absolute commitments, but as goals. There are a bunch of pretty basic features Adobe and others offer that we're still waiting for, entirely in the dark. So far nothing that's going to make me move away, but in my book this unresponsiveness verges on arrogance. At the very least, Serif could maintain a Top 10 Feature Requests page with brief notes about what to expect.

 

[walt.farrell]

2 hours ago, UncleMonkey said:

but assuming they *do* have a development plan, it would be great for users to see what to expect in Wave One, Wave Two and so on — not as absolute commitments, but as goals.

They tried that. It didn't work.

[dsweetje]

I really agree that this is a top priority needing to be developed. . Already made similar requests in other posts. 

It would be nice if Serif read this and give priority to it's development. 

Greetings Dennis 

[Bart BE]

I also do hope to see such improvements in RAW-development. The RAW-development is so underdeveloped now that a second software for raw-development is simply necessary.

 

[sambader]

I don't know if I'm requesting the same thing therefore apologies if not but I'm staggered to find that batch opening and processing for raw files is still a ball ache. Do people really process raw files one at a time?!

My normal workflow is to open up maybe a hundred, possibly more raw files, go through them with photoshop, edit some, delete others and then process them.

I attempted this a couple of years ago with Affinity Photo and it ended in having to restart my mac!

Today I attempted to open six raw files in Affinity Photo. By the time they finally opened I'd already given up waiting, opened them instead in Photoshop and processed them. When Affinity Photo finally opened them up I still then had to force quit it!

[Karlosophy]

 Add me onto this list I've been tearing my hair out as to why I cannot macros record a raw image adjustment of a startlapse, hundreds of raw files,  and then have it developed. SMH!!!

[AdrianaJimena]

I've been using Affinity Photo for a week, and until now, the only thing that is upsetting me is the lack of batch raw processing. Or a least, the possibility to record macros on Develop Persona.

As this topic has a lot of views, I hope to see a change about this anytime soon.

[jonatious]

I dont know if anyone from Serif reads this post or if they do and just ignore

[walt.farrell]

7 hours ago, jonatious said:

I dont know if anyone from Serif reads this post or if they do and just ignore

Serif staff read the topics in this part of the forum. They generally will not comment here, however, as they do not want to bias these discussions, nor give any details of what they might be planning for the future.

[RyanT]

Yes plus 4 million, batch processing for raw PLEASE!!!!!!!!

Really need this feature, I have to keep Lightroom just for this

[Mr. Green]

My two requirements are:

1. Ability to record and use macros in Develop Persona.

2. Ability to Batch Process RAW files with above macros.

[Amadeusz]

I also need macros directly in raw developing and also I asked them if there would be color checker plugin for colours calibration.