IDENTI-KEY CORPORATION

KEY SCAN HELP

Methods for obtaining key scans for use with IDENTI-KEY software.

FLATBED SCANNERS:

If you have access to a flatbed scanner, you can simply scan the key yourself.

Be sure to put a light colored background behind the key before scanning,
and follow the specifications listed elsewhere on this site.

SHEET FED SCANNERS:

If you have access to a sheet-fed scanner, you can first make a copy of the key
on an office copier, then scan the copy..

Be sure to put a light colored background behind the key before copying,
and follow the Key Scan Specifications listed elsewhere on this site.

FAX MACHINES / FAX SOFTWARE:

You might trying faxing a copy (see above) of the key to the fax software on
your computer (from another fax machine), then saving the
fax to a .BMP or other graphics file.

If your fax software doesn't save to .BMP, you might save to .PCX or try
capuring the image of the fax if you have any screen capture software.

VIDEO CAPTURE:

If your computer is equipped with video input hardware and video capture
software, it is likely that you can capture an image of the key to a bitmap file
through your video capture software, with a video camera attached to your
computer. Shoot the key against a contrasting background.

COPY SHOPS:

Many copy shops provide scanning services. A small scan of a key shouldn't
cost very much. They might want to make a copy of the key (with a copier) first,
in order to avoid scratching the glass on their scanner.

Print out the Key Scan Specifications and give them to the copy shop.

EDITING AND SCALING:

Your files don't have to be exactly 320 x 240, because IDENTI-KEY allows some
scaling and positioning, but you should try to get close.

You can clip the key out of a larger document (like a saved fax), by bringing it up
in Windows Paint, selecting the part you want, then starting a NEW file at 320 x 240
and paste the image into it. Save the whole thing as KEYSCAN.BMP.

proceed to:

IDENTI-KEY Home Page | Key Scan Specifications | Key Locator