Update 25th October 2025: ALT-Scann8 1.20 merged to master

Main changes in this page

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ALT-Scann8 is an enhanced user interface and controller for the T-Scann 8 Super 8/Regular 8 film scanner by Torulf Holmström, designed for Raspberry Pi OS.

Community and Support

Discord

Join our Discord server to chat about ALT-Scann8 and get help!

Wiki

Check the ALT-Scann8 Wiki for details:

• UI Description
• FAQ, including Initial Raspberry Pi Setup
• T-Scann 8 Mods

ALT-Scann8 User Interface - Super 8 / 8mm film scanner software to be used with T-Scann8 scanner

This UI is a fork of Torulf Holmström’s “T-Scann8-UserInterface v2.1” (CC BY-NC 4.0). ALT-Scann8 is licensed under the MIT License by Juan Remirez de Esparza.

Purpose

Originally adapted to support the PiCamera2 library for Bullseye 64-bit Raspberry Pi OS, we’ve expanded it with refactoring and new features.

Key Enhancements

• PiCamera2 Integration: Full support for Bullseye 64-bit Raspberry Pi OS with modern camera controls.
• Tkinter UI: Lightweight, responsive interface replacing Pygame, with streamlined widget layout.
• Post-View Mode: Fast, custom preview for real-time film alignment, outpacing PiCamera2’s default.
• Exposure Flexibility: Auto-exposure with adjustable delays, multi-exposure capture (up to 5 bracketed shots), and manual overrides.
• FrameSync Viewer: Interactive tool to manually align tricky frames (e.g., overexposed or damaged), with zoom and threshold tweaks.
• Misalignment Detection: Real-time frame error checking (Super 8/Regular 8), with DNG support via rawpy—catches friction-based drift.
• Film Transport: Enhanced fast-forward/rewind with progressive stops and gate protection, plus auto-stop at reel end.
• Workflow Persistence: Auto-saved settings and session data (e.g., frame counts, folders) for seamless restarts.
• UI Polish: Tooltips, resizable fonts, QR code debug aids, and a rolling plotter for PT level tuning.
• Stability: Robust error handling (e.g., disk space, folder issues) and bug fixes for smooth scanning.

ALT-Scann8 Controller

The controller manages the Arduino board, forked from Torulf Holmström’s “Arduino to Card Control T-Scann 8 v1.61.”

Purpose

Started to add a feature, it evolved with refactoring and enhancements.

Key Enhancements

• Code Refactor: Cleaner, maintainable structure for reliability.
• Transport Precision: Fast-forward/rewind with progressive stops and improved winding for consistent tension.
• Safety Locks: Prevents FF/Rewind with film in the gate, plus auto-stop on reel end.
• Pi Sync: Enhanced I2C communication with UI, reporting PT levels and controller version.
• Startup Sync: First-frame alignment now locks in within one frame (vs. up to five).

Important Notes

• Compatibility: Use both ALT-Scann8 UI and Controller together—interface changes (as of October 2023) break compatibility with original T-Scann 8 software.
• Performance: For best results, add a pinch roller (see T-Scann 8 Mods) to aid capstan traction.

Getting Started

1. Download: Get the repo via ZIP or git clone https://github.com/jareff-g/ALT-Scann8.git.
2. Python Setup:
   • Update your system: sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y.
   • Install required libraries:

     sudo apt install -y python3-opencv python3-numpy python3-pil python3-psutil python3-qrencode python3-smbus python3-picamera2 python3-rawpy

   • Optional for usage reporting: sudo apt install -y python3-requests.
   • Tkinter is included with Python 3.
3. Arduino Setup:
   • Open Controller/ALT-Scann8-Controller.ino in the Arduino IDE.
   • Compile and upload to your Arduino board.
4. Run: On your Raspberry Pi, execute python3 ALT-Scann8.py.

Usage Reporting

ALT-Scann8 optionally pings an anonymous usage count (UI+Controller version pair) to track active users and compatibility. Enable it at first run—no personal data collected. See ALT-Scann8.py for details.

Attributions

Splash Image

• Splash Screen: Generated by Grok, created by xAI. Adds a retro film vibe to startup.

Python Libraries

• Python: Core language. (python.org)
• OpenCV: Frame analysis. (opencv.org)
• NumPy: Array operations. (numpy.org)
• Pillow: Image processing. (pillow.readthedocs.io)
• Tkinter: GUI toolkit (built-in). (docs.python.org/3/library/tkinter.html)
• psutil: Resource monitoring. (github.com/giampaolo/psutil)
• qrcode: QR codes (via python3-qrencode). (github.com/lincolnloop/python-qrcode)
• smbus: I2C for Pi/Arduino. (pypi.org/project/smbus2/)
• Picamera2: Frame capture. (github.com/raspberrypi/picamera2)
• rawpy: DNG processing. (rawpy.readthedocs.io)

Arduino Module

• Arduino Core: Framework and Wire.h for I2C, plus C libraries (stdio.h, string.h, stdlib.h). (arduino.cc)