How do I get High Quality Images for PDF output

[neethu_cc]

Hi folks,

I currently have to generate 2 outputs : Webhelp and PDF. I capture the image and insert it with the actual size in to flare. The image is perfect in Webhelp but runs off teeh page for PDF Output. Then i gave Maximum width and height for images in print mode. By doing that the PDF images (would fit in the page) were fuzzy. I tried resizing the images using Flare, Snag - it and Paint, but nothing seems to work. The images in the output is fuzzy.

What I am looking for is large images for Webhelp and the same images should fit the page when generated as a PDF.

Cheers!
Neethu

[neethu_cc]

No one is responding to my post..I need help guys!!!!

[neethu_cc]

I resolved the issue on my own. Thanks to all

[RamonS]

What was the resolution? One reason why there were no replies is that others may not have had a good proposal.

[SteveS]

...and don't forget this is a peer to peer forum.

In the 10 hours between your first and last post people who might know the answer might not have logged on.

Welcome to the forums anyway!

[neethu_cc]

I know it would take time..but I was so desprate to solve this issue. I thought no one was responding because this issue has been going on for many years now.

The way I am doing it is not the appropriate way but it works for me.

1) Insert the images without resizing so it looks good in webhelp.
2) Set max width and height in Print medium for images.
3) Generate the PDF
(this is where the weird part comes)
4) Print the PDF to a PDF again. (you knw what i mean? give the PDF for printing and instead of selecting a printer select "print as PDF". I had Cute PDF writer in my system and the images are not fuzzy anymore. You can download it anytime).

The images are not the highest quality but its not fuzzy anymore and lot better.

[neethu_cc]

hmmm..but it has a problem though..the TOC links wont work..

[RamonS]

Take a look at the webinars that MadCap did. I think they have the recordings on their web site and if I am not totally mistaken there was one for getting decent images in PDFs. I might be remembering this wrongly.

[neethu_cc]

Will definitely take a look. Thank you Ramon

[Ganzzzz]

Hi there,

Maybe it has something to do with downsampling of images in your pdf output.

This comes from the Flare helpfile.

How to specify PDF options

1.Open a target that is using the PDF format. If necessary, you can change the output type for a target.
2.Select the PDF Options tab.
3.Complete the options on the tab as necessary.

Image Compression

Downsample images above
Select this if you want to downsample images and then enter the number of pixels per inch. Downsampling means to reduce the number of pixels in an image, which can significantly reduce the size of the PDF.
Compression
Select an option for the compression.

Automatic
This uses Flare's internal lossless compression algorithm on all images. Lossless compression allows you to reduce file size without sacrificing image quality. JPEGs remain as they are.
JPEG
This converts all images to JPEG with some compression.
Quality
If you select the "JPEG" option, you can also choose an option from this field. Maximum uses the least amount of compression and results in a higher file size.


I hope this helps,

Kind regards,
Ganzzzz

[dtmenges]

The following hints are from my experience that predates working in Flare. It goes back to Frame and WebWorks Publisher.

Save screen shots in .tif or .png formats. I found that .jpg images just have too many compression artifacts and smear really bad even before sizing.

I usually do my own screen captures but work with the developers when I can't. Convince them to save in .bmp if you have to. I use Snagit in XP but just use the snipping tool in Win7 and Win8.

When images are placed I found that setting the width to %50 of the pixel width worked well for .pdf output. Next best was 33% or %25. For example, a screen shot that is 450 px wide is set to max width of 225 pixels and automatic height. You can usually hover over the file in Windows Explorer to get the dimensions of the image. And yes, I keep a calculator on my desk for the tricky math.

I've used the Automatic compression setting in the Flare PDF Option of the target.

The other hints on this thread are important also.

My two cents.

[LTinker68]

You can usually hover over the file in Windows Explorer to get the dimensions of the image.

Or you can add the Dimensions column to the Windows Explorer view.

[Junior]

In SnagIT, there is an option to set the resolution. Suppose I resize a .png image to 600 pixels, what should be the resolution of capture and the resolution after resizing the image?

I also get fuzzy images in PDFs created from Flare.

[SteveS]

Resolution only applies to the output, not the initial capture.

If you take screenshots from a Windows PC the capture is taken at 96 pixels per inch (or dpi). Macs work at 72dpi.

If you set the image output to 300 dpi, the image will appear sharper but will be about 1/3 the size because the dots that were 1/96 inch wide have been made smaller so 300 of them fit in an inch. So, most people then try to resize the image back to its original size. Unless the resize is the exact proportion from the conversion to 300 dpi some bluriness will occur because the application has to mae a decision for a resized dot that overlaps the destination size.

I've noticed snagit converts some images to 72 dpi when effects are added, noticably the curled page effect. I picked it up because an image I was using in a Word document suddenly became blurry...

I've also had a similar thing happen when converting documents to pdf format. Some images get resampled as 72 dpi, again causing bluriness.

If you are getting your images from another source, such as a scanner or created using a graphics application, you can user higher resolution (such as 300 dpi) by creating the image that way from the start.

HTH