LIGHTROOM CLASSIC · MAC DEVELOPMENT PREVIEW
From exposures
to organized stacks.
Identify Ambient, Direct flash, Window and Blend frames inside your prepared stacks. Review the labels, then apply Headlines for your Lightroom renaming workflow. Analysis runs on your Mac.
No account required. Photos stay on your Mac. Feedback is sent only when you submit it.
Apple Silicon Mac
M1 or newer · macOS 15+
Lightroom Classic 14+
Native checks on Lightroom Classic 15.6
Complete .lrplugin bundle
Analyzer included. No separate Python installation.
START HERE
A clear path from download to Lightroom.
The guide explains which folder to install, what to prepare before analysis, and how to update while keeping your saved records.
YOUR FIRST SHOOT
Analyze. Review. Apply Headlines.
Prepare your stacks
Arrange each angle in its intended order, expand the stacks and select their images. Mark exclusions 5 stars and Screen frames Green. Unstacked photos are skipped during analysis.
Choose the Sequence and analyze
A>D>W>B uses exposure, brightness and stack-pattern rules. A>W>B assigns 1st Ambient, 2nd Window and all remaining frames Blend in each stack. The last sequence is remembered.
Replace applies fresh labels; Preserve keeps existing labeling. Lightroom Develop adjustments affect the rendered previews and may affect identification.
Review and correct
Use Review / Review next and the six role buttons, or edit stars/colors directly in Lightroom. Undo last label reverses the latest interface assignment. Review Blend versus Bounce in stacks shot without Direct flash.
Apply Headlines
This can run independently from analysis. Choose the current folder, current selection or last analyzed stacks. Role colors take precedence. Existing nonzero ratings are retained; unrated Blue/Red receive 4 stars, Green receives 2. Unstacked unrated photos are skipped.
Analysis and review records are saved in Sorter analysis beside the photos. Original files, Develop settings and physical stacks are not changed. Final file renaming is performed with your own Lightroom preset.
The label map.
| Role | Rating / role color | Headline |
|---|---|---|
| Ambient | 2 stars · no role color | ambient |
| Direct flash | 4 stars · no role color | flash |
| Window | 3 stars · no role color | window |
| Blend | 4 stars · Blue | blend |
| Bounce | 4 stars · Red | bounce |
| Screen | 2 stars · Green | screen |
For Headlines, Blue, Red and Green override any rating. Without a role color, 1/2 stars map to Ambient, 3 to Window and 4 to Direct flash. Other colors are preserved. Ordinary 5-star exclusions and unmapped photos are skipped.
A few things to know.
Is this a signed Mac installer?
This is an unsigned development plugin with bundled local helpers. It is not an Apple-notarized public installer. If macOS blocks it, report the message to ALP Studio rather than disabling system security.
What is automatic and what needs review?
The ADWB engine combines measured lighting, camera exposure and your shooting pattern. It is still a development heuristic. It can make mistakes, especially with changed Develop settings or unfamiliar lighting. Bounce is a photographer refinement of automatic Blend.
How do I update?
Use Check for Updates once the signed update channel is configured. Downloads are verified before installation; the installer waits for a normal Lightroom quit. For now, the guide also explains complete-folder manual updates.
Read update instructions →Where does feedback go?
Your message, plugin version and chosen Sequence are sent to ALP Studio’s sorter service and saved privately on this machine for review. No photos, catalog paths or analysis attachments are collected automatically. Failed submissions keep a draft.
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