Scan Pro Microform Scanners

Microfilm, microfiche and microcard readers and scanners are available for use in the Government Publications, Maps, Microforms and Newspapers unit (GMM).

Some scanners have additional capabilities that will be noted at the machine.  The following instructions will get you started.

Getting Started

  1. Turn on the Microfilm ScanPro using the power switch on the back of the machine.

  2. If needed, ask a staff person for help loading your microcard, microfilm or microfiche.

  3. Open the scanner software using the Scanner software icon icon on the desktop.

  4. or
    When the software starts,select the picture of the media that most resembles your own in the startup wizard. When in doubt, ask someone on at the desk or click “Default” or “Expert User”  if it appears.

  5. Locate an image to scan.

    1. Follow the directions on top of the scanner to load microfilm. For microfiche or microcard, simply pull out the tray, place the card under the glass, and push it back in. The image can then be moved manually by moving the film carrier.

 

Motorized Microfilm Control

Click and drag hold the Film control slider button for low speed film movement. The film may move in the opposite direction at first: it will correct itself shortly.

Click and hold the and buttons for fast speed film movement

When the film carrier is all the way out and glass lifts itself, the and buttons will activate allowing for even quicker movement.

 

To Adjust:

The buttons in the adjust tab can significantly improve image quality.

  • Press “AB” if the image is too dark or too light to read. The scanner will automatically adjust the exposure.

  • Adjusting “Contrast” is helpful if a scan of a photograph is required. Otherwise, “AB” should fix other lighting issues.

  • To zoom, press and hold the up or down arrow to zoom in or out, respectively.

  • Press “AF” to automatically focus the image.

  • “Film Type” toggles negative or positive film types. (If the text is white and the background is black, press this button.)

  • If the image only takes up a small portion of the screen or is sideways or both, press “Film Orientation” and then “Rotate” to adjust the orientation. Ask at the help desk if the image won’t take up the entire screen.

 

To Scan and Save:

Adjust the green, dashed box that surrounds the the image by clicking and dragging on the corners to encompass the desired image. A high resolution scan takes about a second and includes all of your current settings.

 

At the bottom of the screen, click on the “Output Tab” and select the desired export location.

  • “Scan to Drive #1” Sends the file to a location of your choosing on the workstation.

    • These can only be emailed if you have a UW email address. Ask the person at the help desk for more information or assistance.

  • “Scan to Drive #2” Sends the file to a location of your choosing on a usb flash drive.

  • “Scan to Drive #3” Sends the file to be burned on an inserted CD or DVD.

  • “Scan Resolution” adjusts the quality of the scan. 300 DPI is a good balance of size to quality.

  • “Scan Mode” gives the best quality scans if left in mode 1.

Cost: free

Save as PDF, TIFF, and JPEG file types. You can also save multi page PDF and TIFF files.

  • Images will be saved as PDF files unless you specify otherwise.

    • To save a multipage PDF, change the file type in the dropdown menu to “PDF (multi-page)

    • A small window will appear that says “Scan Count: 1” will appear.

    • To add another page, click the same scan button as before. You can adjust the image prior to doing this

    • When finished, press “Finish” on the small window.

  • TIFF image files are large. Save as TIFFs if you plan to archive, preserve, or publish the image.

  • JPEG image files are smaller images. Save as  JPEG images if you plan to put the image in a slide presentation or on a webpage. Note: Do not save as a JPEG 2000 image because they require a special viewer.

 

To Print:

  • “Printer 1” will send the scan to the UW Dawg Prints Printer of your choice.

    • $0.12 per page single sided or $0.23 per page double sided.

    • You must pay for your prints using a Dawg Prints card.

    • Follow the onscreen directions to use Dawg Prints or ask at the Help Desk for assistance.

 

To Finish

  1. Remove the microfilm, microfiche, or microcard

    1. On some machines, pulling the film carrier all the way out and clicking the button will automatically begin rewinding. If this button isn’t working, simply click and hold the slower rewind buttons.

  2. Close the scan software

  3. Turn off the Microfilm ScanPro machine with the small switch on the back right of the machine.

  4. Place your microform on a refiling table or give it to the person at the help desk.