GIMP :: Optimizing Large Transparent PNG / GIF Format
Aug 13, 2013
I've been using GIMP for a while now, but have come across an issue I'm having difficulty solving regarding the optimization / shrinking of a large HD sized PNG image.
The dimensions of the image are 1920 by 1028 with opacity set at 33%, for a website background. The website template uses another image to create a 'noise' effect. If I leave the image as color and optimize with the "Save For Web", it comes down to 968KB from 3.7MB! If I remove the color / De saturate and save as GIF, down to 424KB. If I save as GIF and Dither, comes down to 125K, but the end image is dithered, and very ugly .
As a long time Photoshop user I regularly use batch automation in my normal daily routine but there is something I would like some help on...
Currently I have a folder that is filled with hi-res retouched images and I have a batch set up to save each file first as a large (web optimized) version in one folder and then as a smaller thumbnail version in another folder.
This is how I usually save the images but when I submit them they all need to be inside a single folder with specific extensions explaining the size of the file (ie the original file named "file123" would be saves as two versions called "file123_large" and "file123_thumb") in the same folder...
Is there a way I can add these extensions onto the file when it's being optimized for the web? I've always renamed these manually and it's just so repetitive and seems like a waste of time.
I'm working with large files starting at 24x48" @ 240 dpi. Usually with a few layers, Smart layer, then processing several plug-ins like NIK, TOPAZ, etc.
It can take a long time to save the native PS file (around 1.5G), and then I save off jpgs at full res for the printer, and use save for web to process a web jpg around 1200 pixels wide.
This is what I have. Win7 64, a 1gb Nvidia GTX 460, 12gb ram, the OS is on a 64gb SSD.
which of the3se can speed things up?
1) Add a second SSD for the Cache/APP/ and working files (PSDs) 2) I don't think my system can go beyond 12gb RAM unfortunately it is a couple year old i7 3) Would a different video card do anything? More video RAM?
I do believe the latest NIK plug-ins use the GPU, but I will check. Would any of these thing make a noticeable performance boost?
I have used Gimp a bit, and before that PS quite a bit. I have never had to use the size constraints for sizing a file to fit a large format printer. I will be getting one any day so I would like to be prepared as much as possible. When I was at another shop, the owner used one of the cropping functions to set the finish print size and then she could move the box around to locate the best print area and remainder to be cropped. She was using PS. I would assume I could do it also in Gimp, but have not found a way to do it yet. What am I missing. Even if the printer software will do it on the printer, I would like to be able to show my customer on a PC monitor what they might expect.
We have a computer that using AutoCAD Architecture 2013 and Acrobat 9 Standard. When printing a large sheet (30"x42") with images in it to a PDF the images do not appear in the newly created PDF. However, if the same file is printed to fit an 11x17 the images display correctly. Any thoughts as to why the large sheet size is not printing properly?
I am trying to design a billboard, and I cannot save this document as a PDF to submit it for approval. What format should I build this in and what program is the best, photoshop or illustrator?
I am using AutoCAD LT for Mac and would like to be able to make large format PDF files. I have only one printer installed and the maximum page size is legal. It makes great PDF files as long as they are letter or legal. Is there a way to install a "phantom" printer that has architectural sheet sizes, preferably in color?
I am working with Illustrator CS6 and I have to prepare a file that will be printed as a 6 foot x 1.5 foot banner. Actually, it will be several banners; the same design but only the name of the organization will change. I have everything on different layers in the .ai file.
I've done the artwork as an .ai file, everything is a vector, there are no rasterized images in it at all.
The problem is, I'm not sure the best way to save the file to send to the printer. So, do I save the .ai file as a pdf, a pdf/x-1a, pdf/x-3 or pdf/x-4? Should I convert the text to outlines? There's a symbol in the artwork that includes text, does that text have to be converted to outlines as well?
Or should I just send them a file any which-a-way and see how the proof comes back?
I have this photo here as an example and its specs are:
2200 x 2134 px 300 dpi cm 17.8 cm 18 cm
if I was asked to do a large banner for example 10 meters x 10 meters(i'm converting 10 meters to pixels and I get :37795.275590551) to go on a building wall.the fact that the photo is 300dpi would that be efficient enough to get a good result without pixelation? or do the pixels within the image need to be even more to secure a better print? if the pixels were double the amount would that be more efficient for example 6000 pixels x 6000 pixels does that secure crystal clear print? I read in various forums that the distance would also play a large role,in order to set the resolution value.
Not sure how to search for this. I will ask my question. Using PS CS6 need to create at photoshop image to print on a large banner 10' x 12' How should I go about setting up the file...should I create to actual size? should I set up for 72 or 300 DPI? Should I create at a smaller size in order to NOT take up so much hard drive space and then allow printer to enlarge.. and if so how do we NOT get the pixelation when going from small to extremely large? Is there a file that can be save as (PDF.. TIFF) that you can enlarge indefinitely like a EPS?
I've been drawing stuff for web pages that people come back and want to use in larger formats. Like printing on their truck, or business cards, letterheads, or even large banners.
I didn't draw them with that in mind, it's this tiny image that is made for the web and is like 72dpi. So now I have to take these things somehow and convert them to scalable vectors at 300dpi if possible, but I don't know how. How do I take any random graphic (or a handful of layers at once) and convert it to a higher DPI and make it scalable so I can send the large tiff or even the PSD to a graphic printing company who can scale it to whatever size they like and have it still look the same?
Case in point: I am supposed to take a logo and convert it to a basic black and white print to put on their van. So I have to take off gradients and shadows and extra stuff, but I am still left with a graphic at 72dpi and very small in size. All it is, however, is text using a standard font, but I did a custom letter that kind of flows vertically between 3 lines of text. So I have 4 layers, 3 font layers and one regular drawing layer for the custom letter. The only effect I have now in this basic version is an outer glow, with yellow color overlay.
Can I make this scalable AND with effects? Can I just convert all the layers into vector paths somehow? Or is there a way to just make this 300dpi and make it 5 times bigger and look nice?
I'm just not sure how to convert or get this ready for a printer.
I have a large model that I'm trying to export to .dae to use in Torque3D. The problem is when I export it, I loose all of the textures. I read that in order to export the model properly I have to change the map# of the textures to be within a certain range?
I tried just exporting a single object from the model but when I export I receive warnings/errors saying that It was not able to apply the texture map# 20 because it is not supported outside of 3ds max..
My company will be getting a new large format printer to replace the current one we have. We don't have room enough to have both running at the same time so I'm imagining one-day down then viola, we have a new printer.
How I can prepare for this as far as creating the necessary Plot Styles, pc3, pmp...files? Because i have many items on my to-do list, this could take a day or two with all the testing and i can't image the uproar from our CADers about going without a plotter for two or three days.
I have to create several large format banners (3' x 7') in a 1:1 printing ratio.
When I type in text (at approx. 145 pt type), half or more of it disappears when it is rendered. I have tried reducing the text amount by line, but that hasn't helped. I don't want to to every single word as a separate layer either.
What am I doing wrong?
I am using PS6 in a Windows XP OS and I have 2 GB of RAM.
The printer we are using specifically asks for a "Photoshop file saved as a JPEG".
I am desparate on this as I am under the gun on this project - short notice.
This is an issue that has gone on in v2012 and still in v2013,
A client of mine has been dealing with a painful workaround when plotting custom sized maps in landscape. If the layout shows the map in landscape as it should, it will not plot. You would have to rotate the drawing 90 degrees for it to plot. The maps cover many sqaure miles, so looking at getting the plot area correct, making various changes and such in the layout, while at 90 degrees, is pretty infuriating. I'm in no way a novice in the Adsk world, so having tried a load of options and such, I'm at an impasse. Below are a few things that have been checked off the troubleshooting list.
Not just maps, but even a simple rectangle does not work;Updating plotter drivers;Deleting layout and/or viewport, then recreating one;Using all combinations of portrait/landscape settings in the plot dialog AND in the printer properties;Dropping the plot quality..Changing the compatibility setting of the program to an earlier version of windows;Using a driver from a different plotter;Change margins on custom paper sizes;Audit the file;Used templates from different versions
Best option for large format printing and scanning? We print about 5000 pages a year. Our Xerox 8825 has servered us well but it doesnt communicate with Windows 7 and now appears to have stopped communicating with everything.
Exporting large file sizes. In short I'm trying to export some images for large format printing but am having trouble preparing the right size in LR4.
Specifically I'm trying to produce w 30" x h 20" images. I understand that to do this I'll need a image that is 9000 x 6000 pixels set at 300 ppi. My problem is that when I export this, with the dimensions set to width and height in pixels and resize unchecked LR4 produces an image that is 9000 x 4887?
what i'm doing wrong here? Is it simply that the aspect ratio of image is wrong to produce this size image? My concern is not producing an exact file size for printing.
i have been trying for the past hour to export these two files as pdfs for large format print. everything exports fine except the gold trophy design, how to export these for use for large format solvent printing, i normally dont have a problem but this golden shield vector appears to be the problem.
I work in a print shop that prints biggish stuff. I will frequently have files that postscript to close to a GB or more. Working on simple vector art with a few images in CC is not too much of a problem, but I still notice CC is slower than CS 6. The big problem is when I get a few 200mb PDF's, or files with layers of transparent PSD files in them etc, big busy files, then AI CC really bogs down, or frequently crashes altogether. CS 6 is MUCH better. I don't have the font issues, AI CC works fine with simple files. Saving & opening these big files is such a problem, I just save them back to CS 6, but that causes problems too, I do not want to, nor should I have to have 2 versions open at the same time.
I always try to optimize the files as best possible, but it is tough sometimes as they R supplied by the customer, and the time it takes. We save to a Windows Server 2008 R2 box over gigabit network, which I know is not best practice, but no choice with the sheer volume of files. Would B insane to try to keep track & copy them back & forth, and it was never a big issue with CS 6. I am the first victim in our office, but the other 3 Mac Pro's will B switching over to CC this week, and I know the operators will B crying.
Recurring problem i'm having with bitmaps im trying to export to our large format printer. Some bitmaps are coming up with a grey type filter or lens that corel is automatically putting over my photo.
When i export this' filter' remains on the picture.
If i hit 'edit bitmap' the photo comes up normal with all the colours as it should be. Hit 'save' and it goes straight back to having a grey filter over it? Its only with some photos and the other ones are the same profile on the same page? It seems to be always the physically largest one in size (not dpi) I have tried converting to a cmyk bitmap instead of RGB.
I have an image loaded in PS which has transparancy. I have tried saving it in GIF format - transparancy looks great. But I do not see an option to save TGA file with transparancy.
so why render over and over again just for optimizing the glare effect? Isn't it possible to just render once the beauty image and experiment with the glare-effect settings on it?
I'm working on a J2me application that uses map image, since cellphones have limited resources, I need to reduce the size of a map images much as possibleBUT the quality of the text (road names) and the roads must be preserved... Because they have to be readable in the cellphone .. So what options do i have?
I have multiple xcf files that I saved because I use the selected area in those pics in multiple photo edits... and xcf files store what is already selected... these xcf files of mine are anywhere between 20MB and 40MB... what are they so huge?
When I last opened LR 3, I got a dialog box saying it needed to quit because of a problem reading the previews cache . Then when quitting it is stalling with optimizing previews catalog.
