Copyright: Media Cybernetics, L.P.


Help Contents
Contents

Introducing the Image Database

Using the Image Database

The File Menu

The Edit Menu

The Database Menu

The Folder Menu

The Options Menu

The Window Menu

The Help Menu

Auto-Pro Commands


Introducing the Image Database

System Requirements

Registration and Technical Support


Using the Image Database

Opening the Database

The Database Main Window Layout


The File Menu

New Database

Open Database

Close Database

Delete Database

Batch Processing

Export Records

Import Records

Print

Exit


The Edit Menu

Copy Image

Copy Thumbnail

Tag/Untag Selected

Tag All

Untag All


The Database Menu

Add Records

Delete Records

Edit Records

Edit Keywords

Record Info

View All Records

Update Thumbnails

Information

Preferences


The Folder Menu

View Current Folder

New Folder

Open Folder

Close Folder

Edit Folder

Delete Folder

Move Records


The Options Menu

Single Image Layout

Database Layout

Single Image Layout Preferences

Small Thumbnail

Default Thumbnail

Large Thumbnail

Always On Top


The Window Menu

Tile View

Cascade Views

Arrange Icons

Close

Close All

Load View

Save View

Sort Thumbnails


The Help Menu

Index

Using Help

About Image Database


Auto-Pro Commands

New Auto-Pro Functions

Function and Command Reference


System Requirements

To install and use the  Image Database, you will need the following equipment and software:

•	386 (or better) CPU, running at 16 Mhz or higher configured with Image-Pro® Plus version 3.0  (or higher)

•	Microsoft Windows 95 or NT 4.0

•	A minimum of 8 Mbytes of RAM

•	5 Mbyte of disk space to hold the program files

•	A Windows-compatible mouse

•	A  VGA (or better) resolution 256 color  display device


Registration and Technical Support

Register as a User

Technical Support


Register as a User

Please complete and return the enclosed Warranty and Product Registration cards.  As a registered user, you are entitled to customer support services during the warranty period. You will also receive advance information about other Media Cybernetics products and updates to the Image-Pro Plus system.


Technical Support

Please refer to the Technical Support page, (accessible from the Media Cybernetics' home page on the World Wide Web at http://www.mediacy.com), where valuable technical information is available to you. This information includes:

•	Answers to frequently asked questions

•	A collection of technical notes, including 'How To...' tips, sample macros, and more.

•	Technical information on built-in and third-party video acquisition hardware and software.

•	A Technical Support E-mail form

Before you contact Media Cybernetics' Technical Support for further assistance, please be prepared to provide the following information:

•	Your registration information: the product serial number (*), your name, phone number, organization name, mailing address, and e-mail address.

•	The software version number (*) and system information.

•	A description of the problem, and any relevant information regarding prior technical support assistance.

(*)  These numbers are displayed on the About screen (open from the Help menu).

Note: Technical support is available only to registered users, during the basic or extended warranty period.

You may contact Media Cybernetics' Technical Support in either one of the following ways:

•	To speak with a technical support representative, please call (301) 495-3305, and ask for Technical Support. The Technical Support line operates on regular business days, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. EST.

•	To use e-mail, you may fill out the e-mail form available from the Technical Support page on the World Wide Web (see above); or e-mail your message directly to: techsupport@mediacy.com

•	For additional information on customer support available from Media Cybernetics, please refer to the Registration and Technical Support section in your Start-Up Guide.


Opening the Database

You access the database by clicking on the Database button from the Image-Pro Plus toolbar. Or, if the Database is already running,  by switching from the active window to the database application window (using <Alt> + <Tab>, <Alt> + <Esc>, or <Ctrl> + < Esc >).

You will see the Image Database window.

A database  does not contain a copy of the actual image.   Instead, it contains a miniaturized image representing the image (see Thumbnail) and describes the name and location (e.g., C:\IMAGES\SPOTS.TIF) of the original file.   If the original image is not accessible, i.e., it has been deleted or moved outside of the database, its thumbnail remains in the database, but the caption is grayed to indicate that it is unavailable.  A deleted image can be permanently removed from the database using Database : Delete Record.  Paths for images that have been moved to another folder in the database can be updated using the Folder : Move Records selection.

More:

What is a Folder?

View

Thumbnail

Attribute

Keyword


What is a Folder?

To help you organize your collection of images, the Image Database uses the concept of a "folder." Using folders is optional, but you may find them useful if you have a large number of images to manage. Like a paper file folder, the database folders allow you to assemble a collection of images, grouped together in a way that seems logical to you, the user.

A user-defined folder  is a collection of image miniatures, or "thumbnails."  Each thumbnail within the folder actually points to the actual image file on disk, so it is essentially a directory of your images.

A folder shows a selection of the images in your database. You might want, for example, to have a folder for each type of image, or a folder that groups images with similar characteristics.  It is possible to have all the images in your database contained in a single folder, or distributed among several folders.

When the database is open, you can simply double-click on an image to open it and bring the Image-Pro Plus application to the foreground.  Only one folder can be open at any one time, and the number of images that can be contained in a folder is limited only by the capacity of your storage device.


View

A View is a window containing a requested set of image records, displayed as thumbnails. A view is a subset of images in the database. You may choose to see all the images in the database (Database : View All Records), all the images related to a single folder ( Folder : View Current Folder), or a saved set of images (Window : Load View). You can have many views open simultaneously. A view is not the same as a folder; a folder organizes images, while a view displays them.

A view can be created as the result of a search. You can create a view of all the images in the database by using the Database : View All Records command. You can then search the images to extract the ones you want, and store them in a selective view.

A selective view is usually the result of a search, produced by requesting certain types of images using the search buttons on the tool bar. Because a search is performed on the active view, you can iteratively search a view until you have extracted just the subset you require.  For instance, you might start with all images, extract a view containing just the TIFF files, then extract a view containing only gel images. You can also sort a view by image name or size.


Thumbnail

A Thumbnail is a miniaturized image. Thumbnails are used in the databases and folders to represent an image record.   Thumbnails are displayed in the order in which they were initially loaded.

Each thumbnail is labeled with its source file name.   Names suffixed with an (R) represent read-only images, such as those from CD-ROM. The thumbnail files are generated when an image is initially loaded into the database.   If you should subsequently modify a source image, you can refresh its thumbnail using the
Database : Update  Thumbnails  command.


Attribute

An Attribute is a specific piece of information attached to a thumbnail, which is used to include or exclude an image during a search.   Image Database provides an extensive set of searchable attributes, including File Name, Keyword, File Size, and many more.

Many attributes are automatically derived from the image when it is initially placed in a database  (e.g., file name, image size, date).   Some file types, such as TIFF, also offer information such as Artist and Description.   Once an image is loaded in a database  you can add information to (or change the existing information of) most of its attributes.


Keyword

A Keyword is a special kind of attribute that allows you to assign descriptive words or phrases (called keywords) to an image.   You may select keywords to classify an image so it can be easily grouped with related images, and retrieved using a search.


The Database Main Window Layout

The Image Database's main window contains the tools and menus you'll use to create, open and work with a Database.   The window is made up of the Title Bar, the Menu Bar, a Tool Bar, an Attribute Bar, the Workspace and the Status Bar.

More:

The Menus

The Tool Bar

The Attribute Bar

Selecting and Tagging Thumbnails

The Status Bar


The Menus

Menus are displayed across the top of the screen.   Each menu contains a set of related commands.

•	The File menu lets you open, create, or delete a database. It also contains options for batch processing, and for exporting or importing image files. Listed at the bottom of this menu are the four most recently used databases.

•	The Edit menu contains commands to select the contents of a database.  It also lets you copy a thumbnail or image to the Clipboard.

•	The Database menu lets you add and delete image records in the database. It also contains the commands for editing the image records.

•	The Folder menu allows you to create, open, edit, close, and delete folders.

•	The Options menu contains commands to sort and manipulate a view of the database.  A view is the collection of thumbnails produced by a database search.

•	The Window menu allows you to control the size and arrangement of the active viewing windows.

•	The Help menu allows you to access the online help facility that comes with the Image Database and gives you additional information about the Image Database.

When you click on one of the Image Database menus, some of the menu selections may be grayed-out, or "ghosted."  These menu selections will become available once you have tagged and selected  an image or images to work with.


The Tool Bar

The tool bar gives you quick access to the most frequently used  commands.

	New Database.  This button creates a new Database  into which you can load image thumbnails.  For more information about this button, see File : New Database.
	Open Database.  This button opens the Database  of your choice.   For more information about using this button, see  File : Open Database.
	Database Information.  This button displays information about the Database  that you are currently using. For more information, see Database : Information.
	Copy Image.  This button copies the selected image to the Clipboard.
	Thumbnail Size.  These buttons are used to reduce (-), enlarge (+), or return thumbnails to their default size (1).   The Options menu commands, Small, Large, and Default can also be used to change thumbnail size.
	Database Layout.  This button displays all the thumbnails associated with this database all at once.
	Single Image Layout.  This button displays the thumbnails associated with this database one at a time.
	VCR buttons.  When Single Image Layout is  active,  clicking on one of these buttons will display the first image in the database, the one immediately before the current image, the one immediately after the current image, and the  last image in the database.
	Icon button. Click this button to return to the Image-Pro Plus workspace. The database window remains open in the background.
	Database/Folder Name.  To the right of the Tool Bar is the database and folder identification for the currently selected folder.


The Attribute Bar

	The Attribute Bar is used to select and display the attributes associated with a thumbnail.  It is also used to select the search criteria for the SEARCH and GOTO buttons. To examine an attribute, select it from the drop-down list on the Attribute Bar, then click a thumbnail (or select the thumbnail, then the attribute). You can also select an operator to be displayed in the middle box.  The name assigned to that thumbnail is displayed in the message box (to the right of the operator box.
	The Operator Box displays the search criteria used to select image thumbnails.  The available operators are:  = (equality):  The item in the folder database must be an exact match to your query.  For all field types, there must be an exact match.  For example, if your  image is called "smlspots" and your query is "spots," the Folder will not match your query.
	LIKE:  If a folder in the database matches your query, including wildcards, it will be selected.  For example, if your FileName query is "LIKE" "marrow%," any image record with the name "marrow" will be found.  NOT LIKE:  Any image record in the database that fails to match your query, including wildcards, will be selected.  For example, if your NAME query is "NOT LIKE" "NY%," then a folder having an name other than one beginning "NY," will be presented.  For numeric fields, the following values may also be used: < (less than):  The item in the folder database must be less than your query.  If your FolderDate query is "<" "03/04/96," an image record dated anytime before March 4, 1996 (but not March 4, 1996, or later) will be found.  If your Name query is "<" "N," then any image record whose name comes before "N" in the alphabet will match.  > (greater than): The item in the folder database must be greater than your query.  If your FolderDate query is ">" "03/04/96," a image record dated anytime after March 4, 1996 (but not March 4, 1996, or earlier) will be found.  If your Name query is ">" "N," then any image record whose name comes after "N" in the alphabet will match.
	Search button. Executes a search or goes to the next image in the active view. You would select an attribute from the list, and then select an operator. The search process reduces the active view to only those items that match the attribute.
	Goto button. Goes to the next image thumbnail in the database.


Selecting and Tagging Thumbnails

Thumbnails are presented in the Database  Window.  If you have created multiple views of the database, each view is contained in a separate window.

To select an image, click on it with your left mouse button.  The thumbnail's caption will be highlighted to indicate that it is selected.

To tag one or more images, click on it with your left mouse button while holding down the <Shift> key.  When tagged, a thumbnail's frame will be highlighted.  To clear (untag) an image from the group, simply click on it again with your left mouse button while holding down the <Shift> key.  Several images from the active folder or view may be tagged simultaneously. You may also use the Tag/Untag Selected, Tag All and Untag All commands to tag or untag images.

To open an image in Image-Pro, simply double-click on it.  To view attribute information for a given image, click once with the right mouse button. To clear the display of attribute information, place the mouse cursor over the displayed information and click once with the left mouse button.


The Status Bar

The Status Bar in the database  provides general-purpose information about the open database.

Message Box.  This box describes a selected command or menu and acts as a progress indicator for lengthy operations.  When Image Database accesses thumbnails to display a new view, it reports its progress for all thumbnails here.

Interim Progress Indicator . The indicator acts as a progress indicator for intermediate operations.  When Image Database accesses thumbnails to display a new view, it reports its progress for each thumbnail here.

Record Box.  This box reports the number of thumbnails in the database.

Time Box. This box reports the current time, according to the system clock.

Each of the Image Database functions is described in the following pages.


New Database

Select the New Database... command  to create a new database. If you have a database open when you select this command, it will be closed, and a new database will be created. When you select the New Database... command, the New Database  dialog box will appear.  Fill out the file information, then click Save.

File Name:   Enter the name you want assigned to the new database.  To specify its location, you can either enter the entire path (disk and directory), or specify the location using the Up One Level button.

Do not use an extension other than .MDB to create the database for a database  file.  If you omit the extension, Image-Pro will automatically append the ".MDB" extension to your file name.

Default Template: Clicking on this button creates the new database using the standard database format provided with your system.

Customized Database: Clicking this button allows you to create the new database using customized fields that you have developed and saved.

Current Database: Clicking on this button creates the new database using the format of the database currently open.

Save as Type:   Only database files can be selected in this dialog box.  Database files for Image Database are assigned an ".MDB" file extension.

Save In: Indicate the location (drive and directory) for the new database. Use the Up One Level button to arrive at the correct location, if necessary.

The New Database command allows you to choose between using the default database template, or creating a custom template, by clicking on the appropriate radio button.

You may then select the existing database on which your new database will be modeled. When you click Open in the Create New Database based on Existing Database  dialog box, Image-Pro will create your new Database.

Clicking Save in the New Database dialog box after selecting the Default Template radio button automatically creates your new database.


Open Database

Open Database...:  Select the Open Database... command to open a database, you have already created.  If you already have a database open, selecting the Open Database... command automatically closes the current database.

File Name:   From this list box, select the name of the Database  you want to open.  You can either type the name of the database (with its entire path, if it is not in the current directory), or use the Up One Level button to obtain a list of file names from which you can select. Double-clicking on a file name in the File Name list box will automatically open it.

Look In: Indicate the location (drive and directory) for the saved  database. Use the Up One Level button to arrive at the correct location, if necessary.


Close Database

Select the Close Database command to close the database  that is currently open.  After closing a database, you may open another one or create a new one.


Delete Database

Use the Delete Database command to remove a database that you no longer wish to use. When you select the Delete Database command, the Delete Database dialog box will appear. Fill out the file information, then click Delete. The Delete dialog box will appear, offering you a chance to verify that you want to delete this database, or change your mind. Click Yes to delete the database file, or No to retain it.


Batch Processing

Use the Batch Processing command with macros created in Image-Pro to process images in groups.  This function displays a list of macros in the current active script file in Image-Pro Plus. Select a macro from the list of available macros by highlighting it with your cursor, and click OK.  Prior to starting Batch Processing, you will need to tag an image or images to indicate which ones should be processed using the macros.


Export Records

Use this command to prepare records to send to another application. You must tag the thumbnails for the image records before attempting to export them, so that the program knows which records to send.

File Name:   Enter the name of the export database file you are going to create.  To specify its location, you can either enter the entire path (disk and directory), or specify the location using the Directories and Drives list boxes.

Save as Type:   Only export database files (*.GDB)  can be selected in this dialog box.  Database files for the Image Database are assigned an ".GDB" file extension.

Click OK when you have selected your export files. You will see the Export Options dialog box:

Export Header Memo:    Type in any text that you want to precede the actual export record data.

Embedded File Compression:   Indicate the compression format of the export image files (if any).

Copy File  As Is: The image record file is being exported in its current format.

Compressed: The image record file will be compressed using LZW compression, without loss of image information (lossless). The exported file will be in .TIF format.

High compression: The image file will be compressed using JPEG compression, which produces the smallest files (lossy). JPEG compression maintains the visual information, but the exported file may not be identical to the source file. The exported file will be in .JPG format.


Import Records

Use this command to received records from another Image-Pro Plus database.

File Name:   Enter the name of the database that you are going to import your records into.  To specify its location, you can either enter the entire path (drive and directory), or specify the location using the Up One Level button.

Look In: Indicate the location of the files to be imported, using the Up One Level button as necessary.

Files of Type:  The Image Database will accept either Export files (*.GDB) or old Image-Pro database files (*.MDB), as shown above. Old database files (*.GAL) will be copied and stored in the new database


Print

Print:   Use this command on the Database : File menu to print the contents of the open database


Exit

Use this command on the Database : File menu to close the active database  and close the Database  window.


Copy Image

Use this command to copy the selected image to the Windows Clipboard.  The image will not be opened within Image-Pro Plus.  It will simply be placed on the Clipboard so you can paste it into an application of your choice. The shortcut key combination for image copying is <Cntl> +<C>.


Copy Thumbnail

Use this command to copy the selected image's thumbnail to the Windows Clipboard.  The thumbnail will not be opened within Image-Pro Plus.  It will simply be placed on the Clipboard so you can paste it into an application of your choice.


Tag/Untag Selected

Use this command on the Edit menu to tag the selected thumbnail (if it is not currently tagged) or untag it (if it is currently tagged).  The image remains the selected image. The shortcut key combination for image tagging or untagging is <Shift> + Left Mouse Button.


Tag All

Use this command on the Edit menu to tag all thumbnails in the database .  When a thumbnail is tagged, its frame will be highlighted.  A thumbnail can be untagged by clicking it with the left mouse button while holding down the <Shift> key, by using the Tag/Untag Selected command, or by selecting the Untag All command.


Untag All

Use this command on the Edit menu to clear all selected thumbnails in the database. A cleared (deselected) thumbnail's frame will not be highlighted.


Add Records

Select the Add Records command to add a record of an image or images, which are then associated with the current folder, if a folder is open.  Otherwise, the image records are added to the database, but not associated with any particular folder.

File Name:  In this list box, select the files you want included in the database .  To accumulate multiple file names, hold the <Ctrl> key while you click on the file names.  You can select multiple consecutive file names by highlighting the first name in the list, then holding the <Shift> key as you click the last name in the list.

Files of Type:   In this list box, select the image format of the files you want to select from in the File Name list box.  A database  can contain files in any of the supported formats.  If you select All Formats in this list box, Image-Pro Plus will assume that the file's extension identifies its format (e.g., .TIF for TIFF files, .PCX for ZSoft files, .BMP for bitmap files, and so forth).

Note:   Image files that do not use standard format-identifying extensions cannot be added to a database .

Directories:    In this list box, select the directory from which you want to select your image files (if the directory is on another drive, select it in the Drive field first).

Note:   The Open Files dialog box will only add images from a single directory at a time. Select the files you want from one directory, add them, then change directories.

Cancel:  Click this button when want to return to the database  dialog box without having added any files.

Note: Description information (e.g., Title, Artist) will be displayed only if such information had been stored with the image.  Otherwise these fields will be blank.

When you have finished viewing the image information, click OK or Cancel to return to the Open dialog box.


Delete Records

Use this command if you want to delete the thumbnail from the database. You also have the option of removing the image file from the disk. You must have an image tagged in order to delete it.  If you click on this option, you will see the Delete Records dialog box:

Click Yes, Yes to All, No, or Cancel.


Edit Records

Select the Edit Records command to edit any of the attributes for any or all of the images in the view. You must tag at least one image to edit the record.

When you click on this option, you will see the Edit Records dialog box that lists all the possible attribute categories for an image:

Select one of the categories by highlighting it with your cursor. After you click the Edit button, the Edit Field dialog box appears.

If Image-Pro Plus already has information on the selected attribute, it will be shown and highlighted in the space provided.  Otherwise, an insertion cursor occupies the place where you may enter your information.

The name of the image record appears only if the thumbnail is displayed in Single Image Layout. If you have selected Database Layout, the name of the image does not appear.

If you want to change existing information, typing directly over the selected current information will overwrite it.  If you want to change only a portion of it, press the right or left arrow on your keyboard to go to the end or beginning of the information.  At that point, you can use <BkSp>, <Del> or other keys to make your change.

When satisfied with your change, click Apply. Click Yes to apply your changes, or click Cancel to return to the Edit Records dialog box without making changes.

Click OK to apply to changes, or Cancel to return to the Edit Field dialog box.  Database  will confirm that the fields have been changed:


Edit Keywords

Select the Edit Keywords... command to edit the keywords you want to associate with your image.  You can add, change, or delete the current keywords. You must select a thumbnail to edit the keywords for that record. You may only edit one record at a time.

If you want to add a keyword, enter it in the New box.  When done, click the Add button to enter it on the Keyword List.

If you want to change a keyword, click on the keyword to select it, then click the Change button to enter it in the New box. When done, click the Add button to return it to the Keyword List.

If you want to delete a keyword, click on the keyword to select it, then click the Remove button to delete it.

To remove all keywords, select any keyword, then click the Remove All button.


Record Info

 Select this command on the Database menu if you want to view (but not modify) the attribute information for an image.  You can also obtain this information by clicking on the thumbnail with the right mouse button. To clear this information, click on it with the left mouse button.


View All Records

Select the View All Records command to view all the thumbnails that you have entered into the current  database.  When you select the View All Records command, Image-Pro gathers all the thumbnails in the current database and places them in the workspace.  The Message Box on the Status Bar reflects Image-Pro's progress.


Update Thumbnails

Use this command if you want to regenerate thumbnails for those images that have changed since they were loaded into the database. You must tag an image thumbnail before it can be updated. This option compares the database thumbnail date with the image file's file date.  If the file's date is more recent, a new thumbnail is rendered for the image.


Information

Use this command on the Database menu if you want to view and/or modify database information.  When you select the Information... command, the Database Information dialog box is displayed.

Title:  Supply your own title for the database.

Technician:  Supply the technician's name.

Comments:  This text box allows you to supply whatever comments you want.

When you have finished viewing or modifying the Database Information, click OK to return to the database workspace.  If you have modified information within the dialog box, your modifications will be saved to the database file.  To return to the Image Database window without making changes, click the Cancel button.

Note: Not all information presented in this box can be modified; the dates, path, and number of pictures are supplied by the Image Database.


Preferences

Select the  Preferences... command to name the custom fields, thumbnail quality, and caption fields that can be part of the database.  Clicking on Preferences... displays the Database Preferences dialog box.

The Field list box displays the internal names of the custom text and numeric fields associated with the image records.

Displayed Name indicates the name of the field that will appear in the list of image record attributes.

Enter the Field Name, Field type, and Field size of your new custom field. Click Create to add a new field, or Cancel to exit without adding any new fields.

Delete allows you to remove a field from the database record.

Thumbnail quality indicates how sharp the thumbnail image will appear.

The Thumbnail Caption Field allows you to choose a specific field, such as one of the custom fields,  as the caption field.

Click OK to save your Database Preferences, or Cancel to delete them.


View Current Folder

Select the View Current Folder command to view the thumbnails that are associated with the current folder.  Every image in the database may be associated with a folder.  When you select the View Current Folder command, Image-Pro Plus places the thumbnails of the folder's images in the database workspace.  The Message Box on the Status Bar reflects Image-Pro's progress.


New Folder

Select the New Folder... command to create a new image folder.  Type in the name of your new folder, and its description. Click OK when you have finished.


Open Folder

Select the Open Folder... command to open a folder that you have already created.  If you already have a folder   open, selecting the Open Folder... command automatically closes the current folder.

When you select the Open Folder... command, the Open Folder dialog box will appear.  Highlight the name of the folder, or double-click, then click OK.  This will make the contents of the selected folder available.


Close Folder

Select the Close Folder command to close the folder that is currently open.  After closing a folder, you may open another one or create a new one.


Edit Folder

Select the Edit Folder... command: to change the name or description of your image folder. You can use your cursor to change the name and description of your folder. Click OK when finished, or Cancel to lose your changes.


Delete Folder

Use the Delete Folder  command to remove the current open folder. Images in the database are not required to be associated with a folder. To remove the folder, but keep the images, click Yes. To keep both the folder and the images, click No.


Move Records

Select the Move Records... command to move image records and their associated thumbnails between folders. You must tag an image thumbnail in order to move the record.

Highlight the name of the folder where you want to store the image record, and click OK. Your image record is now associated with the new folder.


Single Image Layout

Select the Single Image Layout command to display the thumbnails one at a time. Information about the image file is displayed in the edit boxes to the left of the image thumbnail.


Database Layout

Select the Database Layout... command to display the thumbnails in the view all at once.


Single Image Layout Preferences

 Select the Single Image Layout Preferences. command to change the image attribute information displayed with each thumbnail when Single Image Layout is selected from the Options menu.

The different image attributes are displayed in the Available Fields list box.  Highlight the selected image attribute, and click the Add button to add an attribute to the Fields to Display list box. The Lines list box allows you to use 1-9 lines of text for memo fields. The Read-only checkbox indicates which fields are "read-only," so that it cannot be altered by subsequent viewers. The attributes shown in the Fields to Display list box will appear when the thumbnail image is shown in Single Image Layout in the Image Database, as shown below:

You can edit this information when Single Image Layout is turned on.  Click on the edit box where the information that you want to change is displayed.  Your changes will be automatically saved.

To remove a field from Fields to Display list box, click the Remove button.  Remove All deletes all the attribute fields from the Fields to Display list box.  If Remove All is activated, no image attribute information will appear with the thumbnail.

The Image to Display area allows you to choose to display an actual image, or the thumbnail of that image. As indicated, displaying the thumbnail is faster, but less detailed. Displaying the actual image takes more time, but provides a more detailed picture. Click the appropriate radio button to show the thumbnail or the image.

Image Record Changes ask you to confirm changes when the view is closed, or you are using the VCR buttons. Click on the radio button for Yes if you want Image-Pro Plus to ask about your changes, or Noif you want your changes saved without asking.

Click OK to save your image attribute information, or Cancel to return to the Image Database.


Small Thumbnail

Select the Small Thumbnail command to reduce the size of the thumbnails displayed.


Default Thumbnail

Select the Default Thumbnail command to return the displayed thumbnails to their default size.


Large Thumbnail

Select the Large Thumbnail command to enlarge the displayed size of the thumbnails.


Always On Top

Use the Always On Top command to ensure that the Image Database is always visible on top of the other application windows.


Tile View

Select the Tile View command to array your open views side-by-side in roughly even amounts of space. You may also arrange the views manually by dragging each by its title bar.


Cascade Views

Select the Cascade Views command to array your open views so that they are roughly equally-sized and layered, leaving only the title bar and left border visible. You may also arrange the views manually by dragging each from its title bar.


Arrange Icons

Use the Arrange Icons command to arrange any icons that you may have in your workspace in an orderly manner


Close

 Select the Close command to close the view that you currently have open.


Close All

Select the Close All command to close all views of the Database .


Load View

Select the Load View... command to find the views that are saved in a database and select one of them to open.  When you select the Load View... command, the Load View dialog box appears.

Select the view you want to open, then click the Open button 	to open the view or the Cancel button to return to the Image Database main menu.

If no views are listed, then Image-Pro has no views on file for the current database.


Save View

Select the Save View... command to save a view after you have created or modified it.  When you select the Save View... command, the Save View dialog box appears.

Enter the name you want to give the view, using any combination of characters, to a maximum of 28.  Click the OK button to assign the name or the Cancel button to return to the Image Database main menu.


Sort Thumbnails

Select the Sort Thumbnails... command to display the list of thumbnails in the view by name or size. When you select the Sort View command, the Sort Thumbnails dialog box appears.  Indicate if you want to sort the thumbnails by name or size, and in ascending or descending order. Click the OK button to sort the view or the Cancel button to return to the Image Database main menu.


Index

Select the Index command to access the table of contents for the Image Database's online help facility.  The following topics are covered:

Contents:  this section describes each Image Database menu command (such as Open Database and Save View) and the options associated with each.  Commands contains all the information concerning Image Database contained in Section 2 of the Image-Pro Plus Reference Guide (this manual).


Using Help

Use the Using Help command to learn how to use Image-Pro's help facility.  It describes the organization of the help system and the commands you can use to locate information within the online help.

The Image-Pro Plus help system is a standard Windows help system.  As you are viewing topics, you can jump to a cross reference, denoted with an underscore, by clicking on the underscored word or phrase.  You can also pop up a definition, denoted with a dotted underscore, by clicking on the underscored term.

The Using Help command retrieves Windows Using Help topic panels from your Windows directory.


About Image Database

Use the About Image Database command to access Image Database's About information box.  The About dialog box contains important version and release date information, as well as pertinent copyright information.

If you need to contact our Technical Support Center, you will need to provide the version information supplied by this box.


New Auto-Pro Functions

This section describes the Auto-Pro macro language functions that have been included with the Image Database.  It describes those new functions that are specific to the Image Database.  If you have any further questions about the Auto-Pro macro language functions, please refer to the Auto-Pro Reference Guide.


Function and Command Reference

IpDbAddField

IpDbFind

IpDbGoto

IpDbLoadView

IpDbNewFolder

IpDbOpenFolder

IpDbPrint

IpDbRead

IpDbSearch

IpDbSetAttr

IpDbViewAll

IpDbViewFolder

IpDbWrite

IpGalAdd

IpGalChangeDescription

IpGalClose

IpGalDelete

IpGalImageOpen

IpGalNew

IpGalOpen

IpGalRemove

IpGalSetActive

IpGalShow

IpGalSort

IpGalTag

IpGalUpdate


IpDbAddField

Syntax	IpDbAddField(FieldName, FieldType, FieldLength)
Description	This function adds a custom field to the image record.
Parameters	FieldName	String	Identifies the name of the field to be added.
	FieldType	Integer	An enumerated value that specifies the type of field. Must be one of the following: DB_INT: a 2-byte integer DB_LONG: a 4-byte integer DB_MEMO: a long string, limited only by your database  engine DB_STRING: 1 - 255 byte string
	FieldLength	Integer	A number between 1 and 255 indicating the number of characters in the string field (used by DB_STRING, ignored by the others).
Example	ret = IpDbAddField("MyTextField", DB_STRING, 40)


IpDbFind

Syntax	IpDbFind(FieldName, FieldType, Operator, Field Value)
Description	This function searches in the current view according to the specified criteria and selects (highlights) the next record (thumbnail) that matches.
Parameters	FieldName	String	The name of the field. The name can be selected from the list of available fields in the Single Image Layout Preferences dialog.
	FieldType	Integer	An enumerated value that specifies the type of field. Must be one of the following: DB_INT DB_LONG DB_STRING All data fields are of the type STRING, with the exception of the following fields, which are LONG: File Size, Resolution, Width in pixels, Height in pixels
	Operator	Integer	An enumerated value that specifies the operator of field. Must be one of the following: OP_EQUAL OP_LT OP_LE OP_GT OP_GE OP_LIKE OP_NOTLIKE Depending on the field type, only certain operations will be valid.
	FieldValue	See below	The address (name) of a variable that includes the data to be found.
Return Value	Success = IPCERR_NONE Failure = in case of invalid Field Type or invalid Operator, IPCERR_INVARG, otherwise, IPCERR_FUNC or IPCERR_APPINACTIVE
Example	ret = IpDbFind ("Keywords", DB_STRING, OP_LIKE,"color") ret = IpDbFind ("Width in pixels",DB_LONG, OP_GT,"300")     This statement will search in the current view for records wider than 300 pixels.
Comments	The first call will find the first record that matches.


IpDbGoto

Syntax	IpDbGoto(RecordNum)
Description	This function retrieves a specific record from the database.
Parameters	RecordNum	Integer	The sequential number of the record to be selected in the current view, or special values as follows: DB_FIRST - the first record in the view.  DB_LAST  - the last record in the view. DB_NEXT  - the next record in the view. DB_PREV  - the previous record in the view.
Return Value	Success = IPCERR_NONE Failure = IPCERR_FUNC or IPCERR_APPINACTIVE
Example	ret = IpDbGoto(5) This statement will select (highlight) the sixth record (thumbnail) in the current view.
Comments	The 'Archive' places the archived image as the last record in the current view.
See Also	IpDbSearch()


IpDbLoadView

Syntax	IpDbLoadView(ViewName)
Description	This function  loads a saved view.
Parameters	ViewName	String	The name of the view.
Return Value	Success = IPCERR_NONE Failure = in case of invalid or null View Name, IPCERR_INVARG, otherwise, IPCERR_FUNC or IPCERR_APPINACTIVE
Example	ret = IpDbLoadView("DemoView") This statement will load the previously saved view 'DemoView'.


IpDbNewFolder

Syntax	IpDbNewFolder(FolderName,Description)
Description	This function creates a new folder.
Parameters	FolderName	String	The name of the folder.
	Description	String	The description  of the folder (optional)
Return Value	Success = IPCERR_NONE Invalid folder name = IPCERR_INVARG Failure =  IPCERR_FUNC
Example	ret = IpDbNewFolder("Sample", "Sample Images") This statement will create a new folder named'Sample' with the description 'Sample Images.'


IpDbOpenFolder

Syntax	IpDbOpenFolder(FolderName)
Description	This function  opens a folder.
Parameters	FolderName	String	The name of the folder.
Return Value	Success = IPCERR_NONE Invalid folder name = IPCERR_INVARG Failure =  IPCERR_FUNC
Example	ret = IpDbOpenFolder("Sample") This statement will open the folder named'Sample'.


IpDbPrint

Syntax	IpDbPrint(Layout)
Description	This function prints the thumbnails in a database or folder.
Parameters	Layout	Integer	Identifies the layout to print the thumbnails. Must be one of the following: 1 = Database Layout 2 = Single Image Layout 3 = Database Layout - Tagged Images 4 = Single Image Layout - Tagged Images
Comments	Thumbnails are printed form the currently open folder or "No Folder."
Example	ret = IpDbPrint (1)


IpDbRead

Syntax	IpDbRead(FieldName, FieldType, FieldValue, DataLength)
Description	This function reads data from the specified field in the database.
Parameters	FieldName	String	The name of the field. The name can be selected from the list of available fields in the Single Image Layout Preferences dialog.
	FieldType	Integer	An enumerated value that specifies the type of field. Must be one of the following: DB_INT ,DB_INT + DB_FILE DB_LONG, DB_LONG + DB_FILE DB_ STRING, DB_STRING + DB_FILE If DB_FILE is used with another type, the function reads the data from the specified field and writes it into a file. All data fields are of the type STRING, with the exception of the following fields, which are LONG: File Size,Resolution, Width in pixels, Height in pixels
	FieldValue	See below	The address (name) of a variable that receives the data from the field, or a file name if DB_FILE is used.
	DataLength	Long	The length of the data in bytes.
Return Value	Success = IPCERR_NONE Failure = in case of invalid Field Type: IPCERR_IVARG otherwise, IPCERR_FUNC or IPCERR_APPINACTIVE
Example	Dim thesubject as string * 50 ret = IpDbRead("Subject", DB_STRING, theSubject, 10) if ret = 0, then print thesubject else print "Operator failed" end if This statement will read up to a 10 character string stored in the 'Subject' field of the current image (see comments) into the string variable 'theSubject'. Ret = IpDbRead ("Subject", DB_STRING + DB_FILE,  "C:\sample.txt" 20. This statement will read the value from the subject field of the current image into a new file called sample.txt. If this function is called from Visual Basic, and the third parameter is a string, it must be prefixed with "ByVal." So the statement above would be written this way for Visual Basic: Ret = IpDbRead ("Subject", DB_STRING + DB_FILE,ByVal  "C:\sample.txt", 20)
Comments	The current image is the one in a Single Image Layout, or the selected (highlighted) image in a database view. In Visual Basic, this command will work only with String parameter types.
See Also	IpDbFind(); IpDbGoto()


IpDbSearch

Syntax	IpDbSearch(FieldName, FieldType, Operator, Field Value)
Description	This function searches in the current view according to the specified criteria and creates a new view containing the results of the search.
Parameters	FieldName	String	The name of the field. The name can be selected from the list of available fields in the Single Image Layout Preferences dialog.
	FieldType	Integer	An enumerated value that specifies the type of field. Must be one of the following: DB_INT DB_LONG DB_STRING All data fields are of the type STRING, with the exception of the following fields, which are LONG: File Size, Resolution, Width in pixels, Height in pixels
	Operator	Integer	An enumerated value that specifies the operator of field. Must be one of the following: OP_EQUAL OP_LT OP_LE OP_GT OP_GE OP_LIKE OP_NOTLIKE Depending on the field type, only certain operations will be valid.
	FieldValue	See below	The address (name) of a variable that includes the data to search for.
Return Value	Success = IPCERR_NONE Failure = in case of invalid Field Type or invalid Operator, IPCERR_INVARG, otherwise, IPCERR_FUNC or IPCERR_APPINACTIVE
Example	ret = IpDbSearch("Caption", DB_STRING, OP_EQUAL, "Demo.tif") ret = IpDbSearch("Custom5", DB_LONG, OP_LE, "50") This statement will search the current view for records that have 'Demo.tif' in their 'Caption' field and create a new view containing the results of the search.


IpDbSetAttr

Syntax	IpDbSetAttr(Atttrib, nValue, strValue)
Description	This function sets the preferences for your database.
Parameters	Attrib	Integer	DB_CAPTION - set caption display fields DB_COPYCUSTOM - set flag to copy custom fields
	nValue	Integer	0 = Don't set default values of custom fields in new records 1 = Set default values of custom fields in new records This parameter is used by DB_COPYCUSTOM
	strValue	String	The field name that will be used as the caption (used by DB_CAPTION)
Example	IpDbSetAttr (DB_COPYCUSTOM, 1, "")


IpDbViewAll

Syntax	IpDbViewAll()
Description	This function displays the content of the entire database.
Return Value	Success = IPCERR_NONE Failure =  IPCERR_FUNC or IPCERR_APPINACTIVE
Example	ret = IpDbViewAll() This statement will display the content of the entire database.


IpDbViewFolder

Syntax	IpDbViewFolder(FolderName)
Description	This function displays the contents  of the named folder and makes it the current folder.
Parameters	FolderName	String	The name of the folder.
Return Value	Success = IPCERR_NONE Failure =  IPCERR_FUNC or IPCERR_APPINACTIVE
Example	ret = IpDbViewFolder("Sample") This statement will display the content of the folder 'Sample'.


IpDbWrite

Syntax	IpDbWrite(FieldName, FieldType, FieldValue, DataLength)
Description	This function  writes data to the specified field in the database.
Parameters	FieldName	String	The name of the field. The name can be selected from the list of available fields in the Single Image Layout Preferences dialog.
	FieldType	Integer	An enumerated value that specifies the type of field. Must be one of the following: DB_INT ,DB_INT + DB_FILE DB_LONG, DB_LONG + DB_FILE DB_ STRING, DB_STRING + DB_FILE All data fields are of the type STRING, with the exception of the following fields, which are LONG: File Size, Resolution, Width in pixels, Height in pixels
	FieldValue	See below	The address (name) of a variable that includes the data to be written in the field.
	DataLength	Long	The length of the data in bytes.
Return Value	Success = IPCERR_NONE Failure = in case of invalid Field Type or invalid Operator, IPCERR_INVARG, otherwise, IPCERR_FUNC or IPCERR_APPINACTIVE
Example	Dim the subject as string * 50 theSubject = "My Subject" ret = IpDbWrite("Subject", DB_STRING, theSubject, 10) This statement will write a 10 character string stored in the string variable 'theSubject' in the subject field of the current image (see comments).  ret = IpDbWrite("Subject", DB_STRING + DB_FILE,  "C:\Sample.txt", 0) This statement wil read the data from Sample.txt and write it into the field specified as "Subject". If this function is called from Visual Basic, and the third parameter is a string, it must be prefixed with "ByVal." So the statement above would be written this way for Visual Basic: Ret = IpDbRead ("Subject", DB_STRING + DB_FILE,ByVal  "C:\sample.txt",0)
Comments	The current image is the one in a Single Image Layout, or the selected (highlighted) image in a database view. In Visual Basic, this command will work only with String parameter types.
See Also	IpDbFind(); IpDbGoto()


IpGalAdd

Syntax	IpGalAdd(FileName)
Description	This function adds the specified image file to the active database.  Equivalent to the Add command on the Database menu.
Parameters	FileName	String	A string specifying the image files that are to be added to the database.  The first element in the string must be a directory name, followed by one or more file names, separated by spaces.  See example below.
Example	ret = IpGalNew("C:\IPWIN\DATABASE\012194.MDB) ret = IpGalAdd("C:\IMAGES\SLIDE1.TIF") This pair of statements will create a database called 012194.MDB and add the one TIFF file, SLIDE1,  to it.
Comments	The database file into which the images will be added must be open, and selected, before invoking this function.  Therefore, your macro must either open (IpGalOpen), create (IpGalNew) or select (IpGalSetActive) a database before calling this function.  The format of a file is determined by its extension.
See Also	IpGalNew,  IpGalOpen,  IpGalSetActive


IpGalChangeDescription

Syntax	IpGalChangeDescription(DescriptionType, Description)
Description	This function writes Title, Artist, Date and Comment information to the selected database image.  Equivalent to editing the Description group box within the Info command.
Parameters	DescriptionType	Integer	An enumerated integer specifying the description field that is being changed.  Must be one of the following: INF_ARTIST INF_DESCRIPTION INF_SUBJECT INF_DATE See definitions under Comments, below.
	Description	String	The string that is to be assigned to the specified field.
Example	ret = IpGalChangeDescription(INF_ARTIST,"Lab 1")

ret = IpGalChangeDescription(INF_DESCRIPTION,"Type 1 Camera")

ret = IpGalChangeDescription(INF_SUBJECT,"Control Cells")

ret = IpGalChangeDescription(INF_DATE,"01/01/1997 13:01:07")

ret = IpWsSave()

These statements will write the specified data (e.g., "Lab 1") to the specified description fields (e.g., INF_ARTIST) and then save the changes to the image file via the IpWsSave function.

Comments	The following table describes the values allowed in the DescriptionType parameter:
	DescriptionType	DESCRIPTION
	INF_ARTIST	Indicates that the string specified in Description is to be written into the "Artist" field.  Equivalent to the "Artist" field in the Info dialog box.
	INF_DESCRIPTION	Indicates that the string specified in Description is to be written into the "Comments" field.  Equivalent to the "Comments" field in the Info dialog box.
	INF_SUBJECT	Indicates that the string specified in Description is to be written into the "Subject" field.  Equivalent to the "Subject" field in the Info dialog box.
	INF_DATE	Indicates that the string specified in Description is to be written into the "Date" field.  Equivalent to the "Date" field in the Info dialog box.
	Once the description fields have been defined with the IpGalChangeDescription statements, these fields must be saved to the image with the IpWsSave function.
See Also	IpWsSave


IpGalClose

Syntax	IpGalClose(FileName)
Description	This function closes an open database file.  Equivalent to the Close Database command on the Database window's File menu.
Parameters	FileName	String	A string specifying the name of the database file that is to be closed
Return Value	This function returns a 0 if the database file was successfully closed.  A -1 if an error occurred.
Example	ret = IpGalClose("C:\IPWIN\RESULTS.MDB") This statement will close the database file called RESULTS.MDB in the \IPWIN directory on the C: drive.


IpGalDelete

Syntax	IpGalDelete(DatabaseName)
Description	This function deletes the specified database file.  Equivalent to the Delete command on the Database menu.
Parameters	DatabaseName	String	A string specifying the name of the database file that is to be deleted.
Example	ret = IpGalDelete("C:\IPWIN\RESULTS.MDB") This statement will delete the RESULTS.MDB database file from the \IPWIN directory on the C: drive.


IpGalImageOpen

Syntax	IpGalImageOpen(imageId)
Description	This function opens the specified image in the active database.  Equivalent to double-clicking the database image with the left mouse button.
Parameters	imageId	Integer	An integer specifying the position number of the image to be opened (where 0 represents the image in the first position in the database window — the one in the upper-left corner), or one of the following negative values:
			-1   - Specifies all images. -2   - Specifies the last image. -3   - Specifies that all tagged images.
Return Value	This function returns a 0 if the image file was successfully opened.  A -2 if an error occurred.
Example	ret = IpGalImageOpen(-1) The statement above will open all images in the active database. ret = IpGalImageOpen(0) The statement above will open the first image displayed in the database. ret = IpGalImageOpen(-2) The statement above will open the last image displayed in the database.
See Also	IpGalTag


IpGalNew

Syntax	IpGalNew(FileName)
Description	This function creates a new database file.  Equivalent to the New command on the Database window's File menu.
Parameters	FileName	String	A string specifying the file name to be given to the new database file.
Example	ret = IpGalNew("C:\IPWIN\RESULTS.MDB") This statement will create a new database file called RESULTS.MDB in the \IPWIN directory on the C: drive.
Comments	Use the IpGalAdd function to add image files to the database once it has been created with IpGalNew.
See Also	IpGalAdd,  IpGalOpen


IpGalOpen

Syntax	IpGalOpen(FileName)
Description	This function opens an existing database file.  Equivalent to the Open command on the Database window's File menu.
Parameters	FileName	String	A string specifying the name of the database file that is to be opened.
Return Value	This function returns a 0 if the database file was successfully opened.  A -1 if an error occurred.
Example	ret = IpGalShow(1) ret = IpGalOpen("C:\IPWIN\RESULTS.MDB") This pair of statements will open and display the database file called RESULTS.MDB from the \IPWIN directory on the C: drive.
Comments	If you want your users to see the contents of the Database you are opening, be sure to precede this function with the IpGalShow(1) statement.


IpGalRemove

Syntax	IpGalRemove(FromDisk )
Description	This function deletes the tagged images from a database file.  Equivalent to the Remove command on the Database menu.
Parameters	FromDisk	Integer	An integer value of 0 or 1 specifying whether or not to remove the image file(s) from disk in addition to removing the image(s) from the Database.  Where: 0  - Does not delete the image file(s). 1  - Deletes the image file(s).
Example	ret = IpGalTag(-2, 1) ret = IpGalRemove(1) This pair of statements will remove the last image from the database.  The file associated with this image will also be deleted from disk.
See Also	IpGalTag


IpGalSetActive

Syntax	IpGalSetActive(GalId)
Description	This function makes the specified database the "active" database.   It selects the database upon which all subsequent database functions will operate.  Equivalent to selecting the database by number from the Window menu.
Parameters	GalId	Integer	An integer between 10000 and 10003 (inclusive) specifying which of the open galleries is to be made active.  This value selects the database based upon its position on the View menu, where: 10000  - Specifies the first database listed in the menu. 10001  - Specifies the second database listed in the menu. 10002  - Specifies the third database listed in the menu. 10003  - Specifies the fourth (last) database listed in the menu.
Example	ret = IpGalSetActive(10001)  This statement will activate the second database listed in the View menu.


IpGalShow

Syntax	IpGalShow(bShow)
Description	This function is used to open or close the Database window.  Equivalent to selecting the Show Database command to open the window, or clicking its Close button to close it.
Parameters	bShow	Integer	An integer value of 0 or 1 specifying whether the Database window is to be shown.  Where: 0  - Closes the window if it is already open. 1  - Opens the window.
Example	ret = IpGalShow(1) ret = IpGalOpen("C:\IPWIN\CELLS.MDB") ret = IpGalAdd("C:\IMAGES\SLIDE1.TIF") ret = IpGalShow(0) This set of statements will open the Database window, open and add an image to the CELLS.MDB database file, then close the Database window.
Comments	The Database window does not have to be open during execution of the database functions.  Its disposition, visible or hidden, is entirely your choice.  You will want to display the window when your users are required to make choices within it.  However, if your objective is simply to manipulate the contents of the database files, you need not display the Database window.


IpGalSort

Syntax	IpGalSort(bByName, bAscending)
Description	This function sorts the images in the active Database by the specified order.  Equivalent to the Sort command in the database Window menu.
Parameters	bByName	Integer	An integer value of 0 or 1 specifying the characteristic by which the images are to be sorted.  Where: 0  - Sorts by image name. 1  - Sorts by size.
	bAscending	Integer	An integer value of 0 or 1 specifying the order in which the images are to be sorted.  Where: 0  - Sorts in ascending order. 1  - Sorts in descending order.
Example	ret = IpGalSort(1, 1)  This statement will sort the images in the active database in descending size order.


IpGalTag

Syntax	IpGalTag(SlotNumber, bTag)
Description	This function tags/untags the specified database image to select/de-select it as a candidate for subsequent processing by the IpGalRemove or IpGalImageOpen functions.  Equivalent to tagging the database image using the <Shift> key and the left mouse button.
Parameters	SlotNumber	Integer	An integer specifying the position number of the image to be tagged/untagged (where 0 represents the image in the first position in the database window — the one in the upper-left corner), or one of the following negative values: -1  - Specifies all images. -2  - Specifies the last image.
	bTag	Integer	An integer value of 0 or 1 specifying whether the image is to be tagged or untagged.  Where: 0  - Untags. 1  - Tags.
Example	ret = IpGalTag(-1,0) The statement above will untag all images in the active database. ret = IpGalTag(0,1) The statement above will tag the first image displayed in the database.
	ret = IpGalTag(-2,1) The statement above will tag the last image displayed in the database.
See Also	IpGalRemove,  IpGalImageOpen


IpGalUpdate

Syntax	IpGalUpdate( )
Description	This function reloads the contents of the active database with the most up-to-date versions of its image files.  Equivalent to the Update command on the Database menu.
Comments	The system will automatically issue an alert to the user if the source file associated with an image file cannot be located.  This alert will ask the user to specify whether or not the thumbnail associated with the missing file is to be removed from the database.