LaserSoft Imaging

Having just installed SilverFast I want to scan in lots of transparencies. If I scan these in using the supplied holder and Photoshop elements, they are scanned as four separate files, but when I use Silverfast I get the whole lot on the screen at once. Is it possible to get separate files OR can I save them in Photoshop as jpg files and use Silverfast to remove scratches etc?

Also, I can't see how to save the file from the Silverfast window after i have removed the scratches etc
Sheila

Dear Sheila.

In SilverFast, drag separate frames around each of your image and select batch mode. This scans all the frames into PhotoShop.

You can also select "scan to file" or "batch scan to file", if you want to save the images into files on your harddrive instead of scanning them into PhotoShop.

Eric.

Many thanks, Eric.

But how do I drag separate frames around each transparency? The screen shows an elongated 'window' with Epson GT-9800 at the top and one of the transparencies 'framed. This frame can be moved onto one of the other three transparencies to select it. But I cannot see a 'marquee' button to create another selection.

Also, where is the buuton etc to select scan to file or batch scan to file, which sounds like what I want? I can do this in photoshop, itself, by going to the file menu, but, although the photoshop window is in the background of the silverfast windows, I can't click on the file option at the top as nothing happens when I try.

Yes, I have the scan pilot window at the RHS and the Silverfast SE v 6.0.1.r14 one at the LHS as well as the 'scan window'. If this is getting too simple for this forum, pl. email me at sheila.weston@one-name.org!

I have had a look at the help files, but can't see anything about this.

Sheila

Dear Sheila.

To drag separate frames, simply click the mouse in the preview window on an area beside the active frame. Watch also the cursor. If the mouse is over the content of a frame, the cursor shows a hand, signaling that the frame can be moved. If the mouse is over an edge or corner of a frame, the cursor shows arrows (vertical, horizontal or diagonal), signaling that the frame can be resized. If the mouse is not over any of your frames, the cursor shows a plane arrow, here you can drag a new frame.

To select the scan mode (file/host, normal/batch), please go to the main window and click the general panel. There is a popup for the scan mode. SilverFast SE doesn?t support batch mode, however, you should be able to select normal or file mode.

The menubar of Photoshop is inactive, while you are in SilverFast, that?s why you can?t use it.

Eric.

Yes, I understand most of this!

My cursor doesn't have crossed arrows, which I would have recognised - just a cross. Am I right in thinking that there is no point in creating new frames around each transparency - or have I missed something? ie surely one might as well just move the frame from image to image, if they are the same size? Do *any* versions of SilverFast support batch scanning?

Yes, I have the choice of two scan modes: 'normal (file)' or 'normal'. I have just discovered that it is only when I add a name for the file and click on 'scanRGB' that I am asked for the folder to save it in. Also that if I select 'normal' the SilverFast windows close and the picture appears on the Photoshop screen, so can be further manipulated there. From this I gather that the file is saved as it is scanned, yes?

I found, also, that there seems to be automatic scratch and dust removal happening as the RGB scan progresses. So what is the point of the separate SRD icon and corresponding window? Also why is there a selected area at the top of the image in the preview window? This is always the same size with the 'marching ants' and seems unrelated to the sky or anything else.

Lastly, is there any way of importing files from the photoshop window into the Silverfast window? I have lots of folders of (mainly) jpg files which could do with cleaning up with SRD. Can SRD be used directly from Photoshop without having to go through the file>import> sf>SRD routine?

Very many thanks for your help.

Sheila

Dear Sheila.

the "marching ants" signal the active frame and (if defined) a mask region for color correction (which is not included in SE).
Possibly you already have multiple frames. Please remove them all, by clicking onto the trash icon until all frames are deleted.

Then resize the active frame, so it fits with your first image. Then move the mouse onto the second image, you will see a normal arrow cursor. Now click the mouse and drag a frame. This new frame will be the active frame now.

Batch scanning is supported by the Ai version, but not by SE.

If you select "normal" scan mode, SilverFast closes and the image will be displayed in Photoshop. Here you can manipulate the image and save it to disk.
If you select "normal (file)" scan mode, you will be asked for a folder and the image is saved to disk.

SRD is not applied, when SRD is switched off (the SRD icon is grey with a red cross ontop and the extra icon for the SRD window is not visible). To switch off SRD, please click the SRD icon until the extra icon dissapears.

The selected area in the top could be an extra frame, please see my comment above.

You cannot import PhotoShop files into SilverFast Ai. However, we have another type of plugin, which can open files from disk instead of scanning them from a scanner. The following plugin types are available:
- SilverFast DC: tif, jpeg, psd file formats in 8 bits
- SilverFast DC-SE: same as DC but as SE version (limited functions)
- SilverFast HDR: same as DC but also 16-bit files
- SilverFast DCPro: (coming soon) same as HDR but also for raw formats from digital cameras.
Please try our free demo from the WEB

SRD is part of SilverFast and cannot be used from within PhotoShop.


Eric.

Many thanks, Eric. I think I can see the way forward, now. I have found an excellent review of the Epson 3200 scanner in which Silverfast is given high praise at
http://www.photo-i.co.uk/Reviews/intera ... page_1.htm

Sheila