Scratch removal software -

[dantes]

I just got some scans back from ScanDigital - not bad - but I still need to do some scratch removal myself.

What do you all use?

I found this so far: http://alphatracks.com/archives/134

Thank you!

 

[MRohlfing]

Did you use it for B&W scans and do you like the results?

I use ICE for all E6 and C41 films and it works pretty well for dust and little scratches, but with "real" B&W films ICE does not work.

 

[pphuang]

If you have Photoshop, this technique works very well, and is relatively fast:

http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/the_online_photographer/2007/10/speedy-spotting.html

 

[dantes]

@MRohlfing - unfortunately, since they were scanned at ScanDigital, I had no control over using ICE at the time of scanning.

@pphuang - thanks - will give this a try!

Does PS CS5 have any new scratch removal tools? I still have PS3.

 

[pphuang]

Does PS CS5 have any new scratch removal tools? I still have PS3.

Not so great. The protocol outlined from the link basically uses the PS dust/scratch removal tool, but you are applying the results focally, rather than globally. This allows you to be a little more aggressive with the settings without making your whole image look like a blob.

 

[Robin P]

Polaroid Dust & Scratch Remover

Polaroid Dust & Scratch Remover

Always worth trying the free Polaroid Dust & Scratch Remover, officially discontinued but still available here
http://web.archive.org/web/20071015...roid.com/service/software/poladsr/pdsr1_0.exe

Cheers, Robin

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

I found this so far: http://alphatracks.com/archives/134

That's a link to Polaroid Dust and Scratch Removal application for Mac. Takes a couple of steps to get it, and I was skeptical because of the age.

I did download the file. The application actually works (in Snow Leopard, no less). Does what it claims. Builds a mask, let's you edit the mask, then does dust and scratch removal controlled by the mask. You can also mark specific dust and scratches manually. Works on JPEG or TIFF.

You can, of course, do all this is PhotoShop (see, for example, Bruce Fraser's methods), but here it is all packaged up. Looks like it might be useful.

 

[dantes]

thanks again everyone for the suggestions.

I just installed CS5 and using the heal brush with content aware turned on produced amazing results!

 

[charjohncarter]

I've tried the Polaroid S&D tool mentioned above, and find it better than the Adobe version. But they both can really mess things up. If it is a print that I want to really be nice, I use the healing tool from Adobe and spend too much time.

 

[tlitody]

I just use the clone tool in Photoshop for spotting and scratch removal. Its a manual operation but it only affects what you want it to affect.

 

[Mcary]

If you have Photoshop, this technique works very well, and is relatively fast:

http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/the_online_photographer/2007/10/speedy-spotting.html

I use this method but usually keep the radius setting to between 6 and 8 to take care of the smaller dust spots while for the larger ones and scratches I use the spot healing brush, healing brush and/or clone tool.