HP PrecisionScan Pro User’s Guide 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ➤ Using the HP ScanJet scanner A tour of the scanning software Scanning pictures Adjusting images of pictures Scanning text Saving scanned images Scanning 35mm slides Index ➮
Welcome to scanning with HP PrecisionScan Pro and your HP ScanJet scanner The scanning software and your HP ScanJet scanner let you quickly create excellent electronic images from pictures and convert text on paper into editable text.
Support for your new product No matter where you are or when you need it, HP support is there to help you get the most from your HP products. Whether it’s making products easier to use or providing you with innovative new ways to tackle your important projects, HP support helps you become a confident and creative user. If you do encounter a problem with your HP product, don’t worry. HP support delivers fast, accurate solutions that won’t rob you of either your product or your valuable time.
How to use this online document Go to the book contents, chapter contents, or index ■ Click the button in the yellow bar at the bottom of the page when the pointer looks like . Page forward one page ■ ■ Re-do a jump ■ ■ Click in the toolbar, – or – Right-click to display the dropdown Acrobat Reader menu, then select Go Forward. Press Enter or PgDn, – or – Click in the yellow bar at the bottom of the page.
Contents 1 Using the HP ScanJet scanner 7 What can you scan? 8 Place the picture on the scanner 9 Start the scanning software 10 Configure the Scan button 12 2 A tour of the scanning software 13 Scanning software window 14 Context-sensitive pointers 24 Image adjustment tools 26 Output Resolution tool 27 Sharpen Level tool 29 Dimensions tool 30 Exposure Adjustment tool 32 Color Adjustment tool 33 Book Contents Black & White Threshold tool 34 Online Help 35 Save and re-use adjustment settings 38 Set pre
Adjust exposure 70 Adjust color 80 Set output resolution 83 Set threshold for black and white bitmaps 85 Set color channel for black and white bitmaps 87 5 Scanning text 89 Scan and convert a block of text 90 Scan a whole page 93 6 Saving scanned images 94 How you can use the image 95 Print the image 96 Drag-and-drop to another program 97 Drag-and-drop to the Desktop 98 Copy to the Clipboard 99 Save to a file 100 7 Scanning 35mm slides 103 The 35mm slide adapter 104 Scan the slide 105 106 Book Conten
1 Using the HP ScanJet scanner 1 8 What can you scan? 9 Place the picture on the scanner 10 Start the scanning software 12 Configure the Scan button ➮ ➮
What can you scan? 1 Using the HP ScanJet scanner Book Contents How scanning works During a scan, the scanner light turns on and moves across the bed. The chargecouple device (CCD) in the scanner records a digital image of the light reflected from the original you placed on the scanner bed. The recorded image is made up of 600 pixels per inch (ppi) and each pixel can have a depth of up to 36 bits. The resulting image can potentially have millions of colors.
Place the picture on the scanner The picture you want to scan must be placed face down on the scanner glass. 2 Place the picture face down on the scanner glass. ADF users If you are using the HP Automatic Document Feeder, see the online manual HP Automatic Document Feeder Guide. TIP 1 Lift the If the picture has straight edges, place the top and right edges next to the top and right edges of the scanner bed. This will make the preview image straight when you scan. scanner lid and hold it up.
Start the scanning software There are three ways to start the scanning software: ■ push the Scan button on the scanner ■ use the Windows Start menu ■ launch the scanning software from another program using TWAIN (page 11) TIP You may need to use the HP ScanJet Button Manager to configure the Scan button to set HP PrecisionScan Pro as the default software to launch when the Scan button is pushed (see page 12). Pushing the button on the scanner 1 Push the Scan button on the scanner once.
■ from the Scan menu, select Preview, or press Ctrl+R. The scanner performs a Preview scan and displays the preview image. Launching from another program If you are creating a project such as a greeting card or a calendar, and want to include a picture from a photograph, you might be able to scan the photograph directly into the program you are using. To do this, the program must have a TWAIN command such as Acquire, which is probably on one of its main menus.
Configure the Scan button You can use the HP ScanJet Button Manager to configure the Scan button. It is set at the factory with HP PrecisionScan Pro as the default scanning software to launch when the Scan button is pushed. Scan button 1 Select , the Windows Start button. The Windows Start menu appears. 2 From the Start menu, choose Programs, then choose HP ScanJet Software:HP ScanJet Utilities:HP ScanJet Button Manager. The HP ScanJet Button Manager window appears.
2 A tour of the scanning software2 Scanning software window 32 Exposure Adjustment tool Context-sensitive pointers 33 Color Adjustment tool 26 Image adjustment tools 34 Black & White Threshold tool 27 Output Resolution tool 35 Online Help 29 Sharpen Level tool 38 Save and re-use adjustment settings 30 Dimensions tool 41 Set preferences 24 ➮ 14 ➮
Scanning software window 2 A tour of the scanning software Book Contents Scanning software window showing a Preview scan ➊ Menu bar ➋ Toolbar ➌ Preview area ➍ Info bar ➎ Status bar Index ➮ This chapter describes the scanning software. ➊ Menus — The commands in the menus are summarized beginning on page 15. ➋ Toolbar — The toolbar has buttons for the most commonly used commands (see page 20).
Menus All the commands for the scanning software are available in the menus. Each menu and its commands are described in the following tables. Scan Ctrl+R Zoom Save As... Ctrl+S Save As Whole Page... Place Image Ctrl+I Save Settings... Load Settings... Print... Ctrl+P Print Setup... Preferences... Exit 2 A tour of the scanning software Scans the entire area of the scanner glass at low resolution and displays the preview image (see page 50).
Edit Copy Ctrl+C Does a final scan of the selection area and copies it to the Clipboard for pasting into another program (see page 99). Select All Ctrl+A Draws a selection area that includes the entire area of the scanner glass (see page 54). Clear Selection Esc Removes the selection area (page 53). View When checked, shows the toolbar. When not checked, hides the toolbar (see page 20). Status Bar When checked, shows the status bar. When not checked, hides the status bar (see page 23).
O u t p u t Ty p e True Color Scans the selection in 24-bit color (see page 66). Grayscale Scans the selection in 8-bit grayscale (see page 67). Black & White Bitmap (raster) Scans the selection as a black and white raster image (see page 67). Scalable (vector) Scans the selection as a black and white vector image that can be resized in another program without losing image quality (see page 67). 256 Color Web Palette Scans the selection using colors from a standard Web palette (see page 62).
To o l s Output Resolution When checked, shows the Output Resolution tool, which sets the resolution for the final scan of the selection (see pages 27 and 83). Sharpen Level When checked, shows the Sharpen Level tool, which sets the amount of sharpening for the image (see pages 29 and 68).
Help HP ScanJet Coach... Ctrl+W Explains the steps to scanning with HP PrecisionScan Pro (see page 36). Displays the Help dialog box for Contents, Index, and Find. Contents and Index HP PrecisionScan Pro Help F1 Displays HP PrecisionScan Pro Help (see page 35). What’s This Help Shift+F1 Displays the What’s This Help pointer for getting Help by clicking on a tool, field, button, or menu item (see page 35).
Toolbar Frequently used commands appear as buttons in the toolbar. To o l b a r B u t t o n s Scans the entire scanner glass and displays the preview image (see page 50). Zoom Scans and enlarges the view of the selection area (see page 56). Save As Scans and saves the selection to a file (see page 100). Copy Scans and copies the selection to the Clipboard (see page 99). Undo Zoom Displays the existing preview image (see page 57).
Preview area Enlarging the preview area The preview area in the scanning software window displays the: ■ preview image of the entire scanner glass, or ■ zoomed image of the selection area The size of the preview area determines how big the image displays. Enlarge the scanning software window when you want to increase the magnification of the view of a zoomed image.
Info bar The info bar displays the following information: Scanning software window info bar ➊ the width of the output image ➋ the height of the output image ➌ scale of the output image ➍ the Output Type currently selected ➎ the Help button for HP PrecisionScan Pro ➊ ➋➌ ➍ A tour of the scanning software Book Contents Index ➮ 2 ➮ ➎ HP PrecisionScan Pro User’s Guide 22
Status bar The status bar displays the following information: Scanning software window status bar ➊ a message about the action you can take when the pointer is over some part of the scanning software window or a tool ➋ the number of KB (kilobytes), MB (megabytes), GB (gigabytes), or TB (terabytes) in the image displayed in the selection area (Image Size) -ora progress bar for showing when the scanner is scanning or the scanning software is processing a command TIP The Image Size shown in the status ba
Context-sensitive pointers The shape of the pointer indicates the type of activity you can perform in the scanning software. Selection area pointers New selection area Move selection area Draw a new selection area. ■ ■ ■ Resize selection area horizontally Drag the mouse from a handle on a side of the selection area to resize the width of the selection area.
Ready pointer Ready for activity ■ ■ ■ Click a menu item to select a command. Click a list button to select a choice. Click a button to turn it on or off, or to increase or decrease a number. Typing pointer Data entry accepted Click, then type a value. Pixel value pointers White eyedropper Position this pointer over a light area of the image to see the area’s pixel value in the RGB meter and in the pixel distribution histogram in the Exposure Adjustment tool. Click to set the Highlights value.
Image adjustment tools Six tools can be used to make adjustments to the image in the selection area: ■ Output Resolution tool (see page 27) ■ Sharpen Level tool (see page 29) ■ Dimensions tool (see page 30) ■ Exposure Adjustment tool (see page 32) ■ Color Adjustment tool (see page 33) ■ Black & White Threshold tool (see page 34) Docking a tool Each tool has controls you can set for applying to a final scan. Five of the tools have reset buttons for applying optimal values to their controls.
Output Resolution tool The Output Resolution tool lets you determine the amount of data for the final scan of an image of a picture. See Set output resolution on page 83 for more about when to use the Output Resolution tool. After you have drawn a selection area, use this tool to: ➊ change the resolution setting, if necessary TIP You can add commonly-used resolution settings to the Output Resolution tool’s list box in the Resolution tab of the HP PrecisionScan Pro Preferences dialog box (see page 46).
Images to be printed The resolution setting for printing images varies, depending on the output type applied to the image and the maximum resolution capability of the printer (see page 83). To print images of photographs with the True Color, 256 Color, or Grayscale output types, set the value in the Output Resolution tool according to the following table.
Sharpen Level tool The Sharpen Level tool lets you enhance details in the image of a picture for the final scan. See Sharpen on page 68 for more about how to use the Sharpen Level tool. When you choose an Output Type for the image of a picture, the scanning software automatically applies the optimal sharpen level. TIP After you select a new sharpen level in the Sharpen Level tool, the result of the new sharpen level can be seen in the preview area.
Dimensions tool The Dimensions tool lets you change the size of the scanned image of a picture so that the image will be the size you want it when you use the image in another program or print it. For example, you can save a small scanned image from a larger original picture.
After you have drawn a selection area, use the Dimensions tool to: ➊ adjust the dimensions of the selection area ➋ set values for the width and height of the image to be included in the final scan ➌ select the units you want to work with ➍ enlarge or reduce output dimensions of the image for the final scan proportionally by scaling to a percentage of the original’s size ➊ ➋ ➎ ➌ ➍ ➎ lock the output dimensions so you can change the dimensions of the selection area without changing the output dimensio
Exposure Adjustment tool The Exposure Adjustment tool lets you make fine adjustments to highlights, shadows, and midtones, or set the output level of black and white pixels in a color or grayscale image of a picture. See Adjust exposure on page 70 for more about how to use the Exposure Adjustment tool. TIP After you change exposure settings in the Exposure Adjustment tool, the results of the changes can be seen in the preview area.
Color Adjustment tool The Color Adjustment tool lets you change the hue and make colors brighter in a color image.
Black & White Threshold tool The Black & White Threshold tool lets you change the dividing point for black and white pixels in an image that uses the Black & White Bitmap (raster) output type. All pixels below the threshold will be output as black and all pixels above the threshold will be output as white. TIP After you change settings in the Black & White Threshold tool, the results of the new settings can be seen in the preview area.
Online Help Quick Help in the scanning software window A short description, or ToolTip, displays when you move the pointer over of each part of the scanning software window or a tool, and a longer description displays in the status bar. What’s This Help in the scanning software window Use What’s This Help to learn about any object in the scanning software window.
HP ScanJet Coach Videos Use the HP ScanJet Coach to learn the steps for scanning. Several videos of basic scanning concepts can be accessed from the HP PrecisionScan Pro CD. 1 Insert the HP PrecisionScan Pro CD into the CD-ROM drive. 2 Turn on the computer speakers. To start the HP ScanJet Coach from the Desktop 1 Select , the Windows Start button. 2 From the Start menu, choose Programs, then choose HP ScanJet Software:HP Online Help:HP ScanJet Coach. The HP PrecisionScan Pro Help window appears.
Online manuals In addition to this HP PrecisionScan Pro User’s Guide online manual, you can view the HP ScanJet Automatic Document Feeder Guide in Adobe Acrobat Reader, which describes how to use the HP ScanJet Automatic Document Feeder. To view an online manual from the Desktop 1 Select , the Windows Start button. 2 From the Start menu, choose Programs, then choose HP PrecisionScan Pro:HP Online Help and the manual. Adobe Acrobat Reader starts and displays the online manual.
Save and re-use adjustment settings You can save the settings you have made to an image and apply those settings to a another scan during the current scanning session or after restarting HP PrecisionScan Pro. When you save a set of settings, you give the set of settings a name. Save Settings dialog box Output Settings tab When you want to use those settings for a different image, load the settings using the same name (page 40).
Saving a set of settings Save Settings dialog box Tools Settings tab 1 From the Scan menu, select Save Settings... The Save Settings dialog box appears (see page 38). 2 Review the settings listed in the Output Settings and the Tools Settings tabs. 3 If the settings are acceptable for saving, click in the text field of the Save Settings dialog box, then type a name for the settings. 4 Click Save. • The Save Settings dialog box closes. • The named set of settings is saved for future use (see page 40).
Loading a set of settings 1 From the Scan menu, select Load Settings... Any set of scanning settings you have saved with the Save Settings dialog box can be applied to the image currently displayed in the preview area. The Load Settings dialog box appears. 2 From the list box, select the name of the set of settings you want to load. 3 Review the settings listed in the Output Settings and the Tools Settings tabs. 4 If the settings are acceptable for loading, click Load.
Set preferences Preferences for the scanner and the scanning software can be set in the HP PrecisionScan Pro Preferences dialog box. The HP PrecisionScan Pro Preferences dialog box has several tabs. These tabs are: ➊ Scanner (see page 42) ➋ Selection Area (see page 44) ➌ Resolution (see page 46) ➍ Controls (see page 47) Opening the HP PrecisionScan Pro Preferences dialog box ■ From the Scan menu, select Preferences... The HP PrecisionScan Pro Preferences dialog box appears.
Scanner tab The Scanner tab of the HP PrecisionScan Pro Preferences dialog box has checkboxes for enabling: ➊ a Preview scan when the scanner’s Scan button is pushed (page 43) ➋ best quality scaling (page 43) ➌ best quality sharpening (page 43) ➍ maximum pixel depth (page 43) To change settings: 1 Select the checkboxes you want to turn on or ➊ ➋ ➌ ➍ off. 2 Click Apply. 3 Click another tab, or click OK to close the HP PrecisionScan Pro Preferences dialog box.
Preview scan when scanner button is pushed Maximum Pixel Depth When this checkbox is checked, each time you push the Scan button on the scanner the scanner automatically performs a Preview scan. This means you can start a Preview scan with the Scan button. When this checkbox is checked, the largest pixel bit depth is applied to the scan to produce the highest quality image. When this checkbox is not checked, pushing the Scan button on the scanner does not start a Preview scan.
Selection Area tab The Selection Area tab of the HP PrecisionScan Pro Preferences dialog box has checkboxes for controlling whether the scanning software should automatically: ➊ create a selection area when the mouse is clicked (page 45) ➋ determine the best Output Type for the selection area (page 45) ➌ determine the optimal exposure level for the selection area (page 45) ➍ determine the optimal color balance and ➊ ➋ ➌ ➍ saturation for the selection area (page 45) To change settings: 1 Select the
Automatically create selection area after a mouse click When this checkbox is checked, the scanning software automatically creates a selection area when you click over a part of the image while the pointer looks like this: .
Resolution tab The Resolution tab of the HP PrecisionScan Pro Preferences dialog box controls the resolution values contained in the Output Resolution tool’s ➍ list box.
Controls tab The Controls tab of the HP PrecisionScan Pro Preferences dialog box has option buttons for selecting which control range readout to use for scanning. The control range sets the amount of tonal resolution per color available for correction in the Exposure Adjustment and Black & White Threshold tools. Using a larger number of bits for the control range results in greater control of compensation for exposure or threshold correction.
3 Scanning pictures 3 49 Basic steps for scanning pictures 50 Preview scan 51 Create a selection area 56 Zoom scan 57 Return to the preview image (Undo Zoom) 58 Set the output dimensions 62 Choose an output type ➮ ➮
Basic steps for scanning pictures Quick scan 1 Preview scan (page 50). 2 Create a selection area of the part of the image you want in the final scan (page 51). 3 Save, copy, drag-and-drop, or print (see Chapter 6 Saving scanned images page 94). To adjust an image with the True Color or a 256 Color output type: ■ Sharpen (page 68) ■ Adjust exposure (page 70) ■ Adjust color (page 80) TIP Optional adjustments (See Chapter 4 Adjusting images of pictures page 65.
Preview scan A Preview scan displays a low-resolution image of everything on the scanner glass so you can create a selection area to work with (see page 51). A final scan will be performed when the image is saved, copied, printed, or dragged to another program. A Preview scan displayed in the preview area Using the Scan button to Preview scan If the ScanJet Button Manager is set to communicate with HP PrecisionScan Pro: ■ Push the Scan button on the scanner once.
Create a selection area You must create a selection area to indicate the part of the image you want to save to a file, copy, print, or drag-and-drop. The area you select will be enclosed by a selection border, which you can resize later (see page 55).
Clicking to create a selection area 1 Position the pointer near the upper-left corner of the area you want to work with. 2 Click. A selection border around the A rectangular selection area is created and the parts of the preview image outside the selection area are faded to indicate they will not be included in the final scan.
Drawing to create a selection area 1 Position the pointer over one corner of the area you want to select. 2 Press the mouse button and drag the pointer diagonally to create a selection border. 3 Release the mouse button. TIP ■ ■ ■ ■ Selection area Handles A dashed border surrounds the selection area. Handles appear on the corners and in the middle of each side of the selection border. The image inside the selection border remains vivid. The image outside the selection border appears faded.
Selecting the entire preview area A selection border around the entire After a Preview scan, use the Select All command to create a selection area containing the entire preview area. ■ From the Edit menu, select Select All ■ – or – press Ctrl+A. A selection border is drawn around the entire preview area. Selecting the entire zoomed area After a Zoom scan, use the Select All command to create a selection area containing the entire zoomed area.
Moving the selection area Use the Dimensions tool You can move the selection area to a different location in the preview area. 1 Position the pointer inside the selection area. You can use the fields in the Selection Area Dimensions area of the Dimensions tool to define the exact size of the selection area. (See page 30 for more about the Dimensions tool.) 1 From the Tools menu, select Dimensions.
Zoom scan Zoom scan lets you view the selection area at closer range. Use the Zoom command to see the image better when you adjust it. Zoomed selection Performing a Zoom scan 1 Create a selection area (page 51). 2 To enlarge the view of the selection area: • Click , the Zoom button in the toolbar – or – • from the Scan menu, choose Zoom. The scanner scans the selection area and the selection area fills the preview area.
Return to the preview image (Undo Zoom) After you have used the Zoom command to enlarge the view of the selection area, you can use the Undo Zoom command to view the preview image without performing another Preview scan. This can be useful when you have several pictures on the scanner glass and you want to use each one individually. Using Undo Zoom Use the Undo Zoom command when you want to create a different selection area in the preview image.
Set the output dimensions To get the best quality image, determine in advance the physical dimensions you want for the image and set those dimensions with the Dimensions tool in the scanning software. For example, if the original is smaller than the size you need the image to be in another program, resize it now. Resizing an image in the destination program can cause the image to become fuzzy or jagged.
To set units 1 Create a selection area (page 51). 2 Click the list button in the Units field of the Dimensions tool and select a unit of measurement. TIP Setting units The Units field in the Dimensions tool sets the units of measurement for the Width and Height fields in the Selection Area Dimensions and the Output Dimensions areas.
Scaling output as a percentage of the original The Scale field is useful for setting output dimensions when you know approximately how big you want the final image to be. For example, when you want the image to be half the size of the original, set the value in the Scale value to 50%. Or if you want the final image to be twice the size of the original, set the Scale value to 200%. 1 Create a selection area (page 51).
Typing values for output width and height Locking values for output dimension You can type the output dimensions when you know exactly how big you want the final image to be. 1 Create a selection area (page 51). 2 Click in the Width field of the Output Dimensions area of the Dimensions tool and type the value for the width 3 Press Tab or Enter, You can lock the output dimensions you have defined so you can change the size of the selection area without changing the output dimensions.
Choose an output type The output type selected in the Output Type menu determines the bit depth and color palette applied to the final scan of pictures and drawings, but not for images that will be converted to text. The table on page 64 lists bit depths and color palettes for each output type that is appropriate for images of pictures and drawings.
Changing the output type 2 From the Output Type menu, choose an output type for the image of the picture you scanned.
Suggestions for choosing output type Type of original Color photograph Output Type Color drawing Black and white photograph Black and white drawing True Color millions of colors (24-bit color) best color image for printing one-color tint image for printing Grayscale grayscale image for printing or displaying on a monitor 8-bit (256 shades of gray) 1-bit black and white (only black and white) 256 Color 8-bit color (256 shades of color) 3 Bitmap (raster) black and white raster image for prin
4 Adjusting images of pictures 4 66 Tools for making adjustments 68 Sharpen 70 Adjust exposure 80 Adjust color 83 Set output resolution 85 Set threshold for black and white bitmaps 87 Set color channel for black and white bitmaps ➮ ➮
Tools for making adjustments The tools in the scanning software can be used to adjust the image of a picture before you save, copy, drag-and-drop, or print the image.
Adjustments for Grayscale output type An image with the Grayscale output type can be adjusted for: ■ sharpening ■ exposure ■ resolution Adjustments for Black & White Bitmap (raster) output type An image with the Black & White Bitmap (raster) output type can be adjusted for: ■ sharpening ■ resolution ■ black and white threshold Adjustments for Black & White Scalable (vector) output type An image with the Black & White Scalable (vector) output type cannot be adjusted with any of the tools.
Sharpen The right amount of sharpening enhances detail in the scanned image. Too much or too little sharpening can accent flaws and emphasize undesirable patterns in images of photographs, drawings, or line art. If the original picture is not sharp, or you want to create a special effect, you can increase or decrease sharpening with the Sharpen Level tool. The sharpen level you select will be applied to the final scan.
Changing the sharpen level 1 From the Tools menu, select Sharpen Level. TIP The Sharpen Level tool appears (see page 29). 2 Click the list box button, drag to the sharpen level you want, then release the mouse button, ■ ■ – or – Click in the sharpen level text field and type the first letter of a sharpen level. • The new sharpen level is applied. • The result of the change to the sharpen level can be seen in the preview area. • The AutoSharpen button in the Sharpen Level tool becomes active.
Adjust exposure The exposure settings you select will be applied to the final scan. You can also use the Exposure Adjustment tool to: ■ view the distribution of pixels (see page 74) ■ read the RGB values of the pixels in the image (see page 74). The Exposure Adjustment tool is active for the color and grayscale output types. 4 Adjusting images of pictures Book Contents Using the Exposure Adjustment tool 1 From the Tools menu, select Exposure Adjustment. The Exposure Adjustment tool appears.
Changing highlights Bringing out details in light areas The Highlights control in the Exposure Adjustment tool lets you select the lightest printable value in the image. This gives coverage to areas that would otherwise remain the color of the paper.
Changing shadows Bringing out details in dark areas The Shadows control in the Exposure Adjustment tool lets you select the darkest printable value in the image. This allows you to bring out detail in areas that would otherwise become black.
Changing midtones (brightness) Brightening the image The Midtones control in the Exposure Adjustment tool lets you brighten or darken an image overall by changing the gamma value. To brighten the image overall, increase the number in the Midtones field: ■ Click on the right side of the slider, – or – ■ type a higher number in the Midtones field, then press Tab or Enter, – or – ■ click the UP spin button next to the Midtones field. The range for the number in the Midtones field is 1.0 to 4.0.
Pixel distribution histogram The histogram in the Exposure Adjustment tool is a graph of the distribution of pixels in the selection area. The vertical lines in the histogram show the current settings for Shadows and Highlights. ➊ The magenta line in the histogram represents the current setting for Shadows, the darkest areas in the image. ➋ The red line in the histogram represents the current setting for Highlights, the lightest areas in the image.
RGB Meter 2 Move the pointer over the image. You can view the RGB values and pixel color for any spot in a color or grayscale image with the RGB Meter in the Exposure Adjustment tool. • The RGB values and pixel color appear in the RGB Meter. • The turquoise line appears in the histogram. ➊ RGB values ➋ Pixel color 3 Click the same eyedropper button again. ➊ • The RGB Meter dims. ➋ • The pointer returns to normal. Using the RGB Meter ■ ■ 4 When you click . When you click .
Checking for clipping of pixels The Exposure Alert buttons in the Exposure Adjustment tool warn you of areas of a color or grayscale image that contain no detail in the lightest and darkest areas of the image. The lightest area will print as the color of the paper, with no ink or toner, and therefore no detail. The darkest areas will print with the blackest color of ink or toner, saturating the area with the same color of black with no visible detail.
Viewing and removing clipped light areas Viewing and removing clipped dark areas You can adjust the light or dark areas to add detail back to them. 1 Click , the white Exposure Alert button. 1 Click The light areas in the image that will print as pure white appear black in the preview area. 2 In the Highlights control, click the UP spin button repeatedly until the clipped pixels disappear from the image. The result of the change to Highlights can be seen in the preview area.
Setting pixel output levels Changing output levels The Output Levels control in the Exposure Adjustment tool lets you create interesting effects Use the Output Levels control in the Exposure Adjustment tool to create interesting effects in for images of pictures. images of pictures. When you change the White output level value to 0 and the Black output level value to 255, the colors in the image reverse.
If you want to create an image to use as a backdrop for dark text on a light background, such as an overhead transparency, increase the Black output level value until the image is as faint as you like. Appearance with White control = 255 Black control = 0 If you want to create an image to use as a backdrop for light text on a dark background, such as with color slides, decrease the White output level value until the image is as faint as you like.
Adjust color The scanning software automatically selects the optimal color settings for any color output type applied to the image.
To correct the excess red in the picture below, the indicator circle can be moved into the cyan area of the Color Wheel. Very red Less red moved indicator circle Changing color saturation You can adjust the amount of color in the image with the Saturation slider control in the Color Adjustment tool. The higher the number in the Saturation field, the more vivid the colors will be in the image. A low number in the Saturation field gives the image diluted colors.
■ ■ ■ Click on the left side of the slider, – or – type a lower number in the Saturation field, then press Tab or Enter, – or – click the DOWN spin button next to the Saturation field. Applying the default color settings ■ Click the Auto button in the Color Adjustment tool. • The optimal color settings determined by the scanning software are applied to the Color Adjustment tool. • The results of the changes to the color settings can be seen in the preview area.
Set output resolution To keep file size small, shorten printing time, and use less memory, use the lowest possible output resolution setting for an image of a picture. The output resolution for the image in the selection area is set in the Output Resolution tool.
• the output type is True Color, 256 Color Optimized Palette, or Grayscale • you will not be enlarging the photograph (use ■ a higher resolution if you scale the image to greater than 100% of the original’s size) Use 300 as the output resolution setting when: • you plan to print the image on a 1200 DPI printer • the output type is True Color, 256 Color Optimized Palette, or Grayscale • you will not be enlarging the photograph (use a higher resolution if you scale the image to greater than 100% of the or
Set threshold for black and white bitmaps When you want to save a black and white image from a color or black and white photograph, you can often improve the result by changing the threshold for the division between black and white pixels. Image of a color photograph with the True Color output type The black and white threshold can be changed with the Black & White Threshold tool for an image that has the Black & White Bitmap (raster) output type.
Changing the black and white threshold To bring out details in an image with the Black & White Bitmap (raster) output type, decrease the number in the Black & White Threshold field: 1 Scan a picture. 2 From the Tools menu, select B & W Threshold. Image with the Black & White Bitmap (raster) output type Threshold 127 (the default for this image) The Black & White Threshold tool appears. 3 From the Output Type menu, select Black & White Bitmap (raster).
Set color channel for black and white bitmaps When you want to save a black and white bitmap of a picture that has been printed or photocopied on colored paper, or want to create a special effect, you can change the color channel used in the final scan.
Examples of changing color channels Images of a color drawing changed to the Black & White Bitmap (raster) output type are shown with different color channels and black and white threshold settings applied in the Black & White Threshold tool.
5 Scanning text 90 Scan and convert a block of text 93 Scan a whole page ➮ 5 ➮
Scan and convert a block of text • click , the Zoom button in the toolbar, or • from the Scan menu, choose Zoom. Original 5 Scanning text Preview image with selection area Book Contents The scanner scans the selection area and the selection area fills the preview area. 5 Adjust the selection area to include all the characters you want in the final scan (see page 55).
Drag-and-drop to another program S e l e c t i n g Te x t ■ ■ ■ 1 Start the destination program. Always Zoom scan a selection area you want to convert to text, then adjust the position and size of the selection area to be sure it contains all the characters you want to convert. The text in the selection area is displayed at a low resolution and may not appear readable, even after a Zoom scan.
Copy to the Clipboard Save to a file 1 Click 1 Click , the Copy button in the toolbar, or from the Edit menu select Copy, or or press Ctrl+C. A final scan of the image is performed. The text is converted to editable text. A copy of the text is placed in the Clipboard. 2 To paste the text in another program’s open document: • Start the destination program. • Open the document and view the page that will receive the text. • Position the pointer where you want to place the text, then click.
Scan a whole page A entire page of text, or text and pictures, can be saved to a rich text format file (.rtf) that contains editable, formatted text and images. 1 Preview scan (page 50). 3 In the Save in box, choose the directory where It is not necessary to create a selection area or choose an output type. 2 From the Scan menu, select Save As Whole Page. A final scan of the entire area of the scanner glass is performed. The Save As dialog box appears.
6 Saving scanned images 95 How you can use the image 96 Print the image 97 Drag-and-drop to another program 98 Drag-and-drop to the Desktop 99 Copy to the Clipboard Save to a file ➮ 100 ➮ 6
How you can use the image When you have scanned a picture and are satisfied with the image in the selection area, there are several ways to use the image. ■ Print the image from the scanning software (see page 96). ■ ■ Printing the image from the scanning software results in a hardcopy of the image, but does not save it to the hard disk. Make the image permanent by placing it directly from the scanning software into another program.
Print the image When you print a copy of the image in the selection area you will be able to see the size and quality of the printed image. Use the Print command to send a copy of the image to a printer. 1 Click , the Print button in the toolbar, or from the Scan menu, select Print, or, press Ctrl+P. The Print dialog box appears. 2 Fill out the options in the Print dialog box. 3 Click OK. TIP ■ ■ A final scan of the image is performed.
Drag-and-drop to another program The image in the selection area can be dragged and dropped into another program that supports drag-and-drop. After the image is dropped into the destination program, the image becomes part of the document file. 1 Start the destination program. 2 Open the document and view the page that will receive the image. 3 In the scanning software window, position the pointer inside the selection area. The pointer changes to .
Drag-and-drop to the Desktop You can create a bitmap file of the image in the selection area by dragging the selection area to the Desktop or to a folder in the Windows Explorer. The file name for each new bitmap file after the first one created this way includes a number in parentheses. 1 In the scanning software window, position the pointer inside the selection area. The pointer changes to .
Copy to the Clipboard The image in the selection area can be copied to the Clipboard, then pasted into the destination program. After the image is pasted into the destination program, the image becomes part of the document file. Copying the image Pasting the image 1 Create a selection area (see page 51). 1 Start the destination program. 2 Open the document and view the page that will 2 Click , the Copy button in the toolbar, or from the Edit menu select Copy, or or press Ctrl+C.
Save to a file The image in the selection area can be saved to a file, then the image file can be inserted into another program’s document with an Insert File or Import File command. You will need to know what file format to use when saving the file. File formats TIP Not all output types can be saved in all file formats. Only the valid file formats for the output type applied to the image can be selected from the Save as type list box in the Save As dialog box.
GIF is a compressed file format suitable for an image that will be used on the Web or on multiple platforms. JPEG Image (.jpg) JPEG is a compressed file format for images. Its strengths are small file sizes and speed. The tradeoff for these advantages, though, is reduced image quality. Since each time an image is compressed with JPEG it loses a little of the image data, avoid compressing a file with JPEG more than once.
Saving the file Reducing file size 1 Click You can reduce the size of an image file in the scanning software by: ■ reducing resolution ■ avoiding the True Color output type ■ reducing the scale of the image ■ saving with a compressed file format (.gif, .jpg, or .tif compressed) , the Save As... button in the toolbar, or from the Scan menu, select Save As..., or press Ctrl+S. 2 3 4 5 The Save As dialog box appears. In the Save in box, choose the directory where you want to save the file.
7 Scanning 35mm slides 104 The 35mm slide adapter 105 Scan the slide ➮ 7 ➮
The 35mm slide adapter The HP ScanJet slide adapter can be used to scan 35mm mounted slide photographs. Placing the slide and the adapter 1 Lift the scanner lid so that it stays up. 2 Place the adapter next to the top edge of the 4 5 6 7 7 Scanning 35mm slides Book Contents Index ➮ 3 scanner glass so that the arrowhead on the adapter points to the arrowhead on the scanner bed. Tip the adapter toward the scanner lid. Turn the slide so the emulsion side is next to the scanner glass.
Scan the slide 1 Preview scan (page 50). 2 Create a selection area of the part of the image you want in the final scan (page 51). 3 Zoom scan (page 56). 4 Set the output dimensions (page 58). TIP Be sure to keep the slide in the same place on the scanner glass until the final scan of the image is completed. 5 If necessary, make adjustments to the image (see Chapter 4 Adjusting images of pictures page 65). 6 Save, copy, drag-and-drop, or print (see Chapter 6 Saving scanned images page 94).
Index acquiring with TWAIN 11 adjustments 66 and output type 66 black and white threshold 85, 86, 88 color balance 80 color channel 87, 88 color saturation 80 exposure 32, 70 highlights 32, 70 hue 80 midtones 73 output levels 78 resolution 27, 83 shadows 32, 70 sharpening 68 automatic color 45 exposure 45 output type 45 selection area 45 AutoResolution 27 B backgrounds, creating 79 Best Quality Scaling 43 Sharpening 43 bitmap file format 100 Black & White Bitmap (raster) output type 17 Book Contents
33, 80 color channel 87, 88 Color Wheel, using 33, 80 colored paper, minimizing effect 87 commands in menus 15 in toolbar 20 context-sensitive pointers 24, 25 Controls tab in Preferences 47 controls, resetting Black & White Threshold 34, 85 Color Adjustment 33 Exposure Adjustment 32, 70 Output Resolution 27, Copy command 16, 20, 99 copying to the Clipboard 99 D deleting settings 40 detail, eliminating 76 detail, enhancing 76, 77 black and white 86 highlights 71 shadows 72 sharpening 68 dimensions 30,
Help HP ScanJet Coach 36 menu 19 online manuals 37 Show Me 36 status bar 35 ToolTips 35 using 35 videos 36 What’s This Help 35 highlights 32, 70, 71 histogram Black & White Threshold tool 34 Exposure Adjustment tool 32, 74 HP PrecisionScan Pro Edit menu 16 Help menu 19 info bar 22 menus 15 Output Type menu 17 pointers 24 Preferences dialog box 41 Scan menu 15 status bar 23 I images acquiring with TWAIN 11 copying 99 drag-and-drop 97, 98 output dimensions 58 printing 96 resolution 27, 83 saving 98, 100 s
11, 15 placing original 9 pointers 24, 25 Preferences 41 color adjustment 45 command 15 Controls tab 47 exposure adjustment 45 output type change 45 pixel depth 43 Resolution tab 46 scaling 43 Scanner tab 42 selection area 45 Selection Area tab 44 preview area 14, 21 enlarging 21 selecting 54 Preview command 15, 20 preview image 10, 14 returning to 57 Preview scan 10, 50 Print command 15, 20 Print Setup command 15 printer resolution 28 printing images 28, 96 R Red color channel 88 reset controls Blac
87 starting scanning software 10, 11 status bar 16, 23 straightening image 9 support, for scanner 3 T creating background for 79 scanning 105 thresholding 34, 85, 86, automatic color 45 automatic exposure 45 automatic output type 88 .
