Scanning Tips

Scanning

When scanning photos the recommended resolution depends on the size of the picture and what size the final image on the Web result should be.

The easiest is to scan into JPEG and set the quality to 100%, then there will be no loss of quality. The sizing and optimization will be done within Fireworks.

Scanning offset printed pictures might produce Moiré patterns because offset print is printed with screening angles. Each of the four colors in the printing process is printed at a different angle. That produces a specific "pattern" which will interfere with the pixelated scanning. A new pattern will show up in the scan and it won't look quite right.

There are plug-ins to remove Moiré patterns for Photoshop. Some scanning software also offers settings that take care of Moiré patterns

Scanning into Fireworks

For scanning into Fireworks any TWAIN compliant scanner works. You need to familiarize yourself with the scanner interface which is provided by the scanner manufacturer. The most important settings are to be made via the scanner interface and should follow the guidelines mentioned above.

Digital Images

When using a digital camera make sure that you take the images at a high resolution, 900 * 600 pixels at minimum. Higher resolution means you can take less pictures, the result however will be better at higher resolutions.

Make sure the settings of the camera are appropriate for the lighting conditions. Decide to use the flash when necessary. In general images that have extreme contrast, such as people in a room with a bright window in the background, will not be easily fixable with digital editing. Use the review feature of your camera to look at the shot and take more, if necessary.

TWAIN

Fireworks has a built in TWAIN interface that lets you get images from any registered TWAIN source. That includes scanners and connected digital imaging devices such as a digital camera.