Installation & Usage Guide

The Volume Toolkit (VTK) Auto-Cropper can be used as a standalone desktop application or integrated directly into Adobe Lightroom Classic.

Phase 1: Download & Extract

Extract the ZIP File (Crucial Step)

Do not try to run the software from inside the downloaded ZIP file.

  1. Download the VTK_AutoCrop.zip file.
  2. Windows: Right-click the file and select "Extract All...".
  3. Move the newly extracted VolumeToolkit.lrplugin folder to a permanent, safe location on your computer (like your Documents or Pictures folder).

Phase 2: Choose Your Workflow

Method A: Standalone Desktop App

Use this method if you don't use Lightroom, or just want to process folders of JPEGs directly on your computer.

  1. Open your extracted VolumeToolkit.lrplugin folder.
  2. Open the vtk_cropper sub-folder.
  3. Windows: Double-click vtk_cropper.exe.
    Mac: Double-click the vtk_cropper application icon.
  4. The VTK Dashboard will open. Go to the Batch Process tab.
  5. Click Browse to select your Input folder (the photos to crop) and an Output folder.
  6. Select your saved styles and click Run Batch!

Method B: Adobe Lightroom Classic Plugin

Use this method to process photos without ever leaving your Lightroom Catalog.

  1. Open Adobe Lightroom Classic.
  2. At the top menu, go to File > Plug-in Manager...
  3. Click the Add button in the bottom left of the window.
  4. Navigate to where you saved the extracted folder, select the VolumeToolkit.lrplugin folder, and click Select Folder.
  5. Ensure the status says "Installed and Running" (it should have a green dot), then click Done.
  6. To use it: Highlight the photos you want to crop in your Lightroom Grid, go to File > Plug-in Extras > VTK Auto-Cropper. It will open the app, run your batch, and automatically import the cropped versions back into your catalog!

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