Need some work flow suggestions for a LARGE project

[RalphXJ]

I'm not sure if this is the correct forum, as this project covers quiet a few topics.

Here is a brief overview of the project:
I am working on getting photo's of all the parts in a large warehouse (several thousand parts), and we are taking 3-4 photo's of each part.

Our work flow looks like this:
1 person is unpacking and laying out 5-10 parts at a time.
Then I'm taking the 3-4 pictures and then reboxing them.
Those 2 go back and forth like that till 300-400 pictures are taken (dont want to get too far ahead and loose track of where we are on the list)

Then the I take the files from the memory card (which takes awhile for a couple gigs of files)
Then process the RAW files in Photoshop.
Then Crop them images and close them.
Then the files are named with the part number and then _a, _b, _c or _d after each (thats the naming convention we have to use). I'm using the batch rename feature in Adobe Bridge to name all the parts with the same part number.

There is a big bottle neck at the downloading the images (can take up to 30-40min), as well as the cropping and naming. None of it really takes that long, but with a few hundred images, it takes awhile.

I'm the one doing taking the photo's, and also doing the computer work. I know the products, and can quickly tell if something is out of order when naming them (comparing an excel spread sheet with the images). I'm being told that I should shoot on 2 different cards, then 2 of use can do the downloading and editing. The problem being, the other person doens't know the software, or the parts. I'm worried that either the bottle neck will just move across the office, or the images will be incorrectly named, and then I'll have to go back and try and figure out what is what.

Does anyone have any suggestions or tips that might speed things up? We are looking at a several month project, and if we can speed things up at all, it would awesome.

[Rense]

Hi Ralphxj,

Is there a reason for not taking always the same amount of pictures (lets say 4), because if that is the case, you can write a simple program that renames the pictures with the right suffix.

Is your excel spreadsheet the total list of items you have to photograph?

As for the downloading part: you can try thethred shooting.

[brian.austin]

Classic tethered shooting application. Or get a laptop and do the downloading while you're shooting. Find someone else to repack the parts to speed it up.

Including the box with part number in a first photo will avoid forgetting what a part actually is. First photo = part with box, label toward camera. Then photos 2-4/5 are taken. Then next part does the same pattern.

[RalphXJ]

The reason to shoot fewer then 4 for stuff parts, is because some parts don't need 4 different views (a bolt for example, or a flat piece with only 2 sides)

We have an excel sheet with all the parts, however, some of the parts aren't in stock, or some have already been shot, so we can't batch the naming.

[Rense]

in that case if colors matters include a whibal or qpcard strip in the first photo.

[Rense]

to bad, because the batch renaming could really work: xls -> csv->.bat while using a macro in e.g. ultraedit.

[heartseye]

1. What is the final application for the images?
2. In such a fixed situation is raw needed? Why? Time and effort can perhaps be saved there...

[brian.austin]

Originally Posted by heartseye

2. In such a fixed situation is raw needed? Why? Time and effort can perhaps be saved there...

If they're using Bridge, I agree, although batching can automate some of it. If it's Lightroom or some other RAW editors, though, it's really less of a factor. The only additional step would be an export, which is rather simple.

That said, though, the advice fits: if it's a known, controllable situation like that, JPG would save significantly on workflow, ESPECIALLY if Bridge (as indicated) is being used. Heck, with the right setup, it wouldn't require much more than Windows and some renaming macros like Rense suggested.

[jfrancho]

How is Bridge any different than LR?

[RalphXJ]

I'm using the RAW conversion in Photoshop.

However, I COULD be shooting in JPEG I guess. I have the camera basically dialed in to the color/light settings for my current setup (which wont change during the project), so JPEG would really speed things up.

That would speed up the download as the images would be MUCH smaller, and it would eliminate the need to convert and save them as TIFFs, I could just do that with the batch from Photoshop that I'm already running for color editing.

That would speed things up, and i think thats my best bet at this point!!

[jfrancho]

Why is 400 images taking 30-40 minutes to DL? Use a card reader, and cut that to 5.

[brian.austin]

Originally Posted by jfrancho

How is Bridge any different than LR?

In LR, any overall exposure or color adjustments are handled directly in the interface and doesn't need the ACR -> PS -> Bridge step. As I mentioned, though, if all of the settings are known, it can be done in batch processing in Bridge.

LR "sees" the RAW image as is, allows overall (ie non-pixel pushing) adjustments and just has the export to JPG as the external process. It can also handle bulk changes without calling up another application, such as bulk color temp changes or overall exposure adjustments. If the corrections are known ahead of import, it can even be done AS the images are imported from the card.

Not to mention, shooting RAW then processing in PS and then creating JPGs creates 3 files per exposure. Shooting RAW, processing in LR and then creating JPGs creates 2 files per exposure. Or, better yet, as Bob mentioned, shoot in JPG first anyway and avoid most of it altogether.

[brian.austin]

Originally Posted by jfrancho

Why is 400 images taking 30-40 minutes to DL? Use a card reader, and cut that to 5.

That does surprise me a bit. I shot 18Gb of files on 5 cards (1600+ images) on my last shoot and the entire process took less than an hour, including me wandering away and forgetting about it.

[jfrancho]

Originally Posted by brian.austin

In LR, any overall exposure or color adjustments are handled directly in the interface and doesn't need the ACR -> PS -> Bridge step. As I mentioned, though, if all of the settings are known, it can be done in batch processing in Bridge.

LR "sees" the RAW image as is, allows overall (ie non-pixel pushing) adjustments and just has the export to JPG as the external process. It can also handle bulk changes without calling up another application, such as bulk color temp changes or overall exposure adjustments. If the corrections are known ahead of import, it can even be done AS the images are imported from the card.

Not to mention, shooting RAW then processing in PS and then creating JPGs creates 3 files per exposure. Shooting RAW, processing in LR and then creating JPGs creates 2 files per exposure. Or, better yet, as Bob mentioned, shoot in JPG first anyway and avoid most of it altogether.

You can apply bulk color changes, presets, and all that as well export directly to whatever format you want (including jpeg) directly in Bridge (or even DPP for that matter) too. Nothing new in LR in that regard. I can accept that its easier for you in LR, though. And yes, this is a very good example where an expedited in camera jpeg work flow would shine.

[generic]

Tethered to a desktop on the lower shelf of a worktable running from one of the large ups's. Hopefully someone else to snap the shots while you supervise for the shot you want while cropping jpg's and rename as you go.

Someone to unbox, note part# etc, rebox, replace, while helping with 'call outs' of numbers and shelf location etc, if needed.

Or stick with shooting to suit yourself while recording (vocally) nomenclature with each part number or description, for later dictation (if comfortable to do).

Brian is right on with 'tethered'. If shooting tethered I wouldnt see why someone else couldnt be listening to you well enough to rename while saving on the fly.

And dont you have control over the lighting in this case? Then 'why' would one need raw?

Personnally I'd think tethered would make multiple mem (more than a couple) cards unnecessary.

Man, your right to try hard to get organized now with a good plan. Sounds like this could spin out and get overwhelming if a poor approach.

The way I get messed up with somethin like this is when I run into subcategories and the entry format is not configured deep enough to allow for it. Course thats assuming a database attitude which I'd hope your not saddled with at the same time.
Although this would be an ideal time to database the info also.

I'll guess this is heading for an online catalog or a printed one or both. If this is the case then why wouldnt incoming shipments have priority assuming they would be the most recent or highest selling items? But yes that would mean interruptions as new stock arrives.

At the very least a helper should be able to unpack, trial position, ahead of you by several, then go behind and repack and restock items and keep up with you if you must shoot and record/name files. And I'd think jpg's and tethered might allow you to move along well once a routine is habitual.

I see good hints all over this topic. These guys are good. hey?

gene