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Getting Started with Smart Tag
Getting Started with Smart Tag

Learn how to run one or many capture stations on-site while tethered to your computer using Smart Tag

Drew Starr avatar
Written by Drew Starr
Updated over 9 months ago

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📚 Before you begin

Do you know what your data backup plan is?

  • While ImageQuix employs multiple storage protection and redundancy solutions, we strongly recommend backing up your hot folder data - either locally or with a separate cloud solution; ideally both.

Running multiple capture stations?

  • Set your tethering software to apply unique image filenames per capture station to avoid duplicate filenames.

Do you know what software to tether your camera and computer?

  • Blueprint's Smart Tag works by watching the hot folder your tethering software is saving images to while your camera is connected to your computer.

Using a barcode scanner with Smart Tag

  • Blueprint supports most barcode scanners using a simple "plug-n-play" setup to automatically read a scan to select a matching subject.

  • Create barcodes cards for your subjects using the export tool in your job.

No internet on-site? No problem!

  • Smart Tag will save your work to your device automatically so you can sync to the cloud later.

  • Print ID cards and more offline using your job's attached print templates.

Why don't I see Smart Tag?


What is Smart Tag?

Smart Tag blends traditional tethered capture with new technology to keep your shoots moving quickly and accurately. With Smart Tag, you can capture images, data, orders and print designs like ID cards on-site all in the same tool!


Opening Smart Tag

In a job, click Tools Smart Tag to start a tethered capture session.


Setting up Smart Tag

Setup your tethering software

Connect the camera to your device and confirm the tethering software is:

  • Saving images to your desired folder location.

  • Applying a unique image filename that won't overlap with other capture stations.

📢 We recommend saving images to the root of a new folder called Hot Folder.

Enable watching in Smart Tag

In Smart Tag, open SettingsCamera Hot Folder and set your hot folder.
Check Enable watching for Blueprint to add new images as they appear in the folder.

All images taken at the shoot will remain in your hot folder.

📝 Note: ​After syncing, Blueprint moves all images to a new "archived" sub-folder.

What other settings can I edit?

Enabling watching on the hot folder is the bare minimum needed for setup.
There are additional settings available to configure:

Setting

Detailed

Automatic head-sizing

Blueprint looks for the subject's unique facial features and applies corresponding head sizing as images are pulled in from your hot folder.

Automatic aspect ratio

Select from the following aspect ratios to apply to each image automatically:

  • 2:3 (4x6)

  • 2.5:3.5 (5x7)

  • 4:5 (8x10)

  • 1:1 (10x10)

Primary image selection

Decide if the first or last image should be set as the subject's primary image.

Barcode scan field

Choose the subject data field embedded in your exported barcodes to have Blueprint automatically select that subject when scanned.

Available data fields to choose from are:

  • ID (System ID)

  • Online Code

  • Subject ID

  • Custom Data 1

  • Custom Data 2

  • Custom Data 3

Subject listing

Choose which subject-data fields you want to see in the subject list on the left when in a Smart Tag session.

Subject data preview

Select up to five different data fields to make visible in the middle pane when a subject is selected. These data fields can be updated on the fly as subjects come up to the chair.


Managing subjects in Smart Tag

Easily create, edit or delete your subjects while in a Smart Tag session. After selecting a subject, click the Info tab to see all of your used subject data fields. 

Here you can edit or add any data you’d like. At the bottom of the Info tab, you can SHOW ALL fields to see all subject data fields available:

You can also create a new subject on the fly by using the New Subject button at the bottom-left corner of the application. 

Use the filter button to apply filters to the subject list beside the search bar. As you photograph each subject, the list will filter out any applicable subjects instantly:


Taking photos with Smart Tag

Once the subject is chosen or scanned, you're ready to take pictures. Take as many images as you’d like before moving on to the next subject. As you take pictures, you will see the image appear in the center pane and in the Subject Timeline on the right-hand side.

❗The subject timeline only shows the timeline of the current session.

You can zoom in or out, change the aspect ratio on the bottom toolbar. The left toolbar also has several options to choose from.


Toolbar and Features

Tool

Detailed

Mark primary image

Mark the selected image as a Primary image.

Mark hidden image

Mark the selected image as a Hidden image.

Mark yearbook image

Mark the selected image as a Yearbook image.

Print image with print template

Print the selected image with the Job's attached print template.

View subject images

Toggles additional sidebar to view all images of the selected subject

Auto head-size

Manually trigger an automatic head-sizing on the image using facial detection.

Delete image

Delete the selected image

Subject timeline

A timeline of images taken in session is locked to the right-side of the app.

It shows the timestamps of subjects as they came to the station and what images were taken.

You can drag-n-drop images from the timeline between subjects to quickly resolve mix-ups.

Turn guidelines on/off

Turn guidelines on/off for assist when for cropping. Choose a mix of:

  • Headlines

  • Center lines

  • Head Size

  • Background

Example: Using the tool bar in Smart Tag


Order Entry in Smart Tag

Click the green $+ button in the top-right to quickly enter any orders as needed:

In order entry, you’ll need to do the following to complete an order:

  • Choose the packages and options needed to create their order.

  • Select card (internet required) or use the default payment method cash/check.

    • Cash/Check orders have 0% commission

  • Capture any discount codes, order notes or shipping information (if applicable)

📝 Note: Blueprint will not store any card information on your device.

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