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All images acquired with the NeuraScanner are in the TIFF format. A variety of settings are available for custom scanning. The text below discusses optimizations for your personal scanning requirements.
Getting the Best Quality Image
Recommended Workflow for BW Image Scanning
Scanning at Best Length Accuracy
Working with Delicate Documents
Dealing with Static Electricity
Other Interesting or Unusual Scans
Moving the Scanner to Another Computer
Getting the Best Quality Image
Use File->PreScan to see a preview of how the image will look when scanned.Use gray or color, if needed to capture more detail.
Even when black and white (BW) images are desired, scanning in grayscale and then converting to BW using NeuraView image processing is likely to deliver the highest BW quality.ÿ Adjust the brightness for gray or color images. Adjusting brightness can improve color quality.
ÿ Adjust the threshold/detail for BW images to achieve image enhancements.
ÿ Make sure the paper is loaded properly into the scanner and the offset bar has been set to hold the paper in place and not allow it to ìwanderî.
ÿ Use the appropriate DPI. For most well logs and maps, 200 or 300 DPI is sufficient. Keep in mind that higher DPIs increase file size.
ÿ Make sure your scanner and scanning area are dust-free. Dust and smudges on your media will be captured in the scan.
ÿ Scan speed does not affect image quality.
Recommended Workflow for BW Image Scanning
ÿ Scan in grayscale, then load into NeuraView for Virtual Rescan and precise B&W conversion. This reduces file size and helps control quality.
ÿ For capturing fine detail, 2DA is often the best scan mode. It uses a pixel interpolation to smooth fine details, such as text.
ÿ For logs that wash in and out (e.g. where dark bands at folds intermittently obscure log details), use the Auto scan setting. This automatically adjusts image brightness/darkness as the image changes.
ÿ For logs that are consistently washed out or dark in appearance, use Auto or Manual mode and adjust the threshold to an appropriate level.
Scanning at Best Length Accuracy
ÿ Make sure the paper has smooth flow path and that the drag on the paper is minimized.
o Do not place a scanning weight on the paper. Placing a weight on the scanner (even the Neuralog weight) can increase drag and cause the image to stretch. (Exception: A scanning weight is sometimes need for extremely light-weight paper that can lift from the scanner body, causing the "paper-end switch" to activate prematurely. Use no more than a 2 ounce weight, such as a CD case.)
o Do not place the paper on the floor, significantly below the scanner. Placing the paper on the floor can increase drag (from the weight of the paper) and cause the image to stretch.
ÿ Higher resolution scans are usually slightly more accurate than lower resolution scans because of reduced local error.
ÿ Scan speed does not significantly affect length. However scanning at a slower speed will slightly reduce error. Scanning at FAST rather than TURBO or scanning at DELICATE rather than FAST is slightly more accurate.
ÿ BW images are by far the smallest.
ÿ If grayscale or color images are desired, use the smallest satisfactory number of colors.
ÿ Make sure the scan width and margin offsets are set appropriately to avoid scanning ìwhite spaceî.
ÿ Use the smallest satisfactory resolution (DPI); however the greater the DPI, the better image quality.
ÿ Choose Group 4 or LZW Compression for a smaller compressed file.
ÿ Scan speed does not affect file size.
ÿ Inverting or mirroring the image does not affect the file size.
Color mapping will map all scanned colors to a subset of defined colors. For larger sets of colors, you may use the 256 color setting in the scanner software and enter up to 256 colors in the rgb.txt file. For smaller sets, you may use the 32 color setting in the scanner software and enter up to 32 colors in the rgb32.txt or rgb.txt file. (Use both files if you wish to save and switch between 2 sets of mappings; otherwise just use rgb.txt and enter however many colors you need. All Neuralog software ships with a default rgb.txt color mapping file.
Before changing the color map, be sure to save a copy of the default rgb.txt. The rgb.txt file is a set of triplet rgb values with an optional color name. To change the color map, once you have entered the colors into the rgb.txt, save the new file. The scanner software looks for the file in
- first the current scan directory
- next the site directory you have defined
- finally the nds/res directory
In this way it is possible to define multiple color mappings for different sets of files.
ÿ Make sure no other USB devices are connected to your computer. NeuraScanner II uses USB 2.0. Other USB devices can add to the data transfer bus and slow down the scan.
ÿ Scan in BW or grayscale, rather than color when possible. Grayscale scanning is as fast as BW scanning.
ÿ Scan at a lower resolution when possible.
ÿ If the scanner becomes sluggish/slower, turn it OFF/ON before the next scan. It is possible that the USB bus connecting the scanner to your computer has degraded. Cycling the power corrects this problem.
ÿ Make sure the paper has a clear path both in and out of the scanner, before you begin the scan.
ÿ The scan width setting does not affect scan speed.
Working with Delicate Documents
ÿ If the document is fragile, scan in DELICATE mode (if necessary with the document in a transparent sleeve). This slower mode has a lower current and was designed for more delicate documents.
ÿ If you need to scan in high-resolution and high-color, the TURBO and FAST modes will scan slower because of USB data transfer. For this special case DELICATE mode may not be necessary.
ÿ If the paper slips or binds, use the fine tuning motor current control found under Edit->Preferences to increase/decrease motor current.
Dealing with Static Electricity
Static electricity has been found to be a problem with many types of electronic equipment in very dry climates. Severe static build ups may cause your scanner to temporarily stop working or to loose its factory calibration. Several anti-static components have been added to the scanner such as anti-static rollers and the paper roller bar to reduce static electricity. If static electricity is a problem in your area, this information applies to you.
ÿ To minimize static electricity as you scan, decrease the distance of the paper stack from the scanner. A greater build up will occur if the paper travels a greater distance to get to the scanner.
o Don't let the paper fall to the floor; let it collect in front of the scanner.
o Minimize how far the paper is stacked away from the back of the scanner.
ÿ For very dry climates, consider adding a humidifier to your office. This may be helpful for all your office equipment that processes paper, not just the scanner.
ÿ Make sure the USB cable is pulled to the left side and possibly shield it from the paper with something light such as a CD case.
ÿ Don't use the anodized Neuralog paper weight or other anodized weight.
Other Interesting or Unusual Scans
ÿ Scanning grayscale of a color original requires all three image sensor colors to be used. To capture all colors, verify the ìGun to useî in Preferences is set to ALL, its default setting.
ÿ Color Elimination can be accomplished by scanning with only the Red, Green or Blue Gun (lights), eliminating the respective color of choice.
ÿ Scanning Gray or BW originals to grayscale, ìALLî guns is recommended; however any setting will work.
ÿ Mirroring of an image is accomplished on-the-fly by selecting the Mirror Image checkbox. Turn on Activate Advanced Options under Edit Preferences to see this option.
ÿ Inversion of an image is accomplished on-the-fly by selecting the Mirror Image checkbox. Turn on Activate Advanced Options under Edit Preferences to see this option. Inversion is usually used for film logs that have dark backgrounds and ìwhiteî curves.
Your NeuraScanner is calibrated before it is shipped to you. The calibration accounts for variations in the image sensor device. This "Factory Calibration" is stored in the firmware and can be restored if needed.
ÿ If you see vertical lines or vertical blotches in your image, occurring at the same location, your scanner may need calibration.
ÿ If your gray scans appear to have a colored hue, your scanner may need calibration.
ÿ If your scanner should need calibration, select the ìRestore Factory Calibrationî button found on the Calibration panel. Cycle the power on your scanner before you continue scanning.
ÿ To calibrate you own scanner (usually not recommended), insert a sheet of clean 12î wide paper into the scanner and select Start Calibration Scan. You must cycle the power on your scanner for the calibration to be saved.
Batch scanning is available to expedite the naming of scanning images. A text batch file with document names can be created and accessed through the scanner SW.
Moving the Scanner to Another Computer
It is possible to move your scanner to a different Windows computer using your existing licensing. To move the scanner to another computer.
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Get your NeuraScanner license key in any of the following ways.
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If possible, before you move the scanner...Help->About Scanner->Key Code
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Check your email - you may have been sent the license key
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From the front of your Neuralog product CD
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Install the NeuraScanner and NeuraView SW on the new PC.
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From your Neuralog product CD
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Downloaded from http://www.neuralog.com/updates/
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Install the USB drivers
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From your Neuralog product CD
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Downloaded from NeuraScanner section of www.neuralog.com/support/Utilities.htm
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Plug in your scanner and attach to the PC.
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Run the software on the new PC and enter the license key.
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Exit and restart software. You should now be able to use the scanner with the new PC.