Agfa scanner drivers for Mac OS 10.6

Hello everyone,

I was tempted by the solution proposed by vpcellier, if only to ensure that the method could be interesting or not. I downloaded the 4 installation files necessary for the proper implementation of Twain Sane. If you execute the procedure in the correct order (1-libusb, 2-sane-backends, 3-sane-preference-pane, and 4-twain-sane-interface), you will find a "preference panel" in System Preferences called "Sane" that provides access to some practical hardware settings (access to a library of scanner models as long as my arm!!) as well as a few small adjustments. The scanner then becomes accessible via Apple’s "Image Capture" software and even... directly in Photoshop! Overall, the interface is basic but effective: you get exactly what you want. Once the image is captured, all that’s left is to make any necessary adjustments in Photoshop (or your favorite image editing software if you don't have it).

In conclusion, I was afraid I would be dealing with a "fake" solution, but it turned out to be effective; my Snapscan e50 was immediately recognized and works very well. I specify that I am on a MacPro with Snow Leopard 10.6.2.
Less precise in settings than other paid solutions (I’m thinking of that software I recommended a few months ago), Twain Sane has the advantage of allowing your scanner to extend its lifespan without spending a dime until it’s actually necessary.

I therefore recommend it to those who want to go for an economical, simple, and effective solution, even if it lacks those precise features that image professionals are fond of. Thanks to bonnimi and vpcellier for piquing my curiosity.

Have a great day, everyone.

agfa SnapScan 1212U with MacOS 10.6: it works!

Hello everyone

Not being a tinkerer (that’s why I have a Mac, right), I struggled to get my agfa SnapScan 1212U working with MacOS 10.6
After synthesizing what has been said on this forum and others, as well as on the site http://www.sane-project.org/ (in English and quite technical for me), here’s a little tutorial.
I went through a lot of trial and error and didn’t always understand what I was doing, so if a more experienced contributor sees any unnecessary steps or other simplifications to make, please edit!

I. Preparation
1) download the 4 necessary binary files for the proper implementation of Twain Sane.
http://www.ellert.se/twain-sane/
libusb
sane-backends
sane-preference-pane
twain-sane-interface

2) find the SnapScan 1212U_2.bin file
for my part, I downloaded ScanWise for Windows from http://static.agfa.com/digicam_scanner_drivers/scanner/snapscan_1212u/index.html, I installed it under Windows, and I found SnapScan 1212U_2.bin there:
C:\Program Files\Agfa\ScanWise 2_00\

3) rename it to SnapScan1212U_2.bin (remove the space, you know!)

II. Installation
1) install in the correct order (1-libusb, 2-sane-backends, 3-sane-preference-pane and 4-twain-sane-interface)

2) then you’ll find a “preference panel” in System Preferences called “Sane”
In the list of scanners, find snapscan and click on the button in the Firmware column.
A window opens, drag SnapScan1212U_2.bin into it, close the window

3) click on the button in the Adjust column. In the window that opens, replace the line firmware /usr/local/share/sane/snapscan/myscanner_firmware.bin with
firmware /usr/local/share/sane/snapscan/SnapScan1212U_2.bin
under the line # /dev/usb/scanner0 bus=usb, copy
/dev/usb/scanner0 bus=usb

4) close System Preferences and restart

III. Using with Image Capture
1) connect/power on the scanner and open the Image Capture application
In the left column, under DEVICES, select SANE usb

2) click on 'show details' to access the settings and then click on 'scan'

and there you go! it also works from GraphicConverter and Preview

Hello,

If you checked the Agfa website, you might have seen if there was an updated driver for Snow Leo.
To calibrate the monitor = apple menu/system preferences/monitor/colors:calibrate, it doesn't hurt to try.
Maybe "scan wise" has had an update, check the website.
--
"Psychoanalysis is a remedy for ignorance.
It has no effect on stupidity." (Jacques Lacan)

Hello everyone...

I finally managed to definitively solve my problem with my little AGFA scanner! And without having to use Twain Sane or any other paid solution!! You can't imagine the relief I felt when everything finally worked as I wanted and in an optimal way!
I can see your puzzled faces, wondering what I did to feel such satisfaction? Well, I will give you the solution:
I...
...changed my scanner!! ;)
I invested in an Epson Perfection V750 PRO.
Yes, I know, you are going to tell me that it's not exactly a solution, since I spent quite a bit to buy this brand new device. But I had had my eye on it long before the problems that brought us all here. And I can tell you that in terms of quality, speed, and integration... there's no comparison.

I salute you all, wishing you good luck and thanking some of you for being able to provide help when it was needed. Good luck.

Good evening everyone...

In response to Pabelo, I'm sorry if I'm lacking precision in my answer, but the installation was a while ago and my memory isn't what it used to be at my old age!! ;)
So more seriously, the few little adjustments I'm referring to, if I remember correctly, are settings to be made in the SANE system preferences. It's not very complicated, you just need to look around and ensure that the settings in place match your configuration. Before all that, what is really important is to install the various packages in the correct order.
If you have any difficulties, don't hesitate to ask us all here, we're here for that! ;)

Good evening
I have an Agfa e50 scanner on my eMac 10.4 and it opens ...classic OS9 !!!!
Was that not the case before on your computer??

I have the same problem. It seems that some device drivers are not compatible with Snow Leopard. In any case, the driver for the SnapScan e50 has not been updated; we can only wait, hoping that Agfa decides to make one. Otherwise, we will have to change the scanner or go back to 10.5.

Yes. Me too. It doesn't work with an AGFA Snapscan 1236. Error message: modify the colorsync profile! Do you think AGA will release a fix? Does anyone have an idea on how to fix this problem?

Hello,
I have the same bug with a Snapscan Touch.

After calling AGFA France, I learned that they haven't been taking care of scanners since 2001 and that no updates are planned (because there’s no one left to develop them). They are sorry and recommend checking if other users have a solution online
; )

I guess we just throw it away and buy something new… ^^…

I just realized that I said something foolish in my last post: of course we say goodbye to Mac OS 9 with Snow, and that has been the case since plain Leopard, if I'm not mistaken. In fact, with Snow Leopard, we move definitively to the Intel Mac generation and nothing else. Soon 64-bit will be the standard.

In any case, Henri, know that I am happy to have been able to help you.
Good luck for the future.

Hello,

I too have changed my environment with the little snow cat (so beautifully said) and I have a Snap Scan E42 scanner. I had the same problems and I really thought I would have to buy a new scanner. Given the quality of the Agfa scanner, it would have been a shame.

Thank you for your advice which allowed me to scan again with this good tool.

soso

The Widows solution might not be bad, with software like VMWare, which avoids rebooting. The problem is that the Scanwise installation for XP works well but does not recognize my SnapScan 1212u.
That's a good one!
I will try everything there is in the post.
Thank you!

I just installed: libusb, sane-backends, twain-sane, and the "SANE preference pane" which are free and open source at <http: />. The installation takes 5 minutes, then you restart, and then you launch the "Image Capture" software included with Mac OS 10.6 Snow Leopard. And there you have it, a Snapscan 1212U scanner revived!-)

@pabelo

I don't quite understand what you were trying to do. Normally, you install the appropriate Twain Sane files for your scanner, and to my knowledge, there's nothing else to do. You launch Image Transfer (for example), it offers you Sane, you select it, and it works. In fact, I don't even have Sane in my system preferences, but it doesn't matter. If you've messed things up, just reinstall; it only takes a few minutes. If you really want to tinker with the config file, you need to know that everything that starts with # is a comment. You should look at how this file is structured and, if necessary, remove the # in front of the code sections that pertain to your scanner. But again, I've never looked into this file, and it works perfectly for me. Best regards.

I experienced some crashes with Graphic Converter. If that's the case for you, report them to the developer, Thorsten Lemke <lemke@lemkesoft.de>, he is very responsive.

However, the Apple software, which initially didn't work with Twain Sane under 10.6.3, now works very well since Twain Sane was updated.

To Pabelo,

I just discovered your messages and your difficulties. I am extremely surprised, as like Boninmi, I have never delved into this type of information. It really happened almost intuitively. I wonder where you could have picked up those settings you mentioned. Did you perhaps accidentally go through the Terminal? Or did you download the wrong installation files? I really have no other plausible explanation. On my end, Sane works very well with Apple's Image Capture. The interface is even better than if I went through Photoshop. I have never experienced any slowness or bugs. Like Boninmi, I suggest you throw away all files and software directly related to TWAIN SANE and redo the installation. You have absolutely nothing else to do during the procedure; it’s only once everything is in place that you need to go to "System Preferences," then to "SANE" (if you installed this package for system preferences) to simply indicate which scanner it should work with. That’s all.

I wish you good luck and a smooth installation.

I'M ENTERING THIS VIRTUAL WORLD AND DON'T REALLY KNOW HOW IT WORKS

I HAVE A SNAPCAN E 25

I HAD TO DIY WHERE I SHOULDN'T HAVE AND NOW IT DOESN'T WORK ANYMORE
AND I CAN'T FIND THE MANUAL OR THE DISC

HOW CAN I RESTORE IT?

GRAMSOLANGE

To JLB44

Hello,
I have been following your difficulties with the installation of Twain Sane closely. First of all, know that there is no shame in asking questions. Do not be ashamed. Shame is reserved for those who do not seek to move forward by being curious.

Although it has been a while, I will try to retrace my steps with the installation and suggest the following steps: first, get rid of all elements related to Twain Sane that may have already been installed. Throw them in the trash and empty it. To do this, press cmd+F and search for all files containing "sane". Be careful not to delete anything that belongs to you or is related to the system or applications that contain "sane" in the name.
The second step is to download the various installation folders for Twain Sane from the dedicated site again. Be careful!! Only download the items located in the "Snow Leopard (10.6.x)" column and disregard the files in the pink boxes (SDK). In total, there are only 5 files to download.
Finally, install the items one by one in the order they are presented in the table (if I remember correctly). In any case, the installer is quite well done, and it seems to display a message indicating which installation should be done before the one you wanted to perform.

Once all this is done, I think it’s better to restart your computer. Then, once it has booted up, go to "system preferences" and locate "Sane". There, after launching the software, a window should appear inviting you to make some adjustments. Don’t hesitate to be curious and look around. Only check the boxes that are familiar to you and correspond to your scanner. Uncheck the others if necessary.

After that, I think everything should work wonderfully. Your scanner should be available through Apple's "image capture" software. However, don't forget to turn it on!! ;)

Good luck to you.

I'm looking for a driver for the AGFA Snapscan e40 scanner for my new iMac 2010 that I just bought. Can you help me?

Thank you in advance.

Hello, I installed Sane as recommended. It appears in system preferences but not in my scanning programs (like image transfer for example). I installed it to get my Snapscan e20 working but there's no way, whether I leave the original config or modify it as described above.

Help!

Thank you