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Topic: Low-Midlevel scanning front end for Grayscale?
Conf: (P-PDF) Paper to PDF, Msg: 26773
From: meswartz
Date: 9/4/2001 10:00 PM

Some folks may bark at me if this is off-topic, (some could say "pre-topic") but let's risk it.

I'm trying to to find some mid-level scanner control software to help me scan batches of pages that include grayscale (actually halftone) photos. Ideally I'd like to have the ability to resulting TIF files processed so that the page background is normalized to white rather than the mid-gray that older high-acid paper seems to produce.

All of this work is being done on a Fujistu Scanpartner 600C (simplex) scanner. At this point I have drivers for an ISIS interface (Kofax VRS) and Twain (Fujitsu), but lack an affordable batch-AND-grayscale-capable application to use as a front end.

In the past I've been using ScanFix from TMS/Sequoia for bitonal pages with good success. Its batch features are basic but adequate for my needs. The downside is that it is bitonal only.

I've tried the Kofax Virtual ReScan software: The VCDEMO program included with it is too primitive for any kind of production work. I've looked at Paint Shop Pro and Photoshop, both of which are fine for one or two pages but don't facilitate batches. I went down the Kofax Ascent Capture path early on, but the support through my so-called "value added" reseller was totally lacking / Embarrassing / Insulting / Worthless.

All of the Kofax "partner" links point to higher-end DMS systems with enormous costs. I'm still a lot farther down the food chain.

Any suggestions? Experiences? Recommended tools, sources, or forums elsewhere that I should look at?