Install SilverFast HDR Studio, a companion application which links with SilverFast Ai Studio. SilverFast HDR provides an 'off-line scanning' functionality which works like this: I scan an image in HDR, so it is 'raw' data from the scanner with no image editing adjustments capable of being applied, except for whatever Gamma value I had set in. SilverFast HDR enables the user to read and process 48-bit RAW files without being connected to a scanner. The program includes features such as: output size and resolution, auto-adjust of highlight/shadow, three-part histogram, gradation curves, selective color correction, unsharp masking, color cast removal slider, color separation and CMYK preview. SilverFast has you covered! They created a piece of software specifically for the post-processing stage, HDR Studio, which does many things Photoshop and other image- editing software are not equipped to handle, namely effective dust and scratch removal. I was truly amazed at the results of this feature as illustrated, below. Silverfast Hdr free download - SilverFast HDR, SilverFast HDR Software, SilverFast Canon Scanner Software, and many more programs. SilverFast Ai & HDR. Tutorial - 3 - Scanning negatives using NegaFix By Ian Lyons: A Computer Darkroom Review: Nobody needs me to tell them that scanning colour negative films with SilverFast has been a particularly difficult task. We all know that the source of the problem is the 'orange mask' and the lack of accurate film profiles.
Overview of NegaFix
NegaFix is a real-time negative film optimisation facility that has been designed to handle many different types of negative film stock, e.g. Black and White and of course Colour. LaserSoft Imaging have initially included 120 film profiles so that the process of editing negatives is now easier than ever before. The film options include: vendor, type, group and speed. Best of all NegaFix is compatible with the full range of scanners currently supported by LaserSoft Imaging, including Nikon. I've been fortunate enough to use the new version of SilverFast on the Polaroid SprintScan 4000 and 120 models along with SilverFast HDR. The following is a summary of the various controls and brief overview of how NegaFix works.
Step 1 - Getting SilverFast ready for negative scanning
After opening SilverFast Ai or HDR we must configure SilverFast for negatives, this is done from within the 'General' tab of the main control panel. Once the user chooses to scan a negative the NegaFix control panel should appear on the desktop.
Selecting the Film Type - Positive/Negative
Insert the 'Uncut' filmstrip holder into the scanner gate. If you've previously scanned negatives a preview of the last image will appear along with the NegaFix control panel shown below.
NegaFix Control Panel - Basic Configuration
Step 2 - SilverFast Colour Management
In order that the final scan matches the preview screen it's important that the 'CMS' dialog found in the 'Option' panel is configured as shown below. Actually SilverFast reconfigures itself when NegaFix is selected. Specifically, users will find that SilverFast automatically disables the calibration profile and defaults to 'None' and the Input profile is ignored.
In the Profiles for ColorSync/ICM 'Internal' choose the colour space that corresponds with what you have chosen in Photoshop. When NegaFix is chosen this is the profile that will be embedded in our images. SilverFast ignores the scanner or calibration profile, although the preview display will still be correct.
Configuration of Colour Management Dialog
Step 3 - Creating the overview scan
By pressing the button the 'Overview' window will appear. Simply choosing the 'Refresh Overview' button will cause the scanner to quickly create a group of thumbnails for each image on the filmstrip. Make your choice and press 'OK'.
Overview scan of images available on film strip
Step 4 - Making the pre-scan
From the 'Frame' tab select your scan resolution, etc. Of course make sure the 'Q-factor' is set to '1' and the 'Filter' is set for 'None'. Also ensure the tool palette looks like the one shown below, otherwise hold down the 'Alt' key and press the 'Option' button to reset all previous corrections. This step MUST be undertaken so that we may be sure that the characteristics of the previous scan are not carried over.
You can now press the 'Prescan' button and watch the image appear on screen. Typically the pre-scanned image will look bad, this is almost always down to the cropping boundary not being correctly set. To ensure correct operation of NegaFix it is essential that the cropping boundary for the pre-scan image is set so that NOTHING other than the actual image is included.
Step 5 - Choosing the film type and exposure (Basic mode)
Using NegaFix in Basic mode amounts to carrying out six very simple tasks. They are:
Crop the image so that frame margins are excluded.
Select a film manufacturer.
Select a film type.
Select a film speed.
Adjust the manual exposure slider.
Apply Auto Adjust tool.
The NegaFix control panel offers three pop-up menu options and an exposure slider. The three pop-up menus are where we choose the film-maker, type and speed.
Selecting the Film maker for the NegaFix Control Panel
The exposure slider (circled red in the screenshot below) enables adjustments of approximately plus or minus 3 f-stops. The preview display is continually updated as the exposure slider is moved.
Adjusting Exposure using the NegaFix Control Panel
The above steps (1 to 5) are designed to ensure that the optimum dynamic range of the negative has been captured and converted into a positive. Now it's simply a matter of applying (6) the Auto Adjust tool from the Adjustments Toolbar and SilverFast will complete the optimisation process. At this point we can simply press the scan button or make further adjustments to saturation, etc.
Fine Tuning the Image and Film Profile Curves
Step 6 - Expert mode
NegaFix with SilverFast Aiand HDR will enable the user to scan virtually any negative film so that they obtain the maximum dynamic range along with accurate colour rendering. In my view the new NegaFix feature is a substantial improvement over its predecessor and is comparatively easy to use.
The screenshot below shows the control panel in its Expert configuration. To gain access to the Expert panel we simply mouse click the Tutor Icon, which is just to the right of the exposure slider.
NegaFix Control Panel - Expert Configuration
From the Expert panel we can adjust the characteristics of the 'orange mask' removal filter by dragging the Auto Tolerance slider (green circle in screen capture) back and forth. Likewise the Highlight and Shadow (end) points on the histogram can be adjusted by dragging the slider 'bars' located on the greyscale gradients. The check mark adjacent to the Auto button will be deactivated once we make any adjustment to the 'end-point' sliders. If we don't like what we've done a simply click of the Reset button followed by the Auto button and everything is reset to back to the characteristics of the original film profile.
Step 7 - Creating New Film Profiles
If we want to refine the film curve characteristics or if the film we are scanning is not included within the list of 120 film profiles it's a simple matter of adjusting one of the existing profiles in 'real-time' so that we get the desired results. As mentioned above, manually adjusting the end-points of the histogram is used to eliminate the effects of the 'orange mask'.
To further refine the film profile, simply choose the Curves tab followed by the two icons circled in red and then start dragging the curve anchor points around until the desired result is obtained. It is even possible to adjust each of the RGB colour channels individually.
NegaFix Control Panel - Custom Film Profile
If an area of the image shows a colour or cast that we know to be incorrect we can neutralise this cast by simply clicking that point in the Image preview screen and then dragging to the baseline; the small dot on the Curves Gradient (HSL dialog below the curves) that represents the actual colour of the image point - see the red circle and arrow on screenshot below.
NegaFix Control Panel - Colourcast Removal
To reduce the saturation of a particular colour it's simply a matter of clicking the over saturated colour within the image with the mouse and again dragging the little dot in the HSL dialog down a little. To increase saturation we drag it up towards the top of the HSL dialog. Ideally when undertaking such an adjustment it is best to zoom into the HSL dialog using the little '+' sign to the right of the gradient. Be warned that this approach will effect all subsequent images that use this film profile and so I recommend using the Hue/Saturation control to be found within the main toolbar.
Adjusting the Saturation
When we are satisfied with the new profile we simply save it with the appropriate film name thus keeping it for future use.
Save Edited Film Profile
Give the Edited Film Profile a Name
Once the dynamic range of the film has been optimised we can again proceed to use SilverFast's other colour correction tools in the normal way. Usually clicking the SilverFast Auto Adjustment button (circled red below) is all that is required.
SilverFast - Adjustment Toolbar
The SilverFast user manual contain lots of information and useful tips to using NegaFixI recommend that you read this section of the manual before attempting to manipulate the existing film curves.
The remaining pages of this tutorial discuss some of SilverFast's more advanced colour and tone adjustment tools in more detail.
Step 8 - Removing the last vestiges of the global colourcast
Overview of SilverFast Ai and HDR Adjustment Tool Palette
Ai Hdr Studio
Many of the basic colour and tone correction tools were discussed in the SilverFast HDR tutorial, however, I avoided going into any detail regarding the global colourand 'selective colour' correction tools. In this tutorial I will concentrate upon the 'global colour' correction, you can spend some time yourself learning about 'selective colour' correction.
To access the 'Global Colour' correction dialog simply press the button, the dialog shown below appears. This tool is designed to allow the user to alter the overall colour balance of an image.
For now I will ignore the top row of LED's and digits. All we need look at are the sliders, the colour wheel and the small vertical slider (green X) shown middle right. Pull the small slider to the bottom, this means colour correction is on finest control, big movements still mean small changes to colour.
SilverFast 'Global Colour Correction' dialog
Most users will automatically go for the 3 sliders and make the corrections by pulling one or other left/right as appropriate. However, a quicker and much more effective way is to use the colour wheel. Grabbing the 'centre dot' and dragging it around the wheel cause the overall image to change, but look at the sliders, all three automatically moved. I dragged the centre dot towards yellow to reduce the overall blue cast, but see that some red and green were added by the system.
Colour correction using the colour wheel
There is really no single way to use this tool. It is extremely powerful and you should make use of all its functions. I have only just scratched the surface; maybe even enough to make you to try it yourself. Further guidance on basic image editing in SilverFast can be found HERE! Hopefully, you find the finished product pleasing.
Bluebell Carpet, Wicklow Mountains, Ireland
Most of us who have been photographing for a while (15+ years) have archives. In addition to those images we have stored on a hard drive or in the “cloud,” we also have boxes of negatives and/or slides that are awaiting our attention. It is that backlog of product that we have in boxes that I will be addressing in this review. More specifically in my case, negatives.
I recently received SilverFast Ai Studio (left). I already had an earlier version of this software and have been very pleased with the results. Although my scanner (Epson Perfection V700 Photo) came with its own software, I wanted the ability to do things that the packaged software simply could not offer.
When I received the SilverFast upgraded software, the first thing I did was look for the “added value” of the new version. I was very pleased when I read about the new Intelligent Frame Finding feature, the improved iSRD for dust a scratch removal, the patented Auto IT8 calibration and Multi Exposure features and the ability to capture RAW files with HDRi. and an IT8 scanner calibration process (video here). There are many other additions with unique acronyms I was anxious to discover, but knew I wouldn’t have time to investigate for the purpose of this review.
As many of you know I am not a highly technical person. As such, when I review software I don’t like to have to open a 640-paged, small-font manual in order to figure out what I am supposed to do first. SilverFast apparently knew that about me because one of the new, very well executed additions is the Workflow Pilot.
If you choose to try the Workflow Pilot before you dig deeper into this software, no matter what you are working with you will need to go into the Preferences area, which is at the bottom of the Edit tab, in order to set up the workflow properly. For now, however, leave the boxes as they are in the default mode. Make sure, however, that you select the proper source for the task (scanning for print or negative) you are performing in the “Source” dropdown in the top, right hand corner of that window. While you are in the workflow process you can’t change anything unless you cancel and return to the beginning. This tool is great for learning the software, but it’s my personality to get in and get “dirty” as soon as possible.
As mentioned previously, I will be working with negatives for the purpose of this review. Let’s get to it. Once you have your scanner turned on and the software opened you will need to go through the setup process illustrated in the image below by selecting the type (Negative) of work you will be doing then going across that section and selecting the proper areas. Because I am scanning in color (bit depth and color are selected in the third option) I selected Negative in the second window and 64-bit HDRi-Raw for the next section because I want to capture the most information possible.
By selecting 64-bit HDRi-Raw (Palm tree icon) I know that an extra scan is being done in infrared to be utilized for dust and scratch removal later and that the scan will contain the most information, color data and dynamic range that will result in the best possible images to work from. I also selected ME (multiple-exposure). When this patented feature is selected you can see the value of it when you are working with images that may have dark areas, which will receive an extra pass.
Once you have the proper selections for the job at hand you are pretty much ready to scan. This is where two other selections came in extremely handy for me: Find Frames and Batch Scan.
I have used batch scanning in other scanning packages, but none have been as effective as SilverFast. Once I clicked on the proper selection for the type of work I was doing (Film Strip-35mm) in the sidebar of the drop-down window, it took less than a minute to very accurately find my 16 frames. I didn’t really have to reframe any of them. Next, I went to the “Image” tab and selected “Batch Scan” in the drop-down. This feature proved to be a dream because all my settings were automatically expanded to all the frames (below). Once you click that process a window comes up for you to select where you want the processed files located. The 16 frames took 16 minutes to scan, including the extra infrared scan and the multiple exposure scan. There are a few other selections you can include, but those are for a later date when I become much more familiar with the software.
This would normally be the time at which one might turn to their post-processing software for working on the final images after the scanning process. SilverFast has you covered! They created a piece of software specifically for the post-processing stage, HDR Studio, which does many things Photoshop and other image- editing software are not equipped to handle, namely effective dust and scratch removal. I was truly amazed at the results of this feature as illustrated, below.
Once HDR Studio (left) is opened, just click on the VLT (virtual light table) tab and you can then select the file(s) you want to post process from the bar in middle of the screen. As you can see I have opened a file that displays the image of a group of marbles. This is from a package of negatives I selected at random. They are older and I knew they would have a lot of scratches and dust. As you can tell I wasn’t disappointed.
The image on the left is how it looked when it was first opened. The center image is how it looked when I “Marked” it after selecting the iSRD tab in the middle task bar. The last image below is how it looked after processing. This action alone is well worth the price.
Once you click on “Process,” HDR Studio has one more great feature that has been added to the software. The Job Monitor (below) is an app which will sync up to your iPhone, tablet or other mobile devices on your network to show you the progress of all the files being processed. On your device you will see the actual image being processed and its progress status. It will notify you when the entire job is complete.
If you do not have access to a local network, you will receive a Push notification that the job is complete. The benefit here is if you are working on a hundred or more files, you’re not locked in to watching your computer crunch through the data and can move on to something else while this is in operation. Perhaps you have another computer setup for the actual scanning as HDR Studio does not require a scanner so the workflow can be divided.
In the initial scanning process I could have utilized the Job Manager function, but by-passed that in order to use the batch processing mode. It is, however, definitely something I will use in the future. This function features the ability to copy features and filter settings to some or all of the images.
Without any assistance from manuals I was able to use the program in about 20-minutes. I thought this was pretty good considering what I wanted to do with SilverFast Ai Studio. I only had a couple of missteps, but after relaxing a bit I figured it out and got the job done.
I have only scratched the surface of this wonderful scanning and processing software, but I can certainly tell you that when I begin scanning my archives I will know what to use to get the job done in a fast, efficient, and high-quality manner. The wide range of features that come packaged with the software is more than likely more than the average image maker will use. If you are serious about archiving your material, and you want it done well, then this is the software for you.
At the SilverFast site you can find many videos and tutorials that will assist you in the beginning. But, as with other software the best way to learn is to use it, a lot. A lot is what is promised in the promotional material on the site, but SilverFast Ai Studio delivers on its promise. By utilizing the processes and procedures mentioned in this review you can be on the road to saving a tremendous amount of time immediately in your daily work and the archiving of all those other boxes of slides and negatives.
Silverfast 8 Vs 9
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