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Wizard Mode - PhotoRobot User Support Manual
This PhotoRobot User Support Manual describes the installation, requirements, and functionality of the PhotoRobot Touch App. PhotoRobot Touch is an iOS application that connects to PhotoRobot Controls App (further referred to as “CAPP”). Touch enables the use of an iPhone as an external wireless camera for handheld product photos. That, or the tethered shooting of 360 product spins. It supports batch handheld product photography in unrestricted or template-based capture modes, and features automatic upload to the Cloud version of CAPP for PhotoRobot automated post-processing and publishing.
Note: PhotoRobot Touch functions in the Cloud version of CAPP only, and does not function with the local version of CAPP. Connected iPhones must communicate with the software through the Cloud. Although, using the Cloud version of CAPP will still automatically transfer data to the local computer. For example, thumbnails synchronize automatically. However, full resolution outputs must be downloaded in the local version of CAPP by clicking a download button.
To start using the iPhone application, first download PhotoRobot Touch (available only on the App Store).
Note: For first-time app users, there is an in-app license purchase for the Touch application to unlock the full user experience. Also, users should have an active PhotoRobot Controls App (CAPP) account.
Then, it is still easily possible to test the app without purchasing a Touch license. To experiment in the app without purchasing a Touch license, the app enables users to take 3 test images. Photos are available in full resolution, and post-processing occurs in PhotoRobot _Controls App. After taking the test images, users can then restart the app to reset the counter. This allows for taking another 3 test shots without charge. If more testing is necessary, then the best way is to purchase a monthly subscription for the Touch application.
Keep in mind, an active CAPP account as well as a Touch license is required to fully take advantage of PhotoRobot Touch. This is because Touch functions only as a remote camera interface with touchscreen control.
All configuration of folders, workflows, thumbnails, and other settings is within PhotoRobot _Controls App. That includes the selection of which folders that will appear in the Touch app when active. Users must add a specific flag in CAPP which in turn makes the folder visible in the Touch App. Additionally, CAPP is necessary to create explicit folders such as for workflows, spins, detailed shots, and miscellaneous images.
For users with an active PhotoRobot license, the “Power User” subscription level is necessary for the account that connects to Touch and the iPhone. This is because the iPhone uses internet connectivity to upload images to the Cloud in real-time, over a WiFi or cellular connection.
In other words, to use Touch, users must have two licenses: the Touch license as well as the “Power User” license in the PhotoRobot Cloud version of CAPP.
The PhotoRobot Touch app for iPhone can operate in 3 modes:
Additionally, PhotoRobot Touch functions as a powerful barcode / QR scanner, with selection or deselection of codes for faster recognition.
The use of PhotoRobot Touch in Free mode allows operators to capture unrestricted, batch handheld photography.
Free mode is advantageous when there are no guidelines on how many or what type of images to capture. Instead, the operator captures images as necessary, and then confirms each in the application:
PhotoRobot Touch presets are configurable for various post-processing operations, automatic file naming conventions, and auto upload to the appropriate storage folder. They enable users to choose aspect ratio, pre-selected cameras, auto-confirm, and barcode styles:
In PhotoRobot Touch Spin mode, camera shutter control is via wire-shutter, and the iPhone functions as a remote camera to automate spin photography. This requires special wiring (provided by PhotoRobot), using a lightning or USB-C stereo-jack Apple original converter, a special triggering box for manual capture, and a cable for the control unit.
Note: It is not possible to synchronize iPhone cameras to strobe lighting. The iPhone requires continuous still lights, and captures spins mostly in a slow, non-stop rotation. This makes Spin mode advantageous when capturing a relatively limited number of images, such as a 1 x 36 image spin. That, or when photographing for example in the car industry, where delays from start-stop mode are not that significant. In these cases, the iPhone can be the operator's only camera on the floor, for capturing both spins and handheld images.
For advanced spin photography with a larger number of images, a DSLR camera with strobes and PhotoRobot systems remains faster and more efficient. PhotoRobot Touch can then be used to photograph only stills and details in free or wizard mode, while spins are taken separately or simultaneously at the robotic workstations.
The use of Wizard mode enables the configuration of template-based production workflows, and is a tool unique to PhotoRobot.
Wizard mode provides ordered steps for operators to follow: including names, descriptions, thumbnails, labels, and sample images of photos to capture. It functions as visual, step-by-step guidelines for production, with detailed instructions for each required photograph.
For example, Wizard mode can store hundreds of steps with related photos for an operator to produce. This not only drastically reduces operator training requirements. It can considerably speed up handheld still and detailed photography workflows.
In CAPP, it is also possible to specify preset conditions and an output file format for the ready-made post-processing of images.
Operators in Touch can then capture, skip, or re-capture photos, and add notes for additional post-processing, retouching, or publishing requirements.
When launching the Touch App, the first step is to connect Touch to the Cloud by scanning the QR code. This QR code connects the iPhone to Touch, and frictionlessly logs into the system.
On successful connection, the next step is to scan the barcode of the item to be photographed. This will connect the phone to the item’s directory.
Note: If the item contains several folders, the directory displays each folder for operators to work with different content: Free, Spin, and Wizard. Select the appropriate directory folder, and then photograph the item. If the image is satisfactory, clicking confirm will automatically upload the image to the folder:
Repeat this process until complete, following the wizard mode steps in order. Afterwards, returning to the Wizard start screen will direct users to any remaining tasks / folders (if any exist).
Note: It is possible to exit Wizard mode and return to the step in progress at any time. All it takes is scanning the Start barcode, and then the item barcode to begin again. This way if users want (or need) to log into the program using a different iPhone, it takes only two scans and no further configuration of settings. It also enables larger companies with batches of iPhones and charging stations to simply swap one iPhone for another when batteries are low.
The following applies to the use of the iPhone as a camera and configuration of its settings:
In order to support PhotoRobot users that do not use the iPhone, it is necessary to enable Touch support in CAPP. To do this, access Settings in CAPP, and then click General, and toggle on the option Enable Controls Touch mobile application extension.
When the Touch app is operational, there are then new menu items available for each folder in CAPP. This includes the options to access Controls Touch folders, or to Exclude a folder from Controls Touch.
To Exclude a folder from Controls Touch, click the options icon in the top-right corner of the desired folder, and select Edit folder from the operations menu.
Clicking Edit folder will open the folder settings, which include the option Exclude from Controls Touch at the bottom of the folder options. Click the box to the left of the setting to toggle it on, removing the specified folder from view in the Touch App.
For any new content in a folder, it is then displayed in either grid or list format. List format makes it easy to reorder workflow steps by drag-and-drop. It is also possible to create a new step at the position of the cursor, simplifying cases when working with 100s of steps in order.
Additionally, each workflow step is configurable by various details. Settings enable users to configure each workflow step’s title, description, thumbnail, labels, and a sample image of the required photo to capture.
In order to access Controls Touch settings, click the three vertical dots to the right of any individual image, and then select Controls Touch from the options. This will open the Edit workflow step interface.
All images in use for Sample images in the workflow are saved as a separate Item / image. To view the image, use the Download button.
After setup, standard post-processing operations will then apply to captured photos, including commands for automatic image delivery. The Wizard will then be stored as an image Preset, so that every new item created with this preset contains its predefined folders and workflow.
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