Best way to scan covers?

[simon1987]

I have some films I want to do high quailty scans of, whats the best way to do it? etc

[andkiich]

With a scanner?

[simon1987]

Yes with a scanner.

[djmattyb]

I suggest that you use a scanner.

[andkiich]

Well, I think that settles it. You should use a scanner!

[ghoster]

why not just download them for www.cdcovers.cc

[simon1987]

I ment what software&settings to use

and the covers on cdcovers are ugly

[adam]

Well most scanners come with scanning software, but any will do really. The quality of the scan is really up to the hardware, not the software. I use FineReader and I like the results. Make sure and scan in a high resolution. Ultimately the resolution will be limited by your printer, but if you scan high then you can resize and correct flaws in the image without introducing noticable artifacts. I personally don't recommend messing with the settings at all in your scanning software. You can try and adjust your levels here, but its much easier to do that in a photo editing program afterwards.

You really need to use a somewhat high end photo editor like PhotoShop or Paintshop Pro because lower end programs cannot always handle high res images.

Correct the colors. Use the histogram or levels function and decrease your ranges so that they only extend to your highest black and white. Basically it will look like a line graph. Move the outer sliders to each of highest points and then move the middle slider to adjust the brightness or use the separate brightness option. Just try to match the brightness up to your original cover. You may also need to adjust the contrast to offset any brightness modifications. To ensure that your levels are correct, use the eyedropper tool. A good white part is the UPC code. click on it then look at that color in the custom color setting. It should read 255 for R, G, and B. For the black click on the bars of the UPC. Black should read 0 for R, G, and B.

Use the clone tool to remove any hairs, scratches, or fingerprints.

Most of what I typed is relevant to Photoshop. I imaging most of the settings and terminology applies to paintshop pro as well, but since I don't use it I don't know for sure.

There are good guides for scanning covers at dvdcoverart.com.

I agree, the covers on cdcovers.cc are utterly useless. They are not covers, they are thumbnail images of covers. When printed out none of the text is legible and the pictures look like impressionist art.

[Rookie64]

Well, I think that settles it. You should use a scanner!

simon1987, some good tips for doing custom covers or doing high quality scans can be found at any of the following -

http://www.triuneweb.com/sites/lordsmurf-com/photoshop/photoshopcases.htm


http://www.scantips.com/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PhotoShop_Tips/


http://groups.yahoo.com/group/photoshop_mania/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/art-digital/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/graphicstipstricksandtechniques/

http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Way/9571/tips.html

or use http://www.google.com/ and search scanning tips / Photoshop tips

or tips or tutorials for the image editing tool of your choice.


BTW, the scans on www.cdcovers.cc range in quality, since each is submitted by different people - not all are bad.
The display size is not the actual size, in case you haven't downloaded any.


There are many options to go with - Best of Luck

[andkiich]

I have my moments.

[tweedledee]

Thanks for the tip about cd covers. Iv'e just used them for my back up of Fellowship of the ring, and they are very good