The Big Idea Behind Counting Templates
A quick mental model to help you count right, every time.
We start with the simple concept of counting dominoes and move toward using Counting Templates to solve real-world complexity.
Introduction
When you ask someone to count from an image, you also need to explain what to count.
Example
Take a photo of Domino tiles with the dots facing the camera. Should we count the tiles or the dots (pips)?
How the App Works
The app needs the same instruction. A Counting Template tells the app what to look for and what to count.
If we choose the “Domino Tiles” Template, the app counts 12 tiles:
If we choose the “Domino Dots (Pips)” Template, the app counts 46 dots:
Moving beyond simple shapes to real-world complexity
Most real-world counting challenges are far more complex than counting dominoes.
Dominoes have a fixed shape and a completely consistent visual appearance. In contrast, real-world items vary constantly. For example, a pile of pipes changes shape dramatically depending on the camera perspective, how the items are piled, and whether the arrangement is uneven with individual pieces sticking out or pushed inward. Many objects are even more complex, where every single item possesses a unique visual appearance.
To solve this, we use a learn-by-example approach. We train each Counting Template on a wide variety of real-world sample images so the system learns to recognize these diverse appearances.
Automatic counting works best when the items in your photo match the visual conditions used to train that specific Template. However, factors like new lighting conditions, changing backgrounds, deep shadows, or unique perspectives can alter how your items look.
We build our standard templates using real-world sample images from our clients to capture these everyday variations. If the visual appearance of your items and environment matches the images we used for training, the Counting Template will work well. If it is not a good match, we can easily create a new template or optimize an existing one to fit your exact operational needs.
How to Choose the Right Counting Template
To select a Counting Template, tap the blue "CHANGE COUNTING TEMPLATE" button on the home screen of the app.
Navigating the Template Library
Once inside the Template Library, you can find the right match using two primary methods:
- Search by Keyword or Template ID
You can enter specific keywords related to your items directly into the search box. If you have already contacted our support team and submitted an image for assessment, simply enter the specific Template ID provided by our team here.
- Browse by Category
Our library is organized by industry categories to help you find what you need quickly. Expand any category button—such as Metal Products, Tubes and Pipes, or Logs and Lumber—to view available templates that match your items.
Explore the Full Library Online
Want to see our complete, expanded list of solutions before opening the app?
Browse our library of existing Counting Templates.
Need a perfect match? If our existing options do not perfectly align with your parts or environment, you do not have to settle for "close enough." Fill in the form below to connect directly with our engineering team. We will work with you to optimize an existing template or build a new one tailored to your specific real-world visual conditions.