Scanning

Scanning Everyday Objects to Make Original Backgrounds for Paper Craft Projects

The scanner is a great tool for computer graphics work. Today's generation of scanners has eliminated a lot of the guesswork to obtaining a great result.

Combining the capabilities of a scanner with the ever-increasing memory capacity of personal computers, high resolution scanning with amazing fidelity is within everyone's reach. (For more information on scanners, please visit Digital Tools Every Crafter Should Consider Owning.)

You can purchase clip art that includes decorative backgrounds and textures or you can make your own. If you want to sell your graphic design work, you need to make your own. Most graphics programs prohibit commercial use of their designs.

Think about the background designs and textures you want in your personal file. Then start collecting and scanning. Here are some ideas to get you going.

• Fabrics with interesting textures like canvas or muslin
• Papers with interesting textures like sandpaper or linen
• Wood veneers with nice graining
• Small items that can be set on your scanner bed such as pebbles, screws or buttons
• Items from nature like leaves, flower petals, ferns, twigs or sea shells

Be sure the scanner's glass is clean before arranging your design. Protect your scanner bed when using anything that might scratch the glass by putting a clear sheet of acetate on the glass before laying down your objects.

The higher your scanner resolution, the better the fidelity of your scan. The tradeoff is that your file will be larger and take longer to scan, save and open. For backgrounds, 360 dpi should be more than sufficient. If your program allows you to save files in JPEG format, you will save a lot of file space.

For example, the Print Shop (if necessary, type Print Shop into the Broderbund search box) file of the river rocks below was 126 MB(129,024 KB). But the JPEG file is a mere 79.5 KB.

Further, saving the JPEG at a lower color intensity saves even more space. The 30% river rock file on the right is only 36 KB. If you can save as JPEGs, find a color intensity that will meet your background needs and save that version. (Be sure you don't make it too light, because there's no going back!)

You can also play with the color.

I deepened the green on the feather ferns above for a softer, more natural look.

 

Adjusting Color Strength

Here's how to adjust the color strength.

Your graphics program should have a photo workshop where you can adjust the brightness/darkness.

You will usually want to brighten your scan to make it suitable as a background.

Your program may also have a tint bar which allows you to select a percentage of intensity.

When scanning bulky, three dimensional items, the scanner cover will not close properly.

Simply cover your design with an appropriate backdrop material. Experiment until you get the look you want. I used a white tee shirt for the river rocks.

Here are a couple more samples.

The blue cloud paper pattern was saved at 100% and the bougainvillea leaves at 20%.

 

For more articles about using your computer for paper crafts, please visit Computer Crafting, the gateway to all computer related articles on The Artful Crafter.