Using the Microtek ScanMaker 9800XL scanner:

The Microtek ScanMaker 9800XL is available by reservation. Please click here to schedule use.

Click the job you want to perform from the list below to read the instructions.

1. Scan a photograph or book.

2. Scan a gel, x-ray or micrograph.

Scanning photographs and other reflective items.

Start the application Photoshop and open the SilverFast scanner interface application. If the software cannot find the scanner restart the computer after checking that the scanner is on and connected to the computer through the firewire port.

Place the reflective item(photograph or xerox) face down on the scanner bed. Be careful to keep the calibration area(as noted on the scanner bed) clear when you place the document.

Shift-click on the reset value button to reset all the values to default. This clears the settings from the previous user and insures that you will set the values that are correct for your scan.

Select the General tab in the SilverFast application and set the options like those on the left.

Select the Frame tab in the SilverFast application and set the options like those on the left unless you are scanning a picture from a book or are scanning a black and white image.

For black and white set Scan Type to:

16 -> 8 Bit Greyscale.

If you are scanning from a book you will need to use the descreen filter. Set Filter to: Descreen.

And choose magazine under the Descreening Parameters dialog box. Then click OK.

Next, you will use the ScanPilot, the SilverFast wizard function, to acquire the image. If the ScanPilot is not open click the red airplane to make it open and active.

Once you see the ScanPilot control, set the plane icon to the top by clicking the top panel in the ScanPilot palette and then hit the play button.

Read and follow all instructions as the ScanPilot moves through the scanning steps or the ScanPilot will seem to stop(It is waiting for your input).

Make adjustments on each palette as it appears. Dismiss each by clicking OK to move to the next step.

After the "preparing scan" dialog box and before you hit return after setting the acquisition frame use these buttons to turn the image the way it needs to be oriented. Be patient between steps.. It takes the ScanPilot awhile to move between each step.

The Output Scale palette should be set to 1000 pixels on the long-axis for slides going into Powerpoint presentations.

The Output Scale pallette should be set to 4000 pixels on the long-axis for slides being printed out on a high-res printer(Not from PowerPoint).

After the scan is complete the Silverfast application will disappear and the scanned image will open as a untitled file in Photoshop. All that remains is to save this file into the filesystem and move it to your computer.

Scanning gels, x-rays and micrographs.

Start the application Photoshop and open the SilverFast scanner interface application. If the software cannot find the scanner restart the computer after checking that the scanner is on and connected to the computer through the firewire port.

Place the transparent item(gel, negative or x-ray) face down on the scanner bed. Be careful to keep the calibration area(as noted on the scanner bed) clear when you place the document.

Shift-click on the reset value button to reset all the values to default. This clears the settings from the previous user and insures that you will set the values that are correct for your scan.

Select the General tab in the SilverFast application and set the options like those on the left unless you are scannig a micrograph. In the case of a micrograph set the "Pos./Neg.:" to Negative.

Set the film type. Try different types to see what gives you the best results. This may take several scans to get correct.

Select the frame tab and set the options like those pictured here if you are scanning a colored image.

If the image is greyscale set the scan type to:16->8Bit Greyscale.

For micrographs try 16 Bit Greyscale.

Set "Filter:" to None unless you want to apply one of the filter options. Again this will take some experimentation on your part.

Next, you will use the ScanPilot, the SilverFast wizard function, to acquire the image. If the ScanPilot is not open click the red airplane to make it open and active.

Once you see the ScanPilot control, set the plane icon to the top by clicking the top panel in the ScanPilot palette and then hit the play button.

If the image seems washed out do not worry. You will correct this.

Read and follow all instructions as the ScanPilot moves through the scanning steps or the ScanPilot will seem to stop(It is waiting for your input).

Make adjustments on each palette as it appears. Dismiss each by clicking OK to move to the next step.

After the "preparing scan" dialog box and before you hit return after setting the acquisition frame use these buttons to turn the image the way it needs to be oriented. Be patient between steps. It takes the ScanPilot awhile to move between each step.

The Output Scale palette should be set to 1000 pixels on the long-axis for slides going into Powerpoint presentations.

The Output Scale pallette should be set to 4000 pixels on the long-axis for slides being printed out on a high-res printer(Not from PowerPoint).

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After the scan is complete the Silverfast application will disappear and the scanned image will open as a untitled file in Photoshop. All that remains is to save this file into the filesytem and move it to your computer.