Practical SmartCode Use in High-Volume Photo Production
Find out how high-volume operations use PhotoRobot SmartCodes to directly control software sequences and maximize productivity in production workflows.
Enabling Smoother Workflows with PhotoRobot SmartCodes
The PhotoRobot SmartCode workflow involves using a scanner to read print-out SmartCodes that enable direct control of PhotoRobot software sequences. Think of SmartCodes as special trigger codes, which instruct the software to run commands for different stages of production. This allows production line operators to simply scan QR codes or barcodes to begin various workflow processes.
For example, larger production halls using PhotoRobot typically print SmartCodes as stickers and labels to place near workstations. In other cases, SmartCodes go directly on keychains, further eliminating unnecessary movement around the studio. Scanning the codes then triggers different workflow stages, from weighing and measuring items to sorting, staging, and capture.
There is no movement back and forth from a robotic workstation to a computer, dramatically speeding up production lines. Productivity is even greater when the SmartCodes are extremely near the objects to photograph. In these cases, operators only need to place products on the machine, and scan a code to instantly signal sequences to begin.
Read ahead for your introduction into PhotoRobot SmartCodes, including a practical example of their use in larger photo production halls.
Typical High-Volume PhotoRobot Studio Production
A classic example of a large production hall using PhotoRobot benefits from each workstation offering a production time of roughly 1 minute per product. That’s nearly 500 items per 8-hour shift for every single workstation.
Take for example a standard, high-volume PhotoRobot-powered production line.
- In larger production halls, there might be 10, 20, or even 60+ robotic workstations.
- Each workstation is operating simultaneously multiple shifts each day.
- There are 5 vital stages of production: scanning & measuring, sorting & styling, robotized capture, post-processing, API & publishing.
- The production hall produces thousands of assets per shift, even in natural warehouse environments.
- There are fully post-processed 2D galleries, 360 spins, 3D models, and 360 product video.
While PhotoRobot supports each stage of this production, there are then PhotoRobot SmartCodes in convenient locations around the production line. Each code enables teams to easily trigger different stages of the workflow by scanning a code when ready.
Scanning SmartCodes allows direct software control to:
- Weigh & measure items with CubiScan.
- Sort items to software shelves (carts) by photographic properties and presets.
- Ready items for capture in the system.
- Robotize capture.
At the same time, it is possible to connect every PhotoRobot workstation with control from a single software interface.
There is automatic post production with delivery via API and cloud integrations, so publishing files becomes automatic & instant after capture. The manual processes simply disappear into the background, ensuring any human talent can easily recreate workflows by simply scanning SmartCodes.
1 - Using SmartCodes for CubiScan to Weigh & Measure Items
At the very first stages of the workflow, many production halls use a SmartCode for weighing and measuring items with CubiScan. The SmartCode readies the CubiScan device to record an object’s weight and dimensions in the system. This allows for the automatic attachment of product information in the form of metadata to image files.
In practice, production halls usually print a SmartCode as a sticker or label and place it directly on or near a CubiScan device. Each SmartCode can be either in barcode or QR code format.
Meanwhile, each product also has its own unique ID code or SKU, which informs CubiScan which item it will be measuring.
This allows production line operators to simply scan the SmartCode for CubiScan, and then scan the product code of the item to measure. They then run the item through the CubiScan device, and it automatically records the object’s weight and dimensions in the system.
2 - Sorting Items to Shelves (Carts) via SmartCode
Another advantage to the SmartCode workflow involves sorting items into categories using shelf (cart) codes. In this case, there is a SmartCode to instruct the system to begin sorting items to shelves (carts), and also a unique shelf code. The shelf code stores configurable photographic settings and presets for similar types of items in the system.
In practice, this allows for sorting items to software “shelves” to easily group items of similar photographic requirements and for their subsequently automated photography.
To do this, the operator first scans the SmartCode, then scans an item code, and finally scans a corresponding shelf code.
Shelf codes will contain photography lighting and capture settings, along with any additional presets for capture & post production. Take for example special settings and presets for objects of different color, transparency, size, and unique properties. Groups may include opaque objects, light objects, and more complex objects such as items with transparent or highly reflective surfaces.
Various shelf codes then help production teams to sort items by style guides, staging, image overlay, and more. The codes are also fully customizable, so it depends only on the types of products to photograph.
Teams then place the shelf codes near the workstations where they prep items for photography, like directly on product racks and carts. The closer to the workstation, the smoother production workflows become.
3 - Identifying Items for Photography
After sorting products to shelves in the software, identifying an item for photography requires only scanning its barcode. This is the stage just before placing an item on the robot. The item’s barcode will tell the system which product it will be photographing, and its specific shelf code.
Scanning the item’s barcode then automatically instructs the system on the robotized capture and post-processing of the item. This is according to the item’s shelf / rack code, and includes any presets for camera and light settings as well as outputs to capture.
For example, scanning the product code at this point might activate presets to extract specific 2D product photos in tandem with a 360 spin.
It may also include instructions for a capture sequence of multiple elevations around the object to produce 3D product spins and 3D object models.
All of these instructions derive directly from the previous attachment of the shelf code to the item. Thus, teams only need to scan the item barcode to prepare the software for photography automation, and then stage the item on the robot.
4 - Changing Workflow Status to “Ready to Shoot”
To tell the system an item is ready to enter the photography workflow, there is the “Ready to shoot” SmartCode. Scanning this SmartCode automatically changes the workflow status of an item to “Ready to shoot” in the software.
This indicates that the item’s preparation stages are complete, including any additional prep necessary before product staging. Take for example unpacking, assembly, styling, arranging, or configuring products before transporting them to a production line. In these cases, there is often someone managing the additional prep in the backstage part of the workflow. Thus, the system requires a way for backstage managers to indicate to the production line that this prep is complete. In this way, it is possible for the entire ecosystem to start working as one complete package, focusing to achieve maximum overall production speeds.
When the item’s status is “Ready to shoot,” the production line knows they can stage the object for photos on a PhotoRobot workstation. In larger production halls, this is often using a Centerless Table together with a Robotic Arm. The setup features a cross-laser system for easily positioning items into the center of the turntable plate. It also ensures perfect alignment of the robotic arm and 360 turntable at all times.
Product staging requires only placing an item in the center of the laser grid. Later, the laser will turn off automatically before the capture sequence, which also requires only scanning another SmartCode to begin.
5 - Starting Full Automation of Capture via SmartCode
Finally, starting full automation of capture in the SmartCode workflow occurs just after staging the item on the PhotoRobot device. To speed up this process, the production line usually has a SmartCode to “Start the sequence” extremely near the robotic workstation. This allows for instantly starting the sequence after staging an object.
Most often, this is from standing directly at the machine, where the production hall has placed the SmartCode for instant activation. Starting the sequence then turns off the laser positioning system, and triggers automatic vertical adjustment of the camera. At this point, the camera’s horizontal level will also align to the absolute center of the object’s height.
This is all fully automatic thanks to the earlier recording of the object’s measurements and dimensions from CubiScan. Then, after the camera adjustment, all studio lights, robotic processes, and capture settings trigger without asking. Operations include presets to instruct the turntable to begin rotation, and remote capture triggers in sync with studio strobes.
While camera settings follow presets, the powerful strobes help to prevent motion blur of objects. This enables the fast capture of 360s without needing to stop turntable rotation. In parallel, the robotic arm is able to move along a vertical trajectory to automate the capture of multiple rows of elevations. It is thus easily and quickly possible to produce multi-row spins, 3D models, and also 360 product video following programmable timelines. All just by scanning a SmartCode.
Enjoying Automatic Post Production in the Background
After capturing an item, the lasers on the machine turn back on for staging the next product, and cloud post-processing begins without asking. The post production also occurs completely in the background in the cloud, so there is no wait in between photography and post-processing.
Production lines simply repeat the SmartCode workflow from here. They prepare the next item for photography, scan its barcode, stage and ready it by SmartCode, and scan the start SmartCode to capture, post-process, and even publish.
Thanks to the integration of CubiScan with shelf / rack codes and SmartCodes, all stages of production fully connect. There is backup of original images immediately after capture, while background removal and image optimizations run according to presets.
All the while, presets instruct the software to store files either locally in a shared folder, or to upload automatically. They may publish files instantly after capture to PhotoRobot Cloud, or via API to eCommerce export feeds. All at the same time the production line is photographing the next batch of products.
Take Full Advantage of the SmartCode Workflow
In the end, the PhotoRobot SmartCode workflow represents not only the unmatched production speeds of PhotoRobot. Moreover, it shows how PhotoRobot supports all parts of the studio workflow, from backstage to the production line. SmartCodes help the entire ecosystem to work as one – connecting every stage of production with fully automated data processing and publishing. The focus is on achieving maximum overall production speeds, from product-in to product-out.
For more information on integrating SmartCodes into your workflows, refer to the PhotoRobot SmartCodes User Guide. You’ll find print-ready SmartCodes, technical documentation, and steps to easily onboard your human talent for smoother production cycles.
