LaserSoft Imaging

First, this is a little verbose but I'm asking you to please read it and help me clear up my confusion about a few points concerning IT8 and software based calibration..

Of course the answer to `Did I do something stupid'... is.... yes... more times than I want to admit.

But what I want to know is if the following actions were a mistake:

Understand too, that I don't really know what to expect from ordering IT8 calibration software, so may have some basic wrong ideas about it.

I attempted to get the addon software that allows you to perfom a calibration more or less automaticaly or at least handled by software. I've never really been clear on how that works.

So I'm Confused about getting the addon software, and confused about how it works, but have seen it said by Silverfast people that it is an additional software based tool with separate expense one can order.

Ok, first a little history, if you can stay with me a bit more:
I am a rank amateur and use Silverfast tools very sporadically. My usage might be described as Whenerver the spirit moves me to setup a nice photo album cd for someone or just clean up old family shots. But I like professional grade tools.

I got one of the bundled editions of silverfast (SE?) with a scanner purchase (epson 4870) and a mnth or 2 later, bought the upgrade from SE to AI. Another few wks later I bought an upgrade to AI-studio.

I think at the same time I bought DCpro-studio to work with existing pics (not scans).

I've never taken time to calibrate any of this and have gotten by ok for my amateurish needs and sporadic usage.

I'd seen posts about people needing to calibrate and recently I've been told directly, in the forums that I do need to calibrate, after my having posted some shots showing dramatic white point changes and even more dramatic autoadjust changes. See this thread:

http://www.silverfast.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4105

So I bought an AI upgrade to AI IT8.

Starting here:
http://www.silverfast.com/show/it8order/en.html

And ending up in here:

https://www.silverfast.com/order/en.html

Where I selected:

Select your desired version Regular Price
....** SilverFast Ai Studio 358

Inserted my serial number got my upgrade price and ordered.

It came in the mail yesterday.

Understand that right from the first time my ordering process led into the order area I had the feeling I'd done something wrong and so looked around pretty good making sure ordering the calibration software was what was happening, and that I was not ordering another copy of AI and spending money for something I have already.

But, first thing I notice about the delivered package is that there is no mention of IT8 on the box (It came in a Fedex heavy envelope, then an attractive small box that is obviously AI studio. The envoice makes no mention of IT8 either.

I have the sinking feeling I've just ordered a duplicate of what I already have... I haven't opened beyond opening the fedex envelope. The shrink wrap around the nice AI studio box is completely intact so I'm pretty sure I can return it for full refund if my sinking feeling is right.

Can someone please clear up for me, how this whole process is supposed to work and let me know if I've simply ordered a duplicate of my existing software and need to apply for a refund.

I might say too, that the starting page I cited above is clearly about ording IT8 software and target, but once you begin the process of ordering you loose that clarity and it appears you are simply ording the main software.

Then when the package comes with no mention whatever of IT8 its really beginning to look like you've stepped into something dumb.

It seems, somewhere in the packaging, at least on the envoice you'd see something indicating that IT8 calibration software is included. At least something like:

== * == Silverfast-AI Studio + IT8 calibration software and target. == * ==

But then maybe my confusion and sinking feeling just stems from not understanding thiis process.

Hi Harry,


I admit that it is all very confusing, there are many versions of silverfast and many ways to order....

But in short; a IT8 calibration target calibrates only the colour interpretation of the scanner. Therefore you put a calibrated colour chart in you scanner and the scanner creates a digital image from it. Then Silverfast compares this image with the calibrated digital reference image that came with the IT8 target. Silverfast then creates a so called icc file that contains the calibration data of the scanner.

From what I understand all versions of Siverfast are capable of IT8 calibration except for the low budget SE version. So if you own Ai Studio, you only need the calibration target itself that is a calibrated colour chart and its calibrated digital reference image.

See also http://www.silverfast.com/show/highlights-it8/en.html

As far as I know IT8 calibration is not applicable to scanning negatives, but correct me when I am wrong.

Harry,

The LaserSoft IT8 versions of SilverFast include an IT8 calibration button in the user interface. When the IT8 target is scanned the software reads bar code on the target and automatically selects the associated reference file that redrebel mentions.

In short, I think you probably received the version of SilverFast AI Studio that has this functionality, but I'm sure that LaserSoft sales will happily help you get the correct version if not.

redrebel wrote:Hi Harry,

I admit that it is all very confusing, there are many versions of silverfast and many ways to order....

But in short; a IT8 calibration target calibrates only the colour interpretation of the scanner. Therefore you put a calibrated colour chart in you scanner and the scanner creates a digital image from it. Then Silverfast compares this image with the calibrated digital reference image that came with the IT8 target. Silverfast then creates a so called icc file that contains the calibration data of the scanner.

From what I understand all versions of Siverfast are capable of IT8 calibration except for the low budget SE version. So if you own Ai Studio, you only need the calibration target itself that is a calibrated colour chart and its calibrated digital reference image.

Well, now its clear as mud.... he he.... Thanks for the input. I was afraid I might get answers going both directions and I have.

My feeble understanding was that AI Studio can be calibrated manually by following certain steps and with some proficiency (which I lack), but that having software calibration enabled is an addon with a price tag.

See also http://www.silverfast.com/show/highlights-it8/en.html

The heading part of that page says its about getting poor results from a scan... That isn't exactly what brought me here. In my case it was getting really radical changes from using white point that seemed to indicate something was set pretty far off. Ditto with the `auto-adjust' tool.

I posted about that here and in the replies I was told I probably needed to calibrate AI. I soon discovered I probably lacked the skill to do it my self so attempted to buy the addon calibration software.

As far as I know IT8 calibration is not applicable to scanning negatives, but correct me when I am wrong.

Well, I'm not scanning negatives but it would be good to know whenever I do have negatives to scan.

RAG wrote:Harry,

The LaserSoft IT8 versions of SilverFast include an IT8 calibration button in the user interface. When the IT8 target is scanned the software reads bar code on the target and automatically selects the associated reference file that redrebel mentions.

In short, I think you probably received the version of SilverFast AI Studio that has this functionality, but I'm sure that LaserSoft sales will happily help you get the correct version if not.

I too am sure that Silverfast staff will help me get the right stuff. I guess what I'm asking about here is how to determine when it is the right stuff.

That is, short of opening and installing it. Which might very well make it more difficult to return if it isn't what I need or turns out to be the same as what I already have.

I hoped someone who knew for sure would respond.

I posted the exact version I have and what I updated from.

The package I was sent has no indication what so ever that it has anything special regarding IT8. Not on the actual box and not on the purchase invoice. That is why I'm asking about it.

On the front of the box it says:
...SilverFast Ai Studio, professional Scan Software
Then on the back under the Shrinkwrapper there is a sticker applied that says:
.....SilverFast Ai 6 Studio
.....Epson Perfection 4870
Then my name and serial number.

Absolutely NO mention of IT8 or any other calibration related addon.

The silverfast pages have a special URL for ordering IT8 enabled software , so it seems like it would have some kind of indication on the product, or at least on the invoice.

Using a different sofware as example: A similar instance happened when I updated from After Effects 6.5 to 6.5 Pro. The box that came said 6.5 PRO. Removing any doubt about what it contained.

I guess I doubt that a serious sort of company like silverfast would allow such possibly confusing packaging to be sent out. That factor makes me think that what I got is simply another copy of the same thing I already have and I misunderstood the cited web page, else it would say something about any differences.

Once again, in case anyone how knows about this sort of stuff is listening:

I started with a bundled SE (not sure of the Letters but a limited version)
I updated that version to AI 6. I later updated that version to AI 6 studio.

... Silverfast SE
... Silverfast Ai
... Silverast Ai studio

And now have attempted to get AI 6 Studio with auto IT8 enabled.
I went to this page and chose the first of two options:

...."Order SilverFast IT8 calibration with target(s)"

following thru with a purchase

[quote]http://www.silverfast.com/show/it8order/en.html[/url]

The box I received from that purchase has no indication of IT8 enablement.

Harry,

Email or Call (prob quicker) the sales office, give them the info (name, serial #) and they can tell you exactly what you have in the box. And they can get it right if it is not.

There is usually a "feature" CD for IT8 , but that may have changed and all you need is the correct serial number. THey can tell what is licensed to that serial # and how to proceed.

degrub wrote:Harry,

Email or Call (prob quicker) the sales office, give them the info (name, serial #) and they can tell you exactly what you have in the box. And they can get it right if it is not.

There is usually a "feature" CD for IT8 , but that may have changed and all you need is the correct serial number. THey can tell what is licensed to that serial # and how to proceed.

Your right,

An additional "feature" CD is needed, but don't ask me how to order, because the ordering page doesn't speak about this "feature" CD...

http://www.silverfast.com/show/it8order/en.html

Harry,

Calling sales, like degrub said, will be the fastest way to find out.