easier way to clean up

PA
Posted By
Patricia_Adams
Apr 27, 2004
Views
472
Replies
7
Status
Closed
I am working in Photoshop 4.0
I scan documents for the purpose of converting them to PDFs. After I scan the documents, there are little black dots all over the white background which I have to go in in Photoshop and individually clean up using the lasso and delete button. This is very time consuming. Is there an easier way? For instance, I was thinking could I in some way select all the white areas at once and then hit delete or paint the areas all white at once? Thank you.
Related Tags
clean easy

How to Improve Photoshop Performance

Learn how to optimize Photoshop for maximum speed, troubleshoot common issues, and keep your projects organized so that you can work faster than ever before!

HP
Helen_Polson
Apr 27, 2004
Hi Patricia,
I clean up scans using a levels layer in about 2 seconds flat. I am on Photoshop 7 though and I’ve not idea whether this functionality is available in Photoshop 4.
PA
Patricia_Adams
Apr 27, 2004
Helen,
Thanks for the quick reply.
Can you run me through the steps and then I will try it in 4.0? thanks!
JM
John Mensinger
Apr 27, 2004
Ladies,

I’m quite certain Helen in referring to a Levels Adjustment Layer, which indeed was NOT available in version 4.0.

In fact, many current methods of cleaning up such speckling in scans utilize features not found in version 4.0, such as the aforementioned Adjustment Layers, as well as the History Brush, to name 2.

Patricia, have you tried Filter > Noise > Despeckle, or Filter > Noise > Dust and Scratches? What color space are you scanning in? Are these black and white pages of text/line art?
GD
glen_deman
Apr 27, 2004
Here’s one way.

1) Dupe the background layer.

2) Do a levels adjustment on the new layer; adjust the sliders to try to wash out (or white out, I guess) the specks. You could probably get rid of most of it by just moving the highlight slider to the left a bit. Since the specs are so small, you can hopefully minimize them without affecting the main image too much (I guess it’s text).

3) If you find that the main image is too affected by this, you can mask or delete the offending portions to reveal the original image beneath.

But I’d definately give the Despeckle/Dust and scratches filters a try first, as noted above.
PA
Patricia_Adams
Apr 28, 2004
WOW!!!!
I used Filter > Noise > Despeckle and that really worked! The Dust option seems to lighten the text. I thank you so much!
HP
Helen_Polson
Apr 28, 2004
Cool, glad you found something that works for you 🙂
P
photobug
Apr 28, 2004
Patricia, another very effective ‘method’ is to clean (dust) your film before scanning. 😉

A little time spent using an anti-static brush (I use a StaticMaster, but there are others just as good) and a gentle blast from a can of compressed air before scanning will save you a lot of time after your images are loaded into Photoshop!

Master Retouching Hair

Learn how to rescue details, remove flyaways, add volume, and enhance the definition of hair in any photo. We break down every tool and technique in Photoshop to get picture-perfect hair, every time.

Related Discussion Topics

Nice and short text about related topics in discussion sections