SilverFast 8 - Mac OS X - drivers

[LSI_Morales]

Hi there,

Reinstalled the folders from my own 3 days older backup via Time Machine (because Plustek did not offer them).

Set Silverfast 8 to run in 32 bit mode: get info on /Applications/SilverFast Application/SilverFast 8/SilverFast 8.app - checkbox in info's general section

These are the older frameworks which were absent of the problems mentioned here.
Problem is they are only 32-bit, hence SilverFast has to be started in 32-bit mode.
The 64-bit frameworks were created and provided by Plustek on popular request. These however, are affected by the issues described here.

Photoshop Plugin i386 unexpectedly call Silverfast 64 bit - means my workaround does not work when initiated from Photoshop as the old Plustek Framework is 32 bit only.

Well, actually this is not an error in SilverFast, Photoshop itself works in 64-bit mode and expects a 64-bit application. Hence you have to start Photoshop in 32-bit mode to be able to work with SilverFast in 32-bit mode.

Silverfast 8 forget the setting of "scan-dimension/file"-type when closing - I would like to have jpeg as primary scan result!

Thanks, already created a feature request to include this in future versions of SilverFast Ai Studio.

When scanning low dpi the Gane function distort the resulting scan image.

The effect of GANE will be much more evident using very small scan dimensions and less apparent with higher resolutions. Perhaps if you can upload a picture to illustrate we might be able to better understand the kind of distortion you are having.

Kind regards

[vofl3450]

Sorry, sorry - it was the wrong filter I suspected - it is the SRD - Dust and Scratch Removal, which behaves strange at low dpi.

An example follows: To the left a scan with initial Frame->Reset Frame and all reset buttons pressed just before scan. No settings changed from default values except image size and dpi. To the right the same setting + SRD button pressed. All reset buttons just pessed. No settings changed from default values and with same image size and dpi as the left image. Below the scan-images are screendumps of the respective Silverfast settings-panel.



Obvious, the SRD-distortion is unacceptable - idea: Let the default parameter-values depend on the dpi-setting.Alternative idea: Let the default parameter-values be "no correction".

/ vofl3450

[moviemaniac]

So, if I run Silverfast in 32bit-mode the problems should be gone or do I need the older Plustek framework as well. If so, could somebody mail me the older framework-files?

I'm currently scanning literally hundreds of negatives and the darn Scanner drives me crazy switching to the super-slow-mode every second scan. I nearly threw it out of the window yesterday...

[picree]

Hi there,

Reinstalled the folders from my own 3 days older backup via Time Machine (because Plustek did not offer them).

Set Silverfast 8 to run in 32 bit mode: get info on /Applications/SilverFast Application/SilverFast 8/SilverFast 8.app - checkbox in info's general section

These are the older frameworks which were absent of the problems mentioned here.
Problem is they are only 32-bit, hence SilverFast has to be started in 32-bit mode.
The 64-bit frameworks were created and provided by Plustek on popular request. These however, are affected by the issues described here.

If Plustek isn't providing the older 32-bit frameworks and we have only ever installed SilverFast 8 where can we get the 32-bit frameworks to use temporarily? Is it possible this also solves the "slow scanning" problems?

[stallonecuts]

Hi there

If it is the framework, there are two manufacturers with this framework issue. I am scanning with an Epson V750 Pro and SF 6.6 with the same results. Please see my earlier post on this thread.

Is this the same issue or something entirely different?

This is a different thing, although the effect appears to be similar, there is a different cause for this. Have you tried updating your driver and SilverFast? We have been working on memory management enhancement which might have solve the issue related to the Epson Perfection V750 (not the issues with the Plustek which are directly related to manufacturers framework).

Cheers

Hi Alejandro,

Yes. I double checked and I have the latest driver and Silverfast updates installed. I even installed them again to make sure.

Here is my setup:
OS X 10.6.8 Snow Leopard
SilverFast Ai 6.6.2r5
Epson Perfection V750-M Pro
Scanning 35mm negatives at 6400 dpi using the Epson fluid mount accessory

After doing some testing with different software and levels of sharpening, I've noticed a few things:
Scan time with Silverfast takes twice as long(if not longer) then when I use other software. (All scanned at 6400 dpi)
The "lines" are visible on both sharpened and non-sharpened scans. Although, much less noticeable on the non-sharpened scans. But if I take a non-sharpened scan into Photoshop and add the "Sharpen More" filter, the "lines" are more apparent. (Basically the same result as if I applied sharpening using Silverfast.)

Also...it seems this "line" issue is not limited to Silverfast. There were "lines" visible on ALL scans regardless of what software I used. And the "lines" were "enhanced" on all scans when I added a sharpen filter within Photoshop.

Any thoughts on what my issue might be? Is it the driver? The framework? Do I have a focusing issue with my scanner?

Thanks for the help!!!

[picree]

I hate this forum. Actually it isn't a forum. It's a thought-controlled moderator monolog. And at one time I believed America's thought police were out of control. You win Germany! I know of NO OTHER forum that won't let the customers dialog like a FORUM!!!!! It isn't a forum when the moderator does all the talking! Don't you get it??? We don't want to bash your product. We want to help make it better!!!

Seriously, the sad part is the moderators (owners of the company...i.e. the people who could make money from the learnings here) are the one's who lose since LaserSoft will never benefit from all the customer generated knowledge. Nevermind... us stupid customers need to just shut up and color...as Colonel Klink once said, "I know naaawwwzing". Sorry I forgot.

Anyone know where I can get the 32-bit frameworks???

BTW, if LaserSoft had confidence in their product they wouldn't moderate the dialog...hmmm...

BTTW, everyone knows that v**s**n is v**s**n...

[LSI_Morales]

Hi there

Obvious, the SRD-distortion is unacceptable - idea: Let the default parameter-values depend on the dpi-setting.Alternative idea: Let the default parameter-values be "no correction".

You are scanning at a very low resolution. These are relative values with the deffect detection and the intensity value, in such cases you have to either increase the scan resolution or play with the values in the SRD dialoge.

So, if I run Silverfast in 32bit-mode the problems should be gone or do I need the older Plustek framework as well. If so, could somebody mail me the older framework-files?

No, it is not enough, you need the older 32-bit-framework. Problem is, Plustek does not provide it directly on their website. We will check if it is still available, test it and provide access to it (in case it is available and works).

Is it possible this also solves the "slow scanning" problems?

Most likely

Kind regards

[LSI_Morales]

Hi guys,

We have found a 32-bit-framework.

IMPORTANT

There is a set of things to mention here that you gotta keep in mind:

- Some of the problems listed here might be solved using the 32-bit-framework, however other issues might appear. The combination 32-bit-framework + SilverFast 8 is not tested. We can not provide support for any issues resulting from this experiment. It means if you decide to go for this option you accept it as is.
- You have to always start SilverFast in 32-bit mode
- If you plan to start SilverFast from within photoshop, you have to start photoshop in 32-bit mode only

WHAT TO DO?

-Download the 32-bit framework using the next link:
http://www.silverfast.com/download/temp/plustek7600.framework.zip

-In finder, navigate to >> Hard drive/Library/Frameworks<<
-Delete the folder called "plustek7600.framework"
-Move the recently downloaded zip-file to this location and double-click it to uncompress the framework in its place
-Restart the operating system (for the new framework to load correctly)
-Tell SilverFast 8 to start in 32-bit mode, for this you will:

• Navigate to >>Applications/SilverFast Appication/SilverFast 8/<<
• Right-click (ctrl+click) on the "SilverFast 8.app"
• From the context menu choose "more info"
• Mark the check-box with the option "Open in 32-bit mode"
• Close the info panel

-Tell Photoshop CS5 to start in 32-bit mode, for this you will navigate to the folder where photoshopcs5.app is installed and repeat the last four steps described above.

You should now be ready to work with SilverFast 8 and the 32.bit framework

To revert to the original state simply use the uninstaller provided in the silverfast application folder to remove SilverFast, remove the remaining framework (if it has not been removed by the uninstallation), download and install SilverFast 8 again.

Kind regards

[matsfager]

Hi, thanks for trying to make a fix but I can't get it to work.


I've replaced the frameworks folder (it's *folder* and not *file* you mean right?) and moved old one to the desktop.
Nothing has changed in the behavior, silverfast 6.6 still works as it should and SF8 still slows down half of the time.
In the silverfast 8 application folder I found the files: "silverfast 8 i386.framework" and "silverfast 8 x64.framework", could this have something to do with why it seems to be loading the same driver?

There is a part I'm not getting, where is the older silverfast 6.6 framework installed? As there seemed to be only one framework folder for the 7600 in /library .

Are any of you getting this to work?

[LSI_Morales]

Hi there

I've replaced the frameworks folder (it's *folder* and not *file* you mean right?)

That is correct, is actually folder, I have corrected my previous entry thanks

I've replaced the frameworks folder and moved old one to the desktop.
Nothing has changed in the behavior, silverfast 6.6 still works as it should and SF8 still slows down half of the time.

Have you restarted the computer after doing the change as described above?

In the silverfast 8 application folder I found the files: "silverfast 8 i386.framework" and "silverfast 8 x64.framework", could this have something to do with why it seems to be loading the same driver?

No, this is simply for the photoshop plugin connection (one for the 32 bit and one for the 64 bit)

There is a part I'm not getting, where is the older silverfast 6.6 framework installed? As there seemed to be only one framework folder for the 7600 in /library .

In the same place and are named the same, only they are different frameworks.

Cheers

[moviemaniac]

I can confirm what matsfager has posted: Sadly the old 32bit framework doesn't work as well, I even get the impression that the slow speed problem even occurs more often than with the newer framework being shipped with SF8. In its current state my 7600i is completely useless on OSX Lion, when I don't experience the slow-speed bug I get the artifacts (looking like aliasing as posted in this thread) in the image. I have for now switched to my Netbook and Win7 for scanning but that's not an alternative, slow as hell due to the Atom processor, low resolution screen and not accurate colours. At least I can scan in 16bit with Silverfast on Windows and edit the raw tiff file on my Mac (Why isn't this supported on the Mac version of SF Plus, on my Mac I can only scan with 48->24 or 16->8 conversion?). I just hope this gets fixed soon

[matsfager]

Have you restarted the computer after doing the change as described above?

Yes, I have restarted the computer several times and followed all the steps.

There is a part I'm not getting, where is the older silverfast 6.6 framework installed? As there seemed to be only one framework folder for the 7600 in /library .

In the same place and are named the same, only they are different frameworks.

Ok, so does that mean that (read slowly here) both the newer and older frameworks folder contains both the older version of the driver that 6.6 uses, and a new updated driver branch, and it's two different versions of the new driver branch that we are trying to change here?

I.E. the driver SF6.6 uses is not compatible with SF8 and stays the same no matter which of the two framework folders you use?


I've been thinking about trying SF8 in a windows xp virtual machine to see how it works, as some people here say it is not affected. Purely for for trouble shooting purposes.

Also, are you guys in dialog with Plustek about this issue? If it indeed is a driver problem, and they write the driver, they should do something about this, as this problem has been there since I bought the scanner in August.

Cheers

[matsfager]

Hi, I looked a bit deeper into the issue and I'm a bit confused.

I found that the folder containing my old frameworks that I had moved to the desktop from library/framworks had the unix executable file plustek7600 created on the 8. of july 2011 at 2:28am,
and it's 4,503,032 bytes.

The new framework I downloaded from you contains a file with the exact same creation date and size. (tried to get diff working but, meh.,).

I'm guessing that this is the actual driver, as it seems to be the only file with any real size in the in folder and it seems to be exactly the same file.
Did you by any chance upload the wrong version of the framework?

[moviemaniac]

Very good call! Both are the same binary files, comparing hexdumps of both gives me this: (renamed the shipped framework with the suffix _new so I could put them both into one folder )

Code: Select all

new-host:plustekcomparison klaus$ hexdump -x Plustek7600 > 1.dump
new-host:plustekcomparison klaus$ hexdump -x Plustek7600_new > 2.dump
new-host:plustekcomparison klaus$ diff 1.dump 2.dump | less

(END)


As you mentioned VirtualBox: My 7600 doesn't work in XP in a VB, it doesn't even want to connect via USB, I guess the OSX driver doesn't want to let go of the device cleanly so I can connect it to the Windows box but I'm just guessing here. Might be something else on my mac or (very old) xp-installation causing this issue (although other USB devices and my epson flatbed-scanner work just fine)

[LSI_Morales]

Hi there

Ok, so does that mean that (read slowly here) both the newer and older frameworks folder contains both the older version of the driver that 6.6 uses, and a new updated driver branch, and it's two different versions of the new driver branch that we are trying to change here?

No, the new framework does not work with 6.6 because it is a 64-bit, the older one is a 32-bit. If you did change the framework, SilverFast 8 should not be able to start in 64-bit mode but only in 32-bit mode as described in the instructions before.

I can confirm what matsfager has posted: Sadly the old 32bit framework doesn't work as well, I even get the impression that the slow speed problem even occurs more often than with the newer framework being shipped with SF8.