Index

# Quick Start Guide

## An easy 3-step process

Geocoding images using HoudahGeo is an easy 3-step process. The steps are materialized by colored tabs in the toolbar. These tabs group functions pertaining to a given step.
HoudahGeo works on project files that may be saved for later use. A project file is essentially a list of image files. You may add metadata to these images. Additionally GPS track logs can be loaded into a project.

### 1. Importing images - The red step

First you will need to point HoudahGeo to the images you want to work on.
HoudahGeo only references files. It does not copy them. Keeping the images safe is left up to you. You should refrain from moving image files once you added them to a HoudahGeo project.
There are two possible sources for images: the file system or a photo library. HoudahGeo may access iPhoto, Aperture and Lightroom libraries. The first button allows you to select images from the file system. The second button opens a floating window where you will find all your photo libraries. Photos may be added to the project by drag-and-dropping them onto the list in the project window.
At the first image you load, HoudahGeo inquires about the clock settings of your digital camera. This information is required for HoudahGeo to correctly display timestamps and for matching the photos with a GPS track log. HoudahGeo assumes this information to be the same for all pictures in a project. You should thus take care to have your camera time set as precisely as possible and not change it over the course of a project.

### 2. Loading location information - The yellow step

The most convenient way of geocoding images is to load a GPS track log file. Many GPS devices record their current location at fixed intervals. This is called the track logging feature. Pure track loggers are available for less than $100.
At the end of the day the thus created track log file may be downloaded to your computer. HoudahGeo can match up the track log information with your digital photos in order to geocode them with location data (latitude, longitude and attitude).
HoudahGeo may download track logs from a wide variety of GPS devices. For use with other devices, you will need vendor supplied or third party software to download the track log to your computer. HoudahGeo can read track logs in the GPX, NMEA, Sony LOG, TCF and many CSV formats.
You don't need a GPS device. The third button in the group allows for manual geocoding an image using a built-in map. All you need to do is to drag a marker to the appropraite location on the map. The map my be centered and zoomed by double-clicking.
You may also harness the power of Google Earth. Navigate the planet. Search for places. Once Google Earth points to the desired location, you may geocode the currently selected photo with a single click!
Next you may want to reverse geocode your photos. The process of reverse geocoding derives location names (city, state/province and country) from coordinates previously assigned to an image.

### 3. Exporting geocoded images - The green step

The contents of your HoudahGeo project may be exported to various targets.
When geocoding for archival purposes, it is useful to write location information back to the image files. HoudahGeo can write EXIF, XMP and IPTC tags with no loss in image quality. HoudahGeo supports JPEG photos as well as a wide variety of RAW formats. HoudahGeo integrates with iPhoto, Aperture and Lightroom so you can see geotags in your preferred photo management application.
HoudahGeo offers the option to create copies of the images as it writes tags. This is a wise choice when you don’t have backups of the files being modified. This is obviously not the option to select when working with managed files where you expect the host program to be able to read back the updated metadata.
Geocoding also opens a whole new world of presenting and sharing photographs.
One of the most exciting options is to view photos within Google Earth. They will be “pinned” to the globe at the very location they were taken. This is a terrific way for sharing photos. Dazzle your friends, empower your business. E.g. a real estate agent may publish photos of available properties pinned to the appropriate locations. HoudahGeo's Google Earth export option creates KMZ files. These self-contained files embed location information as well as scaled copies of your photos. Thus these files may easily be shared: CD/DVD, email, download, ... Advanced users might prefer the KML export option which is often better suited for hosting the images on a web site.
Moreover, HoudahGeo may publish your project to Flickr or locr.