Noktura

Downloading Data

Download datasets as ZIP files containing images and metadata. Track your downloads and manage the download queue.

Last updated: February 2026

How Downloads Work

When you download a dataset, Noktura packages all images and metadata into a single ZIP file. Large downloads are processed in the background so you can continue using the app while your download is prepared.

  • Small downloads (under 100 images) are generated instantly
  • Large downloads are queued and processed in the background
  • Download links expire after 24 hours for security
  • Expired downloads can be re-generated with one click

Starting a Download

1

Navigate to the dataset

Find a dataset via Explore, your My Datasets, or a group's shared datasets.

2

Click Download

On the dataset detail page, click the Download button. You'll see options for metadata format (JSON or CSV).

3

Choose metadata format

Select your preferred metadata format:

  • JSON – Structured format, ideal for programming and ML pipelines
  • CSV – Spreadsheet-compatible, easy to open in Excel
4

Wait for processing

If the dataset is large, you'll see it appear in your Downloads page with a progress bar. You can close the tab and come back later.

Tip

Download processing happens in the background. You don't need to keep the page open. Check the Downloads page later to get your file.

The Download Queue

Your Downloads page shows all your download jobs with their current status:

Download Status

  • Pending – Waiting in the queue to be processed
  • Processing – Currently being prepared (shows progress bar)
  • Ready – Complete and available for download
  • Expired – Download link has expired (can be re-generated)
  • Error – Something went wrong (can be re-tried)

Managing Downloads

  • Re-generate – Create a new download link for expired or errored downloads
  • Share – Generate a shareable link for your download
  • Delete – Remove the download from your history and storage

What's in the ZIP File

Each download ZIP contains:

Images

  • Original resolution images in their original format (JPEG, PNG, etc.)

  • EXIF metadata embedded in each image including: dataset origin, uploader attribution, camera settings, GPS coordinates (where permitted by privacy settings), weather conditions, crop and field data, species information, and license terms

  • Filenames preserved from the original upload

DOWNLOAD_INFO.txt

A human-readable text file summarizing all datasets in the download, including capture conditions, weather data, camera specifications, species lists, location information (respecting privacy settings), and attribution requirements. This file makes the download self-documenting even without specialized software to read EXIF data.

Metadata File

A metadata.json file containing structured, machine-readable metadata:

  • Dataset info – Name, description, capture date, license, uploader attribution
  • Per-image data – Dimensions, file sizes, original filenames
  • GPS coordinates – Precise or region-only depending on privacy settings
  • Camera settings – Make, model, lens, focal length, height, angle
  • Weather data – Temperature, precipitation, humidity, wind, UV index, soil moisture, and more
  • Capture conditions – Crop type, BBCH stage, soil colour, surface cover, lighting
  • Weed species – Scientific names, common names, family, genus (resolved from GBIF)

License File

A LICENSE.txt file with the dataset's license terms and attribution requirements.

Batch Downloads

You can download multiple datasets at once from the Explore page:

1

Select datasets

On the Explore page, click the checkbox on each dataset card you want to include.

2

Click Download Selected

The download button shows how many datasets and images you've selected. Click it to start the batch download.

Note

When downloading multiple datasets, the combined license is the most restrictive. If any dataset uses CC BY-NC, the entire download is non-commercial only.

Understanding Licenses

Each download shows its effective license:

  • CC BY 4.0 (green badge) – Allows commercial and non-commercial use with attribution

  • CC BY-NC 4.0 (amber badge) – Non-commercial use only, with attribution

For multi-dataset downloads, if any included dataset is CC BY-NC, the entire download is restricted to non-commercial use.

Link Expiration

Download links expire after 24 hours for security reasons. After expiration:

  • The download status changes to “Expired”
  • The ZIP file is removed from storage
  • You can re-generate the download at any time
  • Re-generation creates a fresh ZIP with a new 24-hour link

Tip

There's no limit on how many times you can re-generate a download. If you need the data again in the future, just come back and click Re-generate.

Troubleshooting

Download stuck on “Processing”

Large datasets with thousands of images can take several minutes. The progress bar shows how many images have been processed. If stuck for more than 30 minutes, try re-generating the download.

Download shows “Error”

This usually means a temporary processing issue. Click Re-generate to try again. If it fails repeatedly, contact support@noktura.tech with the download ID.

Can't find my download

Downloads stay in your history even after expiration. Check the Downloads page for all your past downloads.

Next Steps