Using iNAME Merge
for Image Scanner Implementation Only

The image clip files generated by the scan-time iNAME image archiving function do not contain the background form image and are not rotated or scaled during scanning. iNAME Merge lets you do any combination of the following tasks for whole sheet clips and/or individual grid clips:

• Merge the background form image into the image clip files that were generated during scanning.
• Rotate the image clips that were generated during scanning, for better viewing.
• Scale image clips to 200, 240, 300, 400, or 600 DPI to match the requirements of the application using the images.

The iNAME Merge function is used after scanning is complete. It can be run in two ways which are described later in this topic:

• Automatically, at the end of a scanning session.
• Manually, after a scanning session is complete.

Image Examples

Application Definition Requirements

Before iNAME Merge is run, the following items should be checked in the ScanTools application. If you are running it automatically at the end of a scanning session, you should check these items before you scan. If you are running it manually after scanning is complete, you can check them after scanning and make any necessary changes at that time.

1. FOR BACKGROUND MERGING:

• In the application, ensure that the appropriate Top and/or Bottom Form Image File Names (.tif files) and Rotation are specified. These are the background form image .tif files that should be supplied by the vendor who produced the form. The background form image must be in the same orientation as the way the form is scanned. Background form image File Name and Rotation can be verified, and updated if necessary, in the Add/Replace Background Form Images for Sheet # dialog.
• The Fix Light Background Images and Remove Black From Backgroundoptions can be enabled on the Image Clips dialog, if needed. These affect only the background image.
• For whole sheet clips, the settings on the Image Clips dialog are the only items needed for merging.

2. FOR BEST ALIGNMENT OF BACKGROUND IMAGE AND SCANNED IMAGE: If your form has the required form ID mark and timing marks, you can use the OMR/Merge Horizontal Adjustment in the Application Settings dialog to improve the alignment of the background form image to the scanned image. See Also: Horizontal Adjustment.
3. FOR ROTATION: In the application, for Whole Sheet clips, set the desired rotation on the Enter Image To Archive Information dialog while configuring iNAME image archiving. For individual grid clips, set the desired rotation for each grid you need rotated on the Clip Attributes dialog.

NOTE: If a background form image is being merged with an image clip, the two are rotated together using the rotation defined above.

4. FOR IMAGE SCALING: In the application, set Archive Image Scaling to 200, 240, 300, 400, or 600 DPI in the Application Settings dialog to match the requirements of your application. Leave the setting at None to retain the scanned image resolution.
5. TO RUN INAME AUTOMATICALLY AFTER SCANNING: Select the Run iNAME Merge After Scanning option in the iNAME Configuration - Paths and Indexes Screen.Before scanning, you should verify that the iNAME Merge Save a Backup of the Un-merged Images option is set as desired (Checked or Not Checked) in the iNAME Merge Options dialog.

Data File Requirements

The iNAME Merge process can be performed only ONCE on a data file. If you select a data file for which the iNAME Merge has already been performed, you receive an error message when the iNAME Merge process begins.

This means that if you are using the Run iNAME Merge After Scanning option in your iNAME configuration, a new data file name must be specified for each scanning session.

If you are running iNAME Merge automatically, you cannot append to a data file that has already been merged.

If you are running iNAME Merge manually, after scanning, you can append to a data file when scanning with the iNAME image archive function. However, you should wait until you have completed appending to the data file before you perform the merge operation.

Run iNAME Merge Automatically After Scanning

To run iNAME Merge automatically at the end of a scanning session, select the Run iNAME Merge After Scanning option in your iNAME configuration, on the iNAME Configuration - Paths and Indexes Screen. Before scanning, you should verify that the iNAME Merge Save a Backup of the Un-merged Images option is set as desired (checked to save).

During the scanning session, iNAME Merge will start automatically when the End Scanning button is selected in the ScanTools Scanning Progress dialog or when the Stop button is selected in the ScanTools Scanner Error dialog.

The iNAME Merging Images progress dialog appears while the merge operation is being performed. The messages displayed in the dialog will change as the merge proceeds and may include:

• Copying the Un-Merged Images to the Backup Directory (If you selected this option.)
• Copying the Merged Images to the Final Directory

This dialog is only noticeable if you are processing a large number of files and/or very large files.

You may receive a message when iNAME merge is completed; otherwise, the dialog closes automatically when merging is complete.

If any errors occur during the iNAME Merge process, an error message appears.

If you need to cancel the merge process, you can use the Cancel button on the progress window or the ESC (Escape) key. If you cancel the merge process, you receive a message and none of the original image clip files will have the background form. If you cancel, you can select the data file for merging at a later time.

Run iNAME Merge Manually After Scanning

Follow these steps to run iNAME Merge manually after scanning is complete.

1. Ensure that scanning has been completed, using an application that implemented the scan-time iNAME image archiving function. For details, see iNAME Image Archiving Overview.
2. Ensure that the data file used during merging is correct. On the ScanTools Main Window, select iNAME Merge Options from the Options menu.
3. In the Data File area, select Use current to use the data file indicated in the Main Window. Or, select Use selected to choose another data file and then use the down arrow to browse to the file you need.
4. The Save a Backup of the Un-merged Images option saves the original image clip files produced during scanning (with no background image) in a subdirectory under the Archive Base/Variable path, as defined in the iNAME configuration for storage of image files. The subdirectory is the same name as the original location but with the addition of _backup as the subdirectory name. If you do not want the original image clip files saved in the backup subdirectory, leave this item unchecked. This option is unchecked the first time iNAME Merge Options is opened. However, when you check it, the setting remains checked until you change it again, regardless of which application you select. The setting remains persistent until you change it.

NOTE: The iNAME Merge process can be performed only ONCE on a data file. If you select a data file on which the iNAME Merge has already been performed, you receive an error message when you select the iNAME Merge button.

5. Select OK to save your changes and close the iNAME Merge Options dialog. Select Cancel to close the iNAME Merge Options dialog without saving your changes.
6. Use the iNAME Merge button to begin the merge process.

NOTE: If you are upgrading from ScanTools Plus v6.1 or earlier, the iNAME Merge button will not be displayed on the ScanTools Plus main window after you have completed your installation. To display it, go to the Options menu, select Action Bar, and then select iNAME Merge.

7. The iNAME Merging Images progress dialog appears while the merge operation is being performed. The messages displayed in the dialog will change as the merge proceeds and may include:

• Copying the Un-Merged Images to the Backup Directory (If you selected this option.)
• Copying the Merged Images to the Final Directory

This dialog is only noticeable if you are processing a large number of files and/or very large files.

You may receive a message when iNAME merge is completed; otherwise, the dialog closes automatically when merging is complete.

If any errors occur during the iNAME Merge process, an error message appears.

If you need to cancel the merge process, you can use the Cancel button on the progress window or the ESC (Escape) key. If you cancel the merge process, you receive a message and none of the original image clip files will have the background form. If you cancel, you can select the data file for merging at a later time.

Log File

To provide an audit trail of which data files are merged, each time an iNAME Merge has been successfully completed, a log file is appended to on a per-batch basis. It is created in the default path where ScanTools software is installed. The log file is named iNAMEMerge.log and can be viewed using an ASCII text editor. The log file includes the following information:

• Merge completed for - separator header, this provides a heading for each entry.
• Application - file name (znnn.sds) and application name.
• Data File - full path name with .dat file extension. This is especially useful and important because a data file can be used only once for a merge operation. This is a quick way to verify whether or not a data file has already been used for merging.
• Time - full time of day and date.

The log file is always appended to; it is never cleared out automatically by ScanTools software. If you need to, you can manually delete entries from it using a text editor program. If the file itself is deleted, it will be re-created after the next successful merge operation.