ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY ~ FIERCE

Converting Large files to PDFs for the Printer

Over the past several months I have been working on a book for a publisher in South Africa. The time differences create some problems for communication, but most of the time we manage to connect nicely. That is the wonderful thing about the internet world as it relates to the publishing world and to digital artists, like myself.

Recently I had a problem converting large files of 81.MB into PDFs using photoshop. The problem wasn't with Photoshop...it was with ME. So I am posting this hint for others who may have to convert those larger double page spreads in CMYK into a PDF for a printer...or even into a multi page PDF. This is only for the IMAGE files.

(If you have an image with a separate TEXT layer you need to save the files as PHOTOSHOP PDF in order to keep the layers separated. This makes for a MUCH larger file, but it will be necessary if you are sending text and image as one page in separated layers. If you do not separate the text layer from the image layer and it is printed, the text will print with very jagged edges.)

 I asked Photoshop for HELP in creating a multipage PDF from a number of very large images.

The answer was so simple and easy that I don't even trust it now, but it sure did work!
Once I had all my files (HUGE FILES) converted to CMYK , I simply opened the FILE menu in PHOTOSHOP and chose AUTOMATE> PDF Presentation.

Then all I had to do was to browse my computer for the files I needed, insert them into a dialogue box and click on SAVE.
A multipage PDF was created within a reasonable amount of time. I saved the PDF that was created and now have those huge files contained in a manageable PDF that will print the   illustration files at full size.

I did send one sample off to the printer in Singapore, just to make sure this conversion is working on their end, but I have to say it was a lot easier to do things this way than the way I had tried before.

The sample below is a 20.5 inch by 8 inch full color CMYK illustration . It is just one of the batch that was easily merged into the multipage PDF.  Although you see the text here, it won't be a separate layer in this conversion mode.  To send the separate layers you will still need to use the SAVE as PHOTOSHOP PDF and create those huge file sizes.

Okay, so if this isn't news to any digital artists out there, I hope it didn't bore you guys, but for me it was the answer to a long search for an answer to my problem. And if it helps someone else along the way, I am glad for that.

~ ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY ~ PUNCHLINE

Or if you don't like that one, how about ................
What do you do with a BLUE elephant?



Try to cheer him up!

Still working on this one..

As interesting as the last version looked, I wasn't happy with the placement and the way some colors canceled others out or left key elements fading into the background. By retracing the entire sketch and moving things around a bit I was able to create a better overall composition. I did this by moving the entire scene upward and giving more space to the water on the bottom, and by moving many of the frogs to the right into the empty space in the landscape. It gives me more room to show off the frog brothers, so when I get around to painting this one, I'll post the results.

Frogs revisited

This version in color is not what I have lodged in my brain, so there will be other tries at this one.  I like the concept enough to make changes in the sketch and in the color.  But in the meantime, it is back to the work at hand.  This was a nice break for now.

Combining DNA

©GingerNielson 2008

I had this painting of a group of frogs ...they were trying to decide who would capture the little crown and become "America's Next Top Frog."  I also had a sketch that I had worked on for a book, but it was shelved for a different approach. Now I am in the process of combining the two into one painting. We shall see where this leads. I wanted to do this because I really liked that sketch and feel it should be painted. And the frogs?...well they keep showing up so I decided to give them a happy home on the river banks.  

~ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY~ FORGOTTEN

©Ginger Nielson 2007

While this isn't completely new, it is a newer illustration from the book I illustrated last year, "Song For A Giraffe," by Michael LaLumiere and Kim Messinger. Worried that he may not be able to swim a lonely zebra stands forgotten on the riverbanks.

What he doesn't know is that the zebra usually pick the best crossing spot and for that reason the wildebeast are sure to join them as well.

The Picture Bookies welcomes two new members.

ThePICTURE BOOKIES, a small group of dedicated children's illustrator professionals has just rounded out their membership with two new members. We are delighted to welcomeKristi Valiant and Paige Keiser to the group.

Their work and links to their websites, blogs, and other news are forthcoming, but you can see a preview of both artists at the Picture Bookies Website. A warm welcome is extended to both artists.