Scanarium icon Facebook icon Instagram icon Twitter icon YouTube icon

Scanarium Handbook

Scanarium Logo

Guides, Explanations, Help, and Tips around Scanarium

(Version 2023-05-03, 606f2fe )

If you cannot find the answer to your question in this handbook, please send us your question via email to help@scanarium.com_

What is Scanarium?

Scanarium is a coloring game for young, creative kids, who like to draw or paint.

It's perfect for kids from pre-kindergarten to early primary school.

Here's is how it works:

Scanarium worflow

Scanarium makes your cars drive around, your starships explore space and your birds pop balloons.

Do I have to install a program or an app?

No, you do not need to install anything.

A plain browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge,…) with access to the internet suffices.

Try it out on our demo page

How can I start to play?

Then all you need to do is watch and enjoy ... and of course color more pages! :-)

Here's a video tutorial:

YouTube icon Tutorial for Mobile Phone/Tablet

YouTube icon Tutorial for Laptop/PC

How can I sign up?

Signing up is easy:

How do I start Scanarium?

It's super easy:

Do I have to log in?

Yes. The requirement to log in makes sure that only you (and the ones you share your username/password with) can access your colored pages.

Use a password manager to avoid having to remember your password. This renders the login process painless.

How do I log out?

There's a menu item to log out:

  1. Tap/click the screen.
  2. Select the „Settings” button in the top-right corner.
  3. In the window that pops up, select „Logout”.

You're now logged out and get forwarded to the Scanarium Homepage.

To continue playing, simply log in again.

How do I change my password?

Can I play Scanarium outdoors/on the road/on vacation/in a restaurant/in the doctor's waiting room?

Yes, you can play Scanarium wherever you choose to -- as long as you have access to the internet.

Does Scanarium make any sound or play music?

No, it's silent on purpose.

Was does "Scanarium" mean?

Scanarium (pronounced as "scan-a-ree-um") is a blend of the words "scanning" and "aquarium".

Scanarium is a habitat for your scanned coloring pages :)

Devices

Scanarium usually works just fine in the browser Chrome on current

that are less than 5 years old.

Try it out: Open the demo page on your tablet, smartphone, ….

If the demo page runs smoothly on your device, playing should work fine too.

Is a smartphone enough?

Yes, that's of course enough.

The bigger the screen though, the more catching it'll be.

But you can for example also use the smartphone for uploading the images while at the same time using a monitor or smart TV to watch the scenes.

Can I play on multiple devices at the same time?

Yes, that works wonderfully!

Simply log in with your username/password on each of your devices, and there you go.

Each device shows it's own Scanarium.

And if a new image gets uploaded on any of the devices, it'll automatically propagate to the other devices as well.

For example, you can use a smartphone to take pictures of colored pages and upload them while you use a bigger monitor or smart TV to watch the rockets, butterflies, cars, ... move around.

Of course, you can also play different scenes on different devices at the same time.

Supported devices

On devices that are less than 5 years old and have access to the internet, Scanarium typically works just fine.

Regardless of whether it's a tablet, a smartphone, a PC, or a laptop.

Try it out: Open the demo page on you device. If the demo page runs smoothly, playing should work fine too :-)

During development we're currently testing on:

Besides the device itself, the used browser may make a difference. With Chrome it typically works just fine.

Supported browsers

If possible, use Chrome as browser. We use it for most of our testing.

But thanks to our testers, we know that Scanarium runs fine on at least the following other browers:

It should be possible to install one of these on all current devices.

Probably, it'll work on other browsers as well. Try it out and point your browser to our demo page. If the demo page runs smoothly, playing should work fine too.

Coloring pages

Scanarium only works with Scanarium coloring pages.

Scanarium-Ausmalbild

You can easily recognize them by their QR code, and their black bounding rectangle.

You can download them for free in the Coloring Pages section of the homepage.

What are "Scanarium coloring pages"?

Scanarium coloring pages are coloring pages that have been refined for use with Scanarium.

They come with a black bounding rectangle and a QR code:

Plain foreign coloring page Scanarium coloring page

You can download them for free in the Coloring Pages section of the homepage.

Scanarium only works with these Scanarium coloring pages.

Can I use any coloring page/book?

No, you have to use Scanarium coloring pages.

You can recognize them by their black bounding rectangle and their QR code:

Scanarium-Ausmalbild Normales Ausmalbild

You can download them for free in the Coloring Pages section of the homepage.

Where can I download Scanarium coloring pages?

You can download them for free in the Coloring Pages section of the homepage.

There you'll find the individual coloring pages in different types of files: JPG, PDF, PNG and SVG.

Besides that there are collections with more than one coloring page.

For example "All coloring pages", or "All Space coloring pages".

You can use the search form to filter coloring pages.

Why is there a QR code?

Scanarium coloring page with highlighted QR code

Scanarium uses the QR code to determine which coloring page is visible in the uploaded image.

This helps Scanarium to choose the correct template when extracting relevant parts of the image.

Why is there a black bounding rectangle?

Scanarium coloring page with highlighted black bounding rectangle

The black bounding rectangle helps Scanarium to figure out how the coloring page is oriented in the uploaded image.

Once the orientation has been computed, Scanarium can rotate and adjust the image to allow extraction of the relevant parts.

Printing

Any normal printer is enough to print Scanarium coloring pages.

Make sure that the printout is not too light and that the black bounding rectangle is not cut off.

If you do not have a printer, you can also color the images using a graphics program.

Is a normal printer enough?

Yes. It'll will work with almost any printer.

Regardless of whether it is an inkjet or a laser printer.

Regardless of whether it is a multi-function printer or not.

As long as the Scanarium coloring page printouts are neither too light nor cut off, it should work just fine.

Printing tips

When printing Scanarium coloring pages take care that

If you follow the above guidelines, it should work, no matter whether the printout is rotated, scaled, uncentered, printed in portrait mode, or scaled unproportionally:

Rotated printout Rotated and scaled down printout Scaled down printout Scaled down and shifted printout Landscape printout on portrait papeg Scaled unproportionally Good printout

Can I play without a printer?

In principle, you can color the Scanarium coloring pages also directly in a graphics program on your computer and upload such colored files.

But we think that it's much more fun to color on real paper using real pens, crayons, or color.

Maybe someone of your friends has a printer and can print a few Scanarium color pages for you?

Or maybe you live close enough to a copy shop that offers low-cost printing?

Coloring

As long as the paper does not end up too curly or too wavy (e.g., due to being soaked), you can color the Scanarim coloring pages using any pencils, pens, crayons, or colors you like.

For example colored pencils and felt-tip pens work really well.

But you can also explore your crafty side and combine the coloring pages with real photos or add figures, toys and other objects before taking the pictures.

Which pens/colors can I use?

You can color with any pencils, pens, crayons, chalk, or whatever you like.

The following typically work very well:

Watercolors and fingerpaint can work too. But when painting too wet, the paper might curl up or get wavy, which can get in the way later during upload.

We prefer¹ to color with:


¹ Our opinion is our own. We bought these pens with our own money. We do not and did not receive money, samples, or donations for it.

Can I add real photos?

Of course!

Photos, drawings, paintings, cutouts, …. You can add to or decorate Scanarium coloring pages in whatever way you like.

There are no limits as long as the black bounding rectangle and the QR code stay visible.

Can I add toys and objects?

Yes, you can! Simply put them onto the coloring pages.

It works with small figures, small plush animals, cars, shells, pearls, coins, stickers, and all the rest of it.

Uploading

You can upload images of colored Scanarium coloring pages directly into Scanarium (Instructions: tablet/smartphone, PC/laptop).

Your uploaded images get stored. So they are still available if you turn Scanarium off and later continue to play.

But you can of course also delete them.

Uploading on a tablet/smartphone

Uploading images on a tablet/smartphone is really easy:

If you do not want to take a new picture, but instead want to upload an already existing image file from your device, use the instruction for uploading on a PC/laptop.

Uploading on a PC/laptop

Uploading images on a PC/laptop is easy:

If you also have access to a tablet, or smartphone: They allow for even simpler uploading.

Photographing tips for smooth uploads

To assure a smooth uploading, take care when taking pictures that

Uploading does not work!

Simply click the "Online Help" button underneath the error message in Scanarium. That will open the help page for exactly the problem you're facing.

If the error message and the button are off the screen already, simply re-upload your image again.

You can find a list of error messages in the appendix.

In general, it's important to take care that

If the uploading still does not work, please send us the image to help@scanarium.com

Will uploaded images still be there when I play next time?

Yes, your images get stored.

They are still there the next time you play.

Your newest images get shown the most. But older images get mixed in as well. So from time to time, you get to see even the first images you uploaded.

Of course you can also delete your images, if you want them gone for good.

Can I delete uploaded images again?

Yes, of course:

Now all your images are deleted from the scene and you start afresh.

Scenes

You can currently play 7 different scenes in Scanarium:

Balloons

Screenshot Balloons In the Balloons scene, you can color balloons and birds.

Your balloons slowly and piecefully float across the sky and the wind gently blows at them.

And if you're after a bit more action, color and upload a few birds. They enter the scene from the sides and if their beaks hit a balloon, then PANG! the balloon pops.

YouTube icon Demo video on YouTube

Scanarium icon Live online demo

Coloring-page icon Coloring pages for this scene

Fairies

Screenshot Fairies In the Fairies scene, you can color fairies, elves and butterflies.

Your colored creatures fly across the sky, flap their wings and smile at you.

YouTube icon Demo video on YouTube

Scanarium icon Live online demo

Coloring-page icon Coloring pages for this scene

Why is each coloring page duplicated?

Each of the coloring pages from the „Fairies” scene is available in two variants:

Blumenfee The „normal” variant comes with only few lines on the inside. This variant provides much room for your own ideas and details.

Some kids prefer coloring pages with more details fixed. Just like in a coloring book.

Blumenfee That's why each coloring page also comes in a "detailed" variant, with more pre-drawn details and more lines on the inside.

There you'll find for example a more detailed face, accessoires like a belt around the waist, or patterns in the wings.

You can download both variants directly in the Fairies part of the Coloring Pages section on the homepage.

Highway

Screenshot Highway In the Highway scene, you can color different vehicles.

From cars, and sports cars over quad bikes, and tractors to trucks, and buses up to emergency vehicles.

Your vehicles dash (or go or for some rather "crawl") across one of three highways.

The emergency vehicles sometimes have their beacons on, and sometimes have them off.

YouTube icon Demo video on YouTube

Scanarium icon Live online demo

Coloring-page icon Coloring pages for this scene

The text written on my vehicles is (sometimes) flipped!

Truck coloring page with text On the Highway coloring pages, the vehicles are drawn as going from right to left.

Screenshot of truck with text going from right to left That's fine, if they really go from right to left on the screen.

Screenshot of truck with text going from left to right But on the opposing lane, they of course have to go from left to right. So the vehicles need to get mirrored.

If they have some text written on them, this text of course gets mirrored along as well and appears flipped, if the vehicle is going from left to right.

Vehicles that come with text already on their coloring page are the exception (e.g., the "POLICE" mark on the police car). There, Scanarium knows where the text is and can exclude that part when mirroring the vehicle. So the text is readable regardless of the direction the vehicle is going in:

Screenshot of police car going from right to left Screenshot of police car going from left to right

Photos

Screenshot Photos In the Photos scene, you can color photos.

There are coloring pages of just empty photo frames that you can fill with whatever you want. But there are also coloring pages with photos of people or settings.

For example a photo of you and a friend ... or you on top of a tower in a castle ruin ... or you after driving a racing car ... or you riding a unicorn.

Scanarium arranges your photos into a photo wall that scrolls by.

YouTube icon Demo video on YouTube

Scanarium icon Live online demo

Coloring-page icon Coloring pages for this scene

Piste

Screenshot Piste In the Piste scene, you can color people on a piste.

That's of course skiers. But also people on snow saucers or bobs.

YouTube icon Demo video on YouTube

Scanarium icon Live online demo

Coloring-page icon Coloring pages for this scene

Roller Coaster

Screenshot Roller Coaster In the Roller Coaster scene, you can color cars and riders on a rollercoaster.

You color the cars and the riders, and Scanarium aligns them into trains that barrel through the rollercoaster track.

YouTube icon Demo video on YouTube

Scanarium icon Live online demo

Coloring-page icon Coloring pages for this scene

Space

Screenshot Space In the Space scene, you can color rockets, flying saucers, astronauts, stars, and planets.

The rockets, flying saucers, and astronauts have rocket engines and fly around.

The stars don't move, but some rotate slowly.

And the planets slowly move around and may have a moon that orbits around them.

YouTube icon Demo video on YouTube

Scanarium icon Live online demo

Coloring-page icon Coloring pages for this scene

Appendix: Error messages

In this appendix, you'll find a separate section for each of the following error messages:

Error message: "Expected to find one QR code in image, but found […]"

There should be exactly one QR code in the image: The QR code of the coloring page.

Take care that there are no other QR codes visible in the image. Be sure to also check boxes or leaflets that may be in the background and may have a QR code printed on them.

Zu viele QR-Codes sichtbar Nur der QR-Code vom Scanarium-Ausmalbild ist auf dem Foto

Take a new picture of your Scanarium coloring page and take care that:

Then uploading this new image should work.

If it still does not work, please send us the image to help@scanarium.com

Error message: "Failed to find black bounding rectangle in image"

If uploading fails because no black bounding rectangle was found, take a new picture and take care that:

Uploading this new image should work.

If it still does not work, please send us the image to help@scanarium.com

Error message: "Failed to find QR code in image"

If uploading fails because no QR code was found, take a new picture and take care that:

Uploading this new image should work.

If it still does not work, please send us the image to help@scanarium.com

Error message: "Image is too small. Minimum width is […] pixels"

The uploaded image is too small.

Image is too small Image is big enough

Increase the image resolution or detail level of the camera, smartphone-app, … that you take the pictures with.

Once you've done that, take a new picture and upload this new picture.

If it still does not work, please send us the image to help@scanarium.com

Error message: "Server-side image processing failed"

Please try taking a new picture and upload this new picture.

If it still does not work, please send us the image to help@scanarium.com

Error message: "Unknown QR code"

The uploaded image contained a QR code which is not from Scanarium.

Maybe there is a QR code on a box or a leaflet in the background of the image.

Fremder QR-Code sichtbar Nur der QR-Code vom Scanarium-Ausmalbild ist auf dem Foto

Take a new picture of your Scanarium coloring page and take care that:

Then uploading this new image should work.

If it still does not work, please send us the image to help@scanarium.com