jAlbum

jAlbum is an application for creating photo galleries and web albums. The tool processes folders with images and videos, generating thumbnails and HTML pages ready for publication. The software uses configurable templates for visual presentation and supports EXIF/IPTC data, lossless image manipulation, filters through plugins, and file transfer via FTP/SFTP. The built-in web server function facilitates local previewing of projects.

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• Source selection. The program supports file import via drag-and-drop from the system explorer or manual directory selection. The import identifies common image formats such as JPEG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, as well as video files. The interface displays a preview of the folder structure before processing.
• Thumbnail generation. The engine automatically creates thumbnail versions of the original images with configurable dimensions. The process maintains the aspect ratio and applies resampling algorithms to preserve visual clarity. The compression quality of the thumbnails is adjustable to balance file size and fidelity.
• Template application. jAlbum includes a collection of design templates that determine the structure and visual style of the gallery. Each template defines the thumbnail layout, the enlarged view page, navigation schemes, and interface elements. Users can change templates without reprocessing the original images.
• Metadata editing. The tool allows viewing and modifying EXIF and IPTC information embedded in the files. Fields include title, description, keywords, camera information, and exposure parameters. Edited metadata is integrated into the gallery's HTML code and can be used for search functions.
• Image manipulation. Includes processing functions such as rotation, resizing, red-eye correction, and color level adjustment. Operations can be applied to individual images or in batches. Transformations are performed losslessly on compatible formats, preserving the original data.
• Plugin system. The architecture supports the installation of plugins that extend the core functionality. Plugins can add new image filters, design templates, web service integrations, or export functions. Developers create extensions using the program's documented APIs.
• Integrated FTP/SFTP client. The transfer module allows direct publishing of galleries to web servers. It supports multiple connection profiles with password or key authentication. Transfer can be executed manually or automatically after album generation, with progress logging and error detection.
• Built-in web server. The function starts a local HTTP server to preview the gallery in browsers before publication. The server simulates a remote host environment, displaying full navigation and interaction. It operates on a configurable port and serves requests from the local machine.
• Slideshow creation. Generates navigable slideshows from selected images. Transitions, speed, and playback mode are configurable. Slideshows can include titles, descriptions, and playback controls, and run in standard web browsers without requiring additional software.
• CSS customization. For advanced design modifications, users can directly edit the cascading style sheets associated with the template. Changes affect colors, fonts, margins, layout, and visual effects. The built-in editor provides basic syntax highlighting and real-time preview of modifications.
• Batch processing. Executes identical operations on selected groups of images, such as resizing, watermarking, renaming, or format conversion. The batch configuration is defined once and applied sequentially to all files, reducing repetitive manual work.
• Multilingual support. The interface and templates are available in several languages, including Spanish, English, French, and German. Users can change the language of menus and dialogs. Generated galleries can be configured to display interface texts in the chosen language for visitors.
• Export to CD/DVD. Creates standalone versions of the gallery on optical media. The function generates a file structure that includes the viewer and resources, with auto-run capability on Windows systems. The option optimizes file layout for sequential disc reading.
• Map integration. Some templates display geotagged photographs on an interactive map. The function requires geographic coordinates in the image metadata. The map allows visitors to explore photos by location, using layers from providers such as OpenStreetMap.

The development of jAlbum began in 2002 by David Ekholm. The Swedish programmer conceived the tool as a solution for sharing photographic collections on the web in a structured way. The first public version was released that same year, offering basic gallery generation functions. Over time, the project incorporated contributions from other developers who expanded its capabilities through the plugin system.

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