Create a scan job

Scanner operators that use the SMA Scan Master 0 to scan oversize items and/or bound multi-page items must set up a scan job before operating the scanner. Some projects can be completed with one scan job (e.g., scan a yearbook or University calendar) while other projects require multiple scan jobs (e.g., scan a box of archival file folders). See Section B.2.2 of the Batch Scan Wizard manual for more information on creating scan jobs. See the Project Manager or Digitization Coordinator for guidance on creating scan jobs.

Basic steps to create a scan job


  1. Determine the best approach to setting up scan jobs for the project. Scan job names are normally based on reference codes or other unique identifiers. In general, each bound multi-page item will require its own scan job. See the Project Manager or Digitization Coordinator for guidance.

  2. Launch Scan2Net Batch Scan Wizard software.

  3. Click on the File menu and select Create Job option. Optionally, click on Create Job button in Main Control bar or press Ctrl + N keys.

  4. Navigate to Job tab and enter Collection ID in Job Name field. 

  5. Enter a brief description of the job in the Job info field.

  6. Navigate to Image Files tab and enter Image path in the Image path field. By default, this will be Finalize path, a backslash, and the Job name).

  7. Enter file naming convention in Image file name field. By default, this will be a combination of the Job Name, a hyphen, and a four digit sequential counter. Replace the hyphen with an underscore.

  8. Navigate to Directories tab and set Finalize path.

  9. Click on the Create button at the bottom of the Create Job window to open Batch Scan Wizard software (this will also create a new image path folder as defined in the Image Files tab).

The rest of this page provides detailed instructions on creating a scan job.

Job tab


Screenshot of the Job tab Info tab in the Create Job dialogue window
Job Name

Enter a name in the Job Name field. The job name could be the Collection ID, or a complete reference code. The job name will depend on the material to be scanned and the desired output of the scanner. Job names can be incorporated into image file names in the Image files tab

Job ID

Note: If the scan job is based on a previously existing template, click on the Change button and select the appropriate job template.

Each scan job has an automatically generated unique Job ID. The Job ID is a sequence of ten numbers defined by the number of seconds that have elapsed since midnight in the Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) time zone, January 1, 1970, not counting leap seconds. 

Example: 1340908148 (2012-06-28 18:29:08Z)

The Job ID can be incorporated into the image file names in the Image files tab.

Job Info

Add descriptive information about the scan job or scan job template.

Image files tab


The Image files tab uses a combination of job index variables and text strings that define file paths and file naming conventions. In some cases, scanner operators may need to use Adobe Bridge and other utilities to adjust the file names and directory paths so they conform to the Libraries' guiding principles for file naming and file organization.

Image path

The default Image path will be a combination of two variables and a text string: %s(finalize_path)\%s(job_name). This is a combination of the Finalize path defined in the Directories tab, a backslash, and and the Job Name defined in the Job tab:

Variable/StringDescriptionExample
%s(finalize_path)Variable for the main directory in which images will be stored after the job is finalized. The default Finalize path is C:\Scan2Net\images. The actual location can be changed in the Directories tab.C:\Scan2Net\images
\Text string that indicates a subdirectory. Creating a subdirectory prevents accidentally overwriting existing images during the Finalize process.C:\Scan2Net\images\
%s(job_name)Variable that uses the Job Name defined in the Job tab.C:\Scan2Net\images\PC1_46

Image file name

The default Image file name will be a combination of two variables and a text string: %s(job_name)-%04d(page_number). This is a combination of the Job Name defined in the Job tab, a hyphen, and a four digit sequential counter. Always replace the hyphen with an underscore. When possible, append "_master" to the file name.

Variable/StringDefinitionExample
%sjob_name)Variable for the job name. The job name is defined in the Job tab.PC1_46
_An underscore separate the Job Name from the sequential counter. Hyphens are normally only permitted in the Collection ID. In all other cases, the hyphen should be replaced with an underscore.PC1_46_
%d(page_number)Output = 1PC1_46_1
%2d(page_number)Output = .1PC1_46_.1
%3d(page_number)Output = ..1PC1_46_..1
%4d(page_number)Output = ...1PC1_46_...1
%5d(page_number)Output = ....1PC1_46_....1
%01d(page_number)Output = 1PC1_46_1
%02d(page_number)Output = 01PC1_46_01
%03d(page_number)Output = 001PC1_46_001
%04d(page_number)Output = 0001PC1_46_0001
%05d(page_number)Output = 00001PC1_46_00001
_masterText string that clearly identifies the TIFF as a "master" filePC1_46_1_master

See Section B.2.2.5 of the Batch Scan Wizard manual for information on other settings in the Image files tab, including preview file name, multi-page TIFF file name, multi-page PDF file name, numbering order, and numbering start.

Image files tab - Using the index string editor to edit the image path or image file name


The Create Job window uses an index string editor to define file paths and file naming conventions. The editor uses a combination of job index variables and text strings. In some cases, scanner operators may need to use Adobe Bridge and other utilities to adjust the file names and directory paths so they conform to the Libraries' guiding principles for file naming and file organization.

To change the Image path or Image file name:

  1. Click on the Edit button next to the Image path field or Image file name field to launch the Index String Editor. 



  2. The Index build list shows how variables and text strings combine to form the Image path or Image file name. There are five actions:

    1. Prepend - Select a variable in the Index list and click on the Prepend bytton to place the variable at the beginning of your Image path or Image file name.
    2. Insert -  Select a variable in the Index build list list, then select a variable in the Index list and click on the Insert button to insert the variable before the selected variable in the index build list. 
    3. Append - Select a variable in the Index list and click on the Append bytton to place the variable at the end of your Image path or Image file name.
    4. Replace - Select a variable in the Index build list, then select a variable in the Index list and click on the Replace button to swap the selected variables. 
    5. Remove - Select a variable or text string in the Index build list and click on the Remove button to remove the selected variable.

  3. If the variable is inserted into an undesired location, drag and drop the variables or strings in the Index  build list so they are arranged in the correct order.

  4. Use the test function to check all Image file settings. 



  5. The Index Test window will provide a preview of the file names.

Finalize tab


The finalize tab is not used in digitization workflows.

The Finalize tab is used to include a "Finalize batch" script in the Finalize procedures. Batch Scan Wizard includes two scripts:

  • tiffcp-lzw.sh - compress raw TIFF files to TIFF files with lossless LZW compression
  • jpeg-2000.sh - compress JPEG files to JPEG files with JPEG2000 compression

Finalize batch scripts are stored in: ScriC:\Scan2Net\templates\finalize-batch

Properties tab


The Properties tab is only used when scanner operators want to operate the SMA Scan Master 0 in batch scan mode. Single scan mode is strongly encouraged for all projects. See Section B.2.2.12 of the Batch Scan Wizard manual for detailed information on the Properties tab.

Batch scan delay time (sec.)

In Batch Scan Mode, the batch scan delay time is the idle time between two scans. The default value is 0 seconds and the maximum value is 20 seconds.

Image delay time (sec.)

In splitting mode, the image delay time is the idle time between two images, while scanning in splitting mode. The default value is 0 seconds and the maximum value is 20 seconds. When scanning in splitting mode, it is more convenient to have more time to view documents.

Scan Tool open mode

In Batch Scan Mode, the scan parameter and splitting settings of Scan Tool will be automatically used in a job.

Directories tab


The Finalize path is set in the Directories tab and used in the Image files tab to set the Image file path.

Capture directory

The capture directory is an intermediate storage area for all scanned images. To optimize scanning speed, it is recommended that the capture directory be located on a local drive. Temporary images in the capture directory are deleted when the "Finalize & and delete" function is used to export "master" files. The temporary images remain in the capture directory when the "Finalize" function is used.

Finalize path

The Finalize path stores the images in their final format and order. The default is C:\Scan2Net\images