GettingStarted

Getting started with dpqBench

Prepare images

Take a series of test images with the photographic equipment / settings that you want to evaluate. These images should show the same scene, but with different parameters (eg. lenses, aperture settings, ISO, focal lengths, ...).
Save these images as JPG files, but without any image processing (like sharpening). Adding EXIF data will help, but you can also add these data later.

Create a dpqBench project

dpqBench will start with an empty project window. Add the prepared JPGs by using the Project/Add File(s) menu or by dragging the files into the project. dpqBench will try to read the images parameters from the file's EXIF data. You can add any missing parameters in the project table or in the Properties view.

Define detail areas for comparison

Use the Details Editor to define at least one detail area. Select a rectangular image detail with the mouse, and give it a name. You can then fine-tune the size of the area by adjusting the width and height values.
The detail areas are shown on the image preview. You can save the preview together with the detail areas by right-clicking on the preview.

Create a comparison chart

Finally! Select "Create Benchmark Chart" from the Project menu. This will open the Group filter/Render editor.

This editor lets you define the layout of the benchmark chart. You can use multiple grouping/filtering levels. The last filter defines the columns - eg. the different aperture values. The other filter levels define rows or row groups - eg. detail area, lens, camera.
On each level, you can select a parameter and the parameter values. You can also arrange the values in any order you like.

Click "Render" to see what your benchmark chart will look like. If the renderer can not choose a unique images for each combination of parameters, it will display a warning - you can then go back and adjust your filter settings or add more filters.

Here's an example with three filter levels (1st level: detail "mid", 2nd level: the lenses, 3rd level: different aperture settings).

To save your benchmark chart, right-click on the preview image.