Object Photo Workflow

A specialized automation tool for streamlining the digitization of natural history museum specimens. This program automates the renaming, organization, and metadata logging of specimen images captured during a tethered shooting workflow.

Features

• Automated File Detection: Monitors a working directory for new images from your tethering software.
• Robust Move & Rename: renaming based on metadata (MUSIT number, UUID, Suffix) and moves files to a structured destination.
• Metadata Logging: Logs every processed image to TaxonName_Object_list.txt with relevant details.
• Barcode Support: optimized for barcode scanner input for UUIDs.
• Progress Tracking: Built-in "Motivation" meter tracking daily and total image counts.
• Safe Handling: Ensures files are fully saved and not locked by camera software before processing.

Installation

1. Install AutoHotkey: This script requires AutoHotkey v1.1+. Download it from autohotkey.com.
2. Download Program Files: Download the following files to a single folder on your computer:
   • Object_photo_17.ahk (The main program script)
   • go.jpg (Status image)
   • vent.jpg (Status image)
   • LICENSE (Optional but recommended)
   • (Note: settings.ini and Motivation_dag.txt will be created automatically when you run the program)
3. Directory Setup: Ensure you have:
   • A Working Folder where your camera software saves incoming images.
   • A Destination Folder where processed images will be stored.

Usage

1. Run the script Object_photo_17.ahk.
2. First Run Configuration:
   • Go to the Settings tab.
   • Select your Working Folder and Destination Folder.
   • Set your Station Number and other preferences.
   • Click Save Settings.
3. Daily Workflow:
   • Switch to the Program tab.
   • Take a photo using your tethering software.
   • Click Hent bilde / Nytt objekt (or waiting detection loop).
   • Scan/Enter Metadata:
     • Filnavn (MUSIT nr): Enter the catalog number.
     • QR-kode (UUID): Scan the specimen UUID barcode.
   • Process:
     • Press Enter (or click Rename) to move and rename the file.
     • The file is moved to the destination, and data is logged.

Troubleshooting

• "No image found": Ensure your camera software is saving to the folder specified in Settings > Working Folder.
• Locked Files: The program waits for files to be fully saved. If it hangs "Waiting...", check if your tethering software is holding the file open.
• Settings Lost: Settings are stored in settings.ini in the script directory. Ensure the script has write permissions to its own folder.