Scanners? (Not the Cronenberg kind!)

Dduf · Post by **Dduf** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 7:40 pm

Does the brand of scanner make much of a difference for your artwork?

What features would you look for?

I'm just starting out and gathering tools right now, and was wondering what your experience has been.

Also, a thousand apologies if this belongs in the technique forum.

Pip · Post by **Pip** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 10:18 pm

I've heard the scanning software you use is just as important as the hardware, and by using different software people have gotten good results from low end scanners. Just throwing that out there. I can't remember any software names offhand so this comment won't be much help, but it's something to look into.

Turnsky · Post by **Turnsky** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 12:56 am

the scanner software that comes with hewlett packard scanners works surprisingly well, produces some damn fine lineart from scans..

Phact0rri · Post by **Phact0rri** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 1:07 am

I never really thought finding a scanner really needed that much thought, on the consumer level. Two main things to look at it is the surface size of the flatbed, and the sort of dpi you want to scan with. most web stuff doesn't go beyond 300dpi so you can get away with a 600dpi. Course those 2400s they got now are kinda cool, I doubt I'll ever have a use for one at home.

other than that the speed of a scan process, and how loud it is might be helpful. also scanner with a good track record of not going to shit early on. how many comics have went to a skretching stop cause of scanners dieing?

Lei · Post by **Lei** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 8:31 am

I just look for something big enough. >>

I had a Canoscan for years until it died over Christmas break, so now I have an HP.

Pip · Post by **Pip** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 8:58 am

Turnsky wrote:the scanner software that comes with hewlett packard scanners works surprisingly well, produces some damn fine lineart from scans..

You don't need a good scanner if you just want lineart. You can get a cheap 11x17 scanner for $150(all others at that size cost over $1000) if you just need something for lineart. The main concern is color. I tried a trial of one program out a long time ago on a computer with an HP scanner and there was a noticeable difference in quality. Like I said before I don't remember the name because it was a while ago, but it might have been VUEscan.

never really thought finding a scanner really needed that much thought, on the consumer level. Two main things to look at it is the surface size of the flatbed, and the sort of dpi you want to scan with.

I've had some cheap ones that can't pick up the slight warping that comes with doing washes. Unless you want to stack encyclopedias on top of the image while scanning in a desperate attempt to flatten it it would be a good idea to look into things beyond the basic specs, assuming you plan to scan anything besides perfectly flat pieces of paper. But yeah, the simpler your needs are, the less you have to worry about your choice.

Dduf · Post by **Dduf** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 10:01 am

Well thanks for the help. I would use it primarily for line art, so I'll see what's on sale around here.

I understand it's customary to produce fanart as thanks, but you could see how that might me a problem for me.

Blackhole · Post by **Blackhole** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 1:18 pm

pip wrote:
You don't need a good scanner if you just want lineart. You can get a cheap 11x17 scanner for $150(all others at that size cost over $1000)

I need an 11x17 scanner very very bad. On Newegg they only have the super expensive ones. Where o where can I find a cheap 11x17 flatbed?

Montyandwoolley · Post by **Montyandwoolley** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 5:08 pm

Never really had any luck with scanners, could never get good line art out of it. Eventually i gave up and just started drawing on computer and now its developed my style towards that form of drawing...

Anyone else get that?

Pip · Post by **Pip** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 6:13 pm

Blackhole wrote:
pip wrote:
You don't need a good scanner if you just want lineart. You can get a cheap 11x17 scanner for $150(all others at that size cost over $1000)
I need an 11x17 scanner very very bad. On Newegg they only have the super expensive ones. Where o where can I find a cheap 11x17 flatbed?

It's the Mustek A3. Don't know where its available right now but it's out there, or it was a year ago. It doesn't have a good rep though, but most people who used it just for black and white were fine with it.

I understand it's customary to produce fanart as thanks, but you could see how that might me a problem for me.

I have never heard of this custom.

Siabur · Post by **Siabur** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 10:29 pm

Picked up a $50 hp scanner at the walmart works fine once I figured out the software and got it set up. Do most of work with a tablet but every now & then I need to scan a doodle from my note books.

Allan_ecker · Post by **Allan_ecker** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 11:48 pm

The Cannoscan series is good, inexpensive, and works.

Provided you update EVERY SCRAP OF DRIVERS YOU CAN FIND.

Fail this, and it does horrible things to contrast. Horrible I say.

Jessi_B · Post by **Jessi_B** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 11:18 am

I've used Canon scanners for about six years, and I can honestly say that I'll continue to use them for many years to come. I currently have a CanoScan LiDE 70 that I got on discount from an Office Depot, and it has worked beautifully.

Komiyan · Post by **Komiyan** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 11:28 am

pip wrote: It's the Mustek A3. Don't know where its available right now but it's out there, or it was a year ago. It doesn't have a good rep though, but most people who used it just for black and white were fine with it.

I've had two Mustek scanners, and both have kinda broken down pretty quickly. On both, notably, the CD that supposedly had the drivers on didn't work. I would honestly say that a Mustek isn't really worth the money, and it's better to shell out a bit more and get a Canoscan.

Kaloo · Post by **Kaloo** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 7:06 pm

Make sure you buy one that has a flat screen thing. The kind where you have to run the sheet through the scanner WILL ruin your original.

Jesusabdullah · Post by **Jesusabdullah** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 9:12 pm

Turnsky wrote:the scanner software that comes with hewlett packard scanners works surprisingly well...

I've used HP's software on a couple printers. HP's drivers and such tend to be pretty bloated, but they work! I've also scanned stuff using irfanview's scanning features, and maybe photoshop as well (that might've just started HP's stuff, I can't really remember)? Iirc, irfanview's worked quickly, but didn't have as many features. Also, if you're using linux, xsane seems to do pretty well so far (except that the default levels are set a tad high, probably optimized for scanning text), but you should check for drivers first.

Also, like Kaloo said: Go for the flatbed. It's The Way, man.

Raye Gunn · Post by **Raye Gunn** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 8:36 pm

pip wrote:
Turnsky wrote:the scanner software that comes with hewlett packard scanners works surprisingly well, produces some damn fine lineart from scans..
You don't need a good scanner if you just want lineart. You can get a cheap 11x17 scanner for $150(all others at that size cost over $1000) if you just need something for lineart.

that's exactly what I did. I have an 11x17 scanner that cost me $150 brand new, a Mustek ScanExpress A3 USB. For me, the larger format was far more important than getting the very fine details, since I either just trace over it in Photoshop or mess with the levels to get crisp lines. so even though it's not as high quality scans as some if dealing with photos or whatever, (but it's not too shabby, either) it works for me because it can scan my 11x17 comic board and 12.5x10.5 animation bond without cutting any parts off. If i need high quality smaller scan, I can go over to my parents and do it there, but i don't need that very often.