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1. Use the best quality original you can find

2. Launch the scanner software (usually Deskscan or Ofoto).

3. Position the material to be scanned in the active corner of the scanner plate. (Usually indicated by arrow.)

4. Be sure to align it as square as possible along horizontal and vertical.

5. Use the preview button to do quick scan to see the position of the target image.

6 Use the crosshair selection tool to draw a rectangle around the image to be scanned. Make this as tight as possible. Any extra area will take more time and consume more storage space. (In final scan, the scanner will only scan the final rectangle.)

7. Pick the proper resolution for output. This determines the dots per inch of information that will be captured. If you are just going to use it in monitor based multimedia such as Director then "Screen" resolution is proper (72 dpi). If you are going to use it in actual desktop publishing to be printed on high resolution printer then 300 dpi may be appropriate. (Remember, higher dpi takes more storage and time. The same size image will take approximately 16 times more storage at 300 dpi than at 72 dpi.)

8 Pick the proper setting for the nature of the image. If it is color or B&W photo type image with gradations of grey scale, then pick "Photo". If it is line drawing, pick line drawing. This sets the amount of color/gray information for each pixel. (Some scanners actually let you pick bits per pixel. 2 is B&W 256 is normal color or gray scale.)

9. After scanning is done, pick the "save as" option in file menu to save your image. Pick "PICT", GIF or JPEG if you image is destined for display on monitor screen; "TIFF" if it going to be desktop published. Make sure you have selected folder destination to be student workspace or your own floppy. Watch the remaining area you have. Scanned images can take a lot of space. Add ".PICT,GIF or JPG" or "TIFF" to the name so the format will be clear.

10. You can use the contrast and brightness settings on the scanning software to adjust the image before final scanning, but Photoshop will give you more control on all image qualities..
11. Preparing images for Director. Once the image is in GIF, JPEG, or PICT format, it can be imported into Director. Place it in a folder near your director movie. Go to File menu and pick "Import". You will be given options of standard import or link to external file. You will also be given the option of what color resolution to bring in. The defaults are standard import and 16 bits map to stage. (more explanation will be offered in class)

12 Graphics Formats. Anyone working with computer media must be aware of different formats and their functions. The table below offers a brief overview.