How to Collect a Dataset
========================
This section demonstrates collecting and saving a training dataset with the correct layout and format using a flowchart.

1. Create a new project from scratch
2. Right click the **[+]** button and click **Insert**
3. Insert a **Camera** node, a **Writer** node, and a **Robot Wait** node
4. Left click the **Camera** node. In the configuration window click the **Open Platform Config** button

.. image:: images/dataset-im1.png
    :align: center

5. Click the **[+]** button and select your camera type, then click the **Accept** button

.. image:: images/dataset-im2.png
    :align: center

6. Configure the camera so that it will produce the same images as will be seen during the detecting and picking process after your model has been trained. 
   Load necessary camera setting file (.cfg), then click on the **Save Image Data** checkbox, and select **From Numbered Files** and click on the **Browse** button. 
   In the folder you want to save your output, create a new folder called "DCF" then click **Connect**
7. Switch **Camera Source** to the camera you just added

.. image:: images/dataset-im3.png
    :align: center

8. In the first **Writer** node, click on the link button (the blue circle) and select the **Image** output from the **Camera** node.  Click the **Apply button**

.. image:: images/dataset-im4.png
    :align: center

9. Keep the **Data Type** to be PNG and change the **Source Type** to "From Numbered"

.. image:: images/dataset-im5.png
    :align: center

10. Click **Browse** and select a folder where the PNG data will be saved.  Preferably, in the same level as the DCF folder create a folder named PNG and store every image into the same folder.
    Leave the rest of the settings unchanged.
.. important:: Training will depend on these PNG images

.. image:: images/dataset-im6.png
    :align: center

11. In the **Robot Wait** node click **Open Platform Config**. Click the **[+] button.  It doesn't matter what robot you're using here, select one and click **Connect**
12. In the **Robot Wait** node configuration window, change the **Robot Source** to the one you just added.  
    In the **Time Out** option, enter the time you want flowchart to pause while you are changing the object layout.
    Usually ~5000ms will be enough

.. image:: images/dataset-im7.png
    :align: center

13. Once you've completed all the above setup, click the **Run** button. Click **Pause** when you want to stop the flowchart

.. image:: images/dataset-im8.png
    :align: center

.. caution:: Clicking the **Reset** button will reset the **Writer** node index count.  **Do not click it**

Guidelines for collecting a dataset
-----------------------------------

.. image:: images/detectors.png
    :align: center

While collecting dataset for annotation, you need to set rules for the dataset. 
These rules are followed by the detail requirement of detection needs. 
For example, we only want to pick the objects which does not cover/stack by another objects; pick the objects which are tilted less than 30 degrees etc. 
Therefore, you only need to annotate the objects which follows the requirements. Then, you should only annotate those objects which are not cover 20% or more, 
tilted less than 30 degree horizontally and annotate objects by classifying front/back sides etc.

Secondly, try to simulate the actual working environment and conditions when collecting dataset. For example, if the objects would showed up in different height within the scene: 
you need to collect dataset for objects in different heights. If the background of object occurrence is different, deep learning is difficult to identify the objects. 
Therefore, you should collect dataset in the working environment. If object can be shown in different background, you should also collect dataset in all the possible background.