Scan2CAD raster to vector conversion software

Scanners4CAD eMagazine - November 2006

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INTERVIEW - Peter de Winter Brown, Colortrac.
SCANNER REVIEW - Colortrac's versatile new SmartLF Gx 42 range.
SOFTWARE: SmartLF Gx series has direct CLASP support to Scan2CAD.
WATCHDOG: Contex "Optical Resolution" - Fact or Fiction?
HOW TO: How to tell the Optical Resolution of a Contex G600 scanner.
THE MARKET: Contex, GTCO Calcomp and Vidar equivalent models explained.
SOFTWARE: Océ Colour Copy software and service make the difference.
THE WORTHWHILE WEB: Pro-Talk is a real .com success story!

22nd November 2006

INTERVIEW: Peter de Winter Brown, Colortrac.

Scanners4CAD spoke to Peter de Winter Brown, Colortrac's Sales and Marketing Director.

Scanners4CAD: "We're confused. You seem to sell three different brands - Colortrac, ANAtech and ACTion Imaging. Why and what's the difference?"

de Winter Brown: "When Colortrac acquired ANAtech Imaging Systems and some of the assets of Tangent Imaging Systems back in September 1999 we created the trading name ACTion Imaging Solutions (aka AIS). The intention was to leverage the brand value of all three companies and communicate that with our newly acquired software products we are now a "solutions provider", not just a peripheral hardware manufacturer.

"The name "ACTion" was created from the initials ANAtech, Colortrac & Tangent. A few years older and wiser I realised the error and reverted to Colortrac in October 2002. Unfortunately, some confusion still permeates the market to this day. My only consolation is that we didn't waste quite as much money as those who painted BA tailplanes funny colours or those who decided to re-brand the Royal Mail whatever it was they dreamt up. Unfortunately I don't get paid as much as them either. We are COLORTRAC! Please purge your brain of anything else!".

Scanners4CAD: "Right now, on the basis of Colortrac SmartLF Gx / GxT 42 versus Contex G600 technology, who is the greater innovator in large format CCD scanning?"

de Winter Brown: "Colortrac was the first manufacturer to offer cost effective large format colour scanners way back in 1994. (The first LF colour sheet feed scanner on the market was launched by ANAtech about 6 months before Colortrac). Contex G600 scanner line announced August 1st 2006 is a re-marketing excercise that attempts to present essentially their previous generation products as 600dpi scanners. Contex is pursuing an evolutionary rather than an revolutionary product development. G600 is the latest iteration in a sequence that introduces some minor feature and performance improvements without any major investment or innovations in their product".

"Colortrac re-invented itself and re-positioned itself in the market when we introduced the first SmartLF CIS scanners in Q3 2004. SmartLF is about value for money and that means good performance and quality at a competitive price. Colortrac's previous CCD scanner line used a simliar design philosophy and system components as Contex continue to employ. To execute our SmartLF strategy as applied to our new line of CCD scanners a re-think was required. The resulting SmartLF Gx product family of 25", 42" and 54" CCD large format scanners is a completely new and innovative approach to solve the design and cost requirements demanded by the SmartLF philosophy".

"At the core of the SmartLF Gx CCD scanners, Colortrac has developed a revolutionary ultra-compact digital CCD camera unit or DCU that 're-writes the book' of wide format scanner design. The result is a range of scanners with higher optical resolution, smaller size and footprint, lower weight, very stable camera alignment and lower cost. We think this is innovative!".

Scanners4CAD: "You've been advertising the new Gx 42 in the USA since August 2005 but it doesn't appear to be shipping yet. Several US resellers have asked us where it is. Where is it and is there a delay?"

de Winter Brown: "The SmartLF Gx 42 scanners began shipping in Europe, Middle East & Africa in September 2006. First shipments to the USA began in October in limited numbers so that we can prove the logistics and service systems. The advertising began in August to prepare the market awareness in advance".

Scanners4CAD: "Which model do you expect to be the bigger seller, the Cx 40 or Gx 42 / GxT 42? Why?"

de Winter Brown: "We expect the SmartLF Cx 40 to continue to sell in high numbers because it offers great value for money and meets the performance and quality expectations of the vast majority of large format scanner users in the AEC, CAD, GIS, etc., technical imaging markets. The Gx scanners offer similar technical imaging capability as Cx 40 with additional capabilities for customers who need to scan photographs and full colour graphic art originals. Of course, we would be delighted to be proved wrong. The key point for Colortrac is that we offer customers a choice of the latest image sensor technology; either CIS or CCD. We have no vested interest in pushing one versus the other in the face of what the customer NEEDS for their job".

Scanners4CAD: "Which model do you expect to be the bigger seller, the Gx 42 which is suitable for top-quality CAD work or the thick media GxT 42 which is more suitable for reprographics work? Why?"

de Winter Brown: "The truth is I have no idea. It seems to vary by geographic market and market sector. It may turn out 50:50 or 60:40 but not 90:10 based on experience so far".

Scanners4CAD: "This month we look at Océ who badge Contex scanners and who are strong in the Print-for-Profit market. Océ claim that it is their software that distinguishes them from Contex and which provides the solution. Do you see the SmartLF GxT 42 in this market and, if yes, where will the software come from?"

de Winter Brown: "Yes, one of the main markets for Gx 42 will be in the reprographics bureau sector. Colortrac CopySmart software provides a simple to use scan-to-copy or print system. When combined with our universal repro stand and a LF printer it offers a very nice solution to compete with Oce and HP. Canon distribute Colortrac scanners and software throughout Europe, Middle East, Africa and USA and they use our own CopySmart software. Some of our distributors combine our scanners with 3rd party software from independent software vendors (ISVs) to create more high-end solutions that support a wider range of LF printers than Colortrac do".

Scanners4CAD: "Last month we took you to task for claiming 1200 dpi optical for the Gx 42. This month we take Contex to task for claiming 600 dpi optical for their G600 series. Do you care to comment on Contex's claims?"

de Winter Brown: "I have said all I want to about Contex in answer #2!".

Scanners4CAD: "Do Colortrac have a better case for claiming 1200 dpi optical than Contex do for 600 dpi?"

de Winter Brown: "Yes!".

Scanners4CAD: "Colortrac sales have grown spectacularly in the last two years since the launch of the SmartLF series. Where do you go from here?"

de Winter Brown: "Most of the growth Colortrac has enjoyed in the past two years has been due to new market development in markets and with customers who could not previously justify the investment required to purchase a large format scanner. With the Gx range of products rolling out now and over the next 6 months we will be taking on our competitors more directly across a wider application set (25" and 54").

"Our competitors know what we are doing and you can see they are increasing the volume and focus of their marketing efforts accordingly. The marketing battle is hotting up. While they must rely mostly on words we have the advantage of brand new innovative products that will provide excellent value for money to our customers. We will do our bit in the war of the words also!".

Scanners4CAD: "And that's the last word on that. Thanks and good luck!".

Colortrac Limited,
Kings Hall,
St Ives Business Park,
St Ives,
Huntingdon,
Cambs PE27 4WY.
Website: www.colortrac.com

13th November 2006

SCANNER REVIEW - Colortrac's versatile new SmartLF Gx 42 range

Scanners4CAD has seen Colortrac's new SmartLF Gx / GxT 42 series, the first "1200 dpi optical resolution" large format scanner.

The first impression of the SmartLF GxT 42 is one of substance. It looks and feels like a workhorse, solid and heavy, but beneath the hood is innovative new charge-coupled device (CCD) technology that gives it the ability to cost-effectively capture fine colours, lines and shadow details with sensitivity and accuracy. This workhorse can dance!

Colortrac's newest scanner has a 42" image width, (48" throat), claimed 1200 dpi optical resolution and 0.5mm (0.02") maximum paper thickness in the standard SmartLF Gx version. This is the equivalent thickness of 5 sheets of standard office 80 gsm copying paper, enough for scanning most technical drawings, even damaged ones placed in plastic document carrier sheets.

Available in three standard SmartLF Gx 42 models, 42m (monochrome), 42c (colour) and 42e (express colour), the Gx series' list price starts at £5995 / $12095. A GxT 42 (Thick) variant supports media up to 0.8" (20mm) thick. This adds £750 / $1100 more per model.

Scanning thick media, like board or card is not a requirement for the majority of CAD users. The GxT's thick media option will appeal most to reprographics professionals scanning mounted printed artwork, posters, etc.

As you would expect of a CCD scanner the Gx / GxT series is heavier and 2" wider than its almost identical CIS stablemate, the SmartLF Cx 40. It has the same matt black, grey and silver body but the most noticeable difference is the two rows of ISO/DIN, ANSI and Architectural-size paper rulings on the document feed shelf at the scanner mouth. One is for side-justified media, Colortrac's usual method of paper feed; the other, a new, more user-friendly, centre-justified option, is the standard way of feeding in thick media.

The Gx 42 uses the same four-button touch pad as the Cx 40 to Load / Rewind / Stop and directly communicate basic scan and copy functions via WIA to the PC and Colortrac's supplied SmartLF and optional ScanWorks professional scanning software. The GxT series uses a new six button touch pad. When loading thick media the GxT series' two additional buttons Open (raise) and Close (lower) the topmost lid housing the single hold-down roller. The Open and Close action is impressively smooth. On Close it automatically detects the media thickness and applies the optimum roller grip pressure.

Two discreet catches on either side of the lid allow it to be opened, hinged back and supported with a stay. This gives access to the scan glass and hold down roller for cleaning purposes. The Gx / GxT uses two slimline, high-efficiency, low mercury content, RoHS-compliant fluorescent tubes covered by a single aperture glass. For the best, photographic quality results the tubes require one hour to warm-up to a stable operating temperature. For CAD users scanning less demanding technical drawings the minimum warm-up period is just two minutes. The tubes are consumables with a life expectancy of one to two years.

Unlike scanners that use a spring-loaded paper hold-down, the Gx / GxT series use an Advanced Paper Transport, (APT), an all-wheel drive and hold-down roller system to grip, smooth and transport the media through the scanner. The APT exerts even pressure to ensure that as the media moves smoothly through the scanner it has close, consistent contact with the scan glass. This results in constant focus and even illumination of the image. The APT is sensitive enough to avoid crumpling or snagging fine media, like newsprint while providing reliable throughput for standard paper, linen, the heaviest mylar, foamex and gatorboard, etc.

What makes the SmartLF Gx / GxT series special?

Colortrac's SmartLF Gx / GxT series begs comparison with Contex's new G600 scanners which also use CCD technology. However, as Colortrac have developed innovative new CCD components to replace the traditional mix of CCD lenses, lights and mirrors used by Contex in their G600 scanners, there is little within a Contex scanner to warrant a comparison.

As ever, the only true comparison between scanners is scan quality. Key to SmartLF Gx / GxT scan quality is Colortrac's self-proclaimed "revolutionary", ultra-compact digital CCD camera unit (DCU) which, they say, "'re-writes the book' of wide format scanner design".

About the size of a hard drive, each DCU is a modularised, mini-assembly of mirrors, CCD, micro lens with coated optics and IR filter. Each is capable of image capture at a significantly higher resolution than other scanners, 1200 x 600 dpi optical resolution, in both 48-bit colour or 16-bit pan-chromatic monochrome. Made by Colortrac, these DCUs add weight to their claim to be THE innovator in the design of large format scanners today.

Each SmartLF Gx / GxT uses five DCUs. It saves the very high 1200 x 600 dpi optical input resolution as a maximum 600 x 600 dpi optical resolution output. We stuck our neck out in the October issue of Scanners4CAD saying that this did not make the SmartLF Gx series a true 1200 dpi optical scanner. We believe it should be described as a 600 dpi optical scanner. Nevertheless, this is higher than anything in the Contex G600 range, the Puma excluded, because we do not believe that Contex G600 scanners are true 600 dpi optical devices.

See November's How to tell the Optical Resolution of a Contex G600 scanner.

See October's WATCHDOG: Colortrac's Gx 42 1200 dpi optical claim examined!

As each DCU can be individually replaced this makes SmartLF Gx / GxT scanners more cost-effective to build and easier to service and support. Replacing a component in traditional CCD scanner builds can require that the entire engine must come out when any one part fails. Colortrac claim that their DCUs also offer the huge benefit of more stable camera stitching, a problem which all manufacturers claim to have solved or improved but which persists nevertheless.

So much for the clever stuff, "What's the scan quality like?"

Unlike the CIS-based SmartLF Cx series which use LEDs the SmartLF Gx / GxT scanner's use of fluorescent tubes gives it a much brighter light source. This and other improvements combine to produce sharp, highly detailed images.

A SmartLF Gx / GxT scanner enjoys three advantages over its Cx stablemate. The first, a result of increased brightness, is that the Gx / GxT series can capture a wider range of colours (colour gamut), including the shiny inks in highlighter pens, a minor problem in the Cx 40. The second, a result of the combination of brighter light and the new APT, means that creases in folded drawings are now less likely to be picked up as part of the image.

The third, a result of the combination of brighter light and high resolving power, allows the scanner to see more faint lines and find more fine detail in dark areas before "blacking" out (high dynamic range). This gives the SmartLF Gx / GxT series almost photographic quality results. Is this required for scanning monochrome technical drawings? Arguably not but when scanning drawings that have very close parallel lines which need to be kept apart, like the contour lines on maps, a high dynamic range is very useful.

Image sharpness is the key issue in any scanner. As a general rule, for fine detail capture the higher the optical resolution, the the better. With its 1200 dpi resolving power, the SmartLF Gx / GxT series can capture the colours, shadows and fine image details in maps, photographs, full colour graphics and art work, which it saves as 600 dpi optical resolution, not 1200. For CAD users with black and white or limited colour technical drawings, the SmartLF Gx / GxT series does way more than enough.

It is wonderfully affordable overkill.

For most CAD users the over-riding isssue is "how much?"

Pricing

SmartLF Gx Model Fast B/W Colour Fast Colour UK Price US Price
Gx 42m Yes - up to 6"/s No No GBP £5,995 USD $12,095
GxT 42m Yes - up to 6"/s No No GBP £6,745 USD $13,395
Gx 42c Yes - up to 6"/s Yes - up to 0.75"/s No GBP £6,495 USD $13,195
GxT 42c Yes - up to 6"/s Yes - up to 0.75"/s No GBP £7,245 USD $14,495
Gx 42e Yes - up to 6"/s n/a Yes - up to 3"/s GBP £6,995 USD $14,295
GxT 42e Yes - up to 6"/s n/a Yes - up to 3"/s GBP £7,745 USD $15,595

Upgrades
These are available from one standard Gx model to another and from one GxT model to another but not from a Gx to a GxT model. Mechanical differences between the standard and thick models make upgrades from a Gx 42 model to a motorised GxT 42 impossible.

Scan Speed
As different scanner manufacturers use different criteria to rate scan speed it is impossible to draw a true comparison based on their published data. Other factors, like the speed of the target PC and the efficiency of the operator also combine to influence how long it takes from first feeding in a scan to seeing the final, best possible quality image on your PC screen.

Although the published monochrome speed of the Gx / GxT 42 is relatively slow (6 in/sec against the SmartLF Cx 40's 10.10 in/sec), it was not perceptibly slower than other makes and models we have seen and used. There's very little in it. Users who want fast scan quality will find the SmartLF Gx / GxT 42e workhorse is no laggard. It gives affordable, pure performance at a canter.

Software
The SmartLF Gx / GxT 42 is supplied with a free ISIS driver and basic SmartLF scanning software which provides straightforward scans but without a good range of post-scan raster editing tools. For this you will need Colortrac's ScanWorks, professional scanning software designed for high-volume applications. Costing an extra £295 / $575 it adds useful raster editing tools, adaptive thresholding, batch, feature extraction and auto-palette scanning. All popular file formats, like TIF, BMP, JPG and PDF are supported.

Is the SmartLF Gx / GxT 42 a scanner for CAD?

The SmartLF Gx / GxT 42 series' enhanced monochrome and colour scan quality is superb. If it is not revolutionary, as Colortrac claim, it is certainly the next generation.

Generally, CAD users with relatively limited requirements now get more than they need from most entry-level large format scanners available today. Nowhere is this more generously obvious than in the SmartLF Gx / GxT series. Overall, its scan quality is excellent. It IS geared to photographs, graphics and maps. Ultimately, this is a reprographics quality scanner that can be used for CAD.

The Big Question - which model is best for your CAD requirements?

Most CAD users do not have a big requirement to scan colour technical drawings. However, in our experience, the majority of CAD users will always buy a colour scanner before a monochrome-only one, even if 95% of their work is scanning monochrome drawings. When presented with a colour option for a small extra cost most CAD users take it. The factor that pushes up the price of colour scanning is scan speed - fast colour scanners cost more. If most of your work is monochrome and you only expect to do limited colour scanning, a slow colour scanner is a good compromise.

The slow colour SmartLF Gx 42c provides users with everything except thick media handling. CAD users seldom, if ever, need to scan drawings on thick media. The SmartLF Gx 42's one downside is its media handling, the thinnest of all the scanners in our Scanners4CAD large format scanner comparison chart. We think its 0.02" IS thick enough for most technical drawings but if you want certainty in your drawing office and can justify an extra £750 / $1100, then the SmartLF GxT 42's 0.08" capability, thicker than any Contex scanner in our comparison chart, will give you peace of mind.

So, we chose a scanner that adds slow colour, (just in case), and thick media, (just in case), to monochrome scanning. This makes the SmartLF GxT 42c a Scanners4CAD Best Buy.

The SmartLF GxT 42c gives CAD users a compelling reason to spend just a little more to gain the advantages of a colour scanner over the monochrome-only Contex Premier. It offers cost-conscious CAD users a powerful, eminently capable large format, reprographic quality, CCD scanner, the like of which is unmatched in mainstream, technical drawing work today.

For further details, please email: info@scanners4cad.com

Use our FREE large format scanner comparison chart to see how Contex, Graphtec and Colortrac scanners compare.

12th November 2006

SOFTWARE: SmartLF Gx series has direct CLASP support to Scan2CAD

Scan2CAD v7.5 raster to vector conversion software scans directly from Colortrac SmartLF Cx 40 and Gx / GxT 42 series wide format scanners.

Softcover has announced that Scan2CAD, their popular, low-cost raster to vector converter, has updated its CLASP (CoLortrac Approved Software Product) support to include the new Colortrac SmartLF Gx / GxT 42 series of large format scanners.

"Scan2CAD's driver is an implementation of CLASP at the highest order - Level 1. Our tests show that it works fine" said Declan Tyler, Product & Application Specialist, Colortrac Ltd.

The CLASP program comprises third-party developers of scanning, archiving, raster editing and vectorisation applications for Colortrac's products. Scan2CAD adds a powerful yet low-cost ability to automatically convert scanned drawings into CAD files to the CLASP program.

Scan2CAD converts scanned drawings and raster files like BMP, TIF, etc. into DXF vectors for editing in any PC CAD program. After conversion the scanned image or raster file can be attached to the DXF output so that users can edit the DXF file over the scanned image in their PC CAD program (raster overlay). This feature suuports a wide variety of CAD programs, from AutoCAD LT and IntelliCAD to MicroGDS.

Scan2CAD's integrated driver controls monochrome, greyscale and colour scanning direct from Colortrac SmartLF Cx and Gx / GxT 42 series wide format scanners. Its powerful raster editing tools and adaptive thresholding provide the user with clean scanned images suitable for archiving, copying or automatic raster to vector conversion.

Among Scan2CAD's users are Boeing and NASA. Scan2CAD is an English product developed in Cambridge, East Anglia, a centre of British excellence in science and technology. Scan2CAD is supplied with large format scannners sold by Softcover, as well as by leading resellers worldwide.

Steve Hannath, Marketing Director of Softcover International, said "We are pleased that Scan2CAD has been accepted by Colortrac for inclusion in their CLASP program".

"The SmartLF Gx / GxT 42 series of scanners provide excellent value for money in terms of very detailed, high resolution scanned images suitable for both technical drawing work and more demanding reprographics applications. Every scanner we sell, Contex, Colortrac or Graphtec, includes Scan2CAD. In about 90% of our sales buyers want a copy of Scan2CAD included. That's not surprising! Our background and expertise is in CAD. Scan2CAD goes hand-in-glove with any scanner bought for use in a drawing office".

There is a 7-day Scan2CAD Trial which can be downloaded from www.softcover.com.

10th November 2006

WATCHDOG: Contex "Optical Resolution" - Fact or Fiction?

Last month Scanners4CAD took Colortrac to task for advertising their new SmartLF Gx series as 1200 dpi optical resolution scanners when we thought it was more accurate to describe them as 600 dpi optical scanners. Colortrac didn't like what we said but they took our criticism on the chin and gave us their reasons for making this claim.

Following the October issue we were contacted by a reseller who said "I notice that your comparison chart refers to all Contex scanners as 600 dpi except for the Hawk-Eye and the Toucan. In reality, the only 600 dpi optical scanner Contex has is the Puma. The G600 range is based on 508 optical resolution scanners. (The Toucan G25 is 424 dpi and the flatbed Copymate G18 is 400 dpi). In their marketing Contex refer to nearly all their scanners as 600 dpi resolution scanners. Personally, I don't like it. I think it's deceptive".

We felt compelled to investigate.

So, this month we examine the industry leader's claim for 600 dpi optical resolution in their new Contex G600 series scanners. If Contex disagree with what we say below, these pages are open to them and or anyone else to reply, please! We will fully retract any statement made here which Contex can show to be wrong. Here's some background.

A failure to communicate!

Contex have discarded "optical resolution", a traditional indicator of scan quality and replaced it with an arbitrary 600 dpi "resolution" value that they believe is a more accurate indicator of their scan quality than the 508 dpi optical resolution of their scanners.

Our view is that this is a worrying development, one which is open to abuse and exaggeration by anyone selling Contex scanners. Indeed, we see examples of this already.

Contex's literature and web site make it easy for the reader to think that the "resolution" value is "optical resolution". Certainly we assumed this was the case. We credited Contex scanners with 600 dpi optical resolution in the first versions of our Scanners4CAD scanner comparison chart until it was pointed out to us that most Contex scanners do not have 600 dpi optical resolution. Worryingly, Art Systems, the UK Contex distributor, who were given the chart to check for factual accuracy before its release allowed the 600 dpi optical resolution figure to stand.

The illusion is further extended by the description of the new Contex scanner range as "G600".

Background

Optical resolution is and has been a standard descriptor of scan quality for years. When someone buys a scanner the first question that is asked is often "what's the optical resolution?". When being sold a scanner the first thing you are likely to be told is "it has a resolution of 600 dpi optical with interpolated resolution up to 9600 dpi". This provides a very useful starting point. When told the Contex Hawk-Eye has just 200 dpi optical you have every reason to doubt it's suitability. When told that the Colortrac SmartLF has 1200 dpi optical you have good reason to question if this is not too high.

Whatever the Pros and Cons, optical resolution can be accurately measured in dots per inch (dpi). Optical resolution is an indicator of scan quality but NOT a measure of it. Scan quality is difficult, if not impossible, to measure. It is a subjective combination of different factors, like lenses, light source and the digital image enhancement of the captured data. As there is no large format scanner industry agreement on a standard to measure scan quality there is no ombudsman to enforce it. Scan quality is open to claim and counter claim. It is open market. The loudest voice carries farthest. Buyer beware!

In the large format scanner industry there is no voice louder than Contex's. Singing the hallelujah chorus are those companies who sell Contex scanners under their own brand names, GTCO Calcomp, HP, IDEAL, Océ and Vidar, etc. Worldwide there are hundreds of willing large format Contex and OEM resellers eager to sell these profitable brands to thousands of potential users who believe that "you get what you pay for" i.e. scan quality. Well, it used to be like that!

Since the end of 2004 Contex have found themselves responding to developments which have allowed other large format scanner manufacturers to enter the market with aggressively priced, technically advanced scanners which have provided satisfactory alternatives for many users. Today price and performance are the main considerations in any scanner sale. Price is foremost. Most buyers believe that current scanner technology is much-of-a-muchness. Nit-picking aside, this is largely true.

One big source of Contex's problems is the success of contact image sensor (CIS) technology which they do not use. Contex are ardent proponents of charge-coupled device (CCD) technology. Contex's attempts to dismiss CIS scan quality (see October's Contex host "CCD vs CIS Scanning Technologies" Grey Paper) shows how worried they are by the popularity of affordable Graphtec and Colortrac CIS scanners whose success has come at the cost of Contex's prestige and market share.

"To be is to do" - Cocteau.

According to industry insiders Contex had two problems with the the term "optical resolution". First was the importance "optical resolution" had to buyers as a measurement of scan quality. The second is because "optical resolution" only tells the potential buyer the physical capability of the scanner sensors, not the overall scan quality, the issue Contex are so desperate to convey to the new cost-conscious market for entry-level wide format scanners.

Contex believe that image quality is dependent on a fine mix of lenses, light source and the digital image enhancement of the captured data. They believe that "optical resolution" is not an adequate term to describe the image captured by a Contex scanner. So, frustrated by their inability to demonstrate to a market increasingly concerned with price the supremacy of their long-serving CCD scanner technology over new CIS alternatives, Contex have decided to be bold and start afresh.

Contex have dropped "optical resolution" as an indicator of scan quality and replaced it with "resolution", a term of their own choosing and one which they can control by ascribing an arbitrary value.

All Contex's new G600 36", 42", and 54" scanners (with the exception of the 36" Hawk-Eye) have an optical resolution of 508 dpi. (See our article How to tell the resolution of a Contex scanner.) BUT with their mix of fine enhancements Contex believe that this should be equivalent to or surpass any 600 dpi scanner in the market. Thus, the use of the term "600 dpi resolution" in their literature plus the description of their products as "G600" is intended to reflect Contex's sense of their superior scan quality.

We believe that the description of Contex's scanners as "G600" is misleading. We are concerned that the term "G600" will subliminally trick thousands of potential buyers into thinking that this is a reference to optical resolution. Buyer beware!

"To be or not to be" (resolute) - Hamlet.

We decided to check Contex's technical sales literature on their web site to see exactly how they are implementing "resolution" as a term to describe scanner quality as opposed to "optical resolution".

In their Specifications Sheets Contex do not claim "optical resolution", just "resolution". This is supported by a statement in the scanner Overview that says "High Scanning Resolution at 600-dpi ensuring outstanding image quality". As 600 dpi is the standard optical resolution in scanners from other manufacturers there's a case for thinking that Contex are once again creating a confusion designed to make buyers believe that "High Scanning Resolution at 600-dpi" is a reference to optical resolution.

However, as this did not clearly state if it meant optical or interpolated resolution we downloaded the "Contex Key Technologies" brochure. On the front it says "outstanding image quality with superior 600-dpi resolution*". On the back of the brochure it says "*optical resolution". This clear cross-reference implies to the reader that ALL Contex scanners are 600 dpi optical resolution. Which they are not. Buyer beware!

Check these out yourself by downloading off their website:

Example product specification
Contex Key Technologies brochure (PDF)

"To be do be do be" (Sinatra)

So, while Contex want to redefine scan quality by discarding "optical resolution" because it fails to describe the quality of their scanners adequately, they are not yet fully ready to drop the advantages of using "optical resolution" to sell them. And for very good reasons. People buying scanners usually put "optical resolution" at the top of their list. Contex cannot drop optical resolution and redfine scan quality overnight without shooting themselves in the foot. Hence the fudge. To be do be do be!

Come on Contex, let's have some clarity on the issue of scan quality.

In an article by Henrik Vestermark entitled "GTCO Calcomp’s new line of scanners explained", (GTCO Calcomp are re-badged Contex scanners), he wrote "Contex has introduced a new term for "resolution". .... The manufacturer has also changed the way they spec certain features which I think will confuse rather than enlighten new potential and existing scanner owners. .... In the past optical resolution signaled how detailed an image could be captured and used. This could be used as a parameter when selecting the scanner you needed".

"However, optical resolution as a quality measure alone is not enough. Lenses, light source, and digital enhancement of the image play an important part of the overall quality of a scan. Even if you have an optical resolution of 600 dpi the image quality can still be degraded if you have a poor lens and primitive digital processing and the overall quality can be significantly reduced. With the release of this new generation of scanners, efforts have been made to improve the image throughout the whole process and as a result the overall quality will be able to match scanners with a higher optical resolution than 600 dpi".

We applaud Contex for attempting to "improve the image throughout the whole process". That is how it should be.

But we cannot condone Contex's current practices. It is clearly very difficult to express or measure the inherent quality of any scanner. It would be very helpful if such a measurement existed but it cannot be called "resolution", which has its own specific meaning. Any attempt to describe scan quality by placing an arbitrary figure on it that is confused deliberately or otherwise with "optical resolution" is WRONG!

Buyers deserve better than this.

WHAT DO CONTEX OEMS CLAIM?

Océ UK
On their web site Océ UK describe their Océ CS4136, CS4142 and CS4154 scanners having "Optical resolution 508 dpi". We congratulate Océ on their integrity and refusal to blindly follow Contex's misguided lead.

Vidar
We downloaded the Vidar "Key Technologies" brochure. Under a heading of "600 dpi Resolution" it says "Most scanners now feature 600 dpi. The 600 dpi are Vidar REAL dpi. REAL dpi is the result of our advanced algorithms and new unparalleled supersensitive optical systems, combined with optical 508 dpi CCDs". Vidar's UK distributor, Colourgen, are less explicit. Their web site describes Vidar scanners as "600 dpi optical".

GTCO Calcomp
Here we note two worrying developments. First, the trend to describe two resolutions without adequate description of either. For example, "Resolution 600 dpi, Enhanced Resolution up to 9600 dpi". The likely assumption is that the first is a description of optical resolution (600 dpi being the standard optical resolution among non-Contex scanner makes today), the latter of interpolated. This is how optical and interpolated resolution has been presented IN THE PAST. Second, by no stretch of the imagination is interpolated resolution "enhanced". Interpolation adds nothing of any value (to enhance) an image except more redundant data. An interpolated image is no sharper than its optical resolution counterpart. Others, like Colortrac, refer to "extended" resolution. Semantically this is more accurate but still likely to mislead the unwary buyer.

HP
We do not feel qualified to comment on these devices as we know so little about them. They are described on the HP web site as "Optical Resolution: Up to 508 x 508 dpi". Assuming this does not refer to earlier Contex models we also congratulate HP on their integrity and refusal to blindly follow Contex's misguided lead.

IDEAL
IDEAL Scanners do not appear to state optical resolution anywhere but instead, under the heading "High Performance Scanning" say "The IDEAL/Contex CHROMA G600 Basic Color Scanners has variable resolution settings from 50 to 1200 dpi, selectable in one dpi increments to match user requirements". In a brief overview of the IDEAL / Contex CHROMA G600 Basic Color Scanner it is described as having "1200 dpi". Er, what exactly?

And this is EXACTLY the point we are attempting to make - that not specifying a scanner's resolution as optical or interpolated is unhelpful. The buyer is left to draw conclusions that may be incorrect. By changing the meaning of resolution, Contex have done the large format scanner community a massive disservice and left buyers none the wiser!

Most worryingly for Contex, (and a clue to possibly why IDEAL chose to describe their scanners as "1200 dpi"), Colortrac have released the SmartLF Gx / GxT 42 series which they claim is "the first 1200 dpi optical resolution" CCD scanner. (See October's Colortrac's Gx 42 1200 dpi optical claim examined!). The ability to claim the highest optical resolution gives it enormous prestige at Contex's expense. Worse, the SmartLF Gx / GxT 42 series offers professional reprographics scan quality for less than the cost of current Contex scanners.

How will IDEAL and other Contex resellers compete in the short-term without a similar device? Answer: By quoting confusing and unaccountable numbers!

1st November 2006

HOW TO: How to tell the Optical Resolution of a Contex G600 scanner

We believe that Contex's technical description of their products is not as clear nor as accurate as it could or should be when describing the resolution of their G600 large format scanners.

We believe that Contex has only one true 600 dpi optical resolution scanner, the Puma HS 36. We do NOT believe that the other scanners within the Contex G600 range are true 600 dpi optical resolution scanners. This is also true for Contex scanners badged under other names.

Both Océ and HP, who sell Contex scanners under their own names, state on their web sites that these are 508 dpi optical devices. Vidar, who also sell Contex scanners under license, claim 600 dpi resolution as a result of their "advanced algorithms and new unparalleled supersensitive optical systems, combined with optical 508 dpi CCDs".

We believe that we can show that Contex scanners are not true 600 dpi optical scanners. If you want to check the resolution of your Contex scanner or one that's being offered to you for purchase by a Contex or other sales person, here's a quick way to work it all out.

Three ways to find out the optical resolution of a Contex G600 scanner!

1]. Ask Contex directly or your local reseller. If they say "600 dpi optical", go to 2.

2]. Use the Contex scanner development kit to report the scanner's optical resolution. If you do not have this, go to 3.

3]. Do the examination yourself.

You will need the following information:

  • The type of CCD the scanner uses - mono (1), triple (3) or quadrilinear (4). (This information is found on most brochures.)
  • The total number of pixels (found on most brochures).
  • The total image width (36", 42", etc., found on most brochures).

Using the Contex Chroma G600 as an example:

This has 90,000 pixels, uses quadrilinear (4) CCDs and is 42" wide.

Divide 90,000 pixels by 4 = 22,500 pixels across the scan.

Divide 22,500 by 42" = 536 dpi.

Taking into account a degree of camera overlap for image stitching you get a likely optical resolution of about 508 dpi, exactly what Contex claimed for the Chroma prior to the new G600 series and what Océ, HP and Vidar still claim.

Click here to view a table showing resolution calculations for all Contex scanners.

Note: We are told that the Magnum G600's optical resolution of 556 dpi is "tuned down" in the firmware to 508 dpi to allow Contex to standardise on the same optics across the G600 range and save costs. It makes sense and sounds reasonable.

Contex claim an odd number of total pixels, 77,000, for the 36" Chameleon and Cougar G600 scanners. We believe the reason for this is that these scanners use the same hardware as the 42" scanner but scale it down from 90,000 in the firmware to a maximum of 36" scan width.

Contex Optical Resolution - Fact or Fiction?

Scanners4CAD Verdict: Fiction!
On the basis of our examination and using traditional criteria for defining "optical resolution", we conclude that Contex scanners are 508 dpi optical resolution devices. Any claim that these scanners are "600 dpi optical" is fiction.

We believe that the above figures and statements are correct. We welcome communication from Contex and its representatives wanting to clarify this issue.

Further, we ask Contex to return to a clear and unambiguous use of the term "optical resolution", a definition which is a fundamental and understood indicator of quality in any scanner for the potential buyer. It is a definition which has served the large format scanner community well.

Buyers and the large format scanner industry deserve better than this!

1st November 2006

THE MARKET: Contex, GTCO Calcomp and Vidar equivalent models explained

Are you confused by the number of wide format scanner makes and models?

Most wide format scanners are made by one company, Contex, and are sold under a variety of different names.

Contex is the leading large format scanner manufacturer worldwide. A large part of its business comprises the sale of its scanners under other brand names, like GTCO Calcomp, HP, IDEAL, Océ and Vidar, etc. Some of these companies once manufactured scanners themselves but now find it more cost-effective to badge a Contex scanner with their own well-known brand name.

GTCO Calcomp, Océ and HP are OEM partners for Contex. IDEAL is the largest US distributor of IDEAL / Contex large format scanners. Vidar merged with Contex in 2002. In order to retain the large Vidar customer base Contex continue to manufacture "Vidar" scanners.

GTCO Calcomp manufacture and supply digitizer and digital white boards which they sell directly to resellers in USA and through distributors elsewhere. In the UK, GTCO Calcomp wide format scanners are sold by Art Systems, the UK Contex distributor.

The Big Question: "Other than the name and price, what's the difference?"

According to Henrik Vestermark of The Other Solutions, a GTCO Calcomp enthusiast, "Differences between the Contex-branded products are cosmetic e.g. a different streamer or colour touch-pad. The functional specifications and actual performance is identical".

With the products' technology and performance being identical, the only real difference is between the suppliers and their level of committment to pre and post-sales customer service, technical support and the addition of their own software solutions, if any.

We plan to add other companies and their models to this list, as well as eventually publishing their list prices. In the meantime, please note that when you buy one of these scanners you are buying the equivalent of an alternative available elsewhere under another name which may or may not cost less and or be better supported! Check it out!

To read how Océ distinguishes itself in this market, click here.

List of Contex scanner models and GTCO Calcomp and Vidar equivalents

Contex GTCO CalcompVidar Océ
COPYmate 18 ScanPlus V ATF-1824A Designer 18
Toucan G25 ScanPlus 6 LF925 Lynx 25e
Toucan G25 Plus ScanPlus 6 LF925 Plus Lynx 25e Plus
Hawk-Eye G600 ScanPlus 6 LF-436 Nova 36e
Hawk-Eye G600 Plus ScanPlus 6 LF436 Plus Nova 36e Plus
Chameleon G600 ScanPlus 6 LF736 Select 600e CS4136
Chameleon G600 Plus ScanPlus 6 LF736 Plus Select 600e Plus CS4136Q
Cougar G600 ScanPlus 6 LF936 Atlas 600e CS4136S
Cougar G600 Plus ScanPlus 6 LF936 Plus Atlas 600e Plus CS4136QS
Puma HS 36" ScanPlus V 36-600HS Titan H36 Base
Puma HS 36" Plus ScanPlus V 36-600HS Plus Titan H36 Plus
Premier G600 ScanPlus 6 LF542 Flash 600e
Premier G600 Plus ScanPlus 6 LF542 Plus Flash 600e Plus
Crystal G600 ScanPlus 6 LF742 Surveyor 600e CS4142
Crystal G600 Plus ScanPlus 6 LF742 Plus Surveyor 600e Plus CS4142Q
Chroma G600 ScanPlus 6 LF942 Spectra 600e CS4142S
Chroma G600 Plus ScanPlus 6 LF942 Plus Spectra 600e Plus CS4142QS
Magnum G600 ScanPlus 6 LF954 Latitude 600e CS4154S
Magnum G600 Plus ScanPlus 6 LF954 Plus Latitude 600e Plus CS4154QS
ACS4600 ACS4600 ACS4600
ACS4600 Plus ACS4600 Plus ACS4600 Plus

Another Big Question

With so many companies (these are not the only ones) selling the same product under different names the loaded question that arises is "Does this practice in any way stimulate competition within the large format scanner market leading to price and performance benefits for the end user?" Our answer must be a loud and unequivocal "NO!".

Please, let's have your feedback!

1st November 2006

SOFTWARE: Océ Colour Copy software and service makes the difference

Now 129 old years and active in 80 countries worldwide, the Netherlands-based Océ Group is the second largest company selling Contex scanners under their own brand name.

When it comes to buying a large format scanner manufactured by Contex only HP is bigger than Océ. Both are much bigger than Contex! It invites the question "why, if they are so big, do they not manufacture large format scanners themselves - or buy Contex out?"

The answer, say Océ, is that their focus is not on scanners but on printers and document workflow software. Scanners that are part of Océ's TDS/TCS (Technical Document / Copying) systems are developed by them but standalone scanners are sourced from Contex, the industry leader.

As this article describes, Océ always look to add value to OEM products. In a very large part that is the answer to the first "Big Question" we asked in the preceding article of those OEMs who brand Contex scanners under their own names: "What's the difference between Contex, Océ, GTCO Calcomp, HP and Vidar large format scanners?"

According to Océ "Very little in terms of the actual physical product!"

Océ scanners have a different colour, a more workable grey as opposed to the cream favoured by Contex. Océ scanners have a trademark Océ red strip across the front of the scanner. It works, feels and is identical in every way to a Contex or similar OEM product.

Software provides the solution and makes the difference!

Years ago, when PCs were still microcomputers, Sharp ran an ad that stated "A computer without software is just a lump of iron". Ironically, (no pun intended!), Sharp's CP/M microcomputer failed because its advertised software only appeared six months after the ad ran. By then the IBM PC had arrived. The rest was history!

Océ understand that. They realise too that a scanner with everyday software is just an everyday scanner. For this reason Océ's emphasis is on providing top quality, professional scanning software that will elevate the quality of their customers' daily scanning and printing results above and beyond what Contex and other rival OEMs can deliver.

With the candour typical of a company intent on building business relationships rather than making a fast one-off scanner sale, Océ state that the only real physical difference between them, Contex and their Contex-badged rivals' products is their optional Océ Colour Copy software. This comprehensive professional software solution is ultimately designed to meet the needs of Print-for-Profit professionals requiring high volume, large format scanning and colour copying.

Print-for-Profit is a market where Océ are traditionally strong in high volume monochrome systems. Print-for-Profit refers to copy shops like Hobs Reprographics and Servicepoint where the output from the printer is sold for profit. Such shops are widely used by CAD users needing quick one-off large format scans and prints. Contex are also strong in this market. Customers choose Océ on the basis of strong relationships and the integration of their scanners with existing Océ systems. Océ believe that better integration is secured through Océ Colour Copy software.

Where a customer has a predominantly monochrome, low volume workflow, (like most CAD uses), Océ offer their more basic Océ Scan software with scan-to-file and scan-to-print capability. Océ Colour Copy is only purchased by customers with a colour requirement. Océ claim that scanning to file in colour is a growing requirement.

"We’ve made colour scanning simple" says Chris Goult, Product Manager, Wide Format Printing Systems, Océ (UK) Ltd. "The latest release of Océ Colour Copy software, gives users the freedom to copy and scan wide format documents the way they want. It gives users maximum control of the copying process, plus a flexible scan-to-file solution, supporting a wide range of file formats".

Users can now create templates to define all settings for specific jobs. It is also possible to assign those settings to specific users. The scan-to-file function has also been enhanced.

Océ Colour Copy software v8.1 is available as a free, Full or Lite licence. Every Océ scanner is shipped with a free Ultra-Lite version as standard. The customer can choose to upgrade to the Lite or Full version, depending upon their requirements.

  • Océ Colour Copy Ultra-Lite - Free.
  • Océ Colour Copy Lite - £1,745 (excl).
  • Océ Colour Copy Full - £4,245 (excl).
  • Discounts will vary per customer.

As you would expect the free Océ Colour Copy Ultra-Lite software is limited. It has a basic copy function but no scan-to-file, scan-to-email, raster editing, automatic size detection, batch copying, accounting, nesting, ICC profiles, subsystem (RIP) and will only support one printer.

The Océ Colour Copy Lite offers more advanced copying, scan-to-file and scan-to-email functions. It too only supports one printer. An upgrade path is available from Ultra-Lite all the way up to the Océ Colour Copy Full which includes accounting, ICC profiles, batch copying, scanning, raster editing and multiple printer support.

While the Océ Colour Copy software will work with other brands of printer, Océ Colour Copy software is only sold as standalone to customers who have an Océ scanner in situ.

Océ Colour Copy software runs on Windows platforms. It can only be used with Océ CS40xx and CS41xx colour scanners. It links scanners and printers to create a large format colour copying system. It enables a full colour copy solution from any of the following printers and scanners:

  • Océ CS40xx and Océ 41xx colour scanners.
  • Océ TDS, TCS printers and CS2024/CS2044 for CAD.
  • Océ CS5070/90, CS6000 and CS6100 for Graphics.
  • Seiko, Epson and HP printers.

Within CAD environments an Océ scanner can be added to Seiko, Epson and HP printers. Oce Colour Copy software provides backchannel information to the printers thereby integrating the scanner into the printing workflow. It offers scan-to-file functionality with the ability to view, edit and restore document archives.

"The new Océ 4100 range of wide format colour scanners give outstanding results from less than perfect originals, thanks to advanced, built-in image enhancement functions and preset optimal scan and copy modes. Maximum clarity and information retention is guaranteed, while automatic colour management ensures colours stay consistent over time and over separate jobs" says Chris Goult.

"The optional Océ Colour Copy software gives you the freedom to copy and scan your wide format documents exactly the way you want. You get maximum control of the copying process, plus a productive, flexible scan-to-file solution, supporting a wide range of file formats. A choice of 36, 42 and 54 inch scan widths covers all your media requirements".

Is that all that distinguishes Océ?

Océ primarily sell their scanners into the AEC and Print-for-Profit markets.

Océ claim to have a better brand recognition within the AEC market than rival scanner suppliers and a greater understanding of the major issues facing AEC customers. Océ stress that the AEC customer will see many differences in terms of service and support when dealing with Océ rather than with Contex or a Contex dealer.

Individual CAD users are unlikely to need a colour system as powerful as Océ offer. Much of their day-to-day scanning work (if indeed they do any at all) is scanning black-and-white technical drawings. However, the ability to do the occasional colour scan is very useful. An Océ Colour Copy system will certainly do far more than the majority of entry-level CAD users need.

If the customer has a predominantly monochrome workflow, Océ will recommend the purchase of one of the lower priced colour scanners, such as the Océ CS4136 (Chameleon G600) or Océ CS4136Q (Chameleon G600 Plus) with Océ Scan software (scan-to-file and scan-to-print). These scanners have a fast monochrome scanning speed and offer the monochrome user the advantage of being able to make a colour scan if and when needed, which is increasingly the case.

"Most customers are witnessing an increasing colour scanning requirement" says Chris.

The mix of an Océ scanner with Colour Copy software is far more likely to appeal to professional and corporate CAD users who want the security of investing in a successful, reputable supplier with a strong market profile, as well as the benefits of ongoing service, reliable support and the development of working relationships designed to last a lifetime.

We asked Océ for more details on their TDS solution for monochrome CAD users. This arrived too late to use before going to press. We'll cover Océ's monochrome TDS solution in-depth at a later date.

Wide Format Printing Systems,
Océ (UK) Ltd,
Océ House,
Chatham Way,
Brentwood,
Essex CM14 4DZ.
UK.
Website: http://www.oce.com/uk

 

THE WORTHWHILE WEB: Pro-Talk is a real .com success story!

Our thanks to Ralph Grabowski from whom we purloined the title of this section. Ralph's upFront eZine, 'The Business of CAD' is the best distillation of weekly CAD news on the net. We recommend it to the CAD user who wants to know more about the tools of their trade.

Scary Autodesk
Do you know that each time you start your computer AutoCAD 2006 and 2007 tell Autodesk's servers which version of AutoCAD is being used by you? Read more in Issue #495, 14th November 2006, "CAD Vendors Are Tracking You".

To Subscribe to Upfront eZine:
Send the message 'subscribe upfront' to subscribe@upfrontezine.com
Back issues can be found here: http://www.upfrontezine.com/welcome.htm
To access Ralph's WorldCAD Access Weblog: http://worldcadaccess.typepad.com

*******

Pro-Talk is a real .com success story!

This month we feature Pro-Talk who have developed and currently operate 13 web sites serving specific vertical business sectors, mainly in the engineering, construction and technical products areas. Chief among these is Engineeringtalk, a news and information website aimed at Product Design and Automation Engineers worldwide.

Sub-titled "The world's number 1 design news source ...updated daily" Engineeringtalk is edited by Chris Rand, one of the founders of Pro-Talk at the start of 2000. I first met him at the Which Computer? Show in Birmingham's NEC in about 1988 when he was trawling the halls for design news and I was selling TurboCAD, then still a South African CAD program from Pink Software.

Chris was previously the editor of Industrial Technology, (IT), the largest design engineering magazine in the UK, from its launch until 1999. IT was a tremendous source of sales leads under his energetic editorship. He has also worked in editorial positions on Design Engineering, Whats new in Design, Process Engineering, Technical Computing and Plastics and Rubber International.

Several years ago we met up in Cherry Hinton, Cambridge, for a lunch time beer during an England vs South Africa cricket match. Chris was wearing a monogrammed polo shirt that said "IT". I said how much I'd like to get an Industrial Technology shirt like that. Grimacing, he said "Actually, it's Ipswich Town Football Club". Such is Chris' devotion to this team, his Pro-Talk web site says "his mood is dependent on the fortunes of Ipswich Town FC".

With over 43040 news releases from 4047 suppliers ProTalk is one of the most comprehensive technical news resources on the web. It currently has circa 170,000 registered readers of these newsletters and receives in excess of 1.5 million unique visitors to its sites each month. The free weekly email newsletters can be subscribed to. Pro-Talk is published in the United Kingdom but enjoys a massive worldwide readership. There are French, German, Italian and Spanish versions.

You can see examples of the Pro-Talk web sites below. These links will take you to each site's Scan2CAD pages. To go to the site's Home Page, click on Home: About Us, at bottom right on the Scan2CAD page.

Scan2CAD

Scanners4CAD

To go to each site's Scanners4CAD pages click on the links below. To go to the site's Home Page, click on Home: About Us, at bottom right on the Scan2CAD page.

Pro-Talk was recently purchased by Centaur, the specialist business publishing and information company, for an initial consideration of £4 million in cash. Further payment of consideration may be made, subject to earnings in the twelve month periods ending 30th September 2006 and 30th September 2007. The final consideration payable under the earn-out is based on a multiple of six times operating profit and is capped at £14m.

This makes Pro-Talk a real .com success story.

Nice one Chris! You have laboured long and hard to make your own luck. You deserve this success.