Screen captures and sizing

["Spectrum Writing " <SpectrumWriting -at- q -dot- com>]

Cross-posted to framers and STC Lone Writers list.

 

I know that there are many graphics gurus on this list and I will be the
first to admit - I am NOT a graphics guru and it is my weakest point. That
said, I have never had any comments from clients until now about what I do
for screen captures, and I wanted either confirmation or some additional
insight on improvements for taking screen captures.

 

Here is the current comment from a client: Generally, I would like to keep
high quality of screen captures. 

Would like to suggest using a tool that can downscale the images with a
smoothing function to keep high quality appearance. (as appear here, this is
just sub-sampling with no smoothing.) 

 

The comment that I have from the client is what I have - nothing specific
about fuzziness, or anything else.

 

I use SnagIt as my capture tool. I use the region option and capture either
the relevant portion that I need or if required, I take a capture of the
whole screen. I then save the capture as a .png, and use the import file
function to bring the capture into my Framemaker file. Obviously, the
default dpi is set to the fictitious Windows 96 dpi. I change the capture to
150 dpi and import. If this works for size and clarity, then I am done; if
not, I right-click on the picture and adjust the dpi until I get the size
that works for the page layout and what I am trying to show. (After much
reading on this list, and advice from another colleague, I have learned that
what I was initially taught at a long ago gig - to set the dpi to 300 and
then use the manual sizing handles - is NOT the way to go).

 

When  I create the PDF, I am manually distilling the file - I don't do a
"Save as PDF." I use the Adobe printer to print to a postscript file, and
then distill the postscript file to a PDF. I don't change anything any of
the settings in Distiller - I use the standard settings option and don't
change anything.

 

 

Can any of you graphics gurus give me some insight as to what else I should
be doing/changing or if I am doing it the right way - and if you want to
lecture me off list about dpis and stuff, that is fine with me too. I will
gladly take whatever information I can glean so that I can reply
professionally to this client. The pictures are not fuzzy in the PDFs - and
they have been just fine for all other clients before.

 

Thanks so much,

 

 

Tammy Van Boening

Owner/Principal

Spectrum Writing, LLC

www.spectrumwritingllc.com <http://www.spectrumwritingllc.com/> 

 

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