topshot

[Cadtoon]

We recently purchased the TopShot M275 and so far we are not satisfied with the results.

We need to take pictures of fittings used in the oil and gas industry,  generally these fittings are small, 1” x 3”. The problem with the TopShot is the shadowing. I have tried placing the fitting in multiple places on the scanning surface but nothing helps. The TopShot results are much worse than using a digital camera where I can control it to only get one shadow in the picture as opposed to three shadows from the TopShot. Scanner against scanner I get better quality from my HP 360 flatbed than from the TopShot. The problem with the flatbed is the background color is not consistent.

[bass-clef]

Hi,

I'm sorry you're not getting the results you expected!

To help me understand what you're seeing, could you please do the following:

* Upload an example picture showing the shadowing.

* Let me know what your Firmware Datecode is.

To get the Firmware Datecode, please follow these steps:

1) On the control panel, press the "wrench/gear" icon on the left-hand side of the row of icons at the top of the screen.

2) Press "Service".

3) Press "Firmware Datecode". (It should be the last item on that screen.)

The Firmware Datecode should look something like this:

Firmware Datecode

20111221

Thanks!

[Norm Plumb]

Hi,  The TopShot M275 printer has two settings for scanning or coping functions.  When a object is placed on the capture stage, select the object mode to copy 3D objects.  The document mode is used to make copies of flat paper documents.  If the object  has a metallic reflective surface it might cause a glare.  If this is the situation, move the object off center and try again.  Please verify the firmware version and upload the current version and retry the document copy.

[bass-clef]

....but here's something to try:

By default, our capture (scanning) mode is Auto, which means we do our best to detect whether you're scanning/copying a flat target such as a document or scanning/copying an object (for example, a pencil, book, etc.). In your case it sounds as if we're incorrectly detecting that we're scanning a flat target.

However, you can override Auto mode and specify whether you're copying a document or a 3D object. A scan of a 3D object will use only the center "flash" lighting; this means that if you've put your object at the center of the platen/stage, the illumination source will be directly overhead, which greatly minimizes shadows.

For scanning, press the Scan icon on the control panel's home screen.

Once you've gotten to the screen that shows the current settings, press the Settings button.

The next screen will be Scan Settings. Select "Capture Mode", then select "3D Object", then try scanning again.

You'll then be returned to th Scan Settings screen. If you want 3D Object to be your default capture mode, press the down arrow and select Set as New Defaults.

Note that you can do the same thing for Copy by pressing the Copy icon on the home screen.

For Copy the procedure's a bit simpler: on the screen you'll see after pressing Copy, you can select the capture mode directly from that screen.

If you want the capture mode to be the new default, press the Settings button to get to the Copy Menu. Press the down arrow twice then select Set as New Defaults.

I hope this helps!