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An Introduction to Digital Scanning

This Agfa scanning guide is intended to be both an introduction for beginners, and useful resource material for more experienced operators. The techniques and terminology relating to scanning for prepress and other applications are clearly explained and extensively illustrated.

Dramatic increases in computer power and software capabilities, combined with the proliferation of affordable image-capturing devices now offer image-manipulation facilities to us all. The color knowledge and skills of an experienced scanner operator are, however, far less easily acquired.

Printed image quality is highly dependent upon the accuracy and correct color and tonal balance of the initial scanning process. If significant image details and tonal ranges are absent from the start, even the most skillful image retoucher will find it difficult to produce an acceptable result.

Simple rules are provided in this guide to allow the best possible results to be obtained when scanning any original, taking into account the intended output device. Potential scanning or image-processing errors are illustrated for easy identification.

A section is also included for those about to purchase image-capturing equipment, giving advice on the suitability of currently available devices for specific applications.

Although a guide of this size could never be an exhaustive description of image-capturing technology and techniques, we have aimed to provide the reader with sufficient general information to obtain the best possible image quality from a wide range of equipment. Used in combination with our other Digital Color Prepress guides, which deal mainly with the requirements for successful prepress and printing, a comprehensive knowledge of the complete process from original to print will be gained. You may purchase this and other publications using our convenient online order form.

Table of Contents

2. Setting the Scene
4. Choosing Your Input Device
6. Sensing Technologies
8. Colour Basics
10. Theory of Opacity and Density
11. Judging Your Originals
12. Picture Elements
14. Resizing Bitmaps
16. Output Basics
18. Line-Art Resolution
20. Greyscale Resolution
22. Colour Resolution
24. Histograms and Tone Curves
26. Linear and Non-Linear Tone Curves
28. Scanner Desity Controls
29. Global and Selective Colour Corrections
30. Sharpen Your Image
32. Colour Definitions
34. Colour Management
36. File Formats and File Storage
38. Glossary



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