| SilverFast | |
|---|---|
 | |
 SilverFast Ai Studio GUI | |
| Developer | LaserSoft Imaging |
| Initial release | 1995; 31 years ago (1995) |
| Stable release | |
| Operating system | Windows 7 and later macOS 10.13 and later |
| Platform | X64,ARM64 (scanner dependent) |
| Available in | Multi-lingual[which?] |
| Type | Image scanning,image processing |
| License | Commercialproprietary software |
| Website | www |
SilverFast is a family of software forimage scanning andprocessing, including photos, documents and slides, developed byLaserSoft Imaging. There are also other applications for image processing using digital cameras or printers, and for 48-bitraw data image processing.
SilverFast was introduced in 1995 and is still under development today. Some scanner manufacturers bundle their hardware with SilverFast software. Some of the features developed for SilverFast, especially in the area ofcolor management, error detection andautomatic dust and scratch removal, have been patented. TheEuropean Digital Press Association named SilverFast the "Best colour management software of the year 2008" for improving thedynamic range of most scanners and for creatingICC profiles automatically.[2] In 2011, version 8 was introduced, and HDR imaging software followed in 2012. SilverFast 9 was released in 2020.
SilverFast is supplied configured for the specified scanner model. If several scanners are operated, it is therefore necessary to purchase a corresponding number of additional licenses. Upgrade rates are also offered when purchasing a new scanner.
Overview of the available products:
| Scanner Software | HDR Software | Archiving Software | Photoshop Plug-ins |
|---|---|---|---|
| SilverFast SE | SilverFast HDR | SilverFast Archive Suite1), 2) | SRDx Plug-in |
| SilverFast SE Plus1), 2) | SilverFast HDR Studio | ||
| SilverFast Ai Studio1), 2) | |||
| SilverFast X-Ray |
1) including: Multi-Exposure2) optional: ICC Printer Calibration
As marked in the table above, some products are available with additional features:
Multi-Exposure – an exposure blending technique for scanning transparent originals like slides, negatives, and film strips with increaseddynamic range.[3] This is accomplished by scanning the original multiple times with differentexposure times, increasing the dynamic range and preserving detail in the light and shadow areas of the image.[4][5] Multi-Exposure does not work with reflective originals and differs from "Multi-Sampling," which also scans multiple times but with unaltered exposure.
ICC Printer Calibration – calibrates the printer using a previously calibrated flatbed scanner as the measuring device for profiling the printer.
It can be used as astand-alone application, as aPhotoshopplug-in, or as a universalTWAIN module. Versions include:
SilverFast HDR processes48-bitraw images. Many newer scanners are able to output the image directly with all available data instead of reducing it to 24-bit; this 48-bit raw image can be saved immediately and digital processing performed later.
SilverFast HDR contains the functionality of SilverFast Ai Studio for 48-bit raw data, such as defining output size andresolution, auto-adjusting of highlights and shadows, three-part histogram, gradation curves, selective color correction,unsharp masking, color cast removal slider,color separation, andCMYK-preview. SilverFast HDR can be used as a nativeplug-in forAdobe Photoshop, as a universalTWAIN module, or as a stand-alone application.
HDR Studio has AACO (Auto-Adaptive Contrast Optimization),JPEG 2000, USMPlus (Unsharp Mask Plus), CloneTool and PrinTao.
With version 6.6.1 any SilverFast HDR version supports the proprietary RAW data formatHDRi. These 64-bit HDRi color files and 32-bit HDRi greyscale files contain additional 16-bit infrared RAW data besides the 48-bit color RAW data and 16-bit greyscale RAW data respectively.[10][11] Therefore, a scanner with an infrared channel available to the software is necessary. This RAW format can keep any readable image information for later post-processing.
The acronym "HDR" as used by SilverFast is not related toHigh-dynamic-range imaging, a widely used technique to increase the dynamic range of (digital) images.
The data format is:
| Format | Encoding | Compression | Color space | Color depth (Bit per pixel) | Dynamic range (Dimensions of 10) | Relative gradation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HDRi (.tif, .tiff) | RGB(linear) | none | RGB | 64 = 48 + 16 (infrared channel) | 4,8 | 0,0014% |
| RGB(linear) | none | RGB | 32 = 16 + 16 (Infrared channel) | 4,8 | 0,0014% |
The SilverFast Archive Suite includes SilverFast Ai Studio and SilverFast HDR Studio with an integrated color management system. This package is suitable for archiving slides, negatives, and photos, whereas the post-processing can take place any time after scanning.[12]
PrintTao 8 is a discontinued software product forCanon andEpson large format printers. It could be used as a stand-alone application or as a plug-in forAdobe Photoshop andAdobe Lightroom. PrinTao 8 handled color management and all printer driver settings. It contained various printing templates such as pack templates for portrait photographers, or gallery wrap templates for printing on canvas.
SRDx (Smart Removal of Defects) is aplug-in forAdobe Photoshop to remove defects like dust particles, specks, small scratches and finger prints from digital images. Most dust and scratch removal tools use blur effects which degrade overall image quality. SRDx works without any unsharpening effects. It uses an adjustable automatic detection of dust and scratches that can be fine-tuned manually using a defect marker and a rubber tool.
SilverFast DC is a discontinued stand-alone software for digital camera image processing. It contained features for reading the image data from the camera, for processing, optimizing, and archiving the images on the computer, as well as for printing the edited images.
Scanner calibration: SilverFast is equipped with acolor management system that enables largely automatedIT8 color calibration of the scanner using IT8 targets supplied by the manufacturer,LaserSoft Imaging.
Printer calibration: SilverFast also enables printer calibration by printing a color table and then scanning it using an already calibrated scanner to create anICC profile.
SilverFast supports 325 scanners.[15]Most Microsoft Windows-only 35mm USB scanners sold under various names are not supported[citation needed]. Each scanner model requires a separate license.
SilverFast Ai Studio supports prepressdrum scanners made byHeidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Linotype – Hell) on Microsoft Windows 2000, XP, Vista and 7, as well as Mac OS X 10.3-10.5 operating systems. Supported models include the Chromagraph 3300/3400, Tango/XL, Topaz, Nexscan, and Primescan.
Software supporting many scanner models:
| Raster | |
|---|---|
| Raw | |
| Vector | |
| Compound | |
| Metadata |
|
