In combination with a variety of innovative ideas and the usage of current software technology, SilverFast has been evolved that we can proudly present as the best scanner software. The WorkflowPilot, a unique feature, is a core element of the new software. As a kind of assistant, it guides the user in the correct order through all processing steps required for his individual workflow. Turning your analog originals into convincing scans is so simply, because all complex operations become just a child's play for the user. The SilverFast Preview Concept allows to immediately see the result of any adjusted setting in the preview window. The user interface of SilverFast 8 is newly developed by current standards, for the user can operate all major functions quickly and easily. SilverFast 8 supports the latest 64bit hardware and is therefore extremely fast and efficient.
It will not work with the latest Mac OS 10.6 or higher. It will only scan prints, not negs or slides. It won't even let me click on the Neg or Slide menu to scan them. I have an Epson Perfection V850 but the software says I have a V800. I have reloaded this program 3 times now so I think a return is necessary. It will not do the job. Not Professional software by any means.
Summary
Do not waste your time and effort on this software.
Good but unstable.
geoffery--2008
Pros
Great results from both reflective and transparent originals on my Epson V500 (and previous scanners I've owned in the past 10 years).
But that's when it works. Read on...
Cons
1) Very unstable in Mac OSX 10.8.x. On a new iMac with 12Gb RAM it is sluggish with the beach-ball-of-death popping up at regular intervals. It will crash 30% of the time you launch it.
2) The interface is beyond-belief-dreadful. Confusing, obtuse and anti-intuitive. It's only that I've used SilverFast for over 10 years that I'm able get the best results.
I've recommended SilverFast to fellow designers who have used the demo - but will not purchase because the application appears to be designed by amateurs.
Summary
SilverFast 8 on the Mac is more like a port of Windows version - fine when it works but very unstable. (Not to mention the dreadful 1980's interface icons.)
Silverfast are plainly talented and dedicated guys but they need to stop altering the OSX interface in their application. For example, the cursor arrow enlarges Windoze-like and takes on a blue halo - wtf is that about, apart from being a waste of time and processor resources? These UI level hacks must have an effect on performance and stability.
Which may be why it crashes frequently.
I wish they would employ an Apple-savvy developer - Silverfast is expensive software and I'm not alone in looking around for more stable scanning solutions - even at the same price.
Not bad. Has one bug issue
GaryBelzman
Pros
Fully automatic and is pretty fast.
Cons
Internet connection optimiser error. Operation Failed.
Summary
Great idea and concept. Would like to see it debugged more. Would also like to see a registry cleaner incorporated into it. I would then buy it.
I am running Vista SP2.
SilverFast=Decent, SilverFast Support=Crap
Tolga
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br /> Silverfast is a very powerful and useful scanning software package, however their support leaves much to be desired. I recently 'registered' my copy of SilverFast AI that I got with my Epson V750 Pro so I could access the software updates on their site. A day later the registration hasn't registered on their servers yet. After emailing them about the problem/waiting a day I have yet to hear anything. I went to their contact page to try and find a tech support phone number to get things moving but it says "our telephone support hotline in the USA is no longer available." and goes on to suggest I try their contact form, which I already did. If I had a more involved question I wouldn't mind the wait but if your website is having issues then I expect a prompt response.
If is frustrating when companies attempt to prevent unauthorized users from getting updates by using all kinds of Draconian methods, meanwhile making it a pain in the ass for everyone else.
Excellent product!
chandivine
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />Just downloaded the latest Version.
Love it!
That Calibration is amazing!
Stable and super fast.
Well done!
Auto detection of frames is not ready yet!
samarb
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />I'm scanning some 4000 slides for digital editing, doing twelve at a time on an Epson Perfection 4870. After the prescan, I try the auto frame detection each time, but it never gets it right. Sometimes eight frames will have been detected and framed properly. Sometimes Silverfast simply puts one frame around twelve slides! I bought the update to 6.5 because of the new auto detection feature. I thought it would make my project easier. But this feature has been of very little help.
Crash, crash and crash again
kerlefen
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />Each time I want to preview a document, Photoshop crash. The standalone app also crash. I report this problem to lasersoft since my purchase and I am still waiting for an answer ! Three weeks after my purchase I can't scan !
The lasersoft support is absolutely awful. They have the money, now they don't care about what happened to their customers. It is my first and last lasersoft product.