Basic scan cleaning

First of all, there's no "right" way to do this, it's just the method I use. You may as well invent your own or variate my method, it all depends on what you see fit.
This tutorial is written for Photoshop CS2 but it might work on other versions as well.

OK then, let's pick a scan. I chose the one below, since it's more grainy than others. Scanned it myself, from the W.I.T.C.H. comic, which is © Disney.

Duplicate your Background layer (right-click, Duplicate Layer) and you'll get a layer called Background copy. With this new layer selected, go to Filter -> Blur -> Gaussian Blur and enter a value around 1.5-2.5 (I used 1.5). Now, the Background copy layer looks all blurry and misty; set the layer's Blending Mode to Screen, like in the image below:

Now, duplicate the Background copy layer (the one set to Screen); you'll now have Background copy 2, which is also set to Screen. Set it to Multiply. The scan looks pretty bad, doesn't it? Let's work on the Fill, then! Enter these values (the Fill option is right next to the Blending Mode one):
Background copy (the Multiply one): 50% Fill
Background copy 2 (the Screen one): 40% Fill

It doesn't look that bad anymore, does it? But it's still a bit grainy, so we'll fix that as well. Duplicate the Background layer (the very first one you had when you started working); now you've got Background copy 3. Go to Filter -> Blur -> Box Blur and enter a value of 2-3 (I used 3). Set the Blending Mode to Soft Light and set the Opacity to 80% and Fill to 70%.

Duplicate Background copy 3 (the Soft Light layer), place Background copy 4 above the other layers, set the Blending Mode to Color and the Opacity and Fill to 100%. This step can be left out; it merely assures you've got a similar palette of colors as before you started working on the scan, since all that blending changes the hues.

Now, select the Background layer and go to Image -> Adjustments -> Levels... (or hit Ctrl+L). Fill in the Input Levels: 20, 1.00 and 216. That'll enhance the contrast on your image and make it clearer. Also check the order of the layers, since it's very important. And congratulations! You're done enhancing your image!

Well, this is it! It isn't much, but it's what I usually do when cleaning scans, especially since the scanner starts acting up after 3-4 pictures ^_^" I think I'll post a Part 2 on this one, the Advanced part. Hopefully, I'll be done with it soon. It'll be made for more difficult scans, like ones that have excessive artifacts and need reconstruction. Drop me a line if there's something you want to add or ask ^_^

This tutorial was written by Olivia. No part may be reproduced without the author's approval.

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Basic scan cleaning



	Main Index About Contact Credits Guest book Links Terms of service Webmistress Tutorials index Affiliates Rays Of Style Kawaii Designs Esor Gallery Apply? Credits Layout Textures/Brushes more...		Basic scan cleaning First of all, there's no "right" way to do this, it's just the method I use. You may as well invent your own or variate my method, it all depends on what you see fit. This tutorial is written for Photoshop CS2 but it might work on other versions as well. OK then, let's pick a scan. I chose the one below, since it's more grainy than others. Scanned it myself, from the W.I.T.C.H. comic, which is © Disney. Duplicate your Background layer (right-click, Duplicate Layer) and you'll get a layer called Background copy. With this new layer selected, go to Filter -> Blur -> Gaussian Blur and enter a value around 1.5-2.5 (I used 1.5). Now, the Background copy layer looks all blurry and misty; set the layer's Blending Mode to Screen, like in the image below: Now, duplicate the Background copy layer (the one set to Screen); you'll now have Background copy 2, which is also set to Screen. Set it to Multiply. The scan looks pretty bad, doesn't it? Let's work on the Fill, then! Enter these values (the Fill option is right next to the Blending Mode one): Background copy (the Multiply one): 50% Fill Background copy 2 (the Screen one): 40% Fill It doesn't look that bad anymore, does it? But it's still a bit grainy, so we'll fix that as well. Duplicate the Background layer (the very first one you had when you started working); now you've got Background copy 3. Go to Filter -> Blur -> Box Blur and enter a value of 2-3 (I used 3). Set the Blending Mode to Soft Light and set the Opacity to 80% and Fill to 70%. Duplicate Background copy 3 (the Soft Light layer), place Background copy 4 above the other layers, set the Blending Mode to Color and the Opacity and Fill to 100%. This step can be left out; it merely assures you've got a similar palette of colors as before you started working on the scan, since all that blending changes the hues. Now, select the Background layer and go to Image -> Adjustments -> Levels... (or hit Ctrl+L). Fill in the Input Levels: 20, 1.00 and 216. That'll enhance the contrast on your image and make it clearer. Also check the order of the layers, since it's very important. And congratulations! You're done enhancing your image! Well, this is it! It isn't much, but it's what I usually do when cleaning scans, especially since the scanner starts acting up after 3-4 pictures ^_^" I think I'll post a Part 2 on this one, the Advanced part. Hopefully, I'll be done with it soon. It'll be made for more difficult scans, like ones that have excessive artifacts and need reconstruction. Drop me a line if there's something you want to add or ask ^_^ This tutorial was written by Olivia. No part may be reproduced without the author's approval.