Advice on Scanning Large Art

[theVisitor]

I have a large piece of original art (approx 30" x 20") that I would like to scan. Does anyone have a method that they have used with some success to get this done ?

 

Any help is appreciated.

 

Thanks

 

Phil

[hypno-migration]

There are two methods I've used...

 

Using Photoshop (or other photo software) and a scanner of any size, you can piece together separate scans into one image. It's a lot of rotating and eyeballing but not too difficult to do.

 

The other method is to call your local copy shop/Kinko's/university library and see if they have a large oversize scanner. These scanners will usually scan up to 42" wide. The problem with these scanners is that they use rollers to grip the paper to run it over the scanning strip. If you have a valuable page I would be a little leery of using these as it might smear ink, move stats, or crack whiteout (depending on the page) or if the paper is thin, may crumple the page.

[pinupcartoonguy]

For something that big, I would just use a camera.

[hypno-migration]

links to a videos showing how to composite scan in Photoshop...

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL4x2-y8Ofo

[theVisitor]

Thanks for the help ! (thumbs u

 

--Phil

[alxjhnsn]

I live in Houston and a company here, Houston Photo Imaging (HPI), that does advertising work. They have a flatbed scanner that can handle items as thick as 3" to 4" and as wide as 40". The length does not seem to matter since their software can stitch it (probably Photoshop). I've used them for large pieces.

 

I suspect that if you contact local museums or advertising firms in your area and describe what you are trying to do they can refer you to a company like this. That's how I found HPI.

[mister_not_so_nice]

One of my favorite artists, BEN TOLMAN, recently said e scanned his latest piece in 80+ sections and pieced it together.

He's obviously fond of tediousness

[Eric Seffinga]

 

Did you not see his art? It's more than obvious.

[Artboy99]

As Hypno above mentioned, multiple scans then piece it together using a paint program.

The Silver Surfer 4 in my link below was a 20x30 piece.

 

[Guest Grails]

Scanning in sections is fine as most have mentioned but for oil paintings, go with a photography studio. It can cost you around $100 for several shots. They can give you the images on a CD or your thumbdrive.