scb
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Post by scb on Feb 25, 2016 12:56:19 GMT
Hello, for the past few months I've been spending quite many late nights/early mornings building up an multi-platform digital perforation gauge (for my personal needs), and I'm happy to announce that version 1 is now out. You can access the online version here, or if you prefer to use an offline version then download this file and extract the zip-file contents on any folder you desire.  What makes this utility a bit different from existing alternatives is that (besides being free) it runs within your web browser. And as such basic features should function on any operating system and any device as long as you use a recent browser (Chrome, Firefox work ok, Microsofts Internet Explorer/Edge is bit quirky) and remember to specify correct settings. If you use an outdated browser (or don't set proper settings), then your mileage may vary. Another major difference is that there's no 'auto-mode' (I might add it on later point, but at least for now I don't have need for it). This is simple 'point and click' type of tool, and the results it will provide are as accurate as the clicks you make. The manual mode provides both ups and downs compared to fully automated tools (for example I can start measuring on any perf I want, and do it for as many teeths as I want; the downside is that it takes a lot of clicking). The utility gives you advice as you proceed from one step to another, there's also detailed help/manual as well as Youtube channel with some tutorial videos. Since this is a relatively simple tool for simple needs, I hope that reading/watching all these guides won't ever be necessary. Since I wrote this utility entirely for my personal needs, I am not providing any official support for it. Same applies also for further functionality and new features. When and if I have the time, I may add support for automatic perf recognition (ie. just drop the stamp on the canvas, and it automatically measures perfs on all sides) as well as measuring perfs of round stamps; but at least for now neither of them is priority for me. I'm not saying this is the best tool for the job, but hey, it does the job it was designed for, and it is free. Anyway, have fun with this tool and let me know if you like/dislike it. -k- |
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SWH
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Posts: 43
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Post by SWH on Feb 25, 2016 18:26:36 GMT
Hi Keijo
Looks like a nice app. In just what situations do you use it? I guess most perfs can be determined with a standard gauge. Easier because you don't need to to scan the stamp first. A tool for specialists?
Gerben
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zipper
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Posts: 2,649
What I collect: Classic GB, QV, France Ceres/Napoleon, Classic U.S., Cinderella & Poster Stamps
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Post by zipper on Feb 25, 2016 19:22:49 GMT
WOW, scb! I'm thoroughly impressed!
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BC
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Vancouver, BC Canada
Posts: 836
What I collect: Worldwide USED up to the 1960's, later years from countries that came into existence after then, like Anguilla, Tuvalu and Transnistria.
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Post by BC on Feb 25, 2016 21:28:22 GMT
scb , I just tried the online version and it seems to work excellent. I like this tool because it works mathematically, asking the user to select points on the actual perforations, and "does the math" based on the number of perforations selected. This is a MUST when measuring perforations to 1/4. I have always found the basic plastic gauges with the lines subjective to the user's positioning with inaccuracy increasing as the rounding of the perfs decreasing (i.e 1/4 or less). This could be valuable for measuring stamps such as Canada's small queens, where the subtle differences in the perforations can go a long way in identifying the different printings. When I measure the small queens, I use a ruler and measure the distance from the first perf to the last and divide by the number of perfs. I find that more accurate than any standard gauge. Scb's app works along this line. Here is a screen capture of the output after I measured two sides of a small queen:  The result, 12.08 a 11.99 matches my measurements, which I had rounded 12.1 x 12. This is a true result for the stamp printing, Scott no. 41, a second Ottawa printing. When thing that is important - the scan has to be very accurate, and the higher the resolution the better. As shown in the image, I used 600dpi. Well done SCB! I will look forward to using this on more of my small Queens.
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rod222
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What I collect: Worldwide Stamps, Ephemera and Catalogues
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Post by rod222 on Feb 25, 2016 22:14:00 GMT
scb , I just tried the online version and it seems to work excellent. I like this tool because it works mathematically, asking the user to select points on the actual perforations, and "does the math" based on the number of perforations selected. This is a MUST when measuring perforations to 1/4. I have always found the basic plastic gauges with the lines subjective to the user's positioning with inaccuracy increasing as the rounding of the perfs decreasing (i.e 1/4 or less). Nice vote of appreciation, Brian. This is going to be great for Argentina issues as well. If we marry PostmasterGS "Stampfix" software, we can scan a platen of stamps, and accurately measure the perfs, in half the time. |
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scb
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Now at 100,000+ worldwide stamps, and progressing one stamp at a time towards the 200K
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Post by scb on Feb 26, 2016 16:21:52 GMT
Hi Keijo Looks like a nice app. In just what situations do you use it? I guess most perfs can be determined with a standard gauge. Easier because you don't need to to scan the stamp first. A tool for specialists? Gerben I use this whenever standard perforation gauges are not 'enough' or whenever I feel that I need a reliable 'second opinion' for the manual process.... One of the beta-testers also told me that he's using this to check perfs on eBay-listings (if you don't know the images dpi, you can try different dpi values until you find something that is a likely a match). So the usages for this are about as many as there are users. Likely specialized collectors will have a higher need for tool such as this, but being a 'generalist' myself, I see no reason why even the beginners could not take advantage of the utility. This tool is for anyone who feel they need to measure in detail beyond the traditional gauges. |
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scb
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Now at 100,000+ worldwide stamps, and progressing one stamp at a time towards the 200K
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Post by scb on Feb 26, 2016 16:23:54 GMT
WOW, scb! I'm thoroughly impressed! Just putting my professional knowledge of various programming/development techniques into good use  -k- |
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scb
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Now at 100,000+ worldwide stamps, and progressing one stamp at a time towards the 200K
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Post by scb on Feb 26, 2016 16:34:15 GMT
I have always found the basic plastic gauges with the lines subjective to the user's positioning with inaccuracy increasing as the rounding of the perfs decreasing (i.e 1/4 or less). This was one of the primary reason why I built the tool. Like you, I used to count perfs 'manually' (ok, I was using Photoshop for the task, but still there was a lot of manual work and calculations involved) whenever precision less than 1/4 was required... With this tool it's all-in-one package, all I got to do is place the markers. Couldn't agree more. Personally I use 1200dpi, but it might a bit of overkill for most purposes. In the end, even 96dpi works well (because you can always zoom in for closeup of the perfs). -k- |
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scb
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Now at 100,000+ worldwide stamps, and progressing one stamp at a time towards the 200K
Posts: 313
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Post by scb on Feb 26, 2016 16:59:40 GMT
If we marry PostmasterGS "Stampfix" software, we can scan a platen of stamps, and accurately measure the perfs, in half the time. Not so surprisingly I've given quite a lot of thought for the automation (and do even have a 'rough draft version' that does perf auto-detection under specific circumstances; but it would require huge amounts of finetuning/testing before release). But like most things related to tech, it's a double-edged sword. Automation can save time on one point, but on the other hand it is 'cold' and impersonal process. Part of the fun of collecting is the fact that stamps are 'tangibles', and they demand the collector to spend time working with them. If you remove the 'spend time' part, are you removing the 'fun factor' as well? Getting bit philosophical with this, but this is the kind of stuff that geeks like me ponder on long and cold winter nights  -k- |
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reena
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What I collect: US Federal Duck Stamps
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Post by reena on Feb 26, 2016 21:27:39 GMT
-k-, thank you so much for sharing this program. I'm totally impressed and you do great work.
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firstfrog2013
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What I collect: BNA Liberia St Pierre U.S. Bolivia Turkey
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Post by firstfrog2013 on Feb 26, 2016 22:53:22 GMT
scb I am hereby writing this testimonial. I tried scb's perf tool and I made it work! Anyone that knows me should now be in a state of shock as I am the most computer illiterate person on this site. It was only last year I learned how to bookmark a page and only last month I learned how to operate two windows at once.I'll only say scb made a simple to use tool that is a joy to use.
FROG
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scb
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Post by scb on Feb 27, 2016 4:21:31 GMT
scb I am hereby writing this testimonial. I tried scb's perf tool and I made it work! Anyone that knows me should now be in a state of shock as I am the most computer illiterate person on this site. It was only last year I learned how to bookmark a page and only last month I learned how to operate two windows at once.I'll only say scb made a simple to use tool that is a joy to use. FROG You got me shocked allright  The fact that you and several others have stated that this is easy-to-use is music to my ears. -k- |
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rod222
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Post by rod222 on Feb 27, 2016 6:58:36 GMT
scbQuery: Will it matter, if we say scan at 600dpi, then crop the image before using your software? ie altering the image size. Thanks.
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scb
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Now at 100,000+ worldwide stamps, and progressing one stamp at a time towards the 200K
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Post by scb on Feb 27, 2016 7:41:56 GMT
scb Query: Will it matter, if we say scan at 600dpi, then crop the image before using your software? ie altering the image size. Thanks. Cropping doesn't matter IF the stamps pixel dimension remains the same (in the end, cropping is some removal of excessive empty space) . But if you crop/resize so that it alters the stamp pixel dimension too, then it will matter because the utility will fail to determine lengths properly. That said, if you do resize a stamp this way, then also the DPI needs to be changed by same degree to come up with proper result. I.e. If you've got a 1200 DPI scan with stamp width of 1098 px, and you reduce its pixel dimension to 768 px (70% of the original), then the DPI to come up with proper answer should be set to 840 (70% of the original). Got it ? -k- |
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rod222
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Post by rod222 on Feb 27, 2016 7:53:01 GMT
Thanks.
It occurred to me after I hit the send button,
I can always check by doing a before and after measurement.
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Admin
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Post by Admin on Feb 27, 2016 16:39:23 GMT
scb I am hereby writing this testimonial. I tried scb's perf tool and I made it work! Anyone that knows me should now be in a state of shock as I am the most computer illiterate person on this site. It was only last year I learned how to bookmark a page and only last month I learned how to operate two windows at once.I'll only say scb made a simple to use tool that is a joy to use. FROG You got me shocked allright The fact that you and several others have stated that this is easy-to-use is music to my ears. -k- If Frog could use it, anyone can! Probably the best review you will ever get God love the Frog and technology, |
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firstfrog2013
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What I collect: BNA Liberia St Pierre U.S. Bolivia Turkey
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Post by firstfrog2013 on Feb 27, 2016 17:01:06 GMT
Yeah but I can still grade with the dozer and own all my digits despite operating chainsaws forever.Let's see the puter knock over an oak!
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Jen B
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Post by Jen B on Feb 28, 2016 0:56:31 GMT
Very nice tool scb! Thank you for sharing it online.
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Post by sebastian on Sept 8, 2020 15:32:10 GMT
Can I have a link or file to this program?
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Admin
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Post by Admin on Sept 8, 2020 17:59:53 GMT
The download link is in the first post on this thread.
For awareness, the original poster (and program's developer) is an inactive member.
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