Organize the Digital Images

Copy Images to Computer

A master set of working folders should be created. First, create a folder using the name SurveyName in a folder that will be used for storing images. Within the SurveyName folder you will need a folder for your camera's media storage e.g. CameraMedia.

A folder for each cluster is needed. The folder number may serve as the cluster number or it may be renamed e.g. Folder (1), Folder (2), etc. or renamed to Cluster01, Cluster02, etc. If you do not rename the folders, to maintain folder sequence, Folder (1) thru Folder (9) should be changed to Folder (01) thru Folder (09). If the survey will have in excess of 99 clusters, the folder number should have three digits, Cluster001 or Folder (001).

The DRAImages folder will be used to store the images selected for use in the recording.

Create additional folders for Datums (which are not clusters), HistoricArtifacts, Lithics, Pottery, SiteOverviews and Structures. A folder for Deletions or unwanted images will be helpful when sorting.

When a new survey is started, make a copy of the SurveyName folder (and all of the subordinate folders) and rename the CopyofSurveyName folder to the survey being recorded. Copy each camera's media storage into the CameraMedia folder. Make a backup of the survey folder but DO NOT erase the camera media storage at this time.

Rotate and Sort the Images

The procedures that follow use Xplorer2 to view, move or copy and rename images. Irfanview is used for rotating images. Xplorer2 and Irfanview are both free software utilities that can be downloaded from the internet (see the www.digitalrockart.org web site for instructions on downloading and using). You may use any other software of your own choosing for sorting and selecting.

Using Xplorer2, view the images in the CameraMedia folder. A thumbnail size of 256 pixels is a good viewing size for sorting the images. Choose a larger or smaller display size if you prefer. Determine if any of the images need to be rotated. To rotate an image, right click and select Open with Irfanview. Under options, select JPG Lossless Operations. Select the correct transformation (Rotate clockwise 90, 180 or 270 degrees). Also select Optimize JPG File, Save with Original Time and Date and Keep all APP markers. Click Start. The image will redisplay rotated. Close Irfanview.

In most cases, in order to take advantage of the differences in lighting, the images were taken multiple times throughout the day and are not in any order. The DRA recording form with the thumbnail sketches should be available to assist in sorting.

Within the CameraMedia folder are images with the cluster number bags. Scrolling through the CameraMedia folder, look for an image with a cluster number bag. With this cluster image in mind and help from the thumbnail sketches, scroll through the CameraMedia looking for similar cluster images. When an image is found, left click the image. The image will become overlaid with a bluish square. Scroll through the remainder of the CameraMedia looking for additional images for the cluster. If a subsequent image is found, hold down the Ctrl key and left click the image. It too will become overlaid with a bluish square. Continue to look for additional images or drag what has been found into the cluster's i.e. Folder (01) or Cluster01 corresponding folder.

To drag the image(s), place the mouse over a selected image, hold down the left mouse button and drag the pointer over the destination folder. When pointing to the correct destination folder, the folder will become highlighted. Release the mouse. All of the highlighted images will be moved into the highlighted folder. Note the images are moved, not copied.

Images of datums, historic artifacts, lithics, pottery, site overviews or structures should be dragged into their respective folders in a like manner. Images with the cluster number bags should remain in the CameraMedia folder to facilitate sorting the remaining images.

Select and Rename Images

View a cluster folder using Xplorer2. Scrolling thru the thumbnail images of the cluster folder, verify that all of the images in the folder belong to the cluster. If not, the images should be dragged back into the CameraMedia folder for further review and sorting.

Select the images in the cluster folder that are to be used to record the cluster panels and overviews. Rename the images with unique names indicating the image category and number e.g. Clstr01PA (Cluster 01, Panel A), Clstr001PB (Cluster 01, Panel B), Clstr01OV1 (Cluster 01, Overview 1), etc. To rename an image, right click the image and select Rename. Enter the new name and hit Return.

For large panels where close-ups will be required for recording, the relative location on the panel should be included in the name. For example: Clstr01PA-1 (Cluster 01, Panel A, upper left), Clstr01PA-2 (Cluster 01, Panel A, upper right), Clstr01PA-3 (Cluster 01, Panel A, lower left), Clstr01PA-4 (Cluster 01, Panel A, lower right).

When all of the selection and renaming for a cluster has been completed, the images to be used in DRA application must be copied into the DRAImages folder. To copy a single image, right click the image and select Copy. Right click on the DRAImages folder and click on Paste. To copy multiple images, left click the first selected image and then holding down the Ctrl key, click remaining images. Right click on a highlighted image and select Copy. Right click on the DRAImages folder and click on Paste. Note this duplicates the images to be used for recording on your hard drive.

Images in the Datums, Historic Artifacts, Lithics, Pottery, Site Overviews and Structure folders need to be reviewed, selected, renamed and copied to the DRAImages folder in a similar fashion.

If an image has been software enhanced, both the before and after images should be included in the selected survey images.

Second Backup

Take a second backup of the Survey folder and all the sub-folders. You may now safely erase the camera's media storage for future use.

Mail or Upload Images

There are two ways to have your recording image folder added to the database. The first is to copy the DRAImages folder onto a CD-ROM and mail it to the administrator.

The second method is to use the JPG File Upload function in the DRA application. The JPG File Upload should only be used when a relatively small number of images are involved because only one image may be uploaded at a time.

Which ever method is used, the administrator must be involved. If you are planning to upload the images, the administrator must establish a survey area on the database before you can upload any images.

Post-Recording Cleanup

After the computer recording is complete and before your hard drive becomes full, you should delete unwanted images from your hard drive. It is recommended that you retain all backups made to DVD or CD-ROM forever. Assuming you have other backups, the recommended procedure is to retain the DRAImages folder on your hard drive and delete all other folders containing unused and duplicated images.

There are many alternative strategies for backing up digital data. You must consider the alternatives available and pick a strategy that is right for you.