SnapView icon SnapView

SnapView User Manual

This is a practical guide designed to help new users navigate SnapView from installation to selection independently.

1. What is SnapView?

  • SnapView is a blazing-fast image viewer for macOS.
  • Open folders or ZIP files instantly to view and select photos without creating heavy catalogs.
  • Rather than replacing editing tools like Lightroom, it focuses on the quick viewing and culling stage before editing.

2. Recommended For

  • People who take many travel, daily life, or family photos.
  • Users who shoot RAW but find heavy workflows burdensome.
  • Those who want to scan quickly and keep only the best shots.
  • Users who prefer simple folder-based management.

3. Installation and First Run

3.0 Distribution Channel Selection (Important)

  • The Mac App Store version is the sandboxed stable channel.
  • The DMG version is the direct download channel with faster releases and Sparkle updates.
  • The DMG version is a single universal app that supports Apple Silicon and Intel Mac from the same download.
  • Apple Silicon remains the primary verified environment.

3.1 Installation

Installation methods by channel are as follows:

  1. DMG Channel (Fast): Download SnapView.dmg from the releases page, then drag SnapView.app to Applications.
  2. Mac App Store Channel (Stable): Install SnapView from the Mac App Store.
  3. The DMG channel ships as one universal app for Apple Silicon and Intel Mac.

3.2 First Run

  • If a macOS security warning appears:
    1. Go to System Settings -> Privacy & Security.
    2. Allow execution.
    3. Relaunch the app.
  • On the first run, you may see a suggestion to set it as the default image app.
  • You can skip this if you prefer; it won't affect usage.

4. 5-Minute Quick Start

  1. Use Open to open a folder or ZIP file.
  2. Numbered filenames use Finder-style natural sorting, so photo-1, photo-2, and photo-10 appear in the expected order.
  3. Switch view modes with Q/W/E/R.
  4. Navigate using Left/Right Arrow keys.
  5. Rate good shots with 1~5, or mark unwanted ones with X (Reject).
  6. When using Lightroom, star ratings, Picks, and Rejects assigned in SnapView carry over directly via XMP sidecars.
  7. To view results directly in Finder, apply tags. SnapView supports Finder's standard 7 color tags (Red/Orange/Yellow/Green/Blue/Purple/Gray).
  8. If you need to compare, press C for Compare Mode (1-4 images).
  9. Use Delete to remove or Cmd+C to copy and organize.
  10. For exact file duplicates, press Cmd+Shift+D to use the Duplicate cleanup feature.
  11. If a folder includes videos, browse them alongside photos and press Space to play or pause. Ended videos can be replayed with Space or the play button, and Option + Left/Right seeks in 5-second steps.
  12. When you need smaller copies for sharing, use Image Export and choose JPEG/PNG plus a size preset.

4.1 v1.8.0 Stability Changes

  • In Grid, Select All now targets only the visible filtered results when Reject or rating filters are active.
  • Filmstrip now supports horizontal scrolling.
  • RAW+JPG pairing is more reliable for same-basename ARW, CR3, RW2, DNG, and JPG workflows.
  • When returning to SnapView during video playback, the playback bar no longer flashes through an empty initial state.
  • Option + Left/Right video seeking briefly reveals the playback bar while keeping the existing auto-hide behavior.
  • Repeated same-direction image rotations now show each 90-degree step accurately.
  • Keypad +/-, viewer menu state, square thumbnail frames, Help readability, and solid viewer background behavior were tightened.

4.2 v1.7.0 Stability Changes

  • Mouse wheel and trackpad previous/next navigation now use the same direction rules across Main, Filmstrip, Manage, and Video views.
  • Natural Scrolling and Custom Scroll Direction are separate settings. Custom directions can be set per device and axis, and remain off by default.
  • SnapView remembers the info overlay state. When the info overlay is off, Main View Pick/Reject, rating, and color label markers are hidden together.
  • Options were added to preserve zoom while moving between images and to use a pure black viewer background in dark mode.
  • Top toolbar icons now show localized tooltips.
  • Resized images crossfade briefly when promoted to original quality, and original requests begin sooner after navigation settles.
  • JPEG rotation save confirms the write before showing success and refreshes thumbnails after saving.
  • File actions prefer explicit selections. Grid/Manage copy, delete, and move no longer fall back to the whole folder when files are selected.
  • Move to Folder and an optional confirmation-free Delete/Backspace Trash path were added. The no-confirmation option is off by default and only moves files to macOS Trash.

5. Understanding the Interface

  • Top Toolbar: Open, Prev/Next, View Mode Switch, Zoom, Info/Quick Check/Histogram Toggles, Selection Actions.
  • Center Canvas: Displays the current image.
  • Mode-Specific Areas:
    • Grid: Thumbnail grid.
    • Filmstrip/Manage: Continuous navigation bar at bottom or side.
    • Detail EXIF/Quick Check Panel: For information analysis.

6. How to Use View Modes

6.1 Main View ( W)

  • Use when focusing on a single image.
  • Quickly switch between Fit (0) and 100% (9).
  • Toggle simple info overlay with I.
  • Loading large images does not interrupt your current workflow.
  • For unsupported formats or ultra-large images that fail to load, follow the on-screen instructions and click Open Safely to view them.

6.2 Grid View ( Q)

  • Use to scan many photos at once.
  • Navigates quickly with arrows/mouse and supports multi-selection.
  • Adjust thumbnail size with =/- to fit your screen.

6.3 Filmstrip View ( E)

  • Good for viewing flow with Main Image + Continuous Strip.
  • Ideal for quickly skimming through burst/similar shots by feel.
  • When a folder includes videos, you can review and play them in the same browsing flow.

6.4 Manage Mode ( R)

  • Use when organizing with Folder/Filter/Selection views.
  • Apply Ratings/Flags/Color Labels and filter to tidy up results.
  • When using Lightroom, it's easy to pass initial selection results via XMP sidecars.
  • By using folder tags, folder-level organization status is immediately visible in Finder via color labels.
  • In the left navigator pane, use folder row color dots and the Folder Tag filter to quickly narrow down your current work status.
  • Video files can also be reviewed and played inside the same file list.

6.5 Duplicate (Cmd+Shift+D)

  • Toggle between Exact and Same Photo at the top.
  • Exact shows only perfectly identical files in groups.
  • Same Photo groups photos that look visually identical but differ in file size, format, or resolution for review.
  • View the item count and saved space on the left group list, then select a group.
  • Quickly check group composition via right-side mini-thumbnails (5x2, up to 10 + +N).
  • Compare directly in the main area for 4 or fewer images; a bottom strip appears for 5 or more.
  • You can assign a reference image using Set as Reference and immediately delete individual cards with X.
  • Use Merge to Current Image / Batch Clean Duplicates / Undo Delete in the right processing panel for Exact mode.
  • Same Photo mode is intended for review/comparison and does not provide automatic merging or batch cleaning.
  • Undo Delete (⌘Z) restores only the most recently deleted photo group.

6.6 SlideShow (Shift + Enter)

  • SlideShow runs in Full Screen.
  • The default start/stop key is Shift + Enter.
  • Shift + Space remains available for legacy compatibility, but Shift + Enter is more stable for Korean input environments.
  • By default, Play on Start is ON so it begins immediately. If turned off in settings, it starts paused in full screen.
  • The SlideShow starts based on the photos currently visible on your screen.
    • Main: The entire current display order
    • Grid / Filmstrip / Manage: Prioritizes selection, otherwise the entire current result
    • ZIP: Only the current order within the ZIP
  • It does not start in Compare or Duplicate modes.
  • Right after starting, a scope chip briefly appears top-center indicating what is playing, and a progress badge is at the top left.
  • The playback control HUD is always visible on the screen.
    • Previous / Play·Pause / Next
    • Speed (Displays current choice, e.g. 3s)
    • Transition (Displays current choice, e.g. Hard Cut, Crossfade, Black Fade)
    • Loop (Circular icon toggle)
    • Shuffle (Circular icon toggle)
    • Magnify Small Images (Circular icon toggle)
    • Exit
  • During playback, if there's no input for 1.2 seconds, the cursor automatically hides.
  • During SlideShow, playback keys take priority, so editing Ratings / Picks / Rejects / Tags is disabled by default.
  • Transitions can be set to Hard Cut / Crossfade / Black Fade.
  • Try using Crossfade for smoother screen transitions.
  • Small images are enlarged to fit the full screen by default. You can view them at original 100% size via the HUD or Tools > Disable Small Image Enlargement.

7. Culling Tools (Most Used Features)

7.1 Ratings

  • 1~5: Apply Star Rating.
  • 0 or \: Clear Rating.
  • Ratings are saved to sidecars (XMP), syncing directly to Lightroom-based tools.
  • This makes it perfect for a workflow of fast culling in SnapView followed by post-editing in Lightroom.

7.2 Pick / Reject / Unflag

  • P: Pick.
  • X: Reject.
  • U: Unflag.
  • Picks and Rejects are also saved to sidecars (XMP).
  • Fast culling inside SnapView and doing final checks and edits in Lightroom is advantageous.

7.3 Finder Tags

  • SnapView uses Finder's native color labels and tag order.
  • Supported colors: Red / Orange / Yellow / Green / Blue / Purple / Gray.
  • Tags synchronize dynamically with Finder, showing up with identical colors and names in macOS.
  • If you rename a tag in Finder, SnapView will update to match it upon reload.
  • Folder Tags are also supported in Manage View.
    • Right-click Navigator row -> Tag
    • Folder Tag filter in the navigator header
    • Folder tag badge inside the Main View info overlay
    • Current Folder Tag inside the Main View right-click context menu

7.4 Lightroom / Finder Integration

  • Integrates with Lightroom using Rating / Pick / Reject via XMP sidecars.
  • Integrates with Finder using Tags (Color Labels).
  • SnapView excels here: Fast initial culling is completed in SnapView, and the results seamlessly carry over to Lightroom and Finder.
  • In short: Ratings/Flags connect to Lightroom workflows, while Finder Tags connect to macOS file management.

7.5 SlideShow Dedicated Keys

  • Shift + Enter: Start / Stop
  • Shift + Space: Legacy Start / Stop
  • Space: Play / Pause during SlideShow
  • Esc: Exit
  • ← / →: Previous / Next
  • [ / ]: Slower / Faster
  • L: Toggle Loop
  • S: Toggle Shuffle
  • I: Toggle Info Overlay
  • 0: Re-apply Fit
  • Select transitions from the HUD (Hard Cut / Crossfade / Black Fade).

7.6 Copy/Delete/Move

  • Cmd+C: Copy selected items.
  • Cmd+V: Paste (used heavily in Grid/Manage Views).
  • Delete or D: Delete.
  • Cmd+Delete: Move to Trash without an extra confirmation.
  • If Move to Trash without confirmation is enabled in Settings > General, Delete or Backspace also moves files to macOS Trash without an extra confirmation.
  • The no-confirmation option is off by default and does not permanently delete files.
  • Move to Folder: Move the current image or explicitly selected files to a chosen folder inside SnapView.
  • In Grid/Manage, explicit selections are used for file actions. If nothing is selected, SnapView uses the current item.

7.7 Open with External App

  • Open with another app… opens the current file in an external application.
  • If a saved app exists for the same extension group, it opens immediately; otherwise, it shows the app selection window.
  • Cmd + Option + O directly opens the app selection window, ignoring any saved preferences.
  • For RAW+JPG pairs, you can choose RAW priority or JPG priority in Settings > General > RAW+JPG Target for External Apps.
  • The default is RAW priority.
  • Items inside a ZIP are not supported for external app opening.

7.8 Rename File (F2 / Rename…)

  • You can change the current filename from anywhere (Main/Grid/Filmstrip/Compare) using F2 or the Rename… menu.
  • Items inside a ZIP are not actual files, so renaming is not supported.
  • The extension is preserved; only the basename is changed.
  • If Resort After Rename is enabled in Settings > Navigation, the list is re-evaluated immediately after renaming according to the current sort rule, and the renamed file is selected again.
  • If disabled, it updates the filename/path while maintaining the current list order as much as possible.

7.9 Capture Date and Location Editing

  • For supported photos, use the Capture Date/GPS edit button in the detail panel to adjust date, time, and location metadata.
  • If SnapView cannot safely write back to the original file or format, editing is blocked and the app shows guidance instead.
  • Videos, ZIP entries, and files without sufficient access may be excluded from metadata editing.
  • When changing location data, verify the map or search result before saving.

8. Quick Check & Compare

8.1 Quick Check

  • Press K to toggle the Quick Check set.
  • Quick Check set enables Quick Check + Detail EXIF + Histogram simultaneously for rapid assessment.
  • Check scores and warning causes (Focus/Exposure/Eyes Closed/Composition).
  • Quick Check is an assist tool; the final choice is yours.
  • If OCR is enabled, Quick Check can recognize text in the current photo. Automatic OCR is off by default and should be enabled only when needed.
  • Hover recognized text highlights to preview the text, then click a highlight to copy it to the clipboard.

8.2 Compare Mode

  • Press C to enter/exit Compare Mode.
  • In the default Selection mode, compare 1-4 shots side-by-side to pick the best one.
  • Press R inside Compare mode to switch between Selection and Reference modes.
  • The top of the Compare view displays a Selection / Reference segment and status text so you can instantly verify the current comparison context.
  • In Reference mode, anchor one shot as the reference and navigate left/right through candidates for sequential comparison.
  • In Reference mode, use Tab to switch focus between reference and candidate panels.
  • In Reference mode, use ↑ to immediately focus the reference panel, and ↓ for the candidate panel.
  • In Reference mode, use ←/→ to move the image in the currently focused panel.
  • Ratings/Picks/Rejects/Tags/Deletes in Reference mode only apply to the currently focused panel (reference or candidate).
  • If you cancel a deletion confirmation in Compare mode, the comparison mode and focus state are preserved.
  • Switching to a new source (another folder/ZIP) automatically clears the previous Compare state. However, if Resume Last Session is enabled, reopening the same source restores the last session.
  • Zoom in to check details.

8.3 Duplicate

  • Cmd+Shift+D: Enter Duplicate mode (or rescan while in mode).
  • Shift+D or ESC: Exit Duplicate mode.
  • ← / →: Move to previous/next duplicate group.
  • Cmd+← / Cmd+→: Jump to previous/next duplicate group.
  • P: Set the current image as the Reference Image (Keep).
  • You can undo the last delete using Cmd+Z at the bottom of the right panel.

9. Understanding Settings and Behavior

9.1 Decoding Mode

  • Speed Priority: Prioritizes fast navigation. Initially displays smaller resized images.
  • Normal: The recommended default. Starts with a resized image and progressively scales up to optimal resolution when zooming.
  • Quality Priority: Prioritizes the highest resolution possible. Best when checking image quality details is critical.

9.1.1 Slow Storage & Large Image Behavior

  • On slow networks or external drives, SnapView invisibly adjusts background workload to prevent buffering and stutter.
  • For deeply broken formats or oversized images that refuse to load, click Open Safely as prompted by the screen to manually verify the image.

9.2 Fast Keyboard Navigation Preview

  • Off: Does not use previews during rapid navigation.
  • Auto: Recommended default. Dynamically uses previews to smooth out the transition when moving quickly between shots.
  • Aggressive: Uses previews more proactively during rapid consecutive navigation.

This mainly affects navigation feel when holding down arrow keys, rather than browsing slowly photo by photo.

9.3 Info Overlay Toggles

  • I: File Info/EXIF overlay
  • H: Toggle Histogram
  • K: Toggle Quick Check set

K acts as an all-in-one toggle to instantly bring up the necessary info panels for inspection.

9.4 Include Subfolder Images

  • Toggling Include Subfolder Images in preferences will scan not just the current folder, but all images in subfolders.
  • Convenient for wider library scopes, but initial scan time and total image count will change on large directory trees.

9.5 Auto Advance After Rating

  • When enabled, giving a rating automatically skips to the next photo.
  • Extremely useful for fast initial culling, but better turned off when doing careful side-by-side comparisons. Toggle instantly with Cmd+A.

9.6 Always On Top

  • Useful when comparing alongside other apps like Finder or Lightroom.
  • Toggle quickly with Cmd+Shift+T.

9.7 Pro JPG / ZIP Resolution

  • In Pro layouts, specific Pro JPG Resolution and Pro ZIP Resolution settings may apply independently of the general decoding mode.

9.8 Scroll Direction and Zoom Preservation

  • In Settings > Navigation, mouse wheel behavior can be set to Previous/Next Image, Scroll, or Zoom.
  • Natural Scrolling follows Apple's meaning: the finger/wheel movement is treated as content movement, reversing previous/next direction.
  • When Custom Scroll Direction is enabled, mouse/trackpad and vertical/horizontal axes can be assigned independently from Natural Scrolling.
  • When Preserve image zoom while navigating is enabled, the current zoom ratio carries to the next image. When off, each image returns to fit view.

9.9 Dark Background and Tooltips

  • In Settings > General, the dark-mode viewer background can be changed to pure black.
  • Hover over top toolbar icons to see tooltips for each button.

10. Notes on ZIP Files

  • You can browse images inside ZIPs just like folders.
  • ZIPs may be slower than folders due to their structure.
  • Some organization features are limited in ZIP environments.
  • Saving Ratings/Picks/Rejects/Tags is not supported inside ZIPs.
  • Items inside a ZIP are not actual files, so they are not eligible for Finder tag synchronization.
  • Copy/Paste/Delete functions are restricted in ZIP files.
  • In the Duplicate tool, ZIP items can be scanned but may be automatically skipped during deletion.

11. Performance Tips

  1. If large files/ZIPs are slow, change Decoding Mode to Speed Priority.
  2. In Grid, reduce thumbnail size to increase density on one screen.
  3. Turn on only necessary overlays ( I, K, H) and close unused panels.
  4. On slow external drives, organize in smaller folders first.

12. Shortcuts Summary

  • View Switch: Q / W / E / R, Compare C, Layout L or Cmd+L, Cycle Tab
  • Duplicate: Cmd+Shift+D (Enter/Rescan), Shift+D (Exit)
  • Compare Mode: C
  • Move: Left/Right, Up/Down = Prev/Next, Cmd+Up/Down = First/Last, Option+Up/Down = Jump to Next Folder
  • Jump: Cmd+Left/Right (10), Cmd+Shift+Left/Right (50)
  • Zoom: = / -, Fit 0, 100% 9
  • Toggle Info: I (Info), K (Quick Check Setup), H (Histogram)
  • Video: Space (Play/Pause/Replay after ending), Option+Left/Right (5-second seek)
  • Screen Options: Enter (Full Screen), Cmd+Shift+T (Always On Top)
  • Cull: 1~5, 0, P, X, U, Cmd+1~6
  • Actions: Cmd+C, Cmd+V, Delete/Backspace/D, Cmd+Delete, Cmd+O
  • Selection: Cmd+A (Main=Auto Advance, Grid/Manage=Select All)

Refer to docs/release/SHORTCUTS.md for the full list.

13. Recommended Workflow

13.1 Quick Organization for Travel/Daily

  1. Scan everything in Grid (Q).
  2. Mark Rejects (X) first to reduce clutter.
  3. Rate good shots 3~5 in Main (W) or Filmstrip (E).
  4. Compare ambiguous shots (C) with only 2~4 items.
  5. Copy/Move final selections to an archival folder.

13.2 RAW+JPG Hybrid Workflow

  1. Open folder for quick browsing.
  2. Use Quick Check (K) to spot technical issues fast.
  3. After Rating/Flagging, check results with filters in Manage (R).

13.3 Lightroom Integration Workflow

  1. Perform initial culling using 1~5, P, X, U directly in SnapView.
  2. These selections are saved dynamically into XMP sidecars and instantly persist into Lightroom.
  3. Leave heavy post-editing workloads to Lightroom while taking advantage of SnapView to blitz through the most time-consuming first-stage selection.

13.4 Finder Tag Based Management

  1. Quickly apply or clear Finder tags directly in SnapView via Cmd+1~6.
  2. Tags display identically across macOS environments, preserving identical folder logic.
  3. Combine local tag management alongside Ratings/Picks inside SnapView, seamlessly transitioning back onto Finder using standard workflows.

13.5 Duplicate Photo Cleanup

  1. Enter Duplicate mode with Cmd+Shift+D.
  2. Select the largest capacity groups first from the left group list.
  3. Set a reference image with P, then cull using the card X or Merge to Current Image.
  4. To organize multiple groups at once, use Batch Clean Duplicates.
  5. If you need to revert a deletion, use Cmd+Z immediately.

14. Troubleshooting (FAQ)

Q1. App opens but no files are visible

  • Check if the format is supported.
  • If it's a file permission issue, re-select the folder to grant permission.

Q2. Keyboard shortcuts aren't working

  • Check if the app window has focus.
  • If a text cursor is locked in a search field, click away to reset focus.
  • In recent updates, pressing Cmd+W prioritizes focusing standard main windows, but if a separate menu has focus, please click the app window first.

Q3. ZIP is slow or shows failure messages

  • Check if the ZIP is corrupted.
  • Re-compress or re-download the file.
  • Try lowering Decoding Mode to Speed Priority.

Q4. The icon or version display looks incorrect

  • macOS may temporarily cache an older icon or version. Quit SnapView completely, then open it again.
  • Make sure there is only one SnapView app in your Applications folder, and that you are not launching an older copy from a DMG or another folder.
  • For the DMG version, use Check for Updates in the app menu or reinstall the latest DMG.
  • For the Mac App Store version, check the Updates page in the App Store.

15. Updates

  • DMG Channel (Fast): Use Check for Updates in the app menu for Sparkle updates, or download the latest SnapView.dmg from GitHub releases.
  • Mac App Store Channel (Stable): Follows the standard Mac App Store update process.
  • The DMG channel updates through the single latest SnapView.dmg; there is no separate Intel-only download.

16. Data & Safety Notes

  • SnapView is designed as a fast viewing and culling tool.
  • Always double-check your selection before performing a Delete or Immediate Delete.
  • We highly recommend keeping original backups before major organizing tasks.