


Photo Base Extra


Photo Base Extra is a picture-database with lots of features: 

importing images to and from a database
data reduction up to 50% without loss of image quality
easy managing of pictures: one database contains all images
importing from file: jpg, png, gif, tif, pcx, tga, eps, bmp, wms, ico, pcd and scm 
importing from clipboard and twain-source (scanner, camera) 
exporting to file: jpg, png, gif, tif, pcx, tga, bmp and eps 
exporting to clipboard
managing multiple image databases
arranging pictures in up to 24 catagories with multiple catagories/picture
filtering pictures based on catagories
browsing the database (filtered or unfiltered)
password protecting the database
slideshow (filtered or unfiltered) 
printing
manipulating images, over 40 effects and filters available

The program works on most personal computers altough we recommend a Pentium system with at least 16Mb memory and a 800x600 (16 bit color) videocard.

The program is very usefull in situations where you have a lot of pictures and want to organize these in a friendly system. I made the program first of all for my own use, I own a digital camera and wanted to make a database to keep the pictures. The pictures that come out of the camera are numbered IMG0001.JPG - IMG0120.JPG. This makes it very anoying to keep track of the pictures. I ended up with making a new directory for every download of pictures from the camera.
With Photo Base Extra I can put all the pictures in one database and organize those into 24 catagories. The nice thing about the program is that the orginal format of the picture is maintained in the database, so it's no problem to get the original back. Furthermore I'm able to do some processing on the images and can directly import images from the camera and output them to the printer.
When working some time with Photo Base Extra I noticed a nice side-effect in putting the pictures in the database. One way or the other, the database reduces the original space that the pictures took on the disk back to 50%. This only works when you have about 1000 pictures or more, but if you collect images from several sources than that's no problem.

Installation

In windows, dubbelclick setup.exe or choose 'start' and browse to the location of setup.exe and click 'ok'.

Quick start

First of all, create a database. Choose 'DataBase/New' and choose a directory to create the database in. 
Choose a name for the new database and click "ok". After this you can add files to the database by choosing 'Picture/Import Single'. There are more ways of importing pictures, but this is a basic one.


howto create a database

From the menu on top of the main-window choose "Database" and then "New". 
You will see a small window which askes for a location and filename. Browse to the location where you want the database to exist and type a name for the database.
Choose "ok" and your in business:-)


howto copy or move a database

Choose 'Database/copy or move' and a new window will open. On the left of this window you see the source-location (from) and to the right the destination (to). First of all choose the database which you want to copy/move. Don't forget to click on the databasename (ending with .MB). When you have done this you will notice that the 'OK' button is enabled and that next to the 'Database'-label on the top is the database-name you want to move or copy. Now it's time to choose a destination for the database. Choose in the right window a drive and directory and click on 'OK'. 
Now be patient... If the database is large, and most databases are, then it will take some time before the operation is finished. You will also notice that the database that was open is closed again.
So the operation is:
- choose 'move' or 'copy'
- choose the source
- choose the destination
- choose 'OK'
- be patient


which files belong to a database?

Imagine the database is named "test". In that case you will see 4 files:
test.db
test.mb
test1.db (a "1" appended to the name)
test2.db (a "2" appended to the name)


howto protect a database

Open the database which you want to protect.
From the main-menu choose "Database/Options" and you will see a small window. In this window choose the "Database"-tab.
Click on the "Password"-checkbox to check the password and fill-in a password.
Next time you open this database you will be prompted for a password.


howto import multiple pictures

This feature is only available to registered users.
From the main-menu choose "Picture/Import Multiple".
A new window will open. Browse to the directory which contains the pictures and multi-select the pictures by keeping the control-key pressed while clicking the pictures you want to import.
Click on "ok" and the pictures will be imported to the database.


howto scan an image

Make shure that your scanner and twain-driver are properly installed (check to see if it's possible to use your scanner in another program).
Optionally choose "Scanner/Select" to select the twain-driver which you want to use if you have more than one twain-driver installed.
Choose "Scanner/Scan" and the twain-driver will start and your ready to scan an image.


how do you work with catagories?

The images can be sorted into catagories.
Choose "Category" and you will see an new window in which you can type 24 categories (labels).
Close the window and you will notice that next to the "green bar" on the right the labels have appeared. Next to the labels (leftside) are green, square "buttons". If you press such a button it will change color, indicated that this category is active (red).
When you move the mouse-pointer over the categories you will notice that the color of the label changes. If you press the category the database is filtered in such a way that you only see the pictures that belong to the category you have clicked.
If you want to see all images again just click "show all" and the database is unfiltered again.


how do I use the effects?

When you choose 'processing' in the main-menu you will see a new window called 'Filters and Effects'. On the left you see a small copy of the original image, on the right some tabs with filters and effects. Choose the effect you want and adjust it to the values you like. If you want to see what the effect will do you can click 'preview'. Click on 'reload' to get the original picture back and choose 'Apply' to make the changes permanent (a lot of people tend to forget this). So basically the procedure is:
- choose an effect
- choose 'Apply'
- choose 'Close and Save'


Registration

When the program is unregistered you get a reminder when starting it up. Also some items are limited/disabled: 
- database-size is limited
- no multiple selecting (importing) of files
- during navigation you sometimes see a reminder

Altogether I didn't cripple the program very much. I don't like it myself and I guess you don't either..

But..	It took a long time to develop this program
But.. 	I'm still working on it to improve the program.
But..	Computers and development-tools cost a lot of money.

	So..	I would like it if you register this program


You can register the program online at our site:
	http://www.xs4all.nl/~axissoft
Just visit the link to the registration-page and follow the onscreen guidelines.
When you have registered you will  receive an email containing a personal registration-code to unlock the program with.

Many happy hours with Photo Base Extra!

	A.E. van Leyen
	AxisSoft
	axissoft@xs4all.nl
	http://www.xs4all.nl/~axissoft
	fax: +31 (229) 213379
