General Information

Researchers can use one of the Library's loaner laptops, or they can choose to download the software onto their own laptop.

Please note: Hovercams can create multi-page PDF documents made of up to 300 images. Exceeding this 300 image limit may cause the software to crash.

Instructions to Download Flex 11 Software

Visit the Hovercam website that offers a Flex11 software download page.

Select the HoverCam Flex11 software option and follow on-screen installation instructions after software downloads.

PC - Flex 11

Setting Up to Save

• To set up an easily accessible save location for Hovercam photos, you should do the following immediately upon opening the software: 
• Go to the “Settings” tab (gear icon).  

• Choose the tab that says "Misc." 
  

• In the Archive Root Folder field, select the desired folder (where you want images to be saved). If need be, create a folder on the desktop for this purpose.
  
• Click Save.  
• Reboot the program.  
• Return to “Settings” > “Misc.”, and confirm that the Archive Root Folder listed is where you want images to save.  
• Click the “Scan” tab.  
• Confirm that the images folder listed is inside the Archive Root Folder you selected.  If need be, click browse and find the right folder. 
• Change the naming convention and default file extension if desired. Note: The filing naming convention cannot be changed for single or multi-page .pdf files. 
• Click save. You are ready to go! 

General Troubleshooting

Program won't recognize camera: 

• On most computers, the program will not recognize the camera if the software is opened prior to plugging in the camera. For best results, plug in the camera and wait 5-10 seconds before opening the Flex11 software. 
• Some computers have more than one USB port, and more than one kind of USB port. Check the ports and, whenever possible, choose the USB port labeled "S" or "SS" (matching the imprint on the Hovercam cord). On some older computers, the ports aren't labelled so you'll just have to test them all until you find one that works.  
• Check to make sure the USB cord is plugged into the correct port on the back of the Hovercam (NOT the port that says "Install").  
• When in doubt, check the Hovercam/USB ports and reboot the software. ​ 

Creating PDFs/Converting JPGs: 

• To set PDF as the default file extension/automatically save images as PDFs:
  

• Go to the Settings tab.
  

• Select Scan. 

• Choose PDF from the list of potential file formats. (Output Format)
  

• Click save. 
• To create a single PDF document consisting of multiple images (i.e., one file per folder): 
  • Choose the “Multi-Scan” tool to take images. 

• Select “Yes” for “Save as PDF” 

• All images take within a single instance of multi-scan should save into a single PDF. (This is especially helpful when patrons are scanning entire folders, book chapters 
• It is helpful to set a maximum number of pictures (~50 or 75) to limit the size of the final PDF file. 
• When using the “Timer” function, it is helpful to increase the time interval to 10-15 seconds. *Using the “Timer” is often easier than the “Motion” function* 
• “Multi-Scan” will not work with Macs

Converting JPGs to PDFs: 

If the patron has already taken their images in another file format (.jpg, .png., .tif) and wants to combine and convert to a single PDF:

• Select “Go to Archive” on the left side of the scrren and select “Images” underneath “View by Catergory”. 
• Check the boxes for all images desired. 
• Click "Create PDF" at the top of the screen.  
• NOTE: This can be glitchy when working with a large number of images, especially on the Reading Room laptops and with .tif files.  
• ALTERNATIVELY, the researcher can use an external tool to convert JPGs to PDFs. We often recommend http://smallpdf.com/jpg-to-pdf, but you can find others simply by searching online. These tools can usually also be used to merge individual PDFs into a single document.  This is a great workaround for Mac users who do not have access to the “Multi-Scan” feature.  \
  

Light/Color Quality Issues

• Blue screen / blue tint to images: In a nutshell, Hovercam light + track lighting = blue light. Try turning off the Hovercam light and/or the track lighting at the table. The blue light is a result of light quality, so you may need to fiddle a little bit to find the right combination. When troubleshooting, give the camera a moment or two to adjust to the new lighting to see if it works. Occasionally the sunlight and shifting cloud cover can trigger this blue effect as well - as a general rule of thumb, advise patrons not to use the built-in Hovercam light to avoid this.  

Trouble Exporting Files

You can only export one image from the Hovercam software at once. If you have several to export, try stacking the files first or combining them into a pdf. It is strongly recommended that researchers go directly to the folder in which the images are saved in order to manipulate them, rather than exporting files from the Hovercam program. 

Optimal Character Recognition (OCR) difficulty:

OCR can only be used with jpg and png files. It is not compatible with the multi-scan function or other PDF files. However, PDFs can be OCRed within Adobe (the most commonly used PDF reader) and there are plenty of free OCR software available for download online - encourage the patron to search "pdf ocr" in Google and select a program/service they feel comfortable using.  

Side-by-Side view

• Clicking on any thumbnail found within the HoverCam home screen will open a Side-by-Side view, consisting of the selected file and the live image.
  

• To exit out of this view, click the Side-by-Side button found on the menu at the bottom of the screen. 

Snapshot Button Grays Out at High Resolution Setting

• If a researcher shows you that they attempted to take a snapshot, but instead of producing a file, the “Snapshot” button has just grayed out after they clicked it, shut down the software, and open the Hovercam Flex save folder. 
  • Delete the file called “CONFIG.” 
  • Reopen the software and confirm that the researcher was intentionally shooting at a high resolution (in case it was a saved setting from a previous user) 
  • If the researcher wants to continue at a higher resolution, show them how to choose a new resolution by clicking “Settings” and then navigating to the “Camera” tab. 

Chrome App

Setting Up to Save

To set up an easily accessible save location for Hovercam photos, select the folder where you would like save your files when prompted upon opening the app. 

• Select the folder where you want your files saved. 

• If you would like to change where your images are being saved, open the HoverCam File Manager by clicking on the thumbnail of your most recent image in the menu at the bottom of the screen. 

• Once the HoverCam File Manager window opens, click on the orange “Change” button and choose a new save location

Setting Options 

• To open advanced settings, click the “Controls” button.  

• The Advance Controls panel will pop up on your screen. 
• To reset settings to the default settings, click on the default settings at the bottom of the Advanced Controls panel. 

• To annotate your image, click the Annotate tab on the right-hand side of the screen, and choose the tool you’d like to use from the menu. 
• 

Issues specific to Chrome App Software 

• The Chrome App does not have a “Multi-Scan” option 
• The only file format options available in the Chrome App are .jpg image files and .webm video files 

Mac - Flex App

Download the appropriate software for your operating system. 

If you have a Mac with OS Monterey, download the Flex Mac software from the Hovercam website. 

Follow on-screen installation instructions after software downloads and continue with instructions below. 

Connect & Configure Hovercam  

Connect the Hovercam to your laptop via USB cable and open HoverCam Flex software. You will see a screen displaying what the camera is aimed at with application menus in the periphery. 

Click Settings   on the bottom right corner of the menu. 

A smaller menu will open in the software. 

• Save Location: Select the folder where you want your files saved 
• Main Camera: Choose the camera you would like to use for imaging. This should be set to HoverCam Solo8 when a Solo8 device is connected. 
• Resolution: Choose your resolution setting 
• Zoom Meeting: Must be toggled on to use the Zoom widget 
• NOTE: The only file format options available in the HoverCam Flex app for Mac are .png image files and .webm video files 

3. Take images  

The menu at the bottom of the screen allows you to control the camera. 

• Snapshot: Take an image. 
• Adjust: Manipulate the image before you take it. 
• View Option: Rotate image. 

Choose Open in Finder to view the images on your hard drive. 

Troubleshooting  

"Unidentified Developers": 

A pop-up about an unidentified developer is an indication that one's computer settings only allow downloads from the Apple store, but never fear! 

• Open Finder and search for the Hovercam Flex10 installer and/or program icon. 
• Ctrl + click (the equivalent of right clicking) and choose open. 
• When the dialog box pops up, allow the software to open and install.  
• If this doesn't work, you will need to update the security preferences. View instructions on updating your security preferences.