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XSane

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What XSane is

XSane is a graphical frontend for scanners, with tools for scanning, image adjustments, and color management. It supports ICC/ICM profiles and includes enhancement functions for gamma handling and a histogram. In standalone mode, XSane provides scan-and-save, scan-and-view, copy, fax, and email utilities. Its scan-and-save utility supports JPEG, PNG, PNM, PostScript, raw, and TIFF files; the project’s output format list also includes PDF. XSane can also be used as a GIMP plug-in. The software is free and open source, and the project lists Linux, Unix, OS/2, and Windows as supported platforms. XSane appears on the SANE project’s frontend listing with a temporarily offline status. For downloads, the project points users to distributor or volunteer binary packages and recommends vendor packages for Linux. Git snapshots may include fixes or features that are not in stable releases, but the project says these builds are untested. The SANE homepage lists sane-frontends 1.0.14 as released on 2005-09-18. Users can report bugs or missing features through the project’s issues system.

Who it suits

XSane suits users looking for a free, open source scanner frontend with color management and image enhancement controls. Its standalone utilities cover saving and viewing scans, copying, faxing, and emailing, while the GIMP plug-in option may suit users who work with GIMP.

What it does well

  • Free and open source.
  • Supports ICC/ICM color profiles.
  • Includes gamma handling and histogram enhancement functions.
  • Standalone utilities cover scanning, copying, faxing, and email.
  • Available as a GIMP plug-in.

What to know first

  • The SANE frontend listing labels XSane temporarily offline.
  • Git snapshots are described as untested.
  • Linux downloads are directed to vendor packages.

Getting started

  1. Visit the SANE frontend page for XSane.
  2. For Linux, follow the project’s recommendation to use your vendor’s packages.
  3. For other platforms, look for distributor or volunteer binary packages.
  4. Install XSane and use it in standalone mode or as a GIMP plug-in.

Verdict

Choose XSane if you want a free, open source scanner frontend with ICC/ICM color management and standalone scan utilities. The GIMP plug-in provides another supported way to use it. The temporarily offline status is a reason to check availability before relying on it for a new setup.

Questions

Is XSane free?

Yes. It is listed as free and open source.

Which platforms does XSane support?

The supported-platform list names Linux, Unix, OS/2, and Windows.

What file formats can it save?

Its scan-and-save utility supports JPEG, PNG, PNM, PostScript, raw, and TIFF. The project’s output format list also includes PDF.

Can I use XSane with GIMP?

Yes. XSane is available as a GIMP plug-in.

Where can I get XSane?

The SANE download page points users to distributor or volunteer binary packages and recommends vendor packages for Linux users.

Is XSane currently available?

The SANE frontend listing labels XSane as temporarily offline.

Facts from XSane's own pages

Availability note
The SANE frontends page marks XSane as temporarily offline. · sane-project.org, 9 Oct 2026
Availability status
The SANE frontend listing labels XSane as temporarily offline. · sane-project.org, 4 Oct 2026
Color management
XSane supports color management with ICC/ICM profiles. · sane-project.org, 9 Oct 2026
Development builds
The project says Git snapshots may include fixes or features absent from stable releases and are untested. · sane-project.org, 4 Oct 2026
Development downloads
The SANE snapshots index lists a sane-frontends snapshot dated 2026-10-08. · sane-project.org, 9 Oct 2026
Downloads
The SANE download page directs users to distributor or volunteer binary packages and recommends Linux users use their vendor’s packages. · sane-project.org, 4 Oct 2026
Enhancement tools
The page lists improved gamma handling and a histogram among XSane’s features. · sane-project.org, 9 Oct 2026
File formats
The standalone scan-and-save utility supports JPEG, PNG, PNM, PS, raw, and TIFF formats. · sane-project.org, 4 Oct 2026
GIMP integration
XSane is available as a GIMP plug-in. · sane-project.org, 9 Oct 2026
Image adjustments
The frontend includes enhancement functions for gamma handling and a histogram. · sane-project.org, 4 Oct 2026
Linux and Unix
The page lists Unix platforms including Linux, IRIX, and AIX as supported platforms. · sane-project.org, 9 Oct 2026
OS/2 support
The page lists an OS/2 version with X11. · sane-project.org, 9 Oct 2026
Output formats
The standalone scan-and-save utility supports JPEG, PNG, PNM, PS, raw, and TIFF formats. · sane-project.org, 9 Oct 2026
Platforms
The project page lists Unix systems including Linux, IRIX, and AIX, an OS/2 version with X11, and a Windows 9x/NT/2000 network-scanning version. · sane-project.org, 4 Oct 2026
Project updates
The SANE homepage lists sane-frontends 1.0.14 as released on 2005-09-18. · sane-project.org, 4 Oct 2026
Purpose
XSane is described as an improved graphical frontend for scanners. · sane-project.org, 9 Oct 2026
SANE relationship
SANE’s download page says users of advanced graphical frontends like XSane do not need the sane-frontends package. · sane-project.org, 9 Oct 2026
Standalone tools
In standalone mode, XSane provides scan-and-save, scan-and-view, copy, fax, and email utilities. · sane-project.org, 4 Oct 2026
Standalone use
In standalone mode, XSane can scan and save, scan and view, copy, fax, and email. · sane-project.org, 9 Oct 2026
Support
The SANE project provides an issues system for reporting bugs or missing features in sane-frontends. · sane-project.org, 4 Oct 2026
Windows support
The page lists a Windows 9x/NT/2000 network scanning version. · sane-project.org, 9 Oct 2026

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