post processing - What is the best way to auto crop bulk images?

I need to scan a large volume of book covers and even though the scanner (HP) most of the time scans/auto-sizes, many are left with white/grey space on the sides.

What is the best way I can automate the "crop" on these images?

Is there some software/tools that automate this?

Answer

I'm not sure there are any tools that will completely automate this process, unless you're willing to write a custom script.

I sometimes have to crop quite a few images at work, and one of the simplest tools that I have come across for this is a small image editor called IrfanView. It's not the prettiest of programs, but can do a crop and move on to the next picture with one mouse drag and three keystrokes. Here's how:

• Install IrfanView and run the program.


• Open the 'Options' menubar and select 'Properties/Settings...'



• Select 'File Handling' from the list and uncheck the "Display 'Save'-Dialog" and "Ask to overwrite file for 'Save'" options.


• Next, open the first image you want to crop.


• Drag a square around the section to crop.


• Press Ctrl+Y, Ctrl+S and then hit Space to move to the next image.


• Repeat ad tedium.