SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION. The information contained herein is designed only for use with this EPSON scanner. EPSON is not responsible for any use of this information as applied to other scanners.
Page 3
Trademarks EPSON and EPSON Stylus are registered trademarks of SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION. EPSON Expression is a registered trademark, EPSON FaxAdvice is a trademark, and EPSON SoundAdvice is a service mark of Epson America, Inc. LaserSoft is a registered trademark and SilverFast is a trademark of LaserSoft GmbH, Germany.
Contents Introduction How to Use This Guide Cautions, Notes, and Tips Using Electronic Links Accessing SilverFast Lite Basic Scanning Basic Scanning Steps Changing the Basic Settings Selecting a Scan Mode Choosing the Original Document Type Selecting the Scan Type Choosing the Scan Resolution Framing Creating Frames Resizing and Moving Frames...
Page 5
Sizing the Image Factors Affecting Resource Requirements Changing the Size of the Scanned Image Advanced Scanning Changing Image Orientation Batch Scanning Scanning Multiple Images Scanning Transparencies Scanning Polaroid Photographs Adjusting Image Quality Using Auto Adjust Activating and Resetting Auto Adjust Settings Removing or Preserving a Color Cast Using the Densitometer Setting the Densitometer Measuring Point...
Page 6
Adjusting Color Balance Selecting Tone Ranges Modifying Color Values Applying Scanning Filters Troubleshooting Problems Using SilverFast Lite Problems with Image Quality Where to Get Help Keyboard Shortcuts Windows 95, 98, and NT Shortcuts Macintosh Shortcuts Glossary Index Page 6...
™ Lite is a TWAIN interface program between your ® ® application software and your EPSON Expression 800 scanner that lets you scan images into your software. It is the ideal interface for scanning photographs on any type of medium: photo paper, positive and negative ®...
Page 8
Here is a brief overview of scanning steps using SilverFast Lite: 1 Select the basic settings: 4 Use Auto Adjust Scan Mode to optimize image Original quality Scan Type 5 Size or scale the image 6 Set the Resolution 2 Preview your image 7 Scan the image into your 3 Adjust the frame border...
Lite included on your Advanced Scanning presents all the advanced scanning features of EPSON Expression SilverFast Lite—such as sizing and batch scanning options—and tells you Scanning Tools how to scan transparencies, Polaroid photos, and photos for CD-ROM. If you enlargement.
Cautions, Notes, and Tips You’ll find this information throughout your guide: Cautions must be observed to avoid damage to your equipment. Notes contain important information about your scanner software. Tips contain additional hints for better scanning. Using Electronic Links Blue underlined text indicates that the text is a link (cross-reference) to other parts of this guide.
See your source application’s documentation for 4 You see the Select Source dialog box. Select Expression 800 (32 Bit) additional details on (Windows) or Expression800 (Macintosh) and click Select or OK. scanning. Click to select SilverFast Lite...
Page 12
5 To start SilverFast Lite, select Import or Acquire from the File menu; then select TWAIN_32 (Windows) or TWAIN Acquire (Macintosh). Click to open SilverFast Lite You see the SilverFast Lite window: Windows rotation tools image quality basic scanning tools options image sizing pixel zoom/...
Page 13
Macintosh rotation tools image quality basic scanning tools options image sizing options pixel zoom and image orientation scan resolution display slider Prescan button prescan image Scan button area Quit button Reset button The features in the SilverFast Lite window are basically the same for both the Windows and Macintosh platforms.
Professional model of If you’re scanning Polaroid photographs, see Scanning Polaroid the Expression 800. Photographs for instructions on using Polaroid mode for quick scans. It’s available as an option for the Executive and Artist models.
Basic Scanning Steps 1 Access the SilverFast Lite window as described in Accessing SilverFast Lite. 2 Preview the image by clicking the Prescan button. Because the prescan image reflects what the scanned image will look like, it changes as you change certain settings. 3 Select the appropriate basic settings for the original you are scanning as described in Changing the Basic...
Page 16
6 If you’re scanning a color photograph or a grayscale image, use the Sharpen filter to adjust the sharpness as necessary. If you’re scanning a screened image, such as those printed in a newspaper, use the Descreening filter. See Applying Scanning Filters for details.
Changing the Basic Settings Prescanning lets you preview the image to see how it will look when scanned. If any adjustments are needed, change one or more of the basic settings described in these sections to obtain the results you want: Selecting a Scan Mode For a description of Choosing the Original Document Type...
(such as negative film strips) using the document feeder; optional transparency unit, select this option so use EPSON TWAIN light can shine through the original instead of Pro instead. See the reflecting off it. SilverFast Lite also turns the electronic EPSON negative image into a positive image.
Spectra Polaroid or 600 Polaroid When you’re scanning Polaroid photographs, you must adjust the exposure settings differently than for conventionally developed photographs. These Polaroid modes automatically adjust exposure and size the image area. For Polaroids taken with a Spectra camera, select Spectra Polaroid. For pictures taken with a Polaroid 600 camera, select 600 Polaroid.
Choosing the Scan Resolution Resolution refers to how many dots per inch (dpi) or dots per centimeter (dpcm) you want your scanned image to contain. These sections tell you how to select the best resolution for your image: Factors to Consider in Selecting Resolution Changing the Resolution Factors to Consider in Selecting Resolution The best resolution for a scanned image depends on the type of image...
For ink jet printers, such as an EPSON Stylus series printer set to 1440 dpi printing mode, use a scanning resolution of approximately 300 dpi (select approximately 240 dpi for 720 dpi printing mode). For a list of recommended resolutions for specific image types, see Setting Up and Using Your Scanner .
Page 22
In some instances, you may want to create a large file—such as when you’ll be enlarging a small scanned original in your application program and want to retain a high image quality. In that case, you may want to select a resolution between 1200 and 2400 dpi so you can enlarge it later with good results.
Framing You can adjust the frame border on your image to crop out anything on the scanner’s document table that you don’t want to include in your scan. You can even create multiple frames on a single image, or frame several If you’re scanning a different images, and then scan them all at once.
Creating Frames When you first prescan your document, SilverFast Lite places a default frame (the dotted line) around the border of the entire scan area. If the Original setting is set to Reflective, the scan area is the entire document table (8.5 11.7 inches).
To create multiple frames, see Creating Multiple Frames. To move between multiple frames, see Moving Between Frames for instructions. Resizing and Moving Frames You can resize or move the default frame or the active frame, if you’ve created multiple frames. You can also set the To resize a frame, move the mouse pointer over the frame border;...
The new frame border is a dotted line, indicating that it is the active frame. Any other frame borders become solid lines. active frame border If you’re creating shown by dotted line inactive frame multiple frames for borders shown batch scanning, select by solid line the settings for one frame before creating...
Now you can select settings for the active frame, move to another frame, select its settings, and so on. Then you can scan your frames one at a time or batch scan them all at once. To scan your frames one at a time, select the frame you want to scan first To delete the active as the active frame;...
Transferring Zoomed Corrections You can also make corrections in a zoomed frame and then transfer the corrections to the rest of the image. 1 Adjust the frame borders around a small area of the image that will be useful in viewing your correction effects. 2 Click the Zoom button.
Factors Affecting Resource Requirements These factors affect the resources required to store a scanned image: Type of Original The size of a scanned image depends on the type of original. Color images require up to 24 bits of computer memory or disk space for each pixel or dot in the image.
Changing the Size of the Scanned Image When you scan an image using the default settings, the output image is scanned at the same size and proportion as the original image. However, SilverFast Lite lets you change the size of the output image, either by Scaling changes the changing the scale of the original or by setting the size of the final image.
Page 31
These sections give various ways to change your image size: Resizing with the Mouse Maintaining Size Ratio (Proportional Scaling) Maintaining Output Size Resizing by Manually Entering Output Dimensions Resizing by Manually Entering a Scale Percentage Resizing with the Mouse To resize an image using the mouse: 1 Click on a frame if there’s more than one displayed.
Page 32
For example, if the original image frame size is 3 inches wide and 4 inches high, and you increase the output width to 4.5 inches (increase proportional it by half), the height is automatically increased by half to 6 inches. scale locked Proportional scaling is locked as the default setting.
Page 33
3 Click and drag the frame to resize the original frame area. Resizing by Manually Entering Output Dimensions proportional scaling bracket locked To resize an image by typing in the dimensions: 1 Select the active frame you want, if there’s more than one frame in your prescan image.
Advanced Scanning SilverFast Lite provides advanced tools that let you change image orientation, scan multiple images at once, and scan transparencies, Polaroids, and photographs for enlargement. The following topics are described in this chapter: Changing Image Orientation Batch Scanning Scanning Transparencies Scanning Polaroid Photographs Advanced Scanning Page 34...
Changing Image Orientation If you placed an image on the scanner document table incorrectly, you can rotate the image using SilverFast Lite instead of moving the original on the scanner. You can also flip an image either horizontally or vertically. Changes in image orientation are shown To do this, you use the image orientation tools and the image orientation...
Batch Scanning Batch scanning lets you automatically scan multiple originals using different customized settings for each framed image. For example, you can scan a color postcard, a black and white photograph, and a black and For best results, use white line art drawing at the same time. Or you can place multiple originals that are all Polaroid photographs on the document table and batch scan all of them at reflective or all...
Scanning Multiple Images To scan multiple images: 1 Place the original(s) to be scanned on the scanner document table. 2 Click the Prescan button. 3 Select one of the following from the Scan Mode list: Batch Mode (to import images into your application) or Batch Mode Tiff (to scan images into TIFF files).
The transparency unit 1 Place the transparency in the transparency unit. See the electronic comes with the EPSON Expression 800 Reference Guide for instructions. Professional model of 2 Access the SilverFast Lite window as described in Accessing...
Page 39
8 Click the Auto Adjust button to automatically adjust the exposure of the area within the frame. (See Using Auto Adjust for details.) 9 Set the output size for your scanned image as described in Sizing the Image. 10 Select a resolution setting; see Choosing the Scan Resolution instructions.
Scanning Polaroid Photographs SilverFast Lite provides two options for scanning polaroids: Spectra Polaroid and 600 Polaroid. Both automatically frame the photograph for the correct size (4 3.5-inch or 3.5 3.5-inch) and customize the exposure adjustments. This optimizes the image quality unique to Polaroid photographs, due to the instant development process used to create them.
Page 41
6 Click the Prescan button. The SilverFast Lite window becomes a little smaller and the prescan image appears in the 4 3.5-inch (or 3.5-inch) prescan area. prescan image automatically framed to maximum size The image is automatically framed to the correct size and the Auto Adjust feature is automatically activated and optimized for Polaroid photographs.
Page 42
10 Click the Scan RGB button to scan the image. You see a window showing the progress of your scan. (To cancel scanning at any time, click Cancel.) 11 Click Quit to exit SilverFast Lite. The scanned image appears in your application window.
Adjusting Image Quality SilverFast Lite provides advanced tools that let you modify a variety of image settings prior to scanning: Automatically optimizes the image settings for the best contrast possible Auto Adjust between highlights and shadows by accurately setting the white, black, middle gray, and color values.
Using Auto Adjust Auto Adjust tool checks the image for the brightest and darkest points and sets the highlight and shadow points according to a preset formula. It also adjusts the midtones to align with the extreme points for Auto Adjust affects only an overall brighter image.
To remove any dominating color casts while automatically optimizing your image, click the Auto Adjust button. To activate Auto Adjust without correcting an image’s color cast, hold down the Shift key and click the Auto Adjust button. Using the Densitometer The densitometer reports the density of the colors in an image —how many pixels of each color are in a given sample area.
Setting the Densitometer Measuring Point You can fix the densitometer measurement point to a specific location on an image to get its color values and accurately adjust the tone curve based on those values. Before setting the 1 Move the mouse pointer to the point on the image you want to mark for densitometer measurement.
Manually Adjusting Highlights and Shadows The Auto Adjust feature automatically adjusts the highlights and shadows of the selected image. However, if you want you can manually adjust them. You can even have SilverFast Lite show you the brightest and You can compare the darkest points in the image so you know where to select them.
Displaying the Brightest and Darkest Image Points Locating the brightest and darkest points in your prescan image helps you adjust the highlights and shadows. 1 To find the brightest point, click the Highlight/Shadow Control button and move the mouse pointer over the prescan image; the pointer changes to a white triangle.
Adjusting Tone Curves When an image needs adjustment, it’s usually because it is too dark or too light. However, sometimes only parts of an image need adjustment. In such cases, you can use a tone curve to adjust only those tones that are too dark or too light.
Using the Tone Curve To display an image’s tone curves, click the Tone Curve button. The Gradation Curves dialog box appears. To easily determine gradation the color values in a color curves setting specific area in your selection list image and identify boxes their location in the tone curve, first set...
There are several ways to change the shape of a tone curve: Click & drag As you drag a curve anchor, the curve follows the movement of the anchor, but your adjustment to curve anchor one anchor doesn’t affect the other anchors. To allow changes to a single anchor to affect the adjacent anchors, you can activate the adjacent anchors.
Using the Tone Curve Sliders The sliders at the bottom of the dialog box provide an easy way to adjust the tone curve. numeric value sliders fields Each slider has a value of 0 at the middle setting. Moving to the right increases the value;...
Midtones Adjusts the midtone values in the middle of the curve without affecting the values of the highlights or shadows at the very ends of the curve. To select the way the midtones move, click the icon to display as follows: N (Linear) moves all the points in a literal relationship.
Page 54
Saving a Setting 1 Click the Gradation Curves settings list at the top of the dialog box. 2 Select Save. 3 When prompted, enter a file name for the saved settings and click OK. Loading a Previously Saved Setting 1 Click the Gradation Curves settings list. 2 Click the name of the setting you want to apply to the image.
Adjusting Color Balance The Global Color Correction tool lets you adjust the colors in an image’s midtones either generally or selectively. To access the Global Color Correction dialog box, click the Color Balance button. You see the Global Color Correction dialog box: midtone range buttons and values...
Selecting Tone Ranges Across the top of the dialog box is a series of buttons that enable you to specify the midtone range you want to edit in your image. You can select all ranges or you can choose a specific midtone range. all midtones 25% 50% 75% Modifying Color Values The color wheel in the dialog box is composed of the three primary colors,...
Applying Scanning Filters SilverFast Lite can automatically adjust an image based on the type of original scanned. These automatic adjustments are called filters. Filters are only From the Filter list, choose None or one of the following filters: available when you Sharpen Automatically sharpens an image (makes it less select a color or...
LaserSoft. See Where to Get Help for contact information. Problems Using SilverFast Lite When you select a TWAIN source, EPSON Expression 800 (32 Bit) (SilverFast Lite) isn’t listed. Problem Solution SilverFast Lite wasn’t Reinstall the software following the instructions in Setting Up and Using installed or it wasn’t...
Page 59
SilverFast Lite doesn’t start. Problem Solution The scanner isn’t ready Make sure your scanner is turned on and the cables are connected properly. Also make sure you turned on your scanner before starting SilverFast Lite. If you started SilverFast Lite first, exit the program, turn off your scanner, turn it on again, and reboot your system.
Page 60
Problem Solution Windows 95 or 98 has If you are using Windows 95 or 98, its hardware detection utility may not detected new hardware have correctly detected the SCSI controller. Restart Windows and see the Windows Help utility for instructions on detecting new hardware. The scanner does not start scanning.
Page 61
You have trouble batch scanning. Problem Solution Your application Some applications don’t support batch scanning. When you try to batch program doesn’t scan with this type of program, you get an error message or the system support batch scanning locks up. Check the program documentation and, if necessary, use or you don’t have another program for batch scanning.
Problems with Image Quality The image is distorted or blurred. Problem Solution The document isn’t Make sure that the document is placed flat against the document table positioned correctly on and that no part of the original is wrinkled or warped. the document table You may have moved the document during scanning.
Page 63
Problem Solution Some SilverFast Lite Check your Tone Curves setting and/or select a darker Highlight setting. settings may be set Adjusting Image Quality for instructions. incorrectly Your monitor isn’t Make sure you have calibrated your monitor to your scanner as described in Setting Up and Using Your Scanner .
Page 64
(See your software and computer manuals for details.) Exact matching of colors on your monitor, scanner, and printer is very difficult. If you have the Artist or Professional model of the EPSON Expression 800, use Monaco ® Profiler Lite to set up ICC profiles for these devices.
Page 65
The printer can’t print the image, or the printout is garbled or isn’t an image. Problem Solution Your printer and Check that the printer is properly connected to the computer and is computer may not be correctly set up; see your printer manual. securely connected Your software is not Check that your application software is properly installed and set up for...
Telephone: 941-383-7496 Fax: 941-387-7574 If you need technical support for using the World Wide Web site: www.lasersoftInt.com scanner, please E-mail: LaserSoft@earthlink.net contact EPSON as described in Setting Up and Using Your Scanner or the online Reference Guide . Troubleshooting Page 66...
Keyboard Shortcuts Windows 95, 98, and NT Shortcuts Tool and dialog box access Function Shortcut Zoom into prescan image Ctrl + Alt + 2 Access Global Color Correction dialog box Ctrl + Alt + 3 Access Gradation Curves dialog box Ctrl + Alt + 5 Activate Auto Adjust feature Ctrl + Alt + 7...
Page 68
Highlight/Shadow Control commands Function Shortcut Set highlight Click the button + click in the frame Set shadow Click the button + Alt + click in the frame Display brightest point Ctrl + Shift Display darkest point Ctrl Reset highlight and Alt + shadow adjustments to default settings...
Macintosh Shortcuts Tool and dialog box access Function Shortcut Zoom into prescan image Access Global Color Correction dialog box Access Gradation Curves dialog box Activate Auto Adjust feature Activate Auto Adjust without correcting the Shift key + click the color casts Auto Adjust button Reset Auto Adjust to default setting option key + click the...
Page 70
Highlight/Shadow Control tools Function Shortcut Set highlight Click the button + click in the frame Set shadow Click the button + Alt + click in the frame Display brightest point + shift Display darkest point + control Reset highlight and shadow + option + click the button adjustments to default...
Glossary Brightness The overall range, from light to dark, of an image. The brighter an image, the lighter it appears. CMYK Refers to cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, the basic colors used in printing to create all other colors. Document table The area of the scanner on which you place an item to be scanned.
Page 72
Prescan area The area in the SilverFast Lite main window where you can preview the item you’re scanning. Resolution The amount of detail in an image, as measured in dots per inch (dpi) or dots per centimeter (dpcm) Refers to red, green, and blue, the basic colors used to create all other colors on a monitor.
Index Color Balance adjusting, 16, 43, Accessing LaserSoft, color values, modifying, Advanced scanning, tone ranges, selecting, Auto Adjust Color casts, controlling, to 45, color casts, controlling, Contrast setting, resetting, using, 16, to 45, Densitometer setting measuring point, 46, Basic scanning, using, 43, Basic settings, changing, Descreening filter, 16,...
Page 74
Frames copying settings, Image creating, flipping, creating multiple, framing, see Framing deleting, orientation, changing, moving between, quality problems, numbers, quality, adjusting, resizing and moving, rotating, scanning multiple, see Batch scanning sizing, see Sizing images Import settings, Gamma settings, see Tone Curves Interrupt conflicts, Global color correction, see Color Balance Introduction,...
Page 75
Neg. Transparency option, 18, Reflective option, 18, Negatives, see Transparencies Resetting options, 38, Normal option, Resolution, to 22, to 30, Resource requirements, Rotating images, Orientation, changing image, Original setting, 18, Original size, see Sizing images Scale settings, Output settings, 25, Scan Mode setting, Scan Type setting, 61, Scanning...
Page 76
Tone Curves Unzoom button, adjusting, 16, 43, to 54, 61, adjusting individual colors, loading, saving, Zooming, using curve, using densitometer with, 46, using sliders, Transferring zoomed corrections, Transparencies frame border, scanning, settings, Troubleshooting, Index Page 76...