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vinayakrishnabhat
vinayakrishnabhat
Inspiring
December 18, 2017
Answered

Image importing by copy into document

  • December 18, 2017
  • 2 replies
  • 1369 views

Hello all,

May be I am missing something very basic here. But I am confused on the procedure of importing an image into FM by copying into document.

Whenever I am importing an image, a pop-up window prompting for graphic scaling is shown. My first doubt is to choose which option in this?

After reading through some of the posts, I started to keep the DPI 72 DPI and always used to keep the scaling in obeject properties 100%. But, at first, I didnt realize that the DPI and scaling are interdependent. So, after closing the FM file, when I re-open this, the scaling and the DPI were changed automatically!! Dont know how and why??? Is this any internal mechanism by which FM is auto adjusting itself the object properties or is it a bug?

But, if I import the image by reference, the DPI setting window won't appear at all. So, is this setting automatic when it comes to image import by reference?

I am not even sure whether I am following correct procedure here... Any help/ link to any other posts where this has been correctly addressed would be appreciable.

Additional query: Which image format is best to use in user guide (PDF) and Webhelp (HTML responsive)?? Please help me out in this regard.

Thanks in advance,

Vinayakrishna

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Matt-Tech Comm Tools

Very important: Do not use JPEG/JPG for screen captures.

The compression applied to JPG is what is making your images blurry.

I have had great success with all of these techniques

  • Save as BMP (larger file size)
  • Save as PNG (probably the favorite among Snagit and RoboScreenCapture* users)
  • Paste screenshots directly into FrameMaker from clipboard

While the last option (pasting directly to FrameMaker) is likely going to invite a few comments here, it is far and away my recommended approach for screen captures. My books have hundreds of these captures, and they print without loss of quality, and do not slow down page display in Fm. Size of screen captures is related to the view size of your doc when pasting. For me, viewing my doc at 160% when pasting gives a consistent legible size to the images.

*Remember, RoboScreenCapture is included with FrameMaker

2 replies

Matt-Tech Comm Tools
Community Expert
Matt-Tech Comm ToolsCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
December 19, 2017

Very important: Do not use JPEG/JPG for screen captures.

The compression applied to JPG is what is making your images blurry.

I have had great success with all of these techniques

  • Save as BMP (larger file size)
  • Save as PNG (probably the favorite among Snagit and RoboScreenCapture* users)
  • Paste screenshots directly into FrameMaker from clipboard

While the last option (pasting directly to FrameMaker) is likely going to invite a few comments here, it is far and away my recommended approach for screen captures. My books have hundreds of these captures, and they print without loss of quality, and do not slow down page display in Fm. Size of screen captures is related to the view size of your doc when pasting. For me, viewing my doc at 160% when pasting gives a consistent legible size to the images.

*Remember, RoboScreenCapture is included with FrameMaker

-Matt Sullivan, FrameMaker Course Creator, Author, Trainer, Consultant
    S
    Community Manager
    Stefan GentzCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    December 19, 2017

    I was just going to start complaining, but then read your "While the last option (pasting directly to FrameMaker) is likely going to invite a few comments here" … :-)

    That said, let me throw in some arguments, why you should not do it:

    1. It blows up your documents.
    2. It makes maintaining images MUCH more complicated.
    3. It does not work in XML-based scenarios.
    4. It's a total pain when you plan to get your documents translated and will need to replace screenshots with ones from the localized software.
      vinayakrishnabhat
      vinayakrishnabhatAuthor
      Inspiring
      December 20, 2017

      Yep, while all are good points, they further highlight that graphics management is the epitome of "Your mileage may vary"

      However, in my experience, the pasted screenshot takes up the same amount of space as the image preview created by Fm when using Import by Reference. 

      While I agree that poor practices by authors is a concern, a proper preflighting of an image in Acrobat quickly and more accurately generates a complete list of those issues. In fact, in producing books via the IngramSpark system, I've needed to preflight in order to locate images imported by reference that were preventing proper processing (whether it was improper color mode, poor resolution, or missing fonts and other resources)

      In the case of my 2017 books, the publisher changed their requirements, and thus flagged a few dozen images (imported by reference) that successfully processed in the Fm 11 and Fm 2015 books. Aggravating, but Acrobat gave me the best way to locate these few dozen images out of hundreds of placed images.

      I heard once that "The best tequilla in the world is the one you like to drink!"

      I think the same applies to placing images...
      "The best image workflow is the one that works for your organization"

      The trick is in identifying priorities, including

      • Number of individuals creating images
      • Content model or lack thereof
      • Localization and skill of localizing company
      • Output formats required

      This thread does show, however, that workflow analysis (and graphics workflow analysis in particular) can make a big difference in the time and money needed to produce your content.

      Now, if there were only a course that covered topics like this...

      FrameMaker 6-Week Template Design Workshop - Tech Comm Tools


      Hello Matt, Bob, Stefan,

      Sorry for the late reply.

      I am really glad that you all have hijacked the thread and so much good information has come out of this healthy discussion. I got so much new things which I was not aware. It may take a while to digest all the information got here.

      I guess, as Matt pointed out rightly, "the answer is generally - It depends..." and "The best image workflow is the one that works for your organization", we have to proceed with best suited workflow for the organization + cultivating all the good practices mentioned in the thread.

      This forum is a boon to people like me where we can interact with experts in the field directly. Thanks for that!!

      Regards,

      Vinayakrishna

        Matt-Tech Comm Tools
        Community Expert
        Matt-Tech Comm ToolsCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        December 18, 2017

        Before answering, can you tell me which version of FrameMaker you are using? The dialogs and behaviors have changed in Fm 2017, so knowing your version will help provide context.

        -Matt Sullivan, FrameMaker Course Creator, Author, Trainer, Consultant
          vinayakrishnabhat
          vinayakrishnabhatAuthor
          Inspiring
          December 18, 2017

          Hello Matt,

          Thanks for the reply. I use framemaker 2017 version.

          Regards,

          Vinayakrishna

          Matt-Tech Comm Tools
          Community Expert
          Matt-Tech Comm ToolsCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          December 18, 2017

          Excellent!

          In 2017 you have new image insert functionality.

          The fourth of the new feature videos I created is for this feature.

          Get access to all 10 videos at FrameMaker 2017 New Feature Videos - Tech Comm Tools and let me know if this clears up your insertion dialog question.

          Regarding the format for PDF v. online help:

          Vector graphics should use a format like Illustrator AI, PDF, or EPS

          Bitmap graphics have more options.

          Can you further describe the images you are placing?

          -Matt Sullivan, FrameMaker Course Creator, Author, Trainer, Consultant
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