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OS X Tip #71
Want to “share” a scanner with another Mac? Using Image Capture with compatible scanners (Twain supported) allows sharing over Bonjour. Bonjour is Apple’s zero configuration networking formerly called Rendezvous.
Share a scanner between workstations like your printers with no need to move the scanner between machines.
Here’s how:
Connect your compatible scanner to your Mac (host) via USB or Firewire. Make sure scanner is installed properly and working on the host Mac using the manufacturers software. Test scanner’s operation. Make sure scanner is powered on.
Image Capture is located in the Applications folder.
Launch Image Capture.
Go to Image Capture’s preferences. Under “Sharing” select “Share my devices”. Check the devices you want to share. You can password protect this sharing or even enable web-sharing. See below.
You can share over your own local network or if you have an IP address that is accessible over the Internet by enabling web-sharing. You can check “Look for shared devices” if the scanner is attached and shared on another Mac.
On the remote OS X Mac (client machine) launch Image Capture.
Under the Devices menu in Image Capture. Go to “Browse Devices…” Or use the keyboard shortcut Command )Apple key) + B.
Look under Twain devices and locate the connected scanner and highlight it. Check the Use TWAIN software box.
Click on connect button. You will be able to use the scanner remotely.
In fact, any application that supports “Services” can very easily use Image Capture. Just look in the applications menu item for Services and you will soon discover another gem in OS X, Services! Found under the applications name menu.
