Skip to Main Content
Libraries Indiana University Bloomington

Scholars' Commons Digitization Equipment

Instructions for the digitization equipment in the Wells Library Scholars' Commons

How to digitize slides, film, and negatives

Before you get started, ask the Reference Desk for the slide holders.

  1. Scanning slides or film is done on the Epson Scanners. We do not have a machine dedicated to slide scanning, but the Epson with the film hood work just as well.
  2. Create a folder to save your work. This can be on the desktop, flash drive,G-Drive, etc.
  3. You will need to remove the backing in the scanner lid. Carefully slide to remove the white cover, there are picture guides on the scanner itself for removal and replacement. Please replace when finished for the next patron. There are also slide or film holders available from the reference desk if desired.
  4. Make sure the scanner is turned on! The button is on the front left – it is the one on the bottom. It pushes in all the way, and then the green light will turn on if you did it right.
  5. Open Silverfast. This is located on the Desktop (if there is not a desktop shortcut, open up the File Explorer and choose This PC > OS Disk > Program Files > SilverFast Application > Silver Fast 8 > Silver Fast.exe).
  6. Click “OK” or “Start” in the Silverfast pop-up.
  7. On the left-hand side, under Scan Dimensions, there will be an option to change DPI or PPI. Slides, etc. are typically scanned at 2400 DPI because of their small size.
  8. Above DPI, there is an option that says 'Reflective.' Click on it and change it to 'Transparent.'
  9. Beside that there is a picture of a palm tree that says either Positive, Kodachrome, and Negative. This is for color and grayscale options. If your slide is in color at all, scan in color. If it is black and white, scan in Negative. There is also a Kodachrome option, if you have Kodachrome slides.
  10. There is an option for where to save your picture to, and what to name it. Choose where you want to save it, and name it whatever you want.
  11. Open up your scanner. Put your slide etc. in one of the available slots if using a holder or place items on the glass.
  12. Hit “Prescan” at the top of Silverfast. This will show you a preliminary version of your object.
  13. Adjust the borders with the red marquee, color with the histogram, and contrast if you need to.
  14. Hit Scan. Your image will save to whatever folder you set at the top.
  15. Repeat steps 5-13 until you are done with your item.