Photos, slides and negatives are naturally afflicted with image defects. Even if photos and slides are handled very carefully, it's virtually impossible to avoid contact with dust particles; small scratches are also not uncommon.
Defects on treasured images can be especially annoying, because they often hide important details or even destroy the overall image. These flaws do not often get recognized until scanning, because scanning means also increasing image size in most cases. SRDx is the most efficient solution for the elimination of all these flaws and can also very efficiently eliminate unwanted image disturbances where infrared-based solutions cannot help.
Black-and-white Film
Kodachrome Film
Photo prints
Digital camera images
The algorithms used in SRDx for defect detection can recognize dust and scratches because their image information differs greatly from the surrounding area.
Furthermore, the algorithm has been programmed to recognize typical scratch marks (elongate and narrow). Detected flaws can be removed by taking the surrounding image information into account. Other software solutions for removing dust and scratches usually use a focus blur, which deteriorates general image quality.
Using the image processing software SilverFast HDR and HDR Studio and SRDx you can eliminate defects from previously scanned images (also RAW data). You can also load and optimize digital images, for example from a digital camera. Many options to adjust the SRDx tool with simultaneous visual checking offer a reliable technique for removing any defects without destroying image details.
Slider control for intensity of detection and correction
The preview window shows identified defects marked in red
1:1 and HQ preview for exact evaluation
| SilverFast Version | SE | SE Plus | Ai Studio | HDR | HDR Studio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detection Intensity Slider | |||||
| Detection Size Slider | |||||
| Mask tool for limiting correction effects to certain image areas | |||||
| Marker Tool decreasing and increasing intensity | |||||
| Eraser Tool for protecting important image areas | |||||
| Buy SilverFast |
I have one million plus, Kodachrome transparencies in my image library. The process of digitizing these images has made it clear, my most costly factor is the time it takes to remove dust and scratches. Thank god for SilverFast software. The dust and scratch removal function within the software has been an enormous time saver. Do I endorse SilverFast software? You bet.
What makes the new SRDx tool so attractive is that it brings a very effective method of cleanup to those who do not have scanners with Digital Ice or its equivalent (many of which require a hardware/software combination) and especially for black-and-whites and Kodachromes, which Digital Ice cannot handle. In using the software, I found the fine tuning impressive. It eliminates the flaws that auto-correct (thus overdone) cleanup protocols often render. Another bonus is that the tool also works with print scans, which I believe will be a boon for retouchers as well as those who want to delve into the family archives.
Special Case: Black-and-White and Kodachrome film with infrared-based defect removal iSRD
Kodachrome film: With Kodachrome images, an automatic defect detection can be more difficult, since the film emulsion is so dense, particularly in the dark image areas, that infrared light cannot pass through sufficiently. For this reason, for the software dark image area does not differ from dust or other dirt particles. SilverFast’s iSRD Dust and Scratch Removal has been specially adapted for Kodachrome film to take this into account. The Kodachrome optimized iSRD engine is used automatically once the Kodachrome mode is activated. It may be particularly helpful to use a polygon or path mask, as well as the marker and eraser tools included with SilverFast Ai Studio to limit corrections to specific areas of the image.
Black and white film: Black and white film is another special case in terms of dust and scratch removal. Unlike color slides or color negatives, the scanner’s infrared rays can not permeate through the film emulsion, due to the silver halide layer contained in the film. This means that infrared based tools like iSRD, ICE, FARE or MagicTouch can not be used here.
SRDx, our software-based dust and scratch removal, has bee developed especially for black and white film. It ensures effective removal of dust and scratches from black and white film and, in combination with SilverFast iSRD, represents an ideal solution for Kodachromes.
iSRD – our infrared-based Dust and Scratch Removal: Would you like to scan color film or color negatives and your scanner features an infrared channel? In this case we recommend to take advantage of the outstanding capabilities of our infrared-based dust and scratch removal iSRD.
Learn how to use the SilverFast SRDx functionality and its different slider controls. Download our PDF Tutorial here.
The SRDx Smart Removal of Defects Technology is now also available as a Plug-in for many Adobe Photoshop editions.
16bit Histogram
AACO
ACR
Auto IT8 Calibration
Batch Scanning
Clone-Tool
ColorServer
Descreening
Expert Mode
ExpressScan
Focus Control
Frame Detection
GANE
GCC
HDRiRAW
Help Videos
Image Automatic
Image to Web
iSRD
JobManager
JobMonitor
Kodachrome Mode
LAB Format
Multi-Exposure
Multi-Tasking
Multiple Densitometer
NegaFix
Neutral Pipette
Preview Concept
PrinTao
Printer Calibration
SAC
SC2G
SCC
SRDx
USM
VLT
WorkflowPilot
