Reviews (16)

Mastering scanner stuff buying
This book should have been called "What can you buy if you are thinking about playing with scanner", and it is good at that. It does not tell you much about scanning, it is more about buying equipment, and possibly software related to scanning. Just think about it: There is a chapter "Where to buy", and a chapter "Buying on ebay". There is no chapter "Do this if you miss shadow detail", though. This book is aimed at a high school student who is doing his/her first steps with a film camera and wants to get those pictures into the computer (is there such a person these days?) The book even mentions cross processing. No, it does not say what should you do if you need to scan a cross-processed film. It just says that you can process your film in the wrong developer and it will affect the image on the film.
Thorough but general and basic: not a book of tutorials about scanning film
There is plenty of good information in this book, but none of it was particularly helpful to me.
A well made "how-to" handbook
This book illustrates in a detailed manner all steps involved in going from the mere idea of transfer your pictures, negatives and slides into digital images all the way into what to buy, how to use it and beyond. Best if bought at the beginning of the process, but I'm sure very useful also if purchased in the middle of the road. Makes also a nice reference text to have on the shelf any time doubts arise. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Graphics - Image Processing    2. Computers    3. Computers - Desktop Publishing    4. Electronic Publishing    5. Interactive & Multimedia    6. Photo Techniques    7. Techniques - Digital    8. Computers / Interactive Media    9. Multimedia    10. Photographic equipment & techniques   

Editorial Review

This highly useful, detailed guide helps desktop-publishing and other design professionals produce the best possible scans and halftones from their images. The first section focuses on scanning, first featuring explanations of such terms as Read more

Reviews (10)

Author notes: 3rd Edition Entirely Revised
As one of the authors of the third edition of the book (2004), let me tell you that the third edition (2004) has been entirely revised, redesigned, and overhauled. Keep that in mind as you read reviews below of the 2nd (1998) and 1st editions (1993). I'd call this a "Try it."
Frequently, I find that I have to buy books that are overly technical for my purposes in order to get all the info I want.This book suits me, (though it may not suit the needs of a graphics profession).There are no buyer's guides to specific models of scanners here.However, there is a lot of detail about how scanners, scanning software and graphics programs work.The authors provide such arcana as the formula for determining what size a scanned image will be (depending on the options you pick) and goodies like this.There is info on file formats, compression, how to choose resolution and what influences the outcome of scans and how to correct the result.There is also a lot of information most applicable to professional print work, for which I have no particular use, except that info of this type helps to fill out my picture of how digital imaging works.If you want suggestions for scanning projects to do with your kids, look elsewhere, but if you're interested in the theory of scanners I would recommend this book.I'll also mention that, in my view, the writing is clear and well-organized and if I occasionally must pause to consider it's only because the material requires a little thought.This is not rocket science, but neither is it Sponge Bob and the authors treat it accordingly.

Great title...
I've learned some thngs from this book, however like one other reviewer stated, just when you thought it was going to get to the good stuff, some stupid flip remark would be made and the chapter or discussiong would end.Very difficult reading.Too much about prepress. Not enough about photoshop, scanning and color management. Reads like childish manerishums. Author's have very immature writing styles. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Color printing    2. Computer Books: General    3. Computer Graphics    4. Computer Graphics - General    5. Computers    6. Computers - Other Applications    7. Data processing    8. Desktop Publishing    9. Desktop Publishing - General    10. Electronic Publishing    11. Miscellaneous Software    12. Pictures    13. Printing    14. Computer graphics software    15. Computers / Desktop Publishing / General   

Reviews (6)

Misnomer for"How to do Everything with SCANNED IMAGES"
David Huss is a highly skilled digital imager, and a superb communicator to boot (see my rave review of his Photoshop Elements book). This paperback is no exception - other than that the title is a misnomer that leads one to expect an overview of scanning hardware. And that it ain't! Rather, the title should have been "How To Do Everything with >>Scanned Images<<", and that the author does very well indeed. If you had hoped to learn how scanners work (not even a diagram is provided) or how to get the most scanner for your budget - forget it. Moreover, the chapter on OCR (optical character recognition) is disappointing - many words but few pearls. To add to the confusion caused by the title, this paperback also appears as a hardcover book with precisely identical title, but entirely different author (of the opposite gender yet). Having said this, Mr Huss does a fabulous job of showing you how to scan photo's properly and, better yet, how to process the resulting digital images. The final chapters on correcting & enhancing photo's, and on restoring damaged photo's, rate 5 stars, making the book well worth the modest price. If only the title had not led to expectations unfulfilled.

Thick but not deep...
I saw this book at the library and checked it out to read. The book has a lot of chapters and topics, but doesn't go into much depth in most areas. For example, the chapter on Optical Character Recognition (OCR) is 5 pages total. That includes some broad statements about how scanners do OCR, but no discussion of how to improve the processing, specific OCR software, etc. The Ultimate Scanner resource
Before reading through this book I only used my scanner to occassionaly scan photos. After reading through this book I discovered that I can do a whole lot more and my scanner is no longer gathering dust on my desktop anymore. The author has a very friendly (often humorous) style of writing that makes you feel he is actually talking with you one-to-one. This book should be included with every scanner that is made. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: General    2. Computer Peripheral Equipment    3. Computer peripherals    4. Computers    5. Computers - General Information    6. Desktop Publishing    7. Electronic Publishing    8. Hardware - Peripherals    9. Imaging Systems    10. Optics    11. Scanning systems    12. Computer Hardware & Operating Systems    13. Image processing: graphics (static images)   

Subjects:  1. Computers    2. Digital techniques    3. General    4. Optical scanners    5. Photography    6. Retouching    7. Science/Mathematics   

Editorial Review

This is a comprehensive guide to working with your scanner and optimizing your scanned images for various types of output, whether print or multimedia. Artists, business people, and hobbyists can learn about scanning devices, color spaces and color management systems, source images, resolution and size, and file formats and compression methods. The book gives both technical and aesthetic guidance and provides a full-color section with examples of images scanned according to various specifications. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

The non-designers scan and print book review
This book contains 263 pages packed full of information guarrantteed toget any designer or non-designer off to a good start. The title is a littledeceptive however because this book offers so much more than just tips onscanning. In fact it could be accused of being over ambitious. None theless, it is educationally sound in that it starts with the basics and thenmoves onto more complex issues such as traping and digital proofing. Thisbook is easy to read and the colloquialisms and humour through out make thejourney even more pleasurable. Chapter topics include: Know where you aregoing, the basis of desktop printing, the basics of commercial printing,different types of computer applications, computer colour modes, rasterimages and resolutions, vector images, file formats, process and colourprinting, spot colours and duotones, specifying the number of colours,scanners and scanning, digital cameras and kodak digital CD, stock photosand clip art, fonts and outlines, high resolution output, outputspecifications, trapping, proofing your job, preflight check list, quizzesand projects. Whew! At just $US24.99 this book represents value for money.Sadly, given its subject matter this book will date quickly. Also, peopleneeding indepth information about any of the topics covered in this bookwill be dissappointed however, this is something this book does not promiseto deliver.

Excellent abbreviated source on basics.
It's not a very professional posture to adopt, but I really like thepersonable nature of the text...it's an enjoyable read simply on the basisof its personality! Clear and concise how-to guide to scanning
Unlike many of the computer tomes on the shelves today, this book is a model of brevity and clarity.This 150 page book is only a half inch thick, so its easy to carry and won't exhaust your bookshelf space.It will allow you to quickly understand what you need to know to get a quality scan. The explanations of screen frequency, dpi, lpi, etc. are the clearest I've seen.The images accompanying the text are very useful illustrations of the points in the text. However, if you're looking for a guide to a specfic brand scanner software, this is not the book for you.For the most part though,scanner software commands are quite similar, and this book clearly explain the effects of each ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Bks - Desktop Publishing    2. Computer Books: Desktop Publish    3. Computer Graphics - General    4. Computer graphics    5. Computers - Desktop Publishing    6. Desktop Publishing    7. Desktop Publishing - General    8. Digital techniques    9. Image processing    10. Scanning systems    11. Computer graphics software    12. Desktop publishing software   

Editorial Review

Digital cameras have encroached upon the territory of scanners a little bit, but scanners remain eminently useful for digitizing the family photo album, archiving documents, and sending kids' artwork to distant family members. They're also absolutely essential for serious design work. Read more

Reviews (6)

Little of value on retouching and restoration
`Scanners For Dummies' was shockingly empty of helpful content. I was looking for useful advice and helpful tips for archiving photos, practical tips for best scanner settings and insights about how to deal with less than perfect images. This book had little information of relevance and nothing of depth.
Great book on scanning
Although I don't have a Microtek scanner like the author has, I was still able to follow along and learned everything I needed to know. This book also has almost as good a selection of novice material on Paint Shop Pro as PaintShop Pro for Dummies! Well worth the money.

Wonderful!
This book told me all I needed, I'm using my scanner just about every�day now that I know what to do. (Plus I have it set right to take the best scans) Great coverage of filters and plugins too. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: General    2. Computer Graphics    3. Computer Graphics - General    4. Computers    5. Computers - General Information    6. Digital Image Processing    7. Hardware - Peripherals    8. Image processing    9. Image processing software    10. Microcomputers    11. Optical scanners    12. Computer Hardware & Operating Systems    13. Computers / Peripherals   

Editorial Review

If you're wondering how grayscale differs from halftone, or whether you can tell the difference between an image scanned at 600 dots per inch (dpi) and one scanned at 300 dpi, the Read more

Reviews (11)

Still a great book on scanning!
I'm always amazed when people buy a great book on scanning, like this one, then complain because it doesn't have detailed information on their particular scanner or lots of chapters telling them how to use Photoshop.If you want a Photoshop book, buy a Photoshop book! There are hundreds of them.If you want to know how to use the controls of your scanner, read the manual! Nowhere near the best I've read on scanning
This book is limited in scope, with little coverage of image editing.Frankly, any book on scanning worth buying is going to go into detail about editing scanned images, so it had better have more information than I found here.Why should I buy another book to find out how to take care of common tasks?I'm using my scanner for work, and trying to converse intelligently with graphics professionals, and there's not much to go on here. Finally, a comprehensive, easy-to-understand scanner book!
The best thing about this book is what it covers: a solid grounding in how scanners work, how to choose resolution, how to get the best scans, and what all the confusing terminology means.The second-best thing about this book is what it *doesn't* cover; namely topics only peripherally related to scanners that are covered thoroughly in other books.If I want a Photoshop book or PaintShop Pro book, I'll buy one. If I want to know how to set up my Epson scanner, I'll read the manual that came with it.Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: General    2. Computer Graphics - General    3. Computer Peripheral Equipment    4. Computers    5. Computers - Desktop Publishing    6. Hardware - Peripherals    7. Hewlett-Packard Graphics And Sound    8. Optical equipment    9. Optical scanners    10. Storage media & peripherals    11. Systems management   

Editorial Review

Dan Gookin explains the latest consumer trend in PCs in Read more

Reviews (4)

Great helpful guide
I don't own a digital camera (35mm buff) but just couldn't get the hang of achieving even decent scans of my 35mm shots.This book follows Adobe Photodeluxe to the "T" but is very useful for anyone with a scanner.Changed everything and frequently use the book as a reference tool.Best bet for the price!

Now I know!
I can take a picture using my digital camera and I can even use the software, but the pictures looked horrible. So I broke down and bought this book. Wow! Now I know what I was doing wrong - lots! It's the technical information about resolution and working with the software that makes all the difference in your pictures. This is a must buy. If you've spent the money to buy the camera, spend a little extra, buy this book, and do it right.

Surprise! You don't know as much as you think you do
I recieved this book as a gift and I snickered, thinking I already knew a lot about digital photography. Boy, was I wrong! This book is full of great information about things that really matter (resolution for example). This is a must buy for anyone scanning or using a digital camera. Really, there's a lot to learn! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Graphics - General    2. Computers - Desktop Publishing    3. Data Transmission Systems - General    4. Digital Image Processing    5. Digital photography    6. Digital techniques    7. Image processing    8. Operating Systems - General    9. Photo Techniques    10. Photographic Techniques Using Specific Equipment    11. Photography    12. Technique    13. Techniques - Digital    14. Techniques - Equipment    15. Computers / General   

Reviews (2)

Great for beginners
If you want a book that will give you a basic understanding of what digital photography is, then this is your best bet. It starts out with a brief history of digital photography, and gives some background on how it differs from film. There's value in the straight-forward way it's presented. A disappointing book, primarily based on its title
This book provides a general description of the history of photography and then goes into devices used in digital photography along with definitions of terminology that may be educational to the the total novice.It does little to relate the significance of various capabilities for producing quality pictures and the trade-offs that occur.Some of the points are well developed for the novice, whereas others are treated supeficially and assume that the reader already has familiarity with the subject (e.g. the coverage on color). It major strength is an interesting chronology of the evolution of photography to where it is today.My main concern with the book is that it is far from the 'comprehensive, step-by-step guide' that it's title claims it to be.Anyone looking for a book that helps in taking and processing digital pictures will find very little of use here. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: General    2. Computer Graphics - General    3. Computers    4. Computers - Desktop Publishing    5. Data Transmission Systems - General    6. Desktop Publishing - General    7. Digital Image Processing    8. Digital techniques    9. Image processing    10. Photographic Techniques Using Specific Equipment    11. Photography    12. Techniques - Digital    13. Techniques - Equipment   

Subjects:  1. Computers - General Information    2. Computers    3. Computers / Security    4. Data security & data encryption    5. Network security    6. Unix, Unix Linux & Unix TCL/TK    7. Operating Systems - Linux    8. Security - General    9. Computer Books: General   

Editorial Review

This technical guide to scanners helps potential buyers, reviewers, engineers, and scientists understand what traits to look for in a scanner and how to make the best scans possible. The focus is on image scans rather than document scans. The book discusses topics such as types of scanners, scanning software, hardware interfaces, accessories, digital cameras, and the technologies behind optical-reduction, contact-image sensor, color-separation, transmissive-filter, light-source separation, and beam-splitting scanners.Read more

Reviews (2)

This book is useful for junior engineer of scanner maker.
If you are junior engineer or marketing people of scanner maker, YES, this is the book you want. Not for beginner or office application. Too technical
If you are using scanner solely for pictures and/or graphics, this book may be helpful.There is very little information for office application such as scanning documents and placing in Microsoft Word.Too technicalfor a beginner. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Bks - Desktop Publishing    2. Computer Books And Software    3. Computer Graphics - General    4. Computers    5. Computers - Desktop Publishing    6. Data Transmission Systems - General    7. Desktop Publishing - General    8. Digital Image Processing    9. Hardware - Peripherals    10. Image quality    11. Imaging systems    12. Optical Data Processing    13. Scanning systems    14. Computer Hardware & Operating Systems    15. Computer graphics software    16. Desktop publishing software   

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: General    2. Computers    3. Computers - General Information    4. Hardware - Peripherals    5. Storage media & peripherals   

Editorial Review

The art of mixed media has taken on new meaning in the digitalproduction environment, and the second edition of Read more

Reviews (7)

Amazing book
I was graphics-challenged till I read this. The most I ever did with graphics was pretty much to resize them or add a little text. This book gives you a whole range of possibilites with color, texture, cropping, layering, etc.- more than just applying a fancy filter or tweaking the brightness and contrast. Now, based on the wealth of ideas in this book, I look at clip art and photos with a new eye, and have applied the various ideas to make a much wider variety of graphic images. The best thing about this book is that it's DESIGN-centric, rather than SOFTWARE-centric, so it's not limited to what a handful filters might do. Instead it expands your thinking to combine a whole variety of techniques to create something really unique.

for beginners
I ordered this one. I will return it. Yes, there are very good ideas in this book, but nothing great that you cannot come up by yourself if your are creative. Trust yourself.
The secret of great graphic design
I have already reviewed the first edition of this book. There is a second edition with *all new* graphics and more about making art for the world wide web. It is so good that I was moved to come back here and say this... here goes...Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: General    2. Computer Graphics - General    3. Computer graphics    4. Computers - Desktop Publishing    5. Desktop Publishing - General    6. Electronic And Computer Art    7. Graphic arts    8. Microcomputer Graphics    9. Optical scanners    10. Desktop publishing software    11. Industrial / Commercial Art & Design   

Reviews (9)

The best scanner book I've seen so far.
I have several books on scanners and scanning, and I don't think any of them come close to matching this one in the clarity of the text and the illustrations used to make the point.The only drawback I could find was that I do wish the authors would all get together and use the same terms when talking about dpi, spi, lpi, and ppi.It makes it pretty difficult for us right-brain folks to be able to sort it all out.However, I still consider 'Make Your Scanner a Great Design Tool' to be very useful and a worthwhile investment, particularly if you are getting into doing any sort of image-tweaking for optimum results. I have recommended it to several artists who want to scan their work.

One of the Most Useful Books on My Shelf
I reference this book every time I scan a difficult photo. I think it is an excellent guide for designers, especially those working with small clients who can't afford professional photography. The book has advice on how to work with common "problem photos", which is a great help when you need to get a usable image out of a snapshot with poor lighting. Review by Scanning Basics Teacher
For four years now I have made reference to Make Your Scanner a Great Design & Production Tool, and it's previous version, in my Scanning Basics non-credit classes at a local community college. I refer to the pagefor finding the sweet spot on your scanner because it explains how"noise" can be introduced into a scan. That, and some othertechnical information, has been useful to me in preparing for my class. Thetarget audience of the book is graphic artists/designers; I believe itmeets the needs of that group. However, my classes are attended by familymembers doing geneologies, librarians, or small business owners who want toscan for the internet. The book does not contain enough examples geared totheir needs. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: General    2. Computer Graphics    3. Computer Graphics - General    4. Computers    5. Computers - General Information    6. Graphic Arts - General    7. Graphic Design    8. Hardware - Peripherals    9. Scanning systems    10. Computer aided design (CAD)    11. Computer graphics software    12. Industrial / Commercial Art & Design   

Reviews (2)

Scanner Solutions
Not a very good reference. Too confusing for a beginner and too weak for a more advanced user. The book is strongly biased toward Paint Shop Pro and the Windows platform. It mentions Photoshop occasionally and has a almost useless chapter for Macintosh users. If you have children and Paint Shop Pro it might be of some interest.

Nice beginning scanner book
WhatI like is the way the author presents the options you haveand points out the differences. For example, which photo editingsoftware is right foryou? You are given enough details aboutthe optionsavailable to be comfortable in your decision.We oftenbuy the wrong thing only because we don't have enough information to make an intelligent decision.You'll find plenty of details on configuring your scanner,scanningtechniques, saving, basic photo enhancements,special effects,OCR, business uses, web design andfamily fun. There is evenan Appendix to help out Macusers. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Internet General    2. Computer Graphics - General    3. Computers    4. Computers - Desktop Publishing    5. Desktop Publishing - General    6. General    7. Hardware - Peripherals    8. Optical scanners    9. Computers / Electronic Publishing    10. Image processing: graphics (static images)    11. Internet    12. Storage media & peripherals   

Editorial Review

The human eye can perceive about 5,000 shades of gray, points outRead more

Reviews (3)

Symbolically speaking...
This book is very short, and a little bit more valuable than its companion book, "Less Than"

Avoiding the Scanning Blues
I was very pleased with the condition and the promtness of receiving this book.I highly recommend this seller.

A useful reference for desktop publishers
"Avoiding the Scanning Blues" explains how to scan images in such a way that they can be successfully reproduced by a commercial printer. That's fine if your only interest is commercial printing, but it's of limited value if you want to produce photo-quality prints from an inkjet or Fujix printer.Read more

Subjects:  1. Color printing    2. Computer Books: General    3. Computer Graphics - General    4. Computers - Desktop Publishing    5. Data processing    6. Hardware - Peripherals    7. Optical scanners    8. Pictures    9. Printing    10. Technical & Manufacturing Trades    11. Image processing: graphics (static images)   

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Color printing    4. Commercial - General    5. Computer Graphics - General    6. Computers    7. Data processing    8. Desktop Publishing    9. Desktop Publishing - General    10. Electronic Publishing    11. Optical scanners    12. Pictures    13. Printing    14. Technical & Manufacturing Trades    15. Art / Graphic Arts    16. Desktop publishing software    17. Printing & reprographic technology   

Subjects:  1. Confocal microscopy    2. Electron Microscopy    3. Electron Microscopy In Biology    4. Image Enhancement    5. Image quality    6. Imaging systems    7. Medical / Nursing    8. Medical Procedure    9. Microscopes & Microscopy    10. Microscopy    11. Science    12. Science/Mathematics    13. Applications of Computing    14. Science / Microscopes & Microscopy   

Subjects:  1. Computer Bks - Desktop Publishing    2. Desktop Publishing    3. Typography   

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Operating Systems    2. Desktop Publishing    3. Optical scanners    4. Desktop publishing software