If you have done any scanning at all be it with a flatbed or film scanner you have probably no doubt heard of or even maybe used SilverFast. SilverFast is a third party scanner driver/program. What makes SilverFast so great is that it is cram packed with features, features you may not have with the software that came with your scanner. Why is this import? Well, for the best results it is better to do as much to an image as you can at the time of scanning then to do it afterwards. Now there are just something's that have to be done after you scan the image in. But things like color correction, exposure adjustment, size and resolution, moiré removal, sharpening, etc. are best done at the time of scanning. Many scanners have special hardware built-in that helps makes these types of corrections and adjustment more effective than if done by software alone. Then of course you have the newer scanners that have special features like Digital Ice for removing dust and scratches, grain reduction technology and even color restoration technology. While the software that comes with your scanner should allow you access to these special features the programs can and often do come up short in tools like sharpening, color and exposure correction and the like. Basic tools are fine for many images but there are times when you need tools with more power, SilverFast gives the basics and it gives you the power tools, it gives it all to you.
However, like most powerful computer applications SilverFast takes a bit of learning. The instruction manual that comes with SilverFast gives you the basics, but it doesn't go in to great depth and it doesn't give you the how's and why's you would use a feature it also doesn't go in to scanning in general, color management and the like. That is where SilverFast the Official Guide comes in. Besides being a great instructional manual it is also a great tutor on how to get the best scans from your scanner and SilverFast. It covers such topics as The Basics of a Scanned Image, Behind the Magic: How Scanners Work, Getting a Grip on Color Management and Output and more. This is a complete guide to using your scanner and SilverFast to best benefit of your images.
Chapters:
Chapter 1: The Basics of a Scanned Image
Chapter 2: Behind the Magic: How Scanners Work
Chapter 3: Up and Running with SilverFast: Quick Start
Chapter 4: Automatic Scanning: Working with the Prescan Image
Chapter 5: Manual Scanning: Working with the Prescan Image
Chapter 6: Fine-Tuning the Color in Your Scans
Chapter 7: Getting Control with the Expert Dialog
Chapter 8: Sharpen, Smooth, and Remove
Chapter 9: Seeing the World in Black and White
Chapter 10: Power User Tips
Chapter 11: Getting a Grip on Color Management and Output
Chapter 12: Using SilverFast HDR, DC and PhotoCD
Bonus 1: Making Slides Come Alive
Bonus 2: Positive Experiences from Your Negatives
Appendix A: Manual Calibration
Appendix B: Keyboard Shortcuts
Using any SilverFast supported scanner, SilverFast, and this book you can learn to get incredible scans. You too can restore and archive all of your family photos it doesn't matter if they are prints, slides or negatives (assuming you are using a scanner that allows the scanning of slides and negatives). This book is the perfect guide to not only SilverFast but to scanning in general. SilverFast the Official Guide covers SilverFast Ai, SE, DC, HDR and PhotoCD.
