DBW Linear Scans New Tools and Workflow Improvements
If you scan black and white film and are looking for a more accurate way to convert your negatives, DBW Linear Scans is a desktop application designed specifically for that purpose.
Unlike traditional photo editing software, DBW Linear Scans is built around linear scan data. By working with linear scans wherever possible, the software preserves the relationship between the light captured by your scanner or camera and the densities recorded in the film. This provides a cleaner, more technically accurate starting point for black and white negative conversion.
Whether you scan using a DSLR or mirrorless camera, an Epson flatbed, a Noritsu scanner or another supported device, DBW Linear Scans gives you dedicated tools to produce high quality positive images without relying on complex editing workflows.
Each new version continues to improve both the everyday scanning experience to photographers who want complete control over their scans.
Clearer Clipping Overlay Colours
One of the first things you’ll notice in this new version is the updated clipping overlay.
By default:
- RGB 255 is now displayed in red
- RGB 0 is now displayed in blue
These colours make it much easier to identify clipped areas while evaluating a scan and fit in with what you are probably used to seeing with other software.
Choose Your Own Clipping Colours
Every photographer has different preferences, and monitors vary considerably.
Version 1.0.7 now lets you customise the colours used for both clipping overlays directly from the Preferences window.
This is particularly useful if you:
- Prefer different warning colours
- Require colours that are easier to distinguish
- Want your workflow to match other editing software
Your chosen colours are automatically remembered for future sessions.
Reset Preferences at Any Time
If you’ve experimented with settings or simply want to return to the recommended defaults, a new Reset Preferences button is now available.
With a single click you can restore all preference values to their original defaults, making it easy to start again without manually changing individual settings.
Live RGB Values While Moving Around the Image
A new live RGB picker has also been introduced.
As you move your cursor around the preview image, DBW Linear Scans continuously displays the RGB value beneath the cursor.
This makes it much easier to evaluate:
- Highlight detail
- Shadow detail
- Clipped pixels
For photographers trying to understand exactly what their scanner has captured, this provides immediate visual feedback.
Optional Raw Sensor Counts for Advanced Calibration
For users who enjoy understanding exactly what’s happening behind the scenes, version 1.0.7 introduces optional raw picker counts.
Alongside the displayed RGB values, DBW Linear Scans can now show the original 16-bit raw value counts captured by the scanner or camera. Most users won’t need these values during everyday scanning, but they’re an invaluable tool when fine tuning a scanning setup.
Built for Black and White Film Scanning
Every update to DBW Linear Scans is driven by the same goal: helping photographers produce the highest quality black and white negative conversions possible. Version 1.0.7 may appear to be a relatively small update, but each improvement contributes to a smoother workflow, clearer visual feedback.
Try DBW Linear Scans
DBW Linear Scans is available as a one-time purchase with no subscription, and every future application update is included free of charge.
If you’re looking for software built specifically for linear black and white film scans, rather than adapting general-purpose editing software, DBW Linear Scans provides a dedicated workflow designed around the unique characteristics of black and white negatives.
Try the Trial version on your own negatives.
(Trial version shows a watermark on export)
Download Latest Version of DBW Linear Scans
Note: Apple Mac Requires macOS 11 (Big Sur) or later.