Sony SupportILCE-9M3

Article ID : 00370200 / Last Modified : 11/14/2025Print

Volume Photography Service (Custom Grid Line License) – Help Guide

    Quick Summary

    The Volume Photography Service lets you add advanced functions—such as Custom Grid Lines, Photo Cropping, Scan & Tagging, and Shooting Commands—to supported Sony cameras through optional paid licenses. This guide explains how licenses work, which cameras support them, how to install and manage them, and how to use each feature.

    Table of Contents

    1. About the Volume Photography Service
    2. Supported Cameras
    3. Purchasing and Managing Licenses
    4. Custom Grid Lines
    5. Photo Cropping Upgrade
    6. Scan & Tagging Upgrade
    7. Volume Photography Commands Upgrade

    1. About the Volume Photography Service

    Section Summary

    The Volume Photography Service adds optional functions to your camera through four different licenses. Each license activates a specific feature and can be purchased individually or as part of a package.

    Overview

    You can add advanced features to your camera by purchasing the following licenses:

    1. Custom Grid Line License
    2. Scan & Tagging Upgrade License*
    3. Photo Cropping Upgrade License*
    4. Volume Photography Shooting Command Upgrade License*

    * Not available in Japan or Asia Pacific as of August 2025.

    Licenses are offered as:

    • 1-month
    • 1-year
    • Unlimited

    You may buy them individually or as a package.

    Useful links

    2. Supported Cameras

    Section Summary

    Some cameras support all license types, while others only support the unlimited Custom Grid Line License. Compatibility depends on the firmware version.

    Full License Support (all four licenses)

    • ILCE-6700 (Ver. 2.00 or later)
    • ILCE-1M2 (Ver. 3.00 or later)
    • ILCE-9M3 (Ver. 4.00 or later)

    Support for Unlimited Custom Grid Line License Only

    • ILCE-1 (Ver. 2.00 or later)
    • ILCE-1M2 (up to Ver. 2.01)
    • ILCE-9M3 (up to Ver. 3.01)
    • ILCE-7M4, ILCE-7SM3, ILCE-7RM5 (Ver. 3.00 or later)
    • ILCE-7CR, ILCE-7CM2 (Ver. 2.00 or later)
    • ILME-FX2 (Ver. 1.00 or later)
    • DSC-RX1RM3 (Ver. 1.00 or later)

    More models may be added through future updates.

    3. Purchasing and Managing Licenses

    Section Summary

    Licenses are purchased online with a Sony account, installed via memory card, and managed per camera. This section explains purchasing, installation, expiration, re-downloading, and troubleshooting.

    How to Purchase a License (Q&A)

    Q: How do I buy a license?
    A:

    1. Go to the Custom Grid Line introduction site.
    2. Choose “Purchase License.”
    3. Sign in with your Sony account.
    4. Pay by credit card.
    5. Enter your camera model and serial number.
    6. Download the license file.
    7. Copy it to a memory card’s root directory.
    8. Insert the card in SLOT 1 and activate the license.

    License Validity & Limits

    Q: Does a license expire?
    A: Licenses come in 1-month, 1-year, or unlimited terms.
    Check your installed licenses via:
    MENU → Setup → Setup Option → Manage Licenses → License List

    Q: How many licenses can I create under one Sony account?
    A: Up to 200 cameras.

    Q: Can I move a license to a new camera?
    A: No. Licenses are linked to one specific camera.

    Q: Can I install two licenses of the same type?
    A: Yes. Up to two: their validity periods combine.
    If one is unlimited, the combined validity becomes unlimited.

    Troubleshooting License Installation

    Q: I cannot activate the license. What should I check?
    A: Confirm the following:

    • The correct serial number was entered
    • The license file is in the root directory
    • The memory card is in SLOT 1
    • The file name is RQ_LIC.DAT
      • If renamed by your OS (e.g., RQ_LIC (1).DAT), rename it back

    Re-downloading and Reinstalling

    Q: Can I download my license again?
    A: Yes. Sign in via:

    Q: Can deleted licenses be reinstalled?
    A:

    • Unlimited licenses: Yes
    • Time-limited licenses: No (cannot be restored once deleted)

    Billing & Serial Number Issues

    Q: Who handles billing issues?
    A: Cleverbridge (contact info in your purchase email).

    Q: I purchased the wrong license. What should I do?
    A: Contact the inquiry address found in your purchase confirmation email.

    Q: I entered the serial number wrong. Can Sony fix it?
    A: Yes. Provide support with:

    • Sony account email
    • Camera model
    • Wrong serial number
    • Correct serial number

    Repair-Related Issues

    Q: My license disappeared after repair. What happened?
    A: If the circuit board was replaced, licenses are erased.
    Re-download and reinstall from Creators’ Cloud.

    Q: My serial number changed after repair. What now?
    A: Sony can update the license registration.
    Provide old and new serial numbers.

    4. Custom Grid Lines

    Section Summary

    Custom Grid Lines help frame consistent shots. You can create them using Sony’s Custom Gridline Generator or external graphics tools, as long as the PNG meets technical requirements.

    Creating Grid Line Files (Technical Requirements)

    File requirements:

    • PNG format
    • ≤ 256 KB
    • Max resolution: 640 × 480
    • exFAT file system
    • RGBA color mode

    Recommended settings:

    • Line thickness: 5 px or more
    • Match aspect ratio to shooting mode
    • Stills (3:2): 630 × 420
    • Movies (16:9): 640 × 360

    Q&A: Working With Grid Line Files

    Q: Can I edit a PNG created by the Custom Gridline Generator?
    A: No—start again from scratch.

    Q: The file is too large. What should I do?
    A: Reduce the number of grid elements.
    Note: Background images are not included in the exported PNG.

    Q: Are there restrictions on file names?
    A: Yes: max 63 alphanumeric characters, including “.png”.

    Q: Can I replace existing grid lines on the camera?
    A: Yes, through camera operations.

    Grid Line Display Behavior

    • If aspect ratios differ, grid lines display centered.
    • For full-edge display, match aspect ratio to the camera.
    • Works in APS-C/Super35 mode.
    • Not shown during Focus Magnifier or Playback Zoom.
    • Fully supported in movie mode (use 16:9 PNG).

    5. Photo Cropping Upgrade License

    (Not available in Japan or Asia Pacific)

    Section Summary

    This license allows you to define a cropping area in the grid file (PNG) and save both the original and cropped images during shooting.

    Q&A

    Q: How do I use the Crop Line tool?
    A: Define the cropping area inside the Custom Gridline Generator.
    When the PNG is registered and the license is active, the camera saves both:

    • Original image
    • Cropped image

    Q: Can I zoom in on cropped images?
    A:

    • Yes, if the crop uses a standard aspect ratio (3:2, 4:3, 16:9, 1:1).
    • No, for non-standard aspect ratios.

    6. Scan & Tagging Upgrade License

    (Not available in Japan or Asia Pacific)

    Section Summary

    Allows in-camera barcode and QR code scanning. Not supported during remote shooting.

    Q&A

    Q: Can I scan barcodes during remote shooting?
    A: No. Scanning works only during direct camera operation.

    Q: Why won't my camera read the code?
    Possible causes:

    • Dirt or scratches
    • Light reflections
    • Warped or damaged codes

    Refer to the Help Guide precautions for best results.

    7. Volume Photography Commands Upgrade License

    (Not available in Japan or Asia Pacific)

    Section Summary

    Adds remote white balance control in 10K increments through the SDK or Creators’ App.

    Q&A

    Q: Why can I only set white balance in 100K increments on the camera?
    A: 10K increments are available only during remote operation via:

    • Camera Remote SDK (Software Development Kit)
    • Creators’ App (Ver. 3.00 or later)