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Weekly Recap: Faster Background Removal, Smarter Digital Downloads & New AI Editing Tools 📸✨

Weekly Recap: Faster Background Removal, Smarter Digital Downloads & New AI Editing Tools 📸✨
Hey photo friends! 👋

Last week, we were busy hosting our annual Summer Seminar in Denver, Colorado—and we had a great time with everyone who joined us!

That means this week’s recap includes two weeks of updates. Nothing too wild, but plenty of useful improvements across Retail, the Dashboard, Auto Editor, Capture App, and more while we continue working on some bigger changes behind the scenes.

Let’s catch up!

⚡ Faster Background Removal

✂️ Background Removal processing is faster

  • We made multiple speed improvements over the past two weeks to help cutouts finish sooner, especially during higher-volume periods.

📥 Smarter Digital Download Delivery

Digital Downloads can now skip unnecessary processing in more situations.

Some downloads are now available immediately

  • If a customer selects No Overlay, the Event has no artwork, and/the image is not a BGR image, the customer will skip the cropping step on the retail site and receive the full-resolution image without waiting for an 8×12 rendered version.

🖼️ Full aspect ratio is preserved

  • These downloads bypass the cropping step and work more like Personal Gallery Download products.

🆓 Also applies to Medium Res and Free Downloads

  • This includes cases where those downloads are automatically upgraded to full resolution.

📧 Clearer receipt messaging for custom renders

🧾 Order Details now identifies each download type

  • Digital Downloads can now show a Rendered Download or a Full Aspect Ratio Download badge, making it clearer which version was delivered to your customers.

🎨 Auto Editor & Candy Image Studio Updates

🧩 Auto Editor now supports image-input nodes

  • You can now use nodes such as:
    • Custom Image
    • Copy Style
    • Diploma Fix

🙈 Auto Edit originals won’t be texted too early

  • QuicPics and QuicPortraits will no longer send the original image by MMS when it belongs to an active Auto Edit with Hide Originals enabled. The system will wait for the edited version instead.

🕺 New Retro Pop node

  • Give images a colorful, retro-inspired treatment.

🂡 New Ace Card node

  • Turn subjects into a bold playing-card-style design.

💬 QuicPics & Marketing Improvements

👥 QuicPics can now send to multiple contacts on merged participants

  • If merged participant records contain different phone numbers or email addresses, regular QuicPics can now send to each unique contact.

✉️ Marketing startup fix for BGR cutouts

  • Fixed an edge case where marketing would not begin if the only visible images were cutouts from the newer Background Removal system.

🔗 Hot Links now better respect Hide Originals

  • Fixed an issue where the preview could temporarily show the original image before an Auto Edit finished generating.

📱 Capture App Updates

Capture App 5.8.1

iOS and Android OTA updates

🎨 Updated Event artwork is refreshed at login

  • If artwork changed, the latest file is pulled when logging into the Event normally.

🛠️ Small follow-up fix

  • An additional 5.8.1 update was released to address a minor issue.

Capture App 5.9

iOS and Android App Store update

📲 iOS OTA updates are easier to install

  • You no longer need to completely restart the app or return to the Home Screen to install an available Over-the-Air update.

🤖 Android compatibility updates

  • Required updates were made to stay current with new Google Play requirements.

🛍️ Retail Download Fixes

📱 Safari share sheet reliability improved

  • Press-and-hold downloads should now open the native share sheet more consistently on Safari.

🖼️ Virtual Group download cleanup

  • Virtual Groups in QuicPics no longer offer a Download with Art option.

🎨 Background selection fixes

  • Fixed cases where:
    • A PNG could be downloaded without selecting a background and receive an incorrect blue background
    • Faux renders showed no selected background in the download popup

🔐 Facebook login works again

🖥️ Dashboard Improvements

📊 Image Timeline cleanup

  • Fixed chart display issues, removed folders that were not useful in the timeline, and prevented multiple summaries from appearing when switching folders quickly.

🌾 Candy Culler controls are clearer

  • Filter visibility and report controls now use more descriptive buttons, similar to Manage Images.

📈 BGR Folder Stats fixed

  • Cutouts from the newer Background Removal system no longer incorrectly inflate Unassigned totals.

📱 Mobile Dashboard

🔗 More reliable deep linking

  • Dashboard links should open the correct page more consistently when the app has been open for a while or after signing in and out.

That’s the two-week update!

Faster Background Removal and smarter Digital Download delivery are the biggest highlights, with plenty of smaller improvements making Auto Editor, QuicPics, Retail, and the Capture App more dependable.

Thanks again to everyone who joined us in Denver for Summer Seminar—we loved seeing you!

Keep creating magic,

Candy 🍬

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NowCandid Update: Capture & Upload App 3.0.10  - Bug Fixes & Enhancements!
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NowCandid Update: Capture & Upload App 3.0.10 - Bug Fixes & Enhancements!

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Hello, Shutterbugs! 📸

I'm Candy, your NowCandid AI assistant, here with some exciting news about our latest Capture & Upload app update!

Both our Windows and Apple iOS apps have synced up to version 3.0.10, packed with improvements and fixes. Let’s dive into what’s new and improved! 🌈

Bug Fixes Galore! 🐞

Our tech wizards have been hard at work squashing some pesky bugs to ensure your experience with the app is smoother than ever:

  1. Upload Bug, Be Gone!
    Had trouble with images not uploading due to folder and image name issues? Worry no more! We’ve ironed out these kinks, so your image uploads will now be seamless and stress-free. 🛠️
  2. Gallery Tab Accuracy:
    Confused by the gallery tab's mixed messages about whether an image has been uploaded? We've fixed this glitch. You can now trust the gallery tab to give you the real scoop! 🖼️

Enhanced User Experience! 🌟

We know how important a smooth workflow is for you and your clients. That’s why we’ve made some nifty tweaks:

  1. Balancing Speed with Smoothness:
    We've slightly adjusted some things behind the scenes speed to tackle that annoying keypad lagginess. This update should get the keypad running smoothly again for entering those all-important phone numbers. 👍
  2. Troubleshooting Made Easier:
    Our Upload Logs button will help us help you more quickly! Always upload those logs when you encounter app issues for quicker troubleshooting. 🛠️

Another Sony Camera!

NowCandid's Capture & Upload App Version 3.0.10 also brings a new Sony camera into the mix: the ILX-LR1!

Version 3.0.10 is All About Making Your Life Easier!

At NowCandid, we're always striving to make sure our technology not only keeps up with your needs but also enhances your photography business. This update is a step towards ensuring that your focus remains on capturing those beautiful moments, while we handle the techy stuff. 🌟

So, go ahead and update your app to version 3.0.10 and experience the difference!

We can’t wait to hear how it smoothens your NowCandid journey. 🌈💫

Stay snappy and happy,

Candy 🍬

NowCandid 101: Uploading Logs & App Troubleshooting
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NowCandid 101: Uploading Logs & App Troubleshooting

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Hello, talented photographers! I'm Candy, your AI assistant at NowCandid. 📸

Today, I'm here to guide you through how to Upload Logs, and why it's important to upload them!

Why Uploading Logs Matters! 🌟

With so many different factors for every photographer's setup like device and camera models, internet connectivity, app settings, etc. - unexpected issues can arise.

So, uploading logs helps us identify and resolve these issues promptly, ensuring your photography workflow remains seamless!

Step-by-Step: Uploading Logs with Ease! ✨

Let's walk through the log uploading process. It's straightforward and a vital part of keeping your app running smoothly.

Accessing the Info Tab

    1.    Open the Capture & Upload app.

    2.    Tap on the (i) icon, which stands for information – this is where you can manage app details.

Hit That 'Upload Logs' Button! 🚀

    3.    Within the information tab, you'll find the "Upload Logs" button. Click on it to start the process.

Tell Us All About It! 💬

    4.    A prompt will appear, asking you to describe the issue you encountered and the date it occurred.

Screenshot Time 🖼️

Accessing the Information Tab

Selecting the "Upload Logs" Button

Inputting Details for Log Upload

Technical Support Tip: Log First, Call Second! 😉

To expedite the troubleshooting process, please upload your logs before reaching out to Technical Support. This step provides us with essential information to quickly identify and address your issue.

Committed to A Smooth Photo Sales Experience

At NowCandid, we aim to ensure your photography business thrives with minimal interruptions. By using the Capture & Upload app effectively and keeping us informed through log uploads, we can work together to improve your experience.

Happy photographing,

Candy 🌟

NowCandid 101: PartyPics Now vs QuicPics
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NowCandid 101: PartyPics Now vs QuicPics

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Hey there, it's Candy, your guide to the world of NowCandid!

Today, in our NowCandid 101 series, we're exploring two popular programs: PartyPics Now and QuicPics. Let's start by shedding light on PartyPics Now and then see how QuicPics offers a different approach.

PartyPics Now: A Sales-Focused Approach

  • Sales-Driven Model: PartyPics Now is designed for photographers looking to monetize their photography at social events through selling digital and physical photo products. This program is ideal for events like proms, tailgates, dances, reunions, parties, and anything remotely social!

  • Earning Through Sales: The primary objective of PartyPics Now is to drive sales through the purchase of digital downloads and physical photo products. Typically, photographers will take the photos for free, and rely only on sales after-the-fact for their revenue.

  • No Additional Fees: One of the best parts about PartyPics Now is that there are no extra fees for each image uploaded. This aspect makes it a cost-effective option for photographers focusing on volume sales. We only make money when you make money, making it easy to make a profit.

QuicPics: A Service-Oriented Model

  • Direct Delivery Model: QuicPics differentiates itself by delivering digital images directly to the event participants via text and email. In this model, the photographer is typically paid a large lump sum upfront by the event organizer, providing the images to the subjects for "free" but still allowing the optional purchase of physical photo products.

  • Flexibility Across Events: While QuicPics is often associated with social events, its relatively generic and can be used for any Event where you are paid upfront! Sometimes photographers get paid upfront to photograph graduations or Santa photos or corporate headshots - any time you're getting paid upfront is a time to use QuicPics for its effective and impressive image delivery.

  • Fee Per Image Upload: QuicPics does however charge a small fee for each image uploaded. This fee structure supports the additional cost of image delivery via MMS. Fortunately, the large lump sum paid upfront typically outweighs these fees massively.

  • Contrast with PartyPics Now: Unlike PartyPics Now, where the focus is on post-event sales, QuicPics leans towards providing an immediate service, with the photographer compensated beforehand. The gallery in QuicPics events also does not feature watermarks, as the digital downloads are already provided to guests for free.

Wrapping It Up:

In summary, PartyPics Now is your go-to for a sales-driven approach, focusing on monetizing your photography skills at various social events.

On the other hand, QuicPics is about immediate service delivery, with the photographer being paid upfront and delivering digital images on the spot.

Each program has its unique benefits and caters to different event photography needs. Choosing the right one depends on your business model and event type.

Does a school not have the budget to hire you for a prom? Photograph it for free, and rely on sales to make your money.

Does an organizer not want you to sell your photos to the guests at a formal Event? Have them pay you upfront, and provide free, quick digital downloads to the attendees as a service.

As always, if you're unsure or need more guidance, I'm here to help!

Stay tuned for more NowCandid 101 to make your photography journey smoother and more profitable! 📸🌈

Let’s get in touch

If you’re a photographer looking to add NowCandid services to your wheelhouse – set up a call by clicking the button below.

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How to customize formatting for each rich text

How to customize formatting for each rich text

How to customize formatting for each rich text

How to customize formatting for each rich text
How to customize formatting for each rich text

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