I’m scrambling like crazy to get a million things done. So if you or anybody else can double-check my understanding of this, it would be very helpful.
Number substitutions happen on what machines? Do they happen on the default setting for the machine, or do you have to lower the quality and file size to get number substitutions? Did Xerox set up warnings for the user to know that substitutions could occur with those particular settings?
What settings are required to create an automatic clipping mask that takes off the outer edges of the scanned document? What settings create multiple layers, and are the layers created reproducible each time, or are they seemingly random? For instance, you lay the paper on the bed of the scanner. Then you press scan 5 different times, one right after the other, changing nothing and not even opening the lid of the scanner. Do all 5 scans give you the same layers - a reproducible result you would expect from a machine carrying out exact algorithms in a controlled setting? If you save a scan on the 7655 without previewing it, is the saved file different than if you preview it on the 7655 before saving it? If you send the scan directly in an email is it in PDF format? If they open it on a PC will they be able to move around pieces of content? If they open it on a Mac will they?
If you import a digital file to the copier does the copier make layers out of a digital file as well, before printing it?
Here are my understanding:
BD: Number substitutions happen on what machines? Do they happen on the default setting for the machine, or do you have to lower the quality and file size to get number substitutions?
A number of Xerox WorkCentre models exhibit this. At first it was reported that only the “normal” setting which is not the factory default setting caused this problem. But there are reports it happens at all settings.
Here is the latest from the German researcher:
BD: Did Xerox set up warnings for the user to know that substitutions could occur with those particular settings?
Yes, here is the reported warning,
“The normal quality option produces small file sizes by using advanced compression techniques. Image quality is generally acceptable, however, text quality degredation and character substitution errors may occur with some originals.”
BD: “What settings are required to create an automatic clipping mask that takes off the outer edges of the scanned document?”
That is actually two issues. The Xerox machines have a feature called EdgeErase which removes the edge of the document. It is designed to remove staple marks or three-hole punch marks. IIRC, the default is .1” This creates a white border around the edge of the document.
There is a clipping mask that is created by Preview when it is opened on a Mac. This is a separate border from the one created by the Xerox.
BD: “What settings create multiple layers, and are the layers created reproducible each time, or are they seemingly random? For instance, you lay the paper on the bed of the scanner.”
IDK the settings. The Xerox has a sheet feeder which would be the normal way it was fed into the machine. The blogger NBC did scan the same document three times and got three different results but I suspect that was using the sheet feeder.
BD: “If you save a scan on the 7655 without previewing it, is the saved file different than if you preview it on the 7655 before saving it?”
I don’t believe it has a screen for previewing the document before scanning like a computer hooked up to a scanner.
BD: “If you send the scan directly in an email is it in PDF format?”
From the Xerox manuals I seen, there are several file formats available including PDF, TIFF and JPEG. You can choose the format you want.
BD: “If they open it on a PC will they be able to move around pieces of content? If they open it on a Mac will they?”
As I understand it only if you open it in Illustrator.
BD: “If you import a digital file to the copier does the copier make layers out of a digital file as well, before printing it?”
IDK, can you even import a digital file?
Below are NBC’s responses to butterdezillion:
http://nativeborncitizen.wordpress.com/2013/08/15/butterdezillion-questions/
Butterdezillion questions
Posted on August 15, 2013 by NBC
Butterdezilion: I’m scrambling like crazy to get a million things done. So if you or anybody else can double-check my understanding of this, it would be very helpful.
NBC: I will see what I can do
Butterdezilion: Number substitutions happen on what machines? Do they happen on the default setting for the machine, or do you have to lower the quality and file size to get number substitutions? Did Xerox set up warnings for the user to know that substitutions could occur with those particular settings?
NBC: Yes, there were warnings but not always obvious. Xerox released a list of affected scanners
Butterdezilion: What settings are required to create an automatic clipping mask that takes off the outer edges of the scanned document? What settings create multiple layers, and are the layers created reproducible each time, or are they seemingly random? For instance, you lay the paper on the bed of the scanner. Then you press scan 5 different times, one right after the other, changing nothing and not even opening the lid of the scanner. Do all 5 scans give you the same layers – a reproducible result you would expect from a machine carrying out exact algorithms in a controlled setting?
NBC: No, they do not repeat between scans even if you leave the document on the scanner. The layers are not random as the obvious ones repeat: Signature, date stamp(s). The algorithm is susceptible to minor variations in how a color is interpreted and once a difference happens, its effects can cascade across the object. The settings are the ‘default’ setting on the machine but they can be changed by the administrator I presume. In some instances, the Xerox actually created the same mysterious speckled images that so far had remained unexplained. It is actually a known issue. Good thing is that its effects remain mostly invisible to the human eye.
Butterdezilion: If you save a scan on the 7655 without previewing it, is the saved file different than if you preview it on the 7655 before saving it? If you send the scan directly in an email is it in PDF format? If they open it on a PC will they be able to move around pieces of content? If they open it on a Mac will they?
NBC: Yes, they are very different. The Xerox created file has a lot of differences with the final document, most notably, the JBIG2 compression. Since Preview saves it to a lower PDF standard (1.3) it cannot create the same file. The resulting files however look extremely similar at the PDF object level. The ability to move around objects depends on the software. Illustrator does it both on Mac and Windows.
Butterdezilion: If you import a digital file to the copier does the copier make layers out of a digital file as well, before printing it?
NBC: I am not sure if the copier supports this workflow. When printing, the computer creates a printing stream and typically does not send the document across the network. To a printer, there are just no layers. Remember that the foreground objects are just bitmasks that get printed on top of the background.