Scanner/Image software help??

CharlesL

PFG, Picture Framing God
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Gone but not forgotten
Joined
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Clayton, NC
We've been thinking of getting a scanner, and some sort of photo/image/enhancing or manipulating software.
The computer we have is running XP, which, so I've heard, is supposed to be really good for photos. It has a program called MGI PhotoSuite.

I don't know much about scanners. At all. I don't need an oversized one. I know the more dpi's, the better quality, but how much is enough?
Also, you guys mention PhotoShop and other image software. Which one would you reccomend for a beginner, and how much do they normally cost?

Just looking for input...Thanks in advance.
 
Charles,
You can get a decent scanner pretty cheap, as far as the scanning goes, It's the cheap plastic cases they come in that bother me. If You want to do good quality photos then spend what you can afford for the scanner. I've not used XP's photo imaging software so I can't comment on it. I use Corel's imaging suite and it's pretty nice, pretty expensive too. Photoshop is one of the better in my opinion but there again its pretty expensive. AnneL can probably answer this question a whole lot better. but check out ebay first when you go to buy you can sometimes pick up a little older version cheap.
 
Charles,

Up pretty early, aren't ya, buddy?

MGI Photosuite is probably a reasonable place to start. Most any scanner you buy will probably come with some imaging software as well. For the light stuff, I use Adobe PhotoDeluxe and for the serious stuff, I use Photoshop. (I'll email you regarding the latter.) They have enough features and file formats in common that it's fairly easy to switch back and forth. Photoshop Essentials appears to be a good compromise between the two.

I've had good luck with HP scanners. They keep getting cheaper and I'm not familiar with the current models. I don't get concerned about the plastic cases unless I'm planning on throwing it across the room or setting a 19" monitor on top of it.

Have a nice weekend, Charles. I think Bo is ready for a walk. I know Dogzilla is.

Ron
 
I agree with Ron. I say, don't get the cheapest or the most expensive -- pick something in the middle! tee hee

MGI is a pretty good place to start getting familiar with what these programs are like and shouldn't be bashed. It certainly isn't primitive or too junior -- just......

Well.....here's my plug --- I have been extremely happy with Jasc Paint Shop Pro. It's well priced -- and is amazing in what it can accomplish. There is even a tutorial lesson book that is good at getting one going, even for the experienced. It would take quite some time to outgrow the capacity of this program. It has every feature I liked in the smaller programs all in one place and well as many of PhotoShop. It is also more than just a photo program -- lots of paint and draw stuff too. I find many of the tools very easy to use, but admit I had lots of practice on several starter programs.

Since we framers are somewhat art inclined anyway, I feel it better to start learning one of the intermediate programs right off and have fun discovering all the wonderful tools.

I believe it could be stated that Adobe PhotoShop is THEE program....used by many professionals. It is also in the 1000 range. Adobe also has "lesser" programs -- I recently read an excellent review on one of them called Elements which sounded perfect for one wanting to get started with Adobe AND may just be more than enough for most of us.....and a great way to later phase into the more advanced stuff, if so desired.

Since I have PhotoShop, usually use Jasc, it seems silly to buy another...to check it out...but it is tempting!

Both the Adobe Elements & Jasc Paint Shop Pro are available for free 30 day download trial and cost in the $100 or less range.
 
I have Adobe PhotoDeluxe Business Edition. When we bought the computer, I just sorta described my business and this is what they put on for me. I have the HP OfficeJet G55 printer/scanner/copier. I really like how it has worked for me. I first used an officejet 710, but needed a better copier. Those photos on the regular thread were scanned with it. The G55 is really better.

My son can do some awesome things with the PhotoDeluxe! I just don't have time to play with it.

Betty
 
How much time do you have to learn the program? The learning curve on Photoshop is like this J. It has way most features than most people, even photographers are going to need. It's original use was for pre-press clean up of images. It took me months to figure out the basics, but then after a week long class it clicked.

As far as scanners go, we've had good luck with Epsons, but even some of the less expensive ones on the market are good for the average person. There are scanners out now for less than $100 that produce a better quality image than the one we paid over $400 for 4 years ago. :eek:
 
Charles,

My advice is also to get a mid range scanner. Most people don't need the top end scanners and the bottom end ones don't have some features which make life easy.

I currently have a Microtek V6USL which has great scanning software and it also came with Adobe Photo Deluxe for free, which is a good program for beginners and intermediate users. Most scanners come with some free imaging software down here.

Paint Shop Pro is also a great prgram and is inexpensive. You can download a 30 day trial version from http://www.jasc.com/

I use Micrografx Picture Publisher 8 and am soon to upgrade to version 10. It is a really easy program to learn and has more than enough features for the average person. I have been using this for years and still only use about 20% of the features.

Photo Shop is by far the best for advanced people, but takes a huge amount of brainpower and time to learn. This rules it out for me! It is also much more expensive than the others.

Windows 98 also comes with 'Microsoft Photo Editor'. I guess other versions of Windoze might also have it. You could play around with that and get some photo editing knowledge.
 
Originally posted by osgood:
Photo Shop is by far the best for advanced people, but takes a huge amount of brainpower and time to learn. This rules it out for me!
Osgood, Me Too!

Thanks, all, for the ideas and suggestions. Please keep 'em coming! I'm starting to get excited about my new scanner!

Osgood, I found this one: V6UPL

And this one: Here

Am also looking at H/P's as well. The Microtek prices seem reasonable. Perhaps some of you can illuminate me on the software array that come with them?


Oh, I found this one. It's a bit more pricey, but it claims to be able to scan 'bulky objects', like books: Epson
 
Charles,

There are other brands of scanners that are good, but I have had no experience with them so cannot comment.

A friend always gives Epson a good rap, so you should go to the Epson site http://www.epson.com/
and check them out too.

http://www.microtekusa.com/ will take you to the Microtek site where you can get all the details on all their scanners

The V6UPL & the X12USL both look great, but you have to weigh up what you get for your dollar and what features you really need.

It would be good if you get photo editing software, OCR software and USB connectivity and cable.

OCR software is used to scan text pages so that you can work with it in a word processor. A scanner scans text as a picture and the OCR software converts the picture of the text into actual text. It saves you having to type the text in yourself.
 
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