Question about resolution

So when I save as a JPG, I am allowed to choose whatever pixel height and width I want. For example my latest map, I chose to go really big and then planned to use Photoshop to shrink back on it some before printing. When I open any of these saved JPGs in Photoshop, the overall resolution is still 72 pixels. Why is it not 300 pixels like I think the CC3 manual says it will be?
JSM

Comments

  • Awhile back on these forums someone recommended downloading (for free) PDF creator...if you print to that from cc3, you have the option of saving at whatever resolution you want.
  • When you save as jpg, click on the options button lower right of the save window. Change the resolution in there.

    png is better, not lossy like jpg.
  • RalfRalf Administrator, ProFantasy 🖼️ 18 images Mapmaker
    DPI (dots per inch) is a setting specific to each image file that defines how large/detailed a given image is supposed to be. Typical are 72 (for the web), 144 or 150 dpi (low-resolution printing), 300 dpi etc.

    The final Bitmap (png, png, bmp) that CC3 exports will always be at 72 dpi - the CC3 export function can't do anything else. But you can change this in most graphics editors (Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro, Irfanview, etc.).

    The DPI setting has normally o effect on an image on the computer screen. Only if you print the image will the setting become apparent. If your goal is to print the bitmap, you'll have to do a quick calculation what export size you need. E.g. You want to print a 11"x8.5" map at 300dpi (dots per inch). For the best resolution you'll need to export from CC3 at 11*300 (3300) by 8.5*300 (2550) pixel.

    Normally if printing is your goal, it's better to print directly from CC3, or - if you want to take the image to another printer - print as a pdf.
  • edited December 2012
    Thanks Ralf. Though if I print to pdf, how do I tell that printer that I want the image to be x pixels by x pixels large? When I create the CC3 image, it is measured in 1000 by 800 what? Is that pixels? Then what do I tell the pdf printer if I want it 22 by 28 inches?
    JSM
  • RalfRalf Administrator, ProFantasy 🖼️ 18 images Mapmaker
    CC3's units are arbitrary vector-based measurings - they have no relation to pixel or inches beyond what you assign them. For example in an overland map they might represent miles or km.

    When you print to pdf, you can set the size of your output in the virtual printer's settings. You can usually choose the paper size there (which of course relates to inches or cm), or set this size to your own values (custom size). How exactly that works depends on the pdf printer you are using.
  • Asking this out loud in case Ralf went to bed or something.

    I got PDF Architect working and am able to do everything we spoke about but what I desperately need to know now is how I crop my image in CC3. I have made some of my mountains so big that they extend a little past the white box border of the whole image and when I need the main map itself to be a certain size it makes my over-all paper size just outside of the 42 inches wide I have available with the printer. If I can crop that white border away and everything outside of it, I will make. Any ideas?
    JSM
  • DogtagDogtag Moderator, Betatester Traveler
    edited December 2012
    I don't know about PRINTING, but you can choose to SAVE a rectangular image. There are a couple of rectangular options in the Save at type drop down list. In that case, CC3 will ask you to select the "saveable" area.

    ~Dogtag
  • pdjpdj Traveler
    There's also a useful "restrict image to map border" among the save-as-bitmap options

    p
  • Yeah I know that stuff on the Save As. I have to work this out for printing though.
    Thanks for offering help though.
    JSM
  • FYI - Printing to PDF with PDF Architect at 600 dpi and then bringing it into Photoshop to crop, color adjust and such at 300 dpi produces a photographic print. Even my smallest font is clearly legible. Absolutely outstanding advice from you guys. Thanks.
    JSM
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