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SilverFast 9 Released
29 December 2020
LaserSoft Imaging has announced the release of SilverFast 9, its scanner and imaging processing software. The new release features optimized editing processes, an improved user interface and new algorithms to make scanning up to 75 percent faster, among other improvements.
HIGHLIGHTS
Highlights of the new release include:
- WorkflowPilot: Batch mode on supported scanners and additional workflows
- JobManager: New QuickEdit window to apply automatic image optimization and adjust midtones, contrast and saturation quickly (HDR Studio only)
- New Export Dialog for batch scans and JobManager scans
- SilverFast Single Archive Command: On supported scanners and for Archive Suite customers, a highly-automated archiving function with presets for typical 35mm film archiving, faster scan speed (up to 75 percent)
- Improved Frame Finding for 35mm film strips used with the original film holder
- Descreening: highly-improved algorithm for better descreening
- Histogram: In Ai Studio only, the histogram can be resized to cover the full screen to more closely analyze image details
- Design: New dark mode, redesigned bright mode, redesigned welcome screen
- Online activation: easy activation without 30-digit serial number
- iBook/eBook: LaserSoft Imaging CEO Karl-Heinz Zahorsky explains the principles of scanning with some background knowledge mixed in with practical tips. Included with the update but also available separately for $29.
NOTES
We've had a pre-release copy of the software and have scanned a few color negatives with it. Here are a few preliminary notes:
- We did notice a significant improvement in SilverFast's ability to find frames in our 35mm filmstrip.
- Online activation requires a password rather than the serial number, an improvement in itself, but we find it isn't working for us this morning. We'll update this when we resolve the issue with LaserSoft Imaging.
- The design tweaks were also appreciated.
- We haven't been able to test the heavier-duty batch and archiving functions yet.
But we welcome the update to this work horse of image scanning and had hoped to have a full review soon.
Unfortunately our recent upgrade to Mojave has made our Canoscan 9000F only functional with VueScan, which includes its own reverse-engineered driver for the scanner. Canon itself only supports the Canoscan 9000F II on Mojave and LaserSoft Imagining, while supporting the Canoscan 9000F with SilverFast 9, requires a manufacturer-supported driver.
PRICE, AVAILABILITY
SilverFast 9 is available now directly from LaserSoft Imaging for select scanners. Price varies depending on options but a 15 percent discount will be applied through Jan. 10, 2021.
SilverFast 9 Is Now Available
New version including new features in a modern look-and-feel. SilverFast 9 continues the success story of the world's most famous scanner software and, with powerful improvements, creates an unprecedented scanning and image processing experience.
KIEL, Germany -- The extensive know-how of 30 years of image processing and color management acquired by manufacturer LaserSoft Imaging has gone into the development of this new major release.
Billions of analog image originals like photos, slides and negatives are dormant in boxes and waiting to be scanned -- a mammoth task not only museums are engaged with, but also private users and professional photographers are engaged. The need to digitize these unique photographic memories increases every day as all images are exposed to constant deterioration like chemical processes which continuously reduce image quality. Destruction by fire and water or loss by theft are irreversible.
Using the new SilverFast 9 it is now even more easy to create your own digital archive of your original images. A multitude of new features, optimized editing processes, an improved user interface and new algorithms which can speed up scanning up to 75 percent are only a part of the numerous improvements.
The license system has also been revised: With the new SilverFast 9, customers have two free options to set their license to another scanner model under certain conditions. If a scanner breaks down or the customer decides to use a different scanner model, the switch to an equivalent version for the new scanner (if supported by SilverFast 9) is free of charge.
The user interface has been refreshed in many aspects and the user can choose between a light and a dark interface. A number of dialogs, such as those of printer calibration and of color management, have been simplified and are now even more efficient to use.
The WorkflowPilot, one of the most successful SilverFast features, has been improved once more and now covers all imaginable scanning workflows including the automated scanning of large amounts of images (batch scanning). Like an assistant, it guides the user through all processing steps required for his individual workflow respecting the correct order and it also explains how to operate the software using tutorials and videos.
In addition to the resolution, the Dynamic Range is the most decisive quality feature in image processing. The higher the Dynamic Range, the more contrast levels -- and thus image details -- the scanner can capture. SilverFast's patented Multi-Exposure technology doubles the range of contrast on average and therefore contributes significantly to better results.
A completely new solution for scanning large amounts of images with just one click is the Single Archive Command. This feature is part of archiving software SilverFast Archive Suite. Thanks to several presets included, there is no knowledge of image processing and no laborious configuration of the software required. This allows practically everyone being able to digitize without errors. A special scanner Raw data workflow ensures there will be no data lost from scanning to image processing.
SilverFast 9 is now available for a variety of film and photo scanners for downloading at http://www.SilverFast.com. Of course, a free trial software is also available. LaserSoft Imaging offers an upgrade to SilverFast 9 at a reduced price to customers who already own a previous SilverFast software.
The SilverFast eBook will be released together with the new software. Quickly and directly it explains the main principles of digitizing any type of images. Included are short videos showing the optimal approach for realizing digitization projects.