LaserSoft Imaging

I updated this procedure May 2, 2004 to make sure that the gradation and color adjustments are reset. Also, make sure that the scanner is warmed up before making the IT8 scans, otherwise you may obtain erroneous results. GCT 5/2/2004


I had such a wonderful time figuring out how to do this, so I thought I would share this with all. The EPSON 4870 PRO came with Silverfast, MonacoEZcolor, and Adobe Photoelements software. I found that all 3 were necessary to complete the scanner calibration.

First, I suggest that you read the Monaco manual PDF file closely as you go through the Monaco on-screen procedure for generating the ICC files for your scanner. It is somewhat complicated to find all of the 'automatic correction' features in Silverfast that need to be turned OFF during the profile scan. This web-site is very helpful at helpng you learn what to do: read "basic steps to IT8 scanning" as a minimum http://www.computer-darkroom.com/sf5_contents.htm

I found that the monitor profile generated by Monaco was not compatible with Photoelements nor with Silverfast. Instead, locate the program "Adobe Gamma.cpl" that loaded into your computer with the Photoelements program. I had to search with windoze exploder to find out where it was hiding. Use the Adobe Gamma.cpl program to generate the ICC profile for your monitor.

Next step is to go back into Silverfast and turn on the automatic adjustments that were disabled for the scanner calibration and also enable the ICM using your new calibration information. After this is done, you should make another scan of the IT8 target using Silverfast with the automatic adjustments ON. Then, using Photoshop Elements, check GS0, GS11, and GS23 to make sure they are within acceptable range. If they are, I assume that the calibration was done correctly.

Overview of the EPSON 4870 calibration process:
1) Generate monitor ICC profile using Adobe Gamma.cpl.
2.) Generate scanner ICC profile using Monaco.
3) Reset the Silverfast Auto settings and scan the IT8 target again with auto adjustments on.
4) Check the calibration using the IT8 scan from step 3.

Here are my step by step notes for this procedure. My system is running windoze XP.

Instructions for Reflective Scan calibration of the EPSON 4870 scanner with MonacoEZcolor2 and Photo elements.

First, calibrate the monitor with the Adobe Gamma.cpl program. This will build the ICC file needed for color matching with Photo Elements.

Now for the scanner calibration using MonacoEZcolor25 and Silverfast software.

1. Start Monaco EX Color 2.6
2. Initiate the Create Input Profile Program
3. Follow the instructions on the screen
4. Before scanning the IT8 target with Silverfast, make the following Silverfast settings to disable the automatic adjustments;
On the FRAME tab, set
a) Scan type = 48 -> 24 Bit Color
b) Filter -> none
c) Setting -> save
d) Image Type -> Standard
e) 100% scale Horizontal & Vertical
f) Q Factor = 1
g) DPI = 200

On the General Tab set
a) Scan Mode Normal
b) Original Reflective
c) Pos/Neg Positive
d) Frame Set Save

On the FRAME OPTIONS CMS TAB set
a) Input->Internal NONE
b) Internal ->Monitor None
c) Internal->Output RGB
d) Scanner Reflective None
e) Internal None
f) Grey None
g) Rendering Intent Perceptual
h) Embedded ISS Profile unchecked

On the FRAME OPTIONS General TAB set
a) Color Module RGB
b) Units of Measure Inch
c) Densitometer Radius 2 Pixel
d) Default Setting Silverfast Defaults
e) Option Parameter Save
f) Interpolation Silverfast Standard
g) High Resolution Prescan 1X
h) Gamma Gradation 2.2
i) Q-Factor 1
j) Reopen SF after scan (not checked)
k) Show Image After Scan (not checked)
l) Realtime Correction (checked)
m) Edge of soft mask 0.00

On the FRAME OPTIONS AUTO TAB set
a) Auto Threshold 2, levels not checked
b) Auto Threshold Shadow 2, levels not checked
c) Highlight Offset 2
d) Shadow Offset 98
e) Color Cast Removal 100, active not set
f) Auto Frame Insert 10
g) Autopip Middlefactor ?30, 30
h) Auto Contrast not checked
i) ACR when automatic not checked
j) MidPip Fixed Target 50, active not checked
k) There is no step k so take a break and have an ice cold one for me.

On the FRAME OPTIONS Special TAB set
a) Halftoning No Dither
b) Color Filter White
c) Prescan Monochrome not checked
d) Prescan Draft checked
e) Scan Draft not checked
f) Limit Gamma Slope not checked

Select the Apply button
Select the OK button

Select the histogram button and select
a) RESET button (this should turn off the automatic adjustment)
b) OK button
c) Repeat RESET for the gradation adjustment button
d) Repeat RESET for the selective color correction
e) Repeat RESET for the global color correction


Now, place the IT8 target on the scanner, it should have been warming up for the past 30 minutes, lamp on. Make sure the glass is CLEAN!!

Prescan the IT8 target

Place the prescan outline so that it is just inside of the edges of the IT8 Target paper edges.

Perform an expanded prescan of the selected area and re-adjust the borders, stay just inside of the paper edges!!

Hit the SCAN button, save to ?reflective (date).tif" in your favorite calibration file folder

Hit the QUIT button.

Go to the Monaco Program (it should be on the ?Input the Target? page) select ?Load Image?

Identify the file that you just scanned with Silverfast

Make sure that the IT8 target was positioned correctly
Make sure that the selected reference is the same as shown on your IT8 target (lower left corner).

Save the ICC profile (EPSON 4870 CALIBRATION 'date')

Close the Monaco Program.

Re Open Silverfast and make the following settings;

On the Frame Tab Change Filter Auto Sharpen
On the Frame Options CMS Tab Change;
a) Input -> Internal ICM
b) Internal -> Monitor ICM
c) Scanner (Reflective) select the filename of the ICC profile you just saved (EPSON 4870 CALIBRATION date)
d) Internal select the filename of the ICC profile that you made for the monitor using ADOBE GAMMA.cpl
e) Embedded ICC Profile checked

On the Frame Options Auto Tab Change
a) Auto Contrast checked ( I also check the auto threshold levels, shadow, and color cast removal as a matter of preference)

Select APPLY
SELECT OK

Just to make sure that everything is reset, do the following;
Select the histogram button and select
a) RESET button (this should turn off the automatic adjustment)
b) OK button
c) Repeat RESET for the gradation adjustment button
d) Repeat RESET for the selective color correction
e) Repeat RESET for the global color correction

Next, select the auto-adjustment button and scan into ?Auto Adjusted Calibrated IT8 Scan for date.tif?

Open Photoshop elements and open the ?Auto Adjusted Calibrated IT8 Scan for date.tif? note: the silverfast densitometer may give you erroneous readings since it 'views' its entire window.

Use the dropper tool in Photoshop to check RGB values of GS0, GS11, and GS23 cells on the greyscale chart. The RGB values should lie in the following ranges for the auto calibrated scan,

GS11 RGB 110-115
GS0 RGB 235-250
GS23 RGB 10-25

GS# stands for Greyscale cell number (greyscale is on lower part of the IT8 scan with white cell on the on left & black cell on the right)

Place the dropper over cell GS11, the RGB values in the INFO panel will show the RGB values. Repeat for GS0 and GS23 cells.

To open the INFO panel, select INFO under the WINDOW pulldown menu.

Congratulations, your scanner and monitor should now be calibrated.

Oh my Gosh! Thank you! Thank You! Thank You for posting this information. I was in an endless circle trying to fix the problem, and found nothing about it on the various manufacturer's websites. You are very generous to share your experience with calibrating the epson scanner. Especially, it is nice to know that the Monaco monitor profing is flawed! Jeez! If I do another monitor profile within 24 hrs I will surely puke....! Maybe now i can find my way through this forest! Thanks for taking the time posting this complicated process because surely now I can find the path to consistent color! I love this scanner by the way; just got it this week! Best wishes to you!

Norm

Thanks, gcthomason for all of your hard work! I, too, had been pulling my hair out over the mis-matched monitor profile Monaco generated and couldn't figure out where I was going wrong. I'm using an Epson 3200 Pro on WinXP with a Mitsubishi Diamond Pro 2070SB and Photoshop CS; this tutorial works like a charm.

Best wishes!

I had been having issues with this monitor profile topic as well, but I also came across this posting in Monaco's site. If I'm understanding it correctly, I believe you should ignore Adobe Gamma once you've started using Monaco's gamma utility. Check it out.

http://www.xrite.com/support_doc.aspx?L ... ortID=3002

I too, have been very confused at this issue and went as far as to purchase a GretagMacBeth Monitor calibration tool.. but to no avail.

But now it seems I'm double-screwed because I did not get the Monaco application bundled with my scanner. Where did you buy yours? I got Elements and SilverFast obviously but no Monaco software. Can anybody help me figure out why?

I think I realize my own answer. You have the PRO version and I don't. I don't know why I don't, had someone told me there were two versions, I would've asked what the differences were. BTW, what are the differences besides getting Monaco?

Rcopfer, with the 4870 Pro scanner, Epson also bundles a CD-ROM with ArcSoft Photo Suite (i.e. PhotoStudio, PhotoBase, and Panorama Maker), Monaco EZcolor 2.6, and the Monaco IT8 targets. The ArcSoft stuff is no great loss, imo, but the Monaco software and IT8 targets are very handy to have.

I allso have the 4870 pro i havent installed the Monico software because by reading the package i thought it was a demo version.
I didnt see any IT8 targets when i opened the box where are they.
Thanks john

Hi John,

The IT8 targets should have been included in your Monaco packaging. I advise you to contact the dealer who sold you your scanner and see about getting replacements. You might also consider contacting Monaco support directly via the following link:

http://www.xritephoto.com/support/

Wonderful place for information gathering