Menus, Preferences and Functions

Menus and preferences – PC

Menus

DxO

• Windows commands for manipulating the window (Restore, Minimize, Move, Close, etc.).

File

• New project creates a new DxO PhotoLab project.
• Recent locations: gives you direct access to recently created or opened projects.
• DxO PhotoLab database: lets you save or restore your database.
• Export image for ICC profile: saves images that can be used by professional calibration programs to create ICC profiles (linear RAW or realistic color rendering options are available).
• Metadata: Read from image pulls metadata from the image’s XMP sidecar file (and overwrites the metadata in the database); Write to image pulls the metadata from the database (overwrites metadata in the image’s XMP sidecar file).
• Sidecars: for each image selected, imports or exports a sidecar file containing its settings. These settings files enable the transfer of all image correction settings from one computer to another or the sharing of them with other users.
• Export to disk: lets you export images to a hard drive.
• Export to Nik Collection: lets you send images to a Nik Collection application.
• Export to application: lets you transfer processed or original images to an external application.
• Export to Flickr: lets you transfer images to a Flickr online gallery.
• Export to Lightroom: lets you transfer images into Lightroom.
• Print: lets you launch the print module.
• Exit: lets you quit from DxO PhotoLab.

Edit

• Undo and Redo: Each command affects the last action performed.
• Select all: lets you select all the images displayed in the Image Browser.
• Rename image: lets you rename the selected image file (the change is also saved to your hard drive).
• Preferences: lets you customize the software. See the Preferences section below for more details about specific options.

View

The View menu is different for the PhotoLibrary tab and the Customize tab.

PhotoLibrary tab

• Go to the PhotoLibrary / Customize tab lets you switch from one tab to the other.
• Refresh: updates the Image Browser display of the contents of the selected folder or project.
• Show/Hide both Panels: hides or shows the side panels.
• Show/hide Source Browser (PhotoLibrary tab): reveals or hides the Source Browser panel on the left of the application to show the list of folders or projects.
• Show/Hide palettes (Customize tab): lets you show or hide all the correction palettes at once.
• Show/Hide Image Browser: lets you hide or display the Image Browser — the row of image thumbnails located on the bottom of the application window.
• Maximize interface: lets you hide the title bar and the browser navigation bar.
• Full Screen Viewer: displays the images in full screen mode without any other interface elements.
• Live Review: automatically displays any new image added to the current folder.
• Dock/Undock Image Browser: lets you detach or reattach the image browser to the main program window.

Customize Tab

• Go to the PhotoLibrary / Customize tab lets you switch from one tab to the other.
• Image information overlay displays a floating window containing certain information about the selected image.
• Grid overlay (Customize tab): lets you superimpose a grid over an image (set the size and color in Preferences).
• Refresh: updates the Image Browser display of the contents of the selected folder or project.
• Show/Hide Image Browser: lets you hide or display the Image Browser — the row of image thumbnails located on the bottom of the application window.
• Show/Hide all palettes (Customize tab): lets you show or hide all the correction palettes at once.
• Maximize interface: lets you hide the title bar and the browser navigation bar.
• Full Screen viewer: displays the images in full screen mode without any other interface elements.
• Dock/Undock Image Browser: lets you detach or reattach the image browser to the main program window.

Image

• Apply a preset: Lets you select a preset from the drop-down menu and apply it to the selected image.
• New preset from image settings: lets you create a preset based on the current correction settings for the selected image.
• Copy Correction Settings: Lets you copy the settings of the current image to apply them to another image or batch of images.
• Paste correction settings: Once you have selected a new image, this option lets you paste previously copied settings.
  • Paste all correction settings: allows you to paste all general and/or local settings.
  • Paste selected corrections…: opens a dialog box that allows you to select in detail the corrections to be pasted
  • Paste Local Adjustments: Lets you paste only local settings onto a selection of images.
  • Paste Global Adjustmentsettings: Lets you paste only general settings onto a selection of images.
• Reset Correction Settings: Cancels global and local settings applied to an image or image selection.
• Copy metadata: Copies the entirety of the IPTC metadata of a selected source image.
• Paste metadata: Pastes metadata to one or more selected destination images, according to the following choices in the sub-menu:
  • Paste All Metadata
  • Paste Keywords
  • Paste GPS Coordinates
  • Paste Author & Copyright
  • Paste Selected Metadata: Lets you choose which metadata you want to paste.
• Download DxO Optics Modules…: A dialog box opens that lets you manually download the DxO Optics Module associated with the selected image.
• Edit shot date: Opens a window where you can change the date and time of capture for a selected image or images.
• Orientation: lets you change the orientation and symmetry of the image:
  • Turn left: rotate the image by 90° increments to the left.
  • Turn right: rotate the image by 90° increments to the right.
  • Flip horizontally (if DxO ViewPoint installed): invert the image horizontally.
  • Flip vertically (if DxO ViewPoint installed): reverse the image vertically.
  • Reset: lets you restore the image to its original orientation.
• Show input file in Windows Explorer: Lets you see the location of the selected Source image on your computer.
• Show output file(s) in Windows Explorer: Lets you see the location of the selected output file on your computer.
• Open input image / output images with…: Lets you open a source image or output image in a third-party application. When you first use this option, the Browse option will display a window that lets you choose the application you want to use.
• Create virtual copy: Automatically generates a virtual copy and displays it in the Image Browser, with a sequence number (1, 2, 3, etc.).
• Use Image As Reference: The selected image is set as the reference image for comparison purposes.
• Create project from current selection: lets you create a new project from images you select in the Image Browser.
• Add current selection to project: Allows you to add images that you select in the Image Browser to an existing project.
• Remove…: This option behaves differently depending on the source (folder, project) and whether it is being applied to an original image or to a virtual copy. In a project, the original image will be removed from just the selected project, not moved to trash, and a virtual copy will be removed from just the selected project.
• Set tag: Indicates which images should be picked or rejected (thus processed or not). Depending on your choice, a green, red or grey dot appears on the thumbnail of the selected image (invisible if you have not activated the Selection status option in the View tab of the Preferences).
• Set color label: assign a color to the image with a tile behind the filename.
• Rating: Lets you rank images by quality using a star-rating system. (Visible if the “Ranking stars” option has been activated in Preferences).
• Image properties: Displays a floating window with information about the selected image (e.g., name, pathway, EXIF data, associated DxO Optics Module, etc.).

DxO Optics Modules

This menu handles the DxO Optics Modules required for fully automating your image processing:

• Download additional DxO Optics Modules… Internet connection required): Lets you connect to the DxO Labs server to download any DxO Optics Modules that have not been previously installed on your computer. The Optics Modules will be operational as soon as they are downloaded.
• Installed DxO Optics Modules…: Displays the list of Optics Modules already installed, and lets you uninstall any Optics Module that is not currently in use.
• DxO Optics Module roadmap: Takes you to the DxO Labs website to discover the modules in development.
• Suggest a DxO Optics Module to DxO: Takes you to a form on the DxO Labs website where you can ask DxO Labs to produce an Optics Module.

Palettes (Customize tab)

This menu lets you manage the tool palettes in the Customize tab:

• Hide/show palettes: You can check or uncheck the palettes in the list that you want to hide or show.
• Create user palette: Lets you create a custom palette into which you can add the palettes of your choice. The dialog box will prompt to you enter a name for the new palette.
• Show/Hide all palettes: Lets you hide or display all of the palettes at once.

Workspace (Customize tab)

This menu lets you create and choose a workspace:

• DxO Standard: standard workspace that includes the Basic Tools palette.
• DxO Advanced: Advanced workspace that shows all palettes.
• User workspace: lets you select a previously created custom workspace (see below).
• Save workspace…: Lets you save a custom workspace (a dialogue box will prompt you to enter a name for the workspace and to confirm it).
• Delete workspace…: Lets you delete the selected (active) workspace.

Help

The Help menu contains a number of sections to help you make the best use of DxO PhotoLab. The options are as follows:

• DxO PhotoLab user guide: Launches the online User Guide.
• DxO Hub: opens the welcome window with what’s new, help & support, and DxO web resource tabs.
• Online support and resources (Internet connection required): opens the online help page.
• DxO Learning Hub: opens a page offering videos/webinars.
• Shortcuts: Displays a list of keyboard shortcuts.
• Show feature highlights: shows information on the most noteworthy tools on the interface in a light grey popup. When you hover the mouse over the featured tools, a pop-up informs you about its the functionalities and invites you to click on a link to learn more.
• Check for update… (Internet connection required): If you select this option, the application will contact the DxO Labs server to check if you have the latest version of the program installed on your computer. If this is not the case, a dialog box will give you the option to download and install the latest version.
• Activate DxO PhotoLab…: Displays the window for entering your activation code (only visible if you are in trial mode or if you are using the Essential version).
• DxO FilmPack: lets you select a version of DxO FilmPack and activate it.
• DxO ViewPoint: lets you select a version of DxO ViewPoint and activate it.
• Links to follow DxO on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter social channels (except for the Chinese version, which links to Bilibili, Weibo, and Wechat).
• About DxO PhotoLab: Displays the About DxO PhotoLab window, where you will find information about the version you are using and any add-ons currently installed. This information is especially useful if you need to contact DxO Labs technical support.

Right-click

Right-click in the Image Browser and the Viewer:

• Export to disk: lets you export your images to your hard drive.
• Export to Nik Collection: lets you send images to a Nik Collection application.
• Export to application: lets you export images to an external application.
• Export to Lightroom: lets you transfer images into Lightroom.
• Print: launches the print module.
• Apply a preset: Lets you select a preset from the drop-down menu and apply it to the selected image.
• New preset from image settings: lets you create a preset based on the current correction settings for the selected image.
• Copy Correction Settings: Lets you copy the settings of the current image to apply them to another image or batch of images.
• Paste Correction Settings:
  • Paste All Correction Settings: after selecting one or more images, this command lets you paste the correction settings that you just copied in order to apply them to the selected images.
  • Paste Selected Corrections…: opens a dialog box that allows you to select in detail the corrections to be pasted
  • Paste Local Adjustments: Lets you paste only local settings onto a selection of images.
  • Paste Global Adjustmentsettings: Lets you paste only general settings onto a selection of images.
• Reset Correction Settings: Cancels global and local settings applied to an image or image selection.
• Copy metadata: Copies the entirety of the IPTC metadata of a selected source image.
• Paste metadata: Pastes IPTC metadata to one or more selected destination images, according to the following choices in the sub-menu:
  • Paste All Metadata
  • Paste Keywords
  • Paste GPS Coordinates
  • Paste Author & Copyright
  • Paste Selected Metadata: Lets you choose which metadata you want to paste.
• Rename image: lets you rename the selected image file.
• Remove…: This option behaves differently depending on the source (folder, project) and whether it is being applied to an original image or to a virtual copy. In a project, the original image will be removed from just the selected project, not moved to trash, and a virtual copy will be removed from just the selected project.
• Edit shot date: Opens a window where you can change the date and time of capture for a selected image or images.
• Orientation: lets you change the orientation and symmetry of the image:
  • Turn 90° left: rotate the image by 90° increments to the left.
  • Turn 90° right: rotate the image by 90° increments to the right.
  • Flip horizontally (if DxO ViewPoint installed): invert the image horizontally.
  • Flip vertically (if DxO ViewPoint installed): reverse the image vertically.
  • Reset: lets you restore the image to its original orientation.
• Load original image file folder: In a project, this command lets you access an image file in its original folder.
• Show input file in Windows Explorer: Lets you see the location of the selected Source image on your computer.
• Show output file(s) in Windows Explorer: Lets you see the location of the selected output file on your computer.
• Open output images with…: Lets you open output images in a third-party application. When you first use this option the Browse option displays to let you select the post-processing application shortcut.
• Create virtual copy: Automatically generates a virtual copy and displays it in the Image Browser, with a sequence number (1, 2, 3, etc.).
• Use Image As Reference: The selected image is set as the reference image for comparison purposes.
• Create project from current selection: lets you create a new project from images you select in the Image Browser.
• Add to project: Allows you to add images that you select in the Image Browser to an existing project.
• Set tag: Indicates which images should be picked or rejected (thus processed or not). Depending on your choice, a green, red or grey dot appears on the thumbnail of the selected image (invisible if you have not activated the Selection status option in the View tab of the Preferences).
• Set color label: assign a color to the image with a tile behind the filename.
• Rating: Lets you rank images by quality using a star-rating system. (Visible if the “Ranking stars” option has been activated in Preferences).
• Image properties: Displays a floating window with information about the selected image (e.g., name, pathway, EXIF data, associated DxO Optics Module, etc.).

Preferences

General tab

The General tab is organized in the following manner:

Application preferences

• Application language: choose your language and restart DxO PhotoLab.
• Show Nik Collection access button: requires installation of the Nik Collection and a restart of DxO PhotoLab.

Correction settings

• Save settings in sidecar file (.dop) automatically: the settings (sidecar) files are small text files, with a “.dop” extension, associated with each image. They contain information for correcting images. If you want to transfer images to another computer using DxO PhotoLab, you can also transfer their “sidecars”. That way, when you add these images to your project (after checking that automatic loading is enabled on the other computer; see below), the corrections made on the original computer will show up on the destination computer. Note that you can also upload settings files via the File > Sidecars > Import menu.
• Load settings from the sidecar file (.dop) automatically: lets you load the sidecar file and associate it with the image when it is loaded (when available).
• Default preset for new RAW images: Lets you select a default preset that will be applied to all RAW images when you browse through your folders, and which will be initially applied to them in the Image Browser. The default preset is “DxO Standard”.
• Default preset for new RGB images: Lets you select a default preset which be applied to all RGB (JPEG, TIFF, DNG) images when you browse through your folders, and which will be initially applied to them in the Image Browser. The default preset is “DxO Standard”.
• Automatically use SuperRAW noise reduction for DxO ONE RAW images: selected by default, this option allows DxO PhotoLab to apply the active scene mode in DxO ONE to RAW (.DNG extension) and SuperRAW (.DXO extension) files. If unchecked, only the default preset specific to DxO ONE will be applied.
• Automatically use SuperRAW noise reduction for DxO ONE SuperRAW images: Selected by default, this option uses SuperRaw noise reduction when a DxO ONE SuperRAW (.DXO extension) file is active. When unchecked:
  • For images that have already been processed, SuperRAW remains the default noise reduction mode.
• Automatically use Fuji camera color rendering for Fujifilm images: enables the application of Fujifilm camera color renderings when opening images in DxO PhotoLab.

DxO PhotoLab database

• Location of DxO PhotoLab data: Indicates the pathway for accessing the DxO PhotoLab database. If you click on Browse, a dialog box will show you where this is located in the system.

Display tab

The Display tab is divided into three sections: “Common” for general program options, and two others specific either to the Customize tab or the Image Browser.

General

• Background Color: This slider lets you lighten or darken (from white to black) the Image Viewer background, which is the main image display area. This setting does not affect other panels. To return to the default setting, double-click on the slider.
• Background color for soft proofing: lets you change the background brightness in soft proofing, between white (by default) and black.
• Check or uncheck the option to Display DxO Optics Module download window when images for which no DxO Optics module is loaded are found.

Preview quality

• Always prefer high-quality previews: If you check this option, the image display in the Viewer of the Customize tab will always be of very high quality, which may have an impact on the responsiveness of DxO PhotoLab.

Project groups

• Show images of enclosed projects: enabled by default, this option displays all the images contained in a project group in the Image Browser.

Customize Tab

• Overlay grid size: lets you set the size of the grid that you can superimpose on an image (Display menu > Grid).

Image browser section

Six different icons can be displayed on the thumbnails in the image browser. You can choose to have them systematically displayed, hidden, or shown only on mouseover.

• Processing status: displays the processing status in the bottom-right corner of the thumbnail image.
• Image name: shows if the image is a RAW or RGB-type (JPEG, TIFF) file.
• Tag: red/green/grey dots indicate which images have been picked or rejected for processing.
• Color label: displays the color label behind the file name.
• Rating: lets you grade the quality of your images.
• DxO Optics Module status: shows whether a DxO Optics Module is available.
• Delete: lets you remove an image from the project or hard drive.
• Info panel: floating information window on the image (always off or on mouseover).
• Metadata conflict detected: displays an icon indicating a metadata conflict.

You can select the following display modes for each thumbnail icon:

• Always: the icons are always displayed.
• Never: the icons are never shown.
• Flyover: Displayed only when the mouse hovers over the thumbnail.

Metadata Tab

Synchronization

• Synchronize metadata with XMP sidecars: by checking this box you ensure the synchronization and updating of metadata recorded in the DxO PhotoLab database with the sidecar files (in the case of RAW files) and in the headings of DNG and RGB files (JPEG, TIFF) in XMP format.
• Save the Keyword Hierarchy in the XMP dc :subject tag: lets you save the Keyword Hierarchy so that it is compatible with the Meta Data Dublin Core protocol.

Keywords

• Selected keywords only: if the keyword is part of a hierarchy, just the keyword will be assigned.
• Whole hierarchy of the selected keywords: if the keyword is part of a hierarchy, it will be assigned along with all the other keywords in the hierarchy.

Performance tab

DeepPRIME acceleration

• Auto: Mode is automatically selected if the graphics card is supported.
• Force CPU: Forces DeepPRIME to use the CPU rather than the graphics card, in case of problems with the latter.
• Graphics Card Model: Indicates the graphics card model of the computer.

Cache

The cache is used to store previews and thumbnails. Increasing the cache size, especially if you regularly process a large number of photos, improves the performance of DxO PhotoLab. In this section, in addition to the cache size, you can determine where the cache storage folder should be located by using the Browse button. You can also empty the contents of the cache by using the Clear button.

You can see the current size of the cache by hovering over the cache slider with the mouse pointer.

Display and process

• OpenCL improves not just thumbnail display, but also lets you take advantage of its computing power for image processing. When you first start DxO PhotoLab, a performance test will determine if the graphics card (GPU) is faster than the processor (CPU). If the CPU is faster, OpenCL will be grayed out and inaccessible.
• Maximum number of simultaneously processed images: By default, the number of images that you can process at the same time is 2, but if your computer is sufficiently powerful, you can increase this number.

Menus and preferences – Mac

Menus

DxO PhotoLab (application menu)

• About DxO PhotoLab: Displays a window with information about the version you are using and any add-ons currently installed. This information is especially useful if you need to contact DxO Labs technical support.
• DxO FilmPack: lets you select a version of DxO FilmPack and activate it.
• DxO ViewPoint: lets you select a version of DxO ViewPoint and activate it.
• Check for updates
• Settings: Opens the Preferences window.
• Hide DxO PhotoLab
• Hide Others
• Show All
• Quit DxO PhotoLab.

File

• New project: creates a project in DxO PhotoLab.
• New project group: creates a group of projects.
• Recent Locations: Gives access to recently used folders or projects as well as recent search results (the list can be erased).
• Close Window
• DxO PhotoLab database: lets you to create a backup or restore a backup of your DxO projects.
• Sidecars: for each image selected, imports or exports a sidecar (.dop) file containing its settings. These settings files enable the transfer of all of the correction settings of an image from one computer to another or the sharing of them with other users.
• Metadata: Read from image pulls metadata from the image’s XMP sidecar file (and overwrites the metadata in the database); Write to image pulls the metadata from the database (overwrites metadata in the image’s XMP sidecar file).
• Page setup: Opens a dialog box that lets you select the format, size, and page orientation for printing.
• Print: Opens the print menu.

Edit

• Undo and Redo: Each command affects the last action performed.
• Cut: Lets you cut out selected text or objects from their current location and put them into the system clipboard.
• Copy: Lets you copy selected text or objects and place them into the system clipboard. The original text or objects remain in their current location (metadata for example).
• Paste: Lets you paste the content of the system clipboard to the active cursor position (for example, personal data to be added into the image EXIF field).
• Select All: Lets you select all the images displayed in the Image Browser.

View

The View menu lets you move from one tab to the other and controls the way images are displayed in both. Its contents depends on the tab displayed.

PhotoLibrary tab:

The first section of the menu lets you to switch between one tab and the other (PhotoLibrary and Customize).

• Show/Hide Source Browser/Palettes (PhotoLibrary tab): lets you hide or show the folders and projects panel (on the left) or the keywords and other metadata panel (on the right).
• Reset right dock (Photo library tab): closes the Metadata and Keywords panels.
• Split view / Show corrected image only: Split view allows you to compare your settings and corrections by splitting the image in two (left: no correction, right: preview of corrections) and Show corrected image only lets you see just the image with all its corrections.
• Reference image: lets you designate a reference image according to certain criteria (Original, No output image, No virtual copy).
• Show/hide image information: hides or shows the information embedded by DxO PhotoLab (Preview of corrections, Original, etc.).
• Show Grid superimposes a grid over the image (you can set the size and color in the Preferences).
• Zoom In/Out: lets you zoom in and out of the image.
• Fit to Screen: displays the entire image in the Viewer.
• Actual size (100%): displays the image at 100% of its size.
• Full Screen (Viewer): displays the images in full screen mode without any other interface elements.
• Show burnt areas: Mask indicating the clipped highlights in the image.
• Show blocked areas: Mask indicating the dark values clipped in the image.
• Split view / Show corrected image only activates or deactivates the split view, with the vertical line moving horizontally, displaying the image before correction (left) and after correction (right).
• Reference image: The menu lets you select and compare the output image with another version as a virtual copy.
• Enable / disable image properties display: enables or disables the display of the image properties window when you place the mouse pointer on a thumbnail.
• Show/Hide Image Properties Panel: displays or hides the floating properties panel of the selected image in the Image Browser.
• Undock/Dock Image Browser: lets you choose to dock the image Browser at the bottom of the interface or to open in it in a separate window.

Customize Tab

• The first section of the menu lets you switch between one and the other (PhotoLibrary and Customize).
• Split preview / Show corrected image only: Split view allows you to compare your settings and corrections by splitting the image in two (left: no correction, right: preview of corrections) and Show corrected image only lets you see just the image with all its corrections.
• Set Reference Image:
  • lets you select what image you want to dispaly for comparison purposes (original, master, virtual copy, no corrections with or without geometric corrections).
  • Use current image as reference: the selected image is set as the reference image.
  • Select an External Image: opens a system dialog box and lets you select an external image for comparison purposes.
• Show/hide image Information Overlay: hides or shows the information embedded by DxO PhotoLab (Preview of corrections, Original, etc.).
• Show Grid Overlay superimposes a grid over the image (you can set the size and color in the Preferences).
• Zoom In/Out: lets you zoom in and out of the image.
• Fit to Screen: displays the entire image in the Viewer.
• Full Size (100%): displays the image at 100% of its size.
• Full Screen Viewer: displays the images in full screen mode without any other interface elements.
• Show/hide Highlight Clipping: mask showing highlight clipping in the image.
• Show/hide Shadow Clipping: Mask showing shadow clipping in the image.
• Show/hide Monitor Gamut Warning: blue mask indicating off-gamut colors for the monitor.
• Show/hide Destination Gamut Warning: red mask indicating off-gamut colors for the destination media.
• Palettes: Allows you to show or hide the correction palettes, and to create new palettes.
• Workspaces: Hierarchical menu allows you to choose between the Standard, the Advanced, or your custom workspace, and to save or delete a custom workspace.
• Docks: hides or shows the side panels.
• Enable/disable Image Properties Display: enables or disables the display of the image properties window when you place the mouse pointer on a thumbnail.
• Show/Hide Image Properties Panel: displays or hides the floating properties panel of the selected image in the Image Browser.
• Undock/Dock Image Browser: lets you choose to dock the image Browser at the bottom of the interface or to open in it in a separate window.
• Enter Full Screen: displays PhotoLab in full screen, without the macOS dock and menu bar.

Image and right-click menu

The contents of the Image and right-click context menus are identical:

• Apply Preset: Lets you select a preset from the drop-down menu and apply it to the selected image.
• New Preset from Current Settings: Lets you create a preset based on the current correction settings for the selected image.
• Import Preset: Allows you to import a customized preset.
• Copy Correction Settings: Lets you copy the settings of the current image to apply them to another image or batch of images.
• Paste Correction Settings:
  • Paste All Correction Settings: after selecting one or more images, this command lets you paste the correction settings that you just copied in order to apply them to the selected images.
  • Paste Selected Corrections…: opens a dialog box that allows you to select in detail the corrections to be pasted
  • Paste Local Adjustments: Lets you paste only local settings onto a selection of images.
  • Paste Global Adjustmentsettings: Lets you paste only general settings onto a selection of images.
• Reset Correction Settings: Cancels global and local settings applied to an image or image selection.
• Copy Metadata: Copies the entirety of the IPTC metadata of a selected source image.
• Paste Metadata: Pastes metadata to one or more selected destination images, according to the following choices in the sub-menu:
  • Paste All Metadata
  • Paste Keywords
  • Paste GPS Coordinates
  • Paste Author & Copyright
  • Paste Selected Metadata: Lets you choose which metadata you want to paste.
• Export: Gives you access to the different export modes (to disk, to application, to Lightroom, and to services related to the operating system).
• Orientation: lets you change the orientation and symmetry of the image:
  • Rotate Left: Rotates the image by 90° increments to the left.
  • Rotate Right: Rotates the image by 90° increments to the right.
  • Flip horizontally (if DxO ViewPoint installed): invert the image horizontally.
  • Flip vertically (if DxO ViewPoint installed): reverse the image vertically.
  • Reset: Cancels all rotations and/or flips.
• Set Tag: Assigns the image the status of picked, untagged, or rejected.
• Set Color Label: Assigns a color to the image with a tile behind the filename.
• Rating: Lets you grade the quality of your images out of five stars.
• Edit shot date: Opens a window where you can change the date and time of capture for a selected image or images.
• Remove…: This option behaves differently depending on the source (folder, project) and whether it is being applied to an original image or to a virtual copy. In a project, the original image will be removed from just the selected project, not moved to trash, and a virtual copy will be removed from just the selected project.

• Reveal image in Finder: Shows the location of the original image in the Finder.
• Reveal Corrected Image in Finder: Shows location of the corrected image in the Finder.
• Rename Image / Rename Selected Images: Lets you rename a single image or batch rename several.
• Fix Image Path: Lets you find an image referenced in a project that is not displaying.
• Create virtual copy: Automatically generates a virtual copy and displays it in the Image Browser, with a sequence number (1, 2, 3, etc.).
• Use Image As Reference: The selected image is set as the reference image for comparison purposes.
• Create Project from Current Selection: Lets you create a new project from images you select in the Image Browser.
• Add Current Selection to Project: Allows you to add images that you select in the Image Browser to an existing project.

DxO Optics Modules

This menu handles the DxO Optics Modules required for fully automating your image processing:

• Download missing DxO Optics Modules: Connects you to DxO to download new modules. These modules will be operational as soon as they are downloaded.
• Manage DxO Optics Modules: Displays all available DxO Optics Modules and lets you download new ones or uninstall them (as long as they are not currently in use).
• DxO Optics Module Roadmap: Takes you to the DxO Labs website to discover the modules in development.
• Suggest a DxO Optics Module to DxO: Takes you to a form on the DxO Labs website where you can ask DxO Labs to produce an Optics Module.

Palettes (Customize tab)

This menu lets you manage the tool palettes in the Customize tab:

• Display or hide palettes: lets you check or uncheck the palettes that you want to display or hide.
• New Palette: lets you create an empty palette where you can add the palettes you want. The dialog box will prompt to you enter a name for the new palette.

Workspace (Customize tab)

This menu lets you create and choose a workspace:

• DxO Standard: standard workspace that includes the Basic Tools palette.
• DxO Advanced: Advanced workspace that shows all palettes.
• User workspace: lets you select a previously created custom workspace (see below).
• Save workspace: lets you save a customized workspace (a dialog box will prompt you to enter a name for the workspace and then to save it).
• Delete workspace: lets you delete the workspace currently being used.

Window

The Window menu controls the program window display.

• Minimize: Places the window in the OS dock.
• Zoom: Enlarges or reduces the size of the display window in the foreground.
• Bring all to front: Places the program window in the foreground.
• DxO PhotoLab indication followed by the selected source (name of folder or project) and the name of the currently open file.

Help

The Help menu contains a number of sections to help you make the best use of DxO PhotoLab. The options are as follows:

• DxO PhotoLab user guide: Launches the online help guide in your default browser.
• DxO Hub: Opens a window presenting the new features of the latest version of DxO PhotoLab, as well as links to help, online support, and the DxO Store.
• Keyboard shortcuts: opens a floating window showing a list of keyboard shortcuts, sorted by theme.
• Show feature highlights: shows information on the most noteworthy tools on the interface in a light grey popup. When you hover the mouse over the featured tools, a pop-up informs you about its the functionalities and invites you to click on a link to learn more.
• Customer support and resources: Opens the DxO support homepage in your default web browser.
• DxO Learning Hub (videos, webinars…): Brings you to the Learning and Support page of the DxO website.
• Links for following DxO on the web, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter (except for the Chinese version, which links to Bilibili, Weibo, and Wechat).

Preferences

You can access the Preferences via the DxO PhotoLab menu. The Preferences window is divided into three tabs:

General tab

• Updates: DxO PhotoLab automatically checks for updates upon launch.
• Dialogs: automatically shows or hides the DxO Optics Module download window when an image is discovered that requires an available Module that has not yet been installed on your computer.
• Default presets:
  • Default preset for new RAW images: Lets you select a default preset that will be applied to all RAW images when you browse through your folders, and which will be initially applied to them in the Image Browser. The application default preset is DxO Standard.
• Default preset for new RGB images: Lets you select a default preset which be applied to all RGB (JPEG, TIFF, DNG) images when you browse through your folders, and which will be initially applied to them in the Image Browser. The default preset is DxO Standard.
  • Automatically use SuperRAW noise reduction for DxO ONE SuperRAW images: Selected by default, this option uses SuperRaw noise reduction when a DxO ONE SuperRAW (.DXO extension) file is active. When unchecked:
    • For images that have already been processed, SuperRAW remains the default noise reduction mode.
• Automatically use SuperRAW noise reduction for DxO ONE RAW images: selected by default, this option allows DxO PhotoLab to apply the active scene mode in DxO ONE to RAW (.DNG extension) and SuperRAW (.DXO extension) files. If unchecked, only the default preset specific to DxO ONE will be applied.
• Automatically use camera rendering if supported: enables the application of Fujifilm and Nikon (as per 2023, September) camera color renderings when opening images in DxO PhotoLab.
• Compare: the split view lets you display the uncorrected image on the left, with or without geometric corrections.
• Nik Collection: The Display Nik Collection option requires you to install the Nik Collection and restart DxO PhotoLab.

Display tab

• Background color: this option lets you change the tone of the background where your images are displayed.
• Background color for soft proofing: lets you change the background brightness in soft proofing, between white (by default) and black.
• Grid color: Lets you pick the color of the Grid overlay tool and (if box is checked) display it in inverse video.
• Grid size: Sets the size of the grid cells.
• Preview quality: By selecting the option Always prefer high-quality previews, the image display in the Viewer of the Customize tab will always be of very high quality, which may have an impact on the responsiveness of DxO PhotoLab.

Thumbnails tab

Thumbnail display options:

• Set tag: displays red or green dots to indicate which images have been picked or rejected.
• Rating: shows star rating of the image.
• DxO Optics Module status: displays the status of a DxO Optics Module (installed, available to dowload, ambiguity, etc.)
• Processing status: Icon indicating the status of image processing (Awaiting or Processed).
• Metadata conflict detected: displays an icon indicating a metadata conflict.

You can select the following display modes for each thumbnail icon:

• Always OFF: Never displayed.
  • Always ON: Always displayed with the thumbnail.
• On mouseover: Displayed only when the mouse hovers over the thumbnail.

Process tab

• Processed images extensions: lets you modify the extensions of the three principal types of files, JPEG, TIFF, and DNG, which means that you can transfer files to systems or software which require extensions that are only three letters long (.JPG instead of .JPEG, for example).

Metadata Tab

Metadata synchronization

• Synchronize metadata with XMP sidecars: by checking this box you ensure the synchronization and updating of metadata recorded in the DxO PhotoLab database with the sidecar files (in the case of RAW files) and in the headings of DNG and RGB files (JPEG, TIFF) in XMP format.
• Save the Keyword Hierarchy in the XMP dc :subject tag: lets you save the Keyword Hierarchy so that it is compatible with the Meta Data Dublin Core protocol.

Keywords

• Selected keywords only: if the keyword is part of a hierarchy, just the keyword will be assigned.
• Whole hierarchy of the selected keywords: if the keyword is part of a hierarchy, it will be assigned along with all the other keywords in the hierarchy.

Advanced tab

Performance

• Maximum number of simultaneously processed images: You can use the slider to set the amount of processing power you want your computer to use to process your images. Pushing the slider to the left allows other applications to work simultaneously with DxO PhotoLab processing, but makes the processing slower. Pushing it to the right accelerates the processing but to the detriment of other programs.

Sidecars

• Save settings in sidecar file (.dop) automatically: the settings (sidecar) files are small text files, with a “.dop” extension, associated with each image. They contain image correction information. If you want to transfer images to another computer using DxO PhotoLab, you can also transfer their sidecar settings. That way, provided automatic loading is enabled on the destination computer (see below), when you add these images to your project the corrections made on the original computer will be replicated by the destination computer. Note that you can also upload settings files via the File > Sidecars > Import menu.
• Automatically import sidecars: automatically associates existing sidecar information with downloaded image files.

Cache

• Maximum cache size: Lets you set the size of the cache in order to improve overall performance. If you are processing lots of images, increase the size of the cache.
• Clear button: Purges the contents of the cache (which can affect performance with images being processed).
• Current cache size: Indicates the amount of space occupied by the cache.

History states

• 10, 100 (default), 250, 500, Unlimited: lets you set the maximum number of image correction steps in the DxO Advanced History palette.

DeepPRIME acceleration

• Auto: Mode is automatically selected if the graphics card is supported.
• Force CPU: Forces DeepPRIME to use the CPU rather than the graphics card, in case of problems with the latter.
• Graphics Card Model: Indicates the graphics card model of the computer.

Source browser

• Show package content: Lets you display hidden content in some folders.
• Project Groups: the show images of enclosed projects option, enabled by default, displays all of the images within the project group in the Image Explorer.

Keyboard shortcuts

The keyboard shortcut tables can be accessed them directly from the program interface:

• Help > Shortcuts displays a window containing all of the shortcuts, grouped by tool and function.
• Some tools (local adjustments, ReTouch) display their own palette of shortcuts, either by clicking on “? ” or by pressing the “?” key.

Useful information about how DxO PhotoLab works

The database, sidecar files, virtual copies, and component locations.

DxO PhotoLab uses a database and sidecars to automatically store large amounts of image information in real time, such as metadata and corrections.

The database, also called the PhotoLibrary, centralizes all this data, while sidecars accompany the images either in the form of separate files (in the case of RAW files), or as headers integrated into the images themselves (in the case of JPEG, TIFF, and also DNG files).

You can find useful information about the database and sidecars in the FAQs below.

The PhotoLab database

Where is the PhotoLab database located?

The database is on the main hard disk of your computer, in the following location:

• PC (Windows): Disk C:\Users[USER NAME]\AppDataRoamingDxO PhotoLab [VERSION]\DatabasePhotoLab.db
• Mac (macOS)*: Macintosh HD > Users > [USER NAME] > Library > DxO PhotoLab

What does the database contain?

The database centralizes information related to the images and the program itself.

Information related to the images:

• Metadata (capture date, shooting equipment, orientation, star rating, keywords, IPTC fields, GPS coordinates).
• The export status
• Corrections made in DxO PhotoLab and associated settings.

Information related to the program:

• Projects (virtual folders created in DxO PhotoLab)
• Folder indexing for the program search engine
• DxO Optics Module ambiguity resolution information (when DxO PhotoLab offers you more than one possible DxO Optics Module for an image, due to a metadata or hardware identification problem).
• Image modification history (Mac version only)

Can the location of the database be changed?

Yes, but only on the PC version. To do this, go to Preferences > DxO PhotoLab Database. Click on Browse, and in the dialog box that appears, select the new location. It will take effect after restarting the program.

Can I transfer the database to another computer?

No, because it contains not only the location information of the images, but also information about the computer’s hard disks, such as their serial numbers.

Is the database cross-compatible between PC and Mac?

No, you cannot use a database from the PC version on a Mac, or vice versa.

Can I update the database?

The database is updated automatically. For example, when you install a new version of DxO PhotoLab. In which case the old database is backed-up.

What should I do if I have problems updating the database? Is it possible to roll back to the previous version?

You can uninstall the new version of DxO PhotoLab and reinstall the previous version. This way you will be able to recover your work with the old database that was automatically saved during the update.

Is the database backwards compatible?

No, a database saved during the installation of a new version of DxO PhotoLab will be incompatible.

So, it cannot be used with an earlier version of DxO PhotoLab. In this case, you will have to use the backed up database.

What happens if the database gets corrupted?

DxO PhotoLab displays a message that the database is corrupted and that you should restart with a clean database. The old database is backed up.

On a PC, DxO PhotoLab is able to start if the corruption is limited. For example, if the corruption is in a particular folder, a red cross will be displayed in the Image Browser if you have selected the folder to view its contents.

Can the database be backed up?

Yes, backup is possible at any time.

PC:

• Go to File > DxO PhotoLab Database > Create a Backup.
• A system window offers you the default location, which is the same as the database. You can change the location for more security, such as backing up to an external hard drive.
• The default name of the backup is DxO Backup DD Month YYYY, and you can change it to anything you like.
• Click Save.
• A dialog box confirms the backup. Click OK to return to DxO PhotoLab.

Mac

• Go to File > DxO PhotoLab Database > Create a Backup.
• A system window tells you that DxO PhotoLab will be restarted to backup the database.
• Click Backup.
• A system window offers you the default location, which is the [User Name] folder on your computer. You can change the location for more security, such as backing up to an external hard drive.
• The default name of the backup is DxO Backup DD Month YYYY, and you can change it to anything you like.
• Click Save.
• DxO PhotoLab performs the backup, indicated by a dialog box, and then restarts automatically.

How do I restart using a backup database?

PC:

• · Go to File > DxO PhotoLab Database > Restore a DxO Optocs Pro/Photolab backup…
• A system window displays the default location of the backup, which is the same as the database. Otherwise, go to the custom location of the backup.
• Select the backup to restore and then click Open.
• A dialog box confirms the restore which requires a restart of DxO PhotoLab. Click Restart Now (or cancel by clicking Later).
• DxO PhotoLab restarts.

Mac

• · Go to File > DxO PhotoLab Database > Restore a DxO Optocs Pro/Photolab backup…
• A dialog box informs you that all projects created since the last backup will be overwritten when restoring.
• Click on Restore.
• A system window displays the default location of the backup, which is the same as the database. Otherwise, go to the custom location of the backup.
• Select the backup to restore and then click Open.
• DxO PhotoLab proceeds with the restore.
• A dialog box informs you that recovery is complete and that DxO PhotoLab requires a restart.
• Click OK.
• DxO PhotoLab restarts.

If the database was backed up to a location other than the default location, you can copy it to the location indicated in the first question.

Sidecar files (.dop and .xmp)

Sidecar files? What are they?

Settings files, also called sidecars, are created by the software to save image processing information and metadata. These files accompany the Raw files and bear the same name, followed by a specific extension like .dop or .xmp (for example: IMG_12345.CR2 + IMG_12345.xmp = Raw file + settings file).

The reason for sidecars is that the photo industry, and especially third-party software companies, assume that an original file should never be modified, hence the use of sidecars. For all other formats (JPEG, TIFF, etc.), the processing information and metadata are stored in the files themselves, in so-called headers — i.e., in places provided for this purpose. DNG is a special case: it is a container that is considered a free and open RAW format, and it encapsulates both the image and the processing information and metadata, so it does not need any additional files.

DxO PhotoLab uses 2 sidecar file types: .dop is proprietary and specific to DxO, also called a settings files, and .xmp is to enable interoperability with Adobe software (Lightroom, Photoshop) and any compatible third party software programs.

All the information stored in these files is also stored in the DxO PhotoLab database. This redundancy of information also ensures its durability and backup.

dop sidecar files

What is the role of .dop sidecars?

Specific to DxO PhotoLab, .dop sidecars:

• Save the correction and metadata information of the image.
• Access and use this information when opening the image in another instance of DxO PhotoLab.
• Save image correction information and metadata to the DxO PhotoLab database.

When is a .dop sidecar file created?

It is created automatically as soon as DxO PhotoLab corrections are applied (provided that automatic saving is enabled in the Preferences — see below).

Which files have .dop sidecars?

• RAW and DNG files
• RGB files (JPEG, TIFF)

What do .dop sidecar files contain?

The .dop files contain the following information:

• All corrections and associated settings made in DxO PhotoLab.
• Pick and Reject tags.
• Information about the horizontal or vertical orientation of the image.
• The metadata (EXIF, GPS coordinates, keywords, metadata).

So .xmp and .dop files contain redundant information, but DxO PhotoLab will read metadata from the .xmp sidcar file.

How does the writing and reading of .dop sidecar files occur?

There are two modes of reading/writing .dop sidecar files:

• · By default, in automatic mode, when you make changes to an image, they are saved to the sidecar file (as well as the database). If you open an image which has a .dop sidecar file from another installation of DxO PhotoLab, your install will read the information and apply the corrections.
• Manual mode lets you update the information and metadata, for example, via File > Sidecars > Import or Export. Very often you will need to modify the corrections in your instance of DxO PhotoLab, or to take into account changes made in another instance of DxO PhotoLab.

Is the use of .dop sidecar files mandatory?

Automatic saving/loading of .dop sidecars is enabled by default. If you do not wish to use them, you can disable this option in the DxO PhotoLab Preferences. However, we advise you to leave it enabled, as the .dop file is a 2^nd level of backup for your correction and metadata information, in addition to the database of the program. So, if an incident occurs (basic data corruption or worse, a loss of hard drive content), opening your images and their associated .dop files in another inctall of DxO PhotoLab will let you recover your work.

PC:

• Go to Edit > Preferences > General > Correction settings.
• · To disable automatic saving and loading, uncheck Save settings in sidecar file (.dop) automatically as well as Load settings from sidecar file (.dop) automatically.
• You can also disable either option instead of both.
• Click OK to confirm (no restart required).

Mac

• Go to the DxO PhotoLab > Preferences > Advanced > Sidecars.
• To disable automatic saving and reading, uncheck Automatically export image settings to a settings file as well as Automatically import settings from an image’s settings file if it exists.
• You can also disable either option instead of both.
• Close the Preferences to confirm (no restart required).

If you disable loading/saving of .dop files, can you do it manually?

If you occasionally need a .dop sidecar file, to create one or to load one created in another DxO PhotoLab install, there are manual options.

PC and Mac (File > Sidecars):

• · Import: loads the .dop files of the selected images (the database is also updated).
• Export: creates a .dop file and saves the correction information and metadata for each of the selected images.

.xmp sidecar files

What is the role of .xmp sidecars?

The .xmp sidecars, specific to DxO PhotoLab, allow interoperability between DxO PhotoLab and compatible software, especially for the exchange of information and metadata, such as the star rating, keywords, and IPTC fields.

When is the .xmp sidecar file created?

The .xmp sidecar is created automatically as soon as you enter keywords or information in the IPTC fields, and/or as soon as you assign a star rating.

Which files have xmp sidecars?

· RAW files (except for native DNGs).

Which files do not have .xmp sidecars?

• JPEG, TIFF and DNG files that carry XMP information.
• Virtual copies (the information is stored in the database)

What do .xmp sidecar files contain?

.xmp sidecar files contain the following information and data:

• EXIF metadata
• GPS coordinates
• Star rating
• Image rotation information (horizontal, vertical)
• Keywords
• IPTC field contents
• Corrections if your image comes from Lightroom

How are .xmp sidecar files read and written?

There are two modes for loading and saving .xmp sidcar files:

• Automatic mode: DxO PhotoLab loads the contents of the .xmp sidecar files and makes a copy in the database (metadata synchronization must be enabled). If a content change is made in a third-party application, it is automatically detected and the metadata is updated in DxO PhotoLab. Saving is done automatically when a change is made in DxO PhotoLab (in real time on PC, when changing the image or backgrounding the program on a Mac). Again, synchronization must be activated in Preferences.
• Manual mode: if metadata synchronization is disabled, you can load the content or save to the .xmp sidecar of a selection of images using File > Metadata > Read from Image (PC) or Read (Mac) or Write to Image. For example, if you edit the metadata in a third party application, you’ll see the changes with the read command.

How can I enable automatic loading and saving of .xmp sidecars, and automatically synchronize the DxO PhotoLab database?

PC:

• Go to Edit > Preferences > General.
• In the Data Synchronization section, check Always synchronize (no restart required).

Mac

• Go to DxO PhotoLab > Preferences > Advanced.
• In the Data Synchronization section, check Always synchronize (no restart required).

What happens if I have a metadata conflict and how do I resolve it?

If you change the metadata in an application other than DxO PhotoLab, or delete the .xmp file, this will lead to a metadata conflict indicated by the “S” icon in the top right corner of the thumbnail. If you click on this icon, a dialog box informs you about the conflict and how to resolve it:

• Write to image: clicking on this option will write the metadata from the information stored in the DxO PhotoLab database. Note that this may cause a conflict in the third-party application, so make sure that the metadata, keywords, and IPTC fields are identical in both programs.
• · Read from image: In this case, priority will be given to metadata modified by the third-party application and present in the .xmp sidecar file. This information will be saved into the DxO PhotoLab database.
• Apply to all images (PC) or Apply to all images in this folder (Mac): this option lets you apply one of the two previous choices to all the images in the selected source folder and displayed in the Image Browser.

Virtual copies

DxO PhotoLab lets you create versions of an image without actual duplication, and allows you to apply different corrections, settings and metadata to them.

What is the virtual copy based on?

A virtual copy is based on the source image, called the Master image, to which different corrections, settings, and metadata are applied as needed.

Where is the information related to the virtual copies?

They can be found in the DxO PhotoLab database, as well as in the .dop file of the source image (Master).

Does DxO PhotoLab create virtual copies automatically?

Yes, in the following cases:

• When PhotoLab detects a difference between the information in the database and the information in the sidecar file of the master image. This prevents any loss of work and lets the user choose from among the various versions of the image.
• When restoring from a backup and an adjustment file is copied to a folder containing images already known to PhotoLab.
• When an image is edited and opened in different versions of PhotoLab (e.g., editing an image in version 5, then in version 4 or earlier, and then back to version 5 for further editing).
• When the loading of settings data is disabled in the Preferences and the user imports this data manually.

Location of various components

DxO PhotoLab relies on a number of components that are present and sometimes buried in your system drive. Here’s where to find them.

PC:

To find the following folders, use the search field in the Windows taskbar and type in the folder names bookended by % (e.g. = %LocalAppData%). Some folders with the name DxO PhotoLab sometimes have the version number (e.g., DxO PhotoLab 6), not shown here.

Crash reports:
%UserProfile%\Documents\DxO PhotoLab crashes

Reports:
%UserProfile%\Documents\DxO PhotoLab logs

Configuration file:

%LocalAppData%\DxO\DxO.PhotoLab.exe_StrongName_addo3jomrfkt2faiwwfxxb444r1xfvlh

Workspaces:
%LocalAppData%\DxO\DxO PhotoLab\Workspaces

Presets:
%LocalAppData%\DxO\DxO PhotoLab\Presets

Watermarks:
%LocalAppData%\DxO\DxO PhotoLab\Watermarks

DxO Optics Modules:
%LocalAppData%\DxO\DxO PhotoLab\Modules

Cache:
%LocalAppData%\DxO\DxO PhotoLab\Cache

Database:
%appdata%\DxO\DxO PhotoLab\Database

Licenses:
%ProgramData%\DxO Labs\Licenses

Mac

To access the individual folders below, press the Option key to reveal the Library in the Finder Go menu. Some files with the name DxO PhotoLab sometimes have the version number (e.g., DxO PhotoLab 6), not shown here.

Crash reports:
~/Library/Application Support/CrashReporter/DXOPhotoLab_XXXX.plist

Configuration file:
~/Library/Preferences/com. dxo.photolab.plist

Workspaces:
~/Library/Application Support/DxO PhotoLab/Workspaces/

Current workspace:

~/Library/Preferences/com.dxo.photolab.workspace.plist

Presets:
~/Library/DxO PhotoLab/Presets/

DxO Optics Modules:
~/Library/DxO PhotoLab/Modules/

Cache:
~/Library/Caches/com.dxo.PhotoLab

Database:
~/Library/DxO PhotoLab/DOPDatabase. opdata

Licenses:
~/Library/Application\ Support/DxO\ Labs/Licenses/

LaunchAgents:
~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.dxo.PhotoLabLaunchAgent.plist