Umax ASTRA 6450 User Manual

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Astra 6400 & 6450

OWNER’S GUIDE

Trademarks

UMAX is a trademark of UMAX Technologies, Inc. Astra is a trademark of UMAX Technologies, Inc. IBM PC/AT is a trademark of International Business Machines Corporation. MS-Windows, Windows, and MS-DOS are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Presto! PageManager is a trademark of NewSoft Technology Corporation. Other names and trademarks appearing herein are trademarks of their respective holders.

©1999 UMAX Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language or computer language, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, magnetic, optical, chemical, manual, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of UMAX Technologies, Inc.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1. GETTING STARTED ...................................................	5
INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................	5
UNPACKING THE SCANNER ...................................................................	5
Package Contents............................................................................	5
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR SCANNER .....................................................	7
Astra 6400/6450 Scanner Elements..................................................	7
Astra 6400/6450 Back Panel............................................................	7
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS ......................................................................	8
INSTALLING THE SOFTWARE.................................................................	8
Installing Adobe Photoshop LE on the PC........................................	8
Installing Adobe Photoshop LE on the Macintosh ............................	9
Scanner Solutions e-book...............................................................	10
ABOUT THE SCANNER’S FIREWIRE/IEEE-1394 CONNECTORS .............	11
SETTING UP – GENERAL INFORMATION ..............................................	11
Installing the FireWire/1394 Card (for PC) ...................................	11
Connecting the Cables...................................................................	12
Connecting the Power Adapter ......................................................	13
CHAPTER 2. YOUR FIRST SCAN ...................................................	14
CHAPTER 3. SCANNING BASICS...................................................	17
SETTING VISTASCAN PREFERENCES....................................................	17
General.........................................................................................	17
Scan Destination ...........................................................................	19
Scanner Information......................................................................	22
VistaScan Beginner Window Features............................................	23
VistaScan Advanced Features........................................................	28
Using the Universal Transparency Cover (UTC) ............................	45
Using VistaAccess – Direct Access.................................................	46
Turning the Scanner Lamp On and Off...........................................	47
Using VistaShuttle .........................................................................	47
Using the UMAX Copy Utility........................................................	50
CHAPTER 4. PUSH BUTTON SCANNING .....................................	52
Configuring the Push Buttons ........................................................	52
CHAPTER 5. SCANNING PROJECTS.............................................	59
Using VistaScan to Scan a Photo to E-mail ...................................	61
Using Presto! PageManager to Scan a Form and Edit it with
PageType ......................................................................................	62

Converting Scanned Text to Editable Text with OmniPage .............	63
Opening OmniPage LE..................................................................	63
Converting Scanned Text with OmniPage LE .................................	63
CHAPTER 6. HOW TO GET HELP .................................................	65
USING ONLINE MANUALS ..................................................................	65
Accessing the UMAX VistaScan Online Manual .............................	65
Accessing the Presto! PageManager Online Manual......................	66
Accessing the Caere OmniPage Online Manual .............................	66
TROUBLESHOOTING ...........................................................................	67
CONTACTING TECHNICAL SUPPORT ....................................................	69
MAINTENANCE ..................................................................................	70
CLEANING .........................................................................................	71
SCANNER SPECIFICATIONS .................................................................	72
FCC DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY......................................	73
WARRANTY .......................................................................................	74

UMAX Astra 6400/6450 Owner’s Guide

CHAPTER 1. Getting Started

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the UMAX Astra series scanner. This manual covers both the Astra 6400 and Astra 6450. The Astra 6450 includes a Universal Transparency Cover (UTC) for scanning transparent media. The UTC is an optional accessory on the Astra 6400.

The Astra 6400/6450 scanner is equipped with a FireWire/IEEE1394 connector. The FireWire/IEEE-1394 interface connectors allow you to make a fast and easy connection to your computer. FireWire/IEEE-1394 connectors are found on the new Macintosh G3/G4 and iMac DV computers and PC computers equipped with FireWire/IEEE-1394 connectivity. A FireWire/1394 card is included for use on PC computers and your new scanner.

In addition to being easy-to-connect, this scanner is also easy-to- use. Simply follow the instructions in this guide and you’ll be scanning in no time. With the powerful software included with your scanner, you can create, edit and archive scanned images, e-mail or fax images to friends or clients, or create your own Web site gallery. Get ready to unleash your creativity with the UMAX Astra 6400/6450 scanner.

Unpacking the Scanner

Your scanner package includes the cables and software you need to get the scanner up and running. The scanner package should contain all of the items listed below. If you do not find all of the listed items, immediately contact the retailer from whom you purchased the scanner, or contact UMAX. For information about contacting UMAX directly, refer to Chapter 6. How to Get Help.

Package Contents

∙UMAX Astra 6400/6450 Color Flatbed Scanner (built-in Universal Transparency Cover included with Astra 6450)

∙FireWire/1394 Interface Card (for PC only)

∙FireWire/IEEE-1394 Interface Cable

∙Owner’s Manual

∙Quick Start Guide

∙Power Adapter

∙Slide Holder (included with Astra 6450)

∙Adobe® Photoshop® LE CD-ROM

∙UMAX Scanner CD-ROM. This CD-ROM contains software for Caere® OmniPage® LE OCR, NewSoft® Presto! PageManager (full version), NewSoft® Presto! PageType™ (full version, PC), UMAX Copy Utility (PC), Scanning Solutions electronic book

UMAX Astra 6400/6450 Owner’s Guide

Getting to Know Your Scanner

To gain a complete understanding of the information contained in this manual, it is important that you become familiar with your scanner. The graphics below identify the key scanner components.

Astra 6400/6450 Scanner Elements

Scanner Lid

Cover that protects the object glass.

Universal Transparency Cover (included with 6450)

Provides top lighting when scanning slides.

Scan, Copy and

Custom (OCR or

E-Mail) Buttons

Object Glass

Glass surface on which documents or images are placed.

Power Indicator

Illuminates to indicate that the scanner is powered on.

	Astra 6400/6450 Back Panel
FireWire/IEEE-1394		Transparency Receptacle
Connector

Power Adapter Receptacle

System Requirements

This section defines the minimum system requirements necessary to operate the Astra 6400/6450 scanner. Please refer to the section below that applies to your computer type.

PC Requirements

∙An IBM-compatible PC with a Pentium processor or above

∙Microsoft® Windows 98 SE/Windows 2000 or above

∙Firewire/IEEE-1394 port (or available PCI slot to use included card)

∙64 MB RAM

∙CD-ROM drive

∙250+ MB of available hard disk space

Macintosh Requirements

∙iMac DV or New Power Mac G3/G4

∙Firewire/IEEE-1394 port

∙64 MB RAM memory

∙Macintosh OS 9.0 or higher

∙CD-ROM drive

∙250+ MB of available hard disk space

Installing the Software

Installing Adobe Photoshop LE on the PC

1.Insert the Adobe Photoshop LE CD-ROM into your CD-ROM drive.

2.Click the Start button in the bottom left corner of the desktop.

3.Choose Run from the Start menu. The Run dialog box opens.

4.Click the Browse button.

5.From the pull-down menu, double click the Photosle CDROM.

6.Double-click on the language you want to install.

UMAX Astra 6400/6450 Owner’s Guide

7.Double click the Photosle folder to open it.

8.Click on Setup.exe to highlight it, and click the Open button. The path to the Setup.exe file appears in the Open text box in the Run dialog box.

9.Click OK to launch the Setup file. Follow the screen prompts.

10.When the User Information dialog box appears, enter your personal information and the software serial number that appears in the upper right corner of the Photoshop registration card. You can find the registration card in the

CD-ROM case.

11.Continue with the installation process by following the remaining screen prompts.

Installing Adobe Photoshop LE on the Macintosh

1.Disable any virus-protection extensions and restart your computer.

2.Insert the Adobe Photoshop LE CD-ROM into your

CD-ROM drive. The Photoshop LE CD-ROM content window appears.

3.Double-click the Adobe Photoshop LE icon. The Photoshop LE window appears.

4.Double-click the Install Photoshop LE icon. Follow the screen prompts.

5.When the User Information dialog box appears, enter your personal information and the software serial number that appears in the upper right corner of the Photoshop registration card. You can find the registration card in the

CD-ROM case.

6.Click the Install Now… button.

7.Continue with the installation process by following the remaining screen prompts.

Installing VistaScan and Other Bundled Software (Presto! PageManager, Presto! PageType, Presto! ImageFolio, OmniPage LE and Online Manuals)

1.Insert the UMAX Scanner CD into your computer’s CD-ROM drive after you have finished installing the software on the Photoshop LE CD. If the Setup process begins automatically, go to step 2. If not, please see below;

For PC Users: If your computer does not automatically start the Setup process, click the Start button in the lower left corner of your screen. Next, select the Run button. In the dialog box that appears type d:/setup (where “d” is the letter for your CDROM drive) and select OK. The Setup program will start automatically.

For Mac Users: If your computer does not automatically start the Setup process, with the UMAX VistaScan window open on your desktop, double-click on the UMAX CD Installer icon to launch the Setup program.

2.Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process. Be certain to register the scanner when asked. Registering the scanner gives you access to the password for the e-book Scanner Solutions. See below for more information.

Scanner Solutions e-book

The Scanner Solutions e-book is a complete, full color electronic version of the original hard copy book providing useful information and tips on the subject of scanning.

1.Complete the product registration as instructed during the VistaScan install. Or you can register the scanner on our Web site at www.umax.com. During registration, you will be given a case-sensitive password. Write it down for later reference.

2.The e-book scannersolutions.pdf can be found in the ebook folder on the VistaScan CD. It can be viewed by using Adobe Acrobat Reader and the password provided during registration.

UMAX Astra 6400/6450 Owner’s Guide

About The Scanner’s FireWire/IEEE-1394

Connectors

Newer computers (both PC and Macintosh) may rely on FireWire/IEEE-1394 technology as a method of communication between the computer and its peripherals.

Checking Your Computer’s Connectors

To connect your scanner to your computer, f7irst locate the FireWire/IEEE-1394 connection on your computer.

∙A FireWire/IEEE-1394 port is a small slot approximately ½” long and ¼” tall.

∙Next to the FireWire/1394 port on a Macintosh computer, you should find the FireWire/1394 symbol

Setting Up – General Information

NOTE: Proper scanner hardware installation depends on installing the software first. If you have not installed the software that came bundled with the scanner, refer to Installing the Software earlier in this chapter for instructions.

Installing the FireWire/1394 Card (for PC)

1.Make sure computer’s power is turned off. Remove the case according to the system manual’s directions.

2.Insert the FireWire/1394 card in an empty PCI slot. Gently but firmly push it down until it is seated in the PCI slot.

3.Screw the bracket to the chassis to secure the card. Replace the computer’s case and turn on the power.

4.Windows 98 SE/2000 will now detect the addition of the new hardware and ask to search for a driver. Select Next.

5.Windows will ask, “What do you want Windows to do?” Click on the option “Search for best driver for your device”. Select

Next.

6.Insert your Windows 98 SE/2000 CD into your CD-ROM drive. Select the “CD-ROM drive” option and click Next.

7.Windows will search the CD for the FireWire/1394 driver. After it finds the driver on the CD, select Next to install it.

8.After the driver installation is complete, select Finish. You’ll be instructed to reboot your computer.

Note: The included FireWire/1394 PCI card is intended for use with the Astra 6400 and Astra 6450 scanners. Although other FireWire/1394 peripherals should work with the included FireWire/1394 card, UMAX is able to support the compatibility of the card only with the Astra 6400 and Astra 6450 scanners.

Connecting the Cables

Find a suitable location near your computer to place the scanner. CAUTION: Make sure the surface is flat. Operating your scanner on an uneven surface can damage the internal components.

1.Locate the FireWire cable that is provided with the Astra 6400/6450. Plug one end of the connector firmly into the FireWire/IEEE-1394 port on the back of the computer.

2.Plug the other end of the cable into the FireWire/IEEE-1394 port on back of the scanner.

Connecting the Universal Transparency Cover Cable (included with Astra 6450 optional on Astra 6400)

1.Locate the UTC cable connected to the back end of the UTC cover.

Universal

Transparency UTC Cable

Cover

UTC Connector

2.Plug the UTC cable connector into the round three-pin DIN connector on the scanner’s back panel.

UMAX Astra 6400/6450 Owner’s Guide

Connecting the Power Adapter

1.Plug the scanner’s power adapter into an electrical outlet.

2.Insert the other end of this cable into the power adapter receptacle on the rear panel of the scanner. The power indicator on the front panel of the scanner should now be illuminated.

3.Turn your computer on.

CHAPTER 2. Your First Scan

Before you begin your first scan, please install the bundled software and hardware. Refer to Chapter 1. Getting Started, for software and hardware installation instructions.

Using the Astra 6400/6450, there are three ways to scan an image:

1.Using third party application software to acquire your image. Application software is Adobe Photoshop LE for example.

2.Scan directly to file or application from the VistaScan driver.

3.Use the “Scan” button on the scanner to scan your image.

Scanning with Adobe Photoshop LE application software

1.Double click on Adobe Photoshop LE icon to open it.

2.Choose Import from the File menu.

3.Choose Select Twain_32 Source

4.Choose VistaScan32 VX.XX. This will establish the Astra 6400/6450 driver as the driver Photoshop will use.

5.Choose Import, and then select TWAIN_32

6.The scanner driver “VistaScan” will be activated and appear. The driver should display the “Beginner” interface. If not, click

7.Place the image to be scanned on the object glass.

8.Click the Preview button.

9.Using the crop features, set the desired scan area. See VistaScan Beginner Interface below for more information on selecting the scan area.

10.Click the icon that represents the type of media you are scanning.

11.VistaScan closes and the scanned image appears in Photoshop.

12.Modify the image using the Photoshop tools.

UMAX Astra 6400/6450 Owner’s Guide

13.Choose Save As from the File menu to save the scanned image. Enter the file name, save location and file type (ie. JPG, TIFF, etc)

CHAPTER 3. Scanning Basics

VistaScan is the primary program or driver you use to scan with your Astra 6400/6450 scanner. It is a TWAIN-compliant program, which means that it can be run from other programs that support scanning, like Caere OmniPage and others. It is also a stand-alone program, which allows you to scan images for a variety of uses, even without launching another program first.

Setting VistaScan Preferences

VistaScan “Preferences” controls the Astra 6400/6450’s default scan settings. Generally there is no need modify the settings every time you use the scanner.

To access the VistaScan Preferences, first launch the VistaScan driver, click the Preferences icon in the upper right corner of the VistaScan window. The preference icon is a scanner with a lightning bolt.

The Preferences cover three areas:

∙General

∙Scan Destination

∙Scanner Information

A tab at the top of the Preferences window indicates each VistaScan preference group. To view the Preference settings for an area, click on the associated tab.

General

The General tab contains preference settings that control color matching and color correction, and whether to display the ruler and tips.

Color Matching/Correction

Color Matching allows you to fine-tune the colors of scanned images so that they emulate the colors of your original source documents as closely as possible. This is accomplished using MagicMatch.

When you click on the MagicMatch checkbox (so a checkmark appears) the Profile List displays. A profile is a list of applicable calibration profiles, which MagicMatch uses to render a final output image. If a printer or calibration profile is not chosen, MagicMatch will calibrate the image to optimize its display on a monitor.

MagicMatch only functions when you are scanning in color mode. When you are using Magic Match, it automatically disables the Level/Curve and Color Adjustment/Balance settings in the VistaScan Advanced window.

UMAX Astra 6400/6450 Owner’s Guide

Show Ruler

The Show Ruler command displays or hides the rulers that border the top and left sides of the Preview window. These rulers correspond to the rulers on your scanner's object glass. Clicking on the Show Ruler checkbox turns off (removes the checkmark) and hides the ruler. Clicking on the checkbox again turns the feature on (displays a checkmark) and shows the ruler.

Tips Help

The Tips Help option determines whether tips are displayed when you pause with your cursor over a VistaScan option. Click on the Tips Help box to enable tips (displays a checkmark). When a checkmark appears, clicking the checkbox disables the tips and removes the checkmark.

Scan Destination

The options in this Preferences tab specify how scanned images are stored, printed, faxed, transferred to another application, or transmitted via e-mail.

File

To set the location for your stored images:

1.Click on the File icon. The file preferences appear to the right of the Scan To icon set.

2.Enter the directory in which you want to store the scanned image file, in the File Directory text box. If you are not sure of the directory path, click the Browse button to locate the desired directory.

3.Enter the file name under which you want to store the scanned image files (such as TMP) in the File Name text box.

4.Select the file format in which you want to save scanned images from the File Format drop down list.

Printer

To specify which printer to use when printing scanned images:

1.Click on the Printer icon. The printer currently selected as the default appears to the right of the Scan To icon set.

2.If you want to change any of the printer settings, click on the Properties button. The standard Print Setup dialog box opens. Make any changes you want, and then click OK to return to the Preference settings.

UMAX Astra 6400/6450 Owner’s Guide

E-mail

To specify which e-mail application to use when you e-mail scanned images:

1.Click on the E-mail icon. The e-mail preferences appear to the right of the Scan To icon set.

2.Click on the button next to the e-mail software you are using Microsoft Exchange and Lotus cc:Mail are the two supported e- mail programs.

3.Select the image format you want to use when you attach scanned images to your email application from the Image Format drop down list.

Fax

1.Click on the Fax icon. The fax driver (or printer driver if a fax driver is not selected) currently selected as the default appears to the right of the Scan To icon set.

2.If you want to change any of the settings, click on the Properties button. The standard Print Setup dialog box opens. Make any changes you want, and then click OK to return to the Preference settings.

Application

1.Click on the Application icon. The application preferences appear to the right of the Scan To icon set.

2.Enter the application name to which you want to send the scanned image files (such as Presto! PageManager) in the

Application Name text box.

3.Enter the file name of the application executable in the File Name text box. If you are not sure of the directory path, click the Browse button to locate the correct path.

4.Select the image format in which you want to save scanned images from the Image Format drop down list.

Scanner Information

The Scanner Information tab displays important information about your scanner.

The information includes:

∙Scanner Manufacturer

∙Scanner Model

∙Firmware Version

∙VistaScan Version

∙Maximum Scan Width and Length

∙Maximum Resolution

VistaScan Beginner Window Features

The VistaScan Beginner window appears when you launch VistaScan. The features of the VistaScan Beginner window let you scan a wide variety of documents, photos, and graphics. Just click a button.

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