How Silverfast 8 Can Enhance Your Scanner Performance on Mac
Silverfast 8 Download Mac: How to Get the Best Scanner Software for Your Mac
If you have a scanner and a Mac, you might be wondering how to get the best quality scans from your device. You might have tried the software that came with your scanner, but found it lacking in features, performance, or compatibility. Or you might have searched online for a better alternative, but got confused by the plethora of options available. Well, look no further than Silverfast 8, the market leader in scanner software for Mac and Windows. In this article, we will show you how to download, install, and use Silverfast 8 on your Mac, and how to get the most out of its powerful features.
Silverfast 8 Download Mac
What is Silverfast 8 and Why Do You Need It?
Silverfast 8 is a scanner software that optimizes your scans and produces perfect images. It is individually adjusted to about 340 different scanner models, so it can bring out the maximum quality from any device. It also supports the latest Mac operating systems, including macOS Mojave, Catalina, Big Sur, and Monterey .
Silverfast 8 Features and Benefits
Some of the features and benefits of Silverfast 8 are:
WorkflowPilot: A step-by-step assistant that guides you through all the important processing steps, from scanning to saving your image.
Professional Color Management: A system that ensures accurate color reproduction by using individual color profiles for each scanner and integrated auto IT8 calibration.
iSRD & SRDx: Two tools that efficiently remove dust and scratches from your scans, either by using infrared technology or by using software algorithms.
NegaFix: A tool that converts negative film to positive images by using individual negative profiles for different film types.
Tools for Automatic and Manual Optimization: A range of tools that let you adjust brightness, contrast, color, sharpness, noise, grain, exposure, histogram, gradation curves, selective color correction, unsharp masking, multi-exposure, auto frame alignment, auto focus optimization, and more.
Lossless RAW Data Concept: A concept that allows you to save your scans as RAW data image files, which contain all the information that can be captured by your scanner. This way, you can edit your scans later without losing any quality.
Silverfast 8 Editions and Prices
Silverfast 8 comes in three editions: BASIC, PLUS, and PREMIUM. The BASIC edition costs US$49 and offers basic scan assistant, one-click image optimization, film and color profiles, help videos, time-saving batch scanning features, and more. The PLUS edition costs US$99 and offers all the features of the BASIC edition, plus advanced image optimization tools, such as iSRD, SRDx, NegaFix, multi-exposure, auto frame alignment, auto focus optimization, and more. The PREMIUM edition costs US$299 and offers all the features of the PLUS edition, plus professional color management tools, such as IT8 calibration, printer calibration, and soft proofing. You can also upgrade from one edition to another by paying the difference in price.
How to Download and Install Silverfast 8 on Your Mac
Downloading and installing Silverfast 8 on your Mac is easy and fast. Just follow these steps:
Check the Compatibility of Your Scanner and Mac OS
Before you download Silverfast 8, you need to make sure that your scanner and your Mac OS are compatible with the software. You can check the compatibility list on the official website, or use the Silverfast Scanner Finder tool to find the best software for your scanner model. If your scanner is not supported by Silverfast 8, you can try Silverfast 6.6 or Silverfast HDR instead.
Download Silverfast 8 from the Official Website
Once you have confirmed the compatibility of your scanner and Mac OS, you can download Silverfast 8 from the official website. You can choose to download a free trial version or buy a full version. The trial version is valid for 14 days and has all the features of the PREMIUM edition, except for IT8 calibration and printer calibration. The full version requires a serial number that you will receive by email after purchasing the software.
Install Silverfast 8 as a Stand-alone Software or a Photoshop Plug-in
After downloading Silverfast 8, you can install it as a stand-alone software or a Photoshop plug-in. The stand-alone software allows you to scan and edit your images without using any other program. The Photoshop plug-in allows you to scan your images directly into Photoshop and use its editing tools. To install Silverfast 8 as a stand-alone software, double-click on the downloaded file and follow the instructions on the screen. To install Silverfast 8 as a Photoshop plug-in, copy the file "SilverFast (your scanner model).plugin" from the downloaded folder to the folder "Applications/Adobe Photoshop/Plug-ins/Import-Export". Then restart Photoshop and select "File/Import/SilverFast (your scanner model)" to launch the software.
How to Use Silverfast 8 to Scan and Optimize Your Images
Using Silverfast 8 to scan and optimize your images is simple and intuitive. Here are the basic steps:
Launch Silverfast 8 and Select Your Scanner
If you installed Silverfast 8 as a stand-alone software, launch it from your Applications folder or Dock. If you installed it as a Photoshop plug-in, launch it from Photoshop's File menu. Then select your scanner from the drop-down menu at the top left corner of the screen.
Adjust the Scan Settings and Preview Your Image
On the left side of the screen, you will see a panel with various scan settings, such as resolution, mode, format, bit depth, color space, etc. You can adjust these settings according to your preferences and needs. For example, if you want to scan a photo in high quality, you can choose a high resolution (e.g., 300 dpi), a color mode (e.g., RGB), a lossless format (e.g., TIFF), a high bit depth (e.g., 48 bit), and a wide color space (e.g., Adobe RGB). On the right side of the screen, you will see a preview window that shows your image before scanning. You can use the zoom tool to inspect your image in detail, or use the crop tool to select only the area that you want to scan.
Apply the Tools for Automatic and Manual Optimization
On the bottom of the screen, you will see a toolbar with various tools for automatic and manual optimization of your image. You can use these tools to enhance your image quality and correct any flaws or defects. For example, you can use the Auto button to let Silverfast 8 automatically adjust brightness, contrast, color balance, etc., or use the Histogram button to manually adjust the tonal range of your image, or use the Gradation Curves button to manually adjust the contrast and brightness of different color channels. You can also use the iSRD button to automatically remove dust and scratches from your image, or use the SRDx button to manually mark and remove dust and scratches. You can also use the NegaFix button to automatically convert negative film to positive images, or use the Multi-Exposure button to scan your image multiple times with different exposures and combine them into one image with higher dynamic range. You can experiment with different tools and settings until you are satisfied with your image quality.
Save Your Image as a RAW Data File or a Standard Format
When you are done with scanning and optimizing your image, you can save it as a RAW data file or a standard format. A RAW data file is a file that contains all the information that can be captured by your scanner, without any compression or loss of quality. A standard format is a file that compresses your image and reduces its size, but also loses some quality and information. To save your image as a RAW data file, click on the JobManager button on the bottom toolbar, and then click on the Save button on the top toolbar. Choose a name and a location for your file, and select HDRi as the format. This will save your image as a 64-bit HDRi RAW file, which you can edit later with Silverfast HDR Studio or other software. To save your image as a standard format, click on the General button on the bottom toolbar, and then click on the Save button on the top toolbar. Choose a name and a location for your file, and select a format such as TIFF, JPEG, PNG, etc. This will save your image as a compressed file, which you can view or share with other programs.
Tips and Tricks for Getting the Most Out of Silverfast 8
Silverfast 8 is a powerful scanner software that offers many features and options for improving your scans. Here are some tips and tricks for getting the most out of it:
Use the WorkflowPilot for a Step-by-step Guide
If you are new to Silverfast 8 or scanning in general, you can use the WorkflowPilot feature to get a step-by-step guide on how to scan and optimize your images. The WorkflowPilot is a wizard that shows you all the important processing steps in a logical order, from selecting your scanner to saving your image. It also gives you tips and explanations on each step, and automatically adjusts the scan settings according to your preferences. To use the WorkflowPilot, click on the WorkflowPilot button on the top toolbar, and follow the instructions on the screen.
Calibrate Your Scanner with the IT8 Calibration Tool
If you want to ensure accurate color reproduction from your scanner, you can calibrate it with the IT8 calibration tool. The IT8 calibration tool is a feature that creates an individual color profile for your scanner by using an IT8 target, which is a standardized color chart that contains various color patches. By scanning the IT8 target and comparing it with its reference file, Silverfast 8 can measure and correct any color deviations from your scanner. This way, you can get consistent and accurate colors from any scanner model. To use the IT8 calibration tool, you need to have an IT8 target that matches your scanner type (e.g., reflective or transparent), and a reference file that contains the exact color values of each patch on the target. You can buy an IT8 target from LaserSoft Imaging or other vendors , or use one that came with your scanner if available. You also need to have a serial number that you will receive by email after purchasing the software or the IT8 target. To use the IT8 calibration tool, click on the IT8 button on the bottom toolbar, and follow the instructions on the screen.
Remove Dust and Scratches with the iSRD and SRDx Tools
If your scans have dust and scratches, you can use the iSRD and SRDx tools to remove them. The iSRD tool uses infrared technology to detect and remove dust and scratches from your scans, but it only works with scanners that have an infrared channel. The SRDx tool uses software algorithms to detect and remove dust and scratches from your scans, and it works with any scanner. To use the iSRD tool, click on the iSRD button on the bottom toolbar, and adjust the settings according to your preferences. To use the SRDx tool, click on the SRDx button on the bottom toolbar, and mark the areas that you want to clean with the brush tool.
Convert Negative Film to Positive Images with the NegaFix Tool
If you want to scan negative film and convert it to positive images, you can use the NegaFix tool. The NegaFix tool uses individual negative profiles for different film types to achieve accurate color conversion. You can choose from a list of predefined profiles, or create your own custom profile. To use the NegaFix tool, click on the NegaFix button on the bottom toolbar, and select a profile that matches your film type. You can also adjust the settings such as brightness, contrast, color balance, etc., to fine-tune your image.
Conclusion and FAQs
Silverfast 8 is a scanner software that can help you get the best quality scans from your scanner and Mac. It offers many features and benefits that can optimize your scans and produce perfect images. It is compatible with about 340 different scanner models and supports the latest Mac operating systems. It is easy to download, install, and use, and it comes in three editions: BASIC, PLUS, and PREMIUM. You can also use various tools for automatic and manual optimization of your scans, such as WorkflowPilot, IT8 calibration, iSRD, SRDx, NegaFix, multi-exposure, etc. With Silverfast 8, you can scan and edit your images like a pro.
Here are some FAQs that you might have about Silverfast 8:
Q: How can I get a free trial of Silverfast 8?
A: You can download a free trial version of Silverfast 8 from the official website. The trial version is valid for 14 days and has all the features of the PREMIUM edition, except for IT8 calibration and printer calibration.
Q: How can I upgrade from one edition of Silverfast 8 to another?
A: You can upgrade from one edition of Silverfast 8 to another by paying the difference in price. You can do this online through the official website or offline by contacting LaserSoft Imaging.
Q: How can I get support for Silverfast 8?
A: You can get support for Silverfast 8 by visiting the official website and accessing the online help center, which contains manuals, tutorials, videos, FAQs, forums, etc. You can also contact LaserSoft Imaging by phone or email for technical assistance.
Q: How can I update Silverfast 8?
A: You can update Silverfast 8 by downloading and installing the latest version from the official website. The updates are free for registered users.
Q: How can I uninstall Silverfast 8?
A: You can uninstall Silverfast 8 by dragging it to the Trash from your Applications folder or Dock. If you installed it as a Photoshop plug-in, you also need to delete it from the Photoshop Plug-ins folder.
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