LaserSoft Imaging

Has anyone been able to figure out how to scan slides with the SilverFast SE 5.5 version shipped with the Epson 2450? I set the film type to transparency, positive and all I am able to scan is the entire 4"x9" section of the scan bed. With the Epson twain, the scanner automatically sets for slides, and previews four individual images.

Also, is the .pdf file accessed through the ? icon the only documentation that comes with Silverfast? It doesn't even have the words transparency or slide in it (at least the find function didn't find them!)

SilverFast 5.5 and Epson Perfection 2450

We will check this problem!

I noticed the same issue. Would really like to see the automatic thumbnail feature with multiple slides in SilverFast. Also the slide scans were all kind of washed out compared to using Epson TWAIN. But the photo scans were better using SilverFast! I believe I used all the correct settings. Anyone found any 'tricks of the trade' when it comes to scanning slides with SilverFast?

Side note: If you use the Epson TWAIN, with auto thumbnail and their slide adapter, you definitely lose parts of the all sides of the image. I guess it has to do with their software trying to determine where the adapter ends and the slide begins. But it really speeds up the process of doing lots of slides.

On 2002-05-25 12:19, bbigham wrote:
...I set the film type to transparency, positive and all I am able to scan is the entire 4"x9" section of the scan bed. With the Epson twain, the scanner automatically sets for slides, and previews four individual images.

Dear Bbigham,
the transparency unit of your 2450 only covers an area of 4"x9" inches (look at the inside of the lid). No reason to extend the scan area for transparency beyond that area.

Also, is the .pdf file accessed through the ? icon the only documentation that comes with SilverFast? It doesn't even have the words transparency or slide in it (at least the find function didn't find them!)

Yes, this is because that help file was written globally for all SilverFast variants. As a transparency unit is not included with all hardware, this topic is not included.
However, you pointed at an issue that we should consider.

Kohler ...

I'm sorry, I guess I didn't explain the issue properly. In the Epson Twain software that comes with the Canon Powershot S30 (and probably other models), you can set the "film type" to "color positive" and, when you run the scan, it displays thumbnail previews of four individual slides, which you can manipulate separately and scan separately, one by one or (by using the checkboxes) in groups, or all four.

In LSI, all you get is a single scan of the entire template area and you must go in individually and select, one at a time, each slide.

Evidentally, since you didn't understand my question, I have a feeling that LSI really isn't adapted to do that, which makes it less useful than the Twain software when it comes to slides. If you are looking for ways to improve your already good program, you might check out the way the Epson Twain process works and include a similar functionality in LSI. Just a thought....

Barbara

On 2002-06-01 17:58, bbigham wrote:
Kohler ...

I'm sorry, I guess I didn't explain the issue properly. In the Epson Twain software that comes with the Canon Powershot S30 (and probably other models), you can set the "film type" to "color positive" and, when you run the scan, it displays thumbnail previews of four individual slides, which you can manipulate separately and scan separately, one by one or (by using the checkboxes) in groups, or all four.

In LSI, all you get is a single scan of the entire template area and you must go in individually and select, one at a time, each slide.

Evidentally, since you didn't understand my question, I have a feeling that LSI really isn't adapted to do that, which makes it less useful than the Twain software when it comes to slides. If you are looking for ways to improve your already good program, you might check out the way the Epson Twain process works and include a similar functionality in LSI. Just a thought....

Barbara

Dear Barbara,
with the Epson Perfection 2450 photo you can do just the same. It is very simple:
Condition: Slides are placed onto scan glass underneath the transparency light source.
After you performed a prescan in transparency mode (select in SilverFast "General" card you see all your slides in the large SilverFast preview window.

- draw the initial scan frame - that covers the entire scan area - around one slide (just the slide, not the slide-frame). Then draw a separate frame around every single slide (simply hold-down mouse button and drag mouse).
- you can perform optimizations in every scan frame individually (I suggest to zoom each frame every time before you start optimizing a given frame).
- finally change to the "General" card in the SilverFast control panel - I hope you have SilverFast Ai and not SilverFast SE - and open the combo box "Scan mode". Select "BatchScan" here.

The SilverFast Scan button has now changed to "ScanBatch". If you click it, SilverFast starts scanning as many images as you drew frames in the SilverFast preview.

Barbara, this is part of the manual, too.

Kohler ... I'll definitely give it a try. Thanks. Barbara

This may be simple to you, but you wouldnt think so if you have *LOTS* of negatives, or slides to do. The automagic thumbnail display of the individual frames on the negative saves lots of time, as it reduces manual intervention. Its also something that computers can do very well.
So with my epson 4870 & silverfast SE I would have to conclude that the mating of these two products to scan slides or negatives to be use-less.