ePhoto V2.0 is a user friendly content-based visual search tool for digital image and video organization, search and retrieval.

Based on the feedback on the pre-release version, many new features are added in V2.0 (import from web pages, automatic Visual Vocabulary generation, background image analysis, etc). All product features that were not enabled in the pre-release version are all enabled (print, save as, etc.). In addition, many identified issues in the pre-release version have been fixed.

During import, images are analyzed using a simple image analysis process. This simple analysis can quickly make images available for single-click search. Full analysis of images is required for ePhoto's object based advanced search capabilities. We have implemented the full image analysis as a background process while ePhoto is running. You can monitor the full analysis process by looking at the counter at the lower-left corner of ePhoto.

If you have the trial version, it is limited to 30 days. You can register at the eVision website anytime before the 30-day trial period ends to obtain a permanent license key.

ePhoto V2.0 provides a set of sample images to help you quickly see the power of visual search. If you have selected to install them at the end of the ePhoto installation process, a DeepSea album containing these images should be available in ePhoto. If you do not see a DeepSea album, go to Appendix B to see instructions. You can delete these images by deleting the DeepSea album and then emptying the Trash.

The ePhoto V2.0 User Guide is located in the same directory as ePhoto. If you have installed ePhoto on the desktop, a User Guide icon is created and available.

If you have installed the pre-release version of ePhoto, you must re-import all images due to a change we made to improve its core functions. An empty "collections" folder is created for you during ePhoto installation.

This Readme file has several sections.

1. ePhoto minimum system requirements
   
2. New features in Version 2.0
   
3. Things we Fixed or Changed in 2.0
   
4. Things we Fixed or Changed in Pre-release version
   
5. Windows Issues
   
6. Mac OSX Issues
   
7. Things to Know
   
8. Registration information.

Minimum System Requirements:

Windows - 98, ME, 2000, NT, or XP, Pentium II or equivalent processer, 128M RAM, 50MB hard disk

Mac - OS X V10.1 or later, 128MB of SDRAM, 50MB hard drive

Play and have fun with ePhoto! Visual search is so simple, it can be addictive!!
Let us know what you think!!!
email: ephoto_feedback@evisionglobal.com
Discussion board: www.evisionglobal.com/boards

New Features in Version 2.0:

1. Faster image importing process (3x to 4x faster than the pre-release version).
2. Imports large image files (tested up to 12 mega pixels).
3. Supports 56 file types (see the User Guide for a complete list).
4. Improved toolbar and album icons.
5. Supports video file import for Mac (supports Cinepack and Sorenson codecs)
6. Added video keyframe grab sensitivity parameters which can be adjusted in File->Preferences->Image/Video.
7. Added Automatic Visual Vocabulary generation which can be initiated in File/Generate Vocabulary.
8. Added Automatic background processing of full analysis for advanced visual search. This process will run as long as ePhoto is running. The background processing can be started and stopped in File->Preferences->Analysis.
9. Imports JPEG images from Web pages. Parameters can be set in File->Preferences->Imports.
10. Added ability to import images and video directly into a selected album.
11. Added ability to select from a list of existing keywords to assign.
12. Added ability to select a new target album to search using QueryPad.
13. Added ability to select ePhoto look-and-feel (Java, Aqua, Windows, or Motif look-and-feel).
14. Added ability to launch an external image and/or video editors from ePhoto.

Things we Fixed or Changed in Version 2.0:

1. ePhoto does not keep a copy of the original image or video in its database.
2. Ability to import large image and video files.
3. Ability to delete an image's keywords.
4. Total number of images in All and each album are displayed in the Information panel.
5. Additional image information is displayed.
6. Print function is now enabled.
7. Save As function in Edit and Publish are enabled.
8. Updated core function which requires a re-import of all images.

Things we Fixed or Changed in pre-release versions:

1. Version 1.1 has fixed many ePhoto workflow issues related to visual search, Home, Organize, View, Edit, and Publish.
2. Import images can be performed from directory and/or subdirectory levels.
3. In Preference/Search, default for number of images returned is 10. The All selection will return top 50 images.
4. Home button will always bring you back to the top of current album or All.
5. Return button will bring you back to the page in Results where the image you are working on is located.
6. All image editing functions are enabled.
7. ePhoto can be installed in a directory path where space(s) is present.
8. On Mac OSX, menu options File, Edit, and Help have been moved to the top menu bar conforming to OSX standards.

Windows Issues:

1. A blank console window is displayed when an image conversion to JPEG thumbnail takes place. This occurs only for supported file types that are not JPEG, GIF or PNG.

Mac OSX Issues:

1. ePhoto v2.0 uses the Mac OSX Java Swing implementation for its Mac user interface. This results in the file/folder open navigation conforming to Unix OS file open navigation. ePhoto's Aqua look-and-feel is also limited by Apple's current Java implementation. As soon as Apple implements the necessary functions in its Java Swing implementation, ePhoto will quickly adopt these changes.
2. Do not use Command Q to close ePhoto. Command Q will close ePhoto without saving changes into the database.

Things to know:

1. It is very important to select the correct machine memory size during ePhoto installation. It should be the amount of memory closest to your machine's physical memory. This can impact import performance for large images.
2. Because ePhoto does not keep a copy of the original image in its database, ePhoto must access the original image at the location where image or video was imported from. If the original is not available, thumbnail is used for viewing and an error message is displayed for editing. If the image or video is on a removable medium, you can copy to a local device and import into ePhoto.
3. ePhoto's native image editing function supports JPG, GIF, and PNG file types only. All other file types must use an external image editor. ePhoto also does not edit videos. This requires the use of an external video editor. User can browse and select the edit application on your computer from File->Preferences->Image/Video. On windows, it is most likely in "Program Files". On Mac, it is most likely in "Applications"
4. After importing new images and then moving them into an album, you may find an image remaining in the current album such as Imports. You will see this image when click on Home. This is due to background analysis being performed on this image at the time of movement.
5. If ePhoto locks up during image import or edit, it is likely caused by an "out of memory" error. You must end ePhoto using alt&control&delete key combination and restart on Windows or option&command&esc key combination and restart on Mac.
6. Performance during import is dependent on image size and amount of machine memory.
7. The visual search icon always searches against the highlighted album. If you want to search against a different album(s), use Advanced Visual Search or QueryPad.
8. Supported video formats are MOV and AVI using Cinepak and Motion JPEG codec. Sorenson codec is supported on Mac.
9. New images you add to ePhoto will be analyzed using simple analysis. Advanced analysis will be performed automatically behind-the scene when ePhoto is running.
10. Edit/Select All will select all images in a page of results and not all images in an album.
11. Image editing functions are applied to whole image only and not to the cropped region.
12. Visual Vocabulary items are associated with an album.
13. For technical support, please email us at support@evisionglobal.com or post your questions to the discussion board on our web site -> http://www.evisionglobal.com/boards. There is an ePhoto board. We will do our best to answer your questions in a timely manner.