Batch Processing Tab

Batch processing is the capability of editing several images at the same time in the File Browser tab. That's why there's a tool panel in the "File Browser".

This is done by selecting more than one file by using the Shift or Control key in the "File Browser", then you can edit those images with the tools on the right. The way the sliders' values are used to modify the image depends on the options set in this "Batch Processing" tab.

When you select a single image, the sliders get the values of the processing parameters of that specific image. These can be the values of the default profile or the values from your last edit session of this photo. If your image is currently being edited in an Editor tab, the editors' values will be reflected in real time in the Batch tool panel editor, and vice versa, so take care of what you're doing.

When selecting more than one image in the "File Browser", the action of the tool sliders depends on that tool's batch processing mode. Tools which are not listed function as if they were in the "Set" mode.

The "Add" Mode
This mode may also be understood as "relative". Modifying sliders which are set to the "Add" mode will result in the value of the modification being added to the existing value. For example, if you select two images by holding the Ctrl modifier key, one image which has an Exposure of -0.5 EV and the other which has +1.0 EV, moving the "Exposure Compensation" slider up to +0.3 will result in setting a value of -0.2 EV for the first image and +1.3 EV for the second one.

Using the "Reset" button will move the slider to its default (zero) position and will then bring back the initial value of that slider for each selected image.

The "Set" Mode
This mode may also be understood as "absolute". Modifying sliders which are set to the "Set" mode will result in the value of the modification being set, irrelevant of what the existing value was. If we use the same example as before, moving the slider up to +0.3 EV will result in setting a value of +0.3 EV for both images (one value for all images).

Using the 'Reset' button will move the slider to its default position (different for each slider), and will then reset this parameter for each image.

Overwrite Existing Output Files
The option "Overwrite existing output files" sets RawTherapee to overwrite existing images. When disabled, existing images will not be overwritten; instead, an index number is appended to the image being saved. e.g. If "output.jpg" exists and the option is not checked, the new image will be saved as "output-1.jpg".