Adobe Photoshop software is particularly useful in setting-up slides which contain continuous tone images, i.e., photographs, scanned images, etc. In addition, it is very useful for editing and saving graphic files into acceptable file formats for slide imaging purposes.
For a full-framed slide, make sure all files are in the landscape orientation and image size in a 1.5:1 or 3:2 aspect ratio. The suggested page or canvas sizes are as follows:
7.5" x 5"
11" x 7.33"
11.25" x 7.5"
8192 pixels x 5460 pixels (8k resolution)
4096 pixels x 2730 pixels (4k resolution)
2048 pixels x 1365 pixels (2k resolution)
If files are not in the1.5:1 aspect ratio, the slide will have black borders on the "short" dimension. The filmrecorder will not "stretch" images to fill a full frame.
All Photoshop files must be in the RGB mode. For version 3.x users, go to MODE menu and choose RGB Color. For users of version 4.0 and later, go to IMAGE menu, choose Mode in the submenu and select RGB Color. The filmrecorder will not image files saved in grayscale, index color, CMYK, etc.
While the filmrecorder will accept a number of file formats, the TIF/TIFF format is recommended. Go to FILE menu, choose Save as... and select TIFF. You should then get a "TIFF Options" dialog box. Choose Macintosh (preferred) or IBM/PC in the "Byte Order" option. It is also preferred that the LZW Compression option be unchecked. Compressed files, e.g., LZW, JPEG, or GIF, tend to have more imaging problems than those without any compression. Refer also to the "Computer/Digital Slide Imaging" brochure for a list of acceptable file formats.
Since Photoshop files tend to be large, you can decrease the file size by either decreasing the width/height of the image or decreasing the resolution. To change the file size, go to the IMAGE menu and select Image Size.... Although the Service Bureau prefers 3.5" diskettes, special arrangements can be made so that files may be submitted on either a Bernoulli 150 (or earlier, i.e., Bernoulli 90), Zip 100 diskette, or CD. Special arrangements must be made for a Zip 250 diskette. Do not compress files with programs such as DiskDoubler, WinZip, Stuffit, CompactPro, etc.
There are no limitations on the number of type font styles/faces used in Photoshop files. Type placed in Photoshop files are not vectored; they are converted into bitmapped images. If you plan to use type in your file, make sure you set your resolution to at least 4k resolution (2048 pixels x 1365 pixels for a full frame) for smooth-edged type. Type in low resolution files may appear bitmapped or "jagged." Likewise, if you are using a "thin" font and/or small fonts, you should consider increasing the resolution of the file for high quality output/legibility.
Note that increasing the file resolution after you place the type in Photoshop will not improve the image quality. You must set the resolution before placing type. Therefore it is important to set-up the file properly before you begin.
Similar to fonts, lines and rules placed in Photoshop files are not vectored; they are converted into bitmapped images. If you plan to use lines/rules in your file, make sure you set your resolution to at least 4k resolution (2048 pixels x 1365 pixels for a full frame) for smooth edges. With the exception of lines/rules exactly horizontal or vertical, lines/rules in low resolution files may appear bitmapped or "jagged." Likewise, if you are using a "thin" lines/rules, you should consider increasing the resolution of the file for high quality output.