Free software for batch processing of scans?

[cubilcle281]

Hi all,

I have a couple of hundred (which will grow to a couple of thousand)
scans of slides as 16-bit per channel TIFF images, which have had no
processing applied (except for ICE on the lowest setting, because
NikonScan for the LS-2000 wont allow for an RGBI scan which can be
processed later). In the interest of getting them all to a respectable
state, I would like to perform the following actions on all the slides:

1. Crop the image 2% on all sides (Remove any of the border that may
have been accidentally scanned.
2. Auto-levels correction
3. Unsharp mask (using predetermined values)

While this wont get every slide 'perfect' it will get a lot of them
closer, and I can go back and re-do any that require it (I am also
putting the unedited slides onto DVD so I can go back to the original
if required).

Is anyone aware of any freeware that works in the 16-bit colorspace
(Obviously thiis is for the levels correction)? Obviously I would like
to do this in batch, so is there any free software that can perform
batch actions? I know of GIMP, but from what I understand it can only
do 8-bits per channel. Is there anything else? Failing that, is there
a time-limited eval version of the full Photoshop that I can use when I
get to the end of the scanning?

Thanks,

C

 

[Raphael Bustin]

Hi all,

I have a couple of hundred (which will grow to a couple of thousand)
scans of slides as 16-bit per channel TIFF images, which have had no
processing applied (except for ICE on the lowest setting, because
NikonScan for the LS-2000 wont allow for an RGBI scan which can be
processed later). In the interest of getting them all to a respectable
state, I would like to perform the following actions on all the slides:

1. Crop the image 2% on all sides (Remove any of the border that may
have been accidentally scanned.
2. Auto-levels correction
3. Unsharp mask (using predetermined values)

While this wont get every slide 'perfect' it will get a lot of them
closer, and I can go back and re-do any that require it (I am also
putting the unedited slides onto DVD so I can go back to the original
if required).

Is anyone aware of any freeware that works in the 16-bit colorspace
(Obviously thiis is for the levels correction)? Obviously I would like
to do this in batch, so is there any free software that can perform
batch actions? I know of GIMP, but from what I understand it can only
do 8-bits per channel. Is there anything else? Failing that, is there
a time-limited eval version of the full Photoshop that I can use when I
get to the end of the scanning?

You might try ImageMagick or XnView.



rafe b
www.terrapinphoto.com

 

[-]

You might take a look IrfanView. A great free program that does many things
if you go to the advanced batch options like size reduction by percentage
and sharpening. I know it allows for a set levels correction but I am not
sure about auto levels for each individual image.

Doug

 

[tomm42]

The problem is that the files are scanned in 16 bit. The best way for
handling 16bit files is Photoshop, opens 16 bit files faster, has more
tools. Scanning slides requires some post processing. A high Digital
Ice level will help with dust. Scanning that requires a crop is the
only way to make sure you have the whole image. I would find it
difficult to do a batch crop, the LS2000 is just not that precise in
whare it puts the slide. You just maybe in for a lot of hand work, i
just did 400 slides that were extemely dirty, my institution won't
allow "canned air" so all I had was a brush.
Some advise, if you work for a company, and they are giving you this
project, Photoshop should come with it, if you are in school or even a
teaching hospital or libray get an acedemic version. If you are a
photographer on your own you owe yourself Photoshop, it will pay for
itself in time saved.

Tom

 

[cubilcle281]

Thanks, point taken. I should really be using the best toolset I can
get my hands on.

My situation is that I am scanning some family slides, some of which
are exhibiting fading, so I am doing 48-bit scans for archiving
purposes before things get worse. The post-processing is only so I can
show other family members some sort of results in a short time, but
obviously anything importtant is going to require hand-retouching. The
reason I was looking for 16-bit was so that I could extract every last
bit of detail from the slides when I was doing a lot of levels
adjustment (and avoid banding), but I suspect that beyond 8-bit may be
hidden by scanner noise anyway.

At the suggestion of another reply I downloaded & tried XnView. It
made short work of 600 slides & gave results that are good enough for
now.

So, thanks all!