Glenn if you're not going to be doing any 3D scanning, you can get by with a scanner with a CIS sensor. CCD sensor scanners can scan 3D objects, and that is what I use so I can scan circuit boards. CCD's are usually of better quality, which of course is why now they are being phased out!
The only drawback to CCD scanners is their sharpness can fade a bit on the edges of the platen, just like with a 35mm camera lens. So with a CCD scanner you should always try and place the scanned object in the center of the platen. The CCD sensor works more like a camera lens than the CIS sensors, which is why is has a depth of field greater than CIS. CIS is Contact Image Sensor, which as the name implies; the scanned object must me in contact with the platen. CCD is a Cold Cathode Lamp, or Charged Coupled Device. CCD scanners are also a bit thicker. Keep in mind this is not to say all CCD scanners are better than CIS scanners. A good CIS scanner of course is going to give you better scans that a poor CCD scanner. Regardless of type, even if you scan a B&W schematic, always scan in color because you will lose some detail and clarity in the scanned image if only scanned in B&W. Even a B&W image still has some 'color harmonics' so to speak within it. Scan to something like IrfanView so you can then sharpen the image after scanning, and reduce if need be. With schematics you can also get better results scanning at a larger dpi then reducing it, than you would scanning @75 dpi and leaving it as it. If you've never used one before, you'll soon see that 75dpi is usually ok for most things. Just 200dpi can give you a HUGE image, you wouldn't believe it. Some scanners can go beyond 20,000 dpi interpolated. Just scanning an 8.5 x 11 sheet at 300dpi can suck up much more memory that you'd think. Those 600-1200dpi scans are good for very tiny semiconductors, or if you for instance you want to scan a small portion of a circuit board to enlarge it. Good for stamps and coins too. -Clint God Bless Us All Clint Hamilton, Owner Want to exchange links with us? http://OrpheusComputing.com � ----- Original Message ----- From: "Glenn Larkman" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hello All, I'm about to go out and buy a scanner and was wondering if there were any definite "DO buy" or "DONT buy"'s out there regarding the different brands/models etc. I will be using it occasionally to scan electronic schematics so resolution will have to be decent. I doubt I'll ever scan photos or pictures but if there's one that does it all really well that everyone likes I would like to hear. Thanks. Glenn Larkman Audiotech ============= PCWorks Mailing List ================= Don't see your post? Check our posting guidelines & make sure you've followed proper posting procedures, http://pcworkers.com/rules.htm Contact list owner <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Unsubscribing and other changes: http://pcworkers.com =====================================================
