CapturePost is an application that allows photographers to tether a camera to a computer in order to automatically match images to their subjects.
Installation and Retrieving Data from NeoPack
CapturePost is designed to be installed on any computer and used actively in the field to photograph and match subjects.
Installation
To begin working in CapturePost, the user must download the application from the Timestone Software website and have received their USB hardlock (dongle).
The Hardlock authenticates the program and contains the CapturePost license code therein along with its expiry date.
WARNING
The Hardlock must be plugged into the computer and remain plugged in while the application is on and in use. If the dongle is unplugged, The photographer cannot continue working and will be denied access to the Files.
Creating a TNJ file (from NeoPack or DataPost)
Since CapturePost is used onsite and therefore unable to connect to the MySQL database, it uses a stand-alone TNJ file which is a single file ‘snapshot’ of the job.
Before photography, the job data must be exported from NeoPack or DataPost to the TNJ file. The export is available in Details Mode>File> Export to TNJ. The file is then saved to the CapturePost computer where it is opened at photography.
Further Reading: Beginning a Job in NeoPack
Before a photographer can shoot into CapturePost, a job should be created in Neopack or another Timestone Application, and the data should be imported.
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Once the job is created, the user can generate Data Cards with a barcode or QR Code that are used in CapturePost to find a subject before taking their photos. The images are automatically matched to the subject in the Data Card until the next Data Card is read.
Note, subjects can also be found by keyboard look-up
Further Reading QR Codes Data Cards
QR Code shoot cards are a very popular method of matching images to subjects and Families.
Setting Up for Image Capture
Once CapturePost is installed and the job is open, the user will gain access to several setup options, including camera tethering, image rotation, file name prefixes, and guides.
The majority of these settings are located under File> Setup.
Figure 1: The CapturePost Setup Menu
Under the Camera Section of the setup window, the Photographer can choose the appropriate camera driver from the drop-down menu or select to set up a hot folder.
CapturePost supports any digital camera capable of tethered shooting, where the images download to a computer while shooting. This is achieved by using the camera manufacturer’s software together with CapturePost’s hot folder option.
In the case of Canon DSLRs a direct driver exists.
NOTE
If the hot folder option is selected, the photographers must also set up options in the 3rd party camera drivers and under the Camera>Settings menu in CapturePost.
Clicking the Image Processing… button will launch a secondary window with options for image rotation and mirroring.
The image prefix window is used to insert a prefix to the front of the file name.
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If a user has multiple photographers working on a sinlge job of if the photographer returns to that area often to continure work on the same job, the Image Prefix can be used to denote which photographer or date the image was shot.
For Example, if a school photographer has two sets on a School picture day, the photographers for each set could add a static Prefix to the front of their images denoting them as having been taken by that person. This becomes extra useful if the same photographers returns to that school for an absentee/retake day. they could then add “A” to the begininning of their prefix to indicate at a glance within any timestone software which image was the absentee or retake.
Located at the bottom left of the setup window, the Guides… button launches a secondary window to display guide overlays while photographing.
Figure 2: The Guides Menu
There are two main guide types:
Simple Guide- A simple guide that shows a particular aspect ratio
Head Guide- A Oval Guide that is used to approximate the average size of the head of the subject.
The Fade Background setting applies an opacity filter over the top of the areas of the image excluded from the guides.
Shooting and Assigning Images
A photographer’s basic process will essentially be as follows:
As a Subject approaches the photographer, the photographer will either scan the barcode on the subject's Data Card, photograph the subject’s QR code or search for the subject in CapturePost. Once found, the photographer can continue capturing images of that subject, repeating this process for each subsequent subject.
Unlike the other applications, CapturePost has one main view. This shooting screen has five main components:
The Camera Status Indicator
The Preview Area
The Image Carousel
The Subject Search/Get Area
The Subject Details Area
Figure 3: CapturePost’s Main screen
Shows the Current Status of the Camera.
Colour | Status Message |
|---|---|
Green | Camera Ready |
Yellow | Images Processing |
Red | Camera Error |
Gray | No Camera Detected |
This is the main area where the image and any guides will be displayed.
When the photographer selects a record that has no image associated, the preview area will default to a gray screen.
When an Image has been matched to a subject the Subject ID Bar will appear at the bottom of the image. This displays the matched subject information and the primary image status carrot.
Located at the bottom of the screen, below the image preview, is the image carousel. This displays thumbnails for all images contained within the TNJ.
A miniature version of the subject data bar will also appear on matched images. While the subject data is not displayed on the thumbnails, the primary image status carrot will appear.
To the upper left of the Image preview window is the Subject search area, where a user can manually search for a subject in the job.
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Subjects nust be searched for by last name!
To the left of the image area is the subject Data area. This will display all subject information for a given record.
Any field can be edited by double-clicking in the desired field.
The subject displayed here is the active record. Any images taken will be assigned to this record until a new subject is selected.
Creating a New Subject
To create a new subject, select Edit> Add New Subject. This will launch a secondary window where the user can select the folder that the subject belongs to; when selected, click ok to return to the main screen. Double-click in the desired fields in the subject data area to add information to the record.
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Save time by using the keyboard shortuct CTRL + N to mark the primary image.
Matching and Unmatching
If a subject is not assigned a record or is assigned to an incorrect record, use the Match and Unmatch buttons to change the assigned record.
To match an image with a subject, scan the associated data card, use the subject search feature, or create a new subject to select the desired record. Then select the image that the user wants to assign, then click Match.
Select the Image that has been assigned to the incorrect record. Click Unmatch.
Then follow the match button directions if applicable.
Setting a Primary Image
To mark a primary image, select Edit> Mark Main Subject Image.
Further Reading: Assigning Poses in Capture Post
It is possible to assign poses in CapturePost by scanning a pose barcode.
The Primary image status carrot will appear on the right-hand side of the subject ID bar.
If a subject only has one image, no carrot will appear.
If a subject has multiple images but no primary is set, a red carrot will appear on every image.
If a subject has a primary image set, the Main image will have a black carrot, and all alternate images will have a gray carrot.
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Save time by using the keyboard shortuct CTRL + i to mark the primary image.
Saving the job
At the several times during the shoot, the photographer should save their work using File>Save or CTRL + S.
CAUTION
Unlike the Neo applications, CapturePost DOES NOT auto-save. Use File>Save or CTRL + S to save often.
CapturePost creates the Image folder adjacent to the location where the TNJ file is stored. Typically called JobName#images, this folder will contain all images that were taken during the CapturePost session.
WARNING
The image folder and TNJ file MUST remain in their relative locations to each other (side by Side) for the import process, though they may be moved together from one location to another.
Importing images to the Main Job
To merge the TNJ bat into the Job in NeoPack or another application, start by opening the associated Job in NeoPack and switching to Details View. From the menu, navigate to File > Merge TNJ. In the dialogue box that appears, select the correct TNJ file. Ensure that the option Merge - Associated job is selected, then click OK. This process will update the Job’s data by importing any new subjects as well as syncing images and subject data that were modified during the shoot.
Figure 4: The Import TNJ file window with the Merge- Associated job button selected.
Next, within the Timestone Directory folder structure, locate the Image directory folder. Inside, find or create a sub-folder named EXACTLY the same as the corresponding job. Copy the images from the #images folder into this matching image sub-folder to complete the merge process.
FAQ
What is CapturePost?
CapturePost is an application that allows photographers to tether a camera to a computer to automatically match images to their subjects.
How do I install CapturePost?
To install CapturePost, download the application from the Timestone Software website and ensure you have the USB hardlock (dongle) plugged into your computer.
What happens if the Hardlock is unplugged during use?
If the Hardlock is unplugged, the application will not launch. If the dongle is unplugged while CapturePost is running, the program will shut-down a short time later.
Can I create a TNJ file from NeoPack or DataPost?
Yes, you can export job data from NeoPack or DataPost to a TNJ file before photography.
How do I save my work in CapturePost?
You should save your work frequently using File > Save or the keyboard shortcut CTRL + S, as CapturePost does not auto-save.
What should I do if I need to create a new subject in CapturePost?
To create a new subject, select Edit > Add New Subject and fill in the necessary information in the subject data area.
How do I import the TNJ file back to the main job in NeoPack?
To import the TNJ file, open the associated job in NeoPack, switch to Details Mode, and navigate to File > Merge TNJ to update the job's data.
Can I use any digital camera with CapturePost?
CapturePost supports any digital camera capable of tethered shooting, including Canon DSLRs with a direct driver.