SilverFast Ai is high-end scan and imaging software from LaserSoft Imaging which is now available for more than 120 scanners and Digital Cameras under Mac, Windows 95, 98, 2000, and Windows NT operating systems. Beginners and professionals will appreciate the unique real-time controls and the intelligent automatic functions as well as the possibility to manually adjust the image at any point.
Summary:Just appalling. Really amateurish conversion from Windows to Mac OS. Which means the Windows version might be more stable and professional but I'm afraid I only have experience of the Mac one.
So overpriced. I felt I had to buy this software as my Canoscan 8800F comes with a driver that doesn't take advantage of all the scanner's features. Thanks Canon. After emailing support they told me the only option was Silverfast. To be honest if I'd known this was going to be the case I would have chosen another scanner. Seriously: this software's so bad it's made me regret my scanner purchase.
The scan results are fine but I'd hate to give it any credit, I wonder whether any driver could get half-decent results from the Canoscan. For the price I really don't see how this software is better than if I was able to scan directly into PhotoShop - which would be easier to use than the ridiculous Ai's controls. Colour correction seems to take on an arbitrary life of it's own; every pre-scran of a strip of film brings up a new, blown-out, look meaning I have to go in and adjust each scan area during pre-scan even if I'm working on the same reel which was originally exposed at the same time - although, sometimes, just moving the scan area with the mouse will change the grading closer to what I expected the settings to show.
Saving of presets is such a pain that I find it easier to manually adjust each time. The included preset for film stock hardly make any difference. Scratch removal leaves artefacts (now to be fair, this could happen any time you ask a computer to 'make up' the missing parts), it also takes so long to set up that I do the job quicker and easier in PS. Noise reduction is ok, but it's quicker in PS.
I genuinely don't understand how others are saying it's a 'productive' piece of software. It's taken ages to get used to the interface and understand some of the bugs. The latest version that I've just upgraded to now applies random settings to frames.
Poorly written and designed (oh my: the music on the QT movies): a very unhappy software purchase.
I anticipate a good review to appear above mine in a matter of weeks. Funny how this has happened with the other bad reviews of this software...... Funny that.
Strengths:Well..... I suppose it works.... Most of the time. But the scanner's not always seen when it starts up. I have to switch the scanner off and back on.
Weaknesses:Blimey, I think my review says it all. Did I mention the music on the QT movies? Really, really, *really* poor user interface making it a daunting task to do loads of scans. Professional?! I don't think so.
Similar Products Used:Epson scanner software
Customer Service:I can't bring myself to talk to them: I might lose my temper.
Summary:This is the most sophisticated scanner software on the market.
You have to invest some time to really learn how to use this mighty tool.
There are great automatics allowing beginners to use SilverFast, but mastery is achieved by learning all about the tools and imaging in general.
It's worth the effort, perfect scans are the reward.
Learn it once and save time every following scan.
Strengths:Features, features, features, nothing is missing.
Weaknesses:none discovered so far.
Customer Service:Very nice support team. When I had some issues with setting some parameters, the support team got back to me the same day,
explaining my questions well and helping me with the settings.
Summary:It's very hard to be exhaustive for all the issues here that I have identified. I know quality aspects are an idividual thing for various readers/ users, but being truthful in a limited spece is difficult and very time consuming. Buit, I'll give my impressions form this point of view:
That point is this: There should be no issues!
Goofy steps to get results. Really awkward workflow and it does not make sense in an intuitive helpful way. It's a time pit really!: Look up this, try that, redo and compare, watch a video, reset and select... of course there are all the crashes and hang-ups along the way. When it works... of course you like it.
The code needs work, lots of work. After all these years, YuK!
The Epson software may be simple, but you can understand it the1st time!
How can a so called 'Praised' software package be so awkward really! But, I know why.... the version needs to be carewfully though out to make it 100%.
Too bad IBM never got into this, then it would be perfection!
When you purchase a 3-D imaging X-Ray machine.... now that is something that really is supported and works! {as in before you buy it}
Strengths:Does big files
Weaknesses:Like I said, It's not an expectation to expect it to be good.
It's a price point seller thing for scanner companies.
Defaults to that Adobe stuff. Why?
Becomes tedious with all the steps and selections.
Very poor interface.
Similar Products Used:I have used $100 - $500 office home scanners... much much easier to work flow.
Professionally, I use medical 3D imaging and I have to say, consumer stuff reallly needs more attention to details. There are 100's of 1000's of programmers out there that know code that could improve this software..
Customer Service:I'll call em up and get back to you on this one.
From what I read here it's 50, 50 as to what they do.
Rating Reviewed by: S. Boisen(Unregistered User)
(Intermediate)
Review Date September 27, 2010
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Value Rating 5 of 5
Used product for 3 Months to 1 year
Visitors rate this review 5.00 of 5,
5 votes
Review 4 of 13
Price Paid:
$0.00
Summary:SilverFast came in a bundle with my 9000F. Unfortunately it was just the basic SE version, though, it's preferable to the manufacturer's software. I soon updated to the SilverFast Archive Suite, saving money by using an introductory discount.
The Archive Suite offers a mass of very effective funktions for sharpening, remove noise and grain, eliminate dust&scratches, and so on ...
I'm quickly scanning photos and slides in my archive, batch processing them later. The IT8 color calibration ensures true-to-color results.
I would recommend this software to any scanning activities. thumbs up.
Strengths:- powerful features, you won't find elsewhere
- ease of control
- perfect color management
- time-saving HDR / RAW workflow
Weaknesses:- little bit pricy without bundle & discount
Similar Products Used:Epson-Scan. It's a world of difference. Epson-Scan is too basic, where SilverFast is very sophisticated.
Customer Service:- fast shipping
- support not needed so far
Rating Reviewed by: Ian Cummings(Unregistered User)
(Professional)
Review Date August 14, 2010
Overall Rating 1 of 5
Value Rating 1 of 5
Used product for Less than 1 month
Visitors rate this review 3.67 of 5,
6 votes
Review 5 of 13
Price Paid:
$0.00
from ScanHelp / Lasersoft
Summary:This is fairly good software for scanning your old 4x5 negatives and transparencies. I used to use it a lot when I was shooting with film. I recently had a need to scan some old negatives, so attempted to buy the upgrade (the old version I had wasn't compatible with Mac OSX 6.) After a big hassle, I was able to upgrade to the newest version. It gives pretty good scans from 4x5 negatives, and I like the option of choosing profiled film types. There are a lot of redundant features though, so scanning isn't quite as straight forward as it should be. I found I get the best results by using different profiles, not necessarily the one that matches the film. This software is much better than the Epson Scan software supplied with the scanner.
Strengths:About the only thing available for scanning 4x5 color negatives on my Epson Perfection 4870 (Mac OSX 6) The Epson software doesn't work for 4x5 negatives.
Weaknesses:Silverfast customer support is the worst I have ever experienced. Initially, when I bought the software, they debited my credit card account, but never sent an access code. They absolutely do not respond to email inquiries, and have no other way to reach them. I had to dispute the transaction with the credit card company to finally get my money back. By the way, I tried contacting them through their forum, but my post was rejected because "our forum is not intended for individual tech support." Obviously they read my inquiry, but weren't willing to address my issue.
So, ultimately, I had to pay for it twice and cancel the first transaction with the credit card company.
Customer Service:The worst! They took my money, but didn't deliver the goods.
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