Frequently Asked Question

Split Camera App

Using Smart Device Technology to Automatically Scale Images for Split-Net and Split-Desktop

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Step 1: Configure the App:

First time use, please proceed through the Calibration Procedure.

Then, from the menu, select ‘Settings…’

• Image Prefix: This will put a prefix on the default image name. Only available in Droid.
  
  
• Camera Height: Height of the camera lens when the photo is taken. Pre-measure this value by holding the camera at your comfortable height and measuring the height of the lens to the floor. Hold the camera at the same height when taking photos.
  
  
• Measurement Units: Select the units of measurement used in the camera height.
  
  
• Angle of Repose: Approximate angle of repose of the muckpile. The default is 42°, which is a good estimate for typical post-blast angular rock.
  
  
• Floor Angle: Angle between the feet of the photographer and the toe of the muckpile. Positive angles are up. Positive angles are down. Default is zero.
  
  
• Stability Sensitivity: Use default setting. If you are having difficulty holding the camera steady, then lower the sensitivity.
  
  
• Camera Angle of View: App should automatically read these values from your device. For best results, follow the calibration procedure.

Step 2: Acquire the Image:

   - Required Practices

• Stand approximately 3m (+ or – 1m) from the toe of the slope.
  
  
• Keep device height between 1.5 – 2m from the ground when acquiring images. Ensure the Camera Height is correct in the Settings.
  
  
• Stand perpendicular to the toe of the slope. Hold the device level to the slope of the material, with no side-to-side angle being introduced.
  
  
• Toe of the slope must be in the image. Line up toe between the ‘+’ and the bottom of phone screen. Tilt device, as necessary to include the material to be measured.
  
  
• Hold the device very steady. Settings in the App will prevent images from being acquired when the camera has too much movement.
  
  
• Try to stand at the same elevation as the toe. Modify Angle of Repose and Floor Angle in the Settings as dictated by your environment.

• Press Snap, or touch anywhere on the screen for ~1 second.

   - Helpful Hints

• Use a tripod, car door, or other stable surface to maintain a constant camera height and steady camera for image acquisition.

• Turn sound up on your device so you can hear ‘camera’ capture the image. This means image has been captured correctly. It can be difficult to see messages on the device screen when acquiring images outdoors.

Step 3: Locate and Transfer the Images:

• Do not downsize the image resolution size when transferring from device. Split-Desktop needs the native image as captured by your device.

• Do not rotate the image until it is opened into Split-Desktop.

• If you have many images to transfer…some options:
  • Connect USB cable from device to computer and transfer in Windows.
  • Upload to your ‘cloud drive’ from your device and download to your computer.
  • Install an FTP App onto your device and submit direct to Split Engineering (for Split-Net clients) or to your own network folder.

   -Droid Devices: Locate Images

   -Apple Devices: Locate Images


App Limitations:

• Only for muckpile or sample pile images. Not for conveyor belt or truck bed images.
• No zooming of images. Can only take one scale of image with the App.
• Do not reduce size of images for transfer before opening in Split-Desktop.
• Auto-scaling feature only works with Version 4 of Split-Desktop software.