CompuServe Thread

#Epson scanner drivers?

32 messages in this thread
#124162From: Richard GraffDec 7, 1993 11:08 AM
I purchased an Epson ES300C scanner and I noticed that there is also a serial port and SCSI interface built into it as well as the parrallel port I was expecting. Can the serial or scsi ports be used when connecting this unit up to an Amiga that has all three ports? Also, what software package is recommended most for this scanner? A friend is going to come over this weekend with his copy of ImageFX (and cable) so that I can at least test out the unit, but I haven't really checked out which software to buy as of yet. I won't really need color, not now at least since I don't have a color printer (I have my eye on the BJ-600C <G>), are ImageMaster, ADPro and ImageFX the only choices? =Rick=
#124170From: Bill ReevesDec 7, 1993 1:39 PM
Rick, I have the same scanner and use it with ADPro. It works very well. I can't speak to the other software or drivers, however. Bill
#124171From: Michael GerardDec 7, 1993 1:50 PM
>>Can the serial or scsi ports be used when connecting this unit up to an Amiga that has all three ports?<< Sure… if the software you're using supports them (good luck) >>…what software package is recommended most for this scanner?<< I use both AdPro (with optional driver package) and ImageMaster (with MetaScan) with my Epson ES300C. I believe that Image F/X will also access it. All three vendors have support sections in AmigaVendor Forum (GO AMIGAV).
#124178From: Richard GraffDec 7, 1993 2:56 PM
I kinda thought that the software available for the amiga that worked with my Epson scanner utilized only the parrallel port, but I thought I'd ask anyway. I noticed that you avoided recommending either ADPro or ImageMaster over the other. Is that because you feel they are on an equal level or you want to keep out of the Image Processing shouting matches that crop up occasionally? <G>. =Rick=
#124180From: Michael GerardDec 7, 1993 3:47 PM
hehe… Well, I don't know how much good my comments would do since I don't have Image F/X (not because I don't want it, I just can't afford it right now). Also, I'm using a version of MetaScan (from METADIGM (Vic Wagner)) that I'm not sure ever made it out for commercial use. I like the look and feel of MetaScan… and use it when I'm doing a large color scan, because it writes data to disk, rather than holding everything in memory (the way that AdPro does… although, AdPro's stuff does have a SCAN-TO-DISK option… but I haven't used it). For me, it's a toss up… I use each program for some things. It appears that MetaScan does a better job on my system (A3000 ECS). I'd really like to get a crack at playing Image F/X someday, but I'm afraid that won't be soon.
#124228From: Tim LloydDec 7, 1993 9:30 PM
I noticed that you avoided recommending either ADPro or ImageMaster over the other. Is that because you feel they are on an equal level or you want to keep out of the Image Processing shouting matches that crop up occasionally? <G>. Well I can certainly speak for Adpro, it's got a really easy to use interface, and you get good results… what more can be said ! Tim On AutoPilot Over Hong Kong
#124262From: Black Belt SystemsDec 8, 1993 12:39 AM
What more can be said? <grinning> Well, you can say, truthfully, that you can do lots and lots of things in Imagemaster that you cannot do at all, no how, in AdPro. :^) You could say some other things in the same vein, too. :^) But we won't do that. –Ben …via AutoPilot
#124285From: Tim LloydDec 8, 1993 5:41 AM
>What more can be said? <grinning> >Well, you can say, truthfully, that you can do lots and lots of things in >Imagemaster that you cannot do at all, no how, in AdPro. :^) You could >say some other things in the same vein, too. :^) But we won't do that. I know Ben I know ;^) Oh how I would love to give Imagemaster a go…. but you already know my feelings on this ;^) …. maybe a good review might change my mind…. Tim On AutoPilot Over Hong Kong
#124307From: Michael GerardDec 8, 1993 9:01 AM
>>maybe a good review might change my mind<< I take it you haven't seen the January issue of AmigaWorld on that side of the pond yet, eh?
#124415From: Tim LloydDec 8, 1993 11:46 PM
Nope not yet…. mind you there is a couple of ponds between Hong Kong and the US :^) It should be here soon… Tim On AutoPilot Over Hong Kong
#124466From: Steve Bennett/SYSOPDec 9, 1993 7:51 AM
hehe… ok, here's a quote: "If you've gotten this far in to the review without pausing to buy Imagemaster R/T for yourself, you've already waited too long. Imagemaster R/T is a tool no serious artist should be without" – Dave Johnson AmigaWorld 1/94 p16
#124513From: Black Belt SystemsDec 9, 1993 4:04 PM
Perhaps a look at the Janury '94 Amigaworld is in order, then. It's a decent review. :^)
#124313From: BILL LEACHDec 8, 1993 9:26 AM
Tim; I'm not as shy as Ben <caugh> <gag> <choke> 🙂 People that have been on this forum for many years know that I have not been hesitant about "flaming" Ben when I thought he was wrong or even when I thought that he might be "over-doing it." HE IS NOT OVER STATING THE SITUATION! I like ADPro and have used it for a number of years, not extensively mind you because I really am limited to just a bit of "minor" corrections to bit map images for use in DTP. I have been using IM R/t since it came out. It is (IMHO) a much more "intimidating" program. While there are several things that I have tried to do in IM R/t that I have not been able to accomplish successfully yet, I don't believe that ADPro can under any circumstances do them. Probably the single most important feature of IM R/t is that it is very easy to try something, compare the "before" and "after" and save either (or both). Amount of memory available limits the practicality of some sequence of operation type things, but as you no doubt know, the order in which you perform certain types of image processing affect the results. IM R/t is the only program that I know of where you can experiment with such things and not get lost (named buffers and the ability to save/load and switch any buffer at any time). IM R/t has ARexx macro capability that can be called from just about anywhere in the program (the only place that I have seen myself where I don't think that you can call an ARexx macro is when IM R/t has the Macro Requester Open – and of course you could just select your macro if it is in the group for that requester). This program is beyond amazing. Also, my attempts at comparitive processing have led me to conclude that IM R/t does a better job. My perception is that it is also faster but that is definately subjective. -bill
#124416From: Tim LloydDec 8, 1993 11:46 PM
Thanks for the insight on Image R/T. I'm going to wait to see what Amiga World has to say, but to be honest I would prefer to wait until one of the UK magazines gives it a review, as they are usually give a better review, for better or for worse… but at least you get an Honest review. Still once I have a little spare cash I might just treat myself. Tim On AutoPilot Over Hong Kong
#124457From: BILL LEACHDec 9, 1993 6:57 AM
I have not read the AW review yet but I here that it is a pretty good review (for a change). -bill
#124514From: Black Belt SystemsDec 9, 1993 4:04 PM
Some operatations in AdPro are, in fact, faster.
#124626From: BILL LEACHDec 10, 1993 7:29 AM
<chuckle> This is wild… me defending IM R/t and you defending ADPro! I can believe that you are correct… however from the users standpoint, IM R/t appears to be faster because there is more visable activity. More importantly, in actual use IM R/t is faster (at least for me) because I can switch back and forth between the "before" and "after" processing images is well under a second to see the difference. That instant comparision can be very valuable.
#124754From: Black Belt SystemsDec 11, 1993 2:49 PM
Guess I'll quit arguing with you. :^) You're right. :^))
#124845From: BILL LEACHDec 12, 1993 9:22 AM
Gee Ben you gave up so easy, that's not like you 🙂
#124312From: BILL LEACHDec 8, 1993 9:26 AM
Richard; I have ADPro but do not have the scanner software for the machine. I also have IM R/t and do have the scanner software. If you are buying software just for the purpose of running the scanner then I STRONGLY recommend buying MetaScan package. The MetaScan supplied with IM R/t is useful only for partial scans of limited size images (depending upon the amount of memory in your machine) as it will ONLY do 24 bit color scans and will not save to disk directly from the scanning program. MetaScan itself OTOH will probably do everything that you could possibly want (but I am not sure about the scsi.device interface). I am pretty sure that ASDS does have scsi interface support. Personally, I doubt that the interface is of any real concern (I don't think that use of the scsi interface speeds the scanner up any). BTW, within the limitations mentioned, the IM R/t Epson ES600C combination will do some really amazing work. If you have followed any of my messages in BlackBelt's section it is obvious that I am not any sort of image processing expert. However, I have scanned in several color images for conversion and use in desk top publishing. Both the scan (MetaScan) and the processing (IM R/t) provided results that were just astounding. I am getting B/W images that are only just slightly less quality than a photograph. -bill
#124315From: Richard GraffDec 8, 1993 9:51 AM
Bill, How does one get the MetaScan package, I have never noticed it before on my local dealers shelves or in any of the magazines. Is it a stand alone product for scanning? You said that you where pretty sure that ASDS does have scsi interface support, did you mean ASDG, and if not who what is ASDS? The reason I was interested in the SCSI interface was to free up the parrallel port for other uses. =Rick=
#124455From: BILL LEACHDec 9, 1993 6:56 AM
Rick; Yes, I meant ASDG and not ASDS. I am not sure how to get the MetaScan package. I have been trying to buy the full version (after using the limited one that supports IM R/t) for well over a month and have not been able to find a source. -bill
#124508From: Steve Bennett/SYSOPDec 9, 1993 2:14 PM
For information on MetScan, conatact Vic Wagner at Metdigm: 76046,3004
#124942From: John DraperDec 13, 1993 1:16 AM
To get on the good side of someone who can sell you MetaScan, send a Christmas card to Vic Wagner. <wwiiiide grin>
#124956From: BILL LEACHDec 13, 1993 9:01 AM
I probably will anyway but is that the only source? Is there no one else selling it? I wonder why Vic did not say anything to me when I asked him about how to get the full version?
#124961From: John DraperDec 13, 1993 10:03 AM
I don't think the full version is out in retail yet.
#125075From: BILL LEACHDec 14, 1993 11:06 AM
Humm, well that would certainly explain that… tnx -bill
#124795From: Michael S. HamptonDec 11, 1993 11:07 PM
If you figure out how to make Art Dept Pro use the scsi interface, PLEASE let me know. I've gone through my manual several times, and I've yet to get it to work. If you know of any other program that WILL use the scsi interface for scanning, also, please let me know.
#124940From: John DraperDec 13, 1993 1:15 AM
The SCSI operation using MetaScan is about 3 times faster than parallel.
#124955From: BILL LEACHDec 13, 1993 9:01 AM
With the ES-600? So far speed has not been too big an issue with me but then I need to try to figure out how I'm gonna get the full metascan stuff.
#124960From: John DraperDec 13, 1993 10:02 AM
> With the ES-600? No.. ES-800C -larry
#124939From: John DraperDec 13, 1993 1:12 AM
I use MetaScan with my ES-800C attached to the SCSI bus. It's incredibly fast.