AfterScan user interface description

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Juan edited this page Nov 11, 2025 · 15 revisions

Description of the User Interface Elements

Menu bar:
- File: Allows to save/load job lists to disk, so that it is possible to switch between different projects without having an overloaded job list
- Help: Includes links to:
  - Reference pages in Github Wiki
  - ALT-Scann8 Discord Server invite
  - Opt-in for usage reporting
Current Frame: Shows the frame number being processed: 'Number' is the number as recorded in the filename, 'Index' is the sequential index of this frame set, starting at 1, 'Film Time' is the time where the current frame belongs in the film whose frames are loaded in the current source folder. Use the slider below the preview to pick a starting frame other than the first.
Start Button: Starts or stops frame processing.
Exit Button: Closes the application.
Status Line: Shows progress during frame generation or video encoding.
Folder Selection: Pick a source folder (where scanner frames are stored) and a target folder (for stabilized, cropped frames and optional video). Folders must differ—frame filenames might overlap.
Frame Post-Processing:
- Super 8 / Regular 8: Choose film type for stabilization—uses format-specific templates (different hole positions). AfterScan attempts auto-detection.
- Encode All Frames: By default, processes all frames (lowest to highest number). Uncheck to enable the Frame Range fields below for a custom range.
- Frame Range: Set a specific range to encode when Encode All Frames is off. Double-click a field to preview that frame in the window—or, if empty, it fills with the Current Frame number.
- Rotate Image: Adjusts input image alignment (-5° to +5°) if the scanner output is slightly off.
- Define Custom Template: Create a user-defined stabilization template if default S8/R8 templates fail—strongly recommended for tricky films.
- Low Contrast Helper: Boosts low-contrast frames during custom template creation and stabilization—prevents all-black templates.
- Stabilize: Aligns frames using sprocket holes. T-Scann 8’s friction-based film drag (unlike sprocket-pulled scanners) requires this to smooth out jitter in videos.
- Offset X/Y: Allows to move right/left (first value) and up/down (second value) the captured frame, after stabilization. This is useful to tune imag eposition when hole(s) are not centered with respect to the image.
- Define Crop Area: Set the frame area to save—cuts out unwanted parts (e.g., sprocket holes, border dirt). Check 4:3 or 16:9 on the right to lock the aspect ratio.
  - Crop: Enables cropping.
  - 4:3: Forces a 4:3 crop rectangle.
  - 16:9: Forces a 16:9 crop rectangle.
- Denoise: Cleans frames with OpenCV’s fastNlMeansDenoisingColored (slower encoding) and adds FFmpeg’s hqdn3d filter (params: 8:6:4:3) for video.
- Sharpen: Applies Gaussian sharpening to output frames—code from cpixip on Kinograph (link).
- GC (Gamma Correction): Adjusts frame brightness/contrast:
  - 0.1–0.9: Darkens or boosts contrast (e.g., fixes overexposure).
  - 1.0: No change.
  - 1.1–3.0: Brightens strongly (e.g., fixes underexposure).
- Frame Completion Options: Handles frames captured too far off-center (post-stabilization):
  - No Frame Fill: Leaves missing parts black.
  - Fake Fill: Fills from adjacent frame parts (same image)—imperfect but hides flaws.
  - Dumb Fill: Extends top/bottom row pixels—better than black, worse than fake fill.
Video Generation:
- Video: Generates a video after frame processing if checked. Requires FFmpeg installed and in the system path.
- Skip Frame Regeneration: Skips frame processing if already done—jumps to video generation (e.g., after FrameSync Viewer edits).
- Target: Sets the video output folder.
- Video Filename: Names the video file—defaults to a timestamped name if blank.
- Video Title: Adds a title sequence (text over a random, half-speed clip) if filled.
- FPS: Sets frames per second (e.g., 18 for Super 8).
- Video Generation Quality: Chooses speed vs. quality—maps to FFmpeg options (default: medium).
- Resolution: Defines video resolution.
Expert Options:
- FrameSync Viewer: Opens a popup to monitor/edit stabilization—details here.
Settings: Opens the settings popup:

- Custom FFmpeg Path: Specifies FFmpeg location if not in system path.
- FFmpeg hqdn3d parameter: Values used when invoking FFmpeg hqdn3d denoise function
- Add soundtrack to video: Adds legacy projector sound as soundtrack of generated video (just for the memories...)
- Enable popups: Displays the rectangle selection (custom template and crop definition) in a popup window, instead of main window
- Left stripe width %: Left fraction (%) of the frame to be used as template work area (both to define custom templates, and to search for templates at runtime).
Job List: Batch-process multiple films unattended:
- Add Job: Adds current settings to the list.
- Process Jobs: Starts batch processing—blue highlights running jobs, green marks completed ones.
- Delete Job / Rerun Job: Removes or restarts a selected job.
- Notes: No warnings during batch—overwrites files silently.
- Key Navigation:
  - U: Moves selected job up.
  - D: Moves selected job down.
  - Del: Deletes selected job.
  - Return: Loads job settings into UI (double-click or Enter works too).
- Suspend On: Suspends computer on completion (Linux-tested—Windows/Mac feedback welcome):
  - No Suspend: Stays on.
  - Batch Completion: Suspends after all jobs.
  - Job Completion: Suspends after current job—cancels batch (restart manually).