Thanks, everyone! This information is incredibly helpful and I’m definitely getting a clearer picture of how to move forward. 

@rafaele: Will spreads only work with Canon A2200 cameras?

It seems like the software piece is a big variable with the DIYBookScanner. It’s interesting to hear about various setups, I just wonder about the long(ish) term viability of some of these open source projects. Obviously, the software is essential for an efficient system and I’m not sure we’re interested in building/maintaining our own suite of tools. 

All this being said, the difference between $25,000 for a bottom-of-the-line professional book scanner and the ~ $3000 for a DIY setup might mean that beggars cannot be choosers.

Best, 

Aaron


On Mar 7, 2014, at 6:49 AM, raffaele messuti <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Chris Fitzpatrick wrote:
>> I've used one of the DIY Bookscanners kits. Worked great and I didn't have
>> to go into the dumpster.  They did a good job on the components and
>> assembly was rather easy.
>> 
>> However, it is all very much a manual process. An operator has to work the
>> machine to scan all the pages.
> 
> i confirm, there is a lot of diy (do it yourself).
> 
> but this software aims to facilitate the workflow:
> http://spreads.readthedocs.org/en/latest/
> https://github.com/DIYBookScanner/spreads
> 
> it's a python program to remote the two cameras, shoot simultaneously,
> download the image file, rename, rotate or apply whatever filter,
> and finally prepare the scantailor project, or just package the book in
> pdf or djvu.
> there is also an experimental web interface that lets to control
> everything with the browser.
> i'm using spreads on a raspberrypi (manually installed on a raspbian),
> but there is
> also a tailored image that you can build
> https://github.com/DIYBookScanner/spreadpi
> 
> bye
> 
> 
> --
> raffaele, @atomotic



-------------
Aaron Rubinstein
University and Digital Archivist
Special Collections and University Archives
University of Massachusetts Amherst
154 Hicks Way
Amherst, MA 01002
413-545-7963
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