Computers do crash from time to time. Working with very large images can cause this to happen more frequently, so make sure you SAVE the scanned image immediately upon executing the scan, before you do anything else to it. This will ensure that the time you have spent setting up the parameters of the scan will not be wasted in the event of a software crash.

When saving, you will be asked to name the image. Choose a name that makes sense to you so you can remember which image is which. Be aware that some computer systems limit what you can name your file. DOS based computers can only use 8 letter long file names. Microsoft Windows machines dont like the use of spaces, slashes, and other special characters in file names. Macintosh computers will take most any character, but limit the file name to 32 characters.

When saving, you will be asked to specify a file format. This selection will show up at the bottom of the dialog box that asks you to name the image. There are many different file formats that you can use, each of which has its strengths and weaknesses. See File Formats

Many computers (including DOS and Windows) require that every file, regardless of its name, contain a file suffix. The suffix is generally a three letter abbreviation of the file format that is used by the computer to identify what kind of file it is that is being saved. Later this will be used by the computer to identify how to open the file properly. You should, for example, always add a .TIF suffix to any tiff image file that you save from scanning. If you do not add this suffix, the computer (especialy Microsoft Windows) may be unable to find the file at a later time for editing in Photoshop or inclusion into a PageMaker layout. Even if your computer is able to identify the file properly without a suffix (like a Macintosh), it is still a good idea to include the suffix to help you to identify the images at a later time.

When saving a file in the tiff format, for example, you will be asked to specify the files compression and its byte order. Compression allows the file to be compacted into a smaller data size while it is being stored on the disk; The file will then take less up less room and therefore more images can be stored in the same amount of space. For tiff image files, always choose the LZW Compression check box when it is presented to you. The byte order of a file is determined by the type of machine at which you are working, and effectivly corresponds to words being written forward or backward. The two options for byte order are IBM Compatible and Macintosh. Both machine types can usually read either, but if there is a question, always choose the IBM byte order. Macintosh computers are very good at reading the IBM language, whereas IBM computers will sometimes only read their own language.

There are many places that you may be storing your image files while you work, but for this initial save, you should save it to the Temp directory on the desktop of the computer at which you are sitting. The Temp directory is a temprary directory for you to store things while you are working.

After you are done scanning or when you decide to store your images permanently, you should move them from their locations in the Temp folder into another location: on your Home Directory account, on a ZIP disk, or burned on a recordable CD. The Temp folder is not available from any machine other than the one at which you are sitting (each machine has its own), whereas the network servers, ZIP disks, and CDs can be accessed at other workstations.

If you are having problems with your Home Directory account, assistance is available from both the Computing Office at the Architecture School, as well as ITC Services of the University.

There should be a Home Directory icon in the Launcher that will connect your home directory to the computer on which you are working. If that icon is not working properly, you may still be able to access your personal account.

After copying your files to their new location, you should also move the originals in Temp to the Trash and Empty the Trash to clean things out for the next person who wants to use the machine.