The XSane scanner front-end for Linux

SCANNING HELP

Article from Issue 61/2005
Author(s):

The Sane interface provides access to image processing devices such as scanners. You can manage your Sane-supported scanner from Linux with the handy XSane front-end.

A scanner sometimes comes bundled with free software you can use for operating the device. Unfortunately, the software often only runs on Windows or (maybe) Windows and OS X. If you are a Linux user and you’re looking for a GUI to talk to your scanners, try XSane. XSane [1] is a graphical scanner front-end based of the Sane programming interface [2]. Sane is an acronym for Scanner Access Now Easy. The Sane programming interface sets a standard for access to image processing devices. The drivers for the image processing devices used with XSane, including scanners, are referred to in the Sane world as back-ends. If Sane has a back-end that matches your scanner, the installation process is really quite simple (see the “Setting Up Your Scanner” box.) Sane operations are controlled by front-ends. XSane is one example of a Sane front-end. Other Sane front-ends include tools such as Kooka [3] and QuiteInsane [4]. This article describes how to operate your scanner from a Linux computer using the XSane front-end.

Buy this article as PDF

Express-Checkout as PDF
Price $2.95
(incl. VAT)

Buy Linux Magazine

SINGLE ISSUES
Print Issues
Digital Issues
 
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Print Subs
Digisubs
 
TABLET & SMARTPHONE APPS
Get it on Google Play

US / Canada

Get it on Google Play

UK / Australia

Related content

  • Command Line: SANE

    Running your scanner from the command line offers greater control of tasks. We show you how to get started.

    more »
  • Gscan2pdf

    Many scanner tools confuse users with functional overkill. The clear-cut gscan2pdf scanning aid gives users a simple approach to converting existing paper documents into space-saving PDF files.

    more »
  • Digital_Photo_Intro.pdf

    The Linux environment includes some powerful tools for editing, managing, and scanning digital images.

    more »
  • Tutorial – USB/IP

    The Linux kernel has many interesting but unknown services. USB/IP, in particular, is one that you'll probably wonder why you have never encountered. USB/IP lets you use USB devices connected to other machines on your network as if they were plugged directly into your computer.

    more »
  • Ask Klaus!

    Klaus Knopper is the creator of Knoppix and co-founder of the LinuxTag expo. He currently works as a teacher, programmer, and consultant. If you have a configuration problem, or if you just want to learn more about how Linux works, send your questions to: klaus@linux-magazine.com

    more »
comments powered by Disqus

Visit Our Shop

Trial Subscription

Digital Subscription

Subscribe

Direct Download

Read full article as PDF:

Scanning_with_XSane.pdf (181.15 kB)

News

Tag Cloud

Administration Community Desktop Events Hardware Linux Linux Pro Magazine Mobile Programming Software Ubuntu Web Development Windows free software open source