Tell us what you think about this document. This technical note gives an overview of scanning technology, issues that affect scanning results, and techniques that will help you achieve the best results when using desktop scanners. The note also discusses the types of scanners and other image-capture devices available.
Scanners play a pivotal role in today's digital imaging applications.
These devices convert continuous-tone photographic prints and transparencies into digital images that can be manipulated on a computer. Although technology that allows cameras to capture images directly into digital form is under development, an understanding of scanning technology is important for users of current digital imaging software. Scanner Technology Scanners work by reflecting light from or transmitting light through the photograph or transparency being scanned. A more detailed discussion of scanner types follows. These scanners use linear arrays of CCDs to capture a single line of data at a time.