* AC is so simple to use that you will actually archive your files on a regular basis, which in the end is the most critical aspect of the program. We want you to archive your files.
* AC automatically spans your Archive Set across multiple CDs or DVDs.
* AC automatically can create an HTML Web-Style Photo Gallery that is written to each of the media discs in the Archive Set.
* AC creates the HTML "Web Style" Photo Index even from most RAW image files automatically with no conversion software required (Canon, Nikon and others). Click here for a list of image file types supported by the AC Photo Index.
* The Archive Set media discs each have the entire Archive Set HTML Photo Index on them. So you can view and find a file even if it is not on the CD/DVD you have in the drive. In other words, if the Archive Set is made up of 4 discs, and you are later viewing disc#2, you can view the images from all 4 discs, right from disc#2!
* You can preview images during the selection process by clicking no them...even most RAW file types.
* Simple 3 Step operation...Select Files, Process File Set, Burn CDs.

Archive Creator (AC) is a Windows based program that is designed to simplify the task of archiving large groups of files to CD-R/RW, DVD-R/RW and DVD+R/RW. Its design is such that when such a group of files (the Archive Set) is too big to fit onto 1 CD or DVD it will automatically span the Archive Set across multiple discs thereby maximizing the disk storage potential of the media while minimizing the time required to organize the files in an efficient manner. While its design is generic in nature, the primary target market for AC is the digital photography market based on the fact that the serious digital photographer generates large amounts of large image files of large size. The ability to easily archive their "digital negatives" and processed work is critical.

In addition, during the archive process, Archive Creator is able to make an HTML "Web Style" Photo Index of the image files within the Archive Set. This Photo Index of the entire Archive Set is written onto each of the media in the Archive Set. This is extremely powerful as you can then view the thumbnails and viewing images from the entire Archive Set from any one of the CDs or DVDs. This means that later if you are looking for an image, you can insert any of the media discs from the Archive Set and find the image that you are looking for without having to shuffle media until the time you actually find the desired photo file and wish to copy it to your HD or open it in an application (and only then if it is not on the CD or DVD that you are viewing).

This HTML Photo Index and Archived media (CD or DVD) are supported by both Windows and Macintosh platforms and does not require any special software to be on the computer except for Internet Explorer or Netscape Internet Browsers (we are compatible with most versions of Netscape with some limitations). We use no Java or JS coding, just pure HTML so that no special software is required on the viewing computer. And the Index is created even from most RAW file types, as well (Nikon, Canon, Olympus, Minolta, Fuji, Sigma and others).
Here is the process in a nutshell...

Setup

Select files, set options and name Archive Set (shown here previewing a JPEG image file, as well)

Process

Archive Creator quickly spans the Archive Set into a multi-disc Archive (if needed). If selected, it also creates an HTML "Web Style" Index with thumbnails and viewing images (even from most RAW file types). As each image is processed it is displayed in the preview window. Also, not shown, the tree of each media disc can be expanded and viewed, even while the processing is going on.

Burn

Just insert a proper blank CD or DVD and click on Write Disks to begin the burn process. Each disk is burned and verified and you are notified when a new blank media is needed.If your CD drive uses Burn-Proof Type Technology (or you are burning DVDs), you can do the burn in the background while you use your computer for other non-processor intensive tasks, such as searching the Web or reviewing email (or writing a Help System for a new product, like I am doing now).

New Features In V3.5 since the V3.04 release.

* Windows Vista Compatibility. While we will need more testing as the Vista launch proceeds at Jan end. We believe that all major required code changes have been made for a positive Vista experience with AC
* MDS (Multi Drive Sequential) Burn functionality. In the past, burners were very costly and it was difficult to have more than one or two burners attached to a system. With the burner costs going down and the advent of Firewire and USB burners it is relatively cost effective and simple to support many burners on a single system. MDS Burn allows you to take advantage of this by using multiple burners (sequentially) to burn your multi disk archives.

* File Distribution for Digital Asset Management Archiving (DAM Bucket Archiving). Some Digital Asset Management techniques require storing your files in archival sized buckets (folders). Archive Creator 3 can be used to help distribute files into DAM folder buckets. You simple select the file you want distributed, configure the target folder bucket size and process it. Archive Creator will either move or copy the files into the folder buckets, even preserving the exiting folder hierarchy within the archive buckets and a unique bucket back full feature.

* iView MediaPro3 Integration Module. There is an integration module that can be installed to enable a seamless archiving work flow between IView Media Pro 3 (Windows Only) and Archive Creator. Once installed, from within the IView application you can launch Archive Creator, open a workspace, select files or folders to be archived, manage your selection, start and burn your archive. All without leaving iView! After the archive is verified, Archive Creator will even automatically catalog your archive in IView so you will always know when, how many times and on which media a photo was archived.

* Thumbs Plus Integration Instructions. ThumbsPlus graphics file viewer and organizer from Cerious Software, Inc. allows the addition of custom tool bar buttons to be added by the user. By creating 4 buttons you can browse your photos in Thumbs Plus, transfer your selections to Archive Creator and Start the archive process without ever leaving Thumbs Plus.

* DVD9 Dual Layer Support. A new Media Target was added to the drop down on the file selection page (DVD9 Dual Layer). Enhanced Burning support for dual layer dvds incorporated. NOTE: You MUST ensure that you have the latest firmware burned on your drive. Dual layer capability on burners is very new and even if you just received your new burner ensure that it has the latest firmware on it. Many problems are resolved by just updating the drive firmware, even if it works with a different program.

* Blu-ray Disc Support. Preliminary Blu-ray disc support (single layer (25 gig)) . NOTE: THIS FEATURE IS UNTESTED. USE IT AT YOUR OWN RISK. IT IS TO BE CONSIDERED UNSUPPORTED HOWEVER WE WILL MAKE AN EFFORT TO CORRECT ANY ISSUES YOU MAY MAY FIND IF YOU CHOOSE TO TEST IT!!

* Number of Copies. There is now a new option on the Archive Page to allow you to specify the number of copes of the discs to burn. AC will burn the specified number of copies of each disc before continuing to the next disc in the archive. The number of copies can be changed at any time during the burn.

* Archive Report. There is now a new tab on the archive page that provides a printable Archive History Report. The report shows when the session started, when each volume was processed, which burner it was burned on, whether it was verified or not, the final speed of the burn, and the result of the entire Archive session. The report can be cleared, saved to disc as a text file or printed. There is also an auto scroll option to allow the list to always show the latest entry. All errors, cancellations etc are logged to the report as well.

* Device Status. There is now a new tab on the archive page that provides a real time device status display. This display shows the current status of all your burners, including current state, media installed, supported media and more.

* Date/Time filter option. In addition to filtering your file selection on extension or archive bit state, you can now filter on creation date-time and/or modification date-time. AC even keeps track of your last archive date-time for each workspace and can be configured to automatically filter on files created or modified after you last archive!

* Archive Sorting Option. In the past all archive files and folders were sorted alphabetically. Now you have the option to sort your archive by Name, Creation Date, Modification Date both Ascending or Descending. This is very handy when a folder contains files taken from different cameras (with different base names) or the files have been renamed due to post processing. Even with different names, the files can be sorted as needed. The sorting selected is also reflected in the HTML index.

* New Preview HTML Index Setting Function. The Preview HTML Index Setting function on the file selection page has been modified to show the index as if it were the first disc burned. As such it will now show the File/Folder buttons.

* Smaller Folder/File open buttons on the index. On the HTML index, the image icons for the Open File and Open Folder buttons that appear on the HTML index for a burned disc have been reduced in width to allow for smaller thumbnails. This effects all styles except Classic, and Grays.

* Persistent Drive Speed Selections. AC now saves your burn speed selections. For each drive, AC now stores the selected drive speed of your last burn for each media type. When new media is inserted or a new drive is selected, AC will automatically set the burn speed to the burn speed used the last time you burned that type of media on that particular drive. You can always override it of course.