I've been developing some web sites that include some graphics, mainly related to objects or graphs. But when I started to include some pictures I couldn't obtain the image quality I expected to. I had a little flatbed scanner (Canon FB320P), a LED scanner. So I thought that the problem was the scanner, and I bought a Canon FB1200S, a 1200 dpi, with a cold cathod fluorescent lamp, and I could improve the scan quality. The image looks kind of diffuse and full of "dots" that generate an irregular colored image. So, what's my problem? The scanner? The scanning procedure?

By the way. A friend of mine showed me the image quality he can obtain with an $80.00, 300dpi, unknown scanner, without any further modifications to the image. He simply scans and obtains great results. I would really appreciate your answers to my question.

-- Roberto Mendoza (datos@sv.cciglobal.net), December 09, 1999

Answers

It's difficult to diagnose without seeing the scans. Why not tell us the URL, so we can see for ourselves?

-- Alan Gibson (Alan.Gibson@technologist.com), December 09, 1999.

Sounds like a "moire" pattern, especially if you are scanning a printed page, etc. The printed dots and scanner elements will do that. You might want to check out this link. http://www.scantips.com/ Now that I've got a scanner I'll be revisiting alot! Also goes into a lot of helpful detail about selecting sizes for onscreen, email and printing applications.

-- Craig Gillette (cgillette@thegrid.net), December 10, 1999.

The final image you describe sounds like a photo converted to GIF mode with a small color palette. Are you using GIF format for your photos? You should be scanning the image and saving as a JPEG file for photos.

-- Dennis Pereira (dpereira@ultranet.com), January 12, 2000.