Using Photoshop to scan and save more than one photo at a go

[Ian]

The full version of Photoshop CS2 (and possibly some earlier versions) can be used to scan several photos in one go and separate them out in to their own edit windows, so they can be treated and saved separately, saving a lot of time in the process.

Arrange your photos on the scanner. Allow a reasonable gap between each one and ensure the outline of the photo is visible. If the photo is mostly white, for example, use a dark card as a background if the underneath of the scanner lid is white.

Scan in as usual so you will have a single edit window showing several photos.

Then use Photoshop's 'automate' options: File > Automate > Crop and Straighten Photos

Photoshop will then identify each picture, isolate it, straighten it if required and then open a new edit window for each picture found. You can then make further edits and then save each picture individually.

Do you have some handy Photoshop tips or is there a Photoshop headache you need clearing up? Let's hear from you here...

Ian

[lumix]

My Canon 3000F came with multi scan software which dose exactly the same in any editor. :\

[Ian]

Hi Ron, I'm not saying this particular Photoshop tip is for everyone :)

It will work on any image containing several rectangular originals of course and is independent of the scanner entirely.

Ian

[Stephen]

My Canon 3000F came with multi scan software which dose exactly the same in any editor. :\

So is this a feature of the Canon scanning software. In other words does it separate out a single scan of several images. Or are you scanning into the imaging software with Canon Twain and then your imaging software separates the images.

Ians example of course is purely a function of Photoshop and should work with any scanner and any resultant file.

[lumix]

So is this a feature of the Canon scanning software. In other words does it separate out a single scan of several images. Or are you scanning into the imaging software with Canon Twain and then your imaging software separates the images.

Ians example of course is purely a function of Photoshop and should work with any scanner and any resultant file.
Stephen here is an extract from the instruction book.
Multi-Photo mode scans multiple images at once, no need to perfectly align the images as the software automatically reads, straightens, and creates a separate file for each image.

I presume from that it is software driven. Handy if you have small images to start with. Can't fit many 5 x 7 or larger, so not a lot of use really.