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APPENDIX A

SLIDE SCANNING PROCEDURES USING THE POLAROID SPRINTSCAN 35/LE SLIDE SCANNER
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SCANNING PHOTOGRAPHIC SLIDES
A.1.1 Maintenance and Start-up Use extreme caution around the Polaroid scanner. Avoid excessive dust, food, or lint particles near the instrument; dust is the leading cause of image imperfections while scanning. The slide chamber should be kept clean at all times. On a weekly basis before turning on the computer or scanner, lift the front scanner panel and blow canned air into the 35 mm slide chamber. To begin scanning, launch the PolaColor Insight (Version 3.1) software. A.1.2 Scanner Calibration The scanner needs to be calibrated each time a new slide set is introduced. All of the settings associated with the calibration/scanning job can be saved to a job file for future access. It may be necessary to calibrate the scanner more than once for large slide sets. When a set covers a wide range of visibility, the exposure will also change substantially from extremely clean (crisp, deep blue skies) to extremely dirty (bright overexposures with milk-colored skies). Each calibration will be associated with a corresponding gray scale slide and scan job file. Scanner calibration includes adjusting the settings, defining a job, creating a file, and scanning a gray scale slide. These procedures are as follows: SET THE PROGRAM SETTINGS DEFINE SCAN JOB Choose Preferences from the drop-down Edit menu and select the Scanning tab. Verify that default resolution and perform auto exposure are selected. Select a slide from the set that represents the overall coloration and exposure/visibility ranges. If the set covers a wide extreme of conditions, select one slide to represent the clean end and one to represent the dirty end. Air-blow the slide for any dust particles. Insert the chosen slide into the 35 mm slide chamber. BIBE 00994
Select the Preview tab. Set the scanning Profile Input to Kodachrome and the Display to Monitor, PC. Define the calibration (preview) crop box for the image displayed. Select the Preview button to cache the image. The slide will enter the chamber and be scanned. Note that there are two types of scans: the Preview scan and the Final scan. Only the Final scan creates a disk file that is used for the contrast calibration process.
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Select the Tone tab. Deselect the Split View box. Select the Auto Exposure button. The image will be adjusted to best calibrate the lightness and contrast corrections for scanning. Document the lightness and contrast settings defined. These can be manually adjusted during the calibration (job definition) process. Figure A-1 shows the Polaroid SprintScan software window.
Figure A-1. Polaroid SprintScan Software Window (With Default PolaColor Insight Control Settings). Select the Scan tab. All output formats are defined here. Adjust the crop box around the portion of the image to be scanned. (This should be defined by the project manager prior to scanning).
Set the image output dimensions. A width of 3" to 4" should be selected to allow for scanning/contrast estimations. Select a resolution of 300 dpi. dimensions may change slightly). Select the Fixed Size box. Perform a final scan of the auto calibration image. Select the Scan button. Save the scanned image to a.TIF file with the following naming convention: (Width and height
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##_0011aut.tif Where ## represents the spectrum sequence number, 0011 represents the corresponding slide number, and aut denotes the slide as the auto-calibration reference. Save the file in the site-specific subdirectory that is associated with the spectrum being scanned (e.g., CANY\900\04_0011aut.tif). Document the slide scanned and saved file name on the Slide Scanning Log. Denote "auto" in the comments section of the scanning log. EXPORT JOB SETTINGS TO A JOB FILE The auto-calibration described above defines the job settings for the specific site and required scanning output (scanning area). It is necessary to save the defined settings to a file that can be used for future slide scans of the same set. Turn off the Auto Exposure preference to assure that all slide spectrum and gray scale scans for the set will use the same autoexposure setting as the calibration slide. Choose Preferences from the drop-down Edit menu and select the Scanning tab. Change the selections to Default Resolution and Use Current Tools. Choose Export Settings from the drop-down File menu. Save the job file with the following naming convention: SITE0011_jjj Where SITE represents the spectrum site abbreviation, 0011 represents the corresponding auto-calibration slide number, and jjj denotes the Julian date the job settings were defined. Save the file for future reference in the site-specific subdirectory that is associated with the spectrum being scanned (e.g., CANY\900\CANY0011_161.bsf). Document the job name on the Slide Scanning Log. Exit the PolaColor Insight software. SELECT AND SCAN GRAY SCALE SLIDE Every spectrum set and auto-calibration slide must have an associated gray scale slide scanned and archived for future reference measurements. Select the ARS gray scale slide that will be associated with the spectrum set. Both 24-step and 32-step gray scale slides are available with calibrated transmission measurements. (Direct gray scale transmission measurements must be obtained from a fully calibrated densitometer, such as the ESE Speedmaster located at the CIRA office of the National Park Service).

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Launch the PolaColor Insight software. Select Import Settings from the drop-down File menu, and import the associated job file (e.g., CANY0011_161.bsf) from the site-specific subdirectory. Select Preferences from the drop-down Edit menu, to verify that the Auto Exposure is off and the scanning setting is set to Use Current Tools. Air-blow and insert the gray scale slide into the 35 mm slide chamber. Select the Preview tab and Preview button. The slide will enter the chamber and be scanned. Set the crop box around the entire gray scale image in the preview window. Select the Tone tab. The image will be adjusted to the same lightness and contrast settings as the auto-calibration slide. DO NOT depress the Auto Exposure button. Select the Scan tab. Verify that the crop box surrounds the entire gray scale image to be scanned. If necessary, deselect the fixed size box to frame the entire gray scale. You must reselect the fixed size box to hold the new frame dimensions. Scan and save the gray scale file as g###_0011jjj.tif in the appropriate site-specific subdirectory. Where ### represents the ARS gray scale number, 0011 represents the associated auto-calibration slide number, and jjj represents the Julian date the job file was created. (NOTE: full slide scans (i.e., the entire preview screen) create very large.TIF files. It is important to backup data created during the scanning process on a bi-monthly basis). Denote the saved file name on the Slide Scanning Log and the specific Gray Scale Scanning Log associated with the autocalibration. Resetting the crop box and scanning output dimensions will alter the loaded job file. DO NOT save these altered job settings if asked to do so. A.1.3 Scanning Selected Slides Scanning complete spectrum sets includes loading the defined job settings (obtained during scanner calibration), performing individual scans, and saving scan files as outlined below: LOAD JOB SETTINGS Launch the PolaColor Insight software. Select Import Settings from the File menu and import the settings of the associated job file (e.g., CANY0011_161.bsf) from the site-specific subdirectory.
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SCAN A SLIDE

Select Preferences from the Edit menu to verify that Auto Exposure is off and the scanning tab is set to Use Current Tools. Air-blow and insert the chosen slide into the 35 mm slide chamber. Select the Preview tab and Preview button. The slide will enter the chamber and be scanned. Verify that the crop box correctly frames the target/vista area defined by the project manager. (Wait while the scanner calibrates for the image). Select the Tone tab. Verify that the image lightness and contrast settings match those of the auto-calibration slide. DO NOT depress the Auto Exposure button. Select the Scan tab.

Verify that the crop box correctly frames the target/vista area defined by the project manager. Changes to the width and height of the crop box are reflected in the Width and Height values boxes displayed in the viewing window. Select the Scan button. Save the scanned image to a.TIF file with the following naming convention: ##_0011.tif Where ## represents the spectrum sequence number and 0011 represents the corresponding slide number.

SAVE SCANNED FILE

Save the file in the site-specific subdirectory associated with the spectrum being scanned (e.g., CANY\900\05_0235.tif). Document the slide scanned and saved file name on the Slide Scanning Log. Wait for the scanning process to complete. Remove the slide from the Polaroid SprintScan slide chamber and return the 35 mm slide to its original archive location.

SCAN ADDITIONAL SLIDES

Additional slides may be scanned by inserting a new slide into the scanning chamber and follow the same procedures as outlined above.
A.1.4 Terminating Scanning To exit the PolaColor Insight Software, select Exit from the drop-down File menu or select the X in the upper-right window. Use caution if asked to change or save the default job settings. DO NOT save any job setting changes unless you are aware that the changes will be appropriately applied to the auto-calibration and gray scale scans. Convert all.TIF formatted files to.TGA files using the Adobe 5.0 Action Macro tif to tga.
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OBTAINING PIXEL STATISTICS
Red, green, and blue wavelength pixel statistics are obtained from a digital low resolution scan using ARS' Image Haze Simulation for Windows (OLDHAZE.EXE). The following procedures are used to determine the reported slide spectrum visibility measurements. A.2.1 Spectrum Image Pixel Statistics Specific target and sky areas to be measured should be defined by the project manager prior to scanning. Target and sky measurements are obtained as follows: MEASURE TARGET AREA Launch the OLDHAZE (Image Haze Simulation for Windows) software. Select Open Image from the drop-down File menu, and open the scanned image (.TGA file) to be measured. Maximize the window size for the best viewing. Select Show Pixel Statistics from the drop-down Options menu. Move the pixel statistics window away from the image window. Using the visible cross-hatch (+), drag and drop a small box over the identified target area, as shown in Figure A-2.

Figure A-2. Image Haze Simulation (OLDHAZE) Window. Example Display of Pixel Statistics. Repeat this procedure two to three times to verify that a consistently exposed area is read (e.g., avoid shadowed ridges, cloud banks, etc.).
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Document the red, green, and blue numbers displayed in the viewing window in the target column of the Slide Spectrum Scanning Log (Figure A-3). Click the right-mouse button to return to the full scanned image. MEASURE SKY AREA Using the visible cross-hatch (+) drag and drop a small box over the identified sky area, as shown in Figure A-2. Repeat this procedure two to three times to verify that a consistently exposed area is read (e.g., avoid clouds, lens flare, etc.). Document the red, green, and blue numbers displayed in the viewing window in the sky column of the Slide Spectrum Scanning Log (Figure A-3). Click the right-mouse button to return to the full scanned image. Up to 3 targets may be analyzed for each slide vista. Repeat the above steps for all identified target and sky areas. A.2.2 Gray Scale Pixel Statistics Pixel statistics must be obtained for each scanned gray scale associated the spectrum set's calibration. A Gray Scale Scanning Log should have been initiated during the calibration process described in Section A.1. MEASURE STEP 1 Launch the OLDHAZE (Image Haze Simulation for Windows) software. Select Open File from the drop-down File menu, and open the gray scale calibration file associated with the given site-specific spectrum set. Maximize the window size for the best viewing of the entire gray scale image. Select Show Pixel Statistics from the drop-down Options menu. Move the pixel statistics window away from the image window. Using the visible cross-hatch (+), drag and drop a small box over the center section of the upper-left gray scale cube (Step 1). Document the red, green, and blue numbers shown on the Step 1 line of the Gray Scale Scanning Log, as shown in Figure A-4. Click the right mouse button to return to the full gray scale frame. REPEAT FOR STEPS 2 THROUGH 24 Repeat the red, green, and blue measurement for each cube of the gray scale; left to right, top to bottom, Steps 1 through 24 (or 1-32). Select Exit from the drop-down File menu to exit the OLDHAZE program.

Site Name/Time:___Shenandoah Dickey Ridge 0900____ Job Name: ______SHED0023_254.bsf _______________
Slide Spectrum Scanning Log Polaroid SprintScan 35 Format Pixel Frame Dimensions/Resolution/Lightness Contrast: __4.88 x 2.19 @ 300 dpi __________ Date/Initials: ______9/11/99 KS_________________
Figure A-3. 35 mm Slide Image, Pixel Statistics, and Contrast Estimations (Excel format).
File Data SLIDE NUMBERS SLIDE DATE GRAY SCALE TARGET # RED

Target GREEN BLUE RED

Sky GREEN BLUE CONTRAST COMMENTS
SHED0494 SHED0023 SHED0029 SHED0303 SHED0343 SHED0090 SHED0082 SHED0311 SHED0279 SHED0074

G24A_0 98-24A

T1 T2 T1 T2 T1 T2 T1 T2 T1 T2 T1 T2 T2

131 105

141 151

119 119

138 135

172 176

-.875 -.940 -.701 -.884 -.593 -.858 -.529 -.817 -.247 -.637 -.127 -.488 auto exp l=14 c=0 manually changed

118 134

138 144
-.374 -.472 -.344 -.166 auto exp l=18 c=0 manually changed

G24A_0 98-241

T2 T2 T2

target not visible

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Gray Scale Scanning Log Red, Green, Blue Pixel Statistics
Figure A-4. Example Gray Scale Slide Spectrum Analysis Log (Excel format).
ARS Gray Scale ID#: ___98-24a____________ Date Scanned/Gray Scale File: _______9/11/99 g24a-0023254____ GRAY SCALE STEPS Step: 1 Step: 2 Step: 3 Step: 4 Step: 5 Step: 6 Step: 7 Step: 8 Step: 9 Step: 10 Step: 11 Step: 12 Step: 13 Step: 14 Step: 15 Step: 16 Step: 17 Step: 18 Step: 19 Step: 20 Step: 21 Step: 22 Step: 23 Step: 24 RED GREEN
Reference Site: ___SHED_____________ Calibration Slide #: __0023___________ BLUE

230 225

176 144

231 226

179 143
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CALCULATING SLIDE CONTRASTS
All documented slide spectrum image and gray scale pixel statistics (Section A.2) are input into ARS' CONTRAST.EXE software to determine associated slide spectrum contrasts. Each set or subset of spectrum images should have an associated Gray Scale Analysis Log. CALCULATE CONTRASTS Launch the CONTRAST.EXE program. Select the Reset Calibration Curve tab. Enter 10 steps of the gray scale green pixel values (Density Numbers) into the contrast calculation window. Note that the steps do not need to be consecutive, just sequential. Enter the corresponding step gray scale green density values from the documented Gray Scale Calibration Form, as shown for ARS gray scale 98-24a in Figure A-5. Select the Accept Calibration Curve tab. Note that an unacceptable density error may occur following the calibration process. If so, re-evaluate the 10 steps chosen. Verify that the green wavelength numbers do not exceed 255. Exit the program and begin again. REPEAT FOR EACH SLIDE For each slide associated with the calibration gray scale continue with the following procedures. Enter the sky DN (density number) pixel statistics documented for the green wavelength on the Slide Spectrum Analysis Log. Enter the target DN (density number) pixel statistics documented for the green wavelength on the Slide Spectrum Analysis Log. Select the Calculate Contrast tab in the contrast viewing window. Document the resulting target contrast on the Slide Spectrum Analysis Log. Continue to enter the sky and target density numbers for each target and slide documented on the log. The calibration curve must be reset for the appropriate gray scale associated with each spectrum. Note that it is often necessary to exit the CONTRAST.EXE program in order to reset the calibration.

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24 Step Gray Scale 98 24a Step Red 0.33 0.39 0.45 0.51 0.60 0.72 0.78 0.87 0.94 1.03 1.18 1.30 1.36 1.46 1.58 1.69 1.80 1.96 2.14 2.31 2.45 2.70 2.95 3.04 Green 0.27 0.29 0.36 0.43 0.52 0.63 0.67 0.77 0.88 0.98 1.10 1.18 1.22 1.30 1.43 1.53 1.63 1.77 1.97 2.05 2.16 2.41 2.76 2.99 Blue 0.29 0.33 0.43 0.51 0.59 0.71 0.72 0.83 0.93 1.03 1.14 1.20 1.25 1.35 1.47 1.59 1.76 1.92 2.08 2.12 2.20 2.43 2.71 2.94 Target 0.20 0.30 0.40 0.50 0.60 0.70 0.80 0.90 1.00 1.10 1.20 1.30 1.40 1.50 1.60 1.70 1.80 1.90 2.00 2.10 2.20 2.35 2.55 2.75
Figure A-5. Example ARS Gray Scale and Values.

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By Jack and Sue Drafahl

high-end
Polaroid SprintScan 35 Plus
EDITOR'S CHOICE AWARD Polaroid's SprintScan 35 PIUS is a high-end desktop 35mm film scanner that offers 36-bit (12 bits per color), 2700dpi scans in under a minute. It has an optical density range of 3.4 to enhance images requiring high shadow detail. This makes it ideal for high-quality printing applications and preparation of images for the Web. It is compatible with Windows or Macintosh and has a street price of around $1800.

Nikon Super Coolscan

Super CoOlSCan (LS-1000) gives you 36-bit full-color scans at 2700 dpi in less than 40 seconds. It is a single-pass RGB scanner with a wide dynamic range. No holder is needed for mounted slides, while a provided strip-film holder accommodates up to six frames. The LS-1000 comes with Nikon Scan software which provides comprehensive control of color balance, contrast, brightness, shadow detail and sharpening. An optional automatic 50-slide feeder makes automated film archiving a cinch. The Super Coolscan supports both Windows and Macintosh, and has a street price of about $1800.

Agfa Arcus 11

The ArCUS II flatbed scanner from Agfa features a true optical resolution of 600x1200 dpi and 2400 dpi interpolated resolution in 36-bit color. It can scan legal-size reflective art and features a built-in transparency module that makes it possible to scan up to 8xlO-inch transparencies. The bundled FotoLook scanning software includes batch processing, color conversion and descreening. The scanner also comes bundled with the full version of Adobe Photoshop, and is available for PC and Macintosh. The Arcus II offers professional results for a street price of about $1700

mid-range

Konica Qscan
The Konica QSCan is an easy-to-use film scanner that allows quick input of 35mm and APS negatives and slides into your computer. The Qscan has the ability to adjust for correct color and density to each emulsion. Images can be scanned at a resolution of up to 1200 dpi in full 24-bit color. The Qscan takes about 70 seconds per 35mm film frame and 50 seconds for APS film. It works with both Windows 95 and Macintosh. At a suggested retail price of $799, the Qscan offers a convenient and cost-effective way to digitize high-quality images

D6 | DIGITAL PHOTO

HP PhotoSmart Scanner
The Hewlett-Packard PhotoSmart Scanner is part of the PhotoSmart PC photography system that includes a photo printer, scanner and digital camera. The unit scans negatives and slides at 2400 dpi and prints up to 5x7 inches at 300 dpi. It requires only 40 seconds for the final scan, which you can rotate, size, crop, or modify in color or exposure. The PhotoSmart comes bundled with Microsoft's Picture It! image-editing software and the required SCSI interface card for a suggested list price of $499.

UMAX Astra 1200S

The Astra 1200S flatbed from UfflaX has a maximum optical resolution of 600x1200 dpi (9600 dpi interpolated). Its legal-size 81/2xl4-inch scan bed offers image scanning in 30-bit color. Images are acquired via VistaScan, which allows optimal scanning parameters, and Presto! Page Manager, which makes it possible to drag and drop images into a variety of popular applications. A transparency module is available as an option. The UMAX Astra 1200S is bundled with Adobe PhotoDeluxe and has a street price of around $300.

entry-level

Epson Perfection 600
The EpSOn Perfection 600 features 600x1200 dpi optical resolution with 4800 dpi interpolated resolution. Its 30-bit color depth and a 81/2x14 legalsize scan bed offer a powerful scanning machine in an economical package. The Perfection 600's scan driver automatically sharpens, balances, and colorcorrects images to deliver high-quality results. The Perfection 600 driver also features batch scanning which quickly speeds up the scanning process. An optional transparency adapter sells for $199. The Perfection 600 scanner is available for both Windows and Macintosh and includes an Adaptec SCSI board for use with PCs. It has an attractive street price of about $300.

Storm EasyPhoto Reader

Storm Technology offers the EasyPhoto Reader, which scans photos up to 5x7 at the touch of a button. It features a detachable scanner head, which makes it possible to scan from books and magazines. The EasyPhoto Reader connects to the parallel port for quick setup and comes with Adobe PhotoDeluxe software for special image editing or applying special effects to photos. It also includes EasyPhoto Phone, which allows you to send photos to friends and family over the phone without an Internet connection. The scanner features 200 dpi optical resolution and up to 1200 dpi enhanced resolution with 24-bit true color and automatic JPEG compression, all for $149.

Microtek ScanMaker E3 Plus
Microtek's latest is the flatbed ScanMaker E3 PIUS, a 30-bit scanner that offers 300x600 dpi optical resolution and 4800 dpi interpolated resolution. It has a scan area of 81/2x13.5 inches and features Zero Reflection Design Technology to improve scan quality by reducing light bounceback. Its enhanced parallel port connection is easy to installjust connect the cable and install the software. The ScanMaker E3 Plus comes with image-optimization and color-management software, a transparent-media adapter and 10-page Auto Document Feeder. It's quite affordable at a suggested street price of $149. DIGITAL PHOTO I D7