Package compiled for FAA managers

Federal Agencies Digitization Initiative Still Image Working Group -August 2010
ln general, master files have the following attributes:
•
•
•
Maintain the essential features and info1111ation of the original
Represent the best copy produced by a digitizing organization, with best defined as meeting the objectives
of a particular project or program
Represent digital content that the organization intends to maintain and manage for the long term
• Are created primarily for the production of a range of copies used for specific purposes (such as derivatives
and duplicates)
• Document the image at the time of scanning, not what it may once have looked like if restored to its
original condition
Institutions may create one or more digital master copies depending on the nah1re of the originals and the intended
purpose of digitization. Digitization should be done in a "use-neutral" manner, and should not geared for any
specific output. If digitization is done to recommended image parameters and all other requirements as described in
these Guidelin es, we believe the master image files produced should be usable for a wide variety of applications and
outputs. If digitization is done to meet the alternative minimum image parameters and all other requirements, the
master image files should be usable for many access applications, particularly for web usage and reproduction
requests.
Generally, given the high costs and effort for digitization projects, we do not recommend digitizing to anything less
than the alternative minimum image parameters. This assumes availability of suitable high-quality digitization
equipment that meets the assessment criteria described (see the section on Quantifying Scanner/Digital Camera
Perfonnance) and produces image files that meet the minimum quality described in the Guidelines. If digitization
equipment fails any of tht: ass t:ssmta1t l:rileria or is um1bk lo μruJul:t: i1m1gt: fiks uf miuimum quality, lht:n it may bt:
desirable to invest in better equipment or to contract with a vendor for digitization services.
SCOPE
The focus of the Guidelines is on historical , cultural and archival materials . The scope is limited to digitization
practices for still image materials only (e.g. , textual content, maps, photographic prints and negatives) .
The Guidelines are intended to be infom1ative, not prescriptive. We acknowledge that this document does not
address the entire range of imaging quality parameters (such as noise, distortion, etc.), but these topics will be
incorporated as the Still Image Working Group identifies recommendations in these areas. The Working Group has
produced a "Gap Analysis" document that identifies and prioritizes digitization activities that are not currently
defined within existing agency guidelines, or are not adequately addressed by existing guidelines. The Gap Analysis
contains topics that the Working Group intends to investigate and provide as updates and recommendations in future
versions of these Guidelines.
The current Gap Analysis can be found on the F ADGI website at :
http ://www.digitizationguidelines.gov/stillimages/documents/Gap.html.
We hope to provide a technical foundation for digitization activities , but further research will be necessary to make
infonned decisions regarding all aspects of administrative, operational, and technical issues surrounding the creation
of digital images. These guidelines provide a range of options for various technical aspects of digitization primarily
relating to image capture, but do not recommend a single approach .
The following topics are addressed in thi s document:
Digital image capture for still images - creation of master files , image parameters, digitization
environment, color management, etc.
• Color encoding accuracy - color space. color temperature for imaging and viewing, quality of linear vs.
area arrays, and quality of different interpolation algorithms
Technical Guidelines for Digitizing Cultural Heritage Materials : Creation of Raster Image Master Files 2
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