One of the better uses for computers is saving images of valuable documents or pictures to view at a later time. Many scanners are relatively simple to use and with most newer software makes them into plug and play units. This means that with some practice anybody can learn how to scan their pictures or documents on a computer without any real issues.

Most flatbed scanners and scanner- printer combos are surprisingly similar in what they do and how they work to a copy machine. They have a high intensity light with a glass plate over it that items rest on while being scanned. With these scanners you could scan maps, books, magazines and low definition three dimensional objects.

They may also be used to scan objects as color and high resolution black and white copies. Unlike a copier which only prints to paper these image files can be saved and stored on a hard drive, pen drive or disk drive or for use later. They can be changed in different ways too like adding or subtracting colors, cropping and resizing them. They can be added as different formats for sending over the net in emails or online file sharing.

There are some stand alone scanners, though most are intended to be tied to a computer system and are unable to operate themselves. This is where most printer software comes into action. The software is what breaks images into files and allows people to manipulate them. It is also what allows files to be saved to different file formats to print or save to a disk.

To use most scanners is a reasonably straightforward operation that is basically the same with most machines. After you have decided what you will be scanning, make sure the scanner is turned on and the wires are connected to the computer correctly. Start the imaging program on your computer and give it a few moments to load up and find the scanner you will be using.

With most imaging software you can find a separate sub-menu for the source, choose the scanner that you will use. You may now put things to be copied onto the bed of your scanner and close it. Using your imaging software, click scan and wait for it to do its thing. Depending on what the resolution of your image is this could be a few seconds or be several minutes to go into your computer's memory.

After the image is scanned there should be a preview image somewhere on the computer screen. From this point there are many different options available to do. The image can be cropped or cleaned up. The colors can be changed or the image can be put in black and white. The file can be saved to a disk or hard drive, or it can be printed.

It is that easy. Anyone can learn how to scan different documents into their computer. Scanners are great tools for the office or to use at home. The more you use them the more things you will find to use them for.