Manual · Chapter 8
Compare, Grid and Full Screen
ViolaScope provides several viewing modes for different stages of photo review. Use the grid for an overview, full screen for detailed inspection and comparison view when you need to evaluate two photos side by side.
Why use different viewing modes?
Different review decisions benefit from different ways of looking at the same photo collection.
An overview is useful when identifying groups and sequences, while a larger single-image view is better for inspecting detail.
When two similar photos are difficult to judge, a direct side-by-side comparison can make small differences easier to see.
Grid view
Grid view displays several photos at the same time.
It is useful for getting an overview of the current photo set and for identifying groups of related or similar images.
The grid can also help you decide which photos deserve closer inspection before switching to another viewing mode.
Adjust the grid
ViolaScope allows the grid size to be adjusted so that you can balance overview and image detail.
A denser grid shows more photos at once, while a larger tile size makes individual images easier to inspect.
This makes the grid useful both for broad navigation and for a more focused review of smaller groups.
Select photos in the grid
Photos can be selected directly in grid view.
The current selection can then be used for further review actions, including rating, culling or opening another viewing mode.
Multiple selection is especially useful when working with related images or when preparing a pair for direct comparison.
Full-screen view
Full-screen view gives the selected photo more space and reduces the amount of surrounding interface.
It is useful when you want to inspect details such as sharpness, facial expression, composition or small differences in timing.
You can enter full-screen photo viewing from the normal review workflow and return when you are finished.
Open a photo in full screen
A photo can be opened in the larger full-screen view directly from the main review area.
Double-clicking the displayed photo provides a quick way to switch into the full-screen photo view.
This allows you to move from a normal review context to detailed inspection without first navigating through a separate workflow.
Continue rating in full screen
Full-screen viewing is still part of the ViolaScope review workflow.
You can continue to evaluate the selected photo and assign review information while inspecting it in the larger view.
This means you do not have to leave full screen simply to record a rating decision.
Comparison view
Comparison view places two photos next to each other.
It is designed for situations where small differences determine which image you prefer.
Typical examples include:
- two frames from the same burst
- slightly different facial expressions
- small differences in focus or sharpness
- different timing within the same action
- similar compositions with small framing changes
Compare two selected photos
Comparison view is based on a two-photo selection.
Once two appropriate photos are selected, ViolaScope can display them together in the comparison workspace.
Seeing both images at the same time reduces the need to switch repeatedly between individual photos while making a decision.
Ratings in comparison view
Comparison view is not limited to visual inspection.
Ratings remain available so that you can record your evaluation while both photos are visible.
This is useful when one image clearly becomes the stronger candidate during the comparison.
Culling in comparison view
Culling decisions can also be made while comparing two photos.
For example, one photo can become the preferred Pick while another is marked as Reject or left in the neutral intermediate state for later review.
The underlying culling information remains part of the project and can later be used for filtering and export.
Combine grid and comparison
Grid view and comparison view work particularly well together.
One possible workflow is:
- Use the grid to identify a group of similar photos.
- Select two difficult candidates.
- Open them in comparison view.
- Inspect differences directly side by side.
- Assign ratings or culling states.
- Return to the grid and continue with the next pair.
This can make the review of larger sequences more efficient than inspecting every image independently.
Viewing modes do not alter image files
Switching between single-photo view, grid, full screen and comparison changes only how the photos are presented in ViolaScope.
The viewing mode itself does not modify or delete the underlying image files.
Ratings and other project decisions are stored separately as part of the ViolaScope workflow.
Choose the view for the decision
There is no single viewing mode that is best for every review task.
Use the grid when context and overview matter, full screen when detail matters, and comparison view when the decision depends on differences between two images.
You can move between these views as often as needed during the same review session.
Next step
The next chapter introduces the map view and explains how ViolaScope works with existing GPS information and GPX tracks.