#Image Printing
9 messages in this thread
I am using 3DS version 4 and need to provide tga files to a printer. As
created, the images have the typical 3DS black background. The printer has
requested that I create the image objects with no background-he says see if the
program can be set to "none" or "transparent". Is this possible in 3DS?
Thank you, Mike
Hi Mike,
<< The printer has requested that I create the image objects with no
background-he says see if the program can be set to "none" or "transparent". Is
this possible in 3DS? >>
Can your printer handle 32 bit targa files? The extra 8 bits is for the alpha
channel, ie. the transparency data. Generate a 32 bit targa file and use the
"View File Alpha" command in the Material Editor and note the transparency
data. Maybe this will work for him.
jonas[adesk]
Mike,
Maybe your printer just wants a white background (rather than black)?
That way, the only inks that get laid down on white media will be of the image
itself. Unless, the black is part of your composition, this is one way to
avoid it.
Kevin Krell – Computer Support Associates
I doubt your printer can handle 32-bit (alpha) files, but if he can, go with
Jonas' suggestion and output using alpha. I'd recommend a much simpler process
of simply using a white background in 3DS when you render the image. That's the
way we do it for the docs.
– Jack
Yost group,
Thanks for all the information. I will try the white background.
I have a second request from the art director which has me confused. He
has requested the 3DS files be set for about 6×5 inches and 300 dpi. I can
easily set this type of output on a program such as fractal painter, but I
don't know how I can do it with 3DS. Any suggestion is appreciated. Can I move
the image(tga) to fractal painter and resize in this way without harming the
detail, or must the image be calculated in 3DS somehow for these conditions to
insure image quality?
Just a note, the images will be used in a sales brochure. They model
various types of engineering equipment.
Thanks, Mike
Mike,
For 6" x 5" output at 300 dpi, your image should be rendered to NULL @
1800 x 1500 resolution, with a 1.0 aspect ratio. You could render at alower
res. & resize, but will, of course, have less detail. Make sure the printer
still outputs based on 300 dpi, though. Some applications will show a
different res when loading, such as 1 pixel per inch, or 72 dpi. This can be
changed in the output application to match the input 1 for 1.
Kevin Krell – Computer Support Associates
Kevin,
Thanks for the information. While I have done a lot of video work with
3DS, this is the first time I have used 3DS for high resolution still images. I
still have a few things to learn.
– Mike
Kevin's got the answer for you. Multiply the number of inches by the dpi to get
the pixels (e.g., 6×300 = 1800, 5×300 = 1500 for 1800×1500 pixels). The result
for hardcopy will usually be larger than your display, so either render with No
Display, or use the Null driver, and use a 1.0 aspect ratio for hardcopy so the
pixels are square.
– J
Yost group,
Great. It looks like a simple calculation.
-Mike