Scanner Software?

[Jim Lindholm]

Now that I have a scanner that there actually is a Silverfast driver
for, I have been trying to figure out the differences between the
Silverfast Ai version and the Silverfast SE version. I scrounged up all
the info I could on the Silverfast web site, including a comparison
between the two and I guess... if I was a graphics person that deals
with this kind of stuff everyday, I would know what the non-descript
listing for each version meant. But... at being little slow and not too
bright, I sent a message to Lasersoft Support asking "in layman's terms"
what the difference(s) were. The response I received was "Ai has more
bells and whistles"... and pointed me to the comparison I had already
looked at. As I shake my head... still wondering what the differences
are, I ask the good folks on this list if any of you might be able to
help a layman understand the differences between Silverfast Ai and
Silverfast SE both being at lever 6.2.0.

Also, how does Silverfast compare to Vuescan? Is it a matter of
choice?.. or are there advantages for one or the other?

Thanks, in advance for your comments... Jim

 

[Maris V. Lidaka Sr.]

I have Silverfast SE, but have never tried or used Silverfast Ai. But I
find it to be excellent software for my Epson Perfection 1200U flatbed, and
it has all the fine-tuning adjustments I could want - more than the Epson
TWAIN software offers. For a flatbed, if you're not satisfied with your
scanner's own software, you will be happy with Silverfast SE, and at a
fraction of the price of Silverfast Ai.

For a filmscanner, I use and prefer Vuescan, but I have also used Vuescan
for the Epson flatbed. It will capture all of the fine detail in both the
highlights and the shadows, and though the image will initially look bland
you can easily and accurately correct it in your graphics software, much
better than you could in any scanner software, be it Vuescan, Silverfast, or
the scanner's own software. The WISIWYG function is just more accurate in
your graphics software than it is in any scanner software.

So for a flatbed, if you prefer to make your color and contrast adjustments
in the software, go with Silverfast SE. If you prefer to make the
adjustments in your graphics software, use your scanner's software or use
Vuescan.

For a filmscanner, Vuescan wins hands-down.

BTW you have to purchase a separate version of Silverfast for each scanner,
be it flatbed or filmscanner. Vuescan, as is, will support (work with)
many, many different scanners, both flatbed and filmscanners. A money
savings right there.

Maris

 

[Jim Lindholm]

Thanks for comments. I've run out of patience with EpsonScan 128A. 90%
of the time it can never find the scanner even tho scanner is connected.
At being a novice in this field, I like something that is high quality
but simple to use... Jim

 

[-]

The fundamental difference for most people is that SE only allows you to
scan up to 24 bit depth while Ai will allow you to scan at 48 bits.

Doug