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User Guide

Welcome to the official documentation for Jade GT. Whether you're a professional stock photographer, an archivist, or a hobbyist looking to organize your collection, Jade GT provides the tools you need to manage your photo metadata with speed and precision.

Privacy First Architecture

Your data stays with you. Unlike many online tools, Jade GT processes all your photos locally in your web browser. Your images are never uploaded to a server, ensuring your privacy and security are always protected.

Introduction & Setup

Jade GT is a high-performance photo management tool designed to help you add location data and descriptive information (metadata) to your images. It is built to handle thousands of photos at once while remaining fast and responsive.

System Requirements

To get the best performance and access all professional features, we recommend the following:

  • Browser Selection:
    • Recommended (Full Experience): The latest version of Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Opera. These Chromium-based browsers support the File System Access API, which is required for the Direct Save (Native Workspace) features.
    • Compatibility Mode: Apple Safari and Mozilla Firefox are supported for all editing and geocoding features, but you will be restricted to Export Mode (downloading ZIPs/copies). These browsers do not currently allow Jade GT to save changes directly back to your original files.
  • Hardware Acceleration: Ensure this is enabled in your browser settings to allow the map and gallery to run smoothly.
  • Memory: While Jade GT is optimized for efficiency, having more RAM will allow you to work with larger batches of photos (2,000+) more comfortably.

Supported File Formats

Jade GT is designed to handle a wide range of photographic formats:

  • Fully Supported: JPG, JPEG, HEIC, and PNG. You can view, edit, and save metadata (IPTC/EXIF) directly to these files.
  • Read-Only Metadata: Most professional RAW formats are supported for viewing only (e.g., .CR2, .CR3, .ARW, .NEF, .ORF, .DNG). You can see the camera technical data, but saving changes to these files is not yet supported.

Pro RAW Roadmap

Full professional RAW support—including the automated generation of .xmp sidecar files for metadata portability—is currently in development for the V6.0 update.

Getting Started

Loading Your Photos

Jade GT provides a streamlined, high-performance way to bring your images into the app using the Unified Open system.

  • Unified Open Button: Located in the center of the empty workspace, clicking the "Open Photos" button reveals two options:
    • Select Individual Files: Opens your system file picker to choose specific photos.
    • Select Entire Folder: Connects Jade GT directly to a directory for a professional, high-volume workflow.
  • Drag and Drop: You can simply drag image files or folders from your computer and drop them directly onto the "Open Photos" button or the main workspace.
  • Shift+Click Shortcut: For power users, holding Shift while clicking the "Open Photos" button will instantly trigger the Folder Selection picker.

Exploring the Workspace

Once your photos are loaded, the workspace is organized into a side-by-side layout. The Photo Gallery remains on the left, while the Details Panel on the right handles all modifications through five specialized tabs:

  1. Preview: (Single photo only) Shows a high-resolution preview of your selected image.
  2. Location: Your primary mapping hub. Here you can search for addresses, import GPX tracks, and manage location presets.
  3. Rename: A powerful batch renaming engine that uses smart tokens (like {date} and {index}) to organize your files.
  4. Tags: The metadata engine. Manage IPTC descriptions, keywords, and standardized Subject/Scene Codes. This tab also features the Stock Readiness dashboard.
  5. EXIF Info: Access technical camera data. This tab contains the Shift Time tool for clock corrections, the EXIF Data Viewer, and the Privacy Scrub tool for metadata removal.

Subscriptions & Pro Features

Jade GT offers a "Free Forever" tier for hobbyists and a "Pro" subscription for power users and professionals.

Feature Free Tier Pro Tier
Batch Processing 5 photos per commit Unlimited
Workspace Mode Export only Direct Save (In-place)
Stock Optimizer Single-photo analysis Batch Analysis
Pro Map Studio Basic Mapping GPX Sync & Interpolation
RAW Support Standard formats Proprietary RAW + XMP

Upgrading to Pro

You can upgrade at any time by clicking the Upgrade button in the header. * Secure Payments: All transactions are handled by Stripe. We never see or store your credit card information. * Instant Access: Premium features are unlocked immediately across all your devices once payment is confirmed.

Managing Your Subscription

Pro users can manage their account directly through the secure Stripe Customer Portal. * How to Access: Click on the Pro Badge in the top header. * Features: View your billing history, download invoices, update payment methods, or cancel your subscription with one click.

Restore Purchase (New Device)

Since Jade GT is privacy-focused and does not require a password, we use an email-based "Magic Link" system to restore your Pro status on new computers. 1. Click Upgrade in the header. 2. Click the "Restore Purchase" link at the bottom of the window. 3. Enter the email address you used at checkout. 4. Stripe will email you a secure link. Click it to "wake up" the Pro features on your new device.

Choosing a Saving Strategy

Before you begin editing, decide how you want to save your work. The Saving Strategy toggle is located at the top of the Photos panel.

  • Export Mode: (Default) Indicated by a Gray dot.
    • This creates new copies of your photos with updated metadata.
    • Multiple Photos: Automatically packages all processed photos into a single ZIP archive.
  • Direct Save (Pro): Indicated by a Green dot.
    • This mode updates your original files directly on your disk.

    • Chromium Required

      Direct Save requires Chrome, Edge, or Opera. On Safari or Firefox, this mode will be locked to "Export Only."

Precision Geocoding & Mapping (Location Tab)

The Location tab is your command center for geographic data.

Smart Search & Paste

  • Address Search: Type any address or landmark to fly the map to that location.
  • Smart Paste: Paste GPS coordinates from Google Maps (e.g., 45.52, -122.67) and Jade GT will parse them instantly.

Workflow Power Tools

  • Pin to map: Save a photo's location as a temporary reference pin.
  • Last used: Instantly re-apply the most recently used coordinates.
  • Clear location: Strip all GPS data from the current selection.

GPX Track Sync & Preview

For professional field work, import a .gpx log. * Time Offsets: Use the slider to sync camera clocks with your GPS log. * GPS Match Preview: After clicking Run Match, use the preview window to audit each photo's "Old" vs "New" position before applying changes.

Metadata & Stock Optimization (Tags Tab)

Stock Readiness Dashboard

At the top of the tab is the Readiness Gauge, a real-time "Health Check" for your metadata. * Agency Profiles: Toggle between Adobe Stock, Getty, and Shutterstock to see specific agency rules (e.g., character counts, Conceptual vs. Factual tagging). * Smart Alerts: Receive dynamic warnings for trademark risks or missing technical data.

Agency Classification

  • Subject Codes: Search and apply standardized 8-digit IPTC Subject NewsCodes.
  • Scene Codes: Quick-select codes describing the shot environment (e.g., "Nature Scene").

Advanced Batch Operations (Rename & EXIF Tabs)

Smart Renaming (Rename Tab)

  • Custom Tokens: Build patterns using {index}, {date}, {original}, {city}, and {country}.
  • Live Preview: See exactly how your files will look before you apply the change.
  • Staging: Clicking Stage Names prepares the files for the final commit.

Technical Corrections (EXIF Tab)

  • Time Shifting: Batch-move "Date Taken" while maintaining intervals between shots.
  • EXIF Data Viewer: Inspect camera and lens metadata.
  • JSON Export: Export all metadata into a machine-readable format for developers.
  • Privacy Scrub: The "Nuclear Option" to strip all EXIF, IPTC, and GPS data for a completely private export.

Review & Commit

Before any changes are finalized, Jade GT uses a Staging system.

  1. Staging Indicators: Look for pulsating dots on tabs with pending changes.
  2. The Review Hub: Click the Commit button to see a final summary of every change.
  3. Finalize: Click Commit Changes to save directly to disk or download your ZIP.

Troubleshooting & Tips

Keyboard Shortcuts

Shortcut Action
Ctrl + Z Undo last metadata change
Ctrl + S Open Review Hub
Ctrl + P Focus Location Search
Arrow Keys Navigate gallery
Spacebar Toggle selection

Getting Help

Click the Support ( ? ) icon in the header to access the User Guide, Privacy Policy, or to Contact Support directly for bug reports and billing inquiries.

Thank you for using Jade GT. We hope this guide helps you get the most out of your photo metadata workflow!