# The Batch Processor

The Batch Processor dialog applies noise reduction automatically to multiple images. You can specify one or more directories of images to be included in the batch. For each directory, you can specify various options for selecting input images, filtering them, and saving the results.

To launch the dialog, select the "Batch Processor" command from the File menu.

> Note: The Batch Processor dialog is extensively annotated with "What's This" help. Click on the "What's This" button and then click on an individual control in the dialog to view a description of the item. The documentation on this page provides a high-level introduction to the batch processor. For details regarding individual settings, display the dialog and use the What's This help.

The basic workflow for creating and executing a batch is as follows:

1. Click the "Add directory" button to add a folder to the current batch. You can add multiple folders. Each folder has its own settings.
2. Adjust settings on the "Input options" page to control which files from the current folder will be processed.
3. Click on the "Output options" tab to access controls for selecting the destination directory and output file format.
4. Use the "Filtering options" page to determine how profiles are selected for each file and what filter settings are used.
5. Click the "Execute" button to process the batch.

As you change settings, the file list for the currently selected directory is updated. The file list shows which files will be processed in the directory. For each file, it displays the destination file name, the noise profile that will be used, the filter settings that will be applied, and an indication of whether there are any naming conflicts or other errors. (Note that it may take a few seconds for the file list to update if you have a slow machine or if the selected directory contains hundreds of files.)

When you execute a batch, the Log page displays. This page records each file that is processed along with any error messages. The Cancel button can be used to terminate a batch before it has finished. The Hide button will make the main window and batch dialog disappear from your desktop. You can use your window manager's task bar or docking area to show the windows again.

Enable the Background checkbox to give lower processing priority to the batch while you use other applications.

Note that you can use the Noise Brush to touch-up batch-processed images. Click here for details.