UMAX Technologies PowerColor User manual

Table of Contents iii
Table of Contents
Preface
Introduction ........................................................................................................xi
PowerColor ColorSync Separator ........................................................................xi
PowerColor Press Edition ..................................................................................xii
How to Use This Manual ..................................................................................xiii
Typographical Conventions ..............................................................................xiii
Related Documentation ....................................................................................xiii
Chapter 1: Installation
Configuration Requirements ............................................................................1-1
Host Computer ............................................................................................1-1
Scanner ........................................................................................................1-1
Setting Up and Installing PowerColor..............................................................1-2
Installing on an Apple Macintosh..............................................................1-2
Configuring Your Monitor for PowerColor............................................1-2
Installing the PowerColor Software ......................................................1-3
Assigning Memory to PowerColor..........................................................1-5
Installing on a Windows PC........................................................................1-6
Configuring Your Display ......................................................................1-6
Installing the PowerColor Software ......................................................1-6

iv PowerColor User Guide
Chapter 2: Getting Acquainted
Overview of the Scanning Process ....................................................................2-2
Launching PowerColor ....................................................................................2-2
Setting Preferences ............................................................................................2-3
Changing Screen Gamma ................................................................................2-6
Making an Overview..........................................................................................2-7
Image Selection Tools ......................................................................................2-8
Creating Regions ..............................................................................................2-9
Images and Memory..................................................................................2-10
Region Names............................................................................................2-11
Working with Regions ....................................................................................2-12
Activating Regions ....................................................................................2-12
Adjusting the Queue Manager Window ....................................................2-13
Manipulating Regions in the Queue Manager ........................................2-14
Saving the Queues ....................................................................................2-14
Previewing Regions....................................................................................2-15
Dynamic Operations in the Queue Manager............................................2-16
Transforming Images................................................................................2-16
Viewing an Image in Detail ......................................................................2-17
Updating Images ............................................................................................2-18
Updating Automatically ............................................................................2-18
Updating Manually....................................................................................2-18
Saving and Recalling Settings........................................................................2-19

Table of Contents v
Chapter 3: Correcting Images with
PowerColor Photo/RGB Mode
Using the RGB Probe ........................................................................................3-2
RGB Probe Window Configurations............................................................3-2
Setting Highlight and Shadow..........................................................................3-4
Using the Gray Eyedropper..........................................................................3-7
Adjusting Tonal Range in Basic Mode ............................................................3-8
Adjusting Tonal Range in Expert Mode..........................................................3-10
Using the RGB Controls ..................................................................................3-12
Adjusting Colors ........................................................................................3-12
Correcting Colors..................................................................................3-13
Manipulating the Histograms ............................................................3-14
Using the ColorSync Profiles ..........................................................................3-15
Storing ColorSync Profiles ..................................................................3-15
Using Profiles ......................................................................................3-16

vi PowerColor User Guide
Chapter 4: Correcting Images with
PowerColor Press/CMYK:
Production Mode
Understanding the CMYK Probe........................................................................4-1
Probe Location ............................................................................................4-1
Displaying Density Values............................................................................4-2
Displaying Color Plates................................................................................4-2
CMYK Values Before and After Corrections..................................................4-2
Selecting Fixed Reference Points ................................................................4-3
Using Production Color Controls......................................................................4-4
Production Mode Workflow ........................................................................4-4
Setting Highlight and Shadow Points ..............................................................4-6
Setting Dot Limits..............................................................................................4-9
Setting an Image’s Tone..................................................................................4-10
Adjusting Color in Tone Regions ........................................................4-10
Correcting Color Casts..........................................................................4-10
Setting Multiple Gray Points................................................................4-11
Making Selective Color Corrections................................................................4-12
Selecting Colors to be Corrected ..........................................................4-12
Using the Sliders to Correct Individual Colors....................................4-13

Table of Contents vii
Chapter 5: Correcting Images with
PowerColor Press/CMYK:
Expert Mode
Calibrating PowerColor Press ..........................................................................5-1
Understanding Calibration..........................................................................5-1
Preparing the Target for Output..................................................................5-2
Setting Up the Gray Balance ............................................................................5-5
Editing the Gray Balance Table ..................................................................5-6
Controlling Dot Gain ........................................................................................5-7
Setting Dot Gain ..........................................................................................5-7
Using Tone Controls........................................................................................5-10
Removing Color Casts..........................................................................5-10
Tone Curves ..........................................................................................5-11
Using the Gray Eyedropper ..................................................................5-12
Setting Highlight and Shadow Points ............................................................5-13
Automatically ......................................................................................5-13
Manually ..............................................................................................5-13
Using Gradation Controls ..............................................................................5-16
Understanding Gradation..........................................................................5-17
Working with Gradation Curves................................................................5-20
Using Negative Slope Detection ................................................................5-21
Working with the Gradation Table............................................................5-22
Determining Black Generation ................................................................5-23

viii PowerColor User Guide
Chapter 6: Unsharp Masking
Applying Unsharp Masking ..............................................................................6-1
Controlling USM in Tonal Regions ............................................................6-2
Manually Adjusting the Region Control Bars ......................................6-4
Controlling Edges between Tonal Regions............................................6-4
Using the Unsharp Masking Curve ............................................................6-5
Applying Descreening........................................................................................6-6
Descreening options ....................................................................................6-6
Customizing the Descreening Function......................................................6-7
Chapter 7: Scanning Images to Disk
Reviewing Scan Settings ..................................................................................7-1
Checking Toolbar Parameters ....................................................................7-2
Scan Type................................................................................................7-3
Scan Mode ..............................................................................................7-3
Line Screen ............................................................................................7-4
Sampling ................................................................................................7-4
Using the Resolution Lock Tool ............................................................7-4
File Size ..................................................................................................7-4
Width and Height ..................................................................................7-4
Scale........................................................................................................7-5
Naming Final Scans ....................................................................................7-5
Performing Final Scans ....................................................................................7-6
Scanning Images Individually....................................................................7-6
Batch Scanning All Images ........................................................................7-6
Pausing or Stopping the Scanning Process................................................7-6
Chapter 8: Tips and Tricks
Tips and Tricks ..................................................................................................8-1

Preface

Preface xi
Introduction
PowerColor is a powerful scanning software package for the UMAX Technologies,
Inc. scanner. With its many flexible features, PowerColor enables you to perform
complex color corrections and to make professional RGB or CMYK color separa-
tions from your scanned images quickly and easily.
Because it manipulates 16-bits per channel color data directly on the host com-
puter, PowerColor gives you the opportunity to preview changes during the initial
scanning process without additional prescanning. PowerColor also provides
instant CMYK feedback on your image transformations, so you can see the results
of your changes immediately.
For performing CMYK separations, PowerColor offers the ease and automation of
ICC profiles with our ColorSync Separator, as well as high level control with the
PowerColor Conventional Separator.
PowerColor and ColorSync (Macintosh)
The Macintosh version of PowerColor is fully ICC compatible with the use of 16-
bits per channel input, output, and display profiles. Output profiles can be either
RGB or CMYK, allowing for flexible color matching for a wide variety of output
devices.

xii PowerColor User Guide
PowerColor includes the following features:
•Multiple, independent scan regions
•Color, range, and gradation control for individual scan regions
•Image manipulation tools, including rotation, cropping, and unsharp
masking
•Flexibility in setting lpi, dpi, size, and scale for individual scan regions
•Scanning to commonly used file formats
•Use of standard ColorSync ICC profiles (Macintosh only)
PowerColor Press
PowerColor Press is a high-end CMYK separator based on a density-to-dot color
engine. This software is intended for use by those who understand the concepts
behind color separation and reproduction as they relate to offset printing.
PowerColor Press offers sophisticated, advanced features for creating high-end
color separations, including:
•Selective color correction
•Automatic adjustments for wanted and unwanted colors
•Two operation modes for general production and expert work
•Input/output three-color and four-color density range gradation control
•Cast correction with diffused highlight and shadow settings
•UCR/GCR gradation control
•User definable dot gain
•User definable gray balance

Preface xiii
How to Use This Manual
This manual explains how to install PowerColor and guides you through the
functions of the software. It contains all the information you need to begin using
PowerColor with your scanner. Once you have installed the software, this manual
will help you understand the process and tools for scanning, color correction, and
image manipulation.
Typographical Conventions
The following typographical conventions are used throughout this guide:
Menus and menu options, dialog box selections, on-screen messages, and key-
board keys appear in bold: e.g. Manual Update, Preview, etc.
Note: Notes provide useful information about
the current topic.
Related Documentation
This guide assumes that you are familiar with the Macintosh or Microsoft
Windows interface and operating system. For detailed information on your com-
puter and its interface, refer to your computer’s installation guide. For details on
using your scanner, refer to the Umax Technologies, Inc. Installation and
Operation Manual provided with your scanner.

Installation
1
1

Chapter 1: Installation 1-1
This chapter describes the configuration requirements for PowerColor and
guides you through the software installation process for both the Macintosh
and Windows platforms.
Configuration Requirements
Before installing PowerColor, make sure your system meets the minimum config-
uration requirements indicated below.
Host Computer
In order to take full advantage of the PowerColor software,
your host computer must meet the following minimum requirements:
Macintosh
•Macintosh®PowerPC 8100 computer or better with floating point coproces-
sor installed
•24-bit color display adapter
•17" or larger high-resolution monitor (1024 x 768 dpi)
•64 MB RAM available (128 MB recommended)
•System 7.5 or higher
Windows PC
•Pentium class computer running at 266 megahertz or above
•24-bit color display adapter
•17”or larger high-resolution monitor (1024 x 768 dpi)
•32 MB RAM available (64 MB recommended)
•Windows NT 4.x or Windows 95/98
Scanner
PowerColor works with the UMAX Technologies, Inc. series of scanners.
For details on connecting your scanner to your host computer, refer to your
scanner’s user guide.

1-2 PowerColor User Guide
Setting Up and Installing PowerColor on
an Apple Macintosh
This section gives instructions for installing PowerColor on an Apple Macintosh
computer. For installation on a computer running Microsoft Windows, turn to
page 1-6.
Configuring Your Monitor for PowerColor
PowerColor Needs to run in 24 or 32 bit color mode. To configure your monitor
for PowerColor, follow the steps below:
1. Open Control Panels in the Apple menu.
2. Open the Monitors control panel and set your monitor to millions of colors
(see Figure 1–1).
Figure 1–1
Monitors control
panel.
➀ –Millions setting.
➀

Chapter 1: Installation 1-3
Installing the PowerColor Software
To install the PowerColor software, proceed as follows:
1. Insert the PowerColor CD into your CD-ROM drive and double-click on the
Installer icon.
2. Click on Continue... in the PowerColor installer splash screen.
Figure 1–2
PowerColor installer
splash screen

1-4 PowerColor User Guide
3. Read and adhere to License Agreement. Click the agree button to continue.
4. Click the box next to Standard to install the Application and ColorSync
Profiles. If you choose to install just one component, click on the arrow to
the left of the box for separate component installation options. After select-
ing your installation options, click the install button to continue.
5. If you want to change the location in which PowerColor will be installed,
follow these steps:
•Click on the Install Location drop down menu.
•Choose Select Folder in the drop down menu.
•In the destination window that appears, select the destination disk and
folder of your choice for PowerColor.
Note: To install PowerColor, you must have at
least 10 megabytes of free hard drive space.
•Highlight the folder where PowerColor will reside and click on Install.
6. Follow the screen prompts to complete installation and exit the installer
Installation of your PowerColor software is now complete.
Figure 1–3
Installation destina-
tion window

Chapter 1: Installation 1-5
Note: If you are reinstalling or upgrading from a
previous version of PowerColor, before launch-
ing the application, delete all PowerColor
Preferences files (located in the Preferences
folder within the System Folder). PowerColor
will create a new preferences file the first time
you launch it.
Assigning Memory to PowerColor
To increase the amount of memory assigned to PowerColor, proceed as follows:
1. Select the PowerColor application icon in the PowerColor folder and choose
Get Info from the File menu (+I).
2. In the PowerColor Info dialog box that appears, under Memory
Requirements make sure the Preferred size is set to at least 32 MB. If possi-
ble, increase the RAM for PowerColor to 64 MB.
3. Close the PowerColor Info dialog box.
Figure 1–4
PowerColor Get Info
dialog box

1-6 PowerColor User Guide
Setting Up and Installing PowerColor on
an Windows NT and Windows 95/98
This section gives instructions for installing PowerColor on a PC running
Microsoft Windows 95, 98 or Windows NT. For installation on an Apple
Macintosh, turn to page 1-2.
Configuring your display for PowerColor
PowerColor needs to run in 24 or 32 bit color depth. To configure your display
settings for PowerColor, do the following:
1. Right click on a clear area of your Windows desktop. Choose Properties from
the pop-up window that appears.
2. The Windows Display Properties window will appear. Choose the Settings Tab.
3. In the Color Palette section of the Settings window, choose 24 bit or 32 bit color.
Installing PowerColor
To install the PowerColor software, proceed as follows:
1. Insert the PowerColor CD into your drive and double-click on the Setup icon.
2. The PowerColor installer will launch. You will be asked to specify the location
in which PowerColor should be installed. Use the standard Windows dialog
box to specify a location, or use the default location of:
c:\Program Files\PowerColor
3. After you have selected the install location, click OK to have the software
installed to the specified directory.