Ask MetaFilter posts tagged with scanning

Scanning Academic Journals

drill_here_fore_seismics — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 12:43:55 -0800

I'm looking for advice/links on suggested quality/settings for the scanning of academic journals for archiving. The more detail the better. Looking at scanning a lot of academic journals (containing text, diagrams and images) using a professional service (which has been found).

Obviously only want to do this once, so looking for advice on suggested resolutions, file formats, greyscale or colour etc. Essentially this needs to be archival/library quality, that could be turned into other formats (searchable .pdfs or .txt files) as appropriate (any thoughts on advantages of each of those also welcome).

Quality film scanning service in Europe

einarorn — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:10:42 -0800

Quality film scanning service in Europe I'm looking for a quality film scanning service in Europe (or at least that delivers to Europe). I'm in Iceland.

I want to scan around 30 APS films and around 25 35 mm film negatives at very high resolution. Most of the services I've tried in my home town deliver low quality scans.

I'm looking for a service that scans negatives at around 3.000 dpi.

Photo scan spots

maxg94 — Mon, 26 May 2008 18:19:34 -0800

Why does my photo scanner show images with "white flecks" all over them? I am working on a slideshow and need to scan older photos in order to incorporate them. I had an ancient Epson flatbed that worked great for over 10 years, but decided to get a new 3 in 1 scan, copy, print machine. I bought a HP Photosmart 4280. Even though I have cleaned the glass and the prints, every time I scan it looks like it is snowing in the picture with lots of white dots everywhere.

Sadly, I can't return it as I had it too long before I actually tried the scanner part (dumb!). I spent several hours with a tech on the phone with no results. He promised to send a new one but then disconnected me.

Is there anything anyone knows that could be causing this? Obviously I can try with HP again, but thought I would see what you all have to say.

Going paperless; need a scanner!

killdevil — Thu, 01 May 2008 09:12:02 -0800

I would like to go completely paperless. In order to accomplish this, I'll need an excellent bulk-feed scanner to turn all of my received bills and other important pieces of paper into searchable PDFs. Which scanners should I consider? I am also interested in hearing anecdotes from those of you in the listening audience who have attempted something like this. Did it work? Was the transition painful? Did you become more efficient in your life and work thereby?

How should I scan 500 40-year-old slides?

Pastabagel — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 09:41:03 -0800

Recommendation for professional 35mm slide scanning services, either through the mail or in the Washington D.C. metro area. Best recommendation for extremely long term archival storage of slides. About 400-500 slides. I have recently come into possession of some very valuable 35 mm slides that are very old. There are about 400-500. Most of the slides are about 40 years old, however some are as old as 55 years old (I didn't think slides went back that far).

The slides are a combination of "Kodachrome Transparency", including the oldest, and "Agfachrome". The way the slides have been stored for the last 30 years at least has guaranteed that they are almost entirely dust and scratch free.

I want to scan these at a very high resolution, but I'm not comfortable dropping these off at a Ritz or Penn Camera store.

Any recommendations for a mail-away service? Any experience with ScanCafe? Any ideas on how I should tell them to do it?

What about storing these slides? The massive B&H catalog doesn't not include anything for storing slides, so any ideas for storage would also be helpful.

Finally, if anyone knows any particularly useful photoshop plugins or filters for color correcting these slides, I'd appreciate that as well.

squeezing grad school notebooks into a digital realm? is iphoto the way to go?

garfy3 — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:49:21 -0800

i'm about to embark on a document-imaging and archiving project. i have dozens of handwritten notebooks, a 7 megapixel camera, tripod, macbook, and large external drive. is iphoto going to be useful for this? (or sketchy i may use a separate iphoto library on an external drive?). are alternative software/strategies preferred for managing all these document images? (in case it matters, i'm not interested in putting them online at this point).

Can I digitize my financial records for Tax purposes?

Scramblejam — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 00:15:37 -0800

What are the UK legal system rules and regulations around storing financial, legal and official paperwork as scanned digital copies? I am currently in the process of scanning in and shredding a lot of old paperwork, notes and information which I have been storing for years - My priority at the moment is all my handwritten notes and personal correspondence (that which I'm not keeping physically for sentimental value).

I would like to begin scanning and storing all my "official" documentation - Bank statements, utility bills, mobile bills, invoices etc. but I am unsure of what I can and cannot do, and what is acceptable from a legal point of view.

I am part-time self-employed, and need to keep records of my documentation for 7 years but would like to keep everything as digital copies.

Can anyone enlighten me on the legal status of scanned documents in the UK? Can they be used as reference in legal and tax issues? Are there any precedents or recommendations on file formats or quality?

Digitising paperwork

edbyford — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 11:25:23 -0800

I want to digitise my paperwork! What is the best scanner/scanning program for this? I was searching through various folders, boxes, files etc etc etc for this one welcome letter I received from a bank, when I realised that I should really start scanning things.

I'd like a one-click (or as simple as possible) scanning program which can automatically rotate, do OCR (to make it searchable) and save the file with its name as the date of the statement, if possible.

Oh, and it should work under Linux, if possible.

Anybody got any ideas?

Ah, the days before digital.

sararah — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 07:49:43 -0800

I'm looking for the best way to get good quality scans of old photos and then store them permanently in archival albums or envelopes. On a recent mission to declutter and avoid Actual Work, I have been sifting through the contents of my closet and going through old photos and paperwork. I started scanning in a few of the photos, but my free with mail-in rebate Canon MP460 isn't really the greatest for archival work. I personally don't have a ton of pictures (although I probably have several hundred), but if this works well I would also consider doing it for my parents. I don't really have many of the negatives or they are in complete disarray, so scanning the prints is going to be the best option for me. Most of the photos are 4x6 prints, many of them glossy finish, developed at your local megamart, etc.

-What are online or local scanning services that would do the best job of archival scanning of pictures? I live in Iowa so the closest "metropolis" to me is Des Moines.
-Alternatively, is there a reasonably priced scanner that I should buy that would pay for itself versus sending the photos out?
-After I'm done scanning everything, how to store? Some my pictures are already starting to stick to themselves, and I'm sure many of my parents' are just as bad. I'm looking for the best acid-free photo albums or envelopes/boxes.

I want to scan my comics, in a non-pirating way.

Jonsnews — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 18:54:15 -0800

I would like to be able to scan in the bar codes on all the comics of my collection into a software that will track and allow me to manage my collection. Scanning being the main requirement. I know there are several software packages out there like collectorz.com that will allow me to track and manage my comic collection, but has anyone used one that will allow me to scan in the barcode with a barcode scanner? I allready have the scanner, and just need the software piece. If anyone has experience with intelliscanner and can tell me that its worth the money, I would even be willing to rebuy a scanner. FWIW I use windows xp.

Stupidly Simple Recipe Management

SansPoint — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 14:17:36 -0800

What's a good, idiot-proof way for my mom to scan and manage her old recipes on her iMac? My mom has a shiny new iMac and a shiny new multi-function printer. She also has scads upon scads of recipes on cards and in magazines and things that she wants to scan in.

I set her up with Yep!, but it's too complicated for her. What she would love is just the ability scan stuff and sort through it, and make it as STUPIDLY simple as possible.

Suggestions? Solutions?

The skinny on scanning

strawberryviagra — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 00:52:03 -0800

I'm intending to self-publish a short run book of photography - I need advice on image preparation (from original neg and tranny) for what will most likely be an offset printing process. I am/was a photographer, and for 8 years I put at least one roll of film through my camera every day - most of which I've never printed. The book is principally for my children, their chidren and friends, but that's just a bit of background.

Back in the day, if an image was to be published, it needed to be drum scanned, so what I really want to know is - can I use a high end desktop scanner (ie: Nikon Coolscan 9000) to attain the level of quality required for excellent reproduction (scanning medium format and 35mm).

I'm also interested in any other thoughts/suggestions you may have, including printers who specialise in this type of work, other scanners that I should consider, et cetera.

Shake It Like a Polaroid Pictcha

spicynuts — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 09:13:22 -0800

Recommendations for shops in Manhattan that can scan a large quantity of polaroids. I've been doing a lot of shooting with Polaroid film lately. Many of my subjects have been asking for copies or jpgs of the shots. I only have a negative scanner. Does anyone know a quality, professional shop in Manhattan that I can take about 200 of these for scanning to a CD?

Alternatively, if anyone has had any success using a basic desktop scanner to do this, tips would be appreciated - I might be able to go buy a cheap one.

What to do about bad data appearing in scans of old photos?

Jupiter Jones — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 16:21:24 -0800

I'm scanning old family photos and the scanner appears to be adding colored pixels to black and white photos. What do I do now? I'm trying to archive old photos dating back as far as 1912. Most of the ones I'm scanning are 30s and 40s right now. I'm trying for archival quality so that we can keep these photos at this quality level forever. After all, the photos aren't going to get any better with time, right?

I'm scanning at 600 dpi into uncompressed tiff files. Looking at these files closely I'm noticing that the somewhat older scanner I'm using is inserting colored pixels here and there, and sometimes in horizontal lines. I suspect the thing is just old and dying, but I was almost done when I discovered this and I dread going back and doing this all again.

I was also trying to scan the images without taking them out of their mounts - the less handling with old photos the better, right? I figure that there may have been some stray light getting into the sensors, but that wouldn't explain whole lines of color would it? I figure that this points towards the scanner head messing up.

I've put up an example on Flickr here. Take a look at the foliage to the left of the knee of the girl holding the dog.

Do I need to rescan all of these images? I figure that maybe some of them are ok - how can I pull up a color palette in Photoshop so that I can see what colors exist in a picture? I've got Photoshop CS3, not that I know how to use it very well. Any advice on how to proceed?

I realize that this is a lot of questions. I feel overwhealmed with the idea of re-doing all of this scanning, particularly now at Christmas. I was supposed to have all of this done for my Aunt by now, and I feel like I'm letting my family down.

Scansnap 500 (not 500M) working with a MacBook under Leopard (OS 10.5)?

alaaarm — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 14:24:41 -0800

Will a Fujitsu Scansnap 500 (not 500M) work with a MacBook under Leopard (OS 10.5)? Google has led to some ways to get the older version to work with OS X, but I'm worried that the method -- downloading the Japanese drivers and replacing the language files with the English version -- won't work under Leopard. Any hints?

The contents of my soul, in a box, under my bed.

desjardins — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 09:20:22 -0800

What do I do with my voluminous diaries (mostly in spiral notebook form) that span 20 years of my life? I have three aims:

I want to transfer them into digital form. Since they're almost all handwritten, what is the best way to accomplish this? (My penmanship is highly legible.) Awhile back, I typed up and printed out the notebooks from my teenage years (this was before I had computer access), so I'm assuming a decent scanner with OCR could handle these. I can't afford a scanner - is there a service who would do this for me?

I want to physically protect them from damage (fire, flood, etc.) and theft (though this is unlikely).

I want them to be destroyed upon my death (which doesn't seem imminent, but you never know). The content is obviously intensely personal, and may hurt and shock loved ones. I'm not famous or particularly interesting, so no one is going to be needing reference material for a biography.

Can you recommend some business card scanning software?

mr_silver — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 04:21:34 -0800

Can you recommend any Windows software which will OCR photographed business cards, store them in a searchable database and work with Outlook? I'm sinking under a tonne of business cards and would like to scan them in. I know I could just go and purchase Cardscan which would do the job, but I don't really see the point in buying hardware when I have a perfectly good digital camera.

Plus, work won't reimburse me for the £130 that I'd need to pay for the solution (or the £50 if I got it from eBay) - and lets be fair about this - i'll be coughing up my own money just for something work related so I want to be prudent.

Can anyone make any recommendations on good business card scanning software? My requirements would be:

- Ability to batch load a large volume of card images
- High accuracy rate
- Keep original copy (or low res version) of the card image

I'm in two minds about where the information is held. I don't mind it being in the softwares database as long as it's good, does everything I need, is easily sortable and searchable and can export to Outlook.

On the other hand, I don't mind it just being Outlook, as long as I don't have to import everything into my default contacts folder. I have several hundred numbers and no need for them all to be synchronised to my phone and PDA.

I run Windows XP. I don't mind paying for the software.

Now you're scanning with... well, with what?

onshi — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 14:57:47 -0800

What software might a large Canadian IP and tech law firm use for scanning documents and records management? I'm interviewing for a position with a large Canadian law firm that specializes in intellecual property and technology law.

I have some background in scanning with various software packages, and was hoping to explore some of the more popular legal records management solutions to get my feet wet (or at least to be famillair with vendor names and their product offerings).

Googling turns up a ton of plausible hits, but it's hard to get an authoritative sense for which software actually has decent market penetration. Is there anything approaching an industry standard -- i.e. is there anything with the sector-specific dominance of a Photoshop or an AutoCAD?

Family Photo Sharing

RavinDave — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 17:05:33 -0800

GenealogyFilter: I need a scanning strategy and general advice for family photos. My plan is to grab me one of those big ol' WD MyBook USB drives, grab my computer & flatbed scanner, make the rounds of several relatives and grab as many family photos as I can.

Seems straightforward, eh? Scan photos, slap'em on a CD and pass'em around to the family. Lots of nice highly detailed antique stuff. Some beautiful sepia tints -- not to mention regular documents. But every time I sit down to do this, I freeze. I just can't settle on an optimum size and pixel resolution. And I'm also I'm torn between doing neutral scans or pre-tweaking them.

I need some words o' wisdom.

Large scale scanning and printing?

bitter-girl.com — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 15:05:08 -0800

Looking for a specialty printer who can print large-format pattern pieces (and possibly scan them, too) for a new line of sewing and knitting patterns. I design knitwear and my partner designs sewing patterns. We plan to sell them both online as downloadable PDFs (like the BurdaStyle ones -- printed on a normal-sized printer by the end user, then matched up point a to point a, etc and taped together) and as regular style printed patterns in stores. Not sure if the services used by architects (as referenced here on MeFi) would help.

Here's the problem:

a. we are doing the pattern pieces manually (so they're large, life-sized pieces), and we're not sure if we should have them scanned in full-size then printed from the scans, or drafted digitally.

b. we need to find a printer who can handle printing large pieces like these, at a reasonable price. Our local preferred printer for everything else can't.

The usual size of similar commercial pattern piece sheets is somewhere around 3' x 6' if that helps. Thanks.

OCR with original copy alongside

humuhumu — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 11:50:37 -0800

I need OCR software which will scan a page of a book and then produce an output which has the image of the scanned page on one side and the scanned text on the other. So: side A = perfect copy of the original page; side B = the text as processed by the OCR software. Does such a thing exist?

scanning printed document

dearleader — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 07:41:06 -0800

Help! I printed out a long document last night on Microsoft Word (using ibook G4). When I looked at the file this morning, it only has two characters in it. I fear that I may have 'selected all' and then accidentally deleted it, then saved the document. But I have a clear double-spaced hard copy of the document. Is there any way to somehow scan the document and enter the text automatically, rather than retype the many, many words? (or some other way to retrieve the lost text?)

Scanning Shoddy Microfilm

thirteenkiller — Sun, 13 May 2007 11:27:03 -0800

How do I improve the legibility of the horrible old Cyrillic newspaper microfilm negatives I am scanning? The main problem is that the background is often faded and hard to distinguish from the text. Is there some clever software trickery that will solve it?

Help adding photos to a manuscript.

papakwanz — Mon, 07 May 2007 18:18:03 -0800

Desktop Publishing-Filter: I'm assisting someone in completing his memoir. He has a number of family photos that he would like to scan in and insert into the text in various chapters. Help me figure out what we need. Here's the story: Elderly gentleman, a retired English professor, has written a history of his family through their arrival in the US up through his own youth and early career.

I've been put in contact with him through one of my own professors to assist him in completing it. He has many photos -- black and white, sepia, and some color -- that he wants to put in to the body. From what I can surmise from talking to him on the phone, I think he has anywhere from 75-100 photos (I don't think he knows himself just how many or which ones he wants to use for sure). Some of them are very, very old. He has written the text in MS Word (on a Windows box, OS is XP).

So, here are the questions:
1) He needs a good scanner or scanner/printer combo to scan in all the photos. Budget is not meager, but also not super high end. What's a good unit in the $100-200 range?

2) He may just print this out through a vanity publisher or print-on-demand service for his family, but he may also want to shop it around to some small publishers. What are industry standards in terms of the photos? That is, what format should they be in (.jpg, .tiff, etc)? What resolution/dpi? What color scheme: CMYK? RGB?

3)Since some of these photos are 50-100 years old, is there any danger in scanning them, and if so, how do we keep them in tip top shape.?

4) Is it going to be too annoying to deal with inserting this many pictures and formatting the text around them in Word? Should we get some sort of desktop publishing software, and if so, what's a reasonably priced and user-friendly solution?

5) Despite what may seem like dumb questions, I consider myself generally pretty computer literate. I have some experience doing much smaller scale projects using things like PageMaker, I've just never done something this big or something like this in Word. I've also never done it for pay. I'm not an expert, but I can do what this guy needs (with a little guidance from the hivemind). He's a retiree, so I don't want to juice the guy for money, but I would also like to get fair compensation. Assuming the text is done and we've got say 80 pictures to scan in and insert into the document, how many hours of work are we looking at, and what's fair pay for my time?

6) What other questions am I not asking? What else do I need to know?

Thanks all! If you can help me out, drinks are on me!

Note: drink offer not valid for actual drinks.

How do I make cheap B&W prints?

ganseki — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 15:13:31 -0800

I need a cheap way of developing and printing black and white film, but I have neither the space nor the inclination to build a darkroom. In order to play around with film, I've bought a couple of film cameras (Olympus Trip 35 and an OM-10) and a bunch of Tri-X. Now I discover that professional B&W film developing is expensive (around 10 UKP). Making my own prints isn't really an option, but developing the negatives myself on a small scale would be possible (and cheap!), so I was thinking about budget negative scanners.

I guess I'd be looking for something under 50 UKP (secondhand probably), capable of scanning well enough to produce good 6x4s.

Am I out of luck? And if this is a non-starter, is there an alternative solution?