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Thread ID: 66525	2006-02-26 05:15:00	Scanning software	Lizard (2409)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
433926	2006-02-26 05:15:00	Can anyone recommend a good program for scanning a large number of photos? I was in Auckland recently and had the good fortune to use a friend's Epson multifunction PSC, and was pleasantly surprised at how easy the software was to use. She was using the bundled scanning program that came with the Epson CX3500. I had a quick look on Epson's website, but couldn't find what this program was, or if I could get hold of it. I ask because the Image Zone and Solution Centre package that came with my HP PS2575 is far from friendly compared to the Epson package. With the Epson program, we loaded three photos on the glass, pressed scan, and each were scanned and saved sequentially without any user input other than clicking "Scan". With the HP, I can load photos, they can be autodetected, but then I have to approve the cropping (which isn't always accurate). It also seems to be slower than the Epson, despite scanning at the same resolution, and to the same format (which leads me to think it is the hardware of the PSC, rather than the software). At any rate, in lieu of finding the Epson package, can anyone suggest a good (preferably free) program for scanning photos in the same manner as this Epson program. While we're on the subject, what is the general consensus about Microsoft Digital Image Suite 10.0 - any good, any flaws, any gaping holes? Cheers Lizard	Lizard (2409)
433927	2006-02-26 05:41:00	Use Picasa2, Gimp, or Irfanview. All are free. And I think all of these let you scan. Dunno how good MS Digital Image Suite is, I use Paintshop Pro X.	Speedy Gonzales (78)
433928	2006-02-26 08:42:00	Use Picasa2, Gimp, or Irfanview. All are free. And I think all of these let you scan. Dunno how good MS Digital Image Suite is, I use Paintshop Pro X. Thanks Speedy, I've just tried each of those you suggested: Picasa2 is a great little organising and effects tool, but it doesn't really have the freehand editing tools (cloning etc) that I'm after. Irfanview seemed similarly limited. GIMP is incredibly well-equipped for a free program, but it doesn't really have the user-friendliness I was after. Also, none of them have what I was after in the scanning department. Having now tried the three different programs, I think I may have stumbled onto half of my problem. I admit I don't fully understand the details of scanners and their driver software, but the term TWAIN keeps coming up, and I've noticed that irrespective of the image software I use, the same scanning application (HP's) keeps popping up. It's this thing that is proving frustrating when I want to scan photos, as it doesn't have the simplicity of the Epson front-end I used in Auckland. I suspect the HP TWAIN driver (not sure if this is the right terminology) is the stumbling block, and that if I could get hold of a different (third-party) TWAIN driver, I could find one that is simpler and more intuitive to use. The image editing software can be sorted out later. So - what is all this TWAIN stuff about, and can I do - find - what I'm after, or am I stuck with what HP gives to me? Cheers Lizard	Lizard (2409)
433929	2006-02-26 09:39:00	What about Paint . net? ( . eecs . wsu . edu/paint . net/index . html" target="_blank">www . eecs . wsu . edu) It looks like it supports scanners . But you also need the . net framework 1 . 1 files / updates . As it says on the FAQ on the site above . Why can't I scan or print? There are three possible reasons . One is that you're using Windows 2000 . We use WIA v2 . 0 (Windows Image Acquisition) for our printing and scanning functionality, and this is a system component that is not available unless you have Windows XP SP1 or later installed . Second, if you can't scan, then maybe your scanner doesn't support WIA . You can check to see if you scanner supports WIA by verifying that it shows up in the "Scanners and Cameras" control panel . Some scanners or cameras require that special software or drivers be installed before they work with WIA . Lastly, if you are running Windows Server 2003 you should know that the Windows Image Acquisition system service is not enabled by default . Simply set it to "Automatic" and it should work . You also need Windows 2000, or XP to use it . Info on Twain is here ( . wikipedia . org/wiki/Twain" target="_blank">en . wikipedia . org) You still need the right drivers for whatever scanner you've got . All the programs like the above do, is use that driver, so you can scan with the scanner .	Speedy Gonzales (78)
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