Introduction

Asset capture with our automated solution differs from a traditional camera setup. The Profoto app, which controls the automated system, handles all the functions typically managed by applications like Capture One. Using the Profoto app on the iPad, you can automatically select and save key information, such as light settings and view names (referred to as frames). In addition, the app manages both capture and tethering in a single streamlined process.

ProStudio will support your workflow using embedded functionality inside the local iPad app, simplifying the process even more.

Prerequisites

Ideally, ProStudio is set up with products and style guides. 

Please refer to the article: "Import products" and "Style Guides" for more information.

Products you aim to capture should be in a Work Order and Style Guide views should be attached to each product in that Work Order. 

Please refer to the Beginners guide: "Planning - Create a Work Order"

Upload matching rule should also be defined to work with any naming convention that you use in the automated bay. Please refer to System configuration, "Asset recognition rule (Upload matching rule)" for more information.

NOTE: You need to set up your system in our back end cloud to allow export to ProStudio. Please contact the Profoto Support team for help with this at [email protected]

Set the views to match the preset on the machines

It's also crucial to ensure that the presets on the automated system match the Style Guides in ProStudio. For example, if there are three frames on the machines, you should have three corresponding views in the Style Guide.

For more details, refer to the "Advanced Features" section - "Set up Style Guides with Automated Solutions."

Control the presets from workflow

In ProStudio for workflow it is also possible to control the light settings on the automated e-commerce system. These light settings are configured in the Style Guide, allowing you to apply different style guides to various products or product types. 

Please refer to Advanced features, “Control Presets in Profoto Automated solution” for more information.

NOTE: This requires you to have the "ProStudio Sync" module activated. Please reach out to your local ProStudio admin or contact the Profoto Support team for help with this at [email protected].

The Capture Process

Asset capture

Assets can be captured using your existing procedure for capturing visuals with the automated solution. You simply select the preset to use and start capturing

NOTE: If you use ProStudio to control the light settings, these must be sync with the working area/machine.

If you use ProStudio to control the light settings, these must be synched to the automated bay.

Asset naming in capture

Naming assets during the photo shoot is essential to streamline the content creation process. For ProStudio to function optimally, we recommend using a product-specific name that clearly identifies the item. This requires a consistent and clear naming convention for assets during capture. You can use the SKU number from the barcode or another unique product identifier to ensure each asset is easily recognisable.

NOTE: The automated e-commerce solution can be configured to generate file names in a variety of ways to suit your needs. To ensure seamless integration between the automation system and the workflow software, the information must be aligned. This is achieved through the upload matching rule, which ensures that the automation system's configuration is properly synced. As a result, you can focus solely on identifying the product, without worrying about the file naming process.

Asset upload

Upload images from any of our automated solutions following these steps:

1. Select the assets you want to export
2. Select ProStudio in the export
3. Start the export
4. Assets are now exported to ProStudio
5. Log into ProStudio and look under Tasks
6. A new task has been created with all the images

NOTE: Assets are not automatically attached to the work order, so you need to import them from the task into the right Work Order.

Import Assets

Once all the assets has been exported from the automated e-commerce solutions there will be a new task in ProStudio. Please complete the task following these steps:

1. Login to ProStudio
2. Select “Tasks” in the main menu
3. Select the task that you just uploaded
4. Verify that it is the right task and select the images to import
5. Select next
6. Select the Asset category
7. Select the Work Order to import to
8. Select the upload matching rule
9. Select next
10. Select Start import

The matching is done in two steps:

1. Identify the product - this is done using the product data
2. Identify the view (framings) - This is done using the style guide

The upload matching process automatically associates each asset with the corresponding product and view (framing), making it easy to verify that all required images from the photo session are accounted for. This eliminates the need to manually match each image to a product and view - as long as you follow a consistent naming convention during the capture phase, the process is fully automated.

NOTE: You can have multiple matching rules to chose from when uploading, supporting multiple types of content creations.

Asset renaming

In many cases, e-commerce workflows require advanced asset naming configurations, which can be tedious and time-consuming to manage during the capture phase. As a result, the process of renaming assets after capture can become extensive, often involving complex scripts or custom-built tech solutions.

With ProStudio, this process is fully integrated. Using the "Asset Naming Definition," you can easily set up the naming convention for assets. Every field in ProStudio can be used to define asset names, and if additional fields are required, they can be quickly added, streamlining the entire workflow.

Use product data and style guide fields to define naming conventions. 

Please refer to System configuration, "Asset Naming Definition" for more information.