Where unnecessary work accumulates
After a session, someone often opens the card manually, selects the new files, creates the patient folder, and then corrects and renames each photo. Every action is simple, but repeated series consume attention and create opportunities for mistakes.
How SD-card watching works
SmileCrop can watch a selected card or folder. When new photos appear, it can start processing: read the QR frame, assign the series to the patient, recognise supported photo types, crop them, name them, and save them according to the configured rules.
A practical sequence
- Configure the source, destination, file names, order, and optional backup once.
- Photograph the patient's QR code at the start of every series.
- Take the standard orthodontic documentation set.
- Insert the SD card or transfer files into the watched folder.
- Review flagged exceptions after processing and only then release the card safely for reuse.
Backup is not the same as automation
Automatic processing accelerates the workflow but does not replace the practice's backup policy. SmileCrop can copy original files to a selected folder; the practice remains responsible for their continued protection, retention, and access control.
Automation focuses on standard orthodontic intraoral and extraoral documentation photos. A card containing other image types may require manual selection or correction.
What follows import
Import is only the first stage. Next come recognition and automatic cropping, naming, and review. See the complete context in the workflow guide.
Try your own SD card
Use a test folder, enable original backup, and verify the result on a copy of your series.