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Preparation of Scanned Documents for FamilySearch (view source)
Revision as of 12:42, 22 July 2015
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The value of documents used as sources in FamilySearch Family Tree or saved elsewhere can be enhanced by editing. | The value of documents used as sources in FamilySearch Family Tree or saved elsewhere can be enhanced by editing. | ||
Documents may be scanned from microfilm or from originals. Also documents may be downloaded from archives and other online sources. | Documents may be scanned from microfilm or from originals. Also documents may be downloaded from archives and other online sources. | ||
When working with scanned documents, be sure to consider the following: | When working with scanned documents, be sure to consider the following: | ||
*The legal rights one has for using a particular image (especially images coming from online archives). | *The legal rights one has for using a particular image (especially images coming from online archives). | ||
*Privacy concerns of living people. | *Privacy concerns of living people. | ||
== | == Basic image preparation == | ||
== Scanning from originals or microfilm == | |||
*Scan paper documents at a resolution of at least 300DPI. | When one creates a digital image from an original document or from microfilm: | ||
*Scan microfilm at 600DPI. The machine defaults at the Family History Library are 300DPI and should be changed to 600. | |||
*Using lower resolutions causes images to pixelate making reading, translation, and interpretation difficult. | *Scan paper documents at a resolution of at least 300DPI. | ||
*Attempt to get the best contrast and focus that the scanner is capable of. | *Scan microfilm at 600DPI. The machine defaults at the Family History Library are 300DPI and should be changed to 600. | ||
*Using lower resolutions causes images to pixelate making reading, translation, and interpretation difficult. | |||
*Attempt to get the best contrast and focus that the scanner is capable of. | |||
*Large documents may require using a camera. In this case, use as high a resolution camera as available, a tripod to keep the camera steady, and use ambient or side-lighting so that there is no visible glare on the document. | *Large documents may require using a camera. In this case, use as high a resolution camera as available, a tripod to keep the camera steady, and use ambient or side-lighting so that there is no visible glare on the document. | ||
=== Adjust scanned image quality in a photo editor === | === Adjust scanned image quality in a photo editor === | ||
*If necessary to improve readability, adjust the brightness, contrast, and/or gamma of the scanned image using a photo editor. | *If necessary to improve readability, adjust the brightness, contrast, and/or gamma of the scanned image using a photo editor. | ||
*Crop off black backgrounds and other unneeded margins. This makes the image appear larger when viewed on screen and avoids unnecessary use of ink/toner when printing. | *Crop off black backgrounds and other unneeded margins. This makes the image appear larger when viewed on screen and avoids unnecessary use of ink/toner when printing. | ||
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*If your family's entry is not dependent on other information in the document, you might consider simply cropping your information out. | *If your family's entry is not dependent on other information in the document, you might consider simply cropping your information out. | ||
=== Consider adding explanatory text to the | == Merging image with additional information == | ||
=== Plan A -- Add information to face of image === | |||
==== Consider adding explanatory text to the scan ==== | |||
Additional information might be added to the face of the image and is usually placed in a blank area created by increasing the canvas size of the image. | Additional information might be added to the face of the image and is usually placed in a blank area created by increasing the canvas size of the image. | ||
Such information might include: | Such information might include: | ||
*The microfilm number from which the scan was taken. | *The microfilm number from which the scan was taken. | ||
*The archive or repository where the original is stored. | *The archive or repository where the original is stored. | ||
*The URL from which the scan was downloaded. | *The URL from which the scan was downloaded. | ||
*If the document is somewhat illegible, a typed version of the information in the original. | *If the document is somewhat illegible, a typed version of the information in the original. | ||
*A translation of the original. | *A translation of the original. | ||
*Notes and clarifications. | *Notes and clarifications. | ||
*The name and contact information of the preparer. | *The name and contact information of the preparer. | ||
=== Adding canvas size to images === | ==== Adding canvas size to images ==== | ||
The technique for adding canvas size varies depending on the photo editor being used. | The technique for adding canvas size varies depending on the photo editor being used. | ||
Adding canvas size in | Adding canvas size in '''IrfanView''': | ||
*Select Image, Change Canvas Size. | *Select Image, Change Canvas Size. | ||
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*If results are good and will allow for sufficient text, it may be wise to now save the image with a new name so that your original scan is untouched. | *If results are good and will allow for sufficient text, it may be wise to now save the image with a new name so that your original scan is untouched. | ||
=== Adding text to images === | ==== Adding text to images ==== | ||
The technique for adding text varies depending on the photo editor being used. | The technique for adding text varies depending on the photo editor being used. | ||
Adding text in IrfanView: | Adding text in IrfanView: | ||
*Drag a box around the area where you want to place text. | *Drag a box around the area where you want to place text. | ||
*Select Edit, Insert Text. | *Select Edit, Insert Text. | ||
*Type or paste the text into the Text box. | *Type or paste the text into the Text box. | ||
*Select a font, a font size, and a font color. (IrfanView's default green color is hard to see.) | *Select a font, a font size, and a font color. (IrfanView's default green color is hard to see.) | ||
*Click the Preview button and look at the results in the image. Make font, size, and color adjustments as necessary. | *Click the Preview button and look at the results in the image. Make font, size, and color adjustments as necessary. | ||
*Click the OK button. | *Click the OK button. | ||
*Add additional text in different locations as desired. | *Add additional text in different locations as desired. | ||
*Save the image. | *Save the image. | ||
=== Plan B -- Merge image and additional information into PDF === | |||