DockBuddy Organizer

Product Introduction

1. Definition: DockBuddy Organizer is a macOS-native file automation tool designed for photographers, videographers, and digital content creators. It classifies as a local file management application leveraging EXIF metadata, file types, and custom rules to automate media organization.
2. Core Value Proposition: It eliminates manual file sorting by enabling drag-and-drop automation directly via the macOS Dock. Primary keywords: automatic file organizer, EXIF-based sorting, video footage organization, RAW file management, Mac productivity tool.

Main Features

1. EXIF-Driven Media Sorting:

   • How it works: Analyzes embedded EXIF data (camera model, lens, ISO, date) to auto-sort RAW/JPEG files. Uses macOS-native APIs for metadata extraction without cloud processing.
   • Supported formats: CR2, CR3, NEF, ARW, RAF, ORF, DNG, HEIC, and 20+ image/RAW types.

2. Video-Centric Rule Engine:

   • How it works: Classifies video footage by frame rate, resolution (4K/HD), and codec (H.264, ProRes). Rules generate project-specific folder hierarchies (e.g., Project_Name > 60fps > 4K).
   • Technology: FFmpeg integration for metadata parsing and custom Swift-based scripting.

3. Duplicate File Detection:

   • How it works: Scans file checksums (SHA-256) to identify identical media. Deletes or flags duplicates, freeing storage space.
   • Efficiency: Processes 10,000+ files in minutes via Apple Silicon optimization (M1/M2/M3).

4. Customizable Workflow Templates:

   • How it works: Users save rules (e.g., "Sort by SKU + angle" for product photography) as reusable presets. Supports regex for filename pattern recognition.
   • Use case: Wedding photographers auto-generate Venue > Bride_Groom > RAW/JPEG folders.

Problems Solved

1. Pain Point: Manual media organization consumes 5–10 hours/week for professionals. Disorganized assets delay editing, cause version chaos, and increase storage costs.
2. Target Audience:
   • Wedding/event photographers managing multi-camera RAW/JPEG sets.
   • Video production teams handling 100GB+ footage across projects.
   • YouTube creators juggling thumbnails, B-roll, and audio assets.
   • Product studios processing SKU-specific photo batches.
3. Use Cases:
   • Wedding Photography: Auto-sort 5,000+ shots by venue/camera model.
   • Video Agencies: Instantly classify footage by frame rate for Premiere Pro workflows.
   • Archiving: Chronologically sort family photos using GPS/date EXIF.

Unique Advantages

1. Differentiation vs. Competitors: Unlike Adobe Bridge (manual tagging) or Photo Mechanic (limited video support), DockBuddy offers one-click Dock-level sorting and video-specific rules. Free alternatives lack Apple Silicon optimization.
2. Key Innovation: Local-only processing ensures zero data leaves the device (unlike cloud tools). Rule templates enable team-wide consistency for collaborative projects.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Does DockBuddy Organizer support NAS or external drives?
   Yes. It processes files on locally mounted drives (SSDs/NAS) without moving originals.

2. Can it organize GoPro or drone footage?
   Absolutely. Classifies by resolution/frame rate (e.g., 4K/120fps) and supports MP4, MTS, AVCHD formats.

3. Is duplicate detection safe for original files?
   Yes. It flags duplicates for manual review—no auto-deletion. Checksum verification prevents false positives.

4. How does the free version differ from PRO?
   Free: 50-file limit, basic EXIF sorting. PRO: Unlimited files, custom rules, duplicate detection, priority updates.

5. Does it work offline?
   Yes. All processing occurs locally—no internet required.