---
title: Try your first appointment
description: Prepare images, compare favorites, build an order, record payment and save your first IPS Viewer Lite appointment.
url: "https://viewips.com/docs/quick-start/"
updated: "2026-10-12"
category: Getting started
---

# Try your first appointment

Before you use IPS Viewer with a client, try a small practice order from start to finish. Include saving the session, opening it again, and keeping a copy of the PDF.

## Get ready

Prepare a folder of photos in your usual editor. IPS Viewer imports JPG, JPEG, PNG, TIF, and TIFF files directly inside the folder you select. Keep filenames you can match to the originals.

Add your studio details in **File → Settings…** and your products and prices in **File → Manage Price Lists…**. If you use a client display, test that too. Keep your usual editing and payment tools for finishing images and collecting payment.

## 1. Import your photos

Save any session you’re already working on, then choose **Import Images…** and select the folder. Importing starts a replacement session; it doesn’t add another folder to the current one. New photos start in Maybe.

Check the photos and their orientation, then save an .IPS session. Keep the source folder: the session links to those files rather than storing copies of them.

## 2. Compare and choose

Click a thumbnail to select it. Use Ctrl+click to add or remove individual photos, or Shift+click for a range. Double-click a selected photo or press Enter to view the selection together.

Press 1 for Yes, 2 for Maybe, and 3 for No. Those counts are photos, not print quantities. Open a smaller selection for a closer comparison. Back returns to earlier views; if you’re zoomed in, the first Back returns to Fit. Undo reverses supported changes.

## 3. Add an order item

Select the photo, open **Quick Order**, and choose the Price List, product, size, and Qty. Check the price, add any item add-ons, and choose **Add to Cart**.

For several photos, check the selection before using **Apply to all selected**. Review the resulting items and quantities afterward. Accepted items and notes update the open session, but you still need to save the .IPS file manually.

## 4. Review the order

Press Ctrl+R to open **Order Review**. Check every filename, product, size, quantity, and note, then review add-ons, discounts, tax, the total, and the balance.

An item keeps the image appearance it had when you ordered it. Later crop or treatment changes don’t update existing items, so check the order thumbnails too.

## 5. Record the payment

Take payment through your usual provider. Once it’s confirmed, open **Payments** and enter the amount, method, and reference. This records the payment; it doesn’t collect or verify the money.

## 6. Save the PDF and session

Choose **View PDF** in Order Review. Check every page, then use your PDF viewer to save a permanent copy. Open that saved copy to confirm it’s the right file. The preview is temporary, and you’ll need to choose View PDF again after any order changes.

Save the final .IPS session and reopen it to check the photos and order. Back up the session, source photos, and saved PDF together.

## Related guides

- [Importing photos](https://viewips.com/docs/importing-images/)
- [Viewing and comparing](https://viewips.com/docs/viewing-comparing-images/)
- [Adding and editing orders](https://viewips.com/docs/order-item/)
- [Saving and backing up](https://viewips.com/docs/save-session-load-session/)