Scan Tech Studio

• Zeutschel OS160000 Scanner

  To digitize books, maps, documents, and other materials with high precision and quality, and perform basic OCR (Optical Character Recognition) on the scanned images.

• Scannx BookScanner 7145 Flatbed Scanner

  To scan flat materials, such as documents and photographs; to scan individual book pages; and perform basic OCR on the scanned images.

• PC workstation

For image processing, OCR/HTR, text analysis, natural language processing, and other digital methods for digitized text. A list of software can be found here.

If this is the first time you’re digitizing something, or need some guidance on how to use the Studio to digitize your material, please see the following step-by-step instructions.

Getting Started

1. Review the basics of handling & digitization with this quick guide from the UT Libraries' Digitization staff.

2. Identify your requirements: Understand your digitization needs by noting down the format of your source material and the desired format for the resulting output––that is, your file type. Also understand how you intend to use the digitized material and for how long you need it. For example, for high quality image needs, you will want to deliver your files in MTIFF file format. Plan ahead to have adequate space in your cloud drive or personal device for the file type and size that you are using.

Digitizing

Visit the Studio to digitize your material. Please note that this is a public space and there might be patrons who will use other equipment in the Studio at the same time. Ensure that you save all of your work before you wrap up. Checkout the Data Management guidelines for more information.

• Set up

  • Review file naming convention recommendations and decide on an approach that you can use throughout your project.

  • Also decide whether or not you need support materials such as book cradles, foam wedges, or weights to position your materials correctly for digitization. Some materials may be damaged if you use inappropriate supports or mishandle them. Consult with the Scholars Lab staff for advice and to check out cradles and weights for your project.
• Scanning
  • Press Begin on the touch screen (overhead scanner) or using the mouse (flatbed scanner).
  • On the screen, choose the delivery method that works best for you. NOTE: For those seeking higher quality (600 dpi) images, use Google Drive to deliver your files. Using this delivery method will "unlock" the Photo setting on the scanner and allow you to choose image file formats with a higher dpi.
  • After choosing a delivery method, you can select your settings and file formats. For example: Color, Photo and MTIFF; or Color, Photo, and JPG. In general, JPG files are adequate for OCR and sharing purposes, and MTIFF is better for high quality reproductions. MTIFF can also be exported to JPG, PNG, etc., on your personal device.
  • Place the item that you intend to digitize on the scanning bed. The overhead scanner's bed is adjustable to accommodate stiff or awkward bindings. The flatbed scanner can be used as a book edge scanner by placing a bound volume face down with the gutter (inside bound edge along the spine) on the edge of the scanner, so that one page lays flat on the scanning bed.
  • Test: scan your page a few times, as needed, to check the alignment and the quality of the output image and make adjustments to the item placement or the presets on the scanner. A preview of the image appears on the screen after each scan. You can zoom in and out using the tools on the left of the screen to check the quality. Clicking on the three lines on the right side of the "Scan" button allows you to select or de-select the automatic cropping option.
  • Review each scan as you go to ensure they look the way you want them to.
  • If you’re unable to complete all of your scans in a single session, ensure you save your work in a secure location (cloud, Box folder, etc.) so you can pick up from where you left off the next time. Files stored locally on the Studio equipment will be deleted once you log out.
  • As you finish, review all of your scans, and preserve your work. Check out the Preserve your work section in this Libguide for more information.
  • Press the Exit button on the screen and return any furniture that you moved around to its original location. You’re done!
• Assistance/Troubleshooting:
  • If you'd like assistance with your project, please request a consultation using this form.
  • If you need to report a problem, please see a Scholars Lab staff member at the Scholars Lab front desk. Or, email the Scholars Lab staff: scholarslab@austin.utexas.edu
     

• Scanner specific technical details: Visit the Zeutschel website and select the respective scanner model that you intend to use. In the product page, click on the ‘Technical data’ field for information like scan area, scan format, output, resolution, data display, and more.
• User Manuals: Some very helpful user manuals with step-by-step instructions are available on ‘ManualsLib’ site when you search with the scanner model. (example)
• Video Tutorials: Youtube also has many detailed video tutorials that you can browse through.