This guide describes how to upload images to a WildObs Image Platform project as a background process using Nextcloud.
Visit Getting started with the WildObs Image Platform for all guides in this series.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Prepare your images for upload
2. Create a user account on the WildObs Nextcloud
3. Upload images to the WildObs Nextcloud server
3. a) Upload images to Nextcloud using a web browser
3. b) Upload images to Nextcloud using a desktop client
4. Enable Nextcloud uploads in Project Settings
5. Upload files to a deployment from Nextcloud
Nextcloud is an open-source, self-hosted file sharing platform. WildObs hosts a secure instance of Nextcloud on the ARDC Nectar Research Cloud to allow for secure and backed-up transfer of camera trap media to the WildObs Image Platform.
While Nextcloud has many features that make it similar to other file sharing services (like Google Drive, Dropbox or OneDrive) the WildObs Nextcloud instance operates in limited ways and cannot be used for any purpose other than transferring images to the WildObs Image Platform.
1. Prepare your images for upload
To ensure that Nextcloud uploads to the WildObs Image Platform work correctly, you must ensure your files are organised appropriately:
- There must be a uniquely labelled folder for each deployment. It is ideal to name your folders with the location plus a descriptive tag or group to quickly match the folder to a deployment in the system.
- All image/media files for the deployment must be in one folder, not separated into sub-folders. See Nextcloud troubleshooting for an example of how images should be organised.
- Only add folders of images to Nextcloud that you are actively planning to add to a deployment. When uploading a directory, the platform must scan all files in your linked Nextcloud account. Steps in the process will be slower the more files are in your account.
- Nextcloud folders are deleted immediately after uploading to a deployment. The WildObs Nextcloud cannot be used for long-term storage of files.
- If you have a large number of deployments to upload, work in batches of 10 or less. This means there should be no more than 10 folders in your WildObs Nextcloud account at any given time.
2. Create a user account on the WildObs Nextcloud
Follow the WildObs Image Platform Quick Start Guide to navigate to the WildObs Image Platfom, then open user settings by hovering over the user email at the top-right of the window and selecting "Settings" from the drop-down menu.
Scroll down to the "Nextcloud" section and click "Create Nextcloud User":
The page may not respond immediately. Please wait while the system processes your request:
Once an account on the WildObs Nextcloud has been created and linked to your user account, the page reloads with a "✓ Nextcloud User Created" grey confirmation box and your user details:
Keep this page open to copy server, email and password details from.
3. Upload images to the WildObs Nextcloud server
Images can be uploaded to the WildObs Nextcloud server via a web browser or using the desktop client:
3. a) Upload images to Nextcloud using a web browser
3. b) Upload images to Nextcloud using a desktop client
Using the browser requires manually uploading files or folders but the desktop client will allow for large folders of media to be uploaded as a background process.
3. a) Upload images to Nextcloud using a web browser
Copy the server address using the copy icon and paste it into a new browser window.
Copy and paste your Nextcloud account username and password from the User Settings and click "Log in".
At first login, you may receive "About Nextcloud" notifications. Please note that only limited use and services are available when using the WildObs Nextcloud instance.
The dashboard page will appear after logging in. Click on the upper left "Files" icon to open the file view.
In the Files view, click "+ New" to upload a folder of camera trap media files:
Do not click away from the window while your folder is being uploaded.
For more information on using Nextcloud on the web, see The Nextcloud Web interface — Nextcloud documentation.
3. b) Upload images to Nextcloud using a desktop client
Visit https://nextcloud.com/install/ to download and install the Nextcloud Files desktop client for your computer:
Default settings for installation will be appropriate for most users.
Follow the Nextcloud Desktop Client Installation Wizard to log in to the WildObs Nextcloud server using the Nextcloud account details copied from the WildObs Image Platform User Settings page.
By default, a Nextcloud folder will be created in your computer home directory. This is recommended so you can copy folders to be uploaded only when they are required for adding a deployment to the WildObs Image Platform.
It is not recommended that you sync pre-existing folders on your local machine to the WildObs Nextcloud. The WildObs Nextcloud automatically deletes folders of media once they are uploaded to the WildObs Image Platform. Consider the Nextcloud folder as a "loading dock" for the WildObs Image Platform and only copy files there when they are ready to add to a deployment.
4. Enable Nextcloud uploads in Project Settings
Navigate to Project settings for the project you wish to upload images to. See Create a project on the WildObs Image Platform for more information.
Check/turn on "Nextcloud uploads enabled":
5. Upload files to a deployment from Nextcloud
Check the folder of media you wish to add to your deployment has finished uploading (if uploading via the browser) or finished syncing (if using the desktop client).
Add a deployment to a project or navigate to an existing deployment that requires images (such as one created by importing multiple deployments from CSV):
Check deployment information has been completed.
Click on "Upload files" and from the drop-down, select "Upload directory":
If "Upload directory" does not appear as an option, please check the following items:
- Nextcloud uploads have been enabled in Project settings per step 4 abo
- The folder of media has been added to your Nextcloud account and has finished uploading/syncing.
For other possible issues, visit Nextcloud troubleshooting.
Once "Upload directory" has been selected, the linked Nextcloud account will be scanned for folders. This may take some time depending upon how many folders have been uploaded.
Click "Select Owncloud Folder" and select the folder of images for this deployment from the drop-down menu:
Once selected, a preview of images will load to check the correct file has been selected. More images can be loaded by clicking "Load more images":
Check all deployment details are correct and click "Save" (or "Add deployment" if you are adding a new deployment) to start image uploads from Nextcloud.
Images will be imported from Nextcloud, clustered into sequences and automatically annotated by AI if enabled:
Once a folder has been successfully imported from Nextcloud to the WildObs Image Platform, the folder will be removed from Nextcloud automatically. The WildObs Nextcloud server is backed up, however it is only a temporary location for storage until images are imported to the platform.
See Add a deployment to a project and <Enable AI annotations for your project> for more details on adding deployments and setting automatics AI annotations.
More information
Create a project on the WildObs Image Platform
Next steps
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