How to Batch Scan 3F files with Flextight X1

Kuby · Feb 11, 2018

Does anyone know how to batch scan 3f files with the Flextight X1? Is this possible?

I've figured out how to batch scan tif files, but I can't figure out how to batch scan 3f files, which would really be a nice option.

Thanks.

Stephen Prunier · Feb 21, 2018

I don't know how many members here have one, or even seen one. I know I'd love one! They don't get any better than one of those.
Have you searched online to see if there's support, or user forums?

philipus · Mar 6, 2018

I recently asked the same in the Yahoo Imacon group. The answer is that beyond choosing Auto in the Crop drop-down in Flexcolor's 3F window there is no batch scanning function similar to what Flexcolor permits for TIFF files. In my experience Flexcolor fails badly at recognising the frames when the Auto crop setting is used. For 120 film this is not a big problem for me because I scan each frame individually, but for 35mm film it can be a pain because of the heavy user intervention needed for a 36 roll. One way is to resort to TIFF scanning, which works well depending on the emulsion. The other is to scan the whole 6-frame strip as one 3F file and then break that one up later into individual images.

Br
Philip

Kuby said:
Does anyone know how to batch scan 3f files with the Flextight X1? Is this possible?

I've figured out how to batch scan tif files, but I can't figure out how to batch scan 3f files, which would really be a nice option.

Thanks.

Kuby · Mar 8, 2018

Thanks for the detailed response Philip. I don't mind the approach of scanning the entire 6 frame strip as one 3F file and then breaking it up later, however the preview I get when I go to work on them in Flexcolor is wildly pixelated and makes it hard to see what I'm doing. I've tried to take the file into photoshop before and break it down there into separate tiff files, but it photoshop doesn't allow for that as it gives me a notice that the dimensions of the 3F file has changed and won't let me save. Do you know a workaround for that issue?

Also, thank you for the link to the Yahoo Imacon group. I had heard about that group but am not a member. I just asked to join.

Regards,
Kuby

philipus said:
I recently asked the same in the Yahoo Imacon group. The answer is that beyond choosing Auto in the Crop drop-down in Flexcolor's 3F window there is no batch scanning function similar to what Flexcolor permits for TIFF files. In my experience Flexcolor fails badly at recognising the frames when the Auto crop setting is used. For 120 film this is not a big problem for me because I scan each frame individually, but for 35mm film it can be a pain because of the heavy user intervention needed for a 36 roll. One way is to resort to TIFF scanning, which works well depending on the emulsion. The other is to scan the whole 6-frame strip as one 3F file and then break that one up later into individual images.

Br
Philip

bestbefore1978 · Mar 9, 2018

Hi Kuby,
Assuming the X1 works in the same way as the Precision 2 in Flexcolor, batch 3F is quite easy, it is all based on the selected flextight holder.

For example if you are using the 6x36mm holder, select 3F scan in Flexcolor, on the dialogue box select ‘Full frame’ - flexcolor will now scan each of the 6 frames of the 35mm strip in turn and save as 3F

Dont use the batch scan command - that is only for tiff/jpeg

bestbefore1978 · Mar 9, 2018

You can also easily create custom frame spacing by creating a new setup - i.e to split the 36x6 frame into strips of 4 if needed, or split the 6x17 holder to scan 3 frames of 645 for instance.

It should all be in the flexcolor manual I think.

Also lots of useful info on creating custom frames here; http://www.thedigitalcoach.com/flexcolor-tutorials.html

philipus · Mar 10, 2018

Hi Kuby

I'm afraid I don't know what the pixelation is about. Mind posing a screenshot of the preview?

I've had the Photoshop error you mention when the dimensions have actually changed but not otherwise. I've then been able to change them back to the original (alt-cmd-i on Mac) and save the file. Have you installed the 3F plugin and opened the 3F by selecting "Imacon 3F" in the Open dialog's Format drop-down? Here are instrux.

Best
Philip

Kuby said:
Thanks for the detailed response Philip. I don't mind the approach of scanning the entire 6 frame strip as one 3F file and then breaking it up later, however the preview I get when I go to work on them in Flexcolor is wildly pixelated and makes it hard to see what I'm doing. I've tried to take the file into photoshop before and break it down there into separate tiff files, but it photoshop doesn't allow for that as it gives me a notice that the dimensions of the 3F file has changed and won't let me save. Do you know a workaround for that issue?

Also, thank you for the link to the Yahoo Imacon group. I had heard about that group but am not a member. I just asked to join.

Regards,
Kuby

Kuby · Mar 15, 2018

bestbefore1978 said:
You can also easily create custom frame spacing by creating a new setup - i.e to split the 36x6 frame into strips of 4 if needed, or split the 6x17 holder to scan 3 frames of 645 for instance.

It should all be in the flexcolor manual I think.

Also lots of useful info on creating custom frames here; http://www.thedigitalcoach.com/flexcolor-tutorials.html

This is all very interesting. Thanks! I will give this a try the next time I get a chance.

Kuby · Mar 15, 2018

philipus said:
Hi Kuby

I'm afraid I don't know what the pixelation is about. Mind posing a screenshot of the preview?

I've had the Photoshop error you mention when the dimensions have actually changed but not otherwise. I've then been able to change them back to the original (alt-cmd-i on Mac) and save the file. Have you installed the 3F plugin and opened the 3F by selecting "Imacon 3F" in the Open dialog's Format drop-down? Here are instrux.

Best
Philip

I've inserted a photo to show what I mean about the pixelation. You can see that I've scanned two frames, but I can't get the second one to show up clearly so I can produce it in FlexColor with any effectiveness.

As for the photoshop error, I've always been able to change it bback to the original and then save the file, so that's not a problem. I was just referring to the idea of taking the photo into PS, breaking it apart into smaller frames, then saving, which would all simply be done because I can't get a good preview from scanning multiple frames (as seen in the attached image).

How to Batch Scan 3F files with Flextight X1

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