RE: High quality images

[Dov Isaacs]

 

 -Original Message-
 From: Stuart Rogers
 Sent: Friday, January 26, 2007 10:28 AM
 To: Clara Hall
 Cc: framers@lists.frameusers.com
 Subject: Re: High quality images

 Clara Hall wrote:
  Hello everyone,

  We have recently adopted a procedure to yield the highest quality 
  images which includes the following steps:

  1.  Alt-PrintScrn the image into Photoshop
  2.  Save the image as a Photoshop EPS.  Make sure Image
  Interpolation is set.

  This sets a image dictionary key that Adobe PostScript Level 2,
Adobe 
  PostScript 3, Acrobat, and Acrobat Reader use to do very high

  quality image interpolation and/or downsampling appropriate to the 
  device's actual resolution and technology at the time the image is 
  viewed or printed. (Distiller passes this key along from PostScript
or 
  EPS in a PostScript stream into the equivalent PDF image key!)

  3.  Import the resultant EPS file into FM.
 


  This procedure is a bit time consuming and I was wondering if anyone

  has another way, or knows of a script which might be able to do a 
  comparable task.

 The procedure you describe is advocated by Dov Isaacs of 
 Adobe, and his instructions also include selecting Binary 
 encoding and TIFF 8-bit preview. I don't know if the current 
 version of Snag-It, suggested by Art, includes those options. 
  In my somewhat geriatric version of Snag-It, the only 
 setting for EPS is colour-depth.

 But I'm not sure there's a great deal of benefit if you're 
 starting out with screenshots, which are low-res to begin 
 with. Photos and other types of graphics may benefit more 
 from the treatment you describe.

 (If you're monitoring this thread, Dov, can you comment?)

 As far as scripting your current process goes, you can 
 automate at least part of it by using the built-in 
 macro-recording feature in Photoshop (Window  Actions) to 
 open a new RGB window, paste, flatten, save as in folder... etc.

 HTH,

 --
 Stuart Rogers


FWIW,

Yes, in the past I did recommend the EPS route with the image
interpolation flag from Photoshop.

In the meantime, Acrobat and Reader, beginning with versions 6
or 7, do a much better job of displaying and enhancing low 
resolution images (such as those from screen shots) on screen,
making that interpolation flag (available in the workflow
available now only when saving EPS from Photoshop) somewhat
unnecessary. I do not use this anymore. For printing, virtually
every PostScript or PDF RIP / printer that I know of will
adequately handle the images without the interpolation bit on.

As such, my current recommendation for screen shots in FrameMaker
or for that matter, almost any other page layout program, is to
capture the image and save without any resampling as a TIFF file
using the LZW compression option.

- Dov
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RE: Weird Frame to PDF problem

[Dov Isaacs]

In fact, FrameMaker treats a network drive no
differently than a local drive. It doesn't
and shouldn't need to do anything special when
opening, reading, writing, or closing a file
stored on a drive that isn't local to the actual
execution of FrameMaker. For better or worse, it
relies on the operating system FrameMaker is
running on, the operating system of the system on
which the network drive is attached, and the
system administration of same to make access to
non-local drives.

Problems that are most typically seen relate to
(1) improper permissions set on the files,
directories, or both on the network drives
and (2) incompatibilities between the user's
OS and the network drive's OS, especially when
accessing NetWare-based or various UNIX-based
network shares from Windows.

What exactly do you think FrameMaker should be
doing that it isn't doing now with regards to
such files?

- Dov

 

 -Original Message-
 From: Jeremy H. Griffith
 Sent: Friday, January 26, 2007 6:20 PM
 To: Gillian Flato
 Cc: framers@frameusers.com
 Subject: Re: Weird Frame to PDF problem
 
 On Fri, 26 Jan 2007 17:47:12 -0800, Gillian Flato 
 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
 
 I am working on a network drive. 
 
 And there you have it.
  
 Does this give anyone any ideas? As we get toward release time, I am
 constantly rebuilding this PDF. This problem is really hosing me up. 
 
 Frame has *never* worked properly with network drives.
 Sad, considering it was born on UNIX, but true.  Work on 
 a local drive, then copy the end result to the network.
 
 -- Jeremy H. Griffith, at Omni Systems Inc.
 
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RE: High quality images

[Dov Isaacs]

I must strongly disagree with ANY advice to resample
screen shots at any stage of the workflow prior to the RIP.
Although this might not be intuitive, upsampling a screen
shot in Photoshop (or name whatever tool you like) prior to
importing or placing into FrameMaker (or name your favorite
layout program) can indeed lead to lossiness. Despite what
many print service providers will tell you, all images
are resampled at the RIP (whether downsampled or upsampled)
to match the combination of the device's actual resolution
and the screening algorithms in use. And such resampling is
typically of quality comparable to the best you can do in
Photoshop. Since resampling is done at the RIP anyway,
doing a manual upsampling prior to the RIP process may
cause real content in your image to be lost. For screen shots,
such data lossiness can yield really crufty results. And
such extra resampling prior to the RIP process violates the
reliable PDF workflow principles.

- Dov 


 -Original Message-
 From: Sean
 Sent: Friday, January 26, 2007 7:43 PM
 To: framers@lists.frameusers.com
 Subject: Re: High quality images
 
 Checkout Screen Captures 102 here:
 

http://www.techwr-l.com/techwhirl/magazine/technical/screencapgraphicsho
mepage.html
 
 Cheers.
 
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Suggest a useful tech writing tool - get a tech writing t-shirt from Adobe

[Scott Abel]

I have 10 Adobe Technical Communication t-shirts left (all XL size).  
If you'd like one, here's all you have to do.


Send us a link to a useful technical writing tool (something useful  
to many if not all tech writers; tools that save time or automate  
manual tasks) that we should include on TheContentWrangler.com.  
Include the name of the tool, a basic description, and a link to the  
website where the tool is located. Also, include your snail mail  
address.


The best ten submissions selected will receive a t-shirt!

Send your submission to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]

Best of luck,

Scott Abel
The Content Wrangler, Inc.
6178 Crittenden Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46220 USA
+1 317-466-1840
skype: abelsp
email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
web: http://www.thecontentwrangler.com

DOCUMENTATION  TRAINING: THE USER EXPERIENCE
APR 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC
Learn more: http://www.doctrain.com



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re: High quality images

[Shlomo Perets]

When the PDF is displayed on-screen, zooming in/out will effectively 
downsample/upsample the screen capture, causing loss of quality.


For an optimal display of screen captures (and when printing the PDF is not 
the primary intended use), a separate PDF (image viewer) may be used, 
with a controlled default zoom level that is related to the dpi value used 
in FrameMaker. This default zoom level is restored, if changed, when the 
reader switches pages.


For an example, see http://www.microtype.com/showcase/text.pdf
The linked file -- http://www.microtype.com/showcase/screens.pdf -- takes 
into account the different display resolution of Acrobat/Reader 5 (and 
earlier, 72 dpi) vs. Acrobat/Reader 6 (and later, 96 dpi by default).
If you open the screens.pdf file in Acrobat/Reader 6.0 or higher, it opens 
at 75% zoom. Display quality is the same as the original (assuming that 
Acrobat's default display resolution of 96 is in effect). When you change 
the zoom to 74%, 73%, or 76%, loss of quality is immediately visible 
(missing pixels or blurry areas).


Magnification settings such as Fit Page or Fit Width yield unpredictable 
zoom levels, and therefore unpredictable display quality of screen captures.


[ Another screen-optimized approach is demonstrated at 
http://www.microtype.com/showcase/MultimediaAsst/Jpeg_linked.pdf ]



Shlomo Perets

MicroType, http://www.microtype.com * ToolbarPlus Express for FrameMaker
FrameMaker/Acrobat training  consulting * FrameMaker-to-Acrobat 
TimeSavers/Assistants


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RE: Weird Frame to PDF problem

[Sheila Carlisle]

This little utility is a handy way to see what application has a lock on any
given file, and optionally release the lock  it pops up whenever a lock
condition prevents updating. 

 http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/ 

I often had experiences with Acrobat (I use Acro 7) where I need to close
Acrobat in order to create a PDF of the same name -- not just close the PDF
itself, but close Acrobat, in order for the file lock to be removed. 

Sheila

___

Sheila Carlisle V: 425/ 486-2988 F: 425/ 483-3836 
Axial InfoSolutions Inc. (Bothell, Washington)
Automated Publishing Solutions / XML Publishing Solutions
http://www.axialinfo.com http://www.miramo.com


 I have a typical Frame Book with .fm files in it. When I save it to PDF
 in a new folder, it's fine. When I try to resave, I get the following
 message:

 Adobe PDF cannot access the file because it is un use by another
 application or process:

 G:\\blah\blah\blah\mypdf.pdf

 Verify that the file is not open by another application or process and
 try again.

 It's weird because no one else is accessing the file and it's not open
 by any other program.

___


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Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit
http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.

RE: Weird Frame to PDF problem

[Sheila Carlisle]

This little utility is a handy way to see what application has a lock on any
given file, and optionally release the lock  it pops up whenever a lock
condition prevents updating. 

 http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/ 

I often had experiences with Acrobat (I use Acro 7) where I need to close
Acrobat in order to create a PDF of the same name -- not just close the PDF
itself, but close Acrobat, in order for the file lock to be removed. 

Sheila

___

Sheila Carlisle V: 425/ 486-2988 F: 425/ 483-3836 
Axial InfoSolutions Inc. (Bothell, Washington)
Automated Publishing Solutions / XML Publishing Solutions
http://www.axialinfo.com http://www.miramo.com


 I have a typical Frame Book with .fm files in it. When I save it to PDF
 in a new folder, it's fine. When I try to resave, I get the following
 message:

 Adobe PDF cannot access the file because it is un use by another
 application or process:

 G:\\blah\blah\blah\mypdf.pdf

 Verify that the file is not open by another application or process and
 try again.

 It's weird because no one else is accessing the file and it's not open
 by any other program.


___

Sheila Carlisle V: 425/ 486-2988 F: 425/ 483-3836 
Axial InfoSolutions Inc. (Bothell, Washington)
Automated Publishing Solutions / XML Publishing Solutions
http://www.axialinfo.com http://www.miramo.com



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Pagemaker

[Gunnar Carlsson]

Hi,
Some of you have mentioned the 7.2 PageMaker filter.  Where can I find 
that? Been looking for an hour, feel stupid...


Regards
Gunnar Carlsson 


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Can FM menus created via FDK be in Kanji?

[Maxwell Hoffmann]

Question: I may have a project coming up in which a client requires some
FrameMaker plug-in menus to display in Kanji. Has anyone else done this
before?

 

I did an extensive Google search and came up empty-handed on this
subject.

 

Maxwell Hoffmann
Manager of Consulting  Training Solutions
ENLASO Corporation
T: 805 494 9571 * F: 805 435 1920
E: [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]  
ENLASO Corporation provides quality enterprise language solutions and
exceeds client expectations through continuing research, development,
and implementation of effective localization processes and technologies.


Visit: www.translate.com http://www.translate.com  for more
information or to subscribe to our complimentary localization
newsletter. 

 

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High quality images

[Dov Isaacs]

> -Original Message-
> From: Stuart Rogers
> Sent: Friday, January 26, 2007 10:28 AM
> To: Clara Hall
> Cc: framers at lists.frameusers.com
> Subject: Re: High quality images

> Clara Hall wrote:
> > Hello everyone,

> > We have recently adopted a procedure to yield the highest quality 
> > images which includes the following steps:

> > 1.  Alt-PrintScrn the image into Photoshop
> > 2.  Save the image as a "Photoshop EPS".  Make sure "Image
> > Interpolation" is set.

> > This sets a image dictionary key that Adobe PostScript Level 2,
Adobe 
> > PostScript 3, Acrobat, and Acrobat Reader use to do very high

> > quality image interpolation and/or downsampling appropriate to the 
> > device's actual resolution and technology at the time the image is 
> > viewed or printed. (Distiller passes this key along from PostScript
or 
> > EPS in a PostScript stream into the equivalent PDF image key!)

> > 3.  Import the resultant EPS file into FM.



> > This procedure is a bit time consuming and I was wondering if anyone

> > has another way, or knows of a script which might be able to do a 
> > comparable task.

> The procedure you describe is advocated by Dov Isaacs of 
> Adobe, and his instructions also include selecting Binary 
> encoding and TIFF 8-bit preview. I don't know if the current 
> version of Snag-It, suggested by Art, includes those options. 
>  In my somewhat geriatric version of Snag-It, the only 
> setting for EPS is colour-depth.

> But I'm not sure there's a great deal of benefit if you're 
> starting out with screenshots, which are low-res to begin 
> with. Photos and other types of graphics may benefit more 
> from the treatment you describe.

> (If you're monitoring this thread, Dov, can you comment?)

> As far as scripting your current process goes, you can 
> automate at least part of it by using the built-in 
> macro-recording feature in Photoshop (Window > Actions) to 
> open a new RGB window, paste, flatten, save as in folder... etc.

> HTH,

> --
> Stuart Rogers


FWIW,

Yes, in the past I did recommend the EPS route with the image
interpolation flag from Photoshop.

In the meantime, Acrobat and Reader, beginning with versions 6
or 7, do a much better job of displaying and enhancing low 
resolution images (such as those from screen shots) on screen,
making that "interpolation flag" (available in the workflow
available now only when saving EPS from Photoshop) somewhat
unnecessary. I do not use this anymore. For printing, virtually
every PostScript or PDF RIP / printer that I know of will
adequately handle the images without the interpolation bit on.

As such, my current recommendation for screen shots in FrameMaker
or for that matter, almost any other page layout program, is to
capture the image and save without any resampling as a TIFF file
using the LZW compression option.

- Dov

Weird Frame to PDF problem

[Dov Isaacs]

In fact, FrameMaker treats a "network drive" no
differently than a local drive. It doesn't
and shouldn't need to do anything special when
opening, reading, writing, or closing a file
stored on a drive that isn't local to the actual
execution of FrameMaker. For better or worse, it
relies on the operating system FrameMaker is
running on, the operating system of the system on
which the "network drive" is attached, and the
system administration of same to make access to
non-local drives.

Problems that are most typically seen relate to
(1) improper permissions set on the files,
directories, or both on the "network drives"
and (2) incompatibilities between the user's
OS and the network drive's OS, especially when
accessing NetWare-based or various UNIX-based
network shares from Windows.

What exactly do you think FrameMaker should be
doing that it isn't doing now with regards to
such files?

- Dov



> -Original Message-
> From: Jeremy H. Griffith
> Sent: Friday, January 26, 2007 6:20 PM
> To: Gillian Flato
> Cc: framers at frameusers.com
> Subject: Re: Weird Frame to PDF problem
> 
> On Fri, 26 Jan 2007 17:47:12 -0800, "Gillian Flato" 
>  wrote:
> 
> >I am working on a network drive. 
> 
> And there you have it.
>  
> >Does this give anyone any ideas? As we get toward release time, I am
> >constantly rebuilding this PDF. This problem is really hosing me up. 
> 
> Frame has *never* worked properly with network drives.
> Sad, considering it was born on UNIX, but true.  Work on 
> a local drive, then copy the end result to the network.
> 
> -- Jeremy H. Griffith, at Omni Systems Inc.
> 

High quality images

[Dov Isaacs]

I must strongly disagree with ANY advice to resample
screen shots at any stage of the workflow prior to the RIP.
Although this might not be intuitive, upsampling a screen
shot in Photoshop (or name whatever tool you like) prior to
importing or placing into FrameMaker (or name your favorite
layout program) can indeed lead to lossiness. Despite what
many print service providers will tell you, all images
are resampled at the RIP (whether downsampled or upsampled)
to match the combination of the device's actual resolution
and the screening algorithms in use. And such resampling is
typically of quality comparable to the best you can do in
Photoshop. Since resampling is done at the RIP anyway,
doing a "manual" upsampling prior to the RIP process may
cause real content in your image to be lost. For screen shots,
such data lossiness can yield really crufty results. And
such extra resampling prior to the RIP process violates the
"reliable PDF workflow" principles.

- Dov 


> -Original Message-
> From: Sean
> Sent: Friday, January 26, 2007 7:43 PM
> To: framers at lists.frameusers.com
> Subject: Re: High quality images
> 
> Checkout Screen Captures 102 here:
> 
>
http://www.techwr-l.com/techwhirl/magazine/technical/screencapgraphicsho
mepage.html
> 
> Cheers.
> 

Suggest a useful tech writing tool - get a tech writing t-shirt from Adobe

[Scott Abel]

I have 10 Adobe Technical Communication t-shirts left (all XL size).  
If you'd like one, here's all you have to do.

Send us a link to a useful technical writing tool (something useful  
to many if not all tech writers; tools that save time or automate  
manual tasks) that we should include on TheContentWrangler.com.  
Include the name of the tool, a basic description, and a link to the  
website where the tool is located. Also, include your snail mail  
address.

The best ten submissions selected will receive a t-shirt!

Send your submission to: abelsp at netdirect.net

Best of luck,

Scott Abel
The Content Wrangler, Inc.
6178 Crittenden Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46220 USA
+1 317-466-1840
skype: abelsp
email: abelsp at netdirect.net
web: http://www.thecontentwrangler.com

DOCUMENTATION & TRAINING: THE USER EXPERIENCE
APR 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC
Learn more: http://www.doctrain.com

High quality images

[Shlomo Perets]

When the PDF is displayed on-screen, zooming in/out will effectively 
downsample/upsample the screen capture, causing loss of quality.

For an optimal display of screen captures (and when printing the PDF is not 
the primary intended use), a separate PDF ("image viewer") may be used, 
with a controlled default zoom level that is related to the dpi value used 
in FrameMaker. This default zoom level is restored, if changed, when the 
reader switches pages.

For an example, see http://www.microtype.com/showcase/text.pdf
The linked file -- http://www.microtype.com/showcase/screens.pdf -- takes 
into account the different display resolution of Acrobat/Reader 5 (and 
earlier, 72 dpi) vs. Acrobat/Reader 6 (and later, 96 dpi by default).
If you open the screens.pdf file in Acrobat/Reader 6.0 or higher, it opens 
at 75% zoom. Display quality is the same as the original (assuming that 
Acrobat's default display resolution of 96 is in effect). When you change 
the zoom to 74%, 73%, or 76%, loss of quality is immediately visible 
(missing pixels or blurry areas).

Magnification settings such as Fit Page or Fit Width yield unpredictable 
zoom levels, and therefore unpredictable display quality of screen captures.

[ Another screen-optimized approach is demonstrated at 
http://www.microtype.com/showcase/MultimediaAsst/Jpeg_linked.pdf ]


Shlomo Perets

MicroType, http://www.microtype.com * ToolbarPlus Express for FrameMaker
FrameMaker/Acrobat training & consulting * FrameMaker-to-Acrobat 
TimeSavers/Assistants

Can FM menus created via FDK be in Kanji?

[Maxwell Hoffmann]

Question: I may have a project coming up in which a client requires some
FrameMaker plug-in menus to display in Kanji. Has anyone else done this
before?



I did an extensive Google search and came up empty-handed on this
subject.



Maxwell Hoffmann
Manager of Consulting & Training Solutions
ENLASO Corporation
T: 805 494 9571 * F: 805 435 1920
E: mhoffmann at translate.com   
ENLASO Corporation provides quality enterprise language solutions and
exceeds client expectations through continuing research, development,
and implementation of effective localization processes and technologies.


Visit: www.translate.com   for more
information or to subscribe to our complimentary localization
newsletter. 

Pagemaker solved

[Gunnar Carlsson]

Hi,
Just found out the import filters are not found when importing, but when 
opening the document (File>>Open, not File>>Import, which seemed 
logical to me)

Gunnar Carlsson 

Looking for books on Frame template design

[Greg Thompson]

   Hi:

   I have decided to take the plunge into learning template design using Frame.
   Any suggestions on books/tutorials to get out of the land advanced
   intermediate/user I have been stuck in for sometime? :)

   I am going to DC to take class on XML, so naturally I am interested in Frame
   and XML. I read the reviews on Amazon of Kay Ethier's book "XML and
   Framemaker" and they seem very favorable. Has any one had any experience
   using this book? Is it suited for Frame 7.2? The reviewers seemed to like it
   because it gave an introduction to template design and Structured Frame.

   Thoughts?

   Thanks
Greg Thompson