Wilfred's Photoshop actions

This file contains two Photoshop actions (one for negatives and one for positives) to automate dust and scratches removal using the infrared channel generated by VueScan ProTM. I wrote the actions, because for certain images, VueScan's built-in cleaning algorithm misinterpreted the IR data generated by my Minolta Dimage Scan Elite 5400, resulting in blurred areas that did not contain any dust and scratches to begin with.
Even in those cases where VueScan correctly interprets the IR channel, I found that my actions did a better job in removing the defects from the image. I also have the impression that the cleaning results are better than those that can be achieved with Minolta's OEM software that came with my scanner. Plus, the MInolta software can only use infrared data with the Grain Dissolver turned on.
The actions may also work for VueScan files generated with other scanners.

Installation
To install, download and uncompress the .ZIP file by double clicking on it (if this doesn't work, install a decompression utility such as Stuffit Expander or WinZip). One of the decompressed files is an .ATN file (Please ignore any files with a name that starts with a period). In Photoshop, select Window>Actions. Click on the right-pointing arrow next to the word 'actions' and select 'Load Actions'. A window opens that allows you to navigate your disks and locate the .ATN file. Select it and click 'Load'. Now you should be able to select and run my actions from the actions palette. Refer to the Photoshop manual for further details on using actions.

How to use
To prepare images for these actions, scan your slides or negatives with the following settings in VueScan Pro:
 The actions were written for AdobeTM PhotoshopTM CS. I haven't tested but they may also work with Photoshop 5.0 - 7.01 (full edition). However, using older versions you will have to convert your image to 8-bit mode first (Image > Mode > 8 bits / channel).
Use these actions at your own risk. Save your original image before running one of these actions and make sure you don't overwrite it with the cleaned version.The actions will not save your altered image, so that you can decide upon your file names by yourself. For large files, processing may be time consuming.
So far, the actions have only been tested with Photoshop CS on Mac OS X. I would like to receive feedback on attempts with other versions.

Optimizing and tweaking
Some of the settings in these actions are likely to be scanner dependent. This is most obviously the case for the levels setting, which is preceded by an interruption to display additional instructions. Other settings that may need revisions for your personal use are: the radius setting for the Expand Selection command (probably needs to be decreased for resolutions lower tha 5400 ppi), the radius setting for the Feather Selection command (has to be smaller tan the expansion radius) and the settings for the Dust & Scratches filter. To change settings permanently, select an action in the Actions palette, and select Record Again in the Actions palette menu.
If you want to run an action on multiple images in batch mode (File > Automate > Batch), deactivate the two 'Stop' commands. Make sure that you don't overwrite your original files with the 'cleaned' versions.

Feedback is appreciated: send an e-mail to wilfr@gmx.net