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PhotoRobot Celebrates 20 Years in Automated Photography Innovation
The release of the iOS mobile application Touch enables teams to integrate iPhone product photography into PhotoRobot-powered production lines.
PhotoRobot Touch aims to fully support iPhone product photography in sync with PhotoRobot-powered production lines. It enables teams to capture professional handheld stills, detailed shots, and simple 360s with one or multiple iPhones in combination with PhotoRobot.
Additionally, wizard-guided software helps to automate complex workflows, like taking 10s, 100s, or 1000s of still images in order. This makes it easy to recreate complex workflows, time and again, and provides greater mobility in the studio. It also allows for achieving handheld image requirements while one or multiple robotic workstations are in simultaneous operation.
One team member captures all the necessary handheld still images: close-ups, and detailed shots using an iPhone. At the same time, other stations focus on the production of 360 spins, 3D models, and 360 product video. This allows for the capture of multiple products and outputs at once, so that teams can achieve all of their photos in even less time.
As we develop PhotoRobot Touch, we want to provide photo studios the ability to use the latest iPhones for their product photography. In comparison to classic digital cameras, the iPhone provides a lightweight alternative that fully integrates into PhotoRobot studio workflows. The only downside is that iPhones using PhotoRobot Touch do not function with strobe lighting. Instead, the use of continuous lighting is necessary to ensure proper lighting of objects.
Otherwise, the advantages of using an iPhone for handheld product photography are many. The iPhone provides a lightweight alternative to classic digital cameras. It fits in the palm of the hand, but has a large screen for touch-control and interaction. This means producing high-quality product photos requires only the tap of a fingertip. That includes macro and tele-lens shots, without any cables necessary. PhotoRobot Touch integration of iPhone camera control directly syncs handheld capture & file delivery in the PhotoRobot workflow.
Additionally, Production Wizards enable teams to configure templated-based workflow steps, with text or visual instructions for operators to easily follow during production. Wizards can include sample images of specific pictures and details to photograph. For example, workflow steps might require taking specific detailed shots as required by a style guide. It can be capturing the logo of a fashion product, or detailed shots for a car reverse engineering manual.
The software guides operators through capturing each required photo, no matter if it’s 10 or 1000+ images in order. It also automatically names files, uploads photos to appropriate folders, and exports with unrestricted or preset conditions, thumbnails, and labels.
Take the traditional PhotoRobot workflow consisting of six stages and using the following basic photo studio setup for example.
Note: In this case, it is possible to use both workstations simultaneously when there are multiple production line operators on the floor. This means that while the 360 turntable is in operation, another member of the team can photograph the mannequin.
They can do this either using the camera at the mannequin station, or handheld with a connected iPhone. Alternatively, they can use the iPhone to capture more high-quality stills of the product at the turntable station when necessary.
PhotoRobot Touch enables the use of an iPhone as both a camera and a powerful barcode / QR code reader in its workflow. This helps for expedient onboarding, as well as for the easy recreation of any processes.
A general example of the PhotoRobot Touch in operation would include the following.
After finishing a set of photos, the app can then direct users to the next folder / task if any remain in the project. At this point, it is also possible to return to previous steps, and re-capture any photos if necessary.
Also keep in mind, if one iPhone’s battery is low, replacing it for the next requires only scanning two codes. There is no adjustment of settings. This is why larger companies tend to have a batch of iPhones in a bulk charging station for operators to simply swap in and out anytime. Phones have a longer lifespan in higher volume workflows this way, helping to keep repairs under warranty.
When using an iPhone in production, there are then six stages to the traditional workflow.
When receiving items, the first step is to Scan & Measure the inventory.
Production line operators are able to scan barcodes to validate inventory, ID products, and automatically mark items “received” in the system.
Teams are also able to combine barcode support with CubiScan to record product weights & dimensions, as well as to automate robotized capture. This includes the automatic generation of valuable data alongside imagery.
The next stage after receiving inventory is to sort & style items in prep for automated capture.
This involves sorting items into categories with similar photoshoot settings. Teams are able to create unique rack (shelf) codes which are printable and scannable to assign capture & post-processing presets.
Simply scan the item, and then scan the shelf code to sort items by style guides, presets, staging, & image overlay. There is also laser-guided positioning on every robotic module to ensure accurate and quick product staging. This makes it easy for machine operators to position objects perfectly in prep for robotized capture.
After staging an item for photography, PhotoRobot robotizes capture of still images, 360 spins, 3D models, and 360 product video.
For this, control over an entire studio consisting of one or multiple robotic workstations is possible from a single interface. That, or by quickly scanning item barcodes, Shelf codes, and Start barcodes.
At the click of a mouse or by barcode, PhotoRobot software automates every stage of robotized capture. This includes fully automatic settings for hardware, cameras, strobes, studio lights, capture, backup, download, file naming, and more. It also produces a wealth of still images (often 24, 36 or more) in tandem with every 360 spin, and more for 3D spins and 3D models.
The integration of PhotoRobot Touch into the workflow adds another device to photograph objects to the production line.
Touch features barcode reader support, just as with PhotoRobot _Controls software, and 3 modes of operation. It enables unlimited & unrestricted handheld photography, operation by template-based workflow wizards, or the tethered capture of basic 360 spins.
It also allows us to capture all customer-required handheld images at any time in the workflow. Take for example producing 3D models of items at one workstation, while also photographing detailed shots by hand at another part of the studio. The team members with PhotoRobot Touch can walk from station to station, capturing professional product photography by iPhone.
The application also syncs with any project, with automatic file naming, image upload to appropriate storage folders, and export with unrestricted or preset conditions.
After photography by robotic workstation and iPhone, post-processing then occurs automatically in the cloud – without asking.
The software creates immediate backups, and delivers files instantly. It automates background removal, image enhancement, and basic to advanced editing operations according to configurable presets. Meanwhile, as operations occur in the Cloud, there is no interruption to production workflows.
All operations run simultaneously and in the background, meaning it’s possible to immediately continue photography of other items. There is no waiting for local software to post-process files before continuing production. Post-processed files are then delivered automatically to any internal or external CDN.
The final stage of production enables the immediate publishing of images after capture to PhotoRobot Cloud, or to eCommerce export feeds.
It allows for direct integration via API to any existing eCommerce export feed (JSON / XML). A global CDN then ensures quick loading & pixel-perfect resolution on any device, with real-time image scaling and support for JPEG / WebP.
For example, after producing a 360 spin by robotic workstation, it is possible to automatically publish it to the web. This is possible by API connectivity, or using embeddable links & codes from the software. It can also include upload of all still images from the robotic workstation, as well as the detailed shots from PhotoRobot Touch-enabled iPhones.
These, we can display in a gallery consisting of multiple outputs – automatically, or at the click of a mouse to approve publishing.
For maximum productivity in the studio, the PhotoRobot Touch application supports 3 modes of camera capture.
Take high-quality product photos at the click of an iPhone screen. There are no restrictions on limits, and no instructions to follow. Simply capture, and the software does the rest: auto file naming, image upload to appropriate storage folders, and export with conditions.
For automation to easily recreate workflows, configurable wizard templates are able to guide production line operators step-by-step. This helps to expedite onboarding of human talent, and to ensure photographers never get lost during production. Wizards can contain text as well as visual instructions, and sample images of photos to capture.
It is also possible to create simple 360 product spins by iPhone using a wire-shutter and special adaptor to trigger the camera. In this way, remote camera control in sync with PhotoRobot is possible. The iPhone can function on a tripod, with capture synced to an object’s rotation on a 360 turntable or Cube robot.
One advantage of PhotoRobot Touch is the ability to create and lock camera settings in the _Controls App. Camera settings can include:
Integration of multiple iPhones into production is extremely simple. It requires only that each iPhone have the Touch App. After installation, users simply scan a QR code to launch the app on the new device. They can then open any item by scanning its barcode, and then begin photography immediately. Some studios also use iPhone charging stations to dock phones when not in use. This ensures less delays in production workflows when switching from one iPhone to another.
Overall, PhotoRobot Touch can be an advantage to a wide range of photo studios and their photographic requirements. Take for example some of the following general use cases.
For first-time PhotoRobot Touch app users, there is an in-app purchase to unlock the full user experience. Also, users should have an active PhotoRobot Controls App account. However it is still easily possible to test the app without purchasing a Touch license.
To experiment for free, the app has a counter that enables users to take 3 test images. The photos are available in full resolution, and post-processing operations run in PhotoRobot _Controls. After taking the test images, users can then restart the app to reset the test image counter. This allows for taking another 3 test shots, without any commitment to purchase a license. If deeper testing is necessary, the best way is then to purchase a PhotoRobot Touch monthly user license.
Keep in mind Touch functions only as a remote camera interface featuring touchscreen control. Meanwhile, all configuration of folders, workflows, thumbnails, and other settings is within PhotoRobot _Controls. That includes the selection of which folders will appear in the Touch app when in operation. Users assign specific flags to the folders in the system, which in turn makes the folder visible in the Touch App. Users also create explicit folders for workflows, spins, detailed shots, and miscellaneous images directly in PhotoRobot _Controls.
Also, for users with an active PhotoRobot license, the “Power User” subscription level is necessary for the account that connects to Touch and the iPhone. In other words, users should have two licenses to make the most of the app. They should have the Touch license, and also the “Power User” license in the PhotoRobot Cloud version of CAPP. This is because the iPhone uses internet connectivity to upload images to the Cloud in real-time, over a Wi-Fi or cellular connection.
Are you ready to integrate professional iPhone product photography into your standard workflows? Do you have questions about installation, or connecting multiple devices to your robotic workstations? Let us know how PhotoRobot can help! Our specialized technicians are ready to help tailor automated photo technology around your unique business’ needs.
