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Microfilm Scanning (Station 31)

Instructions on using the microfilm scanner

Intro to Microfilm Scanning

Microfilm Video Tutorial

Video Tutorial Steps

Step 1: Turn the microfilm scanner on.

Step 2: Launch the Powerscan 3000 Software.  Please be patient. It takes more time than you expect to load and be ready to run.

Step 3: Once the software has loaded, you will see several images of different forms of media. Look to the right, past those options, and select "Expert User."  Let this load.  Again, it may take a few minutes.  Soon, you will start to hear the scanner warming up.

Step 4: Once the scanner is running, you will start to see it moving around on the screen.  The black speckles are dust on the scanner. Don't worry about this.  The microfilm is also dusty.  This is just one of the challenges of using and scanning microfilm.

Step 5: In this tutorial, we are starting by working with microfiche. This one is labeled "Newsweek."

Step 6: You'll need to put the microfiche in face down as opposed to face up, otherwise everything will be backwards.  If you put it in the wrong way, not a big deal.  Just take it out and flip it over.

Step 7: Push the microfiche in, which will make the content on the microfiche appear on the screen.  Once the content appears, try pushing the fiche left and right and up and down to see how you can scan through the content.

Step 8: Take a look at the tabs between the icons on the left and the images you've been looking at.  They are "Home", "Adjust," "Output," and "Setup".  "Home" is where we will stay for now to do scanning.

 

Step 9: Before you select one of the scanning options, you should select the area of the microfilm that you would like to scan. 

Step 10:  Move and/or resize the green box on the screen to encompass the area that needs to be scanned. 

Step 11:  Click the "Adjust" Tab. Zoom to get a closer scan by using the Zoom icon in the lower left part of the screen.

Step 12: Manually straighten the image using the "Manual straighten" option on the left.  Using the Rotate tool will rotate the image by 90 degrees.  This is helpful if you accidentally loaded the microfiche incorrectly.

Step 13: Check the file type using the "File Type" option on the left. There are three options: positive, opaque, and negative. Cycle through them and pick the one that makes your image look best.  In this case, it is "negative."

Step 14:  Adjust the brightness with the "Brightness tool on the left until it looks good to you. 

Step 15: Adjust the focus with the "Focus" tool on the left to make sure the image is as crisp as you would like it.  You will hear the machine move in and out of focus.  Wait until it stops before doing the next thing.  Once it's in focus, you are ready to scan.

Step 16: Click the "Home" tab and then click "Scan to Drive HD" to perform a high-definition scan.  You will hear the machine scanning and you'll also see it appear on the screen.

Step 17: To find the successful scan, click on the D: Drive on your computer.  You will see the scan there.  The file name will be something like "ScanPro0001.pdf"

Step 18: Complete steps 8-17 for additional scans.  All of your scans will be saved on the D: Drive.

Step 19: Try to scan some microfilm.  Start by pulling a little bit of the film from the roll (like pulling tape).

Step 20: Place the microfilm roll on left post in the direction that will allow the roll to be pulled clockwise towards the right. 

Step 21:  Loop the microfilm clockwise under the left side lever.

Step 22:  Pull the film towards the right post and slip the film underneath the next lever and insert the end of the film in the reel's slot.

Step 23: Turn the right reel twice manually so that the film is secure on both reels. (Steps 20-23 are best illustrated on minute 5:41 through minute 6:11)

Step 24: Push both reels and the glass inward with the handle and then follow steps 7-17 (same steps that you used to view and scan microfiche).

Step 25: Remember that we are here to help via Chat or at freedmancenter@case.edu.