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around 300 KBor around a minute of download time over the Internet on a 56K dial-up modem. Extrapolate those figures to a typical proposal document and you can end up with some enormous file sizes, and corresponding long download and printing times. Large bitmaps also slow down editing, because it takes Word longer to repaint the screen when you scroll the document. But, I hear you say, I want the highest quality for my printed documents! Dont we all, but we dont need huge bitmaps to achieve it. In fact, printing a bitmap at a resolution of more than 150 to 200 pixels per inch (PPI) achieves no noticeable visual increase in quality. Even high-end laser printers, such as
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The Solution
Using Word
So, how do we optimally change the resolution of the bitmap? If you are using Word 2002, part of Microsoft Office XP, you have a built-in tool. Those of us who are long-time Word users waited years for this obviously needed feature. 1. Size the picture how you want it to look in the document. Using our rsum example, this would be 1.5 inches wide. 2. With the picture selected, click on the Compress Pictures icon on the Picture toolbar:
4. Note that you can compress All pictures in document or just the Selected pictures. 5. Select Print under Change resolution. This will result in a resolution of 200 PPI. 6. Ensure that the Compress pictures and Delete cropped areas of pictures boxes are checked.
What if youre using Word 2000, or even Word 97? Well, youll have to use a separate bitmap editor such as Adobe PhotoShop, JASC Paint Shop Pro, or Microsoft Photo Editor. If you have a rsum photograph that you want to print at 1.5 inches wide on the Word page, refer to the steps on the following page to change the resolution using each application:
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5. Click on OK and save the picture under a different file name (Youll probably want to go back to the original in the future).
1. Open the picture, then go to Image > Image Size. This will display the Image Size dialog:
1. Open the picture, then go to Image > Resize. This will display the Resize dialog: 2. Click on Actual / print size.
2. In the Document Size: frame, set the resolution to 150 pixels/inch. 3. Make sure that the Constrain Proportions and Resample Image boxes are checked. The default of Bicubic resampling is fine. 4. Now set the Width to 1.5 inches. The Height will automatically change to maintain the original aspect ratio.
6. You can now insert the new bitmap into Word. Note the Pixel Dimensions at the top of the dialog. This indicates the uncompressed file size, not the file size after youve saved it. The JPEG file format has inherent file compression and the final size, in this example, ended up at 11 KB! 3. Set the Resolution to 150.00 Pixels / inch. 4. Make sure that the Resize all layers and Maintain aspect ratio boxes are checked. The default of Smart size resize type is fine. 5. Now set the Width to 1.500 inches. The Height will automatically change to maintain the original aspect ratio.
6. Click on OK and save the picture under a different file name. You can now insert the new bitmap into Word.
Using Photo Editor
4. Make sure that the Smooth box is checked and the Allow distortion box is not checked. Set the Units to Inches. 5. Now set the Width to 1.500 inches. The Height will automatically change to maintain the original aspect ratio.
1. Open the picture, then go to File > Properties. This will display the Properties dialog:
Note that the opposite is also true bitmaps with resolutions less than 150 PPI will show poor quality. This is why most graphics captured from web pages are not suitable for printed images. Web pages are generally set for 72 to 75 PPI. Also, note that these techniques apply equally well to PowerPoint. However, if you are primarily producing PowerPoint slides for electronic presentations using a projector, optimize your bitmaps to 75 PPI. Use 150 PPI as described above for printed slides. Trivia Time: Did you know that pixel is a contraction of picture element? Look out for more production tips from Wordman in the next issue!
2. Set the Resolution to 150 Pixels / Inch. 3. Click on OK, then go to Image > Resize. This will display the Resize dialog:
6. Click on OK and save the picture under a different file name. You can now insert the new bitmap into Word.
You can reach Wordman via Dick Eassom, Director of Product Development at SM&A, Newport Beach, Californiae-mail Dick at dick.eassom@smawins.com. Thanks to Sean Jones of SM&As Art
Summary
So, changing the resolution of your bitmaps is easy, does not reduce quality, but does minimize file size, improves printing and download time, and optimizes file editing. The minimum resolution should be 150 PPI, with a maximum of around 200 PPI. Happy resizing!
Department for bring Wordman to life. Wordman is 2001-2002, SM&A, and used with permission by APMP.
Fall/Winter 2002