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Scanning

Need to digitize an image or document? Learn which scanner is best for you and how to use it.

Before you get started...

  • Create a folder in the D: Drive Storage on the station you are working at, and label it with your network ID (i.e. abc123). The icon for D-User Storage is currently designated Storage (D) - Shortcut on the desktop of the film scanning computer.
  • To scan black and white AND color film, you will need to check out the film adapter at the main service desk on the first floor of KSL(not Freedman center front desk). Ask a Freedman center staff if you need assistance.

Getting Started

  • Turn on the Nikon CoolScan V ED. The light bulb at the top left corner will turn green.

  • Replace the slide scanning adapter with a negative film scanning adapter (can be checked out at the main service desk located on the first floor of KSL).​

  • Identify the top and bottom of the negative; the glossy side is the top and the dull side (emulsion side) is the bottom.

  • Insert the negative with its top up into the Nikon scanner (the scanner will automatically draw it in). Film is scanned correctly when inserted in the opposite direction of the pointing arrows found across edge of film.
  • Note: Do not force or bend film into the scanner.

Setting up the scan

  • Double click on the Scanners folder on the Desktop and open Nikon Scan. 

  • The software window should look like this:

  • Locate the option bar drop-down menus on the left side of the Nikon scanner window. Select from the film type options menu (middle bar) Neg (Mono) film setting.
  • If you are scanning negative Color film, please refer to Color Film Scanning.

Previewing, Scanning, and Settings

  • On the left hand side of the Nikon interface (located at the top of the Nikon Scan 4.0 window between the settings and the preview pane) click on the vertical bar to unwind the thumbnail dialog box.

  • In this dialog box click the leftmost box containing the four small boxes. The the thumbnail pre-scans of each frame on the film will appear.

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  • Optional: Double-click the desired prescan image frame to preview in larger format (this does take more time). Otherwise, continue on to step 9.
  • Before scanning the selected frame, click the purple Tools button -> Tool Palette 1 to bring up Tool Palette 1.

  • Uncheck (X's are unchecked) Curves, Color Balance, Unsharp Mask, and LCH Editor.

  • Select the appropriate filters for B/W scanning: Uncheck "Digital ICE"; Check "Enable Post Processing" and set "Digital ROC" to 0 and "Digital GEM" to 4; Uncheck "Enable Digital DEE."

  • Note:
    • Digital ICE removes dust and scratch marks on color scanning but distorts black/white scanning; always leave this off for B/W scanning.
    • Digital ROC restores faded or lost colors on scans; always set this to 0 (off) for B/W scanning.
    • Digital GEM removes grain from scans; since Digital GEM is a powerful tool, leave this on 4 unless time is an issue. You can disable it for a poorer quality but much faster scan.
    • Digital DEE brings detail out of shadows and reduces hot spots on scans of slides; leave this box unchecked because it can be done more efficiently using the Shadow/Highlight function in Adobe Photoshop (Image -> Adjustments -> Shadow/Highlight).
  • Change the Bit Depth to 14 by expanding the "Scanner Extras" and selecting 14 next to "Scan Bit Depth."

  • Click the green Scan button to scan the selected frame.

Finishing Scanning & Ejecting Film

  • In order to advance the film to another frame, click on the Thumbnails tab (Vertical Bar), and select the frame to be scanned.

  • Make sure all of the filter settings are correct each time you choose a new thumbnail. (Digital ICE = OFF, ROC = 0, GEM = 4, DEE = OFF, Bit Depth = 14)
  • Once all of the desired frames have been scanned, click the Eject Film button in the upper left corner of the Nikon Scan 4.0 window.

Finishing Touches

  • To save press File -> Save As.

  • Then click Computer -> Storage D.

  • Save in the folder you have created in the beginning and save the image as JPEG  (*.jpg, *.jpeg, *.jpe).
  • A JPEG image of "Excellent Quality" will be saved uncompressed; saving the image at any quality level less than "Excellent Quality" will result in quality loss and a smaller file size.