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Scans, software or hardware problem.

geargrrl

geargrrl

Turbo Monkey
May 2, 2002
2,379
1
pnw -dry side
I was scanning some old pics today just for fun to share later, and man I am getting some weird stuff. This a nicely preserved glossy print in excellent shape.

So is my scanner going TU? What's with the diagonal color breaking on it? Similar happened to my b/w scans, again nice quality well preserved shots on glossy not satin paper.

Scanner? Software?
This was scanned at 600x600, 24 bit color, jpg.

Any help appreciated. I'm using the default scanner software ( paperport) that came with the brother all-in one laser/scan etc that we have.


sample
http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/misc/PAS-early80s.jpg
 
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syadasti

syadasti

i heart mac
Apr 15, 2002
12,690
290
VT
Looks like moire interference patterns, google for tips. Maybe your descreen filter needs to be switched to a different setting in your scanner interface.
 
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geargrrl

geargrrl

Turbo Monkey
May 2, 2002
2,379
1
pnw -dry side
Thanks. That helped some."Moire Interference" is caused by a whole bizarre set of somewhat uncontrollable factors, though based on what I've read it is surpising that it would happen with an actual photo and not something scanned from print. Anyway, I installed an old version of PS (6.0) that I have the disk for, and am now scanning through PS instead of the POS software that come with the scanner. I think the only true answer is a good photo scanner, not what we have but that ain't happening soon.

None of the scanner software seems to have the descreen setting, not even through PS.
 
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syadasti

syadasti

i heart mac
Apr 15, 2002
12,690
290
VT
The scanner driver interface usually has presettings for media type, descreen, unmask, etc or you can do it afterwards in a photoeditor with filters. If its a gloss photo you don't want descreen on - check that its not on. You should try running the calibration routine on your scanner too.

Also check you have the latest driver/software from the manufacturer.

There is a generic all-in-one driver you could try too (I think you can try before you buy):

http://www.hamrick.com/vsm.html
 
stinkyboy

stinkyboy

Plastic Santa
Jan 6, 2005
15,187
1
¡Phoenix!
You shouldn't use any descreen for a continuous tone photo. Use descreen if it's a printed piece (magazine cover, juice label, etc).

Edit: Take a screen shot of your settings and post.
 
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geargrrl

geargrrl

Turbo Monkey
May 2, 2002
2,379
1
pnw -dry side
Update, I got slightly better results scanning through photoshop. Not a huge improvement, but better. Played around with the filters.

Our scanner ( a brother 3/1 office type laser/scan/fax) has really fricken minimal settings in software; that's why I tried PS.

The descreening thing has me confused because I am scanning well preservered glossy photos from a 35 mm camera, not printed material.

Stinkyboy, I am going to be really dense here, you want a screen shot of my scanner settings?




I rescanned the same photo, in Photoshop, at 300x300, with better result, but I was hoping for more clarity. I tried going to a higher resolution but that put me back to what I had before, significant moire patterning.

Do I have crappy software/scanner, or am I missing something? My feelings won't be hurt if you tell me I have a crappy scanner, it's for our engineering company's office.

Here's the rescan in Photoshop,
http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/misc/PAoldbackpacking.jpg

and yes that is me circa 1982 or so.
 
syadasti

syadasti

i heart mac
Apr 15, 2002
12,690
290
VT
The photo setting probably turns descreen off if the scanner software has that feature at all. The point of mentioning it in the first place was to make sure you didn't have it turned on by default.

Try scanning with this software, it might give better result than the factory driver interface since it looks pretty limited:

http://www.hamrick.com/vsm.html
 
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