Digital archiving overview

Image archiving is essential. By using a correct and efficient archiving method, you can repurpose images in your collection quickly and in the most suitable format.

Problem: Analog decay

Analog images (negatives, slides, and photographic paper prints) are not permanent. Even the best storage methods cannot prevent eventual fading and color shifts. Any exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light contributes to the decay.

Solution: Digital archiving with KODAK scanners

Digital archiving is the state-of-the-art method for preserving a photographic image. A KODAK scanner digitally records an analog image from film, photographic paper, glass plates, or any other two-dimensional media, and then preserves it as a digital file. With a correctly produced digital master, there are diverse output possibilities, and the potential value of each image increases. In comparison, with a traditional workflow, if you need an image for more than one output, you must scan it separately for every different form of output--a time-consuming and costly endeavor.

Although, to date, no universally accepted standards are in place for digital archiving, studies indicate that the higher the file quality--especially in terms of image resolution and color depth--the greater the file’s potential for successful use with future technologies. It is recommended that you use a consistent workflow (particularly in terms of process and file format) for the digitization of your collection.

Determining factors for optimal digital archiving

Important: Archiving is an important and time-consuming process which you may not have the opportunity to repeat for each image. It is recommended that before you start archiving your image collection, you pinpoint the determining factors included in this section, consult with your professional peers or contact a Kodak representative, and conduct tests (using the workflows outlined in this document) on a varied selection of images that you want to archive.

There are several approaches you can take to digitally archiving an image. Consider the following factors before deciding on the method that best suits your needs:

• File format: TIFF is recommended
• Compression: compression type has a direct effect on file quality
• Final file size: dependent upon resolution, scaling, and color depth
• Standard workflow: RGB or CMYK, though this may impact optimal productivity and file quality--a scan once, output many (SOOM) workflow is recommended
• Image quantity: has an impact on storage capacity and influences choice of workflow
• Future output: scan large files to ensure future repurposing remains possible in light of rapid technological changes

Recommended workflows

Each of the following workflows (presented in the recommended order of preference) produce a high-quality image file that meets common graphic arts industry requirements while keeping production time to a minimum.

Important: The CCD head of the scanner records image data in RGB. For this reason, it is highly recommended that you save the scan file as an RGB file.

Note: The following workflows appear in the recommended order of preference.

Raw digital transparency workflow (16-bit RGB)

Kodak offers a unique digital transparency (DT) workflow that takes into consideration future repurposing for high-quality output. A KODAK scanner captures an analog image and then saves it in the form of raw, digital data. This raw data is not modified in any way, and is preserved untouched for repurposing of the image at any time, in any form. This DT digital master (that does not include sharpening) serves as a substitute for the original analog image. You can open the DT file with oXYgen Open software. You can retouch the DT file in ADOBE PHOTOSHOP (the plug-in is supplied with oXYgen Scan software). For more information, see oXYgen Smart Tips: opening and retouching DT files.

Creating a DT file

1. Mount the original(s), ideally in the mask provided with the scanner or in a user-defined mask. For more information about using masks, see the oXYgen Scanning Application User Guide and the oXYgen Scanning Application User Guide Addendum.

Tips: You can improve productivity by using masks; while images are scanned in one mask, you can load additional images in other masks. You can improve the quality of the scan file by oil mounting images on the base glass of the scanner. Learn more about the Creo Oil Mounting Station.

2. From the Setup dialog box, within oXYgen Scan software, select the following general parameters:

• Type: From the list, select Transparent or Reflective, according to the Media type (Positive or Negative).
• File Size and Resolution: It is recommended that you select the A4 size at a 300 dpi resolution to optimize the archived image for most future jobs. Current technology enables you to increase output to A3 without affecting resolution; however, this is the current standard and technological standards change rapidly. Therefore, it is recommended that you archive an image in a size greater than the size you may currently require.

Table 1:

Input profile: Select the input profile according to the scanner you use. This input profile is embedded in the DT file.

Note: The specific characteristics of your image collection should determine the parameters you select.

3. In the Layout Display window, select the image you want to scan.

4. In the Setup dialog box, click Direct Scan, to scan the image.

Note: For more than one image, scan the images in Group Scan Mode.

5. Save the images in DT mode with LOCO compression to produce a file of minimum size without loss of quality.

Note: LOCO is an ISO standard for lossless compression of a continuous tone image (ISO-14495-1/ITU-T.87).

Opening a DT file

You can open a DT file either with oXYgen Open or ADOBE PHOTOSHOP software (version 8.0 or higher) if you are using a Creo DT plug-in.

For more information about using the Creo DT plug-ins, see Appendix B: Using Creo DT Plug-ins.

Using a DT file in a SOOM workflow

The DT file is key to the SOOM workflow.

SOOM workflow compared to a traditional workflow

RGB workflow (16-bit TIFF)

With this workflow, you can open the archive file with ADOBE PHOTOSHOP software. The 16-bit RGB file is a toned image file to which some level of tone compression and sharp effect is applied.

RGB workflow (8-bit TIFF)

You can use a standard workflow to create an 8-bit file. Make sure that it conforms with current standards and produces a small file. See Table 1.

Image quality and file size

The workflow you use influences image quality and file size. The following illustration shows the general relationship between the two.

Appendix A: Using the Productive Group Scan Option

In order to optimize scanning productivity, with KODAK scanners you can use the Productive Group Scan option that shortens the procedure for scanning multiple files.

Attention: Use of the Productive Group Scan option may affect the color quality of the images in the group scan.

1. From the Setup menu, select General Preferences>Operation Mode.

2. In the Operation Mode Preferences dialog box, select the Expert Mode and the Productive Group Scan check boxes.

3. In the Setup menu, select Expert Preferences>Fast Motor Scan. 

Note: Fast Motor Scan is not available for EVERSMART Supreme and EVERSMART Select users.

4. Select Fast.

5. Click OK.

6. Mount the slides in the default 6 x 7 cm mask.

7. In the Setup dialog box, select the settings you require, making sure the benchmark settings are selected for optimal results.

Benchmark settings (circled) for optimal Productive Group Scan

Note: If you are using the EVERSMART Select or the EVERSMART Supreme scanner, in the Format box, select 6x7Mask_Productive.

The selected mask appears in the Layout Display window.

Layout Display window with scanning pattern indicated.

8. Click the Preview icon.
The preview thumbnails appear in the Queue window. The first image opens automatically.

Note: The Preview scan begins at the top of the right column, from top to bottom, and then continues at the top of the next column to the left.

9. Edit the image according to your requirements (for example, color and sharpness settings).

10. On the Scan palette, click the Scan icon.

11. In the Save Scan As dialog box, type a file name, select a location in which you want the file to be saved, and then click the Scan button.

The image is scanned.

12. In the Preview Browser, click the next preview thumbnail.

13. Repeat steps 10 and 11 for each image.

Notes:  You can proceed with editing and scanning the next preview image without having to wait for the completion of the current scan. Final scans are performed in the same order as preview scans. For more information, see the note in step 8 of this procedure.

Important: To achieve optimal productivity using the benchmark settings, you must perform steps 9 through 11 as quickly as possible to ensure that an entire column of images in the mask are sent to scan as a single group.

Setting a prefix and suffix for a group scan

By default, file numbering is applied automatically to files in a group scan. The default file name contains only file numbers (1_1, 1_2, 1_3, and so on). You an assign a prefix and a suffix to files in a group scan.

1. From the Setup menu, select General Preferences>Prefix/Suffix.

2. In the upper section of the Prefix/Suffix Setting dialog box, select the Prefix/Suffix option.

3. If you want to use the same prefix for a each file in a group scan, select the Prefix check box, and then enter a prefix.

4. If you want to use the same suffix for each file in a group scan, select the Suffix check box, and then enter a suffix.

The following is an example of consecutive files in a group scan (A) that are assigned a prefix (TEST) and a suffix (SAMPLE):

TEST_A_1_SAMPLE.file format

TEST_A_2_SAMPLE.file format

TEST_A_3_SAMPLE.file format

Appendix B: Using Creo DT Plug-ins

The Creo DT plug-ins and the Creo DT Tone plug-in together provide a complete solution for working with DT files.

• Creo DT plug-in: with this plug-in, you can manipulate DT files in ADOBE PHOTOSHOP software and then proceed directly to output.

• Creo DT Tone plug-in: with this plug-in, you can retouch a DT file in ADOBE PHOTOSHOP software and then reopen the file in the oXYgen Open application.

Creo DT Plug-in Workflow

1. Make sure the Creo DT plug-in is installed in the File Format folder, located in the ADOBE PHOTOSHOP Plug-Ins folder.

2. In the ADOBE PHPOTOSHOPsoftware, select File>Open.

3. In the Open dialog box, from the Format list, select Creo DT.

4. Retouch the file.

5. Save the file in Creo DT file format.

6. To continue working on the file, open it in the oXYgen Open application.

For further information about DT files, click here.

Creo DT Tone Plug-in Workflow

1. Make sure the Creo DT Tone plug-in is installed in File Format folder, located in the ADOBE PHOTOSHOP Plug-Ins folder.

2. In the ADOBE PHOTOSHOP software, select File>Open.

3. In the Open dialog box, from the Format list, select Creo DT Tone.

The file is opened in 16-bit RGB color mode.

Note:  Sharpness is not applied to the file.

4. Modify the file.

5. Convert the file to 8-bit RGB or CMYK, as you require.

6. Save the file.

Attention: If you open a file with the Creo DT Tone plug-in, do not save the file as a Creo DT file and then open it with oXYgen Open software.This may corrupt the file.