Scan2CAD raster to vector conversion software

REVIEW:

Contex SD4490 large format scanner

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First Impressions


The SD4490 is BIG ...


Let's try another angle ...


Installation poster with
simple pictoral instructions.


All electrical boards are
housed in the right hand "wing"
of the scanner for easy access
and replacement.


SD4490 with lid open.
Uniquely, the lid opens
forwards instead of backwards.

The SD4490 is a sleek, stylish looking scanner. The codename for the SD series while it was in development was Scan Wing, and when you look at the scanner you can see how its curves resemble the curves of an aeroplane wing.

The scanner is also BIG. This is not surprising given that the SD series' scan width of 44" / 111.8 cm is wider than the scan width of any other CIS scanner, and wider than the scan width of all but two of the CCD scanners on our large format scanner comparison chart.

Despite their size, SD Series scanners are lightweight. We were able to easily carry the scanner up one flight of stairs and it just about fitted on the workspace in our small office (see photos). An SD Series scanner is probably a bit too big for use in confined spaces. In a larger office, it appears smaller and is more eaily accomodated.

The SD4490 is supplied with power and USB2 cables, calibration sheet and a box containing a cleaning cloth, scanner driver CD and Nextimage software CD. There are also two posters - one a series of pictures showing you how to set the scanner up, and the other a series of pictures showing you how to clean the scanner and run its maintenance program. The presentation is high quality and professional throughout.

The scanner is designed to be set up from closed box to first scan in 30 minutes, including assembling the stand. While we did not time our set up (we did not receive a stand with the scanner), we did install the scanner using the installation poster. The poster was clear and easy to understand except for one missing step, which Contex will doubtless remedy in a future version. The concept of a simple large, coloured pictoral poster for installation is excellent as it is a well known fact among all hardware and software vendors that few users read manuals!

The scanner is also designed to be service friendly. Should anything go wrong with it, Contex have designed it so that whatever the problem, an engineer's visit should not last for more than 20 minutes. All electrical boards are housed in the right hand "wing" of the scanner where they can be easily accessed and replaced. Similarly, the scanner's six CIS sensors are housed in a single, easily replacable unit. There is a single, user replacable scan glass.

Uniquely for a large format scanner, the lid opens forwards instead of backwards to give access to the scan glass and rollers for cleaning. The lid is held by two sliding catches at the back of the scanner. On the unit we reviewed, the catches were stiff and we found the lid quite difficult to open.

When it is on, the SD4490 is completely silent.

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