Scanned image being cropped using Epson 4180 - help!

[david.f.jenkins]

I'm about to tear out what's left of my hair with this thing - hope
somebody can help:

Scanner is Epson 4180; OS is Windows XP Pro SP2

I want to scan a plain 8 1/2 x 11 piece of paper - all of it. Can I?

When I scan to an Application (Word) or scan to a .PDF file, it acts
like it's starting the scan roughly 1/2" down the paper, and continuing
an extra 1/2" past the bottom edge. If I choose Copy Center in the
Epson Smart Panel, it copies just fine (top to bottom), but there's a
faint gray line down the entire left edge of the printed image - it
looks as though he's scanned more than the original, and then shrunk it
down to fit on an 8 1/2" x 11" piece of paper.

I can find no place in Epson Smart panel where I get to tell it the
geometry of my original - is that possible?

I'm about to pitch this out with the HP scanner that wrecked my system
a year or so ago. Anybody know how I can do what I want to do: scan an
entire 8 1/2" x 11" pice of paper and store the resulting image in a
jpeg, tiff, or .pdf file.

Thanks.

 

[CSM1]

I'm about to tear out what's left of my hair with this thing - hope
somebody can help:

Scanner is Epson 4180; OS is Windows XP Pro SP2

I want to scan a plain 8 1/2 x 11 piece of paper - all of it. Can I?

When I scan to an Application (Word) or scan to a .PDF file, it acts
like it's starting the scan roughly 1/2" down the paper, and continuing
an extra 1/2" past the bottom edge. If I choose Copy Center in the
Epson Smart Panel, it copies just fine (top to bottom), but there's a
faint gray line down the entire left edge of the printed image - it
looks as though he's scanned more than the original, and then shrunk it
down to fit on an 8 1/2" x 11" piece of paper.

I can find no place in Epson Smart panel where I get to tell it the
geometry of my original - is that possible?

I'm about to pitch this out with the HP scanner that wrecked my system
a year or so ago. Anybody know how I can do what I want to do: scan an
entire 8 1/2" x 11" pice of paper and store the resulting image in a
jpeg, tiff, or .pdf file.

Thanks.

On the Epson 4180:
Go to Professional mode and you can specify all of the parameters.
http://files.support.epson.com/htmldocs/per418/per418rf/howto_1.htm

How to make scan settings.
http://files.support.epson.com/htmldocs/per418/per418rf/howto_2.htm

 

[david.f.jenkins]

I've been to the Home and Pro mode screens, and I see (I think) what
the problem is, but don't know how to fix it.

The scanner thin ks the original size is 8.5 x 11.70 inches, and that's
what he scans. The target size is being defaulted to "original" size,
and then when it gets printed, it gets chopped. If, in Home or Pro
mode I change the target to 8.5 x 11, all is well. The problem is,
that that setting isn't sticky - the next time I come back in to Smart
Panel it's been reset to "original". That would be all well and good
if the scanner were to realize that I've inserted an 8.5 x 11 sheet of
paper, but he insists on saying that the original is 8.5 x 11.70.

Any idea how to get around that?

 

[Ken Weitzel]

I've been to the Home and Pro mode screens, and I see (I think) what
the problem is, but don't know how to fix it.

The scanner thin ks the original size is 8.5 x 11.70 inches, and that's
what he scans. The target size is being defaulted to "original" size,
and then when it gets printed, it gets chopped. If, in Home or Pro
mode I change the target to 8.5 x 11, all is well. The problem is,
that that setting isn't sticky - the next time I come back in to Smart
Panel it's been reset to "original". That would be all well and good
if the scanner were to realize that I've inserted an 8.5 x 11 sheet of
paper, but he insists on saying that the original is 8.5 x 11.70.

Any idea how to get around that?

Hi David...

I respectfully think that you might be leaving out a step here...

If so - do your preview. Then draw a mask around what you
want scanned (the marching ants thing). Once you're reasonably
safisfied, click on Zoom. The scanner will scan again,
and show you a larger image. Touch up your mask again, and
you should be find for a scan.

Take care.

Ken

 

[CSM1]

I've been to the Home and Pro mode screens, and I see (I think) what
the problem is, but don't know how to fix it.

The scanner thin ks the original size is 8.5 x 11.70 inches, and that's
what he scans. The target size is being defaulted to "original" size,
and then when it gets printed, it gets chopped. If, in Home or Pro
mode I change the target to 8.5 x 11, all is well. The problem is,
that that setting isn't sticky - the next time I come back in to Smart
Panel it's been reset to "original". That would be all well and good
if the scanner were to realize that I've inserted an 8.5 x 11 sheet of
paper, but he insists on saying that the original is 8.5 x 11.70.

Any idea how to get around that?

Not really.

Smart Panel is a separate program from the TWAIN driver (Epson Scan). Smart
Panel may have a place for default settings. I do not really know.

Use another application such as Elements 2.0 to scan with.
Elements uses only Epson Scan (TWAIN). That may take you back into the Pro
mode with settings intact. Epson Scan is supposed to retain the mode
selection. If you switch to Pro mode, it stays in pro mode until you change
it yourself.

Elements is bundled with the Epson 4180. It is on a separate CD.

In Elements:
File>Import>select the Epson Scan.

 

[david.f.jenkins]

If I switch to Pro Mode (or Home) it stays in the selected mode across
scans. Might that indicate that Smart Panel is using Epson Scan? What
changes each time, however, is the size of the target - it defaults to
"Original" which is always what he scanned - 8.5 x 11.70. Why is he
scanning outside the document area? Or does a Preview always scan the
entire bed area? I understand that I can jiggle the preview in order
to change the final scanned size, but what will be the target size
then? Why can't I just tell him to copy an 8.5 x 11.00 piece of paper
into a file?

This is particularly frustrating because neither my wife nor I remember
ever having to worry oursleves with the 11.70 length before when
scanning to a file (Perhaps we did - we don't scan to files often
enough to be 100% positive). OTOH, we've done quite a bit of copying
to a printer, and we now have the same problem there - in Auto Mode the
image size gets shrunk to include the original 11.70 length (so that
the whole 8.5 x 11.70 will fit on 8.5 x 11, and hence we end up with an
empty stripe down the left side of the paper. We neither of us ever
remember that happening before.

We just sense that something has changed - but what?

 

[Ken Weitzel]

If I switch to Pro Mode (or Home) it stays in the selected mode across
scans. Might that indicate that Smart Panel is using Epson Scan? What
changes each time, however, is the size of the target - it defaults to
"Original" which is always what he scanned - 8.5 x 11.70. Why is he
scanning outside the document area? Or does a Preview always scan the
entire bed area? I understand that I can jiggle the preview in order
to change the final scanned size, but what will be the target size
then? Why can't I just tell him to copy an 8.5 x 11.00 piece of paper
into a file?

This is particularly frustrating because neither my wife nor I remember
ever having to worry oursleves with the 11.70 length before when
scanning to a file (Perhaps we did - we don't scan to files often
enough to be 100% positive). OTOH, we've done quite a bit of copying
to a printer, and we now have the same problem there - in Auto Mode the
image size gets shrunk to include the original 11.70 length (so that
the whole 8.5 x 11.70 will fit on 8.5 x 11, and hence we end up with an
empty stripe down the left side of the paper. We neither of us ever
remember that happening before.

We just sense that something has changed - but what?

Hi...

Yes, preview scans the whole bed. Then you mask the portion
you want, then click zoom. That will cause a re-scan of only
the masked portion of the bed. Use that to fine tune your mask.

Suggest scanning at original size, it will make _no_ difference
to the resulting scan. Make sure you set the dpi to what you'd
like. When you print, just tell the printer what size of paper
you're using, and to fill the sheet.

Next you start epson scan and do a preview, it will come back
with a full bed preview, with he same mask in the same position
as the previous one. If the document is in a slightly
different position than the previous, it may need moving
slightly before the zoom scan.

Ken



mask as when last you started it.

 

[david.f.jenkins]

Thanks, Ken.

I've done some experimentation tonight and that's kind of what I doped
out. Not what I wanted, but what I doped out. However, what I'm
really trying to accomplish is to give the wife an automatic way to
scan a full 8.5 x 11 page into a .pdf document. Emphasis: automatic.
I don't see a way for her to do that without first getting into Pro
mode and changing the target size. We don't have the ability to edit
PDFs, so it looks to me like she (I) will have to set up the scan for
her each time. Am I missing something here?

As far as copying to the printer goes, I don't remember (I'm not on
that computer right now) getting the opportunity to change any options
when using Smart Panel Copy Center. It just blows and goes. I can't
remember - can I do Copy Center in Pro mode too? I'll have to check
that tomorrow.... inquiring minds want to know.

BTW, it does seem that the Pro target size setting will persist across
scans, but not across invocatoins of Epson Scan (or Smart Panel). I
tried using the Save Settings in Pro mode options, but that didn't seem
to do anything that I could see - what's that for?

G'night...

 

[CSM1]

Thanks, Ken.

I've done some experimentation tonight and that's kind of what I doped
out. Not what I wanted, but what I doped out. However, what I'm
really trying to accomplish is to give the wife an automatic way to
scan a full 8.5 x 11 page into a .pdf document. Emphasis: automatic.
I don't see a way for her to do that without first getting into Pro
mode and changing the target size. We don't have the ability to edit
PDFs, so it looks to me like she (I) will have to set up the scan for
her each time. Am I missing something here?

As far as copying to the printer goes, I don't remember (I'm not on
that computer right now) getting the opportunity to change any options
when using Smart Panel Copy Center. It just blows and goes. I can't
remember - can I do Copy Center in Pro mode too? I'll have to check
that tomorrow.... inquiring minds want to know.

BTW, it does seem that the Pro target size setting will persist across
scans, but not across invocatoins of Epson Scan (or Smart Panel). I
tried using the Save Settings in Pro mode options, but that didn't seem
to do anything that I could see - what's that for?

G'night...

Check in the preferences for Epson Scan for an setting that says "excute
automatic cropping on previewed image". This setting "may not get it right"
everytime.

Look for a setting of "Display last frame on previewed images". This setting
will keep the last cropping frame you set in the previous preview and scan.

I am using a Canon CanoScan, Epson should have similar settings.
In my Canoscan that preference is on the Preview tab. I do not know where it
is in Epson Scan.

 

[david.f.jenkins]

Thanks for the pointer, but no cigar - I can find no such settings for
Epson Scan, nor do I see a Preview tab (I see t Preview button, which
causes the prog. to initiate a preview scan, but that's about it). I
may be SOL on this...

 

[Ken Weitzel]

Thanks for the pointer, but no cigar - I can find no such settings for
Epson Scan, nor do I see a Preview tab (I see t Preview button, which
causes the prog. to initiate a preview scan, but that's about it). I
may be SOL on this...

Hi David...

Oh oh, while you won't find the settings that CSM1 suggested,
you do indeed have a preview tab, unless....

What version are you using?

Current is 2.65A, which is far, far, far better than the
version that was shipped with the scanner.

It's freely available on Epson's website.

Once there, you'll find on the bottom of the "main" window,
a configuration tab. Clicking that will take you to a
tabbed window, one of which is preview.

Take care.

Ken

 

[david.f.jenkins]

Hi Ken:

I downloaded and installed V2.68A, and do see a Preview tab after
getting into Pro mode and pressing the Configurtion button. However,
the Preview tab doesn't have any settings (that I can see) regarding
image/document sizes. I can change the settings in Home and Pro mode,
but again, they do not persist. I see a settings Save button, but it
appears to do nothing useful - do you know anything about that?

 

[Ken Weitzel]

Hi Ken:

I downloaded and installed V2.68A, and do see a Preview tab after
getting into Pro mode and pressing the Configurtion button. However,
the Preview tab doesn't have any settings (that I can see) regarding
image/document sizes. I can change the settings in Home and Pro mode,
but again, they do not persist. I see a settings Save button, but it
appears to do nothing useful - do you know anything about that?

Hi David...

Good, you should like the newer version better... now I guess
I have to go and update again as well.

But like I mentioned, there's nothing like CSM suggested for
you under that preview tab.

However, the save settings will be of value to you...

Try this; nothing can be harmed thanks to the delete button.

Set everything up exactly as you would like it. That includes
mask, size, dpi, the histogram, usm, everything. Then
click the save button. It will be saved, most likely as
setting1. (subsequent saves will be setting2, s..3, etc.)

Now, just for the heck of it jumble everything up with different
settings for everything. Then "pull down" that box above
the save button, click on setting1, and everything will
automagically go back to where it was when you saved it

I hope

As for your other issue, that of not saving settings between
re-starts of epson scan - that has me baffled. Mine surely
does, even as far as saving the last used pre-scan.
The only time I lose it is if when I change from type...
reflective or one of the transparency types.

Wonder if you're shutting it down diffently. When it's up
in pro mode, you have two (or more) windows open. One is
the epson window, (title bar epson, etc), the one with all
the adjustments on it, usually the left side of your screen.
The other significant window is the preview window.
When you shut down, don't close the preview window, close the
epson window (that will close them both).

Take care.

Ken

 

[david.f.jenkins]

Hi Ken, and thanks for sticking with me on this!

Yes, I can save the settings (Settings1, 2,...,n) and can retrieve
those by clicking on a previously saved set. To make use of this
facility, of course, I have to scan in Pro mode. If I close Epson Scan
in Pro mode, then when I re-invoke it, the current settings are set to
Settings1 (or whatever) and the Preview window is there with the
marquee (sp?) set the way I want it. All well and good.

However.

I still see no way to get those settings into Full Auto mode, which was
the goal of this entire exercise. It appears to me, that if I close
Epson Scam in Full Auto, the next time I bring it up, the settings will
have been reverted to its set of default settings. Am I just missing
something simple?

(BTW, 2.68A *is* better than 2.50, which is where I was. Especially
the Full Auto mode which gives you the opportunity to change modes
without having to pounce on the Pause button, which is the only way I
could find to do it in the earlier version.)

Dave

 

[Ken Weitzel]

Hi Ken, and thanks for sticking with me on this!

Yes, I can save the settings (Settings1, 2,...,n) and can retrieve
those by clicking on a previously saved set. To make use of this
facility, of course, I have to scan in Pro mode. If I close Epson Scan
in Pro mode, then when I re-invoke it, the current settings are set to
Settings1 (or whatever) and the Preview window is there with the
marquee (sp?) set the way I want it. All well and good.

However.

I still see no way to get those settings into Full Auto mode, which was
the goal of this entire exercise. It appears to me, that if I close
Epson Scam in Full Auto, the next time I bring it up, the settings will
have been reverted to its set of default settings. Am I just missing
something simple?

(BTW, 2.68A *is* better than 2.50, which is where I was. Especially
the Full Auto mode which gives you the opportunity to change modes
without having to pounce on the Pause button, which is the only way I
could find to do it in the earlier version.)

Dave

Hi Dave...

Yikes, given that I can't discover any way either, I may
well have led you astray and wasted your time. If so,
then I apologize. Only excuse is I'm getting a little long
in the tooth and a stroke victim... easily confused, and very
forgetful. Sorry about that.

But... taking a chance on one more suggestion (take it
with a grain of salt

I suspect that almost all you scan is going to need a
little post processing anyway, so is there a compelling
reason why you don't want to use photoshop or psp or
something and just import scans via the twain driver in
pro mode?

Sorry again, and take care.

Ken

 

[david.f.jenkins]

I know all about teeth length, Ken - no problem.

We often get hand-written originals that the authors want turned into
PDFs for inclusion on CDs provided at conferences. In general, the
speakers are leery of having any modifications made to the mateiral.

Having to do a manual step is really not a showstopper, by any means -
more of an annoyance, really. When you think of what we had to deal
with 25 years ago, we are light years ahead of where we were, and we
should give thanks for that.

I appreciate your help on this, and I think I'll just write finis to
this chapter. It's Saturday, and it's time to go out and play in the
yard.

TTYL