Bit Depth using SilverFast SE 5.5 Plugin with Photoshop 6

[Felix]

I am a SilverFast novice using the SE 5.5 Plugin with Photoshop 6 on an Epson Perfection 2450, not yet ready to upgrade to SilverFast Ai. I am confused about the bit-depth selector on the Plug-in version, which differs, apparently, from the SE-DC version in not having separate bit-depth selection for 24 and 48 bit RGB scans.

As far as I can determine, the program will not perform 48-bit scans on reflective media (which is supported by Photoshop 6). The single bit-depth selection control for RGB scans is labeled 48?24 (or vice-versa), and will scan reflective media only at 24 bits, with no way I can see to toggle to 48 bits. I have not yet tried to scan a negative or transparency.

If there is anybody in the forum who's familiar with the plugin version and inclined to answer, I would sure like to find out (1) if there is any mechanism in the plugin interface to allow 48-bit reflective scans,
(2) whether when setting the controls for a negative scan, the scan is automatically at 48 bits, since there is only the one control 24? 48
(3) whether the SE DC version does permit 48-bit scanning of reflective media, and if so, whether the DC version can also be used as a Photoshop 6 Plugin. Finally (!) I want to find out if there will be an SE version supporting OS X.

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.

[LSI_DAmato]

On 2002-02-08 17:50, Felix wrote:
As far as I can determine, the program will not perform 48-bit scans on reflective media (which is supported by Photoshop 6). The single bit-depth selection control for RGB scans is labeled 48?24 (or vice-versa), and will scan reflective media only at 24 bits, with no way I can see to toggle to 48 bits.

This is correct. SilverFast SE will work within the full color depth of the scanner, but only outputs 24 bit. There is no way to output 48 bit corrected data.
In Ai, 48 bit data can be output, but only in raw status.. that is, uncorrected. However, there is a free upgrade for all Ai users coming that will allow manipulation and output of the full 48 bit space. The HDR version is already available, and the remaining Ai versions will be released soon (5.5.2).

Negatives work the same way, and will also feature improvement when 5.5.2 is ready.

(3) whether the SE DC version does permit 48-bit scanning of reflective media, and if so, whether the DC version can also be used as a Photoshop 6 Plugin. Finally (!) I want to find out if there will be an SE version supporting OS X.

The DC version only works in 24 bit, and probably will in the future. HDR is designed to work with 48 bit complete.

All versions of SilverFast will move to OS X. HDR has already begun, and the scanner versions will move as we get more development going with X.

Hope this helps somewhat
-- Nick D.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: LSI_Nick on 2002-02-08 21:19 ]</font>

[Felix]

Nick, Thank you for your reply to my question about transmittal of 48-bit data by SilverFast SE. I would like now to ask you about SilverFast Ai.

I am using an Epson Perfection 2450 scanner which is capable of sending 48-bit color depth images to Photoshop 6 via Epson Twain. I would prefer to use SilverFast as of course it is much superior program. At this time my operating system is Mac OS 9.0.4. I will not be upgrading to OS X for some months.

Will the present version 5.5 of Silverfast Ai transmit 48 bit data, raw or otherwise, to Photoshop 6? Do I understand correctly that the Price of Ai is $45 (US).

Thank you again for your help.

[President_LSI]

Pricing for SilverFast Ai Epson Perfection 2450

Dear Felix,

SilverFast Ai 5.5.2 is capable of scanning into 48 bit raw data as well as full colour-corrected 48 bit raw data. All functions of SilverFast work in 16 / 48 bit. Output can be 48 bit RGB, 48 bit LAB and 64 bit CMYK.

Matching with ICC-profiles can be used with 48 bit raw uncorrected and fully corrected data.

Pricing: You have looked at the pricing for upgrades. Here is the pricing for the full version of Ai for Epson Prefection 2450:

SilverFast for new customers
Standard full version 5.5: 119.00 $
With IT8 calibration: 204.00 $

More info on SilverFast for Perfection 2450:

https://www.silverfast.com/scanners/epso ... 50/en.html

best regards

Karl-Heinz Zahorsky, CEO





<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: President_LSI on 2002-02-24 19:11 ]</font>

[Felix]

Thank you for responding with the information I needed. I will purchase Silverfast Ai 5.5.