Training: Module 2

Segmentation

Once you’ve generated a TextBase, you need to segment the akṣaras in the image before you can start adding layers of analysis.

Get set up to work with segments

1. From the homepage, go to My TextBases.
2. Find your TextBase in the list and click Edit.
   
3. Choose a text and edition from the drop-down menus, then select Substrate in Strata Access Set. Click Open.
   
4. In the utilities panel, open the View section.
   
5. Click Show Segment display. You might need to cycle through the other segment display options before you get there: Numbers, Code, Location, and Hide.
   

Now you’re set up to start drawing segments on your image. You can draw rectangular segments or polygonal segments.

Draw a rectangular segment

1. For this step, you’ll be working in the image VE. Place the crosshair of your cursor at the point you want to start drawing. Click and drag to the opposite corner of the rectangle you want to create.
   
   A green rectangle will appear enclosing the space you selected. You can redraw this as many times as you like.
2. Once you’re happy with the placement of your rectangle, click Save polygon in the Edit section of the utilities panel.
   
   The green rectangle will turn red. Your segment has been saved.

Repeat the last rectangle you drew

If your akṣaras are similar shapes and sizes, you can repeat the last rectangle you drew for each one.

1. While holding Shift on your keyboard, click where you want to place the centre of the rectangle.
   
   A green rectangle will appear. You can reclick as many times as you like to reposition it.
2. Click Save polygon in the Edit section of the utilities panel.
   The green rectangle will turn red. Your segment has been saved.

Repeat these steps until you’ve created segments for every akṣaras in the image. You can also use polygonal segments in combination with the rectangles to complete the process—keep reading to learn how to do this.

Draw a polygonal segment

1. For this step, you’ll be working in the image VE. Place the crosshair of your cursor at the point you want to start drawing. While holding Alt on your keyboard, click where you want the first point of your shape to be. This is the anchor point.
2. Release Alt, then click to select subsequent points of the shape you want. To finish, click the anchor point.
   
   A green polygon will appear enclosing the space you selected. You can redraw this as many times as you like.
3. Once you’re happy with the placement of your polygon, click Save polygon in the Edit section of the utilities panel.
   
   The green polygon will turn red. Your segment has been saved.

You can repeat steps 1-3 until you’ve created segments for every akṣaras in the image. You can also use polygonal segments in combination with rectangular ones to complete the process.

Delete a segment

If you’re working with a finished TextBase with multiple editions, be careful when deleting segments. If different editions have multiple syllables linked to a single segment, it may be wise to replace the segment rather than delete it, so other people using the TextBase don’t lose their linkages.

1. Double-click inside the segment you want to delete to select it.
   
   The segment will turn white, indicating that it is selected.
2. In the Edit section of the utilities panel, click Delete segment.
   
   The segment will be deleted.

Replace a segment

If you’re working with a finished TextBase, you might want to replace an incorrect segment rather than delete it. This way, you won’t lose your linkages between edition syllables and segments.

To replace a segment, you must have ownership rights on the syllable that is linked to it.

1. Double-click inside the segment you want to replace to select it.
   
   The segment will turn white, indicating that it is selected.
2. Draw a new segment either by following the instructions to draw a rectangular segment or draw a polygonal segment.
3. In the Edit section of the utilities panel, click Replace polygon.
   
   The new segment will turn white while the old segment will disappear. All syllables that were linked to the old segment are now linked to the new one.

Order segments

Before you can accurately link your edition to your image, you need to number and order the segments you’ve created.

1. In the View section of the utilities panel, click Numbers Segment display. You might need to cycle through the other segment display options before you get there: Code, Location, Hide, and Show.
   
2. In the Edit section of the utilities panel, click Number segs. to toggle it On.
   
   A dialogue box will appear.
   
3. If you want to start numbering from 1, click Cancel in the dialogue box. If you’ve already done some numbering and you want to start from where you left off, click OK.

To start from a specific number, click OK, then go to the Edit section of the utilities panel. Enter the number you want to start from in the Seg. Number box, then follow steps 4 and 5.

Your segments will turn blue, which means you’ve entered numbering mode.

4. Click on each segment in the desired order to number them.
   

In this example we’re using the Kharaṣṭḥī script that is read from right to left, so our numbering goes from right to left too. If your script is read from left to right, add your numbers in that direction.

5. In the Edit section of the utilities panel, click Number segs. again to toggle it Off.
   Your segments will turn red with their assigned numbers saved.

Manually number a single segment

To change the number of a single segment without changing the entire sequence:

1. Double-click inside the segment you want to renumber to select it.
   The segment will turn white, indicating that it is selected.
2. In the Edit section of the utilities panel, manually change the number in the Seg. Number box.
3. Press Enter to save.
   The new number will appear in the segment.

Congratulations, you’ve fully segmented your image! To link the segments to the syllables in your edition, the next step is to regenerate your TextBase.