LinoColor
Elite from Heidelberg CPS for the Linotype-Hell scanners, SilverFast
for all scanners, and Binuscan especially for the Umax now compete
for the explosive market of flatbed scanners.
Binuscan
has not impressed us so far. SilverFast
is great if you don't mind learning a really good software. LinoColor
from Heidelberg results in outstanding scans which make great prints.
We use LinoColor in the FLAAR digital imaging facility at the university
daily.
Normally
the scanner software that comes with the scanner is sufficient.
But drastically lowered prices on excellent midrange scanners (Umax
PowerLook
III and Linotype-Hell Saphir Ultra2 as excellent examples) have
opened a huge market for more options in scanner software.
Users
are gradually realizing that Photoshop is a repair software, not
a scanner driver software. If the scan is good to begin with, you
do not have to rescue a color defective image in Photoshop.
The
Nikon software you see at the left is now replaced by the newer
better Silver
Fast scanning software from LaserSoft Imaging.
LinoColor
Elite comes with the Linotype-Hell scanner series. LinoColor software
can also be used on the Umax series of flatbed scanners.
Heidelberg
CPS (Color Publishing Solutions) is known for its color management
abilities, so this software is popular in the pre-press world. This
makes LiniColor software appropriate also for desktop publishing.
As
more software arrives and as we get deeper into the capabilities
of LinoColor we will update, revise, and expand the software review
sections of our various web sites.
Gateway
to reviews of books on scanning, on digital imaging and related
topics
Lots
of links to information on desktop
publishing hardware/software, www.laser-printer-reviews.org
Answers
to all the FAQs about large format inkjet printers for panoramas
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Nicholas
Hellmuth's thematic reports on large format digital color
printers now available
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Reviews
of large format printers most appropriate for signs,
posters, banners including POP, both inside and outside:
Encad vs HP, Roland, etc
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Large
format printers 24" and above for fine art giclee
prints, for first-time users, intermediate, and experienced
users as well
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Large
format printers 24" and above for top quality digital
photo prints, museum-quality exhibit prints, for newbies
to pro
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Which
scanners are best for scanning negatives, slides for large
format printing of photo-realistic quality; what overhead
repro-stand scanners are best for digitizing the actual artwork
for large format printing; what large format digital scan
back systems are best for digitizing paintings or 3-D
artwork (all high end) for fine art giclee printing. This
report covers only professional equipment: no entry-level,
no cheap home scanners; nonetheless, this and all other reports
are written for the first-time buyer, for newcomers to digital
imaging as well as for pros who want better equipment.
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Large
format digital printers for textiles, direct printing
on textiles as well as heat transfer with normal inks (no
need for dye sublimation inks)
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For
dye sublimation heat transfer onto textiles, metal, wood,
plastic, ceramics, metal and other treated surfaces |
Plotters
and color inkjet plotters for CAD, GIS, aerial maps, 3-D
graphic design, engineering or architectural drawings,etc.
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Large
format printers appropriate for a college or university
art or photography department, for a museum, repro shop, |
Helpful
list of media and inks for signs, posters, banners;
helpful list of media and inks for fine art giclee
or photo-realistic museum prints.
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Quick-start
help for first time buyers, list of the best RIPs; hints
for what accessories you need; list of where you can get books
and training
|
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