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Resolution & Image Size


T

tomasz

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I have to create a background and design for a large tradeshow booth (120" x 90 "). I've never worked at this scale so have a few questions that I hope a guru can answer:

First, am I right in thinking I need to work at a proportion of the final output size (so 9 in x 12 in) for instance?

Second: I realize that if I am working at a smaller doc size than the output size, then I'll have to use bitmaps/images that are very very high res to wind up with the printers suggested final output dpi of between 100-150.

My questions:

Do I give my working document (the doc that will be scaled up to final output size) the same dpi as I want at final output (150).

Will native photoshop shapes (filled selections, shapes, etc) scale up well or will they lose information the same way that a jpg would? If, for instance, I create a sphere in my working document then it is scaled up to output, is that the right way, or do I create a sphere at high dpi in separate photoshop file then bring it into my working document?

Very confused, need help, and many cups of coffee.

thank you.

Tomasz.
 
Hi tomasz

Why not just work on the final file? If you create a file 12,000 px X 9,000 px at 100ppi resolution that means that your file is a bit larger than 300mb, a medium size Photoshop file (150ppi... 18,000 x 13,500 would be about 650mb). If your computer can handle it, go for it! To directly answer another of your questions, any vector aspect of a Photoshop file, shape, text, path, etc will scale up without pixillation. However you mention filled selections when you are referring to shapes. Filled selections are bitmap, selections are not vector, therefore they will pixillate when enlarged.
 
Resolution and Image Size

Thanks Welles.

You answered several of my questions. "Selections are bitmaps". I'll remember that.

As for working at final size. You suggested 12,000 px X 9,000 px. So, the idea is work at 100 ppi so that the pixel size is equal to my 120 in X 90 in.

Got it. Hope my lame machine can handle it.

Thank you for your reply.

Tomasz.
 
More on resolution and document size

Hi. Hoping somone sees this follow up. Welles suggested that if my machine can handle it to work at full size. Well my machine doesn't handle it. Resizing and moving are painfully slow.

So, if I work at a lower document size to be scaled later for output, then all graphics used in the design must be high res to start out? So even something like a radial gradiant (sphere) must be created at high dpi then brought into my working document? To reiterate, the final output is 90" X 120" at 150dpi. I thought I'd work at 9 x 12 in then let the printer scale up for output.

Thanks,

Tomasz
 
Thank you for the info tomasz -- very helpful for the rest of us to know!!

I have only one question, Did you flatten the whole image BEFORE you scaled-up? If so, then what you did is in effect create a jpeg of the whole picture! What I mean is that by flattening the image before scaling, you set yourself up to get bit in the butt by the pixelation bug because you took away the vectors, paths etc.!! ;)

If you didn't flatten before scaling, then I guess this is one for the books!! :righton:
 
Hi mflintjer. Thanks for the reply.

I haven't even started the project. I'm getting the info straight so I don't get bit by the pixelation bug, or any other bug that prays on newbies.

I started the post by asking a question about resolution when working on a project that in the end will be scaled up for output. I can't work at full-size, so thus the question about resolution.

I guess I'm not being clear. I'll try again.

I'm working at 9" X 12" to be scaled to 90" X 120" (the final output size which needs to end up at 100-150dpi). I understand that I need to bring in very high dpi bitmaps into the smaller working document so they won't pixelate when output. But what if I need filled shapes, radial gradients etc, in the work? Do I create them in another psd file set to a high dpi and bring them into my working document?

Just trying to find a way of working.


Thanks again.

Tomasz.
 
I haven't even started the project. I'm getting the info straight so I don't get bit by the pixelation bug, or any other bug that prays on newbies.
Click to expand...

:bustagut:

Anyway, no problem -- I would just try to work everything out in a scaled down version, and then try and scale up a little at a time. I know this may take a long time to let the math processes to work themselves out, but unfortunately this will have to do. BUT do not flatten the image(s)/layer(s) until you are ready to print!!

Actually, don't faltten anything if you can help it!! This might even work out better for you -- try to keep the psd file going (in the scaled down version), when you have everything just right, then use the "Save for web" option in the File Menu. When you are in it, go to image size and scale it up to what you want. This may or may not work for you! Just a suggestion for you to try, if it doesn't work, then sorry in advance! :righton: ;)
 
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