Microtek ScanWizard EZ Reference Manual

Reference Manual

Trademarks

Microtek, ScanMaker, ArtixScan, ScanWizard and ColoRescue are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microtek International, Inc. Adobe and Acrobat are registered trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective holders. Software function or specifications are subject to change without notice. Not responsible for typographical errors.

Important

Documents that you scan may be protected under copyright law. The unauthorized use of such documents could be a violation of the rights of the copyright holder. Microtek bears no responsibility for the unauthorized use of copyrighted materials.

To obtain optimal results from the Microtek scanning software and user's manual, you should be familiar with such Windows concepts as pointing, clicking, dragging, and selecting from menus and dialog boxed. If these things are new to you, refer to your Microsoft Windows User's Guide.

I49-004766, D July 2011

Microtek International, Inc. 6, Industry East Road 3, Science Based Industrial Park, Hsinchu, 30077, Taiwan Tel: 886-3-5772155, Fax: 886-3-5772598, http://www.microtek.com

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Contents

Introduction ................................................................................... 1

System Requirements .................................................................................2

Launching ScanWizard EZ .........................................................................2

Exiting ScanWizard EZ ...............................................................................2

The EZ Mode ................................................................................. 3

The EZ Mode Interface .............................................................................. 3

Scanning with the EZ Mode ........................................................................4

Function Buttons on the EZ Mode..............................................................5

Scan Button ........................................................................................5

Professional Mode Button .....................................................................

Advanced Mode Button ......................................................................5

Preferences Button .............................................................................6

Auto Settings Panel ......................................................................6

Auto-crop .............................................................................6

Auto-deskew.........................................................................6

Auto Color Enhancement ......................................................7

Do preview at launch (Advanced mode only) .........................7

Scan Mode Panel .........................................................................7

Scan Materials....................................................................... 7

Image Resolution (EZ mode only) ..........................................7

Scan Quality ....................................................................... 7

Rotate (Advanced mode only) ...............................................8

Mirror (Advanced mode only) ...............................................8

Save Panel .................................................................................10

Save as type ........................................................................ 10

Save multiple images as a single file ......................................10

Save path ............................................................................10

Auto filename .....................................................................10

Filename prefix ...................................................................11

Prefix# ................................................................................ 11

File Option .........................................................................11

Send image to .....................................................................12

Theme Panel (EZ Mode only)...................................................... 13

EZ Mode Theme..................................................................13

Theme Preview ...................................................................13

Minimize Button ...............................................................................14

Exit Button........................................................................................14

The Advanced Mode..................................................................... 15

The Advanced Mode Interface .................................................................15

Switching to the Advanced Mode .............................................................16

Scanning with the Advanced Mode ..........................................................17

Function Buttons on the Advanced Mode ................................................ 22

Preview Button .................................................................................22

Select Button ....................................................................................22

Nine Types of Image Effects...............................................................22

Scan Button ......................................................................................25

Cancel Button ...................................................................................25

Help Button ......................................................................................25

Preferences Button ...........................................................................25

EZ Mode Button ...............................................................................25

Professional Mode Button ................................................................. 25

Return Button ...................................................................................25

Zoom In Button ................................................................................25

Zoom Out Button .............................................................................25

Image Correction Controls for Document Adjustment Section .................26

Type..................................................................................................26

Threshold .........................................................................................27

Brightness/Contrast .......................................................................... 28

Descreen ..........................................................................................28

Auto Color Correction ......................................................................28

Document Enhancement ..................................................................28

Default Button ..................................................................................28

Advanced... Button ...........................................................................29

Image Adjusment .......................................................................29

Auto Threshold ...................................................................29

Shadow/Highlight ................................................................29

Gamma ...............................................................................30

Lamp Filter ................................................................................30

Microtek ScanWizard EZ Reference Manual 1

Introduction

ScanWizard EZ is scanning software developed exclusively for Microtek scanners. ScanWizard EZ has three unique scan modes that novices and experienced users will find productive and easy to use.

The three scan modes of ScanWizard EZ are the EZ mode, the Advanced mode, and the Professional mode.

This Reference manual covers the various commands and features found in the ScanWizard EZ scanning software. The reference information is divided into three major parts, corresponding to the three scan modes of the scanning software:

• The EZ mode

• The Advanced mode

• The Professional mode

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System Requirements

• Windows 2000, XP, Vista or Windows 7

• 256 MB RAM required; 1 GB or more suggested for better performance

• Free hard disk space as required by the size of your scanned images and for additional working files

• CD-ROM drive (internal or external)

• “Thousands of colors” display or better

• Microtek scanners that support ScanWizard EZ

Launching ScanWizard EZ

ScanWizard EZ can be launched in either Stand-alone or Plug-in mode.

• From Stand-alone mode: Double-click the ScanWizard EZ icon on the desktop, or choose Start, Programs, Microtek ScanWizard EZ for Windows, and then ScanWizard EZ.

• From Plug-in mode: Choose the Import or Acquire command from the File menu of your image-editing software, then select Microtek ScanWizard EZ.

Exiting ScanWizard EZ

To exit ScanWizard EZ, click the Exit button ( ) in the EZ mode, the button ( ) in the Advanced mode, or the button ( ) in the Preview window of the Professional mode.

Microtek ScanWizard EZ Reference Manual 3

The EZ Mode Interface

The EZ Mode

The EZ mode is the default scan mode when the ScanWizard EZ is launched the first time. It is meant to offer you a direct, intuitive and fast way to access a scanning process and to get a satisfied image output. There are six buttons on the EZ mode interface. They are the Scan, Professional mode, Advanced mode, Preferences, Minimize and Exit buttons. Details on how to use these buttons are discussed in later chapters.

1. Scan button - Press to start the scanning process.

2. Professional Mode button - Press to switch to the Professional mode.

3. Advanced Mode button - Press to switch to the Advanced mode.

4. Preferences button - Press to bring up a dialog box where you can customize scanning settings for the output images.

5. Minimize button - Press to minimize ScanWizard EZ.

6. Exit button - Press to close ScanWizard EZ.

7. Information window - Display information pertinent to the ongoing or on the way to be performed operation.

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Scanning with the EZ Mode

This section provides the easiest and most basic scanning scenario with the EZ mode of the ScanWizard EZ scanning software.

1. Place the material to be scanned on the scan bed.

2. Launch ScanWizard EZ (either as a stand-alone by clicking on the program icon, or by using the File-Import or Scan command from an application program).

3. Click the Scan button to start scanning.

The ScanWizard EZ will automatically detect the material on the scan bed and calibrate the scanner first; then, crop the image, and at last carry out the final scan with scanning settings. When the scan is done, the output image can be saved in a file, delivered to the specified location or opened in your chosen application.

• If ScanWizard EZ is launched from an application program, the

scanned image is delivered to your application, where the image can be saved, printed, or modified further.

• If ScanWizard EZ is launched as a stand-alone program, the scanned

image can be saved as a file in your selected folder or opened in an application program.

Scan button

Microtek ScanWizard EZ Reference Manual 5

Function Buttons on the EZ Mode

Scan Button

The Scan button performs a final scan of your image, executing the scanning settings specified under Preferences window.

When pressing the Scan button, the ScanWizard EZ automatically performs an image scan with some auto-function scanning settings, such as the Auto-crop, Auto-deskew, Auto Color Enhancement, etc. If you want to adjust those scanning settings, you need to activate the Preferences window, mentioned and explained in the later section of the manual.

To cancel an ongoing scanning job, press the Cancel button (where the position of the Scan button). The scanning job will be terminated immediately.

Professional Mode Button

The ScanWizard EZ Professional mode covers the various commands and features, including the Advanced Image Correction (AIC) tools for image enhancements. Press the Professional mode button to switch to the Professional mode. For more details, see the section “The Professional Mode”.

Advanced Mode Button

The ScanWizard EZ Advanced mode provides you with some basic and useful features for greater controls over the entire scanning process. Press the Advanced mode button to switch to the Advanced mode. For more details, see the section “The Advanced Mode”.

Cancel button

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Preferences Button

Press the Preferences button to bring up the Preferences window, which allows you to change scanning settings for output images. You may see different function tabs appearing at the top of the window depending on which scan mode you are using. Click any of the tabs to customize the function settings according to your needs.

Auto Settings Panel

The Auto Settings panel contains several automatic functions, such as Autocrop, Auto-deskew, and Auto Color Enhancement. These functions are checked by default when ScanWizard EZ is launched for the first time. You may uncheck the function by clicking the check box of each function in the panel.

Auto-crop The Auto-crop function automatically detects the size of the original image,

crops the full scan frame to fit the image, and removes unwanted black borders. It is disabled when the scan material is set as Negative or Positive Film in the Scan Mode panel of the Advanced mode.

Auto-deskew The Auto-deskew function automatically rotates and corrects the distorted

image for a proper alignment after scanning. It is disabled when the scan material is set as Negative or Positive Film in the Scan Mode panel of the Advanced mode.

Note: The Auto-deskew function is available only when the Auto-crop function is activated.

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Auto Color Enhancement The Auto Color Enhancement function improves the contrast and saturation of

an image, resulting in more vibrant colors.

Do preview at launch (Advanced mode only) This function automatically detects and creates a preview image for your original material in the Preview area once when you activate the Advanced mode. This function appears only when you are in the Advanced mode.

If you disable the auto-preview function in the Preference window, you will need to click the Preview button manually to prescan and preview your material.

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Scan Mode Panel

The Scan Mode panel allows you to choose scan material and desired resolution for the scanned images.

Scan Materials The Scan materials function allows you to select your scan material, which can

be one of the following:

• Reflective, such as photographs, documents or prints.

• Positive Film, such as 35mm slides or X-ray films.

• Negative Film, such as 35mm filmstrips.

Note: The Positive Film and Negative Film are available only when you are in the Advanced mode.

Image resolution (EZ mode only) The Image resolution function allows you to specify a desired

resolution for the scanned image. To choose a desired resolution, press the drop-down arrow next to the box and choose one value from a predefined list.

Scan Quality The Scan Quality function allows you to select the

image quality by controlling the scanner hardware and the maximum image processing depth.

Microtek ScanWizard EZ Reference Manual 9

• Speed: This is the default setting. Choose this option if your primary concern during scanning is speed. Image data is delivered faster.

• Quality: Scanned data is delivered a little slower but in high quality, and the image data is processed in 8 bits per channel.

• Best Quality: This setting is available only to higher-depth scanners (10-, 12bit, or higher). Scanned data is delivered a little slower but in high quality, and image data is processed in maximum bits per channel (i.e., 10-, 12-bit, or higher), and then converted to the desired output depth. This special operation results in the best image quality possible.

Rotate (Advanced mode only) The Rotate function lets you rotate the image in

increments of 90 degrees. This function appears only when you are in the Advanced mode.

Mirror (Advanced mode only) The Mirror function lets you flip the image horizontally. This function appears

only when you are in the Advanced mode.

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Save Panel

The Save panel allows you to choose a file format for the scanned images, to specify the desired folder for storing the images, and to name the images as desired. Also, it allows you to open the output image in your preferred application.

Save as type This option allows you to choose a file format when

saving a file. The selectable file format includes JPEG, PDF, TIFF and BMP. “JPEG” is the default file format.

Save multiple images as a single file This option allows you to save the scanned images to a single file. You can

enable this function if the output image file format is PDF or TIF.

Save path This option allows you to assign the preferred folder into which the scanned

images are saved. If you use the default folder “C:/Program Files/Microtek/ ScanWizard EZ/My Images/” as your preferred folder, you can access it directly by clicking the “EZ Images” icon on the desktop of the Windows.

Auto filename If Auto filename is checked, the file name consists of the file prefix, plus the file

serial number. By default, this option is grayed out and users are not allowed to uncheck it.

Microtek ScanWizard EZ Reference Manual 11

Filename prefix This edit box lets you enter a root file name. “Image” is the default.

Prefix # This edit box lets you enter a starting number to be appended to the file name. “00001” is the default.

File Option When the file format for the scanned image is selected, you are allowed to

change the image compression ratio depending on the file format chosen.

• JPEG format: When “JPEG” is selected and then you click the File Option button, the “JPEG Save Options” window will appear. You are allowed to adjust image compression quality from a range of 0 to 100.

• PDF format: When “PDF” is selected and then you click the File Option button, the “PDF Save Options” window will appear.

ZIP and JPEG options are available for Encoding. If ZIP is selected, image compression control will not be available for adjustment.

• TIFF format: When “TIF” is selected and then you click the File Option button, the “TIF Save Options” window will appear.

You are allowed to adjust settings based on your preferences. If “None” is selected for Encoding, the JPEG image compression control will not be available for adjusting; if “JPEG” is selected, the Strip size options are grayed out and not being used.

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Send image to This option allows you to deliver the scanned

images to the chosen application. You can choose a desired application from a list of predefined applications. The default application is Windows Explorer.

You may also add your own application to the list of applications and assign it as your desired application.

To add your own application, press the drop-down arrow next to the box and choose Custom. When a Custom dialog box appears, do the following:

• BMP format: When “BMP” is selected and then you click the File Option button, the “BMP Save Options” window will appear. Two options are available for users to save a BMP file.

1. Key in the application name as desired in the Application alias column.

2. Assign the path where the application can be found in the Application full path column.

3. Press the Add button to add the new application.

4. You can see the added application name appearing inside the Application alias list column.

5. Repeat the step 1-4 until done, then press the OK button to save.

Next time, when expanding the list of the predefined applications, you can see the added application in the list. Then you can assign it as your favorite for use in subsequent scans.

To remove an application, highlight the application name in the Application alias list, then press the Remove button to remove it.

Microtek ScanWizard EZ Reference Manual 13

Theme Panel (EZ mode only)

The Theme panel appears only when you are in the EZ mode. This setting allows you to change the appearance of the control panel for the EZ mode and therefore adds more fun on using the ScanWizard EZ.

EZ Mode Theme This option allows you to alter the appearance of the control panel for the EZ

mode. Three themes are available for you to choose. They are Dashboard, Clock, and Remote Control. The “Dashboard” is the default appearance when the EZ mode is launched for the first time.

To choose your desired appearance, click the drop-down arrow next to the box and choose one setting from the list.

Theme Preview This area is where the theme image will be displayed after you choose one theme

as your desired appeararnce of the control panel.

Dashboard Theme

Clock Theme

Remote Control Theme

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Minimize Button

When clicking the Minimize button, ScanWizard EZ will be shrunk down to the Windows task bar.

Exit Button

When pressing the Exit button, ScanWizard EZ will be terminated and users exit the ScanWizard EZ program immediately.

Microtek ScanWizard EZ Reference Manual 15

The Advanced Mode

The Advanced mode offers you more choices when outputting your scanned images, including modifying output sizes, resolutions, and a variety of image effects, based on the purpose dealing with your image. Details on how to use this mode is discussed in later chapters.

1. Preview button - Press to perform a preliminary view of the entire image.

2. Select button - Press to show image effects in a composite display of nine images.

3. Preference button - Press to bring up a dialog box where you can customize your scanning settings for the output images.

4. Help button - Press to access the e-manual of the ScanWizard EZ.

5. EZ Mode button - Press to switch to the EZ mode.

6. Professional Mode button - Press to switch to the Professional mode.

7. Information window - Display information pertinent to the ongoing or on the way to be performed operation.

8. Preview area - Display a pre-scanned image.

9. Scan Frame - Allow to resize the scan frame by dragging on the edge or corner of the scan frame.

The Advanced Mode Interface

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Press to switch to the Advanced mode

Switching to the Advanced Mode

When you launch ScanWizard EZ for the first time, the EZ mode is the default scanning mode shown on your screen. Press the Advanced mode button on the EZ mode interface, and the EZ mode is immediately switched to the Advanced mode.

If you are in the Advanced mode and quit ScanWizard EZ, the Advanced mode will remain same and reappear again when you launch ScanWizard EZ in the next time.

Microtek ScanWizard EZ Reference Manual 17

Scanning with the Advanced Mode

This section helps you to start the use with the Advanced mode of the ScanWizard EZ scanning software.

1. Place the material to be scanned on the scan bed.

2. Launch ScanWizard EZ (either as a stand-alone by clicking on the program icon, or by using the File-Import or Scan command from an application program).

When you launch ScanWizard EZ for the first time, click the Advanced mode button ( ) on the EZ mode interface to switch to the Advanced mode.

The Advanced mode interface appears.

3. Click the Preference button to activate the Preference window. Then, click the Scan Mode tab at the top of the window to select the correct scan material for your scan target.

• Reflective, such as

photographs, documents or prints.

• Positive Film, such as 35mm

slides or X-ray films.

• Negative Film, such as 35mm

filmstrips.

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4. Click the Preview button. The program will automatically detect and create a preview image for your original material in the Preview area with some auto function settings, such as Auto-crop and Auto-deskew.

5. After a preview image is shown in the Preview area, if necessary, you can resize the scan frame (floating dotted line) around the image by dragging on the edge or corner of the scan frame to determine the final size of the actual scan.

Preview image

Scan fame (floating dotted line)

Preview area

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6. When the desired area to be scanned is chosen, click the Select button to enter the image effects window.

In the image effects window, the program will automatically apply nine different images effects to the original image and display the results on the screen immediately in a composite display of nine images.

The display of nine-image effects

At this stage, the program allows you to decide how your scanned image will be manipulated based on two purposes. Choose a desired purpose from the purposes below.

•

For DisplayFor Display

For Display: Choose “For Display” if your scanned image is intended for an on-screen display. This option allows you to set the dimensions (viewing size) of the image; the maximum viewing size can be set up to 5 times bigger than the size of the original one.

The size adjustment can be set from 0.5x to 5.0x in an 0.5 step-up increment. The default size is 1.0x.

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• Point your mouse to the

thumbnail image of the image effect you desired, and click the Zoom In button on the top right corner of the image. The chosen image will be enlarged and fit into the whole Preview area.

•

For PrintingFor Printing

For Printing: Choose “For Printing ” if your scanned image is intended to be printed. This option allows you to set the dimensions (output size) and resolution of the image based on your own preferences.

–

Output SizeOutput Size

Output Size: You can choose an desired output size from a predefined list. To do this, press the drop-down arrow next to the box and choose one output size from the list. The default size is 4" x 6". The default size is 4" x 6".

–

Printing ResolutionPrinting Resolution

Printing Resolution: You can choose an desired resolution from a predefined lis. To do this, press the drop-down arrow next to the box and choose one value from the list. The maximum resolution value will be the value which is supported by the scanner model. The default resolution is 300 dpi.

7. If you like to check how image effect is more closely and detailed, you can use the Zoom In and Zoom Out buttons to zoom in and out the image.

Microtek ScanWizard EZ Reference Manual 21

• When an image is

magnified, you can use the mouse wheel to toggle through different image effects and display them consequently on the screen directly.

To return to the display of nine-image effects, click the Zoom Out button.

8. Choose a desired image effect to be applied, click the Scan button to start scanning.

The ScanWizard EZ will calibrate the scanner and perform the final scan with the scanning settings you made in the previous steps. When the scan is done, the output image can be saved in a file, delivered to the specified location or opened in your chosen application.

• If ScanWizard EZ is launched from an application program, the

scanned image is delivered to your application, where the image can be saved, printed, or modified further.

• If ScanWizard EZ is launched as a stand-alone program, the scanned

image can be saved as a file in your selected folder or opened in an application program.

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Nine Types of Image Effects

One major advanced feature offered by the ScanWizard EZ program is that the system automatically provides a pre-screened parameter of image effects to scan materials, which help you to exactly get what they see on the screen. It means that no more fuzzy and tedious steps are required when you want to apply some image effects to your scan materials. The nine types of image effects include the followings:

Function Buttons on the Advanced Mode

Preview Button

The Preview button performs a preview scan of the entire image and displays the result in the Preview window. When pressing the Preview button, the ScanWizard EZ automatically and immediately performs a preview scan for your image with some automatic settings, such as Auto-crop and Auto-deskew. They help you to get a better viewing experience.

Select Button

The Select button performs a preliminary view of the scan frame with different image settings and shows all effects in a composite display of nine images on the screen.

When pressing the Select button, it takes a while for the system to generate and apply various image effects to the original image. When done, you will see nine thumbnail images with the same content of the original image on the screen, which is that each one contains one specific image processing effect.

To choose a desired image effect, simply move your cursor (mouse) up on the thumbnail and click it. The chosen image effect will be applied to your original image after scan.

Microtek ScanWizard EZ Reference Manual 23

Auto Shadow/Highlight

This effect balances light/dark shades of scan image.

Auto Shadow/Highlight/Lightness

This effect balances light/dark shades of scan images. Also, it dims the brightness of the light shades of scan image.

Auto Color Restoration (ACR)

This effect restores faded colors of scan image back to life.

ACR + Auto Shadow/Highlight

This effect restores faded colors of scan image back to life. Also, it balances light/dark shades of scan image.

ACR + Auto Shadow/Highlight/ Lightness

This effect restores faded colors of scanned materials back to life. Also, it balances light/dark shades and dims the brightness of the light shades of scan image.

Normal

This is the default setting presented by your scanner. It represents the original status of scan image.

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ACR Gray

This effect presents images use shades of gray to simulate gradations of color or tonal values, and contain 8 bits per pixel.

ACR Line Art

This effect presents images made up of one bit of color (black or white) per pixel. It is useful for images consisting purely of black and white or even single colors, such as mechanical drawings or blueprints.

Document Adjustment Section

This effect is specifically designed for your scan material which is paper document. You can adjust image settings from its control panel based on the characteristics of scan document. To enter the control panel move and click the cursor (mouse) up on the thumbnail image.

Microtek ScanWizard EZ Reference Manual 25

Scan Button

Press the Scan button to start the final scanning process, based on the scanning settings you have made to the current image.

Cancel Button

Press the Cancel button to stop the scanning process and to cancel an ongoing scan job.

Help Button

Press the Help button to access an electronic help document for ScanWizard EZ and to give you information on the ScanWizard EZ scanning software.

Preference Button

Press the Preference button to bring up the Preference window, which allows you to change scanning settings for the output images. You may see different function tabs appearing at the top of the window depending on which scan mode you are using. Click any of the tabs to customize the function settings according to your needs. For more details, see the topic “Preference Button” in the “Function Buttons on the EZ Mode” section.

EZ Mode Button

Press the EZ mode button to activate the EZ mode on the screen. To shift back to the Advanced mode again, press the Advanced mode button on the EZ mode interface.

Professional Mode Button

Press the Professional mode button to activate the Professional mode on the screen. To shift back to the Advanced mode again, press the Advanced mode button in the Preview window of the Professional mode.

Return Button

Press the Return button to back to the previous user interface.

Zoom In Button

Press the Zoom In button to magnify the chosen image effect and to fit it into the whole Preview area.

Zoom Out Button

Press the Zoom Out button to return from the magnified image to the display of nine-image effects.

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Image Correction Controls for Document Adjustment Section

The Document Adjustment Section contains some advanced image correction controls for you to adjust for your output images, such as Brightness, Contrast, etc. By selecting different type as your image output type, you may see different image correction controls on the screen.

Image correction controls (for Document Adjustment Section only)

Color Gray Line Art

Threshold / Auto Threshold v Brightness v v Contrast v v Descreen v v Auto Color Restoration v v Document Enhancement v Shadow / Highlight v v v Gamma v v Lamp Filter v v

Type

This allows you to select the appropriate image type (e.g., Color) as your image output type.

• Select Color to scan the image in color.

• Select Gray to scan the image in grayscale.

• Select Line Art to scan the image in black-and-white.

Microtek ScanWizard EZ Reference Manual 27

Threshold

The Threshold control is active only when the Type setting is ”Line Art” and the “Auto Threshold” is unchecked in the Advanced Settings window. The default Threshold is preset to 127.

Original Threshold: 50 Threshold: 200

Threshold is the dividing point between black and white; the range is 0 to 255, and the default is 127. Thus, gray levels below the Threshold are converted to black, while gray levels equal to or above the Threshold are converted to white, resulting in a high-contrast, black-and-white representation of the image.

• To darken the original, drag the slider to the right or enter a value in the edit box. This increases the Threshold value so that more pixels are turned to black, resulting in a darker image.

• To lighten the original, drag the slider to the left or enter a value in the edit box. This lowers the Threshold value so that more pixels are turned to white, resulting in a lighter image.

Uncheck the Auto Threshold to set up the Threshold manually

To change the default Threshold setting, you should disable the “Auto Threshold” setting in the Advanced Settings window. To do this, click the Advanced... button to open the Advanced Settings window, uncheck “Auto Threshold”, and click OK. Then return to the control panel to drag the slider, or enter a desired value in the Threshold edit box.

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Brightness/Contrast

The Brightness/Contrast feature lets you control the brightness and contrast levels of the selected frame image.

Increasing the brightness makes all tones in the image lighter. Contrast, on the other hand, is the range between the darkest and lightest shades in the image, and increasing the contrast makes for greater separation between the darkest and lightest areas of the image. Levels of brightness or contrast are from -100% to 100%, where 0 means no brightness/contrast is applied.

Descreen

The Descreen feature lets you remove moiré patterns from printed materials. Moirés occur when you scan a screened original (mostly reflective or previously printed material, such as pictures from a newspaper or magazine). These patterns appear to the naked eye like a series or grid of dots or as shown in the example below.

To set the screen for your needs, press the drop-down arrow next to the box and choose one setting from a predefined list.

Auto Color Restoration

The Auto Color Restoration feature brings faded colors back to life and to their near-original colors. This feature is active only when the Type setting is “Photo” or “Gray”.

Document Enhancement

The Document Enhancement feature enables you to bring out and improve readability of text in a document that includes other elements such as pictures or graphs. This feature is active only when the Type setting is “Line Art”.

Default Button

The Default button cancels the changes you have made with the image correction controls and restores all settings to their default values.

Microtek ScanWizard EZ Reference Manual 29

Advanced... Button

Comparing with the image correction controls, Document Adjust Section provides a few additional optional features for scanner control such as Image Adjustment and lamp filter. When you press the Advanced ... button, the Advanced Settings window will appear. The variety of the tabs for optional functions appearing is determined by the scanner you are using.

Click any of the tabs to customize the function settings according to your needs.

Image Adjustment

This layer allows you to change the shadow/highlight and gamma points of an image. It also let you enable the Auto Threshold setting.

•

Auto ThrAuto Thr

Auto Thr

esholdeshold

eshold: This feature is active only when the Type setting is “Line Art”. When you check this option, the Threshold value is automatically given according to your preview image. To manually adjust Threshold, uncheck the “Auto Threshold” option, and then assign a customized Threshold setting.

•

Shadow/HighlightShadow/Highlight

Shadow/Highlight: This lets you manipulate shades so that the Shadow point becomes the new darkest value and the Highlight point becomes the new lightest value.

Shades that are darker than the shadow then become black, and shades lighter than the highlight become white. For example, if you set the highlight point to 200, all points in the image with a value greater than 200 will be mapped to a value of 255, since 255 represents the “whitest” white.

30 Microtek ScanWizard EZ Reference Manual

– Auto: When you check Auto, the Shadow/Highlight value is

automatically given according to your preview image. To manually adjust Shadow/Highlight, uncheck the “Auto” option and give value to the .

– Shadow: Drag the black (left) triangle, or enter the value in the edit box

to control the shadows. Moving this triangle to the right will emphasize shadows and create a darker image. Acceptable ranges are from 0 to

252. The default is “0”.

– Highlight: Drag the white (right) triangle, or enter the value in the edit

box to control the highlights. Moving this triangle to the left will emphasize highlights and create a lighter image. Acceptable ranges are from 3 to 255. The default is “255”.

•

GammaGamma

Gamma: This lets you adjust the intensity of the midtones of an image, making them consistent between the preview image and the final scanned image. To change the Gamma of an image, drag on the Gamma slide bar. Dragging the slider to the left decreases intensity; dragging it to the right increases intensity. Acceptable ranges are from 0.1 to 3.0. A value of 1.0 means that no gamma value is applied; default is 1.0.

Lamp Filter

The Lamp Filter tab appears only when all of the following conditions have been met:

• The scanner you are using implements the lamp filter function.

• The “Gray” or “Line Art” image type is selected as your image output type.

The Lamp Filter function allows you to remove an unwanted color cast (i.e., green, red, or blue) from your originals. For example, to eliminate a greenish color cast, select Green as your lamp filter. For some scanner models, only the green and red filter options are available for you to choose.

For Professional Mode

Microtek ScanWizard EZ

Reference Manual

Trademarks

Important

I49-004766, D July 2011

Microtek International, Inc. 6, Industry East Road 3, Science Based Industrial Park, Hsinchu, 30077, Taiwan Tel: 886-3-5772155, Fax: 886-3-5772598, http://www.microtek.com

iii

Contents

The Professional Mode ................................................................... 1

The Professional Mode Interface ................................................................2

Switching to the Professional Mode............................................................3

Toggling among EZ, Advanced, and Professional Modes ............................. 4

The Preview Window..................................................................... 5

Elements of the Preview Window...............................................................5

Overview Area ........................................................................................... 7

Scan Material ............................................................................................. 8

Unit of Measurement/Rulers ...................................................................... 9

Overview, Prescan, and Scan to ................................................................10

Overview ..........................................................................................10

Prescan ............................................................................................10

Scan to ............................................................................................. 10

Scan .................................................................................................11

Copy ................................................................................................ 11

E-mail ............................................................................................... 11

OCR .................................................................................................12

To Web ............................................................................................. 12

Toolbar ................................................................................................... 13

Scan Frame (Frame) tool.................................................................. 13

Zoom (Magnify) tool ........................................................................ 13

Pan (Move) tool ............................................................................... 13

White/Black Points Pickers (White/Black Drops) ...............................14

The Scanner Menu ................................................................................... 15

Scanner Model .................................................................................15

Get Current Scanner Info ..................................................................15

Scanner Control (Power Saving Control) ...........................................16

Scanner Probe .................................................................................. 16

The View Menu....................................................................................... 17

Overview Image/Preview Image ....................................................... 17

Resize Window to Fit ....................................................................... 18

Bring Settings Window to Front ....................................................... 18

Show/Hide Windows........................................................................ 18

The Preferences Menu ............................................................................ 19

Scan Material ................................................................................... 19

Color Matching Setup .......................................................................21

White/Black Points Setup................................................................. 23

Cursor Auxiliary Lines...................................................................... 24

Overview Setup ................................................................................25

Prescan Setup ................................................................................... 27

Monitor Gamma Setup..................................................................... 28

Invert .............................................................................................. 28

More... command ............................................................................ 29

The Correction Menu .............................................................................. 31

The Help Menu ........................................................................................31

The Settings Window................................................................... 32

Elements of the Settings Window .............................................................32

Scan Job .................................................................................................. 34

Image Type ............................................................................................. 35

Resolution Settings ................................................................................... 37

Resolution List Box ........................................................................... 37

Resolution Unit ................................................................................ 38

Scan Frame and Related Settings ............................................................. 39

Scan Frame Settings ..........................................................................39

Scaling ..............................................................................................39

Output Settings................................................................................. 40

Image Size ........................................................................................41

Unit of Measurement ........................................................................41

Flip/Transform .........................................................................................42

The Reset button......................................................................................43

Advanced Image Correction Tools ............................................... 44

Accessing the AIC Tools .......................................................................... 45

Elements of AIC Dialog Box ......................................................................46

The Action Buttons ................................................................................. 48

Custom Settings .......................................................................................49

Adding Custom Settings ....................................................................49

Removing Custom Settings ................................................................50

Loading/retrieving custom settings.................................................... 50

White/Black Points ................................................................................. 51

Tone Curve ............................................................................................. 54

Brightness and Contrast .......................................................................... 58

Color Correction .....................................................................................59

Filter ...................................................................................................... 61

Descreen ................................................................................................ 65

Threshold ................................................................................................66

Film Type .................................................................................................67

Automatic Color Restoration .................................................................... 68

The Information Window ............................................................ 69

Elements of the Information Window .......................................................69

Zoom Level Display ................................................................................ 70

Mouse Cursor Position ............................................................................ 70

Color Output Meter .................................................................................70

Sample Display Area ............................................................................... 71

Color Meter Options ...............................................................................71

The Scan Job Queue Window ....................................................... 72

Elements of the Scan Job Queue window .................................................72

One-pass Scan for Multiple Scan Jobs ......................................................75

Multiple Auto-crop for EZ-Lock Film Holder ............................................76

Function Buttons .....................................................................................77

Selecting Multiple Scan Jobs.............................................................. 77

Editing Multiple Scan Jobs................................................................. 77

Adding a New Scan Job ..................................................................... 78

Duplicating a Scan Job ...................................................................... 78

Removing a Scan Job .........................................................................78

Checking a Scan Job .........................................................................79

The Up/Down Arrows .......................................................................79

The Load/Save Button .......................................................................80

Appendix

Product and Technical Support ................................................................81

Microtek ScanWizard EZ - Professional Mode Reference Manual 1

The Professional Mode

The ScanWizard EZ - Professional mode is an alternative scanning mode, which provides you with additional features for greater control over the entire scanning process, including the Advanced Image Correction (AIC) tools for image enhancement, and special features, such as Auto Color Enhancement, Auto Sharpnesss Correction and Automatic Color Restoration. It also allows batch scanning of multiple images in a single pass.

This manual covers the various image controls found in the ScanWizard EZ Professional mode for the Windows system. The manual information is divided into four major sections, corresponding to the four major windows of the program:

• Preview

• Settings

• Information

• Scan Job Queue

2 Microtek ScanWizard EZ - Professional Mode Reference Manual

The Professional Mode Interface

ScanWizard EZ - Professional mode consists of four major windows: Preview, Settings, Information, and Scan Job Queue.

Three windows appear automatically after ScanWizard EZ - Professional mode is started up the first time. You may hide or show the Scan Job Queue and Information windows by clicking on the Hide/Show toggle commands in the View menu of the Preview window.

The next time you start up the ScanWizard EZ - Professional mode, the main screen will look exactly like the last time you exited the program. This means that if you had all four windows open the last time you quit the Professional mode, the same four windows will appear the next time you start it up.

Preview window

has commands and tools for controlling the scanner, and a floating window (Overview window) for displaying the overview or prescan image

Information window

provides information on the overview or prescan image

Settings

window

contains

scanning

parameters for

outputting the

image and

includes image

correction tools

Scan Job window

provides key functions in managing scan jobs

Microtek ScanWizard EZ - Professional Mode Reference Manual 3

Switching to the Professional Mode

When you are in the ScanWizard EZ - EZ mode, click the Professional Mode button on the panel to switch to the ScanWizard EZ - Professional Mode.

When you are in the ScanWizard EZ - Advanced mode, click the Professional Mode button on the panel to switch to the ScanWizard EZ - Professional Mode.

4 Microtek ScanWizard EZ - Professional Mode Reference Manual

Toggling among EZ, Advanced, and Professional Modes

When the ScanWizard EZ - Professional Mode is activated, you may toggle among the EZ mode, Advanced mode, and Professional mode by simply clicking on the corresponding button in the Preview window of the Professional mode.

Click on the EZ Mode button, which is the 2nd button counted from the right side in the Preview window, to switch to the ScanWizard EZ - EZ Mode.

Click on the Advanced Mode button, which is the 1st button counted from the right side in the Preview window, to switch to the ScanWizard EZ - Advanced Mode.

Microtek ScanWizard EZ - Professional Mode Reference Manual 5

Elements of the Preview window

The Preview Window

The Preview window is the prominent window, which includes the various commands and tools for controlling the scanner and a floating window (Overview window) for displaying overview or prescan image. Details on how to use these controls and buttons are discussed in later chapters.

B C

6 Microtek ScanWizard EZ - Professional Mode Reference Manual

A. Menu bar: The Menu bar includes the different menus for setting up the

scanner (Scanner menu), controlling view options (View menu), customizing the software (Preferences menu), Image Correction function (Correction menu), and accessing on-line help (Help menu).

B. Overview button: This button previews the specified or entire scan bed.

C. Prescan button: This button previews one or more detailed images of the

area(s) selected by the Frame (Scan Frame) tool.

D. Unit of Measurement: Select the unit of measurement for the rulers by

clicking the arrow button at the 0,0 point of the rulers and choosing from the drop-down menu.

E. Rulers: Rulers are located on both sides of the Preview window to help you

with measurement and alignment.

F. Toolbar: The buttons in the Toolbar perform specific actions on the

overview or prescan image. Tool buttons include the Scan Frame (Frame) tool, Zoom (Magnify Glass) tool, Move (Pan) tool, and Pickers tool.

G. Exit button: Click to close the user interface of the ScanWizard EZ -

Professional mode and quit the ScanWizard EZ scanning software.

H. Minimize button: Click it to minimize ScanWizard EZ - Professional mode.

I. Advanced Mode button: Click to switch to ScanWizard EZ - Advanced

mode.

J. EZ Mode button: Click to switch to ScanWizard EZ - EZ mode.

K. Scan Material button: This shows the type of your scan material – Reflective

(photos and prints), Positive, or Negative.

L. Scan to button: This button starts the final scanning process.

M. Overview window: This is a floating window with a fixed size, which

appears on the screen whenever the Professional mode is activated.

N. Overview area: The overview or prescan image is displayed in this area

after you perform a scan.

O. Status bar: This area shows you information pertinent to the operation

underway or being performed.

P. Resize: To increase or decrease the Preview window, drag the bottom right

corner of the window to resize.

Microtek ScanWizard EZ - Professional Mode Reference Manual 7

Overview Area

It is an area where the overview or prescan image displays. You can increase the size of the overview area to see more detail in your image.

Take note of the following:

• When you perform an overview, the overview image size is determined by the current preview area dimension. The bigger the preview area, the higher the preview resolution.

• When you perform a prescan, the prescan image deteail is determined by the settings in the Prescan Setup dialog box.

For details on how to change the actual preview area of the scan bed, refer to the Overview Setup command in the Preferences menu section.

The maximum overview area

The customized overview area

Overview window

To increase or decrease the preview window, drag the window to resize

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Scan Material

The Scan Material icon, located to the left of the EZ Mode button, accesses the Scan Material menu. The appearance of the Scan Material icon changes, depending on whether your scan material is reflective, positive, or negative.

If you are scanning reflective materials (such as photos or printed material), this is the appearance of the Scan Material icon. When you click the icon and hold down the mouse, you will see the Reflective option checked.

If you are scanning a positive transparency or filmstrip, this is the appearance of the Scan Material icon. When you click the icon and hold down the mouse, you will see the Positive Film option checked.

If you are scanning a negative transparency or filmstrip, this is the appearance of the Scan Material icon. When you click the icon and hold down the mouse, you will see the Negative Film option checked.

Microtek ScanWizard EZ - Professional Mode Reference Manual 9

Unit of Measurement/Rulers

The rulers on both sides of the Overview window assist you in measurement or in checking the alignment of your image.

The unit of measurement in the ruler can be selected in two ways: in the Image Dimension controls located in the Settings window, or by clicking the ruler unit button at the 0,0 point of the rulers in the Overview window.

Depending on your selection, the rulers can mark off measurement in these units: inch, centimeter, millimeter, point, pixel, and pica. The pixel option is dimmed if the selected resolution unit is lpi, and vice versa.

To select the unit of measurement for the rulers:

Click the unit box in the Settings window, or click the ruler unit button (

) at the 0,0 point of the rulers in the Overview window. When the submenu appears, select the unit of measurement.

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Overview, Prescan, Scan to

The Scan to button is one of ScanWizard EZ - Professional mode’s great features, which functions the productivity tools under it. Click and hold the mouse button to activate Scan to options menu, you can select Scan to, Copy, E-mail, OCR, or To Web.

Overview

The Overview button offers a preliminary and low-resolution overview of the image on the scan bed. By the default, the entire scan bed is previewed when you click the Overview button. You are not allowed to change the area size to be previewed in the Preview window.

Prescan

The Prescan button offers a high-resolution preview image of the area selected by the scan frame tool. Multiple prescans can be done if you have several selected scan jobs. The prescans are performed one by one in an order that they are listed in the Scan Job Queue window.

Scan to button

This is the default button when ScanWizard EZ - Professional mode is launched as a stand-alone program. It performs the final scan and delivers the scanned images to your selected folder or application.

When the “Scan To: Save As” dialog box appears, key in a file name, then select .tif, .bmp, .pcx, .dcx, .pdf, or other as the export file format, and click Save to perform the final scan.

Microtek ScanWizard EZ - Professional Mode Reference Manual 11

Scan button

This is the default button when the ScanWizard EZ - Professional mode is launched from an image-editing application. The scan button performs the final scan and sends the scanned image (output) to the application that you are using.

Copy button

Click the Scan To button and hold down the mouse until the options menu appears, then select Copy.

When the “Copy” dialog box appears, select a default printer or any alternative printer from the options. Specify the number of copies to be made, then click OK. A scan is then performed, and the scanned image is sent to the specified printer.

E-mail button

Click the Scan To button and hold down the mouse until the Options menu appears, then select E-mail.

When the “E-mail: Save As” dialog box appears, key in a file name. It is recommended that you use either .jpg or .bmp as the file format.

Make sure that the check box “Send image to application after saving” has been checked. Then choose your preferred E-mail application from the options, and click Save. The saved file can now be attached to your E-mail message automatically.

12 Microtek ScanWizard EZ - Professional Mode Reference Manual

OCR button

Click the Scan To button and hold down the mouse until the Options menu appears, then select OCR.

When the “OCR: Save As” dialog box appears, key in a file name, then select .rtf, .txt, xls, .htm, or .pdf as the export file format.

Make sure that the check box “Send document to application after saving” has been checked. Then choose your word processing application from the options, and click Save. The saved file can now be opened from your chosen application and is ready to be edited.

To Web button

Click the Scan To button and hold down the mouse until the Options menu appears, then select To Web.

When the “Scan to Web” dialog box appears, save the file in your preferred folder, key in a file name, and specify a file type.

Key in and assign your imagesharing website address where you will be directly linked to for uploading the scanned images. When done, click Save. When the assigned website is activated automatically, you can upload the scanned images to your on-line sharing folder after when you successfully sign into the website.

Note: Make sure that you are connected to the Internet (connection is active/ operational) before you try to link to your assigned website.

Microtek ScanWizard EZ - Professional Mode Reference Manual 13

Toolbar

The Toolbar commands simplify the performance of certain tasks. The Toolbar commands include Scan Frame (Frame), Zoom (Magnify), Pan (Move), and Pickers (White/Black Drops).

Zoom (Magnify) Move (Pan)

White/Black Point Pickers (White/Black Drops)

Scan Frame (Frame)

Scan Frame (Frame) tool

The Scan Frame tool lets you select the area to be scanned or prescanned. You can have multiple scan frames, but only one scan frame can be current at a time; the current scan frame is indicated by a flashing marquee. Multiple scan frames can be more easily distinguished if you turn on the Smoked Glass Background command (in the Preferences menu).

Zoom (Magnify) tool

The Zoom tool lets you zoom in (magnify) and zoom out (reduce) your view of the image. Only your view of the preview image is changed; the actual size of the image remains unaffected.

Each click of the zoom tool magnifies or reduces by a factor of 2. Thus, the magnification levels increase from 100% to 200%, to 400%, and to the maximum 800%. When you reach the maximum magnification factor, the center of the Zoom tool will appear empty.

To zoom out (reduce), hold down the Shift key and with the Zoom tool selected, click the image. A minus sign will be in the middle of the lens to indicate the image is being zoomed out.

Note: If the Info window is open, the zoom level will be indicated. This means you can also zoom in by selecting the appropriate zoom level in the Info window.

Pan (Move) tool

The Pan tool lets you scroll through an overview or prescan image, allowing you to move parts of the image into view quickly without using the scroll bars. You can use the Pan tool for scrolling through zoomed-in images that were enlarged through the Zoom tool, or for scrolling through parts of an image not included completely within the frame of the preview window.

14 Microtek ScanWizard EZ - Professional Mode Reference Manual

White / Black Point Picker (White / Black Drop) tool

The Picker tools allow you to sample color from a particular area in an image, and are useful for designating shadow or highlight point.

The White Point Picker (

) lets you define the whitest reference point in the preview image. Once you have picked the whitest point, excessive white points are clipped off.

The Black Point Picker ( ) lets you define the darkest reference point in the preview image. Once you have picked the darkest point, excessive black points are clipped off.

With the Picker tools, you can determine the color values for any pixel in an image. When you click the White/Black Point Picker and pan over a pixel, the value for that pixel is displayed in the Info window, based on the sample size selected in the Info window. Pixel value information is useful especially when you are making color adjustments based on color value.

To change the sample size of the Picker tool:

1. Open the Info window by choosing the Show Info Window command in the

View menu.

2. Click the Color Meter Options button located to the right of the K values in

the Info window.

3. Choose your options.

Select the sample size options from the drop-down list. For instance, the 1 by 1 option will display the value of one pixel — the pixel in the middle of the Color Output Meter. The 3 X 3 option reads the average value of a 3pixel by 3-pixel area.

To display color information for a pixel or an averaged area:

1. Click the Picker tool.

2. As you pass over a point in the image, observe the Info window — the K

values will be displayed in the Color Output Meter. These values are in turn based on the sample size you selected.

Microtek ScanWizard EZ - Professional Mode Reference Manual 15

The Scanner Menu

The Scanner Menu lets you:

• Show your scanner model or select a scanner if you have multiple scanners

• Get information about current scanner

• Get scanner information on the interface chain

• Set idle time for saving power

Scanner Model

The scanner model and its scanner ID is shown at the top of the scanner. If you have multiple scanners on your system, all the scanners are shown with their respective IDs, and the current scanner is indicated by a check.

Only one scanner can be accessed at a time. To switch among various scanners, select the scanner to be used.

Get Current Scanner Info

This command provides information about your current scanner. When you choose this command, a dialog box appears showing the scanner model, Scanner ID number, and firmware version.

16 Microtek ScanWizard EZ - Professional Mode Reference Manual

Scanner Control (Power Saving Control)

The power-saving feature of the scanner lamp to save energy and extend the life cycle of the lamp. By default, the lamp turns off automatically if the scanner is idle for 15 minutes. You can change the lamp idle time in your preferences or disable this feature completely by unchecking the Auto Power Saving Mode check box.

Note: Not all scanner models support these features. If your scanner model is not supported, the Scanner Controls command will be grayed out in the Scanner menu.

Scanner Probe

This command shows the scanner information on your SCSI, USB, or FireWire chain. If your scanner does not show in the Scanner List dialog box, make sure your scanner is properly installed, connected, and turned on, and then click the Probe button.

For details on connecting your scanner, refer to your scanner hardware installation guide.

Microtek ScanWizard EZ - Professional Mode Reference Manual 17

The View Menu

The View menu lets you:

• Resize the Preview window

• Show/hide the Information and Scan Job Queue window

• Show/hide Status Bar

Overview Image/Prescan Image

These commands allow you to switch between Overview or Prescan viewing modes.

• Overview image: This is an image obtained when you click the Overview

button in the Preview window. The image shows you whatever is on your scan bed.

The Overview image is always checked automatically whenever you launch the ScanWizard EZ.

• Prescan image: This is a detailed image obtained from selecting an area in the

Overview image and then clicking the Prescan button in the Preview window.

The Prescan image is available only for viewing when you are in Reflective mode. Overview image and Prescan image

Click the Prescan button. The Prescan image will then be available for viewing in the View

menu, and a " " thumbnail will appear in the Scan Job Queue window.

18 Microtek ScanWizard EZ - Professional Mode Reference Manual

Resize Window to Fit

This command resizes the Preview window, which you may find helpful to do for conserving space on your desktop monitor (especially after you have enlarged the Preview window).

To verify the zoom level, open the Info window (choose Show Info Window command from the View menu), and look up the zoom level.

Bring Settings Window to Front

This command brings the Settings window to the forefront, which is useful if you have the Settings window hidden behind other windows or if you have expanded your Preview window such that it hides the Settings window in the background.

Show/Hide windows

These commands allow you to switch between showing or hiding the Scan Job Queue window, Information window, and Status bar on your screen.

To use this feature, choose the correct command from the View menu for viewing a window. When the window appears, you can hide it by choosing the particular Hide command for it.

Overview viewing mode Prescan viewing mode

Microtek ScanWizard EZ - Professional Mode Reference Manual 19

The Preferences Menu

The Preferences menu lets you:

• Choose the correct scan material

• Specify color matching parameters

• Set up White/black point parameters

• Show/hide auxiliary cursor lines

• Control Overview and Prescan settings

• Fine-tune monitor gamma values

• Create the invert effect

• Activate the smoked glass effect

• Set other options, such as specifying a working directory for files

Scan Material

This command allows you to select your scan material, which can be one of the following:

• Reflectives, such as photographs or prints.

• Positives, such as slides.

• Negatives, such as the negative film you use for your camera.

The default scan material depends upon the scanner you are using, and the choices available to you in the Scan Material submenu will also depend on your equipment.

20 Microtek ScanWizard EZ - Professional Mode Reference Manual

To choose your scan material:

• Choose the Scan Material command in the Preferences menu. From the

submenu that appears, select your scan material; a check will appear next to the selected option.

• Alternatively, you can click the Scan Material ( )button and then choose

the correct scan material from the drop-down menu that appears.

If you are scanning negatives or positives, make sure you specify the correct scan material, or you will get inaccurate scanning results.

Microtek ScanWizard EZ - Professional Mode Reference Manual 21

Color Matching Setup

Color Matching is an important feature of ScanWizard EZ - Professional mode that ensures color is displayed consistently — from the initial input stage when an image is captured by the scanner, to the final output stage when the image is output to your monitor or printer (through the Kodak CMS technology). Color matching was developed to allow an equivalent “mapping” of colors from one device or from one color space to another, ensuring that no major color shifts occur in the transference process.

To use the color matching function of ScanWizard EZ - Professional mode:

1. Set up the Kodak CMS feature correctly at the time that ScanWizard EZ is

installed. For more information on this procedure, refer to your Kodak documentation.

2. The first time you launch ScanWizard EZ, you will be prompted to set up

color matching for your scanner. You may also access the color matching parameters for ScanWizard EZ at any time in the future, by choosing the Color Matching Setup command in the Preferences menu. ScanWizard EZ includes several industry-standard ICC color profiles.

Display using monitor compensation

This box pertains to how your monitor displays color, relative to the RGB Destination color space. It is best to have this box checked so that there are no unexpected color shifts between your selected RGB Destination space and your monitor.

Monitor

This feature lets you select the type of color monitor that is used for displaying RGB data. The monitor profile will be applied only when “Displaying using monitor compensation” option is checked.

22 Microtek ScanWizard EZ - Professional Mode Reference Manual

Note: If the available monitor types do not include the one you have, select Generic P22 or Generic EBU. These two profiles are suitable for most monitors.

RGB Color Matching

This box should generally be checked unless you want to scan raw color data, in which case you lose the compensatory effects of the Color Matching system. On the other hand, if this box is unchecked, all images will be scanned without any color matching processing.

Note: It is not desirable to scan in raw data and then perform ColorSync data conversion, which will not generate the correct CMS effect.

RGB Destination

This feature lets you select the RGB output device (e.g. display monitor, or RGBbased printer) for matching RGB-Color-family images (including RGB colors, 48bit RGB colors, and 256 colors image types).

Color Enhancement

This box has two options: Automatic and None. Before selecting the Automatic option, the RGB Color Matching option should be checked first. If the Automatic option is selected, a color enhancement algorithm applies to the scanned image, and the resulting image appears sharper and brighter and with more saturated colors. If the “None” option is selected, the scanned image will appear like the original, with no color enhancement applied.

Info/Profile Information button

This lets you get information on currently used ICC profiles.

Microtek ScanWizard EZ - Professional Mode Reference Manual 23

White/Black Points Setup

The White Point is a reference point that specifies the lightest area in an image. The Black Point is the darkest reference area.

To use this feature:

1. Choose the White/Black Points Setup command from the Preferences menu.

2. As an alternative, you can click this command from the Color Correction

Menu. This is also the same thing as clicking the White/Black points tool in the Settings window and then clicking the Setup button from the dialog box that comes up. When the dialog box comes up, specify your preferences.

Auto White Point Clipping/Auto Black Point Clipping

The Auto White Point Clipping and Auto Black Point Clipping fields allow you to specify the percentage by which the white and black points, respectively, can be clipped from the histogram. The clipping is done after you click the Auto button in the AIC White/Black Points dialog box.

For example, if you specify 10 percent as your White Point clipping value and then click the Auto button, the white point on the histogram is adjusted so that 10 percent of the color information is “clipped” or ignored. The resulting 90 percent information leftover is then remapped, resulting in an image with less highlight detail.

The same principle above applies to the Auto Black Point Clipping feature, which governs the black point for shadows.

Minimum Output Level/Maximum Output Level

The Minimum Output Level lets you set the minimum output level of the black point. The higher the percentage value, the lower the contrast will be.

The Maximum Output Level lets you set the output level of the white point. The lower the percentage value, the lower the contrast will be.

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Cursor Auxiliary Lines

This command allows you to show or hide cursor auxiliary lines to help you define a scan frame or measurement off the rulers more precisely. Using the cursor auxiliary lines, you can also read the measurements of your ruler more easily.

Cursor auxiliary lines (black dotted line) on the x and y axis

Scan frame

To use this feature:

1. Choose the Cursor Auxiliary Lines command in the Preferences menu.

From the submenu that appears, select how the cursor lines will appear.

• On both x (horizontal) and y (vertical) axes

• On x axis only

• On y axis only

• None (no cursor lines)

2. Click the Scan Frame tool.

To see how the cursor auxiliary lines work, draw a scan frame. Click on the top left corner of the image as your starting point, then drag down diagonally to form a scan frame. As you draw the scan frame, cursor lines will appear to help you draw the scan frame precisely. When you release the mouse, your scan frame will be aligned with the cursor lines.

Microtek ScanWizard EZ - Professional Mode Reference Manual 25

Overview Setup

This command lets you set the area you want to be overviewed of the scan bed, and provides some overview options as well.

By default, ScanWizard EZ overviews the maximum scan area as determined by your scanner model’s bed size. You can, however, customize the overview area so that the scanner consistently overviews only the specific dimensions you have in mind. For example, if your maximum scan area is A4 size (210 mm x 297 mm), you can customize the overview area so that it consistently overviews, say, 4" x 5" of the bed size.

As a rule of thumb, it is best to use the default maximum settings. You should change the overview area only if your subsequent overview is too large to be shown in entirety, or too small for reliable previewing. A smaller overview area will increase the overview resolution for clearer image viewing. You may also wish to change the size of your overview to improve performance. Generally, a shorter overview time results from the scanner motor travelling at a lesser distance.

Maximum scan area Custom scan area

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Fast Overview

The Fast Overview option supports faster scanning. If Fast Overview is unchecked, the Overview scanning speed is slow, but a better overview image quality is obtained.

Overview Area

Choose Maximum Size, other fixed dimensions, or choose Custom Size, then enter the required dimensions. You may also set the Overview Area by dragging the dotted borders.

Unit

This lets you set the units for the ruler, such as inch, cm, and mm.

Preview button

Click this button to get a scanning preview, or to do a new overview. This is helpful if you have specified custom settings or changed the dimensions.

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Prescan Setup

This command allows you to set the parameters for scanning a prescan image. The major difference between Overview and Prescan is that the Overview button scans the area specified in the Overview Setup command for getting a low-resolution preview image, whereas the Prescan button only scans the selected scanning frame, resulting in a more detailed preview image. When the Prescan Setup dialog box comes up, click the option you need or specify your parameters.

Fast Prescan

If checked, a coarser or lower-quality image is obtained but at a faster scanning speed. If unchecked, a better- quality image is obtained but at a slower scanning speed.

Prescan Image Margin

This option allows you to specify the margin around the scan job and subsequently to adjust the scan frame in the Prescan mode. Available options are: None, Small, Medium (default), and Large.

Prescan Image Dimension

This option allows you to specify the size of the prescan image. Available options are: Full screen, 75% screen, 50% screen, and Fit Preview Window. The size of the Prescan image does not necessarily fit into the specified option, as it is based only on the height/width ratio to get the maximum covered area.

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Monitor Gamma Setup

The Monitor Gamma Setup command lets you compensate for the linear intensity of the monitor, allowing for consistency between the preview image and the final scanned image.

Monitor Gamma

Check this box to enable monitor gamma value setting. When the monitor gamma option is checked, click the up/down arrow buttons to make the gray level of the boxes as close as possible. Click OK to confirm.

Invert

This command creates a negative effect to an image. The Invert effect is applied to all scan jobs, not just the selected scan job.

When an image is inverted, the brightness value of each pixel is converted to its inverse value. In the case of 12-bit image, for example, a pixel in a positive image with a value of 255 is changed to 0, and a pixel with a value of 5 is changed to

250.

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More... command

The More... command shows the More Preferences dialog box, where you can specify other options for ScanWizard EZ.

Keep Overview Image

If checked, the image that is scanned in the Overview or Smart-Scan command remains on the screen until the next image is acquisition is performed. If unchecked, the overview image is deleted when you exit ScanWizard EZ.

Keep All Prescan Images

If checked, the image that is scanned in the Prescan command remains on the screen until the next image is acquisition is performed. If unchecked, the prescan image is deleted when you exit ScanWizard EZ.

Confirmation Message

If checked, a confirmation message appears when image effects such as Rotate or Flip are applied. If unchecked, no confirmation message appears.

Smoked Glass Background

This option lets you apply a smoked glass background that makes your scan jobs stand out more clearly and allows you to focus on the scan jobs. This feature can also be used for multiple scan jobs to show their respective image modes, as well as their image editing settings.

The framed part of the image (inside the marquee) stands out clearly.

Applied to the rest of the image is the smoked glass background (shaded gray area surrounding the selection or framed area).

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Scan Quality

This option allows you to select the image quality by controlling the scanner hardware and the maximum image processing depth.

Speed: Choose this option if your primary concern during scanning is

speed. Image data is delivered faster and the image data is processed in 8 bits per channel.

Quality: This is the default setting. Scanned data is delivered a little

slower but in high quality, and the image data is processed in 8 bits per channel.

Best Quality: This setting is available only to higher-depth scanners (10-, 12-

bit, or higher). Scanned data is delivered a little slower but in high quality, and image data is processed in maximum bits per channel (i.e., 10-, 12-bit, or higher), and then converted to the desired output depth. This special operation results in the best image quality possible.

Working Directory

This lets you specify a place to store temporary working files (e.g., scan job files) during a scanning session. If the directory you specify is not found or does not exist, a warning message appears, and ScanWizard EZ will create one automatically for you.

If the computer is shared by several users, each user may specify a particular working directory to use.

The working directory is the folder where ScanWizard EZ creates temporary files, with the temporary files deleted at the end of an operation. You should change to a different folder only if the working directory is located in a disk volume that is too small for scanning operations. To specify a new working directory, click the yellow folder beside this option, and assign a new directory to use.

Auto Background Correction

(for Reflective mode only)

This command enables you to bring out and improve readability of text in a document that includes other elements such as pictures or graphs.

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The Correction menu

The Correction Menu lets you use the Advanced Image Correction (AIC) features of ScanWizard EZ. The commands in the Correction menu correspond to the AIC buttons in the Settings window.

For more information, see the section of the manual on Advanced Image Correction

The Help menu

The Help menu lets you access on-line help for ScanWizard EZ, and gives you information on the ScanWizard EZ scanning software.

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The Settings Window

The Settings window contains the parameters for outputting your scanned image for the current scan job and includes the advanced image correction tools of the program.

Elements of the Settings window

A B

Clicking the Window Expansion button to expand the Settings window.

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A. Scan Job: This shows the current scan job as indicated by the Scan Job

Queue window and by the selected image in the Preview window.

B. Type: This shows the image type of the current scan job.

C. Resolution settings: This area includes the following: the Resolution box for

specifying your output resolution; the Resolution list box (with the arrow button) that provides predefined resolution values for easier selection of the resolution setting; and the Resolution unit, which lets you choose from ppi and several lpi options.

D. Scan Frame options: This area includes the Scan Frame settings which

represent the dimensions of the image that you wish to scan; the Scaling factor for creating larger or smaller images from the original source image; and the Output settings, which represent the dimensions of the image when it is output.

E. Image size: This shows the size of the file when the image is scanned.

F. Scan Frame options: Includes Fixed Scan Frame, Fixed Output Size, and

Keep Proportion.

G Unit of measurement: This lets you chose your desired unit of

measurement, which will then be reflected in the rulers along side the Preview window. Choose from inch, cm, mm, point, pica, or pixel.

H. Flip/Transform: This lets you flip the image horizontally or rotate the image

in increments of 90 degrees. This appears only when you are prompted to perform the film scan without film holder.

I. Advanced Image Correction (AIC): The Advanced Image Correction (AIC)

tools let you adjust and enhance the image, and image corrections are displayed in real time. The AIC tools available for use will vary, depending on the scan material chosen in the Preview window.

J. Automatic Color Restoration: Restores faded colors in photos and/or film,

bringing hues back to their original luster and brilliance for more vibrant images.

K. Reset button: This button lets specify which settings in the Advanced Image

Correction (AIC) controls to be restored to their default values.

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Scan Job/Job

The Scan Job box shows the currently selected scan job, which is also shown in the Scan Job Queue window and the Preview window.

There is always at least one scan job in existence (by default). If you have multiple scan jobs, not only are these reflected as multiple entries in the Scan Job Queue window and as multiple images in the Preview window, they will also be shown as multiple entries in the Scan Job box of the Settings window.

To select from multiple scan jobs, choose the scan job you wish in the Scan Job box; this will automatically select the corresponding scan job in the Preview and Scan Job Queue windows as well. Conversely, selecting a scan job in either the Preview or Scan Job Queue window will automatically show that selection in the Job box.

This means that a quick look at the Scan Job box, the Preview Window, or the Scan Job Queue window can show you which is your currently selected scan job.

Correspondence between the Scan Job box in the Settings window and the current scan job in the Preview and Scan Job Queue windows

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Image Types

The Type box shows you the image type of the current scan job. ScanWizard EZ allows direct scanning in the following color spaces described below.

RGB Color RGB images use three colors (Red, Green, and Blue) to reproduce up to 68.7 billion colors. Because scanners and monitors are RGB devices, the RGB color space is the most commonly used space for capturing and displaying images. ScanWizard EZ offers standard RGB and 48-bit RGB color selection, with the 48bit option available for the Microtek professional pre-press scanners.

Grayscale Grayscale images use shades of gray to simulate gradations of color or tonal values, and contain 8 bits per pixel. The Grayscale 16-bit option is provided in ScanWizard EZ for professional pre-press scanners.

Web/Internet Colors This mode is useful for displaying images on the Web or Internet. Output for the Web/Internet color mode in ScanWizard EZ is 8-bit, 256 indexed color images.

Line Art Line Art images are made up of one bit of color (black or white) per pixel. Few editing options are available in this mode, but this mode is useful for images consisting purely of black and white or even single colors, such as mechanical drawings, blueprints, or fine-line illustrations.

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Black-and-White Diffusion This is a single-bit black-and-white image dithered with error diffusion. The black and white pixels are arranged in a way as to “fool” the eye into seeing gray.

256 Colors (Default)/256 Colors (Custom) These are single-channel images (8 bits per pixel) that use a color lookup table containing up to 256 colors. The file size is smaller for images in this mode. As an initial setting, selecting 256 Colors (Default) uses an Adaptive palette with Diffusion. If the 256 Colors (Custom) option is selected, the dialog box will appear.

Palette: The Palette option lets you choose the method for creating the

color palette table. Uniform uses a 6-6-6 fixed color palette table. Adaptive (default) creates a color palette table from the more commonly used areas of the color spectrum that appears in the image.

Dither: The Dither option can improve the color quality of the 256-

indexed color image for photographs or continuous-tone images, using a technique of mixing available colors to simulate missing colors. None provides no dithering. Pattern uses a structured pattern to simulate missing colors. Diffusion (default) uses the error diffusion technique to dither colors and produces the best quality for 256 colors.

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Resolution Settings

Resolution/Res is the sampling of image pixel per measurement unit or the amount of pixel information stored in an image. Together, the image resolution and dimensions determine the file size of the image, which is measured in kilobytes (KB) or megabytes (MB).

The resolution of an image is important in determining the quality of the output image. Resolution is also directly related to file size, and the higher the resolution, the larger the resulting file size will be.

When dealing with resolution, remember to distinguish between optical resolution and interpolated resolution.

Optical resolution is the “real” resolution as measured by the scanner’s optics. Interpolated resolution is software-enhanced resolution and can be useful for enlarging very small images or for printing line art to obtain superior results.

Resolution List Box

This provides predefined resolution values for easier selection of the resolution setting.

The default resolution depends upon the scanner you are using, and the choices available to you in the resolution list box will also depend on your scanner. After you select your resolution value, this value is then recorded for subsequent use, until a new value is selected and takes over.

To choose your resolution, click the arrow button next to the Resolution box, and choose your setting from the list box.

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Resolution Unit

The unit of measurement for resolution is in ppi (pixels per inch) or lpi (lines per inch). Take note that lpi settings are dimmed if the ruler unit is in pixels.

To choose your resolution unit, click the arrow button next to the box, and choose your setting from the list box.

• Choose ppi if your scanned images are intended for on-screen display. In this

case, you need not go higher than the target resolution of your monitor. A higher resolution value will simply increase the file size of your image without any perceptive improvement in image quality.

• Choose lpi if your scanned images are to be printed. If you choose 1x, for

instance, your scanned image will be printed at 133 lines per inch, resulting in a 133-dpi image. At 1.5x, the image will be printed at 199.5 dpi; and at 2x, the image will be printed at 266 dpi. The Custom option allows you to set an lpi value of your own specification.

In choosing an appropriate lpi value, keep in mind that if the resolution is too low, the image becomes pixelized, resulting in a deterioration of image quality. (Pixelization is the process in which the Postscript language uses a single pixel’s color values to create more than one halftone dot.) Conversely, if the resolution is too high, the file size becomes unwieldy, and y our file ends up containing more information than the printer needs, slowing down the file transfer and the printing process.

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Scan Frame and Related Settings

These settings allow you to adjust the various factors that affect your image, including the width and height of your image when it is first scanned (Scan Frame settings), the Scaling factor (how big or how small the resulting scanned image will be), and the dimensions of the image when it is output (Output settings).

Scan Frame settings

The Scan Frame settings (width and height) provide controls relating to the output image dimensions.

To specify your settings, enter the dimensions manually in the width and height edit boxes; or use the Scan Frame tool to define or resize your scan frame. Changes made in the Preview window are automatically displayed in the Scan Frame setting edit boxes.

Scaling

Scaling lets you create larger or smaller images from the original image. Take note of the following:

• Keep the scaling at 100% if you are outputting at the same size (e.g., a 4” x 5”

original to be output at the same size).

• Reduce the scaling if you are outputting your image at a smaller size (e.g., a

4” x 5” original to be output to 2” x 2.5”). Increase the scaling if outputting at a larger size.

To choose the scaling percentage, click the arrow next to the scaling box, or enter a value in the scaling edit box.

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Output Settings

The Output settings (width and height) represent the dimensions of the image when it is output (to either monitor or printer). If the size of the image to be output is different from the size of the original image, adjust the scaling

Scan Frame options

The Scan Frame options include Fixed Scan Frame, Fixed Output Size, and Keep Proportion.

Fixed Scan Frame This option lets you lock in the settings of your scan frame, so that the width and height dimensions of the frame are always fixed no matter where you move the frame in your preview image.

If you know the exact input size for your image, or if you wish to “lock” the settings of your scan frame to a particular size, enter the Scan Frame width and height values first, then check Fixed Scan Frame. Your scan frame will be fixed at those values. So even if you move the scan frame around the preview image, the dimensions of the frame itself will remain unchanged.

Fixed Output Size When the Fixed Output Size option is checked, the values specified for output width and height remain fixed. If any of the input values are changed, the scaling will be automatically adjusted proportionally to maintain the output dimensions as defined.

If you know the exact output size for your image, enter the output width and height values first, then check Fixed Output Size. The image will then be scanned and output at the values specified.

Keep Proportion When the Keep Proportion option is checked, the width and height values of the image are kept in proportion despite changes made to either setting. This preserves the aspect ratio of the image.

This option is automatically checked when either “Fixed Scan Frame” or “Fixed Output Size” is selected.

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Image Size

The Image Size field indicates how big the file will be when you accept the dimensions shown in the edit boxes, together with the resolution setting that you have selected. Size is calculated automatically. The resulting file size depends on the image type; resolution; and dimensions of the image.

Unit of Measurement

The unit of measurement lets you select the desired unit (inch, cm, mm, point, pixel, pica) for your image dimensions.

To choose the ruler unit, click the arrow button next to the box, and choose your setting from the list box.

Important: Make sure you select the correct unit of measurement before entering any of the values for width or height in the Scan Frame Settings or Output Settings.

Additional Notes

• When none of the Scan Frame options are checked, all five edit boxes are

enabled, allowing you to edit or enter values into any of the boxes.

• The Fixed Scan Frame and Fixed Output Size options are mutually

exclusive. This means that only one of the options can be checked at a time; checking another option will automatically uncheck the other.

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Transform

Flip/Transform

The Flip/Transform button allows you to rotate and/or flip the image at increments of 90 degrees.

The effects of the Flip/Transform button are seen only after you click the Scan button and scan the image. The effects are not shown in the Preview or Overview modes.

To use the Flip/Transform command:

1. Click the Flip/Transform button in the Settings window.

2. From the options that appear, choose the degree of rotation you wish.

3. Click the Scan button in the Preview window. When the image is scanned, it

will be rotated or transformed according to the selected option.

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The Reset button

The Reset button in the Settings window brings up a dialog box where you can specify the AIC settings to be reset to their default values. To reset any or a combination of settings, check the boxes next to the targeted settings.

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Advanced Image Correction Tools

The Advanced Image Correction (AIC) tools form an integral part of ScanWizard EZ - Professional mode. With the Advanced Image Correction (AIC) tools, you can adjust the characteristics of your image right from within ScanWizard EZ. Experiment with the tools to see what each does and to learn how to optimize your results.

The various AIC tools available for use will be shown depending on the Scan Material chosen in the Preview window.

The following topics are covered:

• How to access the AIC tools

• Elements of the AIC dialog box

• The Action buttons

• Using Custom Settings

• Discussion of the individual AIC tools

For Reflective mode For Negative mode

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Accessing the AIC Tools

1. To access an AIC tool, click a particular tool in the Settings window or

choose its counterpart in the Correction menu in the Preview window.

2. After clicking a tool, the AIC dialog box appears. The elements of the AIC

dialog box are explained in the next section.

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Elements of the AIC Dialog Box

A. Left thumbnail

This shows the image before enhancements are applied.

B. Right thumbnail

This shows the image after enhancements are applied.

C. 1:1 Thumbnails

If checked, the size of the thumbnail is about the same as the image shown in the Preview window. If unchecked, the image size appears fit into the shown dialog box.

D. Hide Thumbnails

If checked, the “before” and “after” thumbnails becomes hidden. The screen collapses to show only the lower portion of the dialog box. To restore the screen, click the “up” arrow at the left side of the dialog box.

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E. Preview option

If checked, changes are applied immediately to the Preview window image. If unchecked, changes are seen only after you close the AIC dialog box.

F. Function icons

These icons (e.g., eyedropper, lens, etc.) perform functions specific to the AIC tool being used. Function icons are explained in more detail under their corresponding AIC tool.

G. Action buttons

These carry out a specific action. See the next section for more details.

H. Add To Menu button

This button allows you to save a custom setting for an AIC tool. You may retrieve this custom setting afterwards from the Setting windows.

I. AIC tools

These tools adjust or enhance your images. Click any tool in this area, and see how the core of the AIC screen (#K) changes to reflect the properties of that tool.

J. Arrow button:

This allows you hide/show the thumbnails.

K. Core of the AIC screen

This is the heart of the AIC screen, and the content here changes to reflect your selected AIC tool.

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The Action Buttons

The Action buttons in the AIC dialog box let you accept, cancel, or control the application of AIC settings.

OK button

This button applies to the current scan job whatever image corrections you have performed, and then closes the AIC dialog box.

Cancel button

This button cancels out all image correction changes you have made to the current scan job, and then closes the AIC dialog box. The settings remained unchanged

Reset button

This button brings up the Reset dialog box, where you can specify which settings are to be restored to their default values, then click Reset or Cancel.

If Reset is selected, the settings are restored to their default values; if Cancel is selected, the operation has no effect.

Revert button

This button to cancel out the changes that were made with the current image correction tool. This means that if you used several AIC tools, Revert cancels the effect of only the last used (or current) tool, and preserves the effects of the other preceding tools.

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Custom Settings

When you click on each AIC setting in the Settings window, a drop-down menu will show options for adding, removing, or loading custom settings. These custom settings are settings that you define yourself for your scan jobs.

For instance, if you wish to change the shadow to an image and then save that shadow setting for future scan jobs, you can add the shadow setting as a custom setting. The next time you wish to retrieve that particular shadow setting, simply go to the White/Black Point AIC drop-down menu, and choose that setting.

Adding Custom Settings

To add a custom setting for an AIC tool, click the Custom...in that tool’s pop-up menu, or click the Add To Menu ... button in that tool's dialog box. When a dialog box comes up, enter the name of the new custom setting to be added. For instance, the added setting can be called “girl” as shown below.

A user-defined setting that has been added and can now be retrieved

Lets you add or remove from the menu settings you have previously defined

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Removing Custom Settings

To remove a custom setting for an AIC tool, click the Remove Settings... in that tool’s pop-up menu. When a dialog box comes up, select the particular setting to be removed, then click Remove and Done in the dialog box.

Loading/Retrieving Custom Settings

To load or retrieve a custom setting that you have previously defined for an AIC tool, go to that AIC tool’s pop-up menu, and choose the setting you wish to be loaded.

Custom setting to be retrieved or loaded

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White/Black Points

The White/Black Points tool is used to change the shadow and highlight points of an image.

By using this tool, you can manipulate an image to either bring out the highlights in a very dark image, or bring out more of the shadows in a very light image. The White/Black Points tool can also be used to neutralize the color cast in the highlight and shadow regions.

C D

A. Histogram

The histogram is a graphic representation of how all the pixels in an image are distributed across brightness and darkness levels. The darkest pixels are at the left; the lightest pixels are at the right.

A histogram skewed heavily to the left indicates that the image has many more dark pixels than light. Conversely, a histogram skewed heavily to the right will indicate a light image as it has more light pixels than dark. The height of the histogram indicates the number of pixels at that point in the histogram.

B. Sliders

The sliders are used to adjust the Black and White points of the image. The values of the black and white points are reflected in the edit boxes below.

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C. Channel

The channel button lets you control the shadow and highlight settings for a particular color channel (red, green, or blue), or for the All/Master channel (red, green, and blue simultaneously).

D. Input, Count, Percent

These figures provide information about the histogram. The figures will appear only when the cursor is on the histogram or if a slider is being moved.

• The Input value indicates the color value of the data displayed in the histo-

gram.

• The Count value indicates the number of pixels at the Input value. If Input

value is 2 and Count value is 1300, then there are 1300 pixels in the image at the Input value of 2.

• The Percent value is the percentage of all pixels in the image where color

value is less than or equal to the input value. For example, if Percent is 15% and Input value is 2, it means that 15% of all pixels in the image have a value of 2 or less.

E. Setup button

This button provides you with advanced controls for setting the white/black clipping points, as well as for determining the output levels for the white/black points on your printer.

F. Pickers

The Pickers can be used instead of the sliders to set the Black and White points, based on color values in the preview image. The Picker on the left sets the Black point; the Picker on the right sets the White point.

• To set the White point: Click the Picker on the right, then click on the

preview image to define the reference point.

• To set the Black point: Click the Picker on the left, then click on the preview

image to define the reference point.

G. Auto button

The Auto button automatically judges the darkest and whitest points and clips excessive black or white points. The clipping percentage of the white/black points is accessible by clicking the Setup button.

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Using the White & Black Point tool:

1. Choose the Channel in which the histogram will be modified.

• If your Image Type is RGB, select All/Master to modify the tone curve in the red, green, and blue color channels of the image simultaneously; or select the color channels individually (red, green, blue) to modify that particular color channel.

• If your Image Type is Grayscale, only the Gray channel is available for selection.

2. Move the black and white sliders to new points on the histogram.

• Moving the black slider to the right will yield more contrast in the highlight areas of the image, so that more detail emerges in the highlight areas.

• Moving the white slider to the left will yield more contrast in the shadow areas of the image, so that more detail emerges in the shadow areas.

Another alternative is to simply click the Auto button, so that the dynamic range for the image is determined automatically.

3. When the changes are done, click OK.

For more details on the effects of the other action buttons, see the section The Action Buttons.

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D E

Tone Curve

The Tone Curve tool lets you adjust the tonal range of an image. However, instead of making adjustments using just three variables (highlights, shadows, and midtones), you can adjust any point along the 0-to-255 scale (for 8-bit images; 0-to 4096 scale for 12-bit images). The Tone Curve tool applies to grayscale and all color images and is not available for line art or halftone scan modes.

How to Read the Curve

The Curve shows the relationship of the brightness changes across the middle pixels between the resulting image and the original. When you open the Curves dialog box, the line on the graph is diagonal because the Input and Output values are the same.

When the curve is moved up or down, the relationship between input value and output value changes accordingly.

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Contrast in an image can be seen by the angle of the line. The steeper the slope, the higher the contrast. The closer the line is to horizontal, the lower the contrast.

A. Curve

The Curve is a graphic representation of the tone curve showing scanner input from dark on the left to light on the right.

B. Method

The Method sets the kind of curve you wish to have. Select from Line, Curve, or Gamma.

C. Channel

The Channel allows you to choose the color or gray channel in which the gamma will be affected.

• In areas where the curve is moved up, pixels in that portion of the image are lightened.

• In areas where the curve is moved down, pixels in that portion of the image are darkened.

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D. Input, Output, Zoom:

• Input shows the horizontal value of wherever the cursor is inside the curve, reflecting the scanner’s full depth.

• Output shows the vertical value of wherever the cursor is inside the curve, reflecting the scanner’s full depth.

• Zoom indicates the magnification level of the curve box. At 100% zoom, the curve is seen in its entirety. Using the zoom frame tool to magnify the curve will zoom in or enlarge your view of the curve, resulting in a higher zoom percentage.

E. The Curve Tools

The Curve Tools let you modify the curve. The tools are the curve pointer, the curve zoom frame, and the curve pane.

Use the Curve Pointer tool to define points in the curve that will be modified. When you click on any point in the curve, a black handle appears to mark your position. To remove the handle, drag it off the graph.

Use the Curve Zoom Frame tool to zoom in and out on a particular point in the curve. Once the area is zoomed in, you can then use the Curve Pointer tool to define new points for better precision. This is particularly useful for working with 12-bit images, where more detail can be seen in such images. The zoom level can be seen in the Zoom field. To zoom out, click Shift.

Use the Curve Pane tool to scroll through the curve if the curve has been zoomed in. This curve tool can be used only if the curve has been zoomed in with the Curve Zoom Frame button (above). Otherwise, the Curve Pane tool will be dimmed.

F. The Save As button

The Save button lets you save a tone curve together with its settings so that the curve can be used in the future if necessary.

G. The Load button

The Load button lets you load a previously saved tone curve for use with another image. Photoshop-saved curves can also be loaded.

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Using the Tone Curve tool:

1. Choose the Channel in which the curve will be modified.

• If your Image Type is RGB, select All/Master to modify the tone curve in

the red, green, and blue color channels of the image simultaneously; or select the color channels individually (red, green, blue) to modify that particular color channel.

• If your Image Type is Grayscale, only the Gray channel is available for

selection.

2. Choose the Method in which the curve will be modified. Select from Line, Curve, or Gamma.

3. Click the Curve Pointer tool, then click on the curve to define the points where the curve will be modified. You can then either raise or lower the curve at that point and see changes to the image accordingly.

4. When the changes are done, click OK.

For more details on the effects of the other action buttons, see the section “The Action Buttons”.

5. To save a curve, click the Save As button. To load a previously saved curve, click the Load button and specify the curve setting to be loaded.

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Brightness and Contrast

The Brightness & Contrast tool lets you control the brightness and contrast levels of the entire image. Increasing the brightness makes all tones in the image lighter. Contrast, on the other hand, is the range between the darkest and lightest shades in the image, and increasing the contrast makes greater separation between the darkest and lightest areas of the image.

• Brightness: The Brightness control lets you change the brightness setting. Too much brightness can make an image look washed out, while too little brightness will make the image look dark.

• Contrast: The Contrast control lets you change the contrast setting. Too much contrast will make an image look like a photocopy of a picture, with little or no gray shades left. Too little contrast will make the colors in the image look dull and flat.

Drag the sliders or enter values to change Brightness and Contrast

Microtek ScanWizard EZ - Professional Mode Reference Manual 59

Color Correction

The Color Correction tool changes the hue and saturation of an image. You can also add a color cast to an image by simply moving the pointer to a particular area on the Color Wheel, or you can remove an unwanted color cast by moving the pointer to a complementary color to balance out the tones. For instance, to remove a greenish cast from your image, move the pointer in the Wheel to the “red” area to neutralize the greenish hue of the image. The Color Correction tool is available only for RGB and indexed color images.

A. Color Wheel

The Color Wheel allows you to add or remove a color cast from an image.

To change the hue of an image, move the pointer in the color wheel to its new color position in the wheel

B. Angle

This shows the angle of the pointer on the Color Wheel as measured in degrees, and a value can also be entered directly in the edit box to move the cursor to any point in the Wheel.

Example: 0° corresponds to the color red on the Wheel, 60° to the color yellow, 120° to the color green, 180° to the color cyan, 240° to the color blue, and 300° to the color magenta.

60 Microtek ScanWizard EZ - Professional Mode Reference Manual

C. Radius

This field shows the amount of shift towards a particular color and works in tandem with the Angle field. The Radius range extends from 0 located at the center of the Color Wheel and indicating the least concentration of color, to 1, located at the periphery of the Wheel and indicating the greatest concentration of color.

Example: If your angle is 0° (red on the Color Wheel) and the radius is 1, this results in an intense reddish cast on the entire image.

The Angle-Radius feature works differently from that of the Saturation bar, which increases the saturation of all hues in the image without tending towards any particular color cast.

D. Picker

The Picker lets you pick a known neutral gray shade in your image and adjusts it to a closer, truer gray. The grays in an image may have a particular color cast which can be verified through the color information in the Info window. A gray that tends towards a reddish tint, for instance, will have its R value skewed higher than the G and B values. By using the Picker on a gray area, the gray is adjusted so that the RGB values become approximately equal.

E. Saturation bar

This lets you change the intensity of the hues (colors) in your image. Use Saturation selectively, because increasing saturation will increase the intensity of all hues in the image.

Using the Color Wheel:

1. To change the hue of an image, move the pointer in the color wheel to its new color position in the wheel.

2. To change the saturation of an image, drag on the saturation slide bar. Dragging the slide bar to the left decreases saturation; dragging it to the right increases saturation.

3. Use the Angle, Radius, and Picker as necessary.

4. Click an action button. For more details, see the section The Action buttons.

Microtek ScanWizard EZ Reference Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual