This section is designed to help the end user - the Operator - use the Photo Retailer to process event photography orders.
The operator does not need to be a professional photographer or a computer expert. Photo Retailer is designed to be easy to use and the "set and forget" approach has been applied in it's design.
Summary of the process:
Operators may or may not take the actual photo.
Once the photo is captured, it's automatically placed into one of several "input folders" by Photo File Workflow or some other means.
The photos in an input folder are displayed down the left side of the screen. The templates are displayed on the right side.
The operator simply selects a template, drags an input image onto it and if necessary can make any final adjustments.
Once happy with the result, they press "Print Now" or "Add to Cart" depending on the mode Photo Retailer has been configured to run in. If it's in shopping cart mode they can add some more images to the order by repeating the above steps. Once complete, they simply place the order.
The high resolution order photos are generated and an optional invoice is automatically printed.
The files are then automatically processed by Chiizu Photo Printer and the results are presented to the customer.
It only takes a few seconds for the operator to complete the steps above.
The screenshot below shows a greenscreen input image where the green background is removed from the photo and the background of the template can be seen. The logos are contained in the overlay layer and are shown on top of the captured image. Many customers also include branded or theme based frames in the overlay layer as well.
The interface window of Event Picture Retailer is the main working area. From this screen you will be able to access the tools for using templates and albums and control the look of your placed image.
Source Images: Shows the contents of the current input image folder, images from this window can then be dragged into the active layout. There is also a drop down menu (currently showing “test” in this example) which allows users to browse through other templates that have been set up.
Select Folder: Allows the user to select the input image source folder. This folder has to be associated with the template in settings.
Delete: Deletes the currently selected image.
Open Image Archive: Opens the image archive search window.
Layout size Dropdown: Allows you to scroll through the associated sizes for the selected layout.
Print Now: Sends the active layout to the designated printer or hot folder.
Close Template: Closes the active template.
Active Template Preview: Shows a preview of the selected template which the user will drag & drop images into for editing and printing.
Templates: Allows the user to scroll through a visual preview of all available templates.
Image Position: Allows the scaling and position of placed images. Only available when there is an image placed in the active template.
Transparency: Provides control of the transparency effect on the placed image. Only available when there is an image placed in the active template.
Image Effects: Provides control of the color and sharpness characteristics of the placed image. Only available when there is an image placed in the active template.