> Here is a link to some scanning tips that might prove informative.
>
>  http://www.scantips.com/
>
> All the scanners I have seen will export the scanned image in whatever
> format you choose (JPG, Bitmap, Gif, Tiff, etc.).  Each format has its
> advantages and disadvantages, depending on what you are going to use
> the image for.  For use on the internet, I have found that exporting in
> Bitmap, editing the image while in Bitmap format, and ultimately
> converting to JPG and compressing for the internet works best for me.
> I cannot detect any loss of quality in converting a Bitmap to a JPG which
> is not compressed (16 bit color, 800 x 600 monitor).
>
>  Bill F.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Sylvia S. Edwards <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 1999 11:15 PM
> Subject: Re: Scanning specimens directly
>
>
> > I picked up this tip from Conch-L, not long ago.  When the shell is too
> > thick to close the scanner cover, leave the cover open and cover the
> shells
> > and the total scanner surface with an old black T-shirt.
> >
> > If the shell is dark in color, then use a light-colored shirt.
> >
> > One of the biggest secrets is having a good scanner.  You can't get a
good
> > scan with a $100 scanner.  My personal preference of the current
scanners
> on
> > the market is the HP 5200C.  It will scan up to 1200 dpi, which I
> discovered
> > is more than my 96MB of Dram can handle.  I scan my shells at 150 dpi
and
> > get excellent results.
> >
> > Another note: scanners' output is in Bitmap format.  These are very
large
> > files.  A good scan of a shell at 150 dpi can be over 6MB.  In order to
> > share it on the internet, you have to convert it to JPEG or GIF, and you
> > lose a lot of quality.
> >
> > A box is a good idea.  A shoebox is about right for most larger shells.
> You
> > can line the box if you wish.
> >
> > One problem is getting the shell to hold still in the position you want
to
> > scan.  I've tried various tools.  To get a clean scan, I have found
> reaching
> > under the black T-shirt and rotating the shell to the desired place,
then
> > letting the shirt hold it in place works.  I used an adjustable wrench
> > today, but it doesn't make a pretty picture.
> >
> > Scanners have an advantage over cameras.  There is no restriction on how
> > close you can get without losing focus.  I have scanned photos of small
> > shells that are 90% background.  You can scan the photo and crop it,
> resize
> > it, and have it as close-up as you want.  I've maintained a screen saver
> of
> > my own shells for several years now.
> >
> > A good photo enhancer program is another necessity.  I use several.  It
> > depends on what image I am working on.  At a symposium at COA Convention
> > 1999 on using a digital camera recommended Adobe's latest program.  But
I
> > have some others I prefer. You need a program to balance color,
contrast,
> > and brightness.  I have discovered a MS program associated with Word
that
> > has an automatic balancer and it saves a lot of time.
> >
> > Since I have plenty disk space, I leave my scan in Bitmap format for my
> > screen saver, but I reduce the size.  A higher resolution will result in
a
> > very large image.  So you have to resize the image to get it to fit on
the
> > screen.
> >
> > I can give you more info on printing and other hints, since I do a lot
of
> > graphics, if you want to ask me questions directly at [log in to unmask]
> >
> > Sylvia S. Edwards
> > Huntsville, Alabama
> > [log in to unmask]
>
>