scanning actual size, hi resolution images

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Level 1

8 points

scanning actual size, hi resolution images

I recently switched from a PC to the macbook pro and am using an HP photosmart C7100 series scanner. I cannot figure out how to scan images at actual size using this scanner and the macbook. (I had no problem doing it on the PC with the same scanner.) I have it set to scan to iPhoto.

What I actually need to do is insert scanned images at actual size into word docs. When I try inserting these scans from iPhoto into Word-- they are much larger than the original. I have tried changing scale and resolution settings and at one point was able to get the image the right size-- but the resolution was terrible. I really need a hi resolution but actual size. (Just for a little more info, I know it is possible to size the image down in Word- but for what I am doing, I absolutely need the image to be the exact size it really is- and these are not standard size images, so resizing in Word has not been an easy task.)

I have tried everything I can think of with the scanner- and am wondering at this point it if has something to do with the macbook pro screen resolution?? I'm at a loss. Does anyone have any tips?

Thanks so much.

lana

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.1)

Posted on Feb 15, 2008 10:51 AM

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Answer 1

Feb 15, 2008 11:43 AM in response to lana13

Welcome to the Forums!

One tip might be to try Applications > Image Capture instead of iPhoto. IC allows full control over resolution, etc. I've never scanned to iPhoto, so if that allows full control as well then this tip won't helps.

However, I think this is an issue with how MS Office on the Mac handles images.

On my MBP, when I take a pic from a 4 megapixel digital camera (2288x1712 pixels) and insert that into a Word document (Insert menu > Picture > From File), then copy it, switch to Photoshop and create a new document based on the clipboard size, what I get is not the original pixel dimensions, and the size changes depending on how I scale the pic in Word. On the other hand, when I move the same image to my PC laptop and do the exact same thing, in Photoshop I get a 2288x1712 blank file in Photoshop no matter what I do to the image in Word.

So, unfortunately you may be stuck, unless someone else can offer a better suggestion. Word is really not the app of choice for desktop publishing, image manipulation, etc., but it's unfortunate that the switch impacted you in this way.

One possibility, assuming you still have your licenses for Windows and MS Office - use BootCamp to run them on your MBP. Clearly not an elegant solution.

If you can stand something of a learning curve, you might consider Mac desktop publishing software, something like the free, open source scribus, or Adobe InDesign.

Hope this helps...

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Answer 2

lana13 Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 15, 2008 12:26 PM in response to neuroanatomist

Thanks very much for your reply.

I will give image capture a try. I am wondering if image capture can store photos though. Basically, I need a quick (and simple) way to scan, organize and archive images that allows them to be emailed or printed directly from the program (like iPhoto) when needed and inserted into Word.

I am scanning images but also 3-D objects (i.e. jewelry) which is why the actual size is so important (and not standard).

I am sure Desktop publishing would be way better for what I am doing- but unfortunately, we are a rather low tech operation and I think training multiple people on that is going to be beyond us at this point.

Thanks again for your reply- I appreciate the help!

lana

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Answer 3

Feb 15, 2008 12:33 PM in response to lana13

IC just saves to Desktop or wherever you tell it to. You can then drag those images into iPhoto for organization, etc.

If actual size is truly important, then you might consider an alternative. I deal with scientific images, another area where size matters. Since there's no real control over the monitor size/resolution or print format of the person viewing the end result, the solution is to have a scale bar in the image itself. Perhaps along with the jewelry, you could scan part of a colorful ruler (maybe get yourself a set of colored plastic rulers, to match the jewelry colors). Then you'd have an accurate representation of size whatever happens to the scanned image. Just a thought...

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Answer 4

lana13 Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 15, 2008 1:33 PM in response to neuroanatomist

Neuro-
Great idea! Thanks so much. I think adding a ruler would definitely help. 🙂

lana

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Answer 5

LilyLC

Level 4

2,828 points

Feb 16, 2008 7:57 PM in response to lana13

+"I have tried changing scale and resolution settings and at one point was able to get the image the right size-- but the resolution was terrible."+

Was the image terrible on screen or a printout? Are the images for screen viewing only or prints or both?

In scanning to iPhoto, I think it creates a low resolution (i.e., 72 dpi) version of your hi-res scan (at least this is what happens for me when I upload photos from my camera or import images to iPhoto) so the image that you are importing into Word may be the low res one. The path to the high res images are HD/Users/your name/Pictures/iPhotoLibrary/Originals/ and to the low res images are HD/Users/your name/Pictures/iPhotoLibrary/Data/

Another possibility you might try is within Word, go to menu item "Insert" and select Picture and from the pop-out, select From scanner or camera.

I do not know anything about the HP scan software but a relatively inexpensive option is Adobe Photoshop Elements.

Hope this helps.

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Answer 6

Feb 17, 2008 11:41 AM in response to lana13

I use GraphicConverter. Screen resolution is 72 dots per inch so, without adjustment, a 1440 pixel image would be 20 inches copied into Word. But in GraphicConverter I can set the resolution to 600 dpi and, when I copy it to Word, the picture is just 2.4 inches. Word does pay attention to the resolution of the image, and GraphicConverter lets you change it.

If you scan at 300 dpi and set the image resolution at 300 dpi, you get original size. GraphicConverter should run the scanner for you, so you may not have to change settings at all.

GraphicConverter is at

http://www.lemkesoft.com/

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