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On line guide

Last update: 01/01/2009 version 3.0.0.12

Introduction

Welcome to the Alo’ Photo Scan 3.0’s guide; the present guide is also available on line at our web site, http://www.flexline.it.

Alo’ Photo Scan 3.0 is a specific software to manipulate images of objects that are as big as a A4 format at the maximum. The software has one interface for three main fuctions:

image acquisition from external periferics such as digital cameras and/or scanner;
image post-processing by applying many different digital effects such as white balance, image sharpening, brightness, contrast and other advanced effects;
real size 1:1 image acquisition mantaining by pre-coded selection masks.

First of all Alo’ Photo Scan 3.0 is going to fournish an image manipulation tool that is easy to use, quick and powerful. A standard activity of image acquisition, image post-processing and image cutting takes from one minute and half to five minutes. Instead, by using Alo’ Photo Scan 3.0, it is possible to get high quality images in a time from twenty seconds to one minute!

The best results can be obtained by using the vision systems Photo Video System by FourPro^©, available at the web site http://www.fourpro.com.

1 - Installation

1.1 - Minimal requirements

Before installing Alo’ Photo Scan 3.0 make sure that your pc system meets the following minimum system requirements:

CPU Intel Pentium 4 o AMD Athlon;
1 GB Ram;
Hard disk with at least 2 GB free space;
Video cardSVGA True Color 1024x768;
Una porta USB 2.0 libera;
MS Windows^© XP Home/Professional, Windows^© Vista.

Moreover it would be better if you had a wide band internet connection, both to download the periodic software updates and to consult the guide on line.

'Windows^© Vista - In Windows^© Vista the software, once installed, must be start as an administrator; follow this procedure:
1. find in the start menu the desired program;
2. right click on thr software link, then “Properties“;
3. in the dialogue box Properties select “Compatibility”;
4. under “Privilege Level”, select “Run as an administrator”, see the following image:

If the option “Run as an administrator” is not selectable it means whether the program is not integral part of Vista or the option is always blocked.'

***IMPORTANT*** this program does not run in Terminal-Server

1.2- Installation on hard disk

To install Alo’ Photo Scan 3.0 starts the installer software by double clicking on its icon. The installer is available on CD and by downloading it at our web site http://www.flexline.it. We can choose our preferred language and the folder where install the files needed by Alo’ Photo Scan 3.0. Follow the setup wizard and wait the end of the installation process.

1.3 - Up to date

Alo’ Photo Scan 3.0 has a Live Update system. If the internet connection is active, when Alo’ Photo Scan 3.0 starts, it connects automatically to the web site http://www.flexline.it and checks if any updates are available. If so is it, it downloads and installs them automatically. The program can be updated manually, going to Support | Live Update .

1.4 – Older versions

Alo’ Photo Scan 3.0 can coexist with the previous version. To use your previous catalogues you need to copy the old cps.dat, that are in the directory Alo’ Photo Scan 3.0, into the directory of Alo’ Photo Scan 3.0. Moreover you need to copy the directory with the images (the path of the image directory depends on the impostazioni chosen by the user, see part [#_4.4_-_Configurazione 4.4 – Ctalogue configuration]).

1.5 – Camera installation

Your Canon digital camera does not need any particular driver to working with Alo’ Photo Scan 3.0. This is because our software has an internal driver provided by Canon for USB cameras. Anyway it is very important that the connected camera is properly recognized by MS Windows. It is also important that the USB drivers controller are properly installed onto your system. To check it, go to Windows Hardware Panel and make sure there aren’t any hardware conflicts or problems.

Note: Alo’ Photo Scan operates with Canon digital cameras only. The other cameras that are compatible with WIA will be visualized as scanners; with these cameras it is not possible either to have a preview in real time or the 1:1 real size automatically. To have the 1:1 size the user has to work manually on the resolution of the scansion in DPI''.

2 - First run

The installation procedure creates automatically a new icon on your desktop and in your Start Menu. When you start Alo’ Photo Scan 3.0 for the first time, it runs in trial version: it will bw working with no limits for 30 days. After this perod, you must register the software by inserting the activation code. You can obtain it by the on-line registration wizard. You can register Alo’ Photo Scan 3.0 before the end of the 30 days, of course!

Note: after the trial period has expired, the program will stop working until you enter a valid activation code but you will not lose anything of your data.

2.1 - Registration

The registration process is necessary to deactivate the trial mode but it doesn’t add any other function. As a matter of fact all Alo’ Photo Scan 3.0 capabilities as been already activated by the setup.
The registration process starts automatically if the trial period has expired. If you want to register before this event, you can start the registration process by clicking on the menu Catalogues| Registration .
The registration procedure is shown in the following mask: Fill in all fields, and then click on Send e-mail. A registration request will be sent to our web site. Wait for our replay with the registration code. Then fill it in the appropriate fields and click on Register.

To visualize the text of the mail you sent, click on Text file , instead to keep on using the pragram in trial version, click on Demo .
Note: We advise to restart the program after the registration''.''''''

2.2 - Catalogue plug-in registration

Catalogue is the Alo’ Photo Scan 3.0 plug-in for catalogues management. It is a feature with fee that requires another registration. You can try it in the trial period, but at the end of this you need to register it. There are no limits in trial version but opening the forms plug-in it will show you a warning message and catalogue prints a watermark on the background until you do not register it. If you don’t purchase the Catalogue plug-in you can whatever work with Alo’ Photo Scan 3.0, but you will not able to work with Catalogue. The registration process is the same as we have just explained. For the cataslogue management see part [#_4_-_Gestione 4 – Catalogue management].

Note: We advise to restart the program after the registration.

2.3 – General settings

To set some some features of Alo’ Photo Scan 3.0, push the button high on the left and then the key Settings . So, you will see the following window to modify the general settings:

Through this form you will be able to set the following features:
1. to activate/ disactivate the debug: the debug information will be written into the file log.txt, which is inside the directory used to install Alo’ Photo Scan 3.0. The log file is useful to get technical assistance as soon as possible;
2. to select the program language;
3. to activate/disactivate the automatic program update at the start;
4. to activate/disactivate sampling when you save the high resolution images, introducing the new resolution in DPI (“Dot Per Inch”);
5. to change the default colours’ space: RGB, levels of grey, YCbCr, YCbCrK or CMYK;
6. to activate/disactivate the automatic visualization of the window with the image taken by the camera (if the camera is connected);
To set the previous parameters definitively, click on OK or Apply.

2.4 – Adding/Eliminating keys in the quick access toolbar

The quick access toolbar is high on the left, next to the key and through this you can have a quick access to some functions. There are 4 keys to save data, the button Undo and the one Redo. Anyway you can personalize the tool bar, adding or eliminating some keys. To add some buttons, go to the chosen button, push the right key of the mouse on it and select Add to Quick Access Toolbar. To remove a button, go to the chosen button, click with the right key of the mouse on it and select Remove from Quick Access Toolbar. You can also add (or remove) a button pushing th key and selecting the button to hide (or to visualize) from the list. Pushing the button , you can visualize the toolbar above or below the menu or maximize/minimize the menu. To maximize/minimize the menu, you can also click twice quickly over one item of the menu.

2.5 – Way to introduce parameters

In the boxes with drop-down menus, the parameters can be set in 3 ways:
1. selecting with the mouse the chosen value from the drop-down menu
2. running through values with the mouse by the arrows up/down, to the chosen value
3. introducing the chosen value with the keyboard and then pushing “Enter”

2.6 - Camera placement

Alo’ Photo Scan 3.0 is a sophisticated software which allows you to obtain images keeping 1:1 real size. The best results are warranted along with the Four Pro’s Gem Photo Lux © photo video system. Placing the camera in the right way is very significant or otherwise this may compromise the real size computing.
The distance between the crossbar and the plate must be about 32 cm. For an accurate measuring place the crossbar perpendicular to the plate, then take a ruler. To change the height set the knobs on the side.
After, place the ruler on the plate, start Alo’ Photo Scan 3.0, select a mask and check that the centimeter on the preview window does matches the real size.

3 - Image acquisition e processing

Note: connect the camera to PC via USB cable before starting Alo’ Photo Scan 3.0.

Once Alo’ Photo Scan 3.0 is started, it shows you its main window:

On the upper window side there are the main menu and the toolbar. Most of the buttons located here can be even activated by right clicking on the image that we are working on. When we are working with more maximized images at the same time, we can pass from one image to the other reducing them in smaller windows through the buttons high on the right inside the main menu.
High on the right there is the selection mask window. A mask is useful for a linear image cutting keepin the real object dimension, 1:1. Masks can be freely coded in the proper table. It’s enough to provide data such as description mask, width (mm) and mask height (mm).
In the inferior right part there is the working area with all the open windows Indeed Alo’ Photo Scan 3.0 can manage more images at the same time.
High on the left there is the toolbar with the selection instruments, the image modification and zoom, the instrument to write texts on images.
Below on the left there is the quick equalizer useful to apply equalization filters to the images to see the preview before applying them actually.
Below there is the status bar where there are some information, such as the progressive percentage of saving or the value of the colour scale of the image’s pixel indicated by the mouse. At the same way high, in the title bar of the window, there are some information about the open image, such as the kind of image (RGB, YCbCr, livelli di grigio, etc…), etc.
To exit from Alo’ Photo Scan 3.0 there are two ways. Indeed you can
1. click on the key “x” high on the right in the tithle bar of the program;
2. click on the key high on the left and then on Exit .
Note: if there are not scaed modified images, the program warns you before closing.

3.1 - Using acquiring sources

Alo’ Photo Scan 3.0 allows users to get images from various sources such as:

Scanner o standard WIA devices
Digital cameras
Previously saved files

3.1.1 - Scanner or standard WIA devices

Home | Scanner menu allows you to select the scanner or the standard WIA devices, like a webcam, from which you can take the images. Select Scan window if you want to use the scan window owing the scanner. Otherwise if you want to receive the image directly, do not select it. Clicking on the botton Acquire you start the scan.

3.1.2 - Cameras

Going to the menu File | Camera, see the figure:

Pushing Lock/Unlock AF you lock or unlock the camera’s auto-focus function.
Pushing Cameras’ List you have the list of the cameras supported and you can set some parameters of the connected camera such as stopping preview, seeing preview, locking/unlocking auto-focus, setting time, etc.
To satart the camera push on Start Camera . If the autoplay function was activated, the camera will start automatically and you will seee the video coming from your camera in the following way:

In the centre of the window, the object pointed by the camera will be visualized in real time; high on the left you will see the scale. To acquire the image, push on Shoot.
Below you can select a predefined shot profile which permits to memorize the setting, such as exposure time, etc. To set and save new profiles, see at the end of the section.
The image can be modified in real time. Here is a list of the available functions:

Turn on/off the LCD display and the view finder selecting them from the drop-down menu;
Use mask: if it is activated, it allows the use of the selected mask for image cutting. This parameter is fundamental for the real size cutting;
White Balance: : if it is activated, it corrects the white by setting the camera exposure meter;
Lock AF: If it is activated, it locks the auto-focus function of the camera, permitting the manual-focus, moving the camera;

Rotation: it virtually rotates the preview by setting a value between 0° and 360° pushing one of 4 buttons;

Zoom: : it show the zoom position. By clicking on the cursor you can change the position. To keep the 1:1, use Use mask;

Shoot: it shoots a photo, using the selected parameters;
Equalize: you can equalize the image as aoon as you shot it;
Regulation: you can set the camera’s parameters. You can have the same effect pushing Regulation ;
Recording a video: pushing the button Codec you can set the video compression codec (DivX, Xvid, ffds, etc…) and the compression parameters. Pushing Record, recording starts. You can pause it pushing Pause, make it start again, pushing Restart and stop it definitively pushing Stop. As soon as the video is recorded, the directory containing it will open (the name of the video will be the current date and time) and then the video will be sent to be reproduced to the multimedia reader.

Ring , not rotated at first, which is rotated by 90° using the appropiate function:

Ring rotated in real time:

The same ring after the application of a white background in real time:

Pushing the button Parameters in the menu Home | Camera or inside the button you can modify the exposure settings or camera shot, see the figure:

Here the list of the parameters modifiable by the user:

Exposure way: Manual, Programmed, TV, AV. For best results, use AV;
Exposure time;
Diaphragm opening;
Exposure compensation;
Flash;
Flash compensation;
Image dimensions: from Little to Big. For b est results, choose Big;
Image details: Normal, Fine, Super Fine; for best results, use Super Fine;
White balance: For best result set Fluorescent;
ISO: you have to choose according to the sensitivity of the CCD of your camera;
metering;
AF search interval (auto- focus).

A previously saved profile can be reused selecting it from the drop-down menu Profiles. To set a new profile, set the settings as you desire, then push Save; to erase a profile, select it and then push Cancel.
To set other parameters, previously introduced in the form, push on OK or on Apply.

Below, on the left, you can set the camera owner’s name introducing it in the text box and then pushing Set Owner.
Above on the right of the window there are some information about the came, such as the bactery status, etc.

Important: some Canon cameras, especially reflex cameras from EOS series, do not support PC live preview, in that case the preview window will contain the last taken shot.
.

3.1.3 – Previously saved files

To open a previously saved image there are two ways:
· Going to the menu Home | Immagine and clicking on Open ;
· Clicking on the button high on the left and then on the button Open .

3.1.4 – New image creation

To create a new image, clik on the button , then on New . In the box Name introduce the name name you will save the image with. From the box Preset, choose the predefined image dimension (“Clipboard” if you want an image from Windows^©notes). In other boxes you can set the dimensions, in different unit of measurement, the resolution in DPI, “Dot Per Inch”. This procedure is very useful to stick an image in Windows^©notes.

3.2 – Undoing the executed operation and redoing with Undo and Redo

You can undo an operation done executed on an image pushing once or more Undo high on the left. Instead to redo your last operations, undone with Undo, push once or more on Redo .

3.3 - Post processing tools

Once the image is acquired, it’s shown in a new window inside the main area next to the mask selection, the quick equalization and the toolbar.

The palette includes some tools for selecting portions of the image:

Rectangular selection : it allows you to select rectangular portions of the image, starting with a click high on the left and ending with a click down on the right;
Circular selection : it selects circular or elliptical areas;
Magic wand : it allows you to select areas with similar colors. You can set a tolerance value to change the tolerance. Just one-click on the image and the tool will select all similar pixels depending on the tolerance.
Multi-point polygonal selection : selects a polygonal pattern. Just one-click in some points and the tool will select the area within them. To close the selection click twice on the last point of the polygon;
Free hand selection : it allows to select areas of every pattern. Just click and hold on the left button, then drag the area that you want to select;
Zoom In e Out : it changes the zoom value of the image. This is useful when selecting some particular small regions of the image. You can also use the zoom going on the menu Home | Vista: pushing on Fit , the image will be resized to fit the window; pushing Zoom In or Zoom Out the enlargement/reduccion factor canges on 10%. Il zoom factor can be set manually, introducing it or selecting it in the drop-down text box and pushing “Eter”.

When the Rectangular Selection tool is active, it appears a dash dot line rectangle on the image, according to the width and height of the current mask. You can manually change the dimensions or select another mask from the list (see section [#_3.3.1_-_Selezione 3.3.1 – Mask selection]).
When you select a part of an image, you can move it going ito the selected area and keepin pushed the mouse’s button. After pug in the right position, you can apply some filters to improve the image. You can also copy (or push Ctrl+C), cut (or push Ctrl+X) or erase (or push “Canc”) the selected part going to the menu Home | Edit, in order to use it again as a new image by the button Home | Stick . When you cut or erase a selection, the background is set from the toolbar, under the button to introduce text.
To select all the image , go to the menu Image | Select all .
To select the inverted area, go to the menu Image | Select inverted .
To select the selected part, go to the menu Image | Cut . If the selected area is not rectangular, the cutting is performed following the smallest rectangle enclosing the selected area.

To cut a selected area, leaving the chosen background, click on Image | New Layer . The new layer can be moved dragging it with the mouse kept pushed. The layer can also be resized dragging the little squares at the sides or at the corner of the selection. Once posicioned and resized, the layer can be inserted in the image pushing Image | Unite Layers .
To deselect a previously selected area, go to Image | Deselect .

Nota 1:the biggest part of the previous operations can be performed with a right click on any point of the image too..
Nota 2:all the operations of photo retouching of this guide can be applied both to the whole page and to a selection..''''

3.3.1 – Mask selection

To create a predefined mask in the image, double click on the chosen box inside the following mask selection window (clicking on the column’s title, you can order the list alphabetically):

You can create a mask, selecting one in one of the windows and then clicking twice on . The new mask will be visualized in the left superior corner and will be moved by keeping pushed the mouse inside the selection, dragging the selection to the chosen point. Moreover you can change the dimensions dragging the sides or the corners or modifying the lenght or the height in the menu Home | Mask:

Pushing you activate or disactivate the little squares at the sides of the selection.
To disactivate the selectin, push the right key of the mouse on the selection an click on Deselect.
Below the area in which you can change the dimensions you can also change the image resolution, in DPI, inside the selected area.

The selection masks can be modifie, added, deleted, through the following bar :

· to pass to the first or the last mask;
· File:Button RewindFast1.jpg to pass to the previous or the following page between all the masks;
· to pass to the followin or previous mask;
· to add a new mask or to delete the selected one, to add a new mask you can also push Add new mask; anyway to add a mask definitively, you have to push ;
· to modify the selected field of the highlighted record;
· to add a new model definitively;
· with double click to cancel the changes (only if you have changes to save);
· to update the fields;
· to create a bookmark;
· to go to the bookmark previously created;
· to apply a filter to the mask list through the following form:

For example in the previous form the inserted filter is: “find all the records (with the mask field starting with “d” E with the field Width ≤ 40 E with the field Height < 30) OR (with the Mask field starting with “f” E with the field Width as big as a 10 E with the field Height as big as 20)”.
Pushing on Open you can open a previously saved filter; instead pushing on Save as you can save the current filter to reopen it. Pushing OK or Apply (this way you can see the preview of the filtered list) the current list is applied to the selection mask list. After applying the filter you can activate or desactivate them selecting or deselecting the control box, that is at the bottom on the left in the mask list. To delete the filter definitively applied to the list, push on . To modify a filter already applied to the list, push on Personalize... at the bottom on the right in the mask list. Pushing on Cancel you exit from the current filter without applying it.

3.3.2 – Predefined operative sequence

Among the available effects, Alo’ Photo Scan 3.0 proposes those permitting to get the result effectively. Below a operative sequence that is often very effective.
Predefined operative sequence:

White balance: in menu Home | Image pushing on White background it completely removes the image background that usually comes in light gray and turns it into white.
Quick equalization: acting on the bars in the quick equalization window you can modify the dark, light colour intensity, seeing the preview. To apply changes, push Apply; to come back to the roiginal situation push on Reset.

The following picture shows how the image becomes after the effects are applied (white balance, 2 points contrast):

Another useful functionality is the Image Equalizer, which permits to improve the image. To use it, go to Home | Image and push on Equalize ; through the histogram you can equalize the dark and light tones of the primary colours and the grey scale.

This tool allows to remove the noise that may be visible on the background after the white balance has been applied. Just move the top-right cursor (red circle) at the beginning of the noise (blue arrow).

With the “Gamma Correction” tool is possible to control the image overall contrast, simply by moving the cursor left or right (green arrows).

If the result is not satisfying, click on the filter button to use a set of digital effects to apply i order to impreove the image. Clickg on , the original image passes to the window of the original, all the settings are cancelled and you can restart to modify the image. Selecting the control box Block previe the image is visualized on the right; instead if you do not select the image, it will be visualized just when you push Preview. Below all the filters available in Alo’ Photo Scan 3.0:

	Contrast Move the cursors to change contrast and brightness values.
	HSV Move the cursors to change Hue, Saturation and Brightness (V) values.
	HSL Move the cursors to change Hue, Saturation and Lightness values. It is very useful with steel object.
	RGB Change values for the primary colours Red, Green and Blue
	User Filters Changing the values in the matrix you can obtain various effects. You can use some of the presets in the list: Blur, Edges, Emboss, High Pass 1, High Pass, 2, High Pass 3, Low Pass 1 e Low Pass 2. You can save or charge a particular fliter value configuration through the buttons Save and Charge.
	Equalization Changing the histogram cursors you can equalize light e dark tones.
	Bump map It applies a suffused light, of the selected colour, in the indicated position. It is used to simulate holes, protrusions and roughness.
	Lens It applies a lens effect on the picture. You can change width, position and refraction factor.
	Wave It applies a wave effect on the picture. This filter lets you change its amplitude, length and phase values..
	Morphing Filter There are the following filters: Maximum, Minimum, Open e Close. It is possible to set the morphing window dimension.
	Rotation It permits you to rotate the canvas image. (not only 90°).
	FFT It permits to apply a quick Fourier transormation to decompose an image in its sine and cosine. The elaborated image represents the image in the domain of the frequency (or of Fourier). Instead the input image is the equivalent one in the spatial. For more information go to the following address. In the box you can sellect a rectangular area, which can be deleted, with the key Delete. Pushing Restore you can come back to the original image. The FFt elaboration can be performed both on the grey levels and on the colour ones.
	Gamma correction It permits you to modify the colour gamma of the colours of the image, as previously seen.
	Sharpen It is used to improve the image contours. Acting on the bar you can increase or reduce the effect and the dimension of the application window.

Pushing on you can copy the image modified with the filter on the original one; then you can reapply another filter.
Then you can save the whole image, clicking on or on and then on Save (this way the image is saved with its original name) or on Save as (this way the image can be saved with a name chosen by the user).
Pushing on or clicking on and then on Save Web you can save the image with predefined dimensions for the web (see the following figure). The file is saved with the name used to save the dimensions of the image. You can select more formats through the control box: this way you can save the images with the selected dimensions. To add a new format you have to click on , instead to eliminate it, you have to select it and then push on. Once pushed and introduced the dimensions, to add the format definitively you have to push on . To modify a format you have to click on it, modify it and then push on . If you select Stretch, the image will be resized. If you don’t select it, the image will be cut. Pushing on Save the common window to save the file will appear, instead pushing Cancel you will exit from the saving procedure, without saving the image.

Clicking on or clicking on and then on Save new model you can save the image and introduce it in the catalogue. (see paragraph [#_4.1_-_Articoli 4.1 - Items]).
If you select a part of the image, with every kind of selection, clicking on high on the left.

Noe:all the previous saving operations are performable pushing on the right button on any point of the image and clicking on the right button.''''''''''

It should be better to save the cuts in Jpeg (.jpg), even if other formats are supported.. Indeed Jpeg permits to keep a good quality image reducing the dimension of the file on the disk. To optimize the file you can reducece even more the image (see [#_3.8_-_Ridimensionamento, 3.8 – Resizing, rotation and reflexion]).
To close a saved image click on and then on Close . To close it is also posible pushing of the image window high on the right. To reopen the last closed files, you have to click on and then on one of the last files of the right list.

Once an image is saved, click on and on Revert to come back to the previously saved one.

Pushing on and then on Properties you can visualize the properties of the image: name, saving path, dimensions and resolution (in DPI). The properties can be visualized going to Home | Image and pushing on Properties .

3.4 – Transaparency management

The transparencies can be applied from the menu Imagine | Transparency, see figure:

With this function you can remove background completely. You can set the colour which has to become transparent (white is the default one) from the palette or from the dropo-down menu. You can also set the colour tolerance (the default value is 305). By clicking Apply the trasparency is applied to the selected area (if you have not selected any area the transparency is applied tot hte whole image). To remove transparency, click on Undo , in the quick access toolbar.
Nell’esempio sottostante viene presentata la sequenza per l’applicazione della trasparenza alla parte selezionata dell’immagine:

To keep transparency while you are saving to file, it’s necessary to use GIF, PNG or TGA extension to support it. Otherwise transparency will be replaced with background colour.

3.5 - Blending

To set opacity go toImage | Blend and set the blending percentage. See the following image:

The default value is 40 %. To remove it take back it to 0 %.

3.6 - Shadow

With Alo’ Photo Scan 3.0 you can apply shadows to images. Go to the menu Image | Shadow, see figure:

Shadows are applied with the followinf settings:

Radius – shadow depth (default 17)
Horizontal – shadow horizontal orientation (default 5)
Vertical – shadow vertical orientation (default 30)
Color – shadow color
Intensity – shadow intensity.

To apply the shadow click Apply

Once shadow is applied to an image with a consistent background, it takes the full image as shown below:

The following sample shows how shadow is applied to images with transparency:

The previous samples are made with the following shadow parameters:

Radius: 27;
Horizontal: 5;
Vertical: 30;
Colour: Grey;
Intensity: 100 %.

3.7 – Text over the image

To put text over image, click in the toolbar. Then select the area where you want to insert text. Below menu, the following strip to modify text will be visualized:

You can set font, dimension, alignment an colour of the text. You can also resize or move the text area clicking on . Pushing you can apply the modification; instead pushing you can annul operation before applying the text over image definitively. To remove the text once applied click on Undo

3.8 – Resizing, rotation, reflexion

Resizing an image means to save space on disk. Go to Image an then onResize . The following window will bw visualized:

Introduce the desired percentage of resizing, writing it or selecting it from the list. The software will show you the new dimensions an the occupied space. Instead indicating one of the dimension, you will see the resizing percentage and the occupied space. Moreover you can chhose a different way of sampling or create completely a new image, without modifying an existing one.
You can modify canvas’ dimensions going to Home | Image and clicking on Canvas. The following window will be visualized:

You have to introduce the new canvas’ dimensions, select the unit of measurement, then click on the arrows to insert the image in a bigger or smaller canvas. You can also create a completely new canvas.

To rotate your image of 90° in clockwise or anticlockwise direction, go to Home | Image and click on .
To apply a vertical or horizontal rotation, go to Home | Image and click on.

To convert the image in different color spaces (RGB, CYMK, YCbCr and gray scale) go on Home | Image and select the desired color space clicking on the Mode Button

3.9 – Contextual menu

Go with your mouse over the image and click with the right key of the mouse, so you can go to the contextual menu, as you see in the following figure:

With this contextual menu you can perform some operations quickly, organized in different sections:
· to save an image (to save the selection only, as a new model, for web);
· to perform operation, like copy/cut, stick, cancel;
· to select the whole image, to deselect an already selected area, to slect the opposite of the selected area or to cut the selected area;
· to create or unite layers;
· to print;
· to visualize the image properties.

3.10 - Print

To print an image, click on and then on poi andare su Printer :
· Printing preview you can have a preview of the image and modify it before printing;
· Immediate printing you can send images directly to the predefined printer, without modifying them;
· Printer’s settings you can select the printer, the number of copies and other options before printing the image.

4 - Catalogue management

Alo’ Photo Scan 3.0 lets you organize the adquired photos, add descriptions, compose printing formats and get printable ctalogues. You can manage the catalogue from Catalogues | Catalogue, see figure:

Note: you can use catalogue management only if you have registered the Catatalogue too. (see [#_2.2_-_Registrazione 2.2 – Catalogue plug-in registration]'''''); whereas every time a warning window will appear.

4.1 - Models

Pushing Models a mask to insert and modify models will appear. Through this form you will be able to organize your images associating them some details such as model, weight, dimensions, prices, etc, see the figure:

Data management happens through the navigator . By its buttons you can:

· go to the first/last record in the table;
· File:Button RewindFast1.jpg pass to the previous/following page of the catalogue;
· pass to the following/previous item in the catalogue;
· add a new item or eleiminate the selected one; to add a new item you can also push Add new model. To add the item definitively, push ;
· modify the selected field of the highlighted record;
· add a new item definitively to the catalogue;
· with double click you will annul the changes (active only if you have changes to save);
· update al fields;
· create a bookmark;
· go to the bookmark;
· apply a filter to the catalogue (see [#_3.3.1_-_Selezione 3.3.1 – Mask selection] to create a personalized filter).

Nota: if you have changed the catalogue, when you close the previous form, the system will ask you if you are going to modify definitively the catalogue

To create a new article follow one of the following procedures:
A. Procedure A
1. open the previously saved article’s image;
2. click on and go to Save as a model;
3. insert all data: model, bar code, description, etc…;
4. insert family, group, subgroup;
5. insert mask selecting it from the drop-down menu below on the right;
6. push OK, now the article will be inserted in the catalogue.
B. Procedure B
1. open Catalogues | Catalogue pushing Models ;
2. push in the navigator
3. insert data: model, bar code, description, etc…;
4. insert family, group and subgroup;
5. insert mask selecting it from the drop-down menu below on the right;
6. puh on (if you want to load a previously saved image) or on (if you want to have the image in real time from the camera) to select and insert the image of the desired item;
7. push OK, now the article will be inserted in the catalogue.

To erase the image associated to the article, push ; instead if you want to modify an image associated to an article, go over it, push the right key of the mouse and then push Copy. This way the image can be taken from the notes of Windows^© creating a new image and sticking on it the copied image, as we have seen in [#_3.3_-_Fotoritocco 3.3 – Post processing tools].

For every article you can specify more descriptions in different languages in the first list and other details in the second one, as for example:
· bar code;
· kind of metal;
· weight;
· dimension;
· 2 prices;
· carats.
Pushing on in the second list you can insert the kind of metal selecting it from a list. The list is modifiable too.

Before inserting an item you can select the family, the group and the subgroup, so that the data can be better organized. By the key you can manage the families and the groups, see the following image:

Note: you can manage previous data by the navigator below, which works the same way the other navigators previously seen..

You can specify details different from the predefined ones, specifying them in the program configuration (see [#_4.4_-_Configurazione 4.4 – Catalogue configuration]).

To look for a previously created article, go through the table by the navigator’s buttons or push (or F3 in the keyboard) to go to the mask Models lookup. By this mask you can look for models by descriptive data or associated images(see following figures). To perform a search operation just click on a column and start typing a text: the cursor will go to the first row that matches the text inserted in that column.
Clicking on a column title you can order the rows alphabetically according to the models, the masks or ID. In the list of the images, clicking on the downward arrow you can visualize the model’s (if the image is very big).

Pushing Export Data you can export all the catalogue into the file models-export.csv. Then this file will be opened with the associated default program and then it will be able to be saved in any other position, as a backup. Pushing Import Data you can load the saved data catalogue in a file .csv (“Comma Separated Value”), by the function Export Data or from a file with the same data structure. This function is useful to import the catalogue from a computer to an other.

4.2 - Page settings wizard

By Page setting wizard you can chose the disposition of your models in the printed catalogue page and the way data must be associated to the images. You can go to this functionality pushing Catalogues | Catalogue and then on Page setting wizard . The procedure is made up of 4 steps. You can always modify the inserted parameters by pushing Back. You can always exit from the procedure by pushing Exit.

Step 1

In the first step choose to edit an existing page or create a new one. There are some pre-coded pages that cover the most of cases.
To create a new page, first of all, select the type:

Columnar Catalogue (same shape on each page)
Columnar Catalogue with Metal – Title summary
Autosizeable (every shape is positioned automatically).

To eliminate a format, you have to select it from the list below, push the right key and then cancel it.
Then push Ahead.

Step 2

In this step you have to specify the paper dimensions and orientation, the mask, the text font and which fields to print. For each of them set the font (bold, italic, underlined and strikeout).
· to eliminate all the fields to the print;
· to add all the fields to the print;
· to eliminate the highlighted field from those to print;
· to add the highlighted field to those to print;
· to move the model upward;
· to move the model downward.

Nota 1:you can add or eliminate a field clicking on it twice too.
Nota 2:to perform a multiple selection of mor ethan one field, keep pushed Ctrl and at the same time click on all the desired fields..

On the right select the data position (over, under, left, and right) with respect to the picture. You can also specify the dimensions of the section with data (if you do not push Autosize there could be some cuts). You can also specify if data must be disposed on one sole row and if images must be enclosed by a black board. If you choose Autosize, the images can be ordered acg the dimensions of the masks, selecting the corresponding checkbox. If you choose Catalogue Columnar with summary you can insert the details to visualize in the box Metal – Title summary.
Some parameters could be disactivated according to the kind of catalogue chosen in the previous page, as for example Autosize.
Then push Ahead.

Step 3

In these steps the wizard shows a generic preview of the page layout. Here you can adjust the columns and rows offset and the top, bottom, left and right margin. These values increase or decrease the printable area and the distance between each picture.

t

Then click on Preview, to modify the image in details:
· replacement single fields;
· print of the model;
· current model saving or preexisting models loading;
· to export in other formats (HTML, RTF, BMP, etc…);
· to save the model in PDF;
· to send the model by e-mail;
· zoom on the model;
· to edit the model in detail (see ahead);
· to see the model schema;
· to see the miniatures of all the pages in preview and to pass from one page to the other;
· to set the page layout;
· to go through the model’s pages.
To exit, push Close .

By clicking on Advanced the wizard gives you access to the editor which will let you make some more customizations.
Download the manual FastReport^© in English from the following link, to have more information about the possible cusomizations.

Finally push Ahead to go to the last page of Page setting wizard.

Step 4

Fill the field to give a name for the just created page and click on Save. Then click on Exit to close the window. Selecting Save copy, the format will be saved as a copy of the original one.

Now you will be able to use the new saved format in the next print of the catalogue (see [#_4.3_-_Stampa 4.3 – Catalogue print]).

4.3 – Catalogue print

To print the models go to Catalogues | Catalogue and then push Catalogue print . The procedure is made up of 2 steps; you can always push Back to modify the just inserted parameters. You can always exit from the procedure pushing Exit.

Step 1

Choose the format to use. Indicate the filters for codex (printing the models comprehended between a starting model and an ending one) and for the model’s detail. If left empty, the program will select all the models available for that format. You can also set the family, the group or thr subgroup. Alo’ Photo Scan 3.0 can order the data according to model, family, group or subgroup. You can also select the language used in the descriptions and then push Ahead; so you can print easily catalogues in different languages.'

Step 2

In the second page the models will be visualized according tot he parameters inserted in the first step (see figure).

On the left there is the list of the models available for the print; on the right the are where the models to print must be moved; below the image of the model selected in both lists. You can copy an image of a model going over it and pushing the right key of the mouse.
A list of the available buttons:
· Move all models to the right , that is print all them;
· Move all the models to the left (they will not be printed);
· Move current model to the right, that is print the selected model;
· Move the selected model to the left (it will not be printed);
· Move the model upward;
· Move the model downward.

Note 1: you can add or eliminate a field also clicking twice over it.
Note 2:to perform a multiple selection of more fields keep pushed Ctrl and at the same timeclick on all thechosen fields, so they will be highlighted.

Other functions:

cancel the current selection;
load a previously saved selection;
save the current selection to reload it later;
print the catalogue as a preview. If the option Draw is activated,the program will let you modify the preview to create a personalized version of the catalogue (see Step 3 [#_4.2_-_Autocomposizione 4.2 – Page setting wizard]).
Group by: if ordered by family, group, subgroup, it divides the selected fields from this drop-down menu.
Start in a new page: if selected, evry family, group, subgroup starts ins a new page.
If you have chosen Autosize, the images can be ordered by the dimension of the mask, selecting the corresponding checkbox.

After setting all the parameters, push on Print to visualize the preview of the catalogue, as in the following figure:

As in [#_4.2_-_Autocomposizione 4.2 – Page setting wizard], even now you can modify the model:
· replacement single fields;
· print of the model;
· current model saving or preexisting models loading;
· to export in other formats (HTML, RTF, BMP, etc…);
· to save the model in PDF;
· to send the model by e-mail;
· zoom on the model;
· to edit the model in detail (see ahead);
· to see the model schema;
· to see the miniatures of all the pages in preview and to pass from one page to the other;
· to set the page layout;
· to go through the model’s pages.
To exit from this window push Close . Pushing on Edit you can personalize more the catalogue, as seen in Step 3 [#_4.2_-_Autocomposizione 4.2 – Page setting wizard], opening the FastReport (see following image). Download the FastReport^© manual in English from the following link to have more information.

After personalizing the catalogue:
1. save the modified model (File → Save or push Ctrl + S).
2. exit from FastReport^©.
3. push Print to send the catalogue to the printer definitively.

4.4 – Catalogue configuration

Here is a list of the parameters modifiable by the user, going to Catalogue | Setup .

	General Image path: the folder where you save your images. Detail description: the desription title in the models form. 'Description and mask details 1,2,3,4,5: set titles of the fields in models details. For each field you can set an input mask (for example you can oblige the field to accept only numbers o alphanumeric characters).'

	Page Paper: the default paper format. The list shows the formats supported by your printer. Orientation: you can choose between Vertical and Horizontal. Font, Size, Alignment: the default font, size, alignment in Page Setting Wizard.

	Data Position: you can choose between over, under, left, right of the object. Width and width type: you can choose between Personalized and Automatic and set a value for the widht. Alignment: you can choose between Left Justify, Right Justify and Center. Show in one row: it shows the text in one sole row.

	Firm Default logo: it shows the image logo to print at the head of a page. Edit default page template: it shows the editor of the default page layout. Data: data about a company. General notes: general notes to show in the catalogue.
	Database Type: it indicates the users who can have access to the database. Path: it shows the path where you save the catalogue database. Username: it indicates the username to log to the database. Password: it indicates the password to log to the database.

To set definitively parameters, puh on OK o Register.

4.5 - Import / Export data

Alo’ Photo Scan 3.0 supports import / export data from/to other programs. For more information go to this [page].

5 - Appearance

5.1 – To modify the program appearance

You can modify it simply going to Appearance.

Going to the menu Appearance | Colour Scheme you can change the background colour (Blu, Black, Silver) pushing one of the following buttons:

On the right of these buttons you can select and cahnge the program skin of Alo’ Photo Scan 3.0.

Going to Appearance | Options you can visualize or hide the old main window of Windows^© pushing on Ribbon form .

Going to Appearance| Quick access toolbar you can visualize or hide the quick access toolbar pushing Visible . Moreover you can change the quick acces toolbar, pushing Over the ribbon or Below the ribbon .

Going to Appearance | Windows, you can arrange the windows in different ways:

1. horizontal division;
2. vertical division;
3. drop-down.

Pushing on Arrange all the windows will be organized in a good way, instead clicking on iMinimize all the windows will be reduced to icon.

6 – Technical support

6.1 – To go to the technical support

Go to menu Support.

Going to Support | Help you can ask different kinds of technical support:
1. to go to this guide on-line;
2. to send an e-mail to ask help or to ask anything else;
3. to open the site Flex Line^©, developer firm of Alo’ Photo Scan 3.0.
Clicking on About you can visulaize all the information on the current version of the program.

Going to Support | Video you can go to the video section of technical support, to the demos and to the tutorials. Clicking on Video tutorials Home syou will open the browser at the page with the list of all the visualizable videos: complete tutorial about the use of the program, the catalogue, the image details. The same videos can be visualized singularly clicking on one of the 4 buttons on the right.
The program can be updated manually, going to Live Update , even if the system is updated automatically at the start of the program.

Appendix

A – Useful advice

when you do not use camera, desactive preview. Indee it can slow down the system. So it should be better to desactivate it.;
connect the camera before starting the program, whereas the driver could not recognize it correctly;
if you need more help, go to the web site or visit our forum http://aps.flexline.it/forum.htm. Here you can find the answers to other users’ questions.

B - Backup data

Alo’ Photo Scan 3.0 saves models images and all relative data in its installation folder (default c:\programmi\Alo’ Photo Scan 3.0). However there are no automatic backup procedures. So user has to take care about this aspect.
To backup all data make a copy of the folder where Alo’ Photo Scan 3.0 is installed and the external images folder (if any). Don’t backup your data while the program is running.'

C – Users management

Alo’ Photo Scan 3.0 is multi-user.
You can introduce a password to protect the access to the catalogue (as we have seen in the appendix [#_4.4_-_Configurazione 4.4 – Configuration Catalogue]).

D - System reinstallation

If you had to reinstall the operative system on your system, follow the following steps to restore yor data of Alo’ Photo Scan 3.0:

Make a backup copy of your data on a movable support (see relative appendix [#_B_-_Configurazione B - Backup dati]).
Reinstall the operative system (refer to Microsoft support).
Restore data in the same position (eg. c:\programmi\Alo’ Photo Scan 3.0).
Start Alo’ Photo Scan 3.0 installer. The direction must be the folder where the data have been restored. The installer will overwrite only the files of the program. The files of the data and of the configuration will be left unaltered.
Register Alo’ Photo Scan 3.0 again.

Legal disclaimers

Copyright © 2008 Flex Line S.r.l. – All the trademarks mentioned in this guide belong to their owners.
Alo’ Photo Scan 3.0 and Catalogue are producted by da Flex Line^© S.r.l. – http://www.flexline.it
Gem Photo Lux^© is patented by FourPro^© S.a.s.

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