How to Scan Pictures on a Mac

Scanning an image makes it available to use in software programs on your Mac.

Most image scanners are compatible with both PC and Mac computers. If you are running the Mac OS X operating system on your computer, scan the image and then send it to software applications, such as Image Capture and Adobe Photoshop, to manipulate. In addition, scan an image to send it directly to your email using Apple's Mail program. It's critical to update your Mac to ensure the software for the scanner is available to enable the scanning process with your machine.

Things You'll Need

• Scanner
• USB cable
• Administrator account name and password

Instructions

1. Run Software Update on your Mac before you connect the scanner. The update process refreshes the database of available software on your Mac. From the Apple icon, select "Software Update..." to update your Mac. You may need to enter an administrator and password to run the update.

2. Connect your scanner to a free USB port on your Mac computer using a standard USB cable. Plug the scanner's power source into an electrical outlet, and then press the power button on the device. Click the "Finder" icon in the Dock to open a new Finder window. Navigate to the "Applications" folder on your Mac's hard drive and then double-click on the "Image Capture" icon.

3. Place a picture face-down on the scanner's glass surface. Make sure to move the picture to the upper-left corner of the surface, so that the image is properly scanned.

4. Set the options for scanning, such as "Detect Separate Items" to automatically straighten any tipped pages you are scanning.

5. Select the destination to which you are scanning by browsing the "Scan To" options. Scan to a folder you define, or use one that is set to receive images. Select an application by clicking "Other..." and set the destination to iPhoto, Preview or Aperture. Choose "Mail Application" to send your scanned images to an email.

6. Press the "Scan" button on your scanner to scan the image and send the scan to the appropriate destination.

References

• Apple: Mac 101: Using a scanner (Mac OS X v10.6)

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Apple: OS X Lion, Mac OS X v10.6: Printer and Scanner Software