Page 1 of 1

best scanner

Posted: Sat May 14, 2011 12:02 pm
by Yosemite Sam
Hey everyone,

You guys know your stuff, so I'm wondering what is the best, or sufficient, scanner to produce professional results.

The current programs that I have purchased are: Anime Studio, TVPaint, CS5, and Toon Boom animate Pro. Oh, and sketchbook pro.

Just looking for a solid scanner that people use to get good results.

Thanks in advance for your knowledgeable feedback.

Jim

Posted: Sat May 14, 2011 1:13 pm
by Poopee
I still use a HP Scanjet 4C I bought in the late 90's.
Though an old one, it still has great image quality, it is 8.5X14 inches and you can buy it real cheap used on Ebay.
I still get remarks on the quality of my scans!

Poopee

Posted: Sat May 14, 2011 1:59 pm
by slowtiger
Scanner hardware nowadays is good enough. It's the drivers and the scan programs which make a difference. If you need to scan 100+ drawings a day you should look for bulk scanning optins, if even more, you could need a document feeder.

Posted: Sat May 14, 2011 3:33 pm
by cheyne
Like Slowtiger says, it's mostly software and drivers that deliver "quality". That'll just be a case of spending money or doing the research on the hardware that makes it to your short list.

I have a $60 multifunction device and it scans at a decently high resolution (2800 x 3200 from memory) and for the best part scans in nice. I've done this with magazine images, old photos etc. and got results that I was happy with - nothing an intermediate Photoshop user couldn't sort out. But always aim to have the best quality before using Photoshop of course 8)

Take into consideration WHAT you are going to scan. Sketches? Prints? Textures? Size? Unless you need to go large format, i.e. larger than A4 your run of the mill Epson/Canon whatever inkjet printer combo that you can pick up at the Post Office or your local computer store will be fine.

Happy hunting!

Posted: Sat May 14, 2011 4:21 pm
by Diana Kennedy
Lets say that I don't trust multi-function devices, I prefer a hardware that does ONE thing but this one in a good way. I work with a canon Scanner - I'm pretty happy with it.

Posted: Sat May 14, 2011 4:36 pm
by Mikdog
I've had the same Canon scanner since around 2005/6 or something. Works well, though I don't really display scanned stuff for final work. I use it mostly for scanning in roughs to draw digitally. Still though, working well and more than suitable. Though if you do a LOT of scanning I'd suggest getting a super fast scanner if you can afford it, it really slows you down if you have to wait for each scan to finish and if things are slow. Can be the chink in your workflow actually.

Posted: Sun May 15, 2011 12:40 am
by cheyne
@Diana

I was sceptical of the idea of multifunction devices once upon a time, especially since I had access to professional quality gear in job I had as a younger man, but out of necessity and budget I bought a printer/scanner combo. Technology is so advanced these days the top end hardware of yester-year is on the bottom shelf for less than $100. I couldn't be happier, the quality is great and the scan speed isn't TOO painful :-D

Posted: Sun May 15, 2011 12:53 am
by sbtamu
I bought a printer/scanner Lexmark x1240 at a garage sell last summer for 5 bucks and it had new ink in it. I had to get the driver from Lexmark's web site but it works perfect. I have no Idea how old it is but it covers all my needs.

Posted: Sun May 15, 2011 11:31 am
by crsP
If you are scanning large formats, like say a painted backdrop, then go for as large format as possible. If you have firewire port on your computer, try to get a firewire scanner [or usb 3 if you have those, and can find a usb 3 scanner], for speed. a sheet feeder is a good idea if you are scanning in frames of animation, but you stated in your previous thread that you were going to do cutout style animation, so that wont be so useful at this point. If you are doing some frame by frame, I believe [you have to double check this] that TvPaint can auto align the cels based on the peg bar holes. Animate pro may also do this. Not sure. If they do this, it means you don't have to align the cels perfectly in the scanner. Or you could tape a peg bar to the scanner.

Posted: Sun May 15, 2011 11:33 am
by Yosemite Sam
Wow, thanks a lot guys for all the input guys. Awesome.