Umax ASTRA 6450 User Manual

Astra 6400 & 6450

OWNER’S GUIDE

Trademarks

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

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

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1. GETTING STARTED................................................... 5

INTRODUCTION....................................................................................5

UNPACKING THE SCANNER................................................................... 5

Package Contents ............................................................................5

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR SCANNER..................................................... 7

Astra 6400/6450 Scanner Elements..................................................7

Astra 6400/6450 Back Panel............................................................7

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS ......................................................................8

INSTALLING THE SOFTWARE.................................................................8

Installing Adobe Photoshop LE on the PC........................................ 8

Installing Adobe Photoshop LE on the Macintosh ............................ 9

Scanner Solutions e-book...............................................................10

ABOUT THE SCANNER’S FIREWIRE/IEEE-1394 CONNECTORS.............11

SETTING UP – GENERAL INFORMATION ..............................................11

Installing the FireWire/1394 Card (for PC) ...................................11

Connecting the Cables ...................................................................12

Connecting the Power Adapter ......................................................13

CHAPTER 2. YOUR FIRST SCAN...................................................14

CHAPTER 3. SCANNING BASICS...................................................17

SETTING VISTASCAN PREFERENCES....................................................17

General.........................................................................................17

Scan Destination ...........................................................................19

Scanner Information ......................................................................22

VistaScan Beginner Window Features............................................23

VistaScan Advanced Features........................................................28

Using the Universal Transparency Cover (UTC)............................45

Using VistaAccess – Direct Access.................................................46

Turning the Scanner Lamp On and Off...........................................47

Using VistaShuttle.........................................................................47

Using the UMAX Copy Utility........................................................50

CHAPTER 4. PUSH BUTTON SCANNING .....................................52

Configuring the Push Buttons........................................................52

CHAPTER 5. SCANNING PROJECTS.............................................59

Using VistaScan to Scan a Photo to E-mail...................................61

Using Presto! PageManager to Scan a Form and Edit it with

PageType......................................................................................62

Converting Scanned Text to Editable Text with OmniPage .............63

Opening OmniPage LE..................................................................63

Converting Scanned Text with OmniPage LE.................................63

CHAPTER 6. HOW TO GET HELP.................................................65

USING ONLINE MANUALS ..................................................................65

Accessing the UMAX VistaScan Online Manual.............................65

Accessing the Presto! PageManager Online Manual ......................66

Accessing the Caere OmniPage Online Manual.............................66

TROUBLESHOOTING ...........................................................................67

CONTACTING TECHNICAL SUPPORT....................................................69

MAINTENANCE ..................................................................................70

CLEANING .........................................................................................71

SCANNER SPECIFICATIONS .................................................................72

FCC DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY......................................73

WARRANTY.......................................................................................74

UMAX Astra 6400/6450 Owner’s Guide

CHAPTER 1. Getting Started

Introduction

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

6400.

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

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

Unpacking the Scanner

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

Package Contents

• UMAX Astra 6400/6450 Color Flatbed Scanner (built-in

Universal Transparency Cover included with Astra 6450)

• FireWire/1394 Interface Card (for PC only)

• FireWire/IEEE-1394 Interface Cable

• Owner’s Manual

• Quick Start Guide

• Power Adapter

• Slide Holder (included with Astra 6450)

• Adobe® Photoshop® LE CD-ROM

• UMAX Scanner CD-ROM. This CD-ROM contains software

for Caere® OmniPage® LE OCR, NewSoft® Presto! PageManager (full version), NewSoft® Presto! PageType™ (full version, PC), UMAX Copy Utility (PC), Scanning Solutions electronic book

UMAX Astra 6400/6450 Owner’s Guide

Scanner Lid

Getting to Know Your Scanner

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

Astra 6400/6450 Scanner Elements

Object Glass

Cover that protects

the object glass.

Glass surface on which documents or images are placed.

Universal Transparency Cover (included with 6450)

Provides top lighting when scanning slides.

Scan, Copy and

Custom (OCR or

E-Mail) Buttons

FireWire/IEEE-1394

Connector

Power Indicator

Illuminates to indicate that the scanner is powered on.

Astra 6400/6450 Back Panel

Transparency Receptacle

Power Adapter Receptacle

System Requirements

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

PC Requirements

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

• Microsoft® Windows 98 SE/Windows 2000 or above

• Firewire/IEEE-1394 port (or available PCI slot to use included

card)

• 64 MB RAM

• CD-ROM drive

• 250+ MB of available hard disk space

Macintosh Requirements

• iMac DV or New Power Mac G3/G4

• Firewire/IEEE-1394 port

• 64 MB RAM memory

• Macintosh OS 9.0 or higher

• CD-ROM drive

• 250+ MB of available hard disk space

Installing the Software

Installing Adobe Photoshop LE on the PC

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

CD-ROM drive.

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

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

4. Click the Browse button.

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

ROM.

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

UMAX Astra 6400/6450 Owner’s Guide

7. Double click the Photosle folder to open it.

8. Click on Setup.exe to highlight it, and click the Open button.

The path to the Setup.exe file appears in the Open text box in the Run dialog box.

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

10. When the User Information dialog box appears, enter your

personal information and the software serial number that appears in the upper right corner of the Photoshop registration card. You can find the registration card in the CD-ROM case.

11. Continue with the installation process by following the

remaining screen prompts.

Installing Adobe Photoshop LE on the Macintosh

1. Disable any virus-protection extensions and restart your

computer.

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

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

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

LE window appears.

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

prompts.

5. When the User Information dialog box appears, enter your

personal information and the software serial number that appears in the upper right corner of the Photoshop registration card. You can find the registration card in the CD-ROM case.

6. Click the Install Now… button.

7. Continue with the installation process by following the

remaining screen prompts.

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

1. Insert the UMAX Scanner CD into your computer’s CD-ROM

drive after you have finished installing the software on the Photoshop LE CD. If the Setup process begins automatically, go to step 2. If not, please see below;

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

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

2. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation

process. Be certain to register the scanner when asked. Registering the scanner gives you access to the password for the e-book Scanner Solutions. See below for more information.

Scanner Solutions e-book

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

1. Complete the product registration as instructed during the

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

2. The e-book scannersolutions.pdf can be found in the ebook

folder on the VistaScan CD. It can be viewed by using Adobe Acrobat Reader and the password provided during registration.

UMAX Astra 6400/6450 Owner’s Guide

About The Scanner’s FireWire/IEEE-1394 Connectors

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

Checking Your Computer’s Connectors

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

• A FireWire/IEEE-1394 port is a small slot approximately ½”

long and ¼” tall.

• Next to the FireWire/1394 port on a Macintosh computer, you

should find the FireWire/1394 symbol

Setting Up – General Information

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

Installing the FireWire/1394 Card (for PC)

1. Make sure computer’s power is turned off. Remove the case

according to the system manual’s directions.

2. Insert the FireWire/1394 card in an empty PCI slot. Gently but

firmly push it down until it is seated in the PCI slot.

3. Screw the bracket to the chassis to secure the card. Replace the

computer’s case and turn on the power.

4. Windows 98 SE/2000 will now detect the addition of the new

hardware and ask to search for a driver. Select Next.

5. Windows will ask, “What do you want Windows to do?” Click

on the option “Search for best driver for your device”. Select Next.

6. Insert your Windows 98 SE/2000 CD into your CD-ROM

drive. Select the “CD-ROM drive” option and click Next.

7. Windows will search the CD for the FireWire/1394 driver.

After it finds the driver on the CD, select Next to install it.

8. After the driver installation is complete, select Finish. You’ll

be instructed to reboot your computer.

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

Connecting the Cables

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

1. Locate the FireWire cable that is provided with the Astra

6400/6450. Plug one end of the connector firmly into the FireWire/IEEE-1394 port on the back of the computer.

2. Plug the other end of the cable into the FireWire/IEEE-1394

port on back of the scanner.

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

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

cover.

Universal

Transparency

Cover

UTC Connector

UTC Cable

2. Plug the UTC cable connector into the round three-pin DIN

connector on the scanner’s back panel.

UMAX Astra 6400/6450 Owner’s Guide

Connecting the Power Adapter

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

2. Insert the other end of this cable into the power adapter

receptacle on the rear panel of the scanner. The power indicator on the front panel of the scanner should now be illuminated.

3. Turn your computer on.

CHAPTER 2. Your First Scan

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

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

1. Using third party application software to acquire your image.

Application software is Adobe Photoshop LE for example.

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

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

Scanning with Adobe Photoshop LE application software

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

2. Choose Import from the File menu.

3. Choose Select Twain_32 Source

4. Choose VistaScan32 VX.XX. This will establish the Astra

6400/6450 driver as the driver Photoshop will use.

5. Choose Import, and then select TWAIN_32

6. The scanner driver “VistaScan” will be activated and appear.

The driver should display the “Beginner” interface. If not, click

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

8. Click the Preview button.

9. Using the crop features, set the desired scan area. See VistaScan

Beginner Interface below for more information on selecting the scan area.

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

scanning.

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

12. Modify the image using the Photoshop tools.

UMAX Astra 6400/6450 Owner’s Guide

13. Choose Save As from the File menu to save the scanned image.

Enter the file name, save location and file type (ie. JPG, TIFF, etc)

CHAPTER 3. Scanning Basics

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

Setting VistaScan Preferences

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

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

The Preferences cover three areas:

• General

• Scan Destination

• Scanner Information

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

General

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

Color Matching/Correction

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

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

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

UMAX Astra 6400/6450 Owner’s Guide

Show Ruler

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

Tips Help

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

Scan Destination

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

File

To set the location for your stored images:

1. Click on the File icon. The file preferences appear to the right

of the Scan To icon set.

2. Enter the directory in which you want to store the scanned

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

3. Enter the file name under which you want to store the scanned

image files (such as TMP) in the File Name text box.

4. Select the file format in which you want to save scanned

images from the File Format drop down list.

Printer

To specify which printer to use when printing scanned images:

1. Click on the Printer icon. The printer currently selected as the

default appears to the right of the Scan To icon set.

2. If you want to change any of the printer settings, click on the

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

UMAX Astra 6400/6450 Owner’s Guide

E-mail

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

1. Click on the E-mail icon. The e-mail preferences appear to the

right of the Scan To icon set.

2. Click on the button next to the e-mail software you are using

Microsoft Exchange and Lotus cc:Mail are the two supported email programs.

3. Select the image format you want to use when you attach

scanned images to your email application from the Image Format drop down list.

Fax

1. Click on the Fax icon. The fax driver (or printer driver if a fax

driver is not selected) currently selected as the default appears to the right of the Scan To icon set.

2. If you want to change any of the settings, click on the

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

Application

1. Click on the Application icon. The application preferences

appear to the right of the Scan To icon set.

2. Enter the application name to which you want to send the

scanned image files (such as Presto! PageManager) in the Application Name text box.

3. Enter the file name of the application executable in the File

Name text box. If you are not sure of the directory path, click the Browse button to locate the correct path.

4. Select the image format in which you want to save scanned

images from the Image Format drop down list.

Scanner Information

The Scanner Information tab displays important information about your scanner.

The information includes:

• Scanner Manufacturer

• Scanner Model

• Firmware Version

• VistaScan Version

• Maximum Scan Width and Length

• Maximum Resolution

VistaScan Beginner Window Features

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

Scanning an item via the Beginner window consists of just a few steps:

1. Perform a preview scan of the item to be scanned by clicking

the Preview button. The item is quickly scanned at lowresolution, and is displayed in the Preview window (on the left side of the VistaScan Beginner window).

2. Select what you want to do with the image after it is scanned

using the Scan To icons.

3. Specify what kind of image you are going to scan, and start the

final scan process using the Click To Scan icons.

Performing the Preview Scan

The Preview feature lets you scan an item at low-resolution so you can define the specific area to be scanned when you scan at higher resolution.

To preview the item you are going to scan:

1. Place the item you want to scan facedown on the object glass,

under the inverted triangle that appears in the center of the rear ruler.

2. Click the Preview button on the right side of the Beginner

window.

The image is quickly scanned and displayed in the Preview window.

UMAX Astra 6400/6450 Owner’s Guide

Zoom Tool

Frame Tool

Move Tool

There are three Preview tools in the VistaScan Beginner window.

Zoom tool – Lets you enlarge or reduce the view of the image in the Preview window. To use the Zoom tool:

Once the preview image appears in the Preview window, click on the Magnifying Glass icon.

Move your cursor into the Preview window and click. The image enlarges. To reduce the view size, press the shift key (the command key on the Macintosh) and click in the Preview window.

Frame tool – Lets you select the portion of the image displayed in the Preview window you want scanned in the final scan step.

You can size the selection frame by clicking on the Frame tool and placing your cursor over one of the four edges of the frame (which changes the cursor shape to a two-headed arrow), drag the Frame inward to reduce the size, or outward to increase the size.

You can also move a selected frame by positioning the cursor inside the frame (which changes the cursor shape to a four-direction arrow), and dragging the frame to another location in the Preview window.

Move tool – Lets you move an image in the Preview window so you can see portions that are not visible because the image is zoomed too large to display completely. Click on the Move tool. Put the cursor inside the Preview window (which changes the cursor shape to a hand). Scroll the image view by clicking and dragging the cursor.

Selecting the Scan to Device or Application

To specify the device or application to which you want to send the scanned item, click on the icon that represents this device or application.

The icons include:

File – stores the scanned image in a file using the file name specified in the VistaScan Preferences.

Print – prints the scanned item on the default printer. Fax – faxes the scanned item using your fax driver.

Application – sends the scanned item to the application

specified in the VistaScan Preferences.

E-mail – sends the scanned item as a graphic file to your Microsoft Exchange or Lotus cc:Mail e-mail application. (NOTE: Other e-mail applications are not supported.)

UMAX Astra 6400/6450 Owner’s Guide

Printed Matter Color Photos

Text/Lineart Settings icon

Web Image Settings

Defining the Type of Image to Scan

The Beginner window provides you with pre-defined scanning options so you can quickly and easily scan any of the following items:

• Color Photos – use this setting when you want to scan color or

black and white photos

• Printed Matter – use this setting when you want to scan

something that has been printed like a brochure, magazine, etc.

• Text/Lineart documents – use this setting when you want to

scan the text contained in a document, or when you want to scan simple lineart graphics

• Web Images – use this setting when you want to scan graphics

and then use them on the web

To specify the type of image you are going to scan, click on the icon that represents the type of item you want to scan.

Settings icon

Clicking on any of these icons automatically starts the final scan process using the pre-defined scan settings. The scanned image is saved or sent to the device or application you specified by clicking on the Scan To icon.

VistaScan Advanced Features

The VistaScan Advanced window gives you the ability to adjust the scan setting individually so you can customize the settings for the type of document you are going to scan. If you are a novice computer user, you may want to use the VistaScan Beginner window until you are more familiar with VistaScan and the scanning process. The Beginner window options are preset to provide a quick and easy way to scan images.

If you are an experienced computer user with some scanning experience, you can use the features contained in the Advanced window to optimize the scan process for the specific item you are going to scan.

The Advanced window contains the following tools and features you can use to scan documents:

• Original Document Source Settings

• Image Mode Settings

• Resolution Settings

• Descreen Settings

• Filter Settings

• Scaling Options

• Auto Adjustment Setting

• Scan Control Unit

• Multiple Scan Mode Settings

• Color Adjustment Feature Panel

Changing the Original Document Source

The Original Document Source setting identifies the item you want to scan.

You can choose from the following settings:

Flatbed Reflective: Scans paper originals (non-transparencies) e.g., photographs, documents, and brochures.

UTA (Transmissive): Scans 4” x 5” or smaller photo transparencies.

UTA (Negative): Scans 4” x 5” photographic negatives. Auto Doc Feeder: The Automatic Document Feeder option is not

available for this scanner.

NOTE: For more information about scanning photo transparencies or negatives, refer to the Universal Transparency Cover (UTC) section of this manual.

Changing the Image Mode

VistaScan can scan a wide variety of image types.

True Color, RGB: Scans a full color photo or document. The RGB indicates the colors of Red, Green and Blue. This setting creates larger files than the B/W Photo setting.

True Color, CMYK: Converts RGB (video) color data into CMYK (printed) color data using a special color transformation process. When scanning is completed the CMYK image is ready for printing on a CMYK color printer.

NOTE: Most ink jet printers use RGB rather than CMYK printing.

256 Colors: Scans color images using 256 colors. The 256 color

images take up less memory and hard disk space than the True Color RGB option.

Web Photo: Scans an image at the appropriate resolution for display on the monitor.

B/W Photo: Scans black-and-white photos using 256 shades of gray (ranging from white to black) so you get smooth shade transitions in your scanned image.

B/W Document: Scans text documents, black-and-white line art, and other black-and-white documents. This selection creates the smallest file sizes.

FAX: Scans at the appropriate resolution for faxing.

OCR: Scans at the appropriate settings for optimal OCR

recognition. True Color 42-bit RGB: Scans a full-color photo or document

using 42-bits of information to define each pixel. The RGB indicates the colors of Red, Green and Blue. This setting creates larger file sizes than the True Color RGB setting.

B/W Photo, 14-bit: Scans a black-and-white photo using 14-bits of data to define each pixel. This setting produces more gray shade accuracy than the B/W Photo option, but also produces larger file sizes.

NOTE: Not all graphic applications support 42-bit graphic files. To determine whether the software you want to use is capable of working with 42-bit graphics, refer to your software documentation.

UMAX Astra 6400/6450 Owner’s Guide

Changing the Resolution Setting

Scanning resolution is measured in dots per inch (DPI). Resolution determines the amount of information the scanner will capture in a scanned image. The higher the resolution, the finer the image detail, and the larger the file sizes.

VistaScan lets you choose from the following resolution settings:

• Higher – this option opens a drop down menu that contains

higher resolution settings which include 9600, 8400, 7200, 6000, 4800, 3600, 2400, 1800, and 1600 dpi selections.

• 1200

• 800

• 600

• 400

• 300

• 200

• 150

• 100

• 75

• Custom

The following table gives you an idea of the file sizes you can expect based on the original image size and the resolution setting you specify. These values are based on scanning images in 24-bit, True Color RGB mode. Image sizes shown below are given in megabytes.

Table 1. Resolution/File-Size Guidelines

Resolution (dots per inch)

72 0.30 0.53 1.39 100 0.58 1.00 2.68 200 2.29 4.01 10.70 300 5.15 9.01 24.10 400 9.16 16.00 42.80 600 20.60 36.10 96.30 800 36.60 64.10 171.20 1200 82.40 144.20 385.20

Image Size 4x5

Image Size 5x7

Image Size

8.5x11

NOTE: Choosing the True Color RGB 36-bit setting captures more

data than the 24-bit setting. This means that the file sizes listed above will be larger if you scanned images using the True Color 42-bit RGB setting.

Choosing the Best Resolution for Your Scanning Project

To choose the best resolution for scanning, determine what you are going to do with the image once it is scanned. Matching your scanning resolution to the image use will give you the best image for that purpose and will keep the file sizes to the minimum needed.

Table 2. Recommended Resolutions

Image Use Recommended Resolution

Printing 300 – 600* Viewing on the Screen 72 Viewing on the Web 72 OCR, B/W 300 Pre-Press 600 Enlarging or reducing 600

* Depending on the resolution of your printer

UMAX Astra 6400/6450 Owner’s Guide

Using Custom Resolution Settings

You can also specify custom resolution settings that you can use when you scan. The maximum custom resolution setting you can define is 2400 dpi. To define the custom resolution settings:

1. Choose the Custom… option from the Resolution drop down

menu. The Custom Resolution window opens.

2. Enter the desired resolution setting (between 50 and 2400 dpi)

in the Custom resolution #1 text box.

3. Repeat step 2 to define the Custom resolution #2 and Custom

resolution #3 settings.

4. Click OK. The settings you defined appear on the Resolution

setting drop down menu, under the Custom heading.

Changing the Descreen Feature

The Descreen option helps eliminate the patterns that can appear when you scan printed images found in magazines, brochures, catalogues, etc. This is accomplished by changing the number of lines that appear in every inch (lines per inch) of the scanned image.

The Descreen feature is unavailable when you have chosen the B/W Document, Fax or OCR resolution settings.

To change the Descreen setting:

1. Click the Descreen option to display the drop down menu.

2. Choose one of the descreen options:

No Descreen — No Descreening. Magazine — Specifies 133 lines per inch. This option

smoothes the fine dot pattern found in glossy magazines. Newspaper — Specifies 85 lines per inch. Smoothes the coarse

grain pattern commonly found in newspaper images.

Art print — Specifies 175 lines per inch. Smoothes the fine dot pattern found in high quality art prints.

Custom — Opens the Custom Descreen window, which allows you to specify a custom line screen value. Refer to the Using Custom Descreen Settings section for information to set custom descreen values.

UMAX Astra 6400/6450 Owner’s Guide

Using Custom Descreen Settings

You can also specify custom descreen settings that you can use when you want to change the lines per inch setting to eliminate patterns that are generated while scanning printed images. You can enter custom settings that range from 35 to 400 lines per inch. To define the custom descreen settings:

1. Choose the Custom… option from the Descreen drop down

menu. The Custom Descreen window opens.

2. Enter the desired lines per inch setting (between 35 and 400 lpi)

in the Custom descreen lpi #1 text box.

3. Repeat step 2 to define the Custom descreen #2 and Custom

descreen #3 settings.

4. Click OK. The settings you defined appear on the Descreen

setting drop down menu, under the Custom heading.

Changing the Filter Setting

Image filters are used to soften or sharpen edges and boundaries of an image.

VistaScan provides the following filter options: No Filter — Use this option when you do not want to sharpen or

blur the image. Sharpen — Use this option to sharpen lines that may be fuzzy or

not clean in the original image.

Sharpen More — Use this option when you want to sharpen the image more than the standard Sharpen filter does.

Blur — Use this option when you want to soften the edges of an image.

Blur More — Use this option when you want to soften the edges more than the Blur filter does.

Changing the Scale Factor

Scaling lets you automatically enlarge or reduce an image from its original size (100%) as it is scanned. The scale factor affects the size of the scanned image and the printed scan output.

You can scale the image using any of the scale factors listed below:

• 200%

• 150%

• 100%

• 50%

• 25%

• 10%

• Custom

You can also specify a custom scale factor by choosing the Custom option from the Scaling drop down menu. See the Using Custom Scaling Settings section for more information about specifying a custom scale factor.

UMAX Astra 6400/6450 Owner’s Guide

Using Custom Scale Settings

You can specify custom scaling settings to use when you scan. To define the custom scaling settings:

1. Choose the Custom… option from the Scaling drop down

menu. The Custom Scaling window opens.

2. Enter the desired scale factor in either the Width or Height text

box. When locked, ( ) width and height entries are identical. The width and height fields are dynamic, updating one field automatically changes the other field. If the scale output size is

unlocked ( ), you can set the width and height output dimensions individually.

3. To change the unit of measure, click on the down arrow next to

Height and/or Width text boxes to display the possible settings. You can choose from Inch, Centimeter, Pixel or Percent.

4. Click OK.

Using the Auto Adjustment Feature

Auto Adjustment provides a simple way to adjust the light and dark values of a color or grayscale image you want to scan.

To automatically adjust the light and dark values:

1. Place the item you want to scan on the scanner object glass.

2. Click the Preview button from the VistaScan Advanced

window.

3. Select an area that you want to adjust using the Frame tool.

You can edit the Preview image before scanning the final image using the “Zoom Tool” and the “Frame Selection Tool.” To find out more about how to use these tools, click on the user tips text that appears when your cursor pauses over the tool.

NOTE: To use VistaScan online help you must have a browser installed on the system.

4. Click the Auto Adjustment check box. The selected area is

adjusted and the preview image refreshes, displaying the results you can expect when you perform the final scan.

Using the Scan Control Unit

The Scan Control unit contains the Preview and Scan buttons, and the Scan To options.

Selecting the Scan to Device or Application

To specify the device or application to which you want to send the scanned item:

1. Click on the arrow above the Scan To text on the Scan Control

unit. The Scan Control unit panel slides back to display the Scan To icons.

UMAX Astra 6400/6450 Owner’s Guide

Click on the icon that represents the device or application to which you want to send the scanned item. The icons include:

File — stores the scanned image in a file using the file name specified in the VistaScan Preferences.

Print — prints the scanned item on the default printer. Fax — faxes the scanned item using your fax driver.

Application — sends the scanned item to the applications

specified in the VistaScan Preferences.

E-mail — sends the scanned item as a graphic file to your Microsoft Exchange or Lotus cc:Mail e-mail application.

Using the Multiple Scan Mode

You can select multiple portions of the image you scanned in Preview mode using the Multiple Frame tool.

The Multiple Frame tool allows you to create two or more selection frames in the Preview Window.

To create more than one selection frame:

1. After you have scanned an image in Preview scan mode, click

on the Multiple Frame tool.

2. Select the area you want contained in the first frame by clicking

on the point at which you want to begin the frame, and then dragging the tool diagonally until the area of interest is contained in the marquis box.

3. Click outside of a selected area to save the frame. To create

other frames, repeat steps 1 and 2 until you have created all the desired frames.

4. After you create a frame, the Single Frame tool is automatically

selected so you can resize or move the frame you just created.

To select one of the frames you created, double-click on the desired frame. The frame border of the active frame changes to a marquis style frame (dotted lines). Once a frame is selected, double-click on a frame to display the Job Information window for that image, which contains the image information.

To remove a selected frame:

1. Click on the Job List button. Thumbnails of the selected

frames appear in the job list window.

2. Click on the thumbnail of the frame you want to remove. A red

box appears around the selected thumbnail. The frame in the Preview window associated with the thumbnail changes to a dashed outline.

3. Click on the X button, located in the bottom-left corner of the

thumbnail, to remove the frame.

4. One frame will always remain and cannot be deleted.

Using the Color Adjustment Features

The Color Adjustment features allow you to make adjustments to the colors and/or tones in an image. The following lists the color adjustment settings you can modify:

• Brightness, contrast, highlights, shadows, and gamma

• Image tones

• Color balance

UMAX Astra 6400/6450 Owner’s Guide

• Rotation/Invert To access the color adjustment features, click the Color

Adjustment icon from the VistaScan Advanced window.

Adjusting Image Brightness, Contrast, Highlights and Shadows

When you click on the Brightness/Contrast tab from the Color Adjustment panel a series of slide bars appear. Adjust the associated tones by dragging the slider in one of the bars to the left or the right.

Using the Brightness Bar

This setting determines the overall intensity level (gray level) of an image. Moving the slider on the scroll bar to the right increases the brightness. Moving it to the left decreases the brightness. The default setting is zero 0. The maximum brightness setting is 100, the minimum setting is –100.

Using the Contrast Bar

This setting controls the difference between light and dark areas in an image. Moving the slider on the scroll bar to the right increases the gray shades between light and dark areas. Moving it to the left decreases gray shades between light and dark areas. The default setting is zero 0. The maximum contrast setting is 100, the minimum setting is –100.

Highlight Bar

This setting defines the lightest (whitest) tones in the scanned image. If you broaden the range that includes the highlight points, the pixels within the newly specified range to be remapped allowing you to see more details in a color/gray image.

Moving the slider on the scroll bar to the left increases the brightness. Moving it to the right decreases the brightness. The default setting is 255. The maximum highlight setting is 255; the minimum setting is 1 (white).

Shadow Bar

The Shadow bar defines the darkest tones in the scanned image. Moving the slider on the scroll bar to the left increases the brightness in shadowed areas. Moving it to the right decreases the brightness in shadowed areas. The default setting is 0. The maximum shadow setting is 254 (black); the minimum setting is 0.

Gamma Bar

The Gamma bar alters the mid-range gray tones in the scanned image. All optical devices, such as monitors and scanners, have some variance in their light sensitivity characteristics. To get a scanned image with good results, VistaScan provides gamma adjustment capabilities so you can compensate for this variance in your scanner.

UMAX Astra 6400/6450 Owner’s Guide

Moving the slider on the scroll bar to the right increases the brightness of the mid-range gray tones. Moving it to the left decreases the brightness of the mid-range gray tones. The default setting is 1.2.

Reset Button

Click the Reset button to cancel the changes and return the value to the default setting.

Adjusting the Image Tones

The Curve command is another way to make precise adjustments in the highlight, midtones, or shadow levels in your images. Using this feature corrects the gray/color values in an image. You change the values by altering the shape of the curve that represents the brightness values of pixels.

Click Reset to cancel the changes and return the value to the default setting.

Adjusting the Color Balance

The Color Adjustment feature controls the hue and saturation of a particular color.

When you click on the Color Balance tab from the Color Adjustments panel, a continuous color spectrum wheel appears.

When you click in the wheel the image tones are shifted to the particular hue that is represented in that area.

Click the Reset button to cancel the changes and return the value to default setting.

Rotating/Inverting an Image

You can rotate an image clockwise or counter clockwise, and you can flip images 180 degrees vertically or horizontally.

UMAX Astra 6400/6450 Owner’s Guide

The following lists the possible rotate and flip selections:

• Flip/Rotate Horizontally — flips the image horizontally and

rotates it 90 degrees counter clockwise.

• Flip Horizontal — flips the image horizontally.

• Rotate 90 CCW — rotates the image 90 degrees counter

clockwise.

• Rotate 90 CW — rotates the image 90 degrees clockwise.

• Normal — does not rotate or flip the image.

• Flip Vertical — flips the image vertically.

• Rotate 180 — rotates the image 180 degrees clockwise.

• Inverts an image — changes all the dark tones in an image to

light tones, and all of the light tones to dark tones. This option can NOT be reversed using the Edit menu Undo command.

Clicking on the image that shows the desired orientation rotates or flips the image. Clicking the Reset button cancels the rotate or flip action and returns the image to the original orientation.

Using the Universal Transparency Cover (UTC)

The Astra 6450 scanner is equipped with an UTC, which gives you the capability to scan slides and transparencies. The UTC is optional on the Astra 6400. Negative film normally contains an emulsion that affects the color of the image when scanned. Other transmissive images may appear clear, but negatives often have a muddy, brown, gray or orange tint to the image.

The VistaScan software contains a “negative” option for compensating for the inherent color bias of the emulsions. VistaScan is able to neutralize the cast of whichever emulsion type is applied to the negative, based on the type of the negative.

To achieve the optimum scan from a negative:

• Scan negatives and slides at the highest optical resolution the

scanner supports, which is 600 dpi for this scanner. You should also try scanning at 1200 dpi to see which resolution works best for you.

Make sure you select only the image when cropping, and do not include any extra background material. This is the most important step when scanning a negative. Inclusion of the non-image slide material within the cropping area will degrade the scan quality.

Using VistaAccess – Direct Access

VistaAccess is a utility that provides instant access to several VistaScan applications. VistaAccess loads at startup, and can be found in the system tray (PC) or control strip (Mac) as the scanner icon. With VistaAccess, you can open any of the listed applications with a few clicks of your mouse.

To use VistaAccess from the PC a) Click on the Start bar. Click on the Programs option. When

the Programs pop-up menu appears, click the VistaScan option. The VistaScan pop-up menu appears. Click the VistaAccess option to display the scanner icon in the Windows Task bar (near the time display in the lower right corner of the window in the system tray).

b) Click the scanner icon in the system tray using your right

mouse button. A pop-up menu appears which contains:

• VistaScan

• VistaShuttle

• Copy Utility

• Scanner Test

• Push Button Configuration

• Power Saving On/Off Control

• Find/Refresh Scanner

• Exit

c) Click on one of the listed applications or utilities to launch the

software.

d) Click the Find/Refresh Scanner option to re-initialize the

scanner. Click the Help option to view VistaAccess online

UMAX Astra 6400/6450 Owner’s Guide

help. Click the Exit option to remove the scanner icon from the Windows Task bar and close VistaAccess.

To use VistaAccess from the Macintosh:

1. VistaAccess loads at startup. Click on the scanner icon in the

lower left corner of the Desktop. A drop down menu appears which contains:

• VistaScan

• Push Button Configuration

• Lamp On/off Control

• Find/Refresh Scanner

2. Click on one of the listed applications or utilities to launch the

software.

3. Click the Find/Refresh Scanner option to re-initialize the

scanner. Click the Help option to view VistaAccess online help. Click the Exit option to remove the scanner icon from the Finder area and close VistaAccess.

Turning the Scanner Lamp On and Off

You can turn the scanner lamp on and off using the Power Saving utility built into VistaAccess.

The power saving option is accessible by accessing VistaAccess. See “Using VistaAccess – Direct Access” for more information. Within VistaAccess select Lamp On/Off Control. Select the appropriate function to turn the scanner either On or Off. Or enter a time to turn the scanner automatically off after a specified “idle” period.

Using VistaShuttle

VistaShuttle is a PC-based application that provides an easy way for you to create greeting cards, wallpaper for your computer desktop, a screen saver for your computer, e-cards (e-mail greeting cards), and more.

NOTE: VistaShuttle is not compatible with the Macintosh.

To use VistaShuttle to create an E-Card (electronic greeting card you send via e-mail):

1. Click the scanner icon in the system tray (to the far right of the

Windows task bar) using your right mouse button. Select the VistaShuttle application from the VistaAccess menu. The VistaShuttle Main window appears.

2. Click on the E-Card icon. The VistaScan Beginner window

opens so you can scan an item to include in your electronic greeting card.

3. Lift the scanner’s document cover and place your document

face-down in the center of the scanner’s object glass.

4. Click Preview to preview the scanned item. You can edit the

Preview image before scanning the final image using the “Zoom Tool” and the “Frame Selection Tool.” To find out more about how to use these tools, click on the user tips text that appears when your cursor pauses over the tool.

NOTE: You must have a browser installed in order to view the VistaScan online help.

5. Click the icon that most closely represents the item you are

going to scan in the Click To Scan area of the VistaScan Beginner window.

UMAX Astra 6400/6450 Owner’s Guide

The item is scanned, and VistaScan automatically closes. After a moment the VistaShuttle E-Card window appears with the scanned item in the default E-Card template.

6. Click on the scanned item to display the image handles. Drag

one of the image handles outward to enlarge the image, or inward to reduce the image.

You can customize the E-Card template frame that surrounds the scanned item, the stamp graphic or the paper type by clicking the desired option from the buttons in the left column.

7. Click and drag any of the E-Card template elements to move

them around, creating your own E-Card style.

8. Choose the Add text command from the Text menu (or click on

the Text button from the left-hand column). The Text Setting window opens.

9. Enter the E-Card greeting text in the text box.

10. You can modify the font type, font size, font style (bold, italic,

underlined), text alignment (left, right or centered), and text color by selecting an option from the dropdown lists or by clicking on the associated icon from the button bar at the top of the E-Card window.

11. Click the Finish button to place the text on the card.

12. Click the Close button in the upper right corner to close the

Text Setting window. You can move the text box around the E-Card until you find the right spot. Click outside the text box to anchor the text to the chosen spot.

13. Click the Mail button from the E-Card window. The Send

dialog box appears.

14. Choose your e-mail application from those listed (only

Microsoft Exchange and Lotus cc:Mail are supported), and click the Send button to open the application and attach your E-Card to the message.

15. Send your e-mail message.

Using the UMAX Copy Utility

The UMAX Copy utility is a PC-based application that lets you scan and automatically print copies of an image.

NOTE: The UMAX Copy Utility is not Macintosh compatible. To use the copy utility:

1. Click on the Start bar. Click the Programs option. When the

Programs pop-up menu appears, click the VistaScan option. The VistaScan pop-up menu appears. Click the UMAX Copy Utility selection to open the program.

2. The UMAX Copy Utility window appears.

UMAX Astra 6400/6450 Owner’s Guide

3. Select your copy settings. Click the Copy button to make the

copies, then click Exit when you are finished.

UMAX Copy Utility Features

Brightness: Lets you select the brightness levels to use when you print the copies of the scanned image. If the image is too dark, click the up arrow to lighten the copy. If the image is too light, click the down arrow to darken the copy.

Original Image: Lets you specify the type of image to be copied — Color, Gray or B/W. The Single Photo option automatically crops unnecessary white space around the image (no matter where the image is placed), and speeds up the scanning.

Printout Quality: Choose Normal for draft quality, or choose Best for high quality images.

• B/W images — Selecting Best or Normal produces the same

output.

• Gray images — Selecting Best uses an enhanced filter to

improve image quality but slows down the print speed.

• Color image — Selecting Normal uses an enhanced filter to

improve color quality; selecting Best uses the MagicMatch function to produce the best image quality.

Printer Setup — Opens the Printer Setup dialog box. Reset — Returns any settings you have modified to the default

settings.

Exit — Returns you to the desktop window. Numeric Buttons — Lets you specify the number of copies by

clicking on the desired number. The number appears to the left. Scaling — Sets the printout size of your scanned image; the default

is 100%. Copy/Stop — Copy your scanned image by clicking the Copy

button. When copying begins the button text changes to read Stop. To stop printing copies, click the Stop button.

CHAPTER 4. Push Button Scanning

The defining feature of the Astra 6400/6450 is its push button functionality. You can scan an image to e-mail, perform OCR (optical character recognition), or even use the scanner as a copy machine by pushing one of the three buttons on the front panel of the scanner.

You can increase your productivity by accessing all of the normal scanner functions without having to launch the software applications through the onscreen interface.

Before you can use these time-saving functions, you need to configure the settings for each button. Follow the appropriate set of instructions below to configure the variables for each button.

Configuring the Push Buttons

To access the configuration utility for the push buttons, follow the appropriate instructions below:

For PC Users:

1. Click the scanner icon in the Task bar using your right mouse

button. A pop-up menu appears which contains:

• VistaScan

• VistaShuttle

• Copy Utility

• Scanner Test

• Push Button Configuration

• Power Saving On/Off Control

• Find/Refresh Scanner

• Exit

2. Click the Push Button Configuration option.

UMAX Astra 6400/6450 Owner’s Guide

For Macintosh Users:

a. Click on the scanner icon in the Control Strip located in the

lower left corner of the Desktop. A pop-up menu appears which contains:

• VistaScan

• Push Button Configuration

• Lamp On/Off Control

• Find/Refresh Scanner

b. Click on the Push Button Configuration option. The Push

Button Configuration window appears.

NOTE: There are three icons in the Push Button Configuration window. Each icon represents a separate scanner button function. Clicking on the icon displays a window with variables.

Configuring the Scanner Button Values

1. When the Push Button Configuration utility opens, the scanner

settings are automatically displayed. Select the image editing software you want to scan to when you press the Scan push button, by clicking on the arrow to the right of the Scan Destination field. A list of the available applications appears. Choose one of the available applications from the drop-down menu.

2. If the application you want to scan to is not shown in the Scan

Destination drop-down list, click the Add button (to the right of the scan Destination drop-down list). The Add Application window opens. Enter the application name in the Application Name text box. Enter the path and the executable file name for the application you want to use in the File Location text box.

If you are not sure of the path or the exact executable name, click the Browse button to locate the appropriate file.

3. Click OK to return to the Push Button Configuration window.

Select the application you added to the Scan Destination dropdown list.

4. Select the type of image you are scanning by clicking on the

arrow to the right of the Document Type field and choosing one of the available document types from the drop-down menu.

5. Select the desired resolution by clicking on the arrow to the

right of the Resolution field and choosing one of the presets from the drop-down menu.

6. Select a scanning intensity level (brightness) by clicking on the

arrow to the right of the Brightness field and choosing the desired brightness level from the drop-down menu.

7. Original indicates the type of material the original image is

printed on. Select either Reflective or Transmissive by clicking the arrow to the right of the Original field.

8. Select the size of the original image by clicking on the arrow to

the right of the Scan Area field.

9. Click the OK button to save the Scan push button configuration

settings. These settings will be used whenever you press the Scan button on the front of the scanner.

NOTE: You can also click the Default button to return the values in each field to the default settings. Then click OK.

Configuring the Copy Button Values

1. Click the Copy icon to open the window that contains the

variables you are adjusting.

2. Select the printer driver you want to use to print the copies, by

clicking on the arrow to the right of the Copy Destination field.

UMAX Astra 6400/6450 Owner’s Guide

Choose one of the available printers that is connected to your computer from the drop-down menu.

3. Select the type of image you are scanning by clicking on the

arrow to the right of the Document Type field and choosing one of the available document types from the drop-down menu.

4. Select the desired resolution by clicking on the arrow to the

right of the Resolution field and choosing one of resolution presets from the drop-down menu.

5. Select a scanning intensity level (brightness) by clicking on the

arrow to the right of the Brightness field and choosing the desired brightness level from the drop-down menu.

6. Original indicates the type of material the original image is

printed on. Select either Reflective or Transmissive by clicking the arrow to the right of the Original field.

7. Select the file size for the scanned image by clicking on the

arrow to the right of the Scan Area field and choosing the desired dimensions from the drop-down menu.

8. Click the OK button to save the Copy push button

configuration settings. These settings will be used whenever you press the Copy button on the front of the scanner.

NOTE: You can also click the Default button to return the values in each field to the default settings. Then click OK save these values for the copy button.

Configuring the Custom Button Values

1. Click on the Custom icon to open the window that contains the

variables you are adjusting.

NOTE: The Custom icon controls the values for both the E-mail and OCR (optical character recognition) features. You configure the variables for each function separately.

To configure the values for the e-mail function:

1. If the E-mail icon is not selected (enclosed in a red box), click

the E-mail icon.

2. Select the e-mail application (only Microsoft Exchange and

Lotus cc:Mail are supported) to send the scanned image to, by clicking on the arrow to the right of the Mail Destination field.