Slipstream is a highly simplified capturing mode that opens up on top of Capture One CH and hides most of Capture One’s complexity. Slipstream runs on a Windows computer and is designed for touch screen operation.
To secure efficiency in a digitization project, the following organizing of the workflow is assumed:
- An Administrator handles the work of camera setup and job preparation. The Administrator is trained to operate a Phase One camera controlled by Capture One CH to achieve a specified image quality.
- The Administrator then switches Capture One CH to Slipstream mode, which hides the regular Capture One user interface and presents the very simple user interface for image capturing.
- The Operator takes over, correctly placing documents and pages of books on the copy stand, and presses “Capture”. This simple process is being repeated until the document or book is digitized fully.
Preparing Slipstream by the administrator
To provide a smooth and efficient Slipstream workflow, all camera settings and base image adjustments in Capture One need to be set up correctly by the Administrator. This guide will ensure that the capturing environment is well-established and ready to go for the Operator to take over and start the work in Slipstream.
Phase One camera setup
The first step is to set up the camera correctly on the copy stand. Position the camera to make sure that the images are captured at the desired resolution and that the focus is accurate. Camera settings like aperture, shutter speed, ISO etc. have to be set correctly at this stage as none of these are controllable from the Slipstream user interface.
Always take a test capture to make sure that everything like lighting, exposure and focus is set as expected before handling over the job to the operator.
Capture One CH setup
Once the hardware is set up correctly, the next step is to ensure that the captured images are saved to the right location, named correctly, and that the proper image adjustments are applied automatically.
1. Go to the Base Characteristics tool and ensure that the correct ICC Profile and Curve are selected. Capture One CH includes Cultural Heritage-optimized ICC profiles, so remember to select the proper one.
2. Use the Next Capture Naming tool to create the desired naming format by using text and tokens to match the job. Note that the Tokens "Camera Counter" and "Destination Folder Name" cannot be used in Slipstream. You will get a warning to remove those if they are added.
It is important to be aware that the file names created during capture are not visible for the Operator within Slipstream and that the file names cannot be altered. Instead, the Operator has the option to add a metadata description to each image captured with the IPTC – Title tag. This metadata description can then later be added to the file name via the Title token by the Administrator.
Since the Operator can delete and retake images as well as add title metadata, it will make the most sense to batch rename all the files by the Administrator after the operator is done and have exited Slipstream. You can read more about Capture Naming here.
3. Use the Next Capture Location tool to select a destination folder as well as setting up the subfolder naming with Tokens. In a typical workflow, it might be a good idea to store the captures on a network drive as this will support a great workflow where the Administrator can continue working on the captured images with advanced Cultural Heritage tools like Auto Crop or Cultural Heritage-specific Styles, for example. You can read more about the Capture Location tool here.
4. Use Next Capture Adjustments tool to set Orientation, add Metadata, image adjustments or Styles automatically to the capture images. If you want to apply specific metadata or image adjustments (like White Balance or Exposure), you will need to make a test capture first and apply the metadata or image adjustments to the test shot. Then select the Copy from Last option in the drop-down menus.
Image adjustments are controlled by All Others, so remember to set this to Copy from Last if you want a specific white balance to be applied on capture, for example. This workflow could also include an LCC profile to ensure light uniformity.
An alternative option is to create a Style based on metadata and image adjustments and then choose this from the Style drop-down menu under User Styles. You can read more about Next Capture Adjustments here.
Once all is set, you can save some of the settings as a template that the Operator can choose from Slipstream. Be aware that the template should be created in Capture One on Windows as the templates might not be fully interchangeable between the Windows and Mac versions.
NOTE: A Session template currently includes the Capture, Output, Selects, and Trash path as well as the naming tokens for capture, batch rename, Output, and Output subfolder. A Session template will save collections such as Albums and Favorite folders.
Using Slipstream by the operator
Activate Slipstream by either choosing Window -> Slipstream Mode or by clicking on the Slipstream icon in the Toolbar.
If the icon does not show up on the toolbar, it can be added through the Customize Toolbar function.
The user interface of Slipstream is kept as simple as possible. Slipstream is designed to be used with a touch screen so all main functions like Capture, Live View, Retake, Insert, Delete and Finish can be operated with a touch of a finger. Standard gestures such as double-tapping and pinching are also supported.
Starting a new Slipstream Session
On the start screen, you can either choose to start a new project or continue with the previous. If you choose Resume, the Slipstream Session will continue to capture images to the same location as used the last time. This is the most practical option for continuing a digitalization project.
If you click New, you are prompted to type in a Name for the project and select a Template. If you are in doubt about which template to use, always ask your administrator. Then click on Create.