IMatch uses a normal text file to record statistical information and data about warnings and errors encountered while IMatch was running. This log file can be very helpful when diagnosing problems. The file can be viewed with any text editor, e.g., Windows Notepad.
The IMatch log file is stored in the file IMATCHN_LOG.txt in the TEMP folder on your computer. N stands for the internal IMatch version number you are using, e.g., IMATCH6_LOG.txt for IMatch 2019 and later.
To view, copy or control the log file, use the commands provided under Help > Support. In this menu you have options to set the log mode, to display the current log file (via Windows Notepad) and to save the log file to a file on your disk. This allows you to take snapshots of the active log file while IMatch is running, e.g., right after you've run into a problem.
By default, IMatch writes only a minimum of data to the log file. This keeps the file small but still records errors and most warnings.
If you experience problems with IMatch, enable the special high-detail debug logging and try to reproduce the problem. This debug mode produces as much information as possible for the log file, which may be very helpful in finding the reasons for problems.
To enable debug logging, go to Help menu > Support > Debug Logging.
When Debug Logging is enabled, IMatch reminds you at every start to reset the mode back to default logging (when you no longer need it).
IMatch is a very robust and solid application. Nevertheless, it may run into a problem occasionally. These may be caused by bugs in the software, unexpected user behavior, external influences like faulty drivers, failing 3rd party components, damaged files and dozens of other reasons.
If IMatch runs into a problem or you get an unexpected error message, go the Help > Support and make a copy of the log file. This ensures that the current state of IMatch is available in the log file, and that the relevant data is at the end of the log file copy. This makes it easier to extract the portions related to the problem.
Wait a few seconds. Windows displays the 'non-responding' message very quicky. IMatch may just be temporarily too busy to respond. Give it a few seconds to finish whatever it is doing.
When IMatch no longer reacts to user input, you cannot use the Help menu to create a copy of the log file.
In this case you need to copy the log file manually via Windows Explorer. IMatch stores log files and other intermediate files in the special folder designated for such files (the TEMP folder). If you don't know where this folder is, just type
%temp%into a Windows Explorer address bar or the START menu search box to open it.
The IMatch log file is named IMATCH*_LOG.TXT. IMatch keeps the log file of the previous session in the file named IMATCH*_LOG_BACKUP.TXT. If you have restarted IMatch after the problem happened (which also creates a new log file), the BACKUP log file contains the information about the session where the problem happened.
When IMatch crashes an internal crash handler is triggered. This handler uses Windows functions to produce a so-called DUMP file which helps us to determine the potential reason for the crash.
Please see the The Debug Dump File for detailed information.
The log file contains technical information intended for photools.com support. But you can easily do a preliminary check to see if warnings or errors were logged.
TEMP folder on your computerW> to find warnings IMatch has loggedE> to find errors IMatch has loggedIf you experience issues while using IMatch and the log file contains errors or warnings, make sure to include the log file when you contact photools.com support.
When you contact photools.com support by email or you want to post a bug report in the photools.community, please include both log files (the current and the BACKUP).
Always ZIP (compress) the log files. This typically reduces the size by 80%.
A log file may contain data you consider private. This includes:
IMatch log files are plain text files and not encrypted. If you don't want to make this information public, you can open the log file in a text editor and replace this information before sending or uploading the log file. If you send log files to photools.com, they will only be used to help analyzing the problem. We will delete them afterwards.
You can contact us anytime via one of the methods listed on the support page.