These are basic instructions on how to scan transparencies using the Epson Scan. For information about using VueScan, click here.

Before you Scan | Configuring Epson Scan | Scanning Slides
Scanning Negatives | Scanning Oversized Transparencies

Film Tray checked out from service counter.	Scanner Lid Cover w/ white reflective mat (removed), TPU, and Film Tray

The Film Tray is designed to hold and position slides and negatives under the TPU in the scanner lid. Depending on what type of photographic transparency you are scanning, the orientation of the tray will be different. The photographs below illustrate where and how the Film Tray should be positioned when scanning either slides or negatives.

NOTE: Positioning the Film Tray correctly is important. When scanning photographic transparencies, Epson Scan automatically limits scanning to the area illuminated by the TPU and leaves over two thirds of the scanning bed unusable. Any objects placed outside of the Film Tray will not be scanned.

When scanning slides or negatives, there are three mode: Full Auto Mode: The scanner will automatically detect what you are trying to scan. If you are trying to scan slides or negatives, you have to remove the white reflective mat or else it will give an error message. Home Mode / Professional: The scanner will follow the settings you have select. This two mode will give a better scanning effect and elimate the time in filtering the image type/format. This pages will only show how to use Home Mode on scanning slides and negatives. First, change the "Mode" setting located at the top-right of the EPSON Scan window to Home Mode as shown on the right and the "Home Mode" window should look like the image below

In the "Home Mode" window, click on the "Document Type" and select the "Positive film" for slides or "Color Negative Film" for color negatives or "B&W Negative Film" for black and white negatives as shown on the right side. Depending on your selection, Epson Scan will automatically configure your "Image Type". After selecting the document type, the TPU itself is turned on while the "reflective" light source in the flatbed is turned off as shown below. This will happen right after you instruct Epson Scan to begin your first Preview Scan as the scanner is "Warming Up"

Preview Scan (Note distortion)	Thumbnails

When the "Preview" scan is complete, the Scanner Bed Pane will create and display thumbnails of your slides as shown in the image on the right. To get a closer look at a specific slide, select and highlight its corresponding thumbnail and double click. This will enlarge the thumbnail to fill the Scanner Bed Pane. To see all of the thumbnails again, just double click on the enlarged image.

Thumbnails	Enlarged close-up of slide #1

If you do not make any changes to the image quality settings prior to making your "Preview" scan, the thumbnails will be created using the Epson Scan defaults. If you are not satisfied with the quality of the scans, you can make adjustments to the image quality settings in the settings and controls panel before beginning your final scan. If you do not want to scan a specific slide, uncheck the checkbox below its thumbnail.

NOTE: Epson Scan will apply your image quality settings to all of the slides being scanned. It will not allow you to create settings for each slide.

When you are ready to scan your final images, click on the "Scan" button and a "File Save Setting" window will pop up as shown below. Make sure that you select a appropriate location and image format. When you are done with the saving settings, click on "OK".

Scanning photographic color or black & white negatives is virtually identical to scanning slides. Epson Scan requires a new "Preview" image so start by clicking on the "Preview" button. The scanner will power up and begin to scan your negative. Its progress can be monitored in the Scanner Bed Pane. NOTE: For some reason, Epson Scan produces a "squashed" image when scanning transparencies. Do not be concerned about the image quality while acquiring the "Preview" scan. This image is just for monitoring the progress of the scanner.

Preview Scan	"Positive" Color Thumbnails

When the "Preview" scan is complete, the Scanner Bed Pane will display thumbnails of the pictures from your negatives as shown in the image on the right. Notice how Epson Scan has reversed the photographic negatives into "positive" images. To get a closer look at a specific picture, select and highlight its corresponding thumbnail and double click. This will enlarge the thumbnail to fill the Scanner Bed Pane. To see all of the thumbnails again, just double click on the enlarged image.

Thumbnails	Enlarged close-up of picture #1

If you do not make any changes to the image quality settings prior to making your "Preview" scan, the thumbnails will be created using the Epson Scan defaults. If you are not satisfied with the quality of the scans, you can make adjustments to the image quality settings in the settings and controls panel before beginning your final scan. If you do not want to scan a specific picture from the negative, uncheck the checkbox below its thumbnail.

NOTE: Epson Scan will apply your image quality settings to all of the pictures being scanned. It will not allow you to create settings for each picture.

When you are ready to scan your final images, click on the "Scan" button and a "File Save Setting" window will pop up as shown below. Make sure that you select a appropriate location and image format. When you are done with the saving settings, click on "OK".

NOTE: When scanning monochromatic negatives, the resulting pictures lack any color information. Before you scan, you will need to change the "Document Type" to "Color Negative Film".

Preview Scan	"Positive" Black and White Thumbnails

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Scanning Oversized Transparencies

Certain photographic transparencies such as those used in publishing and archival records or overhead transparencies cannot be scanned using the Epson Scan transparency options. This is because they are larger than the area illuminated by the Transparency Unit an cannot be "backlit".

The only option available is to try and scan them like you would a standard document using the scanner's flatbed, the white reflective mat, and reflected light. This has a good chance of succeeding with overhead transparencies that just contain text because the resulting scan resembles a basic text document. Your results with either overhead transparencies with images or oversized photographic transparencies will be mixed and may require additional adjustment in Photoshop. Even then, your results may not be satisfactory.

For scanning oversized photographic transparencies, please follow the instructions in:

Basic Instructions on Scanning Images

For scanning overhead transparencies with images, please follow the instructions in:

Basic Instructions on Scanning Images

For scanning overhead transparencies with text, please follow the instructions in:

Basic Instructions on Scanning Text