Splitting an image to print in four part

ed_k

Jr. Member

Posts: 51

Splitting an image to print in four part

« on: August 11, 2013, 02:53:33 PM »

I have a standard 2:3 ratio DSLR image. I'd like to print it in four 2:3 pieces - each piece being 1/4 of the original.

I've done this in the past to create four gallery wraps. Works very nice with abstracts. You can see an example in this blog post of mine. http://edknepleyphoto.com/2012/05/23/gallery-wrap-photo-grids/

In the past I've cropped the image into the desired four pieces before sending them to QI. It occurred to me that I could probably do it all in one step in QI. My first idea would be to take what might be normally a 12"x18" image and use QI's custom print size to say I wanted it to print at 48x72. My problem with just trying this idea is that I won't know if things came out OK until 4-sheets of paper and lots of ink later. What I suspect I'm going to find is difficulties getting each part split equally across all four sheets (and centered on each).

Oh great QI gurus, Fred & Terry (in alphabetical order lest you think I have favorites) - how do I proceed? Or am I better off just doing as before??


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Terry-M

The Honourable Metric Mann
Forum Superhero

Posts: 3251

Re: Splitting an image to print in four part

« Reply #1 on: August 11, 2013, 03:17:59 PM »

Hi Ed,
The most straightforward way is to use QU poster mode.
If you specify a custom print size greater than the page size, QU will automatically (QU will ask first) go to poster mode.
In your case, specify 2x2 and have crop scissors on.

An alternative way would be to create 4 separate images.
In the image editor, make a crop that is exactly 1/4 of the whole image; there is a pixel size read-out as you do this to aid getting an exact size. Move the crop to one corner of the image and use File-Save as to create a new image.
Next, move the crop to an adjacent corner of the image and Save As again with a new file name.
Repeat for all 4 images and print individually.
I see from your link, you had printed wrapped canvas images. The latter method is better for this because it will allow you to add QU canvas wrap borders to each image individually.
Terry


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ed_k

Jr. Member

Posts: 51

Re: Splitting an image to print in four part

« Reply #2 on: August 11, 2013, 06:02:17 PM »

Thanks, Terry.

I took the easier way out and cropped the images. Just a nit, but Landscape is misspelled in the Crop Wizard (will you be defining a portrait or lanscape crop).


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Terry-M

The Honourable Metric Mann
Forum Superhero

Posts: 3251

Re: Splitting an image to print in four part

« Reply #3 on: August 12, 2013, 08:24:44 AM »

Hi Ed,

Quote

I took the easier way out and cropped the images

I'm not convinced that is the easier way Shocked

The poster method is very simple if you are not doing canvas borders; see screen shot below of custom set up.

In fact this method can be used to create 4 new images that require canvas wrap borders by using Print to File.
See second screen shot where I did this - no borders applied and the 4 images placed on one page for demonstration.
QU is so versatile! Cool

Terry


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ed_k

Jr. Member

Posts: 51

Re: Splitting an image to print in four part

« Reply #4 on: August 12, 2013, 11:15:51 AM »

Thanks for the additional info. I'm convinced. Gives me all sorts of good? ideas since I have a large wall that needs lots of photos.

This great customer service is going to embarrass me into upgrading from QU13 to 14 sooner than I normally would - after the first onslaught of updates to squash the inevitable bugs that snuck through the beta system. I'm happy with QU 13 v.125 and have used a image manager for years (IMatch) that I don't want to abandon - so what I read as a major feature of the 2014 upgrade isn't of much interest. That said, I don't use QU's RAW & editing features either - but will visit them some day soon just to compare with my current workflow (which does evolve periodically). All of that said, the reason I'll eventually upgrade - as I did before - is to help keep Mike's business model alive & well. I'd pay the QU asking price "even" if all that it did was print.


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Fred A

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Posts: 5644

Re: Splitting an image to print in four part

« Reply #5 on: August 12, 2013, 11:37:18 AM »

Quote

All of that said, the reason I'll eventually upgrade - as I did before - is to help keep Mike's business model alive & well. I'd pay the QU asking price "even" if all that it did was print.

Well said! Well Done!

Fred