SilverFast
SilverFast is a family of software for image scanning and processing, including photos, documents and slides, developed by LaserSoft Imaging. There are also other applications for image processing using digital cameras or printers, and for 48-bit raw data image processing.
History
SilverFast was introduced in 1995 and is still under development today. Some scanner manufacturers bundle their hardware with SilverFast software. Some of the features developed for SilverFast, especially in the area of color management, error detection and automatic dust and scratch removal, have been patented. The European Digital Press Association named SilverFast the "Best colour management software of the year 2008" for improving the dynamic range of most scanners and for creating ICC profiles automatically. In 2011, version 8 was introduced, and HDR imaging software followed in 2012. SilverFast 9 was released in 2020.Patents
- 2005: Patent granted on barcode technology used for the Auto IT8 Calibration.
- 2008: Patent granted on technology used for SilverFast Multi-Exposure@.
- 2023: Patent granted on the ExpressScan, a scanning method that reduces scanning time for flatbed scanners.
Products
SilverFast is supplied configured for the specified scanner model. If several scanners are operated, it is therefore necessary to purchase a corresponding number of additional licenses. Upgrade rates are also offered when purchasing a new scanner.Overview of the available products:
| Scanner Software | HDR Software | Archiving Software | Photoshop Plug-ins |
| SilverFast SE | SilverFast HDR | SilverFast Archive Suite 1), 2) | SRDx Plug-in |
| SilverFast SE Plus 1), 2) | SilverFast HDR Studio | ||
| SilverFast Ai Studio 1), 2) | |||
| SilverFast X-Ray |
1) including: Multi-Exposure 2) optional: ICC Printer Calibration
Optional features
As marked in the table above, some products are available with additional features:Multi-Exposure – an exposure blending technique for scanning transparent originals like slides, negatives, and film strips with increased dynamic range. This is accomplished by scanning the original multiple times with different exposure times, increasing the dynamic range and preserving detail in the light and shadow areas of the image. Multi-Exposure does not work with reflective originals and differs from "Multi-Sampling," which also scans multiple times but with unaltered exposure.
ICC Printer Calibration – calibrates the printer using a previously calibrated flatbed scanner as the measuring device for profiling the printer.
SilverFast scanner software
It can be used as a stand-alone application, as a Photoshop plug-in, or as a universal TWAIN module. Versions include:- SilverFast SE
- SilverFast SE Plus
- SilverFast Ai Studio
- SilverFast X-Ray
SilverFast HDR software
SilverFast HDR processes 48-bit raw images. Many newer scanners are able to output the image directly with all available data instead of reducing it to 24-bit; this 48-bit raw image can be saved immediately and digital processing performed later.- SilverFast HDR
- SilverFast HDR Studio
HDR Studio has AACO, JPEG 2000, USMPlus, CloneTool and PrinTao.
HDRi (64Bit RAW data with infrared channel)
With version 6.6.1 any SilverFast HDR version supports the proprietary RAW data format HDRi. These 64-bit HDRi color files and 32-bit HDRi greyscale files contain additional 16-bit infrared RAW data besides the 48-bit color RAW data and 16-bit greyscale RAW data respectively. Therefore, a scanner with an infrared channel available to the software is necessary. This RAW format can keep any readable image information for later post-processing.The acronym "HDR" as used by SilverFast is not related to High-dynamic-range imaging, a widely used technique to increase the dynamic range of images.
The data format is:
| Format | Encoding | Compression | Color space | Color depth | Dynamic range | Relative gradation |
| HDRi | RGB | none | RGB | 64 = 48 + 16 | 4,8 | 0,0014% |
| HDRi | RGB | none | RGB | 32 = 16 + 16 | 4,8 | 0,0014% |
SilverFast archiving software
The SilverFast Archive Suite includes SilverFast Ai Studio and SilverFast HDR Studio with an integrated color management system. This package is suitable for archiving slides, negatives, and photos, whereas the post-processing can take place any time after scanning.- SilverFast Archive Suite – consisting of SilverFast Ai Studio and SilverFast HDR Studio
PrintTao 8
PrintTao 8 is a discontinued software product for Canon and Epson large format printers. It could be used as a stand-alone application or as a plug-in for Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom. PrinTao 8 handled color management and all printer driver settings. It contained various printing templates such as pack templates for portrait photographers, or gallery wrap templates for printing on canvas.SRDx Photoshop plug-in
SRDx is a plug-in for Adobe Photoshop to remove defects like dust particles, specks, small scratches and finger prints from digital images. Most dust and scratch removal tools use blur effects which degrade overall image quality. SRDx works without any unsharpening effects. It uses an adjustable automatic detection of dust and scratches that can be fine-tuned manually using a defect marker and a rubber tool.SilverFast DC
SilverFast DC is a discontinued stand-alone software for digital camera image processing. It contained features for reading the image data from the camera, for processing, optimizing, and archiving the images on the computer, as well as for printing the edited images.IT8 calibration and color management
Scanner calibration: SilverFast is equipped with a color management system that enables largely automated IT8 color calibration of the scanner using IT8 targets supplied by the manufacturer, LaserSoft Imaging.- according to ISO standard 12641-1 : conventional standard
- according to ISO standard 12641-2 : new standard for a more precise IT8 calibration with about 3 times the number of measuring fields. LaserSoft Imaging cooperated for creating this standard.
Supported devices
SilverFast supports 325 scanners.Most Microsoft Windows-only 35mm USB scanners sold under various names are not supported. Each scanner model requires a separate license.