DCam Image Capture Training-Lesson 2: Setting Up • FamilySearch Support Operations

Lesson Videos

Setting Up

Introduction

In this lesson you will learn important details about digital image capture. An important aspect of digital camera capture is the equipment. For a more detailed discussion about the information in this lesson, see the DCam User Guide section titled “Image Capture Equipment, Environment, and Related Processes.”

Instructions for the following items are contained in this lesson:

Camera setup
DCam software and home screen
Document preparation
Workflow setup

Workstation Setup

The workstation is the center of activity for image capture. A workstation consists of the following items:

Light bars
Computer
Monitor
Keyboard
Camera
Copy board (black board where documents are placed)
X-keys
Touch switch
Hard drive

The DCam User Guide provides setup instructions and images of a properly set up workstation.

Cameras

There are 2 different types of cameras which are used to digitally capture records. The first camera is an Illunis, which is an industrial grade camera that captures only in grayscale. It must be connected to computer software to produce images. The second camera is a Nikon, which is a professional grade camera.

Both camera types are mounted on a small platform on the workstation’s center pole. This platform is called the diving board, and it allows the camera to be centered above the records being captured.

Note: Your setup may be slightly different, depending on the location of the archive at which you will capture images. For example, the lights that are purchased for one area may vary from lights purchased for another area. In addition, depending on the amount of space the record custodian can provide, the monitor may or may not be connected to the center pole of the camera workstation.

General Setup

To begin setup, turn on the workstation’s lights. For most workstations, find the electrical plug that is connected to the light bar. Next to that plug is a toggle switch that, when pushed, will turn the lights on.

Note: The lights need to warm up for at least 15 minutes to ensure they reach full luminosity.

Make sure no other environmental lighting influences the amount of light on your copy board. Turn off the room’s lights and, if possible, cover any windows. While your lights are warming up, turn on your computer.

Once the desktop icons are all fully loaded, turn on the camera.

For the Illunis camera, push the red button attached to your center pole.
For the Nikon camera, turn the on switch located on top of the camera.

After turning on the camera, on the computer desktop, start DCam by double-clicking the camera lens icon. While the software loads, you can remove the lens cap from your camera.

Troubleshooting Software Setup

To troubleshoot software setup, perform the following steps:

Step 1: Open Device Setup by clicking the button on the dialog box.

Step 2: Click the selected device.

Note: A drop-down menu displays showing the camera that is currently selected.

Note: If the camera shows as the word “Sim” with a series of letters and numbers, the camera is a software simulation. Make sure that your camera is not listed in the sim format. If your camera is listed in the sim format, for the Illunis 50, select 50, or for the Nikon 810, select 810 to solve the problem. If you have questions, contact your supervisor or manager.

If there are no options associated with your camera type, do the following:

Step 1: To close the screen, click Cancel.

Step 2: To quit the DCam software, click File, then Exit.

Note: You can also quit the DCam software by clicking the X at the top right corner of the screen.

Step 3: Once DCam completely shuts down, turn your camera off, and wait a few seconds.

Step 4: Turn the camera back on.

Step 5: To reopen the DCam software, click the camera lens icon.

Step 6: Click Preferences.

Step 7: Select the correct camera (50 for the Illunis 50 or 810 for the Nikon 810).

Step 8: Set the correct camera orientation using the following information to determine which settings to use.

The camera orientation option is found under the device setup. Correct camera orientation ensures images appear right-side up. For the Illunis camera, select a setting between 0° and 180°, based upon how the camera is mounted. The camera orientation will likely be 0°, but you will be able to determine that by whether it looks correct on your computer monitor.
Because Nikon cameras are mounted on the diving board of the workstation, you will see the images upside down on the computer monitor without the correct software. To make this correction, set the camera orientation to 180° rotation. This allows all images to be shown right-side up on your monitor, the same way you see them on the copy board.
The other important options in device setup apply only if the camera in your workstation is a Nikon. These options include whether to use single-step calibration and whether to capture images in grayscale or in color.

Step 9: Set the camera calibration using the following information to determine which settings to use.

Leave the box checked to use single-step calibration.
Discuss whether to choose the grayscale or color option with your manager or supervisor. Click the Color Mode field, and choose one of the options from the drop-down menu to make a grayscale or color selection.
Leave the focus preference option at its default setting.

Step 10: Determine whether to capture feedback using the following information to determine which settings to use.

The capture feedback option allows you to choose either a sound or a color to notify you when an image has been captured.
Check the checkbox for either Audio or Background, and click on the associated field to specify your color or sound choice from the drop-down menu.
Click Save. All changes you made are saved and the home page displays.

Step 11: At the bottom right of your home screen are four boxes that provide the status of the following functions:

If an external hard drive is attached to the system.
The current device or camera the system is detecting.
Whether the software has been calibrated.
The capture screen showing the X and Y coordinates of your curser.

Best Practices

This section addresses some best practices for handling and organizing historical documents and organizing your workspace for productive workflow.

Handling and organizing historical records will depend on the specific requirements of the record custodian. In some locations, training classes are provided to teach camera operators how to handle the documents and explain the process for both retrieving and returning the records. In other locations, camera operators organize and retrieve the records themselves and have full access to the record storage facilities. Other record custodians may have implemented policies that fall somewhere between these options.

It is your responsibility to work closely with the designated record representative to determine their needs and their requirements. Remember, you are a guest. Do your best to build positive relationships.

Follow the instructions in this video from the Church History Library describing the standards for handling documents.

Use these standards as your guidelines, and integrate them with your record custodian’s policies. Remember that the archive has the final word on policies and procedures. Always make sure to do what they say.

At times documents may be physically degraded. Be prepared for mold, leather rot, brittle and dry paper, water damage, and other issues. The following are a few examples of what you may see:

In Italy, some records were stored in an old church attic and had been the preferred nesting area of some local pigeons. Before the documents could be captured digitally, bird droppings had to be removed and the documents restored.
At the National Archive of the United States, some records have been kept since the Civil War. Though old and brittle, they were kept in a sterile, climate-controlled location.
A set of records in the Dominican Republic were stored in a hut. The documents would crumble when touched, which required puzzle piecing each record together to capture the image of an entire page.

The following are some best practices to help you set up your workstation correctly and efficiently:

Prepare all of your documents before you begin capturing images. Organize documents in such a way that you can keep the camera steadily capturing images.
Set up all of the elements of your workstation, such as the documents, your monitor, and your keyboard. Doing so will help you move one document after another beneath the camera, take the image with the correct template, and move that document out of the way in a manner that is quick but does not lead to errors or physical fatigue.

When setting up, it is helpful to remember the following:

If you are left-handed, the documents flow from right to left.
If you are right-handed, the documents flow from left to right.

If you are right-handed, place the documents to be captured to the left of the copy board. Set the monitor to the right of the camera stand behind the copy board.
The X-keys are a bar of buttons with preprogrammed functions. Place them in front of you or to the side. A touch switch is similar. If you are using a touch switch rather than X-keys, place it in front of the copy board to the left or right based upon your workflow. You may need to experiment and find what works best for you.

By following these best practices, you will develop a good working rhythm, reduce discomfort to your body, and capture quality images more efficiently.

Learning Experiences

Activity 1: Check Your Understanding

What are the different kinds of cameras used for capturing images?
When setting up a workstation, what is the first thing you must do?
From the Church History Library video, what are some best practices when handling records?