About AmphIdent
Features
Integrated Creation, Photo-identification, Matching and Management of Patterns
The software AmphIdent combines all necessary functions for processing
amphibian patterns in one program. Individual patterns are extracted
from digital photos and pattern matching and identification is
seamlessly done with the internal database. Most likely identified
individuals are displayed. The pattern is automatically written into
the database after the final manual decision with one click.
Batch Processing of Entire Directories
Through the use of AmphIdent Slider all pictures in a directory can be
processed after each other. At the same time only pictures are
processed that have not been worked with before. This way you do not
need to take care which pictures you select for the comparison.
Almost Identic User Interface for all Species
The user interface of AmphIdent stays extensively constant because of
its modular architecture. All parts that are specific to a certain
species are implemented in a separate species module, which is
automatically loaded at startup and integrates seamlessly into the software.
Automatic Connection to an External Database
AmphIdent offers the possibility to automatically write processed pictures into an external database like MS-Access so that you can analyze the results from other points of view. To accomplish this, a separate database module is used which eases the adaption to your needs.
The default database in AmphIdent is a text database. This is a table that can be imported into e.g. Excel.
Additionally there exists a module for MS-Access, which requires a certain table format.
Extensibility through Plugins
During the analysis process further plugins can be influential, in order
to extract more information than simply the ventral pattern of an
individual. For example it is possible to measure the length of the
individual or determine its gender during the analysis process. This
way a subsequent post-processing of pictures may be simplified or even
avoided.
Display of All Ever Found Patterns of an Individual
AmphIdent offers the possibility to display all patterns of an individual that have ever been found. This way changes over time in the patterns may be recorded.
Plugins
The modular architecture of AmphIdent makes it possible to extend its functionality through the use of plugins. Even the modules for distinct species or the connection to an external database are realized as a plugin.
So-called Analysis plugins can extract further information from a picture during the processing. Currently the following plugins exist:
Species Modules
Crested newt module: Perform automatic image processing, pattern matching, and photo-identification of spot patterns of the Crested Newt (Triturus cristatus).
Fire-bellied toad module: Perform image processing, pattern matching and automatic photo-identification of spot patterns of the Fire-bellied toad (Bombina bombina).
Salamander module: Perform image processing, pattern matching and automatic photo-identification of dorsal patterns of fire salamanders (Salamandra salamandra).
Analysis Plugins
AddGender: Provides age and gender information of the individual to the software.
AddLength: Provides length information of the individual to the software. Requires a reference length, such as a ruler on the picture.
AddAlive: Provides health status information of the individual to the software.
AddLocation: Provides image acquisition date and place information of the indvidual for the external database.
Documentation
AmphIdent offers full usage documentation for the pattern matching and photo-identification process in several manuals. Additionally, if you face any problems you may find the solution in the FAQ or in the manuals. If you cannot solve the problem, please send me an eMail.
FAQ
Manuals
If you are interested in the full manuals of AmphIdent, please contact me without commitment.