To begin scanning in the Center for Digital Research in the Humanities using the Zeutschel OS 14000A2:
Usually the computer and scanner should already be up and running. If they are not, start by turning on the scanner. The on/off switch is located on the left side of the scanner, approximately level with the table. It is hard to see, but it is there.
Once the scanner is on, turn on the computer and log in. The log in information should be located on the desk. Do not turn on the computer before turning on the scanner, as this will produce an error message. Once the computer is on, check the D drive to make sure that there is sufficient space to store your scans. All scans are saved to the D drive.
Open the Omniscan software located on the desktop of the computer. You may get an error message about "private settings", if you do, just click on "OK". You may also get a screen asking you to start with a saved project, also close out of that. Wait for the driver to load. The scanner will make cool, space-age sounds while it is loading. Wait for the message below to go away before proceeding:
Once the driver is loaded and the cool sounds cease, create a "New" job. You can also "Open" an old job, but if you are doing that, you don't need to be reading these instructions!
Clicking on "New" will bring up a box asking you to assign a "Job name" -- this will be the name of the folder where your scans are saved on the D Drive. It will default to Scanjob_ and then a number. Please change this to what you would like to name your folder (usually something like date and author or date and publication):
Clicking OK will bring up the Omniscan Settings box. You should check to make sure the settings are as you would like them to be. The default settings are 24 bit color, 600 dpi, TIFF. You should let the scanner proceed with the default settings, unless you have a good reason to change them.
After you have checked the settings, you can click on "Filter":
In the Filter Settings there are a number of filters you can use. The software will apply the filters in the order they are listed in the "Active filters" box. You can change the order using "Add" and "Remove" or move them "Up" or "Down". Two filters that are used frequently are Deskew, which will attempt to make the scan as straight as possible, and Cut.
When you are done adding Filters, click OK. If you are scanning a book or magazine and would like to make two scans at once (one for each page), you will need to create another clip (by right clicking anywhere and selecting "new") and apply the same settings and filters as in the first clip. The second clip will appear as a box with another border color:
Why the second clip comes up as a small box, I do not know. But simply drag it using the corners to the size you would like:
I like to have them overlap just slightly so that you don't lose any data in the gutter. Now that the software is running and your clips are set up, let's talk about the scan bed. When you come in, the glass should be up, like this:
If you are scanning something very delicate that can have no pressure put on it, please leave the glass up. If you put the glass down for scanning, please return to this position when you are done. If you are going to use the glass, grab by the handle (not the glass) and move to this position:
You can then use the buttons on the far left in this photo to lower the glass the rest of the way:
If scanning a book, you may adjust the bed by physically pushing the two sides apart. You may also adjust the height of the bed entirely or just lower one side by pushing down with your hand. (Not very high-tech, but it works!) To lock into place, use the second and third buttons in the photo above.
Then, place your document on the scan bed. It can be placed anywhere on the bed. Of course, if you are scanning a book and using two clips, you will want to place the book in the middle of the bed. This also allows for adjusting of the bed as you scan.
Lower the glass:
And press the green button on the scanner or the green button on the software (shown here) or use the "Exposure" foot pedal:
It will look something like this when you are scanning (and again make fun noises!):
Once you have scanned something, you can adjust the scan area by pulling the box corners in or out, or moving it:
Obviously this scan captured wayyyyy to much, so you would grab the corners of this red box and pull them in.
Once you have finished your scanning project (and, yes, hundreds of scans are OK -- this is a book scanner!), please click on the "Finalize" button. You do not need to do this as you are scanning -- the software will auto save every few scans. The "Finalize" is a save and close button, so please be aware that the software will close after you do this. To many first time users this is scary as it appears that the scans have disappeared. Please be assured that they have been saved to the D Drive.
In the Finalize box, you will want to give it a name -- otherwise it will default to Image00001. You can give it a prefix, as show below, instead of Image. You can also set how many digits are used and where the numbering begins. This is useful if you are scanning only certain pages of a publication and you would like the numbering to match the original. The box below will give you file names that begin with ram.wwii.00001 and increase by 1s from there. If you accidentally name your files something you do not want them to be named, please do not resave them, but use a renaming program to do so.
Your scans are now on the D Drive, in the tmp folder, in the folder you created in the "New job" screen above. Please drag them into the cdrh-working folder, onto an external hard drive, or upload to Box.
Some other handy tips:
1) Always scan with the LIGHTS OFF. Otherwise you will be able to see the lights in the scan, as shown here:
2) Make sure nothing covers the white bar or the "Blob" -- the squiggly line in the middle of the white bar -- at the top edge of the scan bed. This bar is used for calibratation and so if anything covers it your scans will come out with ridiculous orange and pink splotches. Trust me, I learned the hard way.
3) Speaking of color, if you want it to be 100% accurate, make sure you click on this icon on the top bar to indicate whether the glass is opened or closed. If it looks like below, the glass should be closed. Click on it if the glass is opened.
4) Also seen in the image above is "Average mode 1", you can change this to 2, 4, or 8. If you are seeing any blurred areas in your scans, try upping this setting.
5) If your documents are on thin paper, you can use some of the black construction paper so that the green bars do not show through. For normal documents, books, magazines, etc., you do not need to use the paper. Please get out a new piece, and disgard it once you are finished.
6) If you are leaving the glass up and need help holding the documents down (or up), we can get a bone turner, sand bags, and other items from Archives or Preservation.
7) Scratched glass is the No. 1 reason for service calls. If possible, please remove all jewelry before coming into the CDRH. Also, if the documents have fasteners (staples, paper clips, etc.) please remove those if at all possible. There should be a tool near the computer monitor to help with this. Remember to disgard the fasteners. (I know they are 100-year-old staples, but just go ahead and throw them away!) If you have questions, please ask someone. If you cannot remove the fasteners, please scan with the glass up.
8) You should not have to clean the glass. If it is dirty, please ask a faculty or staff member to help you do this. Only one specific kind of glass cleaner can be used on the glass. Don't use any other kind of cleaner on the scanners. If it is just dusty, please get a clean dust rag from the supply area. Returning the glass to the upright position when done will help lessen the need for cleaning.
9) Please no food or drink of any kind near the scanners.
OTHER ZEUTSCHELS
Now that you know how to use the 14000A2, you should be able to use the other scanners with no problems! A few differences to point out:
1) On the 10000, you can't make two clips. You will need to just use one clip and then "cut" or "orthoscan" to get two images from the one clip.
2) On the 10000, you can't save to the network drives or Box. You will need to use an external hard drive.
3) On the 14000A0, the glass is much heavier and is run by an air compressor. You will need to turn on the air compressor (located behind the scanner) and let it come up to pressure before operating the glass. When done, please remember to turn off the air compressor, wait for it to decompress, and then drain it. (You can see the "Drain" in the photo below.)
To operate the glass, use the buttons below the glass. Also be careful as the glass comes down faster than you might think.
Happy Scanning!