RE: [APML]: [OT] Software that handles 30bit images??

[Mike Thenhaus <MikeT@7thlevel.com>]

Have you tried using the TWAIN scanner interface to program the scanner?

TWAIN is relatively straight forward to use with some minor caveats. If
the
HP scanner supports twain, which is almost a given in the scanner market
these days, then you can easily configure the scanner for resolution,
color depth, bit order, bit flavor, image capture area, etc...

> ----------
> From:         handy@primenet.com[SMTP:handy@primenet.com]
> Sent:         Tuesday, February 17, 1998 9:10 PM
> To:   astro-photo@nightsky.com
> Subject:      Re: [APML]: [OT] Software that handles 30bit images??
> 
> 
> I have written Visual C++ Multiple Document Interface
> software to operate the scanner, capture images,
> and display the results.  I'm not ready to release anything at the
> moment though.  The format of the scanner data is described in
> HP's SCL Command Reference, Page 6.  I have done several experiments
> to see whether using all the low-order bits for astrophotographs and
> using the high order bits to simply signal "highest intensity" would
> allow extra sensitivity in the dim areas of the photo.  So far,
> no results that I am particularly proud of.  Have been considering
> how I might use the raw data in the Scanner Test I have volunteered
> for.  It would be in addition to using the standard stuff supplied
> by HP of course.  I noticed so far that the SCL commands to set
> intensity and contrast appear to be ignored by the scanner.  Is
> that what you are seeing?  The scanner appears to simply scan
> the image the same time each time.  The fancy stuff appears
> to all be done by HP in their software.  I talked with HP
> and asked for more data on the HP scanner but I doubt if anything
> more will be provided.  It is an accident that SCL works with
> the PhotoSmart scanner.  It is not "supported" by SCL.  Fortunately,
> it follows the pattern so it can be driven by SCL.  Problem here
> is time.  Not much time to work on this...  It *is* fun though...
> 
> 
> >Does anyone know of any freeware/demo software that can handle
> >30bit images??  I can get 30bits out of the Photosmart scanner, but
> the
> >bit ordering seems odd and PhotoShop doesn't seem to know what to do
> >with the extra two bits.  BTW, the program on my website passes along
> >this "odd" bit ordering, in case anyone's gotten some strange looking
> colors.
> >I'm pretty sure I've got the correct ordering now but would like to
> test
> it.  Any 
> >ideas??
> >
> >Regards,
> >Matt Considine
> >
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Howard     (in Tempe, Arizona)
> http://www.primenet.com/~handy
>