ImageExchange™ FAQ
- What is the ImageExchange add-on?
- How does ImageExchange work?
- How does the metadata stay with the image?
- Which browser can run the ImageExchange add-on?
- Who uses ImageExchange?
- Why isn't my ImageExchange recognizing any images?
- Why do I see multiple copies of the same image in the side panel?
- What browser version do I need to be using?
- How do I update my add-on?
- Do I need to keep my add-on up to date?
- Will ImageExchange impact the performance of my browser?
- Do I have to keep the ImageExchange side panel open?
- How do I turn enable/disable ImageExchange?
- How do I uninstall ImageExchange?
ImageExchange™ add-on is a free productivity tool for creative professionals that works with Firefox, Chrome, Safari and Internet Explorer in both Mac and Windows. After installing the add-on, users can easily connect with millions of images that are ready for legitimate use. Images from leading global agencies and individual photographers have been indexed and registered with PicScout ImageIRC to form the largest image database in the world, so that every time an ImageExchange user encounters an indexed image they recognize the image as one they can license directly.
ImageExchange provides a very quick, easy, and intuitive process to legitimately use images. ImageExchange users can connect with stock image licensors whenever and wherever they encounter an indexed image. In Firefox, Chrome and Safari any image registered for use with ImageExchange appears in the ImageExchange side panel. In Internet Explorer, all indexed images will populate with a 
icon. Clicking on either the pink peel or the image in the side panel opens a box with key licensing information about the image, along with a button to license the image. When clicking the button to license an image, the ImageExchange user connects directly to the licensing site and sees additional details, including sizes and resolutions, cost options and accreditation requirements.
Equipped with the ImageExchange add-on, it only takes a few minutes from the time you find an image to the time you start using it.
The technology process begins with the PicScout ImageIRC (Index, Registry, Connection), the foundational platform for all PicScout products and services. The product, ImageExchange, accesses ImageIRC in real-time to identify images for users wherever they encounter an indexed image. The tool identifies images in search pages, like Google Images or Yahoo Images, on individual websites, and even on user-generated sites like Facebook. There are millions of registered, indexed images from more than 120 stock agencies and photographers. For those who have installed the ImageExchange add-on, indexed images appear in the ImageExchange sidebar. Clicking on the image reveals the metadata in a pop-up window, so that the user can learn more about the image and connect directly to the licensing site.
PicScout applies its proprietary image recognition and digital fingerprinting technology to ImageIRC images wherever they're encountered, even if an image has been altered. PicScout fingerprinting assures that the image metadata is always retained, ensuring that images can always be credited, searched, and preserved.
Metadata is often stripped out of images everywhere on the internet. PicScout retains image metadata on its servers, so whenever an image query is submitted to the ImageIRC the response includes the relevant metadata, which is shared with the user through ImageExchange. This way ImageExchange ensures that Every Image Gets Its Credit™.
Currently, ImageExchange is available for Firefox, Chrome, Safari and Internet Explorer.
Professional designers, graphic designers, ad agency personnel, photography editors, picture buyers, photo researchers, publishers, bloggers and corporate creative and communications professionals are among those using ImageExchange. PicScout ImageExchange facilitates search and licensing processes and eliminates frustration for anyone who regularly uses images in their work, making licensing and related image information instantly available for the millions of online images indexed in the PicScout ImageIRC.
There may be several reasons:
- The images you see are not yet registered with the ImageIRC for use with ImageExchange. Currently there are millions of images from leading global and specialty stock agencies and photographers indexed with more images from agencies and photographers being added daily.
- Your add-on may be disabled. Click here to read more about how to enable your add-on.
- You may be using an unsupported browser. ImageExchange is currently available for Firefox, Chrome, Safari and Internet Explorer.
- You may need to update ImageExchange. Click here to read more about how to update your add-on.
You may actually be seeing two slightly different images. Often, there are a series of images that look identical at a glance but are different upon closer inspection. Typically, if more than one agency offers exactly the same image, you will only see the image once, and multiple licensors will be associates with that image.
ImageExchange is supported by the following browser versions:
- Firefox 3.5-4.0
- Chrome 10.0
- Safari 5.0
- Internet Explorer 7.0-8.0
- Firefox automatically suggests add-on updates when they are available.
- Internet Explorer will update ImageExchange automatically.
- Chrome will update ImageExchange automatically.
- Safari users can click on "Safari", then the "Extension" tab, and "Updates" to get the latest version of ImageExchange. Checking the "Install Updates Automatically" button will auto-update ImageExchange when a newer version becomes available.
It is definitely recommended that you have the most recent version of the add-on. PicScout continues to add cool functionalities, and older versions may not work.
PicScout develops and tests the add-on so that it has the minimum impact on browser performance. ImageExchange add-on adheres to browser development requirements and goes through the review and approval of the developers community.
Not at all. ImageExchange features different levels of operations to suit each user's needs. Here are different ways to use the add-on:
- When open, the side panel enables the user to see matching images while browsing.
- When the side panel is minimized, the number of images found on a page will display on the icon at the top of the browser window.
- If desired, the add-on can be disabled completely (see below).
- How do I enable/disable ImageExchange?
- Firefox users can go to "Tools" -> "Add-ons" -> "Extensions", and then click "Enable" or "Disable".
- Safari users can go to "Safari" -> "Preferences" -> "Extensions", highlight ImageExchange, and check/uncheck the box next to "Enable ImageExchange".
- Chrome users can go to "Window" -> "Extensions", highlight ImageExchange, and check/uncheck the box next to "Enable ImageExchange".
- Internet Explorer users can click on the Tools icon, then click on "Manage Add-ons" -> "Toolbars and Extensons", highlight PicScout ImageExchange and then click "Enable" or "Disable".
- How do I uninstall ImageExchange?
- Firefox users can go to "Tools" → "Manage Add-ons," then highlight ImageExchange and click "Uninstall."
- Safari users can uninstall by clicking on "Safari" → "Preferences" → "Extensions," highlighting ImageExchange, and clicking "Uninstall."
- Chrome users can go to "Window" → "Extensions," and then click "Uninstall" under ImageExchange.
- Internet Explorer users can go to the "Control Panel" and click on "Add/Remove Programs." Select ImageExchange, and click "Add/Remove" to complete the uninstall.