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Author Topic: Print to file: web/online option reversed?  (Read 16936 times)
b3ams
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« on: August 04, 2013, 09:03:41 PM »

Print to file web/online option reversed?

I am using the 2014.105 trial

Something is wrong with what I am doing, can you help please.

I want to send photo to online print shop at 11.7x16.5 and 300PPI and I set that into Step 1.

Print to file setup dialogue:

Step 1:
11.7 x 16.5 inches and 300PPI

Step 2:
Put dot to online printing gives 96dpi

Put dot to monitor/web gives 300dpi

Colour space is sRGB

I am checking the output file DPI with Windows Properties/Details

This seems to be reversed to what it should be?

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Terry-M
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« Reply #1 on: August 04, 2013, 09:34:16 PM »

Hi,
Welcome to the forum and QU.
Quote
Put dot to online printing gives 96dpi
You set the dpi that is required wherever the dot is, see screen shot attached - I set the 300 and it does not change wherever I put the dot.
Quote
I am checking the output file DPI with Windows Properties/Details
It's nonsense  Roll Eyes In fact the Windows properties show 96ppi for both versions here.
The pixel size should be 4950 x 3510.
4590/16.5" = 300ppi
Remember, the so-called "DPI" (PPI to be precise) of an image is often some notional value and an image on its own does not have a real ppi until it's printed. It has a pixel size, that is all.
Check the pixel size and divide by the inches, that's the real ppi. If the pixel size is correct, it's ok.  Wink
Terry

By the way, did you make a PRINT by clicking Print as if you were printing to paper?
That's what you will give to your printer or whoever.
« Last Edit: August 04, 2013, 09:43:25 PM by Fred A » Logged
b3ams
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« Reply #2 on: August 05, 2013, 06:13:36 AM »

Thanks for replying!

Yes I am pressing the print button, and then I am checking the output file DPI with Windows Properties/Details. I get 96 DPI for the online print shop job, and 300 DPI for the web job.
The online print shop needs 300 DPI, not 96 DPI, and they don't want PPI.

The pixel size (PPI) of both files is 4950 x 3510.
4590/16.5" = 300ppi
However the DPI as reported by windows is 96 and 300.
They are different sizes too: 2.65 MB for the 300 DPI and 5.15 MB for the 96 DPI web optimized photo.

I have both prints back from the print shop in front of me, and the 300 DPI photo has lots more detail and contrast than the 96 DPI photo. Yet QImage optimized the 300 DPI photo for the web? I think it should be 96 PPI. A smaller file size for the web, but it is bigger as you can see.

Perhaps there is a bug in the software. I set my camera to give me 16MP photos.







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Terry-M
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« Reply #3 on: August 05, 2013, 07:04:06 AM »

Hi,
Quote
The online print shop needs 300 DPI, not 96 DPI, and they don't want PPI.
Terminology can be muddled sometimes!
PPI usually refers to the resolution at the time of printing: the inch size divided by the pixel size.
DPI, dots per inch is sometimes used to mean the same thing but when referring to a particular printer refers to the spry pattern of the nozzles and is is usually much higher than the print ppi.
Quote
The pixel size (PPI) of both files is 4950 x 3510. 4590/16.5" = 300ppi
That is what is required, despite the print supplier using "dpi".
Quote
However the DPI as reported by windows is 96 and 300
I would not rely on that but check by dividing pixels by inches.
If you have 2 different pixels sizes for print optimised and web optimised then you must have used 2 different PPI settings in the print to File dialogue.
Quote
They are different sizes too: 2.65 MB for the 300 DPI and 5.15 MB for the 96 DPI web optimized photo.
But what is the pixel size, same or different? If the same then a different jpeg quality was used.
I have double checked this here and wherever the dot is placed in the dialogue, I get identical images, same pixel size and just a modest difference in file size due to one having print sharpening which makes a larger file (+ 14%).
The differences between images for Online Printing and Monitor/Web are:
Online: print sharpening
Web: no print sharpening
Online: specify any printer icc profile to embed
Web: sRGB profile only
Quote
Perhaps there is a bug in the software
QU is behaving perfectly here. I suppose it is possible that the demo version has a problem but Print to File is a long established feature and no-one else has reported problems.
Terry

« Last Edit: August 05, 2013, 07:30:44 AM by Terry-M » Logged
Terry-M
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« Reply #4 on: August 05, 2013, 10:52:39 AM »

This is how crazy the Windows properties data is:
See screen shots attached below.
Tif file 300ppi
Jpeg file 96 ppi
Both meaningless!  Roll Eyes
3rd screen shot is from the Qimage queue tab when set Print to File for 300ppi.
It shows the correct size and the ppi at 300, as set in the Print to File dialogue.
The online Help for PTF is here http://www.ddisoftware.com/qimage-u/help/function.htm#printtofile
There's a "learn by example" here: http://www.ddisoftware.com/qimage-u/help/lbe.htm#25a

Terry
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b3ams
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« Reply #5 on: August 05, 2013, 06:07:28 PM »

Thanks for explaining everything. After a lot of reading on the web I too am of the same opinion as you. Windows does not display the true DPI, and DPI is meaningless anyway.
In fact the PPI of the photo determines the print size. I took a lot of persuading but I am there now!

Today I trialed two other well known resizing applications and QImage Ultimate was the easiest to use by far. I am truly glad I took the time out to do that.
QImage is a time saver for me, even with the trial limitations of only four prints per job. It didn't take long to master either, I just had to trust it to do what it was designed to do!

Thanks again Terry-M. Sorry for disbelieving you at first, but I had to prove it to myself to come to the inevitable conclusion. QImage is probably the best print solution for the phographer out there.
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Terry-M
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« Reply #6 on: August 05, 2013, 06:45:03 PM »

Hi,
Whew! I'm pleased we are on the same wavelength  Grin
Quote
Today I trialled two other well known resizing applications and QImage Ultimate was the easiest to use by far
Not only that QU has a world-class algorithm for re-sizing images, there's nothing better. Also the Smart print sharpening for paper prints is applied to Print to File for "Online printing". PTF also allows you to embed an appropriate profile, sometimes the print supplier will offer such a profile for their printers so that can be used with PTF.
Quote
QImage is probably the best print solution for the photographer out there.
I may seem biased as a long term user but YES! Not only for preparing files for outside printing but for using with your own printer - they really do have a wow factor.
Enjoy!  Wink
Terry
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