ScanFlex Rules for Success - Test with the Sheet Image Diagnostic

We recommend performing ScanTools Plus Sheet Image Diagnostic testing both before and during MergePrint Utility with PrintFlex print production.

NOTE: This testing cannot be performed with MergePrint Utility software; it requires ScanTools Plus version 6.1 or later and a Scantron Image scanner.

Software Users

If you are a MergePrint Utility with PrintFlex software user, you may not be involved in either application development or scanning and must rely on testing performed by your application developer.

Alternatively, your application developer may provide you with instructions and the means to perform this testing.

Application Developers

If you are the application developer, you should perform this testing before distributing Merge Templates or form design files to MergePrint Utility with PrintFlex software users.

Test Before ScanTools Application and Print Production

1. Perform this test before you complete your ScanTools application and before you start your print production process.
2. Print a few forms and then test them with the Sheet Image Diagnostic (below left).
3. Make improvements to your form design and/or printing process as necessary. Follow the Improvement Suggestions (below right).
4. Repeat the test and improvement process, as necessary.

Test During Print Production

1. Perform this test when you make a change to your print production process. For example, when you print a new batch of forms, after you load paper in the laser printer, when you change the toner (ink) cartridge, and so on.
2. Print a few forms and then test them with the Sheet Image Diagnostic (below left).
3. Make improvements to your printing process as necessary. Follow the Improvement Suggestions (below right).
4. Repeat the test and improvement process, as necessary.

Using the Sheet Image Diagnostic

NOTE: Sheet Image Diagnostic use is required for ScanTools Plus with ScanFlex users. If you are not using the ScanFlex option, do not use this function without the advice and supervision of Scantron support personnel.

The Sheet Image Diagnostic is included with ScanTools Plus software. To access the Sheet Image Diagnostic, select Options > Diagnostics > Sheet Image Diagnostic.

This tool lets you scan a sheet and view the raw data from the top and bottom read heads in the scanner. This diagnostic utility does not store any of the data scanned from the sheet. It is only used for viewing the data and does not use a ScanTools application or data file.

When you first open this dialog box, no data is available. To view data, you must perform the steps listed below.

Scanner Procedure

While in the Sheet Image Diagnostic dialog box:

1. Select a cutoff value.
2. Insert a sheet that was printed for use with the ScanFlex function that also has data marks on it into the scanner input tray.
3. Click the Fonts button to select a monospaced, fixed width font such as Courier New for your Data line font so that the data is correctly aligned.
4. Click the Scan button on the bottom of the Sheet Image Diagnostic dialog box.
5. The Diagnostic Scan Settings dialog box appears the first time you use the Scan button. Select which Read Cell Spacing and Light Source to use for the diagnostic scan. Select the OMR From Image Read Cell Spacing that matches the printed form. ScanFlex can be used with both Infrared (pencil read) and Red (ink read).
6. Enable ScanFlex and any desired ScanFlex options.

If the Diagnostic Scan Settings dialog box is not open and you want to change the Light Source or Line Read Spacing, you must exit the Sheet Image Diagnostic, re-enter it, and click the Scan button again.

7. Click OK.

See Sheet Image Diagnostic dialog box for information about Cutoff, Close button, Scan button, Print button, Find button, and Fonts button.

Data Displayed after Scanning Sheet

See Data Displayed after Scanning Sheet for information about Sheet image taken on, Current Scanner, Display cutoff, Start Status, Top Side Image, Bottom Side Image, Bar Code Buffer, and End Status.

Interpreting the Sheet Image Diagnostic for ScanFlex

Use the ScanTools Sheet Image Diagnostic and your scanner to verify that printing is either readable or not readable by your scanner, as required.

• Form ID marks and any other features that you want to be scanner readable must read as a "D" or higher, except for skew marks which must read as a "C" or higher.
• The number of timing marks detected by the Sheet Image Diagnostic must equal the number of timing marks on your form.
• OMR responses and any other features that you do not want to be scanner readable must read as a "2" or lower.

The illustration below shows a form on the left and the display from the Sheet Image Diagnostic for that form on the right. Note the results for form ID marks, timing marks, scanner readable printing, and printing that is not scanner readable.