Tool for Photographers

[helge 0]

I was sick the other day and spent a few hours brushing up my programming skills..

Ended up making a small application for burning pictures downloaded from the camera and at the same time storing them at the hard drive.

Basicly, after a jump you just have to insert a blank CD, plug in the card, enter the passengers name and press a button. The application will copy the files to HDD and burn a CD with the images. Optionally it will also delete the pictures on your CF card after use.

The first time you also have to enter the videot name, but this is stored on the CF card, so the next time you use the application it will be pre set (along with other options you change)

My programming skills were a bit rusty, so you may encounter some issues. If you do, please let me know.

The application requires the .NET framework. Its included in Vista, and if you use XP the installer should take care of that for you. The application might also work in Mono under Linux/Mac, but that is not tested.


The application comes without support, but I'll check by this tread once in a while and if I can help you out I will.


If someone should use this application commercially at a larger dropzone, a few jumptickets for the work would be appriciated, but not required.


Have fun


Download URL:
http://www.flataker.com/SkyBurner/SkyBurner.zip


/Helge

[helge 0]

For the first few minutes the wrong version was released. This was a debug version that did not produce any CD's (its only simulated the burning process). I dobt anyone got time to download the debug version, but if you did (only blank CD's are produced) just remove SkyBurner from Control Panel - Add/Remove software and install it again from the link above.

Included some screenshots as well

[punkd 0]

Cool!, looks like a fairly useful program.

The variables seem pretty straight forward but lets see if I got this right

%y %m %d == year, month, day
%t == tandem passengers name
%v == vidiots name


This program could be a real time saver for getting the pics made up quick.

edit: after actually installing the program and using it the variables are pretty straight forward, I asked that based on the screenshot. Oh well, ill leave this question up might help some other people out.

[PhreeZone 20]

What is it using for the CD burning engine?

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[helge 0]

Yea, thanks for pointing out the variables, It may not be that obvious to others than the programmer.. I'll add a little info there if there ever is a secound release.

PhreeZone:

It's using the windows IMAPI API through the wrapper found here:

http://www.vbaccelerator.com/home/net/code/Libraries/Writing_CDs/IMAPI/article.asp

Note: This is for the techies only, all you need to make the program run and work is included in the first post. The link provided here is just showing how its done.

[helge 0]

Ok..

Fixed a few bugs, and made some improvements..

New version here:

http://www.flataker.com/SkyBurner/SkyBurner_1.1.zip

Get it while it's hot.. And please let me know if you find any bugs or have some input on how to improve the software...

Short summary:

Skyburner is a tool for (tandem)photographers that let you download pictures from your CF card to a location on your hard drive or a network folder. It can also burn these pictures to CD and clear you card if you wish.

Download - Burn and clear your card in one click! Let the computer do the work while you concentrate on dubbing the vid or packing.


Have fun

[GeorgeKat 0]

Hey. We tried this at Perris School and the principle is great. I found a bug that needs to be fixed. The first card works fine, the second reports "Bad Disk". If you restart the app each time it works fine.

When this error occurs it's a real pain because the folder already exists - a better strategy for error recovery would be cool.

A useful feature would be to automatically rotate the images 180 degrees. One of our guys has his camera mounted inverted.

Another good feature would be a pull down combo on the videot text box that populates with the last 20 videots added.

Can you tell me how the delete card works? Is it the very last thing that happens? I worry about errors causing data loss.

Great concept - good tool - would love to use it here at Perris.

g

[mnealtx 0]

Quote

Can you tell me how the delete card works? Is it the very last thing that happens? I worry about errors causing data loss.

Nothing against the programmer, but I don't recommend formatting/erasing the CF card in the computer. If you browse photography boards reading threads on CF errors, it's usually due to erasing/formatting the CF card in the computer.

Take the 5 seconds to format/erase the card in-camera.

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[helge 0]

Thanks for the feedback. I will look into the issues. Any chance you can provide me with a full error message? Take a screenshot if you can.

Erasing images occurs when the copying is done. If the copy fails, no files will be deleted. But yes - formatting the card in the camera is whats recommended in the photo world, however I've never had issues using the computer, and since I always take a few shots while gearing up I would notice any errors anyway..


180 rotation coming in the next release, never thought of that before, so thanks for the input!

[GeorgeKat 0]

Thank you. I'll try and get a screenshot today.

The thing I like is the txt file with the videots name that you leave on the disk to save the editors time. However I don't really like the software erasing the disk. This is why I suggested a short list of videots for the editor to choose from. You might create this as an editable list in a .txt file in the destination drive.

Thanks again

[GeorgeKat 0]

Here's the error screen shot.

[jtval 0]

That sounds like avery useful applcation.
I'll try it soon. thanks.

Glad someone already suggested the 180* rotation.

My photos

My Videos

[GeorgeKat 0]

Still waiting for the bug fix and other features.

Does anyone know of any software that does what this does?

It's a shame that this great little program has been left unfinished.