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{{Cleanup|date=August 2008}}
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{{Infobox software

| name = VueScan
{{Infobox_Software |
name = VueScan |
| screenshot = VueScan 9.0 (32-bit) screenshot.jpg
| developer = Hamrick Software (Ed Hamrick; David Hamrick)
logo=<!-- Commented out because image was deleted: [[Image:Vuescan.png|48px]] -->|
| released = {{Start date and age|1998|df=yes}}
screenshot = |
caption = |
| discontinued =
| latest release version = 9.8.35
developer = [[Hamrick Software]] |
| latest release date = {{Start date and age|2024|7|1|df=yes|br=yes}}<ref name="Hamrick_VueScan_Downloads" />
latest_release_version = 8.5.01 |
| operating system = [[Windows XP]] or later,<ref>{{Cite web|title=VueScan Release Notes - Windows Notes|url=https://www.hamrick.com/vuescan/vuescan.htm#windows|publisher=Hamrick Software}}</ref> <br />[[Mac OS X Panther]] or later, <br />[[Ubuntu version history#0810|Ubuntu Linux 8.10]] or later <br />[[Red Hat Linux]] 9 or later<ref name="Softpedia-main" />
latest_release_date = 18 January 2009 (updated approximately every 3 to 5 days)|
| platform = [[IA-32]], [[x86-64]], [[ARM32]] and [[ARM64]]
operating_system = [[Cross-platform]] |
| size = '''Windows:''' 12&nbsp;[[Megabyte|MB]]<br />'''Mac OS:''' 11&nbsp;MB<br />'''Linux:''' 12&nbsp;MB<ref name="Softpedia-main" />
genre = [[Graphics]] |
| language =
license = [[Proprietary software|Proprietary]] |
| genre = [[Image scanner]] and [[optical character recognition]]
website = [http://www.hamrick.com/vsm.html www.hamrick.com/vsm.html] |
| license = [[Shareware]]
| website = {{URL|https://www.hamrick.com/|hamrick.com}}
}}
}}
'''VueScan''' is a scanning [[Computer program|program]] that works with most [[image scanner|flatbed]] and [[film scanner|film]] scanners in place of software supplied by the equipment manufacturers. It is claimed to produce scans of excellent [[color]] fidelity and [[color balance]] and save them in any of several [[file format]]s, including [[optical character recognition]] (OCR) of text. It provides a number of features not available with many manufacturer-supplied packages, and provides a single consistent user interface for all scanners (and [[digital camera]]s) under [[Linux]], [[Macintosh|Mac]] [[Mac OS 9|OS 9]] and [[Mac OS X|OS X]] (10.2 through 10.5), and [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] (95 through [[Windows Vista|Vista]]). Older non-Windows systems may require downloading discontinued versions, which are still available.


'''VueScan''' is a computer program for [[Image scanner|image scanning]], especially of photographs, including negatives.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.scantips.com/vuescan.html |title=VueScan - Film Scanner software |website=Scantips.com |date= 2010 |author=Wayne Fulton |access-date= 11 August 2016}}</ref> It supports [[optical character recognition]] (OCR) of text documents.<ref name="cnet">{{Cite web
VueScan communicates with the hardware directly rather than through the standard [[TWAIN]] interface; this often improves scanning speed.
| url = http://download.cnet.com/VueScan/3640-2085_4-10068488.html
| title = VueScan
| work = [[Download.com]]
| publisher = CBS Interactive
| date = 25 May 2011
| access-date = 26 May 2011
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web
| url = http://www.scantips.com/vuescan.html
| title = VueScan
| work = A few scanning tips
| first = Wayne
| last = Fulton
| year=2010
}}</ref> The software can be downloaded and used free of charge, but adds a watermark on scans until a license is purchased.


== Purpose ==
In addition to reading images from a scanner, [[Computer file management|files]] generated by scanners, digital cameras, or any other source may be read and processed with VueScan's [[graphic]] [[editing]] tools. However, VueScan does not claim to be a general-purpose [[image editor]].
VueScan is intended to work with a large number of image scanners, excluding specialised professional scanners such as [[Image scanner#Drum|drum scanners]], on many computer operating systems (OS), even if drivers for the scanner are not available for the OS. These scanners are supplied with device drivers and software to operate them, included in their price. A 2014 review considered that the reasons to purchase VueScan are to allow older scanners not supported by drivers for newer operating systems to be used in more up-to-date systems and for better scanning and processing of [[photograph]]s (prints; also slides and negatives when supported by scanners) than is afforded by manufacturers' software.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://uk.pcmag.com/vuescan-9/46999/review/vuescan-9 |title=VueScan 9 review (rating 4/5)|website=PC Mag|date=23 October 2014 | first=M. David | last=Stone |access-date= 10 August 2016}}</ref> The review did not report any advantages to VueScan's [[Image scanner#Document processing|processing of documents]] over other software. The reviewer considered VueScan comparable to [[SilverFast]], a similar program, with support for some specific scanners better in one or the other. Vuescan supports more scanners, with a single purchase giving access to the full range of both film and flatbed scanners, and costs less.


The VueScan program can be used with its own drivers or with drivers supplied by the scanner manufacturer, if supported by the operating system. VueScan drivers can also be used without the VueScan program by application software that supports scanning directly, such as [[Adobe Photoshop]], again enabling the use of scanners without current manufacturers' drivers.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.itproportal.com/2010/11/03/vuescan-now-scans-directly-photoshop/ |title=VueScan now scans directly to Photoshop |website=Itproportal.com |date= 11 March 2010 |access-date= 16 August 2016}}</ref>
With the release of version 8.5 Hamrick software offered a free upgrade to all previous purchasers of any version.


In 2019 when Apple released [[macOS Catalina]], they removed support for running 32-bit programs, including 32-bit drivers for scanning equipment. In response, Hamrick released VueScan 9.7, effectively saving thousands of scanners from being rendered obsolete.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ephotozine.com/article/vuescan-9-7-prevents-thousands-of-scanners-from-becoming-defunct-34207 |title=VueScan 9.7 Prevents Thousands Of Scanners From Becoming Defunct |website=ephotozine.com |date= 5 November 2019 |access-date= 5 January 2021}}</ref>
== Features ==
Vuescan makes scans in much the same way as any scanner software. Advanced features include:
* compensation for orange mask of color [[Negative (photography)|negatives]]
* restoration of faded colors of both [[Photo|prints]] and [[Photographic film|film]]
* [[Infrared cleaning]] to remove dust specks with [[Infrared|IR]]-equipped scanners
* scanning of negative and positive transparencies, and opaque originals.
* batch scanning of both strips of film and groups of differently-sized individual images.
* [[optical character recognition]] (OCR)
* [[color management]] of entire systems
* Multi-pass scanning to reduce optical noise, even with some scanners that do not support this in hardware.
* digital watermarks


== Overview ==
Color management for [[Computer display|display monitor]]s, scanners, and [[Computer printer|printer]]s includes supporting use of commercially available laboratory-grade [[IT8]] calibration targets and electronic [[colorimeter]] sensors. Color management of systems includes digital cameras if an IT8.7 target is photographed correctly. [[ICC Profile]]s can be created, imported and exported.
VueScan enables the user to modify and fine-tune the scanning parameters. The program uses its own independent method to interface with scanner hardware, and can support many older scanners under computer operating systems for which [[Device driver|drivers]] are not available, allowing old scanners to be used with newer platforms that do not otherwise support them.<ref>{{Cite news
| url = https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,1631621,00.asp
| title = VueScan 8.0 Professional
| work = [[PC Magazine]]
| publisher = Ziff Davis
| date = 16 August 2005
| first = M. David
| last = Stone
| access-date = 26 May 2011
}}</ref>


VueScan supports an increasing number of scanners and digital cameras; 2,400 on Windows, 2,100 on Mac OS X and 1,900 on Linux in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web
VueScan 8.4.72 was the first version to support (but not require) the use of multiple processors (mp).
| url = http://www.hamrick.com/vuescan/vuescan.htm#supported
| title = Supported Scanners
| work = Release Notes
| publisher = Hamrick Software
| access-date = 20 May 2018
}} List od scanners supported, updated with Vuescan updates.</ref>


VueScan is supplied as one downloadable file for each operating system, which supports the full range of scanners. Without the purchase of a license, the program runs in fully functional demonstration mode, identical to Professional mode, except that watermarks are superimposed on saved and printed images. Purchase of a license removes the watermark. A standard license allows updates for one year; a professional license allows unlimited updates and provides some additional features.
==Versions==
The VueScan program can operate at 3 different [[Software licensing|licensing]] levels. The program may be downloaded free of charge, and is fully functional as downloaded at the Standard level except that dollar-sign watermarks are superimposed on both saved and printed images. For a payment of 40 USD (prices as of January 2009) a code can be supplied to upgrade to the Standard edition which will produce images without watermarks, and allow free upgrades for a year. With the release of version 8.5 free upgrades were offered to all previous purchasers of any version at any time.


VueScan supports [[optical character recognition]] (OCR), with English included, and 32 additional language packages available on its website.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Adding OCR Languages|last=Hamrick|first=Ed|url=http://www.hamrick.com/ocr.html|work=VueScan|publisher=Hamrick Software|date=13 January 2020}}</ref>
Alternatively, for 80 USD, a different code enables the Professional Edition mode with added support for raw scan files and Color Management (ICC profiles and IT8.7 color calibration), and unlimited free upgrades. The same program file is used, with different codes, for all 3 versions.


In September 2011, VueScan co-developer Ed Hamrick said that he was selling US$3 million per year of VueScan licenses.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.snowhenge.net/pblog/vuescan_is_not_struggling|title=VueScan is NOT struggling |date=13 September 2011|via=Scanning}}</ref>
All editions include OCR and many advanced features.

Version 8.5.0 lists a number of routine changes over the previous version, 8.4.97 (e.g., fixed problem with some HP scanners on Windows, added Tamil language support), but no major change.

==Update controversy==

[[Image:VueScan-Releases.png|250px|thumb|right|Chart of the Days since Initial Release versus minor release number for major releases 8.0, 8.1, 8.2, and 8.3]]

VueScan is updated frequently with [[Software bug|bug]] fixes, additional hardware support and new features, often with five or more minor updates per month (e.g. February 2007 saw seven updates, while version 8.4.62 -released 02/28/08- followed roughly 48 hours after version 8.4.61 -released 02/26/08- with no major bug). Version 8.4.76 was released on June 23rd 2008 with specific fixes only to be followed by version 8.4.77 two days later on June 25th 2008 which added support for seven HP scanners and three ''"Fixed problem with''" fixes.

VueScan's version numbering scheme is indicative of the number of updates; for example version 8.4.97 (released Dec. 5th 2008 [15 days since last update]) indicates that there have been 98 updates since version 8.4's release on January 9th 2007.<ref>[http://www.hamrick.com/vuescan/vuescan.htm#changes VueScan's version changes]</ref> Version 8.3 had 87 updates between 9/28/05 to 12/17/06. There have been on average 30 updates per year since 2002. Version 8.5 was released on Dec. 9th 2008, four days after version 8.4.97. Version 8.5.01 was released on January 18th 2009, 40 days later.

It has been said<ref>[http://www.macupdate.com/reviews.php?id=4763&pid=166475 MacUpdate.com] - Comments on VueScan's update policy</ref> that these updates are too frequent, minor, and vague sometimes causing users confusion on whether or not an update applies to them due in part to update notes lacking specificity. For example, "Fixed problem with..." begins most update notes. Such as "''Fixed problem with some USB scanners''", "''Fixed problem with cropping''" , "''Fixed problem with some Canon scanners on Mac OS X''", "''Fixed problem with some Epson scanners''", "''Fixed problem with some WIA scanners''" or "''Fixed problem with some older UMAX scanners on Mac OS X''". Other updates are model-specific but nondescript such as "''Fixed problem with HP OfficeJet K80''", "''Fixed problem with HP OfficeJet 5600 (Mac OS X)''" or "''Fixed problem with some HP Deskjet/OfficeJet/PSC scanners''". Another common update note begins with the non-specific "Improved" such as "''Improved memory utilization''", "''Improved responsiveness while scanning''" or "''Improved efficiency when scanning''". The frequency of updates have been thought to be more of a way to keep VueScan listed prominently (on the front page) of software tracking sites such as Version Tracker and MacUpdate as advertisement to maintain sales momentum than significant product improvements.

The author of VueScan, Ed Hamrick, has responded "It would take half a page of text to describe the details of many specific changes. … [updates are] usually in response to customer bug reports. … Most changes … are quite clear - like 'Added support for the Epson V500'. Actual users of VueScan are grateful for the improvements and bug fixes."{{Fact|date=November 2007}}

VueScan does not feature an automatic self-update ability, which many shareware applictions achieve by employing free technologies such as [[Sparkle (software)|Sparkle]] or others. One may work around this omission by subscribing to a free monitoring service which sends a simple e-mail (free of advertisement) upon finding changes in selected web pages. (The home page changes with every new version.) VueScan does not include a built-in version check.

== Supported file formats ==

* ICC Profiles
* Input: [[RAW image format|raw formats]] from many digital cameras.
* Input and output: *.DNG [[Digital Negative (file format)|Adobe Digital Negative]], a royalty-free raw format. (VueScan's Raw DNG file format is incompatible with [[Aperture (photography software)|Apple's Aperture software]])
* Output: [[Tagged Image File Format|TIFF]], [[Portable Document Format|PDF]], and [[JPEG]] with [[image compression|compression]] parameters set as required.
* Output: text from the embedded engine, which does not preserve the original format and layout.
* Output: Index file, [[thumbnail]]s of the current batch of images assembled into a 35mm-like "[[Contact print|contact proof sheet]] file" in Windows [[Windows and OS/2 bitmap|BMP]] format.

== Devices not supported==

*All parallel-port models
*All drum scanners
*All UMAX USB models except 3400 (some versions), 5400 and PowerLook 180
*All Microtek USB models except X6USB, X12USL, 4700, 5600, 5700, 6800, 8700, FilmScan
*Canon FS2720
*Agfa SnapScan Touch
*All Lexmark, Artec, Mustek, Primax, Brother, Samsung models
* Small and cheap (~US$100) Microsoft Windows-only 35mm scanners sold under various names.


== See also ==
== See also ==
* [[Image Capture]]&nbsp;— alternative scanner software bundled free with [[MacOS|Mac OS X]]
* [[Digital Negative]]
* [[Scanner Access Now Easy]] (SANE)&nbsp;— open-source scanner API for Unix, Windows, OS/2
* [[SilverFast]] - alternative scanner software
* [[Image Capture]] - alternative scanner software bundled free with Mac OS X
* [http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/feedback/scanners_with_OSX_leopard.html Xlr8yourmac.com's Scanner Help Page] - a large resource for using older scanners with Mac OS X Leopard


== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist|30em|refs=
<references />
<ref name="Softpedia-main">
{{Cite web
| url = http://vuescan.softpedia.com
| title = Softpedia Global Page for VueScan Downloads
| work = [[Softpedia]]
| publisher = [[Softpedia|SoftNews NET SRL]]
| date = 26 May 2011
| access-date = 26 May 2011
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110820201114/http://vuescan.softpedia.com/
| archive-date = 20 August 2011
| url-status = dead}}
</ref>
<ref name="Hamrick_VueScan_Downloads">{{Cite web
| url = http://www.hamrick.com/#download
| title = VueScan Downloads
| publisher = Hamrick Software
| date = 14 February 2015
| access-date = 15 February 2015
}}</ref>
}}

== Further reading ==
* ''The VueScan Bible: Everything You Need to Know for Perfect Scanning''; Sascha Steinhoff; 176 pages; 2011; {{ISBN|978-1933952697}}.


== External links ==
== External links ==
* [http://www.hamrick.com/ VueScan website]
* {{Official website|https://www.hamrick.com/}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Vuescan}}
[[Category:Image scanning]]
[[Category:Graphics software]]
[[Category:Graphics software]]
[[Category:Windows software]]
[[Category:Photo software]]
[[Category:Mac OS software]]
[[Category:Windows graphics-related software]]
[[Category:Mac OS X software]]
[[Category:MacOS graphics software]]
[[Category:Optical character recognition]]
[[Category:Windows text-related software]]
[[Category:MacOS text-related software]]
[[Category:Shareware]]
[[Category:Optical character recognition software]]

Latest revision as of 11:23, 6 July 2024

VueScan
Developer(s)Hamrick Software (Ed Hamrick; David Hamrick)
Initial release1998; 26 years ago (1998)
Stable release
9.8.35 / 1 July 2024;
4 months ago (2024-07-01)[1]
Operating systemWindows XP or later,[2]
Mac OS X Panther or later,
Ubuntu Linux 8.10 or later
Red Hat Linux 9 or later[3]
PlatformIA-32, x86-64, ARM32 and ARM64
SizeWindows: 12 MB
Mac OS: 11 MB
Linux: 12 MB[3]
TypeImage scanner and optical character recognition
LicenseShareware
Websitehamrick.com

VueScan is a computer program for image scanning, especially of photographs, including negatives.[4] It supports optical character recognition (OCR) of text documents.[5][6] The software can be downloaded and used free of charge, but adds a watermark on scans until a license is purchased.

Purpose

[edit]

VueScan is intended to work with a large number of image scanners, excluding specialised professional scanners such as drum scanners, on many computer operating systems (OS), even if drivers for the scanner are not available for the OS. These scanners are supplied with device drivers and software to operate them, included in their price. A 2014 review considered that the reasons to purchase VueScan are to allow older scanners not supported by drivers for newer operating systems to be used in more up-to-date systems and for better scanning and processing of photographs (prints; also slides and negatives when supported by scanners) than is afforded by manufacturers' software.[7] The review did not report any advantages to VueScan's processing of documents over other software. The reviewer considered VueScan comparable to SilverFast, a similar program, with support for some specific scanners better in one or the other. Vuescan supports more scanners, with a single purchase giving access to the full range of both film and flatbed scanners, and costs less.

The VueScan program can be used with its own drivers or with drivers supplied by the scanner manufacturer, if supported by the operating system. VueScan drivers can also be used without the VueScan program by application software that supports scanning directly, such as Adobe Photoshop, again enabling the use of scanners without current manufacturers' drivers.[8]

In 2019 when Apple released macOS Catalina, they removed support for running 32-bit programs, including 32-bit drivers for scanning equipment. In response, Hamrick released VueScan 9.7, effectively saving thousands of scanners from being rendered obsolete.[9]

Overview

[edit]

VueScan enables the user to modify and fine-tune the scanning parameters. The program uses its own independent method to interface with scanner hardware, and can support many older scanners under computer operating systems for which drivers are not available, allowing old scanners to be used with newer platforms that do not otherwise support them.[10]

VueScan supports an increasing number of scanners and digital cameras; 2,400 on Windows, 2,100 on Mac OS X and 1,900 on Linux in 2018.[11]

VueScan is supplied as one downloadable file for each operating system, which supports the full range of scanners. Without the purchase of a license, the program runs in fully functional demonstration mode, identical to Professional mode, except that watermarks are superimposed on saved and printed images. Purchase of a license removes the watermark. A standard license allows updates for one year; a professional license allows unlimited updates and provides some additional features.

VueScan supports optical character recognition (OCR), with English included, and 32 additional language packages available on its website.[12]

In September 2011, VueScan co-developer Ed Hamrick said that he was selling US$3 million per year of VueScan licenses.[13]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "VueScan Downloads". Hamrick Software. 14 February 2015. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  2. ^ "VueScan Release Notes - Windows Notes". Hamrick Software.
  3. ^ a b "Softpedia Global Page for VueScan Downloads". Softpedia. SoftNews NET SRL. 26 May 2011. Archived from the original on 20 August 2011. Retrieved 26 May 2011.
  4. ^ Wayne Fulton (2010). "VueScan - Film Scanner software". Scantips.com. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  5. ^ "VueScan". Download.com. CBS Interactive. 25 May 2011. Retrieved 26 May 2011.
  6. ^ Fulton, Wayne (2010). "VueScan". A few scanning tips.
  7. ^ Stone, M. David (23 October 2014). "VueScan 9 review (rating 4/5)". PC Mag. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  8. ^ "VueScan now scans directly to Photoshop". Itproportal.com. 11 March 2010. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
  9. ^ "VueScan 9.7 Prevents Thousands Of Scanners From Becoming Defunct". ephotozine.com. 5 November 2019. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  10. ^ Stone, M. David (16 August 2005). "VueScan 8.0 Professional". PC Magazine. Ziff Davis. Retrieved 26 May 2011.
  11. ^ "Supported Scanners". Release Notes. Hamrick Software. Retrieved 20 May 2018. List od scanners supported, updated with Vuescan updates.
  12. ^ Hamrick, Ed (13 January 2020). "Adding OCR Languages". VueScan. Hamrick Software.
  13. ^ "VueScan is NOT struggling". 13 September 2011 – via Scanning.

Further reading

[edit]
  • The VueScan Bible: Everything You Need to Know for Perfect Scanning; Sascha Steinhoff; 176 pages; 2011; ISBN 978-1933952697.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=VueScan&oldid=1232930316"