How to Scan Old Slides Using SilverFast
SilverFast is a program that communicates between your scanner and your computer's imaging software. Depending on the type of scanner you have, it allows you to scan printed images, negatives or old slides. Scanning your slides is a good idea for the backing up of your imagery, or for making prints from your slides. SilverFast contains numerous advanced options to explore, but learning it is a fairly simple process for a basic scan.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Turn on your scanner before opening your imaging software. If you are using a flatbed scanner with a slide tray attachment, clean the glass surface with a dust-free cloth and cleaner to prevent scratches and mottling on your images. If you are using a film/slide scanner, make sure the proper attachment for slides is inserted.
-
2
Place your slides into the tray attachment for a flatbed, or directly into the slot for a film/slide scanner. Different scanners may recommend you place these either face up or face down in order to get a sharper scan and maintain correct orientation. Look for a visual guide to this either on the scanner itself or in your quick guide information booklet.
-
-
3
Open up your imaging software. Click "File," and then "Import." You should see SilverFast in this list, or the name of your scanner model. Click this option to open SilverFast. A dialog box should appear with tutorial options. You can view these to learn more, or click "Continue to SilverFast..." to start the scanning process.
-
4
Click on the tab marked "General" in the dialog box on the left side of the screen. The settings under this tab may vary depending on your scanner type. Under the option of "Original," choose "Transparency." Where it says "Pos/Neg," select "Positive." Click the "Prescan" button to get an overall view of everything in the tray for a flatbed, or for an initial scan in a film/slide scanner.
-
5
Adjust the selection box to tightly crop your image in the pre-scan screen. Back in the dialog box to the left, click the tab marked "Frame." Select "Grayscale" or "Color" under the "Scan Type." Determine how large you want the final scan to be, and its resolution, by entering in the size and dpi (dots per inch) in the appropriate boxes.
-
6
Make additional adjustments to contrast and color if needed by navigating through the eight squares placed above the "General" and "Frame" tabs. These include the "Histogram" and "Global Color Correction," among others. Such adjustments may also be made later in your imaging software, but if you wish to experiment with these options, adjusting your initial scan is beneficial.
-
7
Type in a name for this file under the "Frame" tab and click "Scan." You may be prompted to save the file to a location on your computer, or the scan may automatically start. The image will open in your imaging software. Save it at this point if you were not previously prompted.
-
1
References
Resources
- Photo Credit slides and loupe image by tim elliott from Fotolia.com
