1. JRN 440 Adv. Online Journalism Vector file formats for print and projected Wednesday, 2/22/12

2. Class Objectives Neat Trick Lecture Vector File Formats for Print and Projected Why we care to learn about vector, http://actualobjects.com/collections/economic-bailout- information-graphics Homework Ex. 4 and 5 due by 2:05 pm 2/29/12

3. Vector Graphics Definition= The creation of digital images through a sequence of commands or mathematical statements that place lines and shapes in a two- dimensional or three-dimensional space. Made up of individual objects These objects are defined by mathematical equations not pixels (“smart”) Each object has individual properties assigned to it such as color, fill, and stroke.

4. Vector Graphics Resolution Independent What does this do? Vector images always render at the highest quality... Whether stamped sized or billboard sized Crispness of lines and shapes no matter what size No “jagged” edges when you enlarge

5. Vector Graphics Characteristics Good for drawing shapes, lines, polygons, texts Reduces detail of photographs BUT, images are cartoon-like Easier to manipulate as objects remain as individuals (not flattened into a painting) Resolution independent Can scale to any size Final vector file can be any shape Not restricted to rectangular format Usually smaller file size than raster

6. Questions Remember “dumb” or “smart” files of each 1. Can I easily convert my raster file to a vector file? Not easily Can use live trace in Illustrator, but not really good results Most will “trace” using the Pen Tool 2. Can I easily convert my vector file to a raster file? Yes, <File <Export

7. 2d Vector File Formats Native:.ai (Illustrator),.fla (Flash) Most commonly used for printing: EPS Can contain raster images “wrapped” within them Next best thing is to use a PDF As of 2009, an open standard for printable documents on the Web (free to use) Can contain vector images within them (e.g. text and paths) as well as raster elements But it’s best to know how these files were originally created If originally raster, they’ll remain raster If originally vector, they’ll remain vector but you might lose text paths If hybrid, when imported/opened in a software, will have both

8. 2d Vector File Formats “De-facto” printing standard for CAD files:.dxf/dwg, (owned by Autocad) Other files that are used are.iges,.step Web standard:.svg (static and for animation) May need a Plug-in to see (depends on browser) Written in XML “De-facto” web standard:.swf The Flash plug-in is on almost all browsers

9. 3d Vector File Formats Native:.3dm (Rhino),.3ds (3d Studio Max),.DWG (AutoCAD), (Maya, Sketchup, ProE, AutoCad) For 3d models: From Autocad alone: DXF (drawing exchange format) between software DWF (design web format) for Web.u3d (supported by Adobe, works in Photoshop) For previewing on web pages:.x3d and.vrml (standards) Need a plug-in to see these

10. Which file format to use? If moving from one vector software to another eps or pdf dwg 3ds If printing, pdf and eps are safe bets But ask your printer what they want If on-line and have plug-ins installed, swf for 2d x3d for 3d

11. File Management: Moving your design project and files Why would you move your project and files? If you are going to have it professionally printed If you’re going to another computer If you’re handing it off to someone else and they need to open the project

12. File Management: Moving graphic files In many cases, you will need to transform your file into a non-native format Native is.MAX,.FH,.PSD Non-native is EPS, PDF, TIFF, JPG, GIF, PNG, SVG, DXF, DWG Remember!!! Always save a native version of your design.

13. File Management: Moving your design project and files If you will be moving your project, you need to move ALL files associated with it Image and data files All vector (2d, 3d) All raster (skins, rendered files) Design (html, page-layout files like qxd) Misc. files (“readme”, pre-flight checklist, fonts)

14. Converting/ moving graphic files Also called “porting” Porting = Translating software to run on a different computer and/or operating system Difference between <File <Open and <File <Import or <Place Think about how InDesign does this Place is simply linking (not porting) files  You’ll need to include them when you move the job

15. Porting 1 st Need to consider how is data stored or created? Raster vs. vector (metafiles) 2d vector vs. 3d vector 2 nd What software are you using to port into? Illustration program = Illustrator Image Editor = Photoshop Some software packages can handle porting of native formats  Adobe suite products – Photoshop can port (by simply opening) Illustrator’s native format

16. Porting Raster files What do you have to worry about with moving raster files? RESOLUTION BASED!!! A raster file on a web page is ~72 dpi, for print it should be 600 dpi for b/w, 300 for grayscale and color Do NOT trust your monitor when it displays your raster file NEVER “scale” up raster in Illustrator or InDesign to more than 200% and try to print it out. Do scaling in PhotoShop (and upsampling is still not a good idea here)

17. Porting vector files 1 st, what is your original vector file 3d 2d What software used, version of software 2 nd, where are you moving it to? 3d 2d What software to open/import Where is the final “viewing” place? Web or monitors (loss of control over certain things… think colors on monitors) Print (non-3d quality)

18. Porting vector files What do you have to worry about? Almost everything… regardless of where moving to (3d to raster, 3d to 2d, 3d to 3d, etc.) Biggest problem = some software will import or open certain files, some will not  Check ALL that you have access to! Color shifting  Especially if your final output is print! Losing details of your original design  Strokes (too little, too big, lost altogether)  Rendering (skinning, lights, colors)

19. Porting vector files Losing details Shapes not coming through Getting distorted Disappearing altogether Shifting in terms of x,y,z planes (which are important on maps, cad drawings) Fonts Certain letters missing Not coming up as letters at all “Extra” features of software Transparency in Illustrator Layers

20. Porting vector files What do you NOT have to worry about? Resolution (yeah!)… vector files are resolution independent. Again? Why is it so difficult to move vector versus raster? Raster files are just pixels Vector files have tons on info. in them