PFClean - Industries
Restoration Software for Film Labs & Digitisation Facilities
Film scanning captures the information needed to preserve and restore an original film element. PFClean provides the restoration stage that turns high-resolution scans into clean, stable and consistent digital masters.
Designed for professional film labs and digitisation facilities, PFClean works with DPX, TIFF, OpenEXR and other professional media, combining automated dirt and defect removal with stabilisation, manual repair and batch processing.
From film scanner to restored master
A high-quality scan is the beginning of digital restoration, not the end. Scanned film can contain physical dirt, dust, scratches, tears, instability, flicker and other defects that originated in the film element or were revealed during digitisation.
PFClean sits between scanning and final finishing, providing the tools needed to analyse the scan, identify defects, restore the image and prepare a clean master for grading, preservation or delivery.
DPX, TIFF and EXR restoration workflows
Film scanners commonly produce high-resolution image sequences containing significantly more information than a conventional compressed video file. PFClean supports professional formats including DPX, TIFF and OpenEXR, allowing restoration to take place on high-quality image sequences rather than forcing the source through an unnecessarily compressed intermediate.
This is important for facilities that need to retain scan resolution and image fidelity throughout the restoration process.
Infrared defect map workflows
Some film scanners can generate infrared information that identifies areas likely to contain physical dirt or damage. PFClean can use scanner-generated infrared defect maps as part of its automatic dirt-removal workflow. The defect information can help distinguish physical contamination from the image itself and provide useful input for automated processing.
This can significantly reduce repetitive manual work when processing large quantities of scanned film.
High-volume film cleaning
Digitisation facilities may scan dozens, hundreds or thousands of reels. Cleaning each sequence manually is rarely practical. PFClean's automated restoration tools can detect and process common defects such as dirt, dust and other artefacts, while batch workflows allow restoration settings to be applied across multiple sequences.
Operators can then concentrate on difficult material and quality control rather than repeating the same operation on every frame.
Automated dirt detection
Automatic dirt detection is particularly valuable when working with large film collections. PFClean provides automated tools for identifying and removing dirt and dust, with additional information such as infrared defect maps available where supported by the scanning workflow.
Automation does not remove the need for review. Operators can inspect results and refine processing where a detected defect is actually part of the original image or where the damage requires a different restoration approach.
Film stabilisation after scanning
Film movement, shrinkage, weave and other mechanical characteristics can produce image instability in a scan. PFClean includes stabilisation and image-correction tools that can be applied as part of the restoration workflow. Stabilisation can be performed alongside cleaning and other restoration operations before the material is passed into grading or mastering.
The appropriate order of operations depends on the source and the specific restoration problem.
Restore difficult archive elements
Not every film element responds to the same automated settings. Old or heavily damaged material may contain scratches, tears, missing areas, severe instability or other defects that require more detailed intervention.
PFClean combines automated restoration with manual tools, allowing operators to move from high-volume processing into detailed frame-by-frame or multi-frame repair when necessary.
Batch workflows for scanning facilities
For scanning facilities, throughput matters as much as individual restoration quality. PFClean supports worklists and batch-oriented processing, allowing facilities to organise multiple sequences and apply consistent restoration operations across larger projects.
This provides a practical way to incorporate restoration into a scanning service without turning every project into a fully manual operation.
Deliver restored masters to clients
Film laboratories may be delivering different outputs to different clients: high-resolution image sequences for archival work, graded masters for post-production, or video files for distribution. PFClean can provide the restoration stage before those downstream deliverables are created. Restored material can then move into grading, mastering or client-specific delivery workflows.
This separation also allows the lab to retain a high-quality restored master while producing additional versions as required.
From Scan to Restored Master
Explore practical examples and technical guidance covering film scanning, infrared defect maps, automated dirt removal and high-volume restoration workflows.
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Why does old colour film shift to red or green over time? This guide breaks down dye layer degradation and shows how PFClean restores true colour without AI-generated guesswork.
Restoration Pipeline Insights
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The Importance of Film Stabilisation in Restoration
Identifying and correcting film stabilisation issues can be tricky; this article examines common problems and helpful fixes.
Looking for a Restoration Workflow After Scanning?
Talk to us about your scanning workflow, restoration requirements, throughput and client deliverables.
What happens when I request a demonstration?
Your demonstration is tailored to your restoration requirements. A PFClean product specialist will discuss your material, work with a short sample of your footage where appropriate, and demonstrate relevant PFClean restoration tools and techniques. You’ll see practical before-and-after results and have the opportunity to discuss your workflow and requirements.
FAQ
What software should a film scanning facility use after scanning?
A scanning facility needs restoration software that can work directly with high-resolution image sequences and efficiently remove common film defects. PFClean provides tools for dirt, dust, scratches, flicker, instability and other restoration tasks, together with batch workflows designed for scanning and digitisation environments.
Can PFClean read DPX sequences from film scanners?
Yes. PFClean supports DPX and other professional image-sequence formats used in film scanning and restoration workflows.
Can PFClean use infrared dirt maps?
Yes. PFClean can use scanner-generated infrared defect information as part of automated film dirt-removal workflows. This can provide additional information about the location of physical defects and reduce repetitive manual processing.
Can PFClean integrate with Lasergraphics workflows?
PFClean can process professional image sequences produced by film-scanning systems, including the formats commonly used in high-resolution scanner workflows. Integration should be assessed according to the specific scanner configuration, output format and metadata requirements.
Can PFClean work with Northlight scans?
Yes. PFClean can process professional high-resolution image sequences generated by film scanners. As with any scanning system, the exact workflow depends on the output format, resolution, colour information and associated defect data.
Should film be stabilised before dirt removal?
There is no single correct order for every restoration. Stabilisation can affect how automated restoration analyses frames, while dirt processing can affect the image used for subsequent analysis. The optimal order depends on the source material and the particular defects present. PFClean allows restoration operations to be arranged and refined as part of a non-destructive workflow.
Can PFClean automatically clean high-volume scans?
Yes. PFClean provides automated dirt and defect-removal tools together with batch-oriented workflows. This allows scanning facilities to automate repetitive cleaning operations across larger volumes while retaining manual control for difficult material.
Can PFClean preserve scanner resolution and bit depth?
PFClean is designed to work with professional high-resolution image sequences such as DPX and OpenEXR. Using appropriate source and output formats allows restoration workflows to retain the resolution and image information captured during scanning.
Can PFClean process 4K and 8K scans?
Yes. PFClean supports high-resolution restoration workflows including 4K and 8K material. GPU-accelerated processing is designed to handle demanding high-resolution image sequences.
Can restored footage be exported for grading?
Yes. PFClean can form the restoration stage before colour grading and finishing. Restored material can be exported in professional formats and passed to downstream systems such as DaVinci Resolve or Baselight.