Computer Graphics Survey

Scanning an Image

Using VistaScan on MacOS Computers

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Before beginning the project


Tutorial Description

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Setting Up for Work

  1. The scanners can only be used from the computers directly attached to them (they are not available through the network). Bring your Zip disk along and prepare the scanner if not already set-up.
  2. Place your image face-down on the glass plate of the scanner.
  3. Launch the scanner software, VistaScan.
    the icon of the VistaScan application
  4. The VistaScan window appears, with a preview area on the left and scanning controls on the right. Click the Preferences button in the upper-right corner of the window.
    the Preferences button
  5. The Preferences dialog appears. Click on the 'General' tab. Make sure 'Show Ruler' is checked.
    General Preferences dialog
  6. Click on the 'Scan Destination' tab. Choose 'TIFF' file format and 'File' destination (the disk icon on the left).
    the File Destination preferences dialog
  7. Click <Setting>. Locate your folder on the desktop as the destination of the scanned image file. Enter your choice of filename, then click <Save>
    use Save dialog to choose your folder
  8. Click <OK> to exit the Preferences dialog.

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Preview and Adjust the Image

  1. Click the 'Advanced' button at the top of the window. This lets you control directly the image settings.
  2. If you don't see a stack of pop-up menus in the right half of the window, click the Tool Selection icon (center-top) to display them:
    Tool Selection icon
  3. Make sure that 'Flatbed (Reflective)' is selected in the top pop-up menu on the right.
  4. Click the 'Preview' button on the right of the window. VistaScan will activate the scanner and display a reduced view of your image.
    VistaScan window with image preview
  5. Using the second pop-up menu, set the image type.
    image type menu
  6. Using the third pop-up menu, set the resolution to 72 dpi.
    image resolution menu
  7. Use the fourth pop-up menu to match the source of your image.
    descreening menu
  8. Turn off sharpening by setting the fifth pop-up menu to 'No Filter'.
    sharpening menu
  9. If necessary, adjust the selected area in the preview window using the Frame tool.
    the frame tool used to select in the preview
  10. Scale the image to the appropriate size in pixels:
  11. Make sure the Auto Adjustment checkbox is checked. This re-adjusts the exposure automatically based on your selection.

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Scan and Save the Image

  1. Click the 'Scan' button to acquire the image with the desired settings.
    the 'Scan' button
  2. Find the file you just scanned in your folder, and drag its icon to your Zip disk.
    the icon for a VistaScan TIFF document
  3. Return to your computer to let the next person scan.
  4. To see the image you scanned, drag its icon and drop it on the icon of the program Photoshop.

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Notes

Raster File Formats

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Evaluating scanners

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Color-space models

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Color on computers

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Information specific to the ACG Lab

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