The workflow is similar to working with one image, however, there are additional steps as the user must specify a master crop as well as the number of images to apply the master crop to.
1. Go to the Production or QC tool tab and locate the Auto Crop tool.
2. In the Method drop-down menu, select Loose Material - Fixed Size for the same size material, Bound Material - Fixed Size - for books and bound documents, or Roll Film – Fixed Size - for a film.
3. Click on the Straighten drop-down menu and choose the edge to best align the crop or select Average based on all four edges or if there is no straight edge. Choose None to disable the feature.
4. The Pre-Pass option helps the Crop tool to better distinguish between the subject and the background if the difference is very small. For example, if a white paper is lying on a white background, you should choose Low Object-Background Contrast or even Very Low Object-Background Contrast. If the difference between the object and the background is well-defined, select None.
5. With Optimization, it is possible to have Levels adjusted automatically after the auto crop by choosing Auto Levels on Interior Crop in the drop-down menu. Note that the adjustment is based on a frame that is 10% smaller than the actual crop to avoid being influenced by a white or black frame. Select None to disable this feature.
6. Select the Crop cursor from the Cursor toolbar or from the Crop tool and make the selection. Note that it is not possible to click on the Auto Crop button when the selected Method is a Fixed Size. To use the Auto Crop functionality, choose the Loose Material or Bound Material method temporarily.
7. Insert a positive or negative - (minus) value for the margin in pixels in the Padding box. Note that a value must be present, so if no padding is required, type 0 (zero).
8. Once the crop is done, click on Set Master Crop.
9. Press the Cmd (Mac) key and select the images to apply the master crop to.
10. Go to the main menu, select the Edit menu and make sure that Edit All Selected Variants is enabled.
11. Press Auto Crop.
12. If fine-tuning is required, press the Auto Crop button for the second or third time or adjust the crop manually by using the Crop cursor.
Notes:
- Straightening is supported by all Auto Crop Methods within the range of +/-5 degrees.
- Holding the Shift key while applying a crop will override any previous selection.
Film scanning tips:
• The new method is a Fixed Size method that is much like the two other fixed-size methods. Therefore, it requires setting a primary crop on an image before running the Auto Crop.
• The film scanning method requires the primary crop to have the exact size of the film frame to be cropped.
• It is important to set a primary crop in an image with the film placed in a “recurrent” position. In other words, if most of the images to be auto-cropped have the film horizontally centered in the image, the primary crop should be chosen among those rather than among the few ones with a non-centered film frame.
• The method is optimized for the landscape case: the film strip is placed in the landscape with sprocket holes located at the top and bottom of the image in two horizontal strips.
• The film scanning method is optimized for auto-cropping of positive images: if the films are negative, the Film Negative mode in the Base Characteristics tool should be selected before auto-cropping. Though some good auto crop results can be achieved anyway.
• As usual, good exposure and contrast in the image help the algorithm perform at its best.
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