GIFDXF
6 messages in this thread
Steven,
>> We asked what the problem was and they said that their staff couldn't
>> maintain the proper aspect ratio when the images were scaled in
>> Pagemaker. I said simple, "just hold down the shift key while dragging the
>> corner handle." No Go.
Well, it turns out this isn't exactly 100% true — although it is a factor in a
way. While it may seem like a simple thing to you to resize a figure, our
production department does over 20 books per month and runs 24 hours a day.
This high volume makes it necessary to stick to standards. Every exception to
the standard layout causes a delay and can introduce errors. When all the
delays are added together, it could cause things to slip by days (or worse —
weeks). Delays are death in the computer book industry. It caused little or no
delay in the book's production to have you make all of the images conform to
800×600. Think of it as making sure you get your royalty checks as soon as
possible <g>.
I don't like defending the production department (they make us jump through
some really silly hoops on other issues), but you made me do it. <g>
I hope everyone is enjoying Inside 3D Studio. Keep a look out for 3D Studio
Special Effects this summer — it's hot.
____kevin
Ahhhh, There you are Kevin!
As a CAD consultant and a former CAD manager I am quite familiar with the
importance of standards. I am also familiar with the difference between a
production standard and ignorance of the multiple techniques to achieve that
standard. Proportionally scaling a pre-cropped graphic and cropping a fixed
scale graphic are two different techniques to achieve the same standard. It's
just that the production staff knows only the one way.
I believe the term that you used to describe the production staff at that
time was, "a bunch of trained monkeys." I know now the level of expertise
that I'm working with and I can work around it.
> It caused little or no delay in the book's production to have you make all
> of the images conform to 800×600.
Tell that to our wives who didn't see Phil or me for a couple of weeks while
we maintained our writing schedule AND reshot all of those graphics. It may
not have delayed your schedule; it really #@$#%# ours.
The important point is that "Inside 3D Studio" was completed and the final
product turned out pretty darn good! As an architect I know that nothing of
value ever gets built without a lot of horror stories and screw-ups occuring
on all sides. What counts is the quality of the end product and NRP does
deserve some credit for publishing a good book.
Still friends? <G>
Steven
Steven,
I've been here all along. I'm a big-time lurker.
I knew that line about reshooting the figs would bring back the pain
(he said grimacing). Being single, that project completely killed my
previously shaky social life. It still has not recovered one bit.
(Can you hear the violins?) I hope you, Phill, and your wives are
enjoying the fruit of your labor. At least you guys get royalties. I
didn't get one extra cent or one minute of comp-time for my overtime.
(Boy! Those violins are getting really loud!) Greg only gets the
publicity.
>> Still friends? <G>
Without a doubt! You guys were great to work with and you did a fine
job. You were always professional and took pride in your work. It's
great to have you, Phill, and Gregg working with me again on the 3D
Studio Special Effects book.
Yeah, I was a little suprised at how intense that old wound felt when
it opened up again. I'll have to go out and get drunk tonight just to
ease the pain <G>. As for enjoying the fruits of our labor, my
contract says the fruit won't ripen for another month or so… but it
should be sweet!
Tell Rusty that you're being abused and that you deserve a raise!
Huge amounts of overtime, no bonuses, no comp-time, you know if you
slashed your salary by 50% you could almost qualify as an architect.
Gee, I didn't find out about this erroneosly titled thread until last
night and it looks like I missed all the fun. And to think, no one
even brought up the issue of someone loosing TWO copies of TWO image
packed Syquest cartridges! <g> – whoops, was that anther old
wound?<g>
All I can say is that I'm glad it wasn't me! <g> (Or you guys.)
____kevin