Darkroom Software -Pro & Core
Darkroom Software – Pro & Core
DarkRoom Pro 8.9 & 9.x & Darkroom Core 9.1 (formerly Express Digital)
All Details in Users Guide #10 “How to Import Images into fotoShout”
Below are 3 Different Methods to transfer Images from Darkroom Software to the folder fotoShout is monitoring to start the fotoShout process
I) Save the Image
II) Create a Digital Media Print
III) Create a Raster Print
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I) Save the Image
In Darkroom Pro and Darkroom Core select an image
Click “save to”, then click “save to file,” a dialog box opens, select the folder you want to save the file to, name the file, click “save”.
It works, but it’s Time consuming! Below are two Faster methods.
II) Create a Digital Media Print (setup)
1) Open darkroom
2) Click the “Setup” tab
3) Click “products and services”
4) Click “package groups”
i. Select the printing group you use during an event. If you have not created a print group, create one now. (Create a printing group by clicking on new group, fill in dialog boxes)
ii. Click “Add package”
iii. Name the package, ie. “digital print“
iv. Select “Quick Print“, Click OK.
v. Click “add local print”, a dialog box will open
vi. Select “Digital Delivery Products”, click OK
vii. click on “Digital Media“, Click OK
viii. Another Dialog box will open, under photo quantities select “1”
ix. In the blue selection box (under the text CD/DVD drive or folder that the…..) Select “Browse Folder”, choose the folder where the images are to be placed
x. Select the radial button. “permanently apply attributes”
xi. Select the photo file size
xii. Click “save changes”
Digital Media Print Setup is Complete.
You may elect to save each events images to a different folder. You change folders in Darkroom by;
Double click on “digital media”, a dialog box will open, change the file folder location, click “save changes”
III) Create a Raster Print
(Only Available in Darkroom Pro, Not in Core)
For those new to adding borders, backgrounds and overlays – a Rasterized print is when the layers of the photograph (the actual image, border, logo, overlays, green-screen background) are merged together into one layer. So what you’re viewing on your computer screen becomes the photograph.
1) Open Darkroom Pro
2) Click the “setup” tab at the bottom of the main screen in DarkRoom, click “printer options” on the left side of the screen
3) On the right side of the screen click “add printer,” a new dialog box will open
4) Scroll within dialog box, find “Raster Image Printer,” select it, click “Add Printer”
5) If you want to create 4×6” images select 8×12” prints, if you want to create 5×7” images select “10×14”prints. Then click “OK,” – trust me, this avoids confusing darkroom, so it doesn’t make a physical print too, when the printer is connected
6) In the dialog box, change the Printer DPI from 300 to 150 dpi, the max width and height will change automatically. (If you were then to print this image later at 300 dpi (standard dye sub printer) it would print to 5×7” in size)
7) In the output folder dialog box browse to the folder you want Darkroom to export the image too. i.e. c:\fs_demo_event (This is the same file you named in the folder dialog box on the fotoShout portal during event setup, it is the folder fotoShout is monitoring to find the images)
8) File type – select “JPG”
9) File Format – first erase all the text in the box, then click on “variables.”
10) Now select “File”– which will use the images file number
11) Click “variables” again and select “Count” – “count” will place a unique number after each file image number. If a print file name was 123.jpg now the file number would be 123_1.jpg. If you were to send the same photo again it would be 123._2.jpg and so on. Using “count” stops Darkroom from duplicating the same file number in the same folder, but it allows you to identify the original image by the original file name.
12) In the left hand Column select “Products and Services.” Click package groups as you normally would to set up a new print package. But rename the description of the print package, something easy to remember/understand. i.e. “4×6 Raster Print” or “5×7 Raster Print”
13) Create a Raster Printer for each size of print you want to create. Assigning the folder you’re outputting the Rasterized images too.
Take Note: Darkroom 9.1 (not available in DR 8.9 or earlier) has an auto print/export feature. Auto print/export is accessed through the “Setup” tab. Click on “Capture Options,” then click on “Tethered Capture,” then click on “Auto Print.”
For myself; I set my Hot Keys in darkroom – the #1 key will produce 4”x6” prints, the #2 Key produces 5”x7” prints. #3 Key transfers a 4”x6” rasterized print to the file I designated. #4 key transfers a 5”x7” rasterized print to the file I designated.
How does this work at a real event? Example Scenario: I’m photographing 3 people in a group. I want to make three-4”x6” prints and send them each a digital image. After taking the picture and adjusting the image in darkroom, I would press the #1 key, then press the #3 key, (This would select 4×6 inch printing, then produce 3 prints) I immediately press the #3 key, and press #1 key. This would create a composite (rasterized) print, sending the digital file to the folder I selected. This same folder is being monitored by fotoShout. The digital print immediately transfers to the fotoShout on the iPad. It’s easy to do, once created you won’t have to set it up again.