Can indexing images be straightened?

ShamuDWhale

I have been reviewing indexing batches for quite a while. One somewhat common problem indexers make is jumping from one line to the next while indexing a record. This is especially common when the image is not straight. I believe that Photoshop (or other software) can automatically straighten photos. Would it be possible to run all images through a batch job to have them straightened before they are sent to indexers? It seems like this would make things easier for indexers, reviewers, and in the long run to researchers.

Thanks.

CindyPrice

@ShamuDWhale I have encountered this many times too. It would be so much easier to index and review with a straight image. Can you please share your idea in the "Suggest An Idea" section of FamilySearch Community? The link is below. Thank you for helping FamilySearch index these historical records for others to find.

https://community.familysearch.org/en/categories/suggest-an-idea

John Empoliti

Straightening a slanted or skewed image is called deskewing or de-skewing it. I have suggested that a manual de-shewing tool be added to the image viewer. I have provided a link below if you want to upvote it or add your own comments to it. I suggested a manual tool, perhaps in addition to a batch one you suggest, because sometimes the two pages of a wide ledger on an image have different amounts or even different directions of skew. Here is the link to mine, or go ahead and suggest your own version. My idea only got my vote. But I think it’s a needed function.

https://community.familysearch.org/en/discussion/86701/add-a-manual-de-skew-tool-to-the-image-handling-vertical-web-indexing-toolbar

CindyPrice

@John Empoliti, Now you have two votes! Thanks for helping to make FamilySearch indexing better!