RapidRAW Logo RapidRAW
Verified in v1.6.2
Documentation Menu

Tools & Batch Processing

Beyond single-photo edits and batch export, RapidRAW has several specialized multi-photo operations. They're accessed by right-clicking a photo (or a multi-selection) in the library, using either the Productivity or Merge submenu depending on the operation.

All AI-powered productivity operations (denoise especially) run on the CPU. This is a constraint of the ONNX Runtime build that ships with RapidRAW. Speed scales with CPU performance, not GPU.

Batch denoise

Apply AI denoise to one or multiple photos at once. Useful for:

  • A whole shoot taken at high ISO.
  • Cleaning up an archive folder.

How to use:

  1. Select one or more photos in the library.
  2. Right-click → Productivity → Denoise Image.
  3. Pick the model (BM3D or NIND).
  4. Choose an output folder.
  5. Hit Start.

RapidRAW writes a new file per photo, plus a .rrexif companion to preserve EXIF.

Expect a few seconds to a minute per RAW depending on resolution and the model chosen. NIND is slower but generally cleaner on real-world noise; BM3D is faster and works well on conventional sensor grain.

Panorama stitcher

Combines multiple overlapping shots into a single panorama. Implemented entirely in Rust; no OpenCV dependency.

How to use:

  1. Multi-select the source frames (typically 3 to 10 horizontally-overlapping shots).
  2. Right-click → Merge → Stitch panorama.
  3. RapidRAW detects overlap, aligns, blends, and produces a single output.

Best results:

  • Overlap each frame by 25 to 40% with its neighbors.
  • Lock exposure on the camera before shooting (so the seams blend cleanly).
  • Use a normal or wide lens; extreme telephoto can introduce parallax.

The output is a single image; metadata is preserved via .rrexif.

HDR merge

Combines bracketed exposures into a single image using exposure blending. Each exposure contributes its best-exposed areas, merged into a result ready for normal editing.

How to use:

  1. Multi-select 3 or more bracketed shots (typically −2, 0, +2 EV).
  2. Right-click → Merge → Merge HDR.
  3. RapidRAW aligns frames and combines them.

Best results:

  • Use a tripod or a fast continuous burst.
  • Cover at least 4 stops total range (e.g. −2, 0, +2).
  • Avoid moving subjects; HDR works best on landscapes and architecture.

The result is a single high-bit-depth image you can edit normally; pull highlights down, lift shadows up, with much more headroom than a single exposure.

Focus stacking

Combines multiple frames shot at different focus distances into a single image with front-to-back sharpness. Essential for macro, product, and landscape photography where physical optics prevent keeping the entire scene in focus in a single shot.

How to use:

  1. Multi-select the source frames in the library (all frames must have identical dimensions and orientation).
  2. Right-click → Merge → Focus Stacking.
  3. RapidRAW analyses each frame for sharpness across the image, selects the sharpest pixels at each position, and blends them into a single output.

Best results:

  • Shoot on a tripod — even small camera movement between frames will misalign the stack.
  • Use consistent exposure, aperture, and white balance across all frames. Changing aperture between frames shifts the depth-of-field plane but also changes diffraction, which can degrade the result.
  • Step focus in small increments so each frame overlaps in sharpness with the next; large gaps leave zones that no frame covers sharply.
  • Aim for 3 to 15 frames for most subjects. Very deep stacks (20+) are supported but take proportionally longer.

The output is a single image saved to the same folder as the source frames.

Negative converter

Inverts any image to produce a positive from a negative. Works on scanned film negatives or any other image you want to invert.

How to use:

  1. Select one or more images in the library.
  2. Right-click → Productivity → Convert Negative.
  3. The Negative Conversion dialog opens.
  4. Adjust the controls (see below), then click Convert & Save All.

The output is saved as a new file. The original is not modified.

Negative Conversion controls

Color Timing

Control Default What it does
Red (Cyan) 1.00 Adjusts the red/cyan balance of the inversion
Green (Magenta) 1.00 Adjusts the green/magenta balance of the inversion
Blue (Yellow) 1.00 Adjusts the blue/yellow balance of the inversion

Print Grade

Control Default What it does
Exposure 0 Overall brightness of the converted positive
Contrast (Grade) 1.00 Contrast of the converted positive

Collage maker

Lay out multiple images on a single canvas. Useful for client deliveries that combine multiple shots into one composite.

Features:

  • Drag and drop images onto the canvas.
  • Zoom and reposition each image inside its frame.
  • Choose from common collage layouts (grid, magazine, polaroid).
  • Export the collage as any standard format.

Apply preset to many photos

Not strictly a "batch processing" feature; it's a side effect of multi-select.

  1. Select multiple photos.
  2. Open Presets (P).
  3. Click a preset.

The preset applies to every selected photo. Combine with Batch Export for a full "apply look + export" pipeline.

Apply auto-adjust to many photos

Multi-select, then click Auto in the Adjustments panel header. RapidRAW analyzes each photo individually (using cached thumbnail statistics for speed) and dials suggested values per photo.

This is great for "give every photo a sensible starting point", then you cherry-pick the ones that need manual attention.

See also