LaserSoft Imaging

On my SilverfastCD there are two programs: POLAROID Sprintscan 120 SF V.5.2 and LASERSOFT SilverFast HDR SF v.5.2. I have downloaded three newer files: SFE-5.5.2r02(HDR), SFE-5.5.2r02(Polaroid) and SFTWE-5.5.2r02(Polaroid) and run the install from all three. I want to be able to use the scanner from Photoshop and other applications. This works for me today. In Photoshop I have a choice between SilverFast (Polaroid), SilverFast Polaroid (32bit) and SilverFast HDR (32bit). In PhotoPaint I can choose between the the last two. I just wanted someone to clarify for me the difference between these different files. I have read Ian Lyons "SilverFast HDR", but am still not quite clear on how to use it. Can it be used outside Photoshop and if so, how.
A newbie

On 2002-04-06 19:24, Jan Mark wrote:
On my SilverfastCD there are two programs: POLAROID Sprintscan 120 SF V.5.2 and LASERSOFT SilverFast HDR SF v.5.2. I have downloaded three newer files: SFE-5.5.2r02(HDR), SFE-5.5.2r02(Polaroid) and SFTWE-5.5.2r02(Polaroid) and run the install from all three. I want to be able to use the scanner from Photoshop and other applications. This works for me today. In Photoshop I have a choice between SilverFast (Polaroid), SilverFast Polaroid (32bit) and SilverFast HDR (32bit). In PhotoPaint I can choose between the the last two. I just wanted someone to clarify for me the difference between these different files. I have read Ian Lyons "SilverFast HDR", but am still not quite clear on how to use it. Can it be used outside Photoshop and if so, how.
A newbie

The purpose of HDR is to allow you to scan raw (unedited) images with whatever software driver you choose. Ideally the scanner or digital camera will allow 16bit per channel output, otherwise HDR isn't bringing anything the to the party. You could easily batch scan a whole bunch of images on your SS120 and save to Tiff for later edting in HDR. I often use it with digital camera images that I have converted to Tiff when extracting from the cameras native raw capture.


You can use HDR to edit any file from any digital camera or scanner that has saved the file in JPG or Tiff format. You can only run the HDR Plugin from applications that support them. However, HDR is also available as a Twain module and can run from any Twain compliant application.

BTW: SilverFast Polaroid (32bit) is Twain!


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: ilyons on 2002-04-07 00:56 ]</font>



<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: ilyons on 2002-04-07 19:20 ]</font>

Thank you for your reply. However it seems I am still lacking som very basic knowledge.

In Photoshop Import I have three choices:

SilverFast (Polaroid)
SilverFast Polaroid 32 Bit
SilverFast HDR 32 Bit

I understand of the first two, one is the plugin and one is Twain. Shall I keep both
and if so, does it matter which one I use?

When I open Polariod 32 Bit I get three choices under Scan Type:

36>24 Bit Color (CMYK>RGB?)
48 Bit Color
48 Bit HDR Color

When I open HDR 32 Bit I get one choice:

24 Bit Color!!!

This I don?t understand, 48 Bit Color or 48 Bit HDR, HDR and 24 Bit, Twain or no Twain? SF HDR is to be used without a scanner. How?

I appreciate your patience and all the time you spend helping us out there.

Jan M



<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Jan Mark on 2002-04-10 01:01 ]</font>