Accepted Artwork
Quick Links:
- Print Specifications
- Option 1: Vector based files are the best first option.
- Option 2: Photoshop CMYK images are next best option. Many format options.
- Color Modes
- Fonts
- Image Sizes
DLP / High Definition Static Artwork Requirements
It's always a goal to provide quality files to obtain optimum use of your DLP system.
To achieve this high standard we need or you need appropriate files. Depending on who creates the artwork. When creating the artwork, EPS files (vector Files) and JPEG files are the correct files to use. When it comes to photos, they should be JPEGs, they can't be any less then 300 dpi. (100% scale) Note, when it comes to text and logos they should only be EPS files. If not we can redraw or retype to the acceptable output. Everything should be CMYK color mode. This holds true for any static artwork. We are here to help make sure your artwork is at its highest quality. We want to provide quality products supported by the best customer service possible.
Remember the document you need for output to the DLP system should be 15360 wide and 720 high for pixel dimension at a resolution no smaller then 300 dpi and CMYK color mode. Adobe Photoshop is the program that will get your document ready to be loaded to the DLP system.
DLP / High Definition Animation
Software Requirements: Adobe After Effects Professional Version 7.0.
Please note, the files are going to be 18 times larger then any normal LED animation file. The file size, as with pixel size, is not going to change from static to animation files. They will all have the same dimensions.
Creating a New Document
Proper .AVI Rendering
Typically people create their media by using the Rendering commands. This is done from the Composition menu, selecting "Add to Render Queue". This will add a composition to the render queue where you can set various setting for the rendering.
Below is an example template:
Format: Video for Windows
Video Output, Format Options:
- Compressor: New Tech Codek
- Compression Quality: 50%
- Key Frame Every: 30 frames
- Data Rate: uncheck this item
Stretch:
- Full Width: 15,360 pixels
- Full Height: 720 pixels
- Half Width: 7680 pixels
- Half Height: 360 pixels
Audio: uncheck this item.
All the other settings don't matter.
Option 1: Vector based files are the best first option.
Example of a vector graphic at different levels of magnification. Note: Because computer monitors can display images only on a grid, both vector graphics and bitmap images are displayed as pixels on-screen. |
Vector File Formats
Vector graphics are made up of mathematically defined lines and curves called vectors. You can move, resize, or change the color of a line without losing the quality of the graphic. Vector graphics are resolution-independent-that is, they can be scaled to any size and printed at any resolution without losing detail or clarity. As a result, vector graphics are the best choice for representing bold graphics that must retain crisp lines when scaled to various sizes (logos, for example).
Illustrator EPS/AI
Standard file format for saving vector graphics created in Illustrator. Preserves artwork to outlines for ease of scaling; line and curves stay true and are not rasterized into pixels (as in Photoshop EPS).
Portable Document Format (PDF) is a flexible, cross-platform, cross-application file format. Based on the PostScript imaging model, PDF files accurately display and preserve fonts, page layouts, and both vector and bitmap graphics. PDF files can be created using applications such as Adobe Photoshop Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Illustrator. When you open a Generic PDF file, Photoshop rasterizes the image.
SWF
The Macromedia FlashT (SWF) file format is a vector-based graphics file format for the creation of scalable, compact graphics for the web. Because the file format is vector-based, the artwork maintains its image quality at any resolution. The SWF format is ideal for the creation of animation frames, but you can also save raster images in SWF format or mix raster and vector graphics.
Option 2: Photoshop CMYK images are next best option.
Bitmap images
Bitmap images-technically called raster images-are made up of a grid of dots known as pixels. When working with bitmap images, you edit pixels rather than objects or shapes. Bitmap images are the most common electronic medium for continuous-tone images, such as photographs or digital paintings, because they can represent subtle gradations of shades and color. Bitmap images can lose detail when scaled on-screen because they contain a fixed number of pixels, and each pixel is assigned a specific location and color value. Bitmapped images can look jagged if they're printed at too low a resolution because the size of each pixel is increased.
If sending an image for placement in your panel design, there are several formats to use. The best is a CMYK-color mode TIFF. Below are the file types ranked best to worst. Essentially, don't go below a JPEG and expect it to be in final print file:
- TIFF (.tif)
- EPS (.eps) Non-vector Photoshop
- JPEG (.jpg)
- Bitmap (.bmp)
- PICT (.pct) Often pulled from web sites, reference use only
- GIF (.gif) Often pulled from web sites, reference use only
- PNG (.png) Often pulled from web sites, reference use only
- WORD (.doc) Document with embedded clip-art, reference use only
- PowerPoint (.ppt) Document with embedded clip-art, reference use only
- MetaFile (.wmf)
Detailed File Type Information
TIFF
Tagged-Image File Format (TIFF, TIF) is used to exchange files between applications and computer platforms. TIFF is a flexible bitmap image format supported by virtually all paint, image-editing, and page-layout applications. Also, virtually all desktop scanners can produce TIFF images.
Photoshop EPS
Encapsulated PostScript (EPS) language file format can contain both vector and bitmap graphics and is supported by virtually all graphics, illustration, and page-layout programs. When you open an EPS file containing vector graphics, Photoshop rasterizes the image, converting the vector graphics to pixels.
JPEG
Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) format is commonly used to save and display photographs. JPEG format retains all color information in an image but compresses file size by selectively discarding data. JPEG is a standard format for displaying images over the web. A JPEG image is automatically decompressed when opened. A higher level of compression results in lower image quality, and a lower level of compression results in better image quality.
PICT
PICT format is used in graphics and page-layout applications as an intermediary file format for transferring images between applications. PICT format is especially effective for compressing images with large areas of solid color. When saving an RGB image in PICT format, you can choose either a 16-bit or 32-bit pixel resolution. For bitmap and grayscale images, you can choose from 2, 4, or 8 bits per pixel.
GIF
Commonly used to display graphics and small animations in web pages. GIF is a format designed to minimize file size and transfer time.
PNG
Developed as a patent-free alternative to GIF, Portable Network Graphics (PNG) format is used for display of images on the web.
WMF
Windows Metafile An intermediate exchange format for 16-bit Windows PC applications. WMF format is supported by almost all Windows drawing and layout programs. Limited vector graphics support, and not always compatible with MAC based computers. Illustrator may rasterize some vector data when exporting artwork to EMF format.
Color Modes
RGB Color mode
Photoshop's RGB Color mode uses the RGB model, assigning an intensity value to each pixel, for each of the RGB (red, green, blue) components in a color image.
The RGB model is used by computer monitors to display colors. This means that when working in color modes other than RGB, such as CMYK, Photoshop interpolates the CMYK image to RGB for display on-screen. Although RGB is a standard color model, the exact range of colors represented can vary, depending on the application or display device.
CMYK Color mode
In the CMYK mode, each pixel is assigned a percentage value for each of the process inks, C (Cyan) M (Magenta) Y (Yellow) K (Black). For example, a bright red might contain 2% cyan, 93% magenta, 90% yellow, and 0% black. In CMYK images, pure white is generated when all four components have values of 0%. Use the CMYK mode when preparing an image to be printed using process colors. Converting an RGB image into CMYK creates a color separation. Although CMYK is a standard color model, the exact range of colors represented can vary, depending on the press and printing conditions.
NOTE: Panels are printed CMYK, but the proofs view on-screen are RGB. Color variations can and will occur between colors proofed and final printed outcome.
Fonts
About missing fonts
If a document uses fonts not installed on your system, you see an alert message when you open it. Photoshop indicates which fonts are missing and substitutes missing fonts with available matching fonts installed on printer's computer.
To create a work path from type
To avoid missing font, create a work path from type that makes the fonts into characters as vector shapes. You cannot edit characters in the path as once converted, but it preserves the desired look desired.
Image Sizes
Panel sizes range in height from 28" to 42" and widths of 85" to 103". These size ranges are important when sending artwork. Your file may look good on an 8.5" x 11" document, but the final will need to be scaled up substantially. Pixilation will occur if original file is too small. Basically the bigger the file (TIFF, JPEG, etc.) the better it will scale up. At minimum, a quality image should be no smaller than 500K in size. The example below show the difference between a 19.5K image that becomes pixilated when scaled up to desired final size:
Eagle image 2"x2" @ 72 dpi, looks decent at this scale:
Cropped portion of same eagle image approximately 15"x15" @ 72 dpi, looks bad:
