Documentation and FAQ
Guidelines on how to use ShooterSync, supported files, EXIF requirements, and frequently asked questions.
ShooterSync is a macOS utility that merges photo files from multiple cameras into a single chronological timeline, allowing you to review the entire event at once before copying and renaming files.
ShooterSync is a macOS utility that merges JPEG/HEIC images from multiple cameras into one chronological timeline using EXIF capture times, allowing you to inspect them and run a copy-and-rename operation.
It is not designed for RAW processing, culling, rating, or digital asset management.
No. ShooterSync does not move, overwrite, or recompress your images, nor does it alter EXIF data.
When performing a copy-and-rename operation, new copies are created in a destination folder.
DateTimeOriginal is an EXIF metadata tag indicating when a photo was taken.
ShooterSync uses this timestamp to arrange images from multiple cameras chronologically. Images without a valid DateTimeOriginal tag cannot be integrated into a reliable timeline.
Yes, as long as the EXIF DateTimeOriginal tag is preserved.
However, images sent through messaging apps or social media often have their EXIF metadata removed depending on the service and upload settings. In such cases, ShooterSync cannot retrieve the capture time, and the images will be excluded from timeline integration and copying.
We recommend using original images directly from camera bodies, iPhone storage, AirDrop, iCloud Drive, Google Drive, or Dropbox, where EXIF data is preserved.
Yes, as long as the EXIF DateTimeOriginal tag is preserved.
Original photos transferred from an iPhone via AirDrop or iCloud usually retain their capture timestamps. However, images compressed or re-sent through messaging apps may have their EXIF data removed.
Yes, as long as the HEIC files can be read by macOS and retain their capture timestamps.
However, the core workflow of ShooterSync assumes JPEG deliveries. Support depends on the macOS image decoder and the presence of EXIF metadata.
ShooterSync is not a RAW processing app.
The standard workflow is to import JPEGs exported after RAW processing to integrate, verify, and copy-rename them in chronological order.
Images missing a DateTimeOriginal tag are isolated and displayed under Unsupported Images.
To maintain the reliability of the timeline, images without a verifiable capture time are excluded from the integrated timeline and copy operations.
No.
ShooterSync's clock offset correction is an in-app adjustment value used to sequence the timeline. The original EXIF DateTimeOriginal tag inside the input file is not modified.
Gap Detection automatically identifies intervals exceeding a set duration based on the time difference between adjacent photos.
This helps you identify low-activity windows or potential coverage gaps where cameras may have stopped shooting during the event.
Camera Statistics is a feature that displays details like image count, first and last capture times, total duration, average shooting interval, and longest gap for each camera.
Use it to understand shooting volume and imbalances across cameras.
A feature that copies your files to a new destination, renaming them in chronological order based on corrected capture times.
Original files remain untouched. ShooterSync is designed to create a copy of the renamed files in a new destination folder.
A Contact Sheet is a PDF document that allows you to review output files with matching index numbers.
The printed index numbers correspond exactly to the renamed file names, which is useful for delivery inspection and internal review.
The QA Report contains the image count, camera count, first and last capture times, Gap Detection findings, Camera Statistics, Unsupported Images list, and copy results.
It serves as a permanent record to verify and share inspection results.
ShooterSync is free to download.
Free features include folder loading, chronological timeline view, clock offset correction, Gap Detection, Camera Statistics, and Unsupported Images review.
Copying-and-renaming files, exporting QA Reports, and generating Contact Sheets require unlocking the Pro version.
No. ShooterSync is not intended to replace Lightroom or Photo Mechanic.
Rather than focusing on RAW development, selection, rating, or library cataloging, it is specifically designed for merging multi-camera deliveries chronologically, inspecting them, and running copy-and-rename operations.
ShooterSync primarily handles JPEG and HEIC files containing EXIF DateTimeOriginal metadata.
The DateTimeOriginal metadata might be missing. Images sent through messaging apps or social media often lose their EXIF tags. Please use original files.
Camera clocks may have been offset. Use the Time Sync feature to specify two images captured at the same moment to correct the offset.
Check folder permissions, available disk space, and whether files with duplicate names already exist in the destination.
The EXIF metadata might have been removed during transfer. Use original files transferred via AirDrop or iCloud.
If you have questions that are not answered here, please email us.