UMAX Ships MagicScan 4.0; Delivers Unrivaled Productivity and Image
Quality Challenging Drum Scanners

Expert Features and Improved Ease-of-use Delivers Professional Image
Quality for Scanner Users at all Levels of Expertise

Fremont, CA July 6, 1998 UMAX Technologies Inc., the U.S. scanner market
leader and supplier of imaging and computer technologies, began shipping
MagicScan 4.0 scanning software which combines comprehensive manual
controls and powerful image acquisition and enhancement features. MagicScan
offers sophisticated color tools designed to meet the ‘by-the-numbers’
demands of professional graphic designers, photographers and prepress
professionals. In addition, automated expert features empower less
experienced users with the ability to achieve professional-quality results.
The software ships with the high-end, PowerLook and Mirage professional
series of flatbed scanners.

“In the flatbed scanner market, software is critical in obtaining
high-quality scans,” said John Roman, senior director of UMAX’ Imaging
Division. “Hardware determines factors such as dynamic range and bit depth,
as well as resolution range, while software controls determine how images
are actually acquired and later manipulated. An efficient scanning solution
must be easy to use, flexible, and responsive to different project needs.
MagicScan 4.0 represents a productive integration of manual and automatic
scanning options into a single interface. These controls enable both
skilled and unskilled operators alike to achieve image quality that rivals
drum scanners quality.”

New MagicScan 4.0 features

A single interface that accesses “Manual”, “MagicMatch”, and “Auto
correction/binuscan IPM” feature sets

Previously working only in standalone mode, Auto correction features
using binuscan IPM are now directly accessible within MagicScan, a
PhotoShop plug-in

Proof Function shows “end result” prior to scanning

Free Rotation tool accommodates images not placed perfectly straight on
the glass

Adjustable Preview Resolution enables fine-tune cropping

RGB and CMYK measurement tools show by-the-numbers color

Job List Window tracks progress of batch scanning multiple negatives,
transmissives or reflectives in a thumbnail preview

Image Acquisition Options
MagicScan 4.0 offers three scanning modes from which to choose when
acquiring images: Manual, MagicMatch, and Auto correction/binuscan IPM. The
method chosen depends upon the needs or preferences of the user for the job
at hand. Depending upon which option is selected, a slightly altered
feature set appears in the driver. Manual Designed specifically for
professional users who require complete control over image acquisition, the
“Manual” feature set offers black and white point controls as well as Gamma
control in the Red, Green and Blue channels. Each image must be ‘manually’
adjusted prior to scanning.

MagicMatch
The MagicMatch option is geared towards users who desire color matching
control. Based upon Kodak’s CMS color matching technology, MagicMatch
provides a calibration-based profiling system for output devices.

Auto correction/binuscan IPM
The Auto correction option accesses the IPM engine within binuscan
PhotoPerfect. This feature set removes all pre-scan color controls and
requires the user to select only the original type, the desired color mode
output and output resolution. Once the user selects “Scan”, the newly
acquired images are automatically sent to the IPM for background
processing.

binuscan’s Integrated Automation Technology The instrumental component of
MagicScan’s automation option is the binuscan IPM (Image Processing
Machine), the engine of binuscan Technology. Contained within binuscan
PhotoPerfect for UMAX, a bundle package sold with the professional UMAX
scanners, the IPM has been integrated directly within the MagicScan driver
in Version 4.0. When the user selects the “Auto correction” option within
MagicScan, each image subsequently scanned is immediately sent to the IPM
in the background of the computer for automatic image analysis and
correction.

These adjustments are based upon binuscan’s RECO (REbuilding missing COlor
information) technology. This technology analyzes each individual pixel and
it’s surrounding pixels, black and white point values, histogram and image
size, then creates a single correction algorithm specific to the needs of
the image. Conventional image retouching software performs these steps
sequentially (i.e., color saturation, contrast enhancement, unsharp
masking, etc.) and accumulates approximation errors in each successive
calculation. binuscan’s correction process adapts automatically to each
image by modifying its own parameters in order to obtain an appropriate
recalculation of each pixel during the processing phase. This behind the
scenes approach not only increases scanning efficiency, but also produces
higher quality, by automatically enhancing poor originals and generating
pixel data not detected from the original “Proof” and Custom Enhancement
Controls In simplest terms, the Proof feature builds previews before the
actual scan, indicating how the image will look after the final scan. The
time-consuming trial and error process typically associated with scanning
is virtually eliminated by allowing the user to ‘see’ beforehand what the
scanner will produce.

A major advantage of the Proof function is the ability to preview any
custom adjustments. MagicScan 4.0 offers several custom enhancement
controls integrated into a five-tab dialogue window. These controls address
issues such as color levels, tonal curves, neutralization, color adjustment
and color balance. Each adjustment can be viewed successively in three
comparison preview windows.

Customer Service and Support
UMAX offers free technical support for its entire line of products.
Customers can reach the UMAX technical support center via telephone at
(800)468-8629 or (510)651-8883. Hours of operation are Monday through
Friday from 5:00am – 8:00pm (Pacific Standard Time) and Saturday from
8:00am – 5:00pm (PST). Customers can also contact UMAX technical support 24
hours a day, seven days a week, via e-mail (support@UMAX.com) and via the
World Wide Web (support.UMAX.com).

Pricing and Availability
MagicScan 4.0 is now available with the PowerLook II, PowerLook III,
PowerLook 3000, Mirage II and Mirage IIse on both Macintosh and Windows
platforms. Current MagicScan users can download a free MagicScan upgrade
from the UMAX web site (www.UMAX.com). For further sales and distribution
information, contact UMAX at (800) 562-0311 or (510) 651-4000. UMAX is
located at 3561 Gateway Boulevard, Fremont, CA.

Current users of binuscan PhotoPerfect for UMAX, the Auto correction
component of MagicScan, may upgrade to PhotoPerfect version 4.2 by directly
contacting binuscan, Inc. at 212.681.0600 or e-mailing an upgrade request
to info_usa@binuscan.com. PhotoPerfect version 3.X users may purchase an
upgrade for $39.95, while version 2.X users may upgrade for $49.95. Users
must be registered with binuscan in order to purchase an upgrade. For
further sales and distribution information, contact binuscan, Inc. at
(212)681-0600. binuscan, Inc. is located at 505 5th Avenue, Suite 1800, New
York, NY 10017.

binuscan evolved from a 22-year old commercial print house located in the
principality of Monaco. The company develops and manufactures innovative
software tools, focusing on streamlining prepress production and maximizing
digital image quality from any input source including scanners, digital
cameras, photo CDs, and wire images. binuscan applications have earned an
excellent reputation, have won many awards and are used worldwide by
prepress professionals. binuscan is headquartered in Monaco and maintains
an office in New York City. For more information, visit
http://www.binuscan.com or call (212)681-0600.

UMAX Technologies, Inc. is a technology leader in the design and
distribution of a full line of imaging and computer products. The company
maintains its leadership position in the imaging market with a broad line
of desktop scanners and digital cameras. In addition, UMAX designs and
markets PC workstations and notebook computers as well as networking
communication hardware. All products are marketed through retail, mail
order, regional and national distributors. UMAX also sells its products
direct to OEMs. For sales information and technical support, visit the UMAX
home page on the Web at: http://www.umax.com.