duplex scanning software

[dh003i]

There are many scanners that say that they scan duplex, meaning they
read from both sides of the document in one pass.

Others say they are simplex, meaning they can only scan one side of a
document.

If you want to buy a simplex scanner, are there ways to use computer
software to get it to scan the other side of the document, and know
that that is the other half of each page?

E.g., many printers that only print one side at a time can do
"double-sided printing" because the software tells you to take out the
pages, and put them back in the printer, so it prints the even pages
first, then the odds on the back of the evens...is there anything like
this for scanners?

 

[jeremy]

If you want to buy a simplex scanner, are there ways to use computer
software to get it to scan the other side of the document, and know
that that is the other half of each page?

No. Simples scanners can't scan the other side of the pages because there
is no scanning sensor on that side. Flatbed scanners are a good example of
this--on one side is the sensor and on the other side of the page is the
scanner cover.

If you require scanning in duplex mode you must buy an
appropriately-equipped scanner. This is not a software issue, it depends
upon the scanner hardware.

 

[dh003i]

I didn't clearly state my question...

I realize that simplex scanner can only scan one side of the document,
just like "simplex" printers can only print on one side of the page at
a time.

However, there are simplex printers that have software that allows you
to effectively print double-sided. Here's how it works: the software
setup first prints out all of the even pages; then, you take out the
pages, stick them back in (facing the other side), so that the printer
prints on the opposite side, and the software then prints out all of
the odd pages on the *back* of the even pages.

So, my question is, is there something similar for scanners. E.g., lets
say you have to scan 10 sheets of a 2-sided document (so, 20 pages).
So, you would put it in so as to scan one side of the pages (e.g.,
evens only), and then the software tells you to put it in in the
opposite orientation, so that it can then scan the odd pages.

 

[CSM1]

I didn't clearly state my question...

I realize that simplex scanner can only scan one side of the document,
just like "simplex" printers can only print on one side of the page at
a time.

However, there are simplex printers that have software that allows you
to effectively print double-sided. Here's how it works: the software
setup first prints out all of the even pages; then, you take out the
pages, stick them back in (facing the other side), so that the printer
prints on the opposite side, and the software then prints out all of
the odd pages on the *back* of the even pages.

So, my question is, is there something similar for scanners. E.g., lets
say you have to scan 10 sheets of a 2-sided document (so, 20 pages).
So, you would put it in so as to scan one side of the pages (e.g.,
evens only), and then the software tells you to put it in in the
opposite orientation, so that it can then scan the odd pages.

There is software that will combine several pages of documents into one
multipage file.

But to scan double sided documents on a simplex scanner requires that you
turn the page over manually.

You would scan page 1, turn the sheet over scan page 2, change sheets,
repeat.

You would have a hard time scanning just odds then just evens. The
reconstruction is a difficult job.

 

[jeremy]

I didn't clearly state my question...

I realize that simplex scanner can only scan one side of the document,
just like "simplex" printers can only print on one side of the page at
a time.

However, there are simplex printers that have software that allows you
to effectively print double-sided. Here's how it works: the software
setup first prints out all of the even pages; then, you take out the
pages, stick them back in (facing the other side), so that the printer
prints on the opposite side, and the software then prints out all of
the odd pages on the *back* of the even pages.

Oh, now I understand your question.

Back in the WIN 98 and WIN ME days I had document scanning software called
Pagis Pro that scanned both sides of documents. Say the document had 20
pages, each with two sides printed. First the scanner would scan the front
sides of pages 1 through 20. Then the sheets were re-inserted, this time
with the reverse sides facing up, and the "Scan Other Side" button was
clicked with the mouse. The software would re-assemble the images so that
they appeared in the correct order (i.e., the first image was page one, side
one and the second image was page one side two, etc.).

Pagis Pro was never ported over to the WIN XP platform, and the program was
sold to the company that makes PaperPort.

You may want to look into PaperPort, because it might also offer this
feature, as the successor to Pagis Pro. I'm sure that the web site will
turn up in a Google search.

 

[Barry Watzman]

Adobe Acrobat (the full product, not the free reader) can do this. As
an example, I have an HP 5490C scanner (a 5470C with an automatic
document feeder (ADF), but the ADF in this model is non-duplexing). Say
I have a double-sided 200 page manual to scan; also note that the ADF
can only handle about 50 pages at a time (HP actually says 25, but the
real limit is closer to 70 ... but we will say 50 for simplicity).

Start Adobe Acrobat, select "Create PDF File ... from Scanner". Select
"double sided", drop in the first 50 pages. It scans the fronts (odd
pages). When done, it asks you if you want to scan the fronts of the
next pages (say 51 to 100), or the BACKS (even number pages) of pages
1-50 (starting with the back of page 50). You could proceed either way,
actually, but it's better to scan all of the 1st 50 pages first (it
makes recovery from a jam far easier). So select the option to scan the
backs of the first 50 pages. Drop the stack back in the scanner, this
side with the even pages up, they will be scanned, and you will have a
complete document of the first 50 pages with the even and odd pages
properly interleaved in the correct sequence.

Now, with the document (first 50 pages) open (can be on completion or
any time later), again select "Create PDF File ... from Scanner". This
time, select double sided (again), and also "append to current document"
(which is the default anyway when you start a new scan with an
existing document already open). Repeat the process with pages 51 to
100; then again with 101 to 150, and finally 151 to 200. Done; you have
scanned a duplex document with a simplex document feeder.

But note that the work of properly collating and sequencing the pages is
done in Adobe Acrobat, not in the scanner drivers. Undoubtedly, some
other scanning programs can do that also, but equally certainly many do
not do it.

 

[Barry Watzman]

WRONG.

See my immediately preceding reply.

No. Simples scanners can't scan the other side of the pages because there
is no scanning sensor on that side. Flatbed scanners are a good example of
this--on one side is the sensor and on the other side of the page is the
scanner cover.

If you require scanning in duplex mode you must buy an
appropriately-equipped scanner. This is not a software issue, it depends
upon the scanner hardware.

 

[Barry Watzman]

Paperport is now published by Nuance software, and I strongly suspect
that this feature has been retained.

 

[Wayne]

Start Adobe Acrobat, select "Create PDF File ... from Scanner". Select
"double sided", drop in the first 50 pages. It scans the fronts (odd
pages). When done, it asks you if you want to scan the fronts of the
next pages (say 51 to 100), or the BACKS (even number pages) of pages
1-50 (starting with the back of page 50). You could proceed either way,
actually, but it's better to scan all of the 1st 50 pages first (it
makes recovery from a jam far easier). So select the option to scan the
backs of the first 50 pages. Drop the stack back in the scanner, this
side with the even pages up, they will be scanned, and you will have a
complete document of the first 50 pages with the even and odd pages
properly interleaved in the correct sequence.

Now, with the document (first 50 pages) open (can be on completion or
any time later), again select "Create PDF File ... from Scanner". This
time, select double sided (again), and also "append to current document"
(which is the default anyway when you start a new scan with an
existing document already open). Repeat the process with pages 51 to
100; then again with 101 to 150, and finally 151 to 200. Done; you have
scanned a duplex document with a simplex document feeder.

But note that the work of properly collating and sequencing the pages is
done in Adobe Acrobat, not in the scanner drivers. Undoubtedly, some
other scanning programs can do that also, but equally certainly many do
not do it.

The Microsoft Office scanning tool does it too, but I am not aware that
PaperPort does it (but v10 is the last I have seen).

I sure do miss Pagis Pro.