This document has been created for users of Nikon View DX and Nikon
Capture 1.0 who are moving over to Nikon View 4 and Nikon Capture 2. It explains how to set up your computer software to
transfer, manage and process your D-1 images simply and quickly.
(Nikon View 4 and Nikon Capture 2 were released with the D-1x
and D-1h)
Contents
- Nikon View 4 - Copying Files to the Computer.
- Browsing with
Fotostation.
- Automation - Batch processing
- Working with a
Connected Camera
- Batch processing
with a Connected Camera
1. Nikon View 4 - Copying Files to the Computer.
Nikon View 4 has been redesigned as an image transfer tool to
move pictures from the CF card (in the camera, PCMICA slot or CF card
reader) into a folder on your computer.
Nikon View 4 starts automatically when it detects that a camera has been
connected, or when a CF card is inserted into the computer.
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The Nikon View (small) window starts
automatically when the camera is connected or a CF card inserted
in the computer or card reader. By default all images are
transferred, but it is possible to make a pre-selection based on
the Protect or Mark tag set in camera on each image. |
 |
Pressing the Transfer button will start the process
of copying files from the CF card to the default location on your
hard disk. The transferred files are not deleted from your CF
card. |
 |
To change the default file save location, press the
Preferences button. |
To assist you to identify and find your files after they have been
copied, Nikon View allows you to rename the files and to copy keywords
to the standard Keyword Fields within the files. These Keywords (and
filenames) can then be used to search for the images with Fotostation.
Summary: When you connect your camera by Firewire or insert a
CF card into your computer, Nikon View 4 will start. Press the Transfer
button to copy your images into the default save folder. Nikon View can
be set to rename the files as they are copied and to add keywords for
searching.
2. Browsing with Fotostation.
In Europe, the D-1 is supplied with Fotostation 4.5 software by Fotoware.
Fotostation allows you to find images in your hard disk and to edit,
tag, copy and drag-and-drop them to other folders.
Fotostation can be
used for all image management tasks.
 |
When you open Fotostation, use the Browse folder to
find your images in the folder where Nikon View copied them. You
can then drag and drop them to the Nikon Capture Window for
editing. |
Former users of Nikon Capture version 1.0 will note that
the thumbnail window is no longer available for browsing the hard
disk and loading images.
Fotostation should be used to provide this function. |
 |
Summary: Having copied your images into your computer with Nikon
View 4, use Fotostation to select your images for processing in Nikon
Capture.
Start Nikon Capture then just drag and drop images from
Fotostation to the Nikon Capture window.
3. Automation
The D-1x can produce files of very high quality and large file size :
the NEF files are nearly 8MBytes and the 16 bit RGB image produced by
converting opening a NEF file in NIkon Capture is 35 MBytes. Considering
that a photo shoot might involve a hundred or more images, this
means that several Gigabytes of image data will have to be managed.
Of
course there are various points at which the pictures can be selected
and unwanted images discarded:
- In camera: the D1x and D-1h have a convenient zoom playback mode
where any image can be viewed at 9x size to check focus and
composition. This is the most efficient point at which to make your
first selection.
- In Nikon View. Nikon View has a large window where images can be
reviewed at sizes from 64x64 to 256x256 for selection. This stage
allows the opportunity for a critical review of all shots from a
session.
- Fotostation then allows the convenient management of images, for
example copying them into an archive folder, dragging and dropping
to Nikon Capture or moving them onwards for batch processing.
However, if anything over 20 D1x or 30 NEF images have to be
reviewed, some form of batch processing is recommended.
The page Batch
Processing workflow
with NEF files: Fotostation and Nikon Capture 2 contains detailed
description of the steps involved setting up managed workflow
system for selecting, reviewing editing and organising large numbers of
NEF files.
4. Working with a
Connected Camera
To avoid manual transfer of images to the computer using Nikon View,
an alternate method of working is possible by connecting the camera
directly to the computer with the Firewire port. Any images taken by the
camera will be transferred directly into the thumbnail folder and
displayed them in the Camera Image window of Nikon Capture
This mode of operation will be familiar to users of Nikon Capture
Version 1.x : images that appear in the Camera Image window can be
opening in the editing window, adjusted and re-saved either in original
format (NEF file plus change instructions only) or as a final image
where the NEF file has actually been converted into TIFF or JPEG. Note
that the thumbnails folder is just a working location, where the
original files will remain ready for editing (even if the Nikon Capture
is closed and re-opened) until deleted. If you wish to save your
original NEF files, you must save them to another folder, or use
Fotostation to copy them from the thumbnails folder to another
location.
5. Automation with
a Connected Camera
 |
Automation using a Connected camera and Nikon
Capture is also possible by using the Batch mode.
In this case, set the Batch image source to Camera: any
images shot on the camera will automatically be processed and
saved in the designated file format. Note that images are NOT
saved on the camera's CF card, nor are they saved in the
thumbnails folder. If the camera is accidentally
disconnected the camera will save new files to the CF card. Images
can then be manually transferred using Nikon View as described
above. |
Summary. By connecting the camera to the computer by Firewire,
images can be saved and processed automatically by Nikon Capture.
6. Other ways of Opening NEF files
There are three other methods of opening NEF files which offer
alternative workflows.
a) Nikon View 4.x is supplied with a File Import Plugin for
Photoshop (Mac and PC) that allows individual NEF files to be opened
into 16 bit RGB colour space within Photoshop. This option is suitable
for working with one file at a time, as the files are 35MBytes in size.
(Photoshop 5.5 full version or later)
b) Fotostation D (special version for Nikon Digital SLR) will
be capable of opening a NEF file as an 8 bit RGB file.
c) Nikon View 4 can automatically convert NEF files to a
reduced size Normal JPEG as they are transferred. Click on the
"Original Size" button and select a smaller format.
