Rapid Photo Downloader
Rapid Photo Downloader is a Linux desktop application that imports photos and videos from cameras, phones, memory cards, and other devices at high speed. It is written by a photographer for professional and amateur photographers.
Personal Note From the Developer
This project has only ever had one software developer. I developed a hand injury from typing while working on the code in early 2022. Code development has slowed considerably as I seek to recover from this serious injury. To work around the injury, fortunately I am able to use the JetBrains editor PyCharm in conjunction with the voice recognition tools Talon and Dragon NaturallySpeaking on Windows / WSL2. While my ability to test the code remains limited, at least I can write it.
I want to thank JetBrains for allowing me to use PyCharm Professional for free under their open source developer program.
In 2023, my existing case of Long Covid worsened considerably to the point that I could no longer work, to the extent I lost the ability to be employable. In 2024, I am slowly recovering. Currently, I am able to work part-time on the code (but remain unable to be employed).
Removal of the Install Script
Due to my hand injury (see above), I cannot maintain a custom install.py
script that I used to provide — testing the script in the variety of
Linux distributions it supports requires a lot of typing. The script is
therefore removed.
User Survey
If you have any experience with Rapid Photo Downloader at all, including if you no longer use it, please join hundreds of others by taking this survey:
Survey of past, current, and potential users
The responses are already making a real difference to the program’s future development. The program collects no analytics whatsoever, so a survey like this is truly helpful. Thank you in advance.
Program Features
- Rename photos and videos with meaningful filenames you specify.
- Download vast numbers of photos and videos with minimum fuss.
- Back up photos and videos as they are downloaded.
- Downloads from and backs up to multiple devices simultaneously.
- Easy to configure and use.
- Configure program preferences without the need for complicated codes.
- Automate common tasks, such as unmounting a memory card when the download is complete.
Read more about its features at the program website.
Documentation
Full documentation is available at the program website.
Program Design
Rapid Photo Downloader is coded in Python. To get the best performance using Python on modern multi-core computers, the program uses multiple OS-level processes that communicate with each other using the messaging library 0MQ.
Learn more about the program's architecture.
Issue Reporting
Report new issues on the developer's GitHub repository.
Historic issues are at the previous code repository, Launchpad.
Releases
Project releases have been historically hosted on the project's Launchpad repository.
Future releases are to be hosted on the project's GitHub repository.
Support
Get support at the Pixls.us discussion forum.
Installation
Install the program using your Linux distribution's standard tools, e.g., apt, dnf, or zypper.
Ubuntu users can install the latest version using the project PPA.
The program is currently not available as a Snap or flatpak because to interact with cameras it requires being able to break out of the confinement Snap and flatpak enforce. This may change in future if there are workarounds for this confinement.
To install from source, consult INSTALL.md.