AI Photo Trainer PhotoRater

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about the AI Photo Trainer platform including installation, data privacy, technical specifications, and licensing.

Can't find your answer? Check the Common Issues guide for troubleshooting steps, or contact support at support@aiphototraining.com.

General Questions

Do I need Python installed?

No. The application is completely standalone with no external dependencies. You don't need Python, pip, virtual environments, or any other software. Just download the installer and run it.

Do I need internet access?

Only for initial setup. Internet is required to download the AI models during first-time setup (one-time, ~1.5GB download). After that, the application works 100% offline for all photo rating activities.

Internet is needed again for:

  • Google Drive exports (optional feature)
  • Software updates
  • Badge synchronization with server (coming soon)

Can I use this on Mac or Linux?

Currently Windows only. The desktop application supports Windows 10 and Windows 11 (64-bit) only. Mac and Linux support is planned for future releases. However, the Admin Portal and Photographer Portal are web-based and work on any modern browser regardless of operating system.

How many photos can I rate?

Unlimited. There is no limit to the number of photos you can rate. The database has been tested with over 50,000 photos without any performance degradation. Database file size grows approximately 1MB per 100 photos rated.

Does it work with RAW files (CR2, NEF, ARW, etc.)?

Not currently. The application supports JPG, JPEG, and PNG formats only. Convert RAW files to JPG before rating. RAW file support is planned for version 1.0.

Workaround: Most tethering software (Capture One, Lightroom) can export to JPG automatically. Use hot folder monitoring with your export folder for seamless workflow.

Can multiple photographers share one computer?

Yes. Multiple photographers can use the same installation. Each photographer logs in with their unique 6-digit PIN. The system tracks sessions, badges, and statistics separately for each photographer. All data is stored in the shared database but properly segregated by photographer ID.

Privacy & Data

Where is my data stored?

Locally on your computer only. All data is stored in: 

C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\AI Photo Training\

This includes:

  • Database (data/photo_rater.db)
  • AI models (models/)
  • Log files (logs/)
  • Hot folder configuration (data/hot_folders.json)

No data is sent to any cloud service unless you explicitly export to Google Drive.

Is my data backed up automatically?

No. The application does not automatically backup your data. You should manually backup the following folder periodically: 

C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\AI Photo Training\data\

Recommended backup frequency:

  • High-volume studios: Weekly or daily
  • Medium usage: Bi-weekly
  • Low usage: Monthly

Additionally, export statistics to CSV/Excel regularly as a supplemental backup.

Can I move my data to another computer?

Yes. To transfer your data to a new computer:

  1. Install the same version of AI Photo Training on the new computer
  2. Close the application on both computers
  3. Copy the entire folder: AppData\Local\AI Photo Training\ from old computer
  4. Paste to the same location on new computer: C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\AI Photo Training\
  5. Launch application on new computer

All photos, ratings, sessions, badges, and settings will be preserved.

What data is collected about me?

Nothing is sent to us. All photo analysis happens locally on your computer. The application does not send any photos, ratings, or personal information to external servers.

Google OAuth: Only used if you choose to export data to Google Drive. This is optional and requires explicit permission from you.

Future features: Badge synchronization with server is planned, but will be opt-in and only send anonymous achievement data (no photos or personal info).

Technical Questions

Why does it need CUDA/GPU?

GPU is optional but recommended. NVIDIA GPUs with CUDA support accelerate AI model inference by 5-10x:

  • With GPU: 5-10 seconds per photo
  • Without GPU (CPU only): 15-20 seconds per photo

The application automatically detects your GPU and uses it if available. If no compatible GPU is found, it falls back to CPU processing (slower but fully functional).

Can I use this on a laptop?

Yes. The application works on laptops with the following considerations:

  • RAM: 8GB recommended, 4GB minimum (may be slower)
  • Battery Life: Heavy AI processing drains battery faster - recommend plugging in during long sessions
  • Performance: Laptop GPUs work but may be slower than desktop GPUs
  • Storage: SSD highly recommended for best performance

Can I process photos on a network drive?

Yes, but slower. You can rate photos stored on network drives or NAS devices, but expect:

  • Slower load times due to network latency
  • Reduced hot folder monitoring responsiveness
  • Potential timeout issues on slow networks

Best practice: Use local drives or fast gigabit/10G network shares for optimal performance.

How accurate are the AI models?

High accuracy across all detection types:

Detection Type Accuracy
Glasses Detection 100% (custom CNN)
Glare Detection 95%+
Eye Detection (Open/Closed) 95%+
Pose Analysis 90%+
Smile Detection 92%+

Models are continuously improved with each software update. Accuracy metrics are measured on real-world photography datasets.

Can I customize the AI models?

Not currently. You cannot retrain or customize the underlying AI models. However, you can customize:

  • Quality Thresholds: Define what counts as "excellent" vs. "poor" quality
  • Pose Profile Ranges: Adjust head/shoulder angle tolerances
  • Insight Sensitivity: Control when recommendations appear
  • Issue Detection Thresholds: Set priority levels for quality problems

Enterprise Edition: Custom model training is planned for Enterprise customers with large datasets and specific photography styles.

Billing & Licensing

Is this a subscription?

Depends on your company's agreement. AI Photo Trainer offers both subscription and perpetual license options. Contact your company administrator or sales team for specific pricing and licensing details.

Typical pricing models:

  • Per-photographer subscription: Monthly or annual fee per active photographer
  • Company-wide license: Flat rate for unlimited photographers
  • Perpetual license: One-time fee with optional maintenance

How many computers can I install on?

Depends on your license. Typical licensing allows:

  • Single-user license: 1-3 computers per photographer
  • Company license: Unlimited installations within your organization
  • Trial license: 1 computer for evaluation period

Installations are not "activated" or phone-home - you simply install on the allowed number of computers. Contact your administrator for your specific license terms.

Do I need to be online to use it?

No, after initial setup. Internet requirements:

Feature Internet Required?
Initial model download ✅ Yes (one-time)
Rating photos ❌ No (fully offline)
Viewing statistics ❌ No (fully offline)
Earning badges ❌ No (fully offline)
Google Drive exports ✅ Yes (optional)
Software updates ✅ Yes (optional)
Badge sync (future) ✅ Yes (optional)

100% Offline Operation: After downloading AI models once, you can work completely offline. Perfect for photography studios in remote locations or environments with restricted internet.

Still Have Questions?