SilverFast 9 Plustek Ep3 scanning slides - tutorial
Howto & Style
Introduction
Welcome to this brief tutorial for SilverFast 9 AI Studio and the Plustek OpticFilm series. In this article, we'll guide you through the process of scanning slides using SilverFast 9 AI Studio. Whether you're using the full version or a demo, the following steps will help you achieve great results.
Getting Started
To begin, ensure that your scanner, the Plustek OpticFilm 8200i, is connected. If you're using a different version of SilverFast, such as SE or SC Plus, you can access the demo version of AI Studio directly from your SE version. Click on the SilverFast AI Studio demo button on the welcome screen, and then click Start. You will be informed that there are 25 days remaining in your demo period, and be aware that final scans will contain watermarks. Click Continue to start SilverFast AI Studio.
This demonstration will provide an overview of the scanning process, focusing on setting up and optimizing settings rather than covering every available option. If there are specific features you would like to learn about in future episodes, feel free to ask in the comments.
Interface Overview
On the left side, you’ll find the control dock, which contains essential options for selecting the scan mode. Since we’re using a film scanner, choose Transparency mode. Next, select the material you wish to scan—options include Positive for regular E6 slides, Kodachrome mode for specific slides, and Negative mode. In this tutorial, we will focus on Positive slides.
Color Depth Settings
SilverFast provides various color depth options, but it’s important to note that it always captures 48-bit RGB data for internal processing. When saving, the depth will usually convert to 24-bit. You can choose 48-bit HDR raw if you want to capture raw data without internal processing. For now, we will select 48 to 24-Bit.
Performing a Pre-scan
The key concept in SilverFast scanning is the scan frame. In the Plastic Optic Film series, it typically involves a single frame. Click Fine Frames and select Slide 35x23mm. Notice how the frame automatically adjusts itself to encompass the image content. You can also adjust the frame manually by dragging the edges or rotating it using the half-circle controls.
Scan Dimensions
In the scan dimensions dialog, label your scan and choose TIFF as the file format. Optional formats include TIFF or PSD, but keep in mind that JPEG is not available if you choose 48-bit color depth. Set the output format to 4x6 inches in landscape orientation, keeping the default preset to 300 PPI as the output resolution. Avoid moving the resolution slider; SilverFast will adjust the input resolution accordingly based on your output settings.
Image Adjustment Tools
Once you’ve set up your scan dimensions, you can adjust the scan frame. The frame contains everything you want to crop in the final image. The Image Automatic function optimizes highlights, shadows, and mid-tones with a single click. Use this tool first before making any further adjustments.
The histogram and gradation tools provide a visual representation of tonal values in your image. The histogram shows the distribution of tones, where you want to ensure that data evenly spans from shadows to highlights.
Additional Features
For enhancing your images, consider activating features such as unsharp masking (USM) for sharpening your images and the hardware-based dust and scratch removal (ISRD). Multi-exposure is another great feature that increases the scanner's dynamic range and helps reduce noise.
Finally, ensure that all your settings are optimal and hit the Scan button to begin the process. SilverFast 9 and the Plustek OpticFilm will work in tandem to create brilliant images from your original slides.
Thank you for reading! Don’t forget to like and subscribe for more tutorials.
Keywords
- SilverFast 9
- Plustek OpticFilm
- scanning slides
- transparency mode
- positive slides
- color depth
- pre-scan
- scan dimensions
- Image Automatic
- histogram
- unsharp masking
- dust and scratch removal
- multi-exposure
FAQ
Q1: What is SilverFast 9 AI Studio?
A1: SilverFast 9 AI Studio is a flagship scanning software designed for film and slide scanners, offering advanced image optimization features.
Q2: How do I access the demo version of SilverFast AI Studio?
A2: You can access the demo version directly from your existing SE or SC Plus versions by clicking the demo button on the welcome screen.
Q3: What file formats can I save my scanned images in?
A3: You can save scanned images in TIFF or PSD formats, but JPEG is not available if you select 48-bit color depth.
Q4: What does the Image Automatic feature do?
A4: The Image Automatic feature optimizes highlights, shadows, and mid-tones in your image with a single click, streamlining the adjustment process.
Q5: What is multi-exposure used for?
A5: Multi-exposure increases the dynamic range of your scans and helps reduce noise, providing better image quality in the final output.
