Polaroid Dust and Scratch Remover

  • Thread starter Thread starter John Corliss
  • Start date Start date
J

John Corliss

While I was surfing around this morning looking for a scanner, I ran
into the Polaroid Dust and Scratch Remover Utility. From what I can
tell, it's free for the taking. I saw no limitations, so I downloaded,
installed and tested it. It works almost as good as if not better than
(for you imaging specialists) Digital Ice. Here's the link:

http://www.polaroid.com/service/software/poladsr/poladsr.html

Not only that, but there are both PC and Mac versions available at the
site. Note that there are separate download links for the program and
a .pdf readme. However, the program comes with an excellent help file.
If you're into digital imaging, tip for the wise: download this
program quickly before it disappears.
 
Newsreader:
While I was surfing around this morning looking for a scanner, I ran
into the Polaroid Dust and Scratch Remover Utility.
http://www.polaroid.com/service/software/poladsr/poladsr.html
Click to expand...


Helicon NoiseFilter
http://helicon.com.ua/pages/index.php?noisefilter

NoiseFilter is a very powerful but handy and easy-to-use
tool to remove noise from your digital images.

NoiseFilter uses sofisticated algorithm that differs
dramatically from the usual "blur" method widely used
in most noise filters. Our algorithm leaves all small
details intact while totally removing digital noise
from homogeneous areas like sky or skin.

Interface features:
-double window to simultaneously compare original
image and result
-preview mode to select best option in a few seconds
-reading and saving images in JPG or BMP formats
-zooming up to 1000%
-simplicity: only one tuning control

Free version of NoiseFilter is fully functional and has
no limitation on image resolution, terms of use, etc.

Download page
http://helicon.com.ua/pages/index.php?id=nfdownload



/CoMa


--
Conny (CoMa) Magnusson
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.algonet.se/~hubbabub/
ICQ : 1351964
=============================
Fact of life #15: Heads bleed, walls don't
 
CoMa said:
Newsreader:




Helicon NoiseFilter
http://helicon.com.ua/pages/index.php?noisefilter

NoiseFilter is a very powerful but handy and easy-to-use
tool to remove noise from your digital images.

NoiseFilter uses sofisticated algorithm that differs
dramatically from the usual "blur" method widely used
in most noise filters. Our algorithm leaves all small
details intact while totally removing digital noise
from homogeneous areas like sky or skin.

Interface features:
-double window to simultaneously compare original
image and result
-preview mode to select best option in a few seconds
-reading and saving images in JPG or BMP formats
-zooming up to 1000%
-simplicity: only one tuning control

Free version of NoiseFilter is fully functional and has
no limitation on image resolution, terms of use, etc.

Download page
http://helicon.com.ua/pages/index.php?id=nfdownload
Click to expand...

Sounds like a good one too. Thanks. When it comes to programs for
digital imaging, too many is not enough. Will download your suggestion
too.
 
John said:
While I was surfing around this morning looking for a scanner, I ran
into the Polaroid Dust and Scratch Remover Utility. From what I can
tell, it's free for the taking. I saw no limitations, so I downloaded,
installed and tested it. It works almost as good as if not better than
(for you imaging specialists) Digital Ice. Here's the link:

http://www.polaroid.com/service/software/poladsr/poladsr.html

Not only that, but there are both PC and Mac versions available at the
site. Note that there are separate download links for the program and a
.pdf readme. However, the program comes with an excellent help file. If
you're into digital imaging, tip for the wise: download this program
quickly before it disappears.
Click to expand...

Hi John,

Glad to hear it works so well (better get myself a copy). This is the
program description page:

http://www.polaroid.com/global/deta...4374302023779&PRODUCT<>prd_id=845524441760086

Susan
 
CoMa said:
Helicon NoiseFilter
http://helicon.com.ua/pages/index.php?noisefilter
Click to expand...

also neat image, free for non commercial use, with a nag screen.

http://www.neatimage.com/download.html

an astonishing program, though. here's two pics of liv tyler in lotr, a scan
from a mag, before and after applying neatimage's default filter:
http://www.sundaysw.com/tmp/liv1.jpg 2.3mb
http://www.sundaysw.com/tmp/liv1_filtered.jpg 1.3mb
save them and slide back and forth with irfan at real size to check the
filter.
 
Hello, CoMa!
You wrote on Sun, 25 Apr 2004 15:53:07 +0200:

??>> While I was surfing around this morning looking for a scanner, I
??>> ran into the Polaroid Dust and Scratch Remover Utility.
??>> http://www.polaroid.com/service/software/poladsr/poladsr.html
Helicon NoiseFilter
http://helicon.com.ua/pages/index.php?noisefilter
Click to expand...

Very good, but 1.24 allowed additional effects in image editing (brightness,
contrast, saturation, blur, etc.) and newest 1.39 has no more this features.
What do you think about it?

Best regards.
 
Susan said:
Hi John,
Glad to hear it works so well (better get myself a copy). This is the
program description page:

http://www.polaroid.com/global/deta...4374302023779&PRODUCT<>prd_id=845524441760086
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, they imply that you need one of those scanners
(SprintScan 45 Ultra, SprintScan 4000 Plus, SprintScan 120) listed to
use the program. This isn't the case at all. The only thing that's
kinda weird about the program is that you can't save the processed
image from the view page. You have to hit Ctrl-S after closing that
window, and then the image is updated with the processing. Kinda hard
to figure out, but works quite well. I'm pickled tink about not having
to buy that Digital Ice now.
 
javalab said:
also neat image, free for non commercial use, with a nag screen.

http://www.neatimage.com/download.html

an astonishing program, though. here's two pics of liv tyler in lotr, a scan
from a mag, before and after applying neatimage's default filter:
http://www.sundaysw.com/tmp/liv1.jpg 2.3mb
http://www.sundaysw.com/tmp/liv1_filtered.jpg 1.3mb
save them and slide back and forth with irfan at real size to check the
filter.
Click to expand...

I have to say that I like the first one better, with noise and
everything. This types of programs soften the image making people look
like plastic dolls.
Their results aren't astonishing, are useless.
I have seen many before and after pics of some of this type of programs.
I have found that they don't improve the image only worsen it.
The same for red eyes removal. Of it is better than look like the devil
but not much better.

PS
Thank you for the image of Liv Tyler.

dM
 
Newsreader: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2800.1158
Hello, CoMa!
You wrote on Sun, 25 Apr 2004 15:53:07 +0200:

??>> While I was surfing around this morning looking for a scanner, I
??>> ran into the Polaroid Dust and Scratch Remover Utility.
??>> http://www.polaroid.com/service/software/poladsr/poladsr.html


Very good, but 1.24 allowed additional effects in image editing (brightness,
contrast, saturation, blur, etc.) and newest 1.39 has no more this features.
What do you think about it?
Click to expand...


I use IrfanView, PhotoFiltre or PaintShop Pro
to do those kind of enhancements, so I'm not
bothered that they took those effects away.



/CoMa


--
Conny (CoMa) Magnusson
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.algonet.se/~hubbabub/
ICQ : 1351964
=============================
Some of my best friends are people.
 
CoMa said:
I use IrfanView, PhotoFiltre or PaintShop Pro
to do those kind of enhancements, so I'm not
bothered that they took those effects away.
Click to expand...

Good point. That's why I said in another post to this thread:

"When it comes to programs for digital imaging, too many is not enough."

Eventually, you get all the features you need scattered among the
programs you have installed, freeware or not. Kind of a PITA to switch
from one program to another all the time, but still much better than
forking out the unrealistic amount that Adobe wants.

By the way, I tried the program you suggested, "NoiseFilter" and
compared the results with "Polaroid Dust and Scratch Remover Utility."
The latter gets much better results because it doesn't blur the image
overall as badly as "NoiseFilter." I.e. the automatic mask creation
works much better.
 
Newsreader:
By the way, I tried the program you suggested, "NoiseFilter" and
compared the results with "Polaroid Dust and Scratch Remover Utility."
The latter gets much better results because it doesn't blur the image
overall as badly as "NoiseFilter." I.e. the automatic mask creation
works much better.
Click to expand...


I think it is because these two programs target
different problems/errors in a photo.



/CoMa


--
Conny (CoMa) Magnusson
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.algonet.se/~hubbabub/
ICQ : 1351964
=============================
Sex on TV can't hurt you, unless you fall off!
 
John Corliss said:
"When it comes to programs for digital imaging, too many is not enough."

Eventually, you get all the features you need scattered among the
programs you have installed, freeware or not. Kind of a PITA to switch
from one program to another all the time, but still much better than
forking out the unrealistic amount that Adobe wants.
Click to expand...

Is there likely to be any downside (other than inconvenience)
associated with working on an image with a sequence of programs?

That is, will the image be "degraded" in a way that wouldn't happen if
it's all done under the control of a single program?

Or are the algorithms for doing all the various little tricks so
necessarily standardised for a particular format (e.g. JPEG) that it
doesn't matter much one way or the other?
By the way, I tried the program you suggested, "NoiseFilter" and
compared the results with "Polaroid Dust and Scratch Remover Utility."
The latter gets much better results because it doesn't blur the image
overall as badly as "NoiseFilter." I.e. the automatic mask creation
works much better.
Click to expand...

Well, I guess that answers my questions in part. :-)


Cheers, Phred.
 
Phred said:
Is there likely to be any downside (other than inconvenience)
associated with working on an image with a sequence of programs?
That is, will the image be "degraded" in a way that wouldn't happen if
it's all done under the control of a single program?
Or are the algorithms for doing all the various little tricks so
necessarily standardised for a particular format (e.g. JPEG) that it
doesn't matter much one way or the other?
Click to expand...

I guess the best answer to that is that it depends on the program
being used.
Well, I guess that answers my questions in part. :-)
Click to expand...

Phred,
If you're working on an image that's been saved as a .jpg file,
you're going to most likely degrade the image quality each time you
open, modify and save it. That's why I alway use a raw image (.tif or
..bmp format) while I'm working on it and opening it in various
programs. Once I'm happy with the image, I save the final version as a
..jpg.
On the other hand, sometimes I have to reopen and then save a .jpg
and in those cases, I turn down the compression as much as possible
(either zero or 1 percent.) I've noticed that a .jpg image saved with
maximum quality and minimum compression loses no image quality that I
can discern, and the file size is still much much smaller than when
saved as a .tif or .bmp.
 
CoMa said:
I think it is because these two programs target
different problems/errors in a photo.
Click to expand...

That could be part of it, but I think it's more likely the way that
the Polaroid program does it. Have you given it a try? That automatic
masking feature is adjustable and works really nicely.
 
Newsreader:
That could be part of it, but I think it's more likely the way that
the Polaroid program does it. Have you given it a try? That automatic
masking feature is adjustable and works really nicely.
Click to expand...

I tested both of the program on the Liv Tyler image,
I used the default settings. I think that NoiseFilter program made
a cleaner end result then Polaroid did.

But I think a combination use of the two programs would produce
a very good end result.


/CoMa


--
Conny (CoMa) Magnusson
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.algonet.se/~hubbabub/
ICQ : 1351964
=============================
Love is like the measles,
we all have to go through it.
 
CoMa said:
I tested both of the program on the Liv Tyler image,
I used the default settings. I think that NoiseFilter program made
a cleaner end result then Polaroid did.
But I think a combination use of the two programs would produce
a very good end result.
Click to expand...

Interesting. My results (using an image from a slide I scanned) were
the exact opposite of those you obtained.
 
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