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The Binary Graphics Glossary

This no frames glossary contains over 500 terms. Many definitions include important background information to help the reader with their work.

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This glossary is divided into the following categories:

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Color and Calibration

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Additive Color

The additive primary colors are red, green and blue. These additive primaries represent the three main components of white light. Used individually or together, these three colors of light can be mixed to create nearly all colors. Additive color is used in scanners and computer displays.

Calibration

The act of adjusting equipment so that it performs in accordance with an established standard. Calibration is necessary when equipment is installed and continues to be a necessary part of on-going use and maintenance.

CIE LAB

A device independent color space that can be used to describe the entire visual spectrum. This color space is being used in modern color management software to facilitate conversion of data from a scanner to a display, or from a display to an output device.

Closed Loop Calibration

A method of scanner calibration where a factory provided file is printed on the desired printer and then scanned back in. The scanned result is compared with the original file data and a compensation setting is stored. This compensation setting is used as a filter for all future scans to be output on that particular output device.

CMYK

The process printing colors. Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black.

Color Management System

Abbreviated CMS. A CMS is a set of software designed to increase the accuracy and consistency of color between a scanner, display and printer. A CMS consists of: "Device profiles" which document the performance of the particular scanner, display and printer you may own. A "device transformation engine" that coverts data between the scanner, display and printer. A "gamut compensation mechanism" that addresses differences between the capabilities of the scanner, display and printer. And a "device independent color space" through which all color transformations occur.

Color Space

A color space is a particular language used to describe color. Examples of color spaces are: RGB, CMYK, HSB, CIE LAB.

Device Dependent Color Space

For example RGB. A device dependent color space is one in which the same color values will give different results on different devices. This is why the same scan file will appear different when viewed on different computer displays.

Device Independent Color Space

For example CIE LAB. A device independent color space is one in which a particular color value is considered absolute and not subject to interpretation. CIE LAB is the central color space in color management systems and is used to translate between different device dependent color spaces such as scanner RGB and display RGB.

Device Profile

A file used as part of a Color Management System. A device profile contains information documenting the unique characteristics of that brand and model of device. There are device profiles for scanners, computer displays and printers

Gamma Adjustment

An adjustment that makes the Tonal Distribution lighter or darker. A Gamma Adjustment may be made to a monitor, a scanner or to an image during the scanning or image editing process.

Gamut

A term referring to the range of available color on a display or printer. A particular color is either in or out of the gamut of the device. If outside, it cannot be accurately shown on that display or printed on that output device. (Each device has its own gamut capabilities.)

Gamut Alarm

A software function that tells the user if a color falls outside the Gamut of the currently targeted printer.

Gamut Transformation

A function of Color Management Systems where out of Gamut colors are converted to colors within the Gamut of the targeted printer. For photographs, the gamut transformation progressively transforms all color in the image so the image retains a realistic appearance. For line-art, only the colors falling out of gamut are changed and the rest of the art is left intact.

HLS

A color space with the three variable of Hue. Lightness. Saturation. See HSB.

HSB

A color space with the three variables of Hue. Saturation. Brightness. Hue means color (as in the color wheel.) Saturation is an indication relating to the richness or vibrancy of the color. Brightness is a term best related to the intensity of light illuminating the object.

Lightness

Lightness is a term referring to the lightness or brightness of an image. Also, as part of the HSL color space, it refers to the imagined amount of light illuminating a viewed color.

Output Simulation

A term used in some Color Management Systems to describe the function whereby the computer display is used to predict the results achievable on a particular printer.

PhotoYCC

The CIE based device independent color space used to store images on a Kodak PhotoCD disc.

RGB

Red, Green, Blue. These Additive Primary colors are the basic elements of white light. By mixing them in a computer monitor or in a scanned image file, other colors can be made. For instance, Red and Green light make Yellow light. and equal amounts of all three make grey.

Saturation

Saturation is one attribute of color in the color space called HSB. (Hue Saturation, Brightness) Saturation is a characteristic indicating the vibrancy or intensity of a hue. A color with high saturation will appear more intense than the same color with less.

Subtractive Color

A term used to describe the subtractive primary colors: Cyan, magenta, yellow. As ink applied to a piece of paper by a printing press, these colors absorb light and alter the colors seen by one looking at the press sheet. Cyan ink absorbs the red third of the spectrum, magenta ink absorbs the green third, and yellow ink absorbs the blue third. This should theoretically cause the viewer to see a black color, (with three thirds absorbed, no light is reflected) but due to unavoidable impurities in the inks, there is still light reflected and the viewer sees a muddy brown.

Tonal Distribution

Tonal Distribution describes the distribution of various bright or dark tones within an image. During the scanning or image editing stage, tones can be redistributed lightening a dark image or darkening a light one.

Viewing Conditions

A term used to describe the lighting conditions surrounding a computer display or color proof viewing area. The intensity and type of light have a dramatic impact on the colors perceived by the viewer.

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Fonts

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Bitmap Font

This is the correct name for what many people call a screen font. It is the part of a PostScript Type 1 font that is installed on the computer hard disk so that the font name appears on the menus in the software.

Font Substitution

An output error that can occur when the proper font is not installed on the output system. If the desired font is unavailable, the Courier font will output in its place. The solution is to make sure the exact same brand and font is installed on the outputting system at the time of output.

Multiple Master Font

A font technology introduced by Adobe Systems in 1993. With one Multiple Master Font, a user can create any number of versions of it. The versions can vary in weight and can be condensed or extended. Once created, this new font can be installed and used like any other font. Each of these creations will be a unique, custom font.

Outline Font

This is the correct name for what many people call a printer font. An outline font is the part of a PostScript Type 1 font that is installed on the computer hard disk and that gets downloaded to the output device when printing. It contains the PostScript instructions necessary to correctly describe the font shape.

PostScript Type 1 Font

The most common format in use today in desktop publishing. This format is supported by all major font suppliers and exists in both the Mac and Windows environment. A Type 1 font consists of two parts: a Bitmap Font and an Outline Font. Both parts are necessary for proper installation.

Printer Font

See Outline Font

Screen Font

See Bitmap Font

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Hardware

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24-bit Video

A type of video signal available on the Macintosh platform that allows the display of 16.7 million colors. There are 8-bits of video data for each of the colors. (Red, Green, Blue)

Ambient Light

The light around the viewing area. Either around the computer display or the area where proofs are examined. Variations in ambient light can greatly affect the appearance of proofs and of the image on the computer display

Archiving Data

The act of keeping a copy of valuable projects on another storage device to make room for new work. Storage devices used for Archiving Data range from floppies to DAT Tape to CD-ROM.

Backing-up Data

The act of making a carbon copy of current work as a safeguard against equipment malfunction. Data is backed-up on various storage materials ranging from Floppy Disks to storage tapes

Baud Rate

A way of expressing the speed of a Modem in bits per second. A number such as 9600 baud means that the Modem has the ability to send and receive data at the rate of 9600 bits per second.

CD-ROM

Compact Disk-Read Only Memory. CD-ROM technology was born in the music industry and has recently gathered tremendous popularity in the computer industry. A CD-ROM can store up to 640 Megabytes of data including software, artwork, motion video and sound. CD-ROM's are created from the publishers data in bulk on a mastering system at a wholesale cost of under $5US.

Chooser

A Macintosh Desk Accessory that allows users to "choose" which printer or File Server they wish to use.

Computer

A multi-function electronic device that can execute instructions to perform a task.

Control Panel

A part of the operating system that allows the user to control various facets of their computers performance. For example, there is a control panel that adjusts the sensitivity of the mouse, and another that lets the user adjust the time on the built-in clock.

CPU

Central Processing Unit. The central brain of a computer that controls all other parts of the computer.

DAT Tape Drive

A computer peripheral used for back-up and archive functions. Using Digital Audio Tapes in 60, 90 or 120 meters length they are capable of storing from 1.3GB to 10GB of data per tape.

Data

The general term for the work that we create with our computers and store on a disk.

Digital Video

A term referring to moving pictures that are stored on a computer hard disk for editing or playback. Digital video files vary in terms of their image size (measured in horizontal and vertical pixels) and their frame rate (measured in frames per second.)

Document

The general term for the work that we create with our computers and store on a disk.

Dye Sublimation Color Printer

A color printer that creates color output that looks like a photograph. (While using CMYK dyes, there is no halftone pattern to hide detail.)

Extension

A part of Macintosh system software that adds specific functions to the computer. An example would be the File Sharing extension that allows networking capabilities to be added to the Mac.

File

A piece of information stored on a computer disk. A memo would be considered a file and so would a word processing software program. (We use the terms "document" and "program" to distinguish between different types of files.)

File Compression Software

Utility software that will allow computer files to be stored in a fraction of their un-compressed state. Most useful when transmitting data on long distance telephone lines with a modem to reduce toll charges.

Floppy Disk

A round shaped piece of magnetic plastic in a protective holder that can be used to store computer files.

Folder

An organizational aid on a Macintosh hard disk. Like manila folders in the office, Mac folders allow a user to group related files together. It is possible to create folders within folders to create an efficient storage system. Imagine a folder called "projects" containing a folder called "artwork" and another folder called "layouts."

Gigabyte

A unit of measurement in computer storage equal to 1000 megabytes. There are numerous hard drives available today that have storage capacities of over "a gig."

Hard Drive

A device within a computer used to store computer files. All computers today will have hard drives that are used to store both programs and data documents created by the user.

Ink-Jet Color Printer

A type of color printer that uses cyan, magenta, yellow and black ink that is sprayed through small nozzles onto the page. Available across the entire price spectrum from under a thousand dollars for machines for home use to many thousands of dollars for machines that create the highest quality color hardcopy attainable. The Scitex Iris is an ink-jet printer.

Interactive

A new term from the world of multimedia that refers to the explicit interaction between a user and a software package. Interactivity is most often experienced by reading menus, making selections and pushing buttons with a mouse.

JPEG Compression

Joint Photographic Experts Group Compression. A method to save storage space by compressing files. Called "lossy" compression, JPEG attains high degrees of compression by discarding non-important picture detail. When the image is un-compressed again later, it will not be exactly the same but the detail (according to experts) lost is trivial.

Kilobyte

A unit of measurement (abbreviated "K") representing 1024 bytes of computer information.

Lossless Compression

A form of file compression that allows compression and subsequent de-compression without any loss of data. Compared to "lossy" compression, lossless does not compress the data to as great of a degree.

Lossy Compression

A form of file compression that will compress data by a very great percentage. (10:1 to 20:1) However, when the data is un-compressed later, there will be data lost.

Magneto Optical Cartridge Drive

A storage device using removable cartridges with a capacity from 128 MB to 1.3 GB. Using a combination of laser and magnetic technologies, they are considered safe, slow, economical systems. They are popular today as a means to store and transport large volumes of information.

Megabyte

A unit of measurement in computer storage equal to 1000 kilobytes. A "meg" is a very common unit of measurement and the term is spoken in terms of whole and fractional units: "That scan for the cover was five and a half megs."

Megahertz

Abbreviated Mhz. A term expressing the "clock speed" of a computer. The clock speed is like the pulse rate of a computer. Unlike our own pulse, it is desirable to have a computer with a high clock speed because it will execute a greater number of instructions in a given amount of time. Often part of a computers name like the Apple Power Macintosh 8100/80; which has a 80 Mhz clock speed.

Modem

A computer device used to connect a computer to a telephone line. Once that connection is accomplished, that computer can be used to call any other similarly equipped computer regardless of type. Those two machines can now share information. Modems come in various speeds (fast is good and speed is rated in "baud") but the transfer rate will always be considered too slow for transferring large graphics files. (Overcoming this speed problem is the main reason for file compression software.)

Monitor

The monitor shows the image. A monitor is a computer display containing a large glass screen filled with red, green, blue phosphors and illuminated by electromagnetic energy. The signal comes to the monitor from the video card which is inside the computer. Colors will be close to those printed but never exact.

Mouse

An input device for a computer. A mouse is a small box with a ball inside. The ball sticks out of a hole in the bottom and when the user moves the mouse around on the table, the ball rolls. This rolling of the ball is picked up by a mechanism inside the mouse and is transferred to the computer where it controls the movement of a pointer on the monitor display. There is also a button the mouse that can be clicked on a button on the screen or can be held down and the mouse moved (this is called "dragging") to allow the user to reposition things on the screen.

MPEG Compression

Motion Picture Experts Group Compression. A sophisticated method of compressing moving pictures to a high degree. (100:1 typically!) The digital video is compressed for storage or transport and is then de-compressed for playback. Considered "lossy" (see "Lossy Compression", it is generally considered to be an important development in the future of multimedia and the "information super-highway". MPEG requires specialized hardware for both compression and decompression.

Multimedia

A term used to describe an important new means of communication. Multimedia is communication with specific user interaction that can contain text, still or moving images, and sound.

Open Architecture

A term referring to the use of standard, multi-purpose equipment produced by a broad range of manufacturers. Apple Macintosh is said to be an open architecture computer because any company can make parts to be used inside and beside the Mac. Open architecture computer environments are preferred to closed architecture because competition keeps prices down and the pace of advancement up.

OPI Server

A special file server that holds high-resolution OPI images and executes the automatic exchange of that high-resolution data for the low-resolution version of the image the user positioned in the page layout. Note that this automatic exchange takes place during the output process.

PowerPC

A name of a new generation of computer CPU chips that offer significant performance gains over older technology. These PowerPC chips are at the heart of the new Power Macintosh machines and will replace older Macintosh models completely by late 1995.

RAID

Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks. A Raid is a high-performance storage system comprised of 2 or more drives operating as if they were one. RAID Level 0 is for maximized performance and RAID Level 1 is for increased data safety.

RAM

Random Access Memory. RAM is a resource in computer and is the actual area where calculations and information is stored. It is common today to see 8 MB to 24 MB of RAM in design workstations and 60 MB to 256 MB of RAM in image editing workstations. Having more RAM in a computer makes it faster and more capable. RAM is expensive.

Removable Drive

A general term for a computer storage device that allow the removal of the storage disk. This is for the purpose of data transport or for multiplying maximum storage capacity by using multiple disk cartridges.

RISC

Reduced Instruction Set Computing. A chip architecture found in the most powerful computers of our day. The PowerPC chip used by the Apple Power Macintosh is a RISC chip.

Slide Scanner

A type of desktop scanner that will only scan transmissive negative and slide film. These devices come in various sizes relating to their maximum original size: Some are capable to handle 35mm only while some can handle up to 4" x 5" originals. These devices have higher maximum resolutions than desktop flatbed scanners since their originals are smaller. Maximum resolutions of several thousand are not un-common.

Software

A term that describes the page layout, illustration and image editing tools that are used in desktop publishing. The term software is synonymous with the terms "program" and "application." The slang term "code" also refers to software.

Solid Ink Color Printer

A type of color printer in which cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks come in the form of a solid crayon like substance. These ink sticks are loaded into the printer where they are heated and melt. They are then sprayed onto the page where they solidify once again.

Spreadsheet

A term to describe software used for math calculations. With a display that resembles ledger paper, the user can enter numbers into these "cells" and also place text "labels" to identify the meaning of these "rows" and "columns" of numbers. It is then possible to create cells that contain "formulas" to add, multiply, subtract, divide these numbers or to perform many other specialized math functions. These numbers and calculation answers can be graphed and the resulting sheet printed out.

SyQuest Cartridge Drive

SyQuest Technologies Corporation manufacturers a popular system of desktop hard drives that use removable hard disk cartridges. SyQuest sells their products wholesale to several dozen companies that label them with their own brand name. These devices are very popular as a means of transporting a digital mechanical from the design office to the film output organization. They are also used to expand the computers storage capacity by adding more cartridges. (One is installed in the drive mechanism at any one time; the user must swap cartridges to gain access to the desired data.)

System Error

A term for a software failure that causes the computer to malfunction. A system error, if it occurs while the user is busy on a project, will usually cause the user to lose some of their work. After experiencing a system error, the user must "restart" their computer (turn it off, and on) to "reset" it so that it will function again. System errors are caused by defective software (bugs) or by certain, unexpected interactions that occur between two incompatible software programs.

System Software

A term for a complicated set of programs that act together to allow a computer, and other programs, to function. Different from an page layout application that the user may have, system software is what allows the page layout application to interact with the monitor display, the RAM, the hard drive and the rest of the computer.

Tape Drive

An add-on component to a computer system that allows a great volume of information to be stored on inexpensive magnetic tape cartridges. Used for daily back-ups and long term archival storage of past projects, a tape drive is considered an important element of a computer system.

Thermal Transfer Color Printer

A type of color printer that uses mylar ribbons with sections of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black color. Using heat (the thermal part of their name) the color is transferred from this ribbon onto the page. One of the earlier types of color printers, thermal transfer printers will expend an entire section of ribbon for even the smallest element on the page. (Each section of the ribbon is long enough to extend from top to bottom of the page.) This makes them rather expensive to use for light coverage when compared to solid ink color printers.

Track Ball

A computer input device. Like a mouse turned upside down, it has a ball of 2" to 3" in diameter halfway enclosed in a box like base. The user rolls this ball in its socket which is translated by a mechanism into movement of a pointer on the computer screen. There is a button beside this ball that is clicked to execute computer functions.

Un-erase

A life saving command available in some commercially available utility software that allows a user to recover a file that has been mistakenly deleted from a disk. The ability to un-erase a file is greatest immediately after it has been deleted. If the computer has been used much at all after the deletion, the likelihood of recovery is diminished.

Video Card

An expansion card installed inside a computer that contains necessary circuitry to create a video signal that can be processed by a computer display. There are many different types of video cards with varying capabilities regarding monitor size supported and total number of displayable colors.

Virtual Memory

A computer term for a performance enhancing feature of some software. Virtual memory is a process where hard disk storage space is borrowed and caused to act as if it were additional RAM. The system will then be able to perform more complex functions just as if it had the additional RAM memory actually installed. See also RAM.

Virus

A computer program created by an amateur programmer designed to cause intentional, malicious damage to the data stored on a computer. A virus is typically hidden inside of other software programs and once inside of a users computer, rapidly spreads to other files inside the computer. There are many anti-virus programs available that allow the user to scan all incoming files for virus'.

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Illustration

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Anchor Point

An anchor point is the part of a path that "ties the path down to the page." A line will have at least two anchor points on either end. It will have additional anchor points at every kink and corner. A curve will have an anchor point on either side of it and may optionally have additional anchor points somewhere on the curve itself. Anchor points do not print out but they shape the paths that appear on the hardcopy.

Auto Trace

A function in illustration software that creates paths along the edges of a scanned sketch. A common way to begin a drawing is to create a pencil or ink drawing and scan that. This scan will be used as a template over which the auto tracing occurs. The next step is typically to clean up the paths the auto trace function created and then discard the template scan file. There is significant concern when using auto trace functions that the shapes will be overly complex (too many anchor points) and will not output. This is a leading cause of output failure.

Bezier

The term used to describe the way in which illustration software uses anchor points and control handles to create shapes. Bezier illustration and Bezier curves are at the foundation of the PostScript language and are even found within PostScript type 1 outline fonts.

Blend

A function in illustration software that allows the creation of intermediate shapes from two masters. These beginning and ending shapes can vary in both shape and color. The user inputs the desired number of steps and the software creates the new, intermediate shapes. This function is used primarily to create realistic highlights in artwork. There is a concern over the poor results that occur if there are too many or too few steps requested by the user.

Bounding Box

A function in the PostScript language that describes a rectangular shape just large enough to contain all elements of a design or illustration. A bounding box does not print but is always present to communicate information about the shape and size of the design or illustration.

Clipping Path

A function of the PostScript language that allows one shape to mask another. A clipping path shape acts much like a cookie cutter. The term clipping path does not appear on the menus of illustration software but instead commands like "Mask" (Adobe Illustrator) or "Paste Inside" (Aldus FreeHand) use this facet of PostScript. Excessive use of clipping paths can lead to files that will not output.

Compound Path

A compound path is a function of PostScript that allows two overlapping paths to act like a doughnut. (Having a "see through" hole in the middle.) The shape representing the letter "A" is a common example of a compound path. It the "A" is put in front of a colored background, the color shows through the hole in the middle. Illustration software allows the user to create their own compound paths from two or more paths.

Control Handle

A handle that extends from an anchor point that is used to create a curved shape in a path. Both the length and angle affect the shape achieved. The length will affect the depth of the curve and the angle will affect the angle at which the path exits from the anchor point.

Element

An element is one object that makes up part of an illustration. On a drawing of a cat, one whisker would like be an individual element. (Drawings are created element by element.)

EPS

Encapsulated PostScript. A file format commonly used for photographic and drawn graphics. An EPS file is created and later placed onto a page layout in a page assembly program.

Export

A term used in some illustration programs that allows the drawing to be saved to the hard disk in a commonly readable format (usually EPS.) This allows the drawings to be placed into a page layout.

Fill

A menu command that allows a path to be filled with a color or tint.

Filter

A function for special effects. It is possible to apply a filter to artwork to achieve many different looks that would be difficult with manual drawing techniques. There is a concern over excessive use of filters creating artwork that is too complex to output.

Flatness

A setting in PostScript illustration software. Flatness controls the allowable laser beam error artwork is printed. (A six sided STOP sign would be a good example of a circle with very high flatness.) To decrease output times increase the flatness setting. A flatness setting of 3 will not be visible in the output but will shorten output time. (Significantly!)

Freehand Drawing Tool

A tool found within illustration software that allows the user to create freeform shapes as if with a pencil. Natural sketching and scribbling are possible with this tool.

Graduated Fill

A command within illustration software that allows elements within the illustration to be filled with a smooth transition between two colors.

Layers

A function within illustration software that allows the user to organize their drawing. As an example it would be likely to see a drawing with layer names such as: Background, tablecloth, plate, pasta, sauce, type. Layers do not affect any color separation capabilities; they are simply an organizational aid. It is recommended to always use layers.

Line Weight

A term referring to the thickness of a printing line. Expressed in points line weight is adjustable over a wide range and a line can be colored at will. It is not uncommon to draw shapes with a line weight of zero and use only the fill color to define the shape.

Masking

An act of using a mask in an image editing program. See Mask

Object

An object is one piece that makes up of an illustration. On a drawing of a cat, one whisker would like be an individual object. (Drawings are created object by object.)

Overprint

A term used to describe the characteristic of an overlapping foreground element allowing a background element to print in the same area. Overprint is the opposite of knockout. The overprint function is activated on an element by element basis in illustration software and can be selectively applied to the line and/or the fill of the object.

Path

A term for the shape of an element in an illustration. A path, on its own will not show on the hardcopy until it has a line weight and color attribute (or fill) assigned to it.

Path Splitting

When a path becomes too complex (more than about 450 anchor points on one path) one risks having the illustration fail to output. To avoid this, the long path can be split into two or more segments. This path splitting function can be manually executed or the software can be set-p in such a way so that in will monitor path complexity and automatically split when needed. Automatic path splitting is not always reliable.

Patterned Fill

A user defined fill that allows for a complex, repeating pattern to be defined and used to fill elements within the illustration. The use of patterned fills is one of the leading causes of output failures. It should be used sparingly.

Pen Tool

The primary drawing tool in PostScript illustration software. The pen tool allows the user to position anchor points and control the shape of the line by controlling the control handles that extend from the anchor points.

PICT File

A graphic file format for line-art and photo graphic use. Not a preferred file format due to inconsistent color results on hard copy.

PostScript Illustration Program

A general term used to describe powerful drawing software that relys on drawing commands and features found within the PostScript page description language. The two most common examples of PostScript illustration programs are Aldus FreeHand and Adobe Illustrator.

Stacking Order

A term in used in illustration software to describe the element by element drawing order that occurs. It is common to draw background elements first and then draw foreground elements "stacking" them in front of the background elements. It is also possible to later alter the stacking order and move particular elements in front of, or behind other elements. While "overprinting" is possible, typically foreground elements "knockout" background elements. Even a foreground element with a 5% tint of a color will completely knockout a darker solid that may be behind.

Stoke Weight

A term that refers to the line thickness that is applied to a "path" in illustration software. When applied, half of the thickness extends to either side of the path.

Stroke

A term in used illustration software that refers to the printing line that is applied onto a "path."

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Image Editing

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Acquire Module

Software that can expand the functions of the Adobe Photoshop program. Typically created by a scanner manufacturer, once installed it allows the user to perform scans while running Photoshop and to immediately have the scan available for image editing.

Anti Aliased

Anti aliasing an edge of an element or a mask is to give it a slightly soft edge that makes it appear smoother. It is similar to feathering by one or two pixels.

Bitmap

Another term for a line-art scan file or scanner setting. Refers to the pattern (map) of bits that are either black or white.

Black Limit

A color separation setting for the maximum allowable percentage of black ink in a CMYK image. This setting is made before an RGB image is converted to a CMYK image. The proper black limit setting is determined by the press and paper planned for the publication.

Black Point Adjustment

An adjustment made that will determine the amount of shadow detail in an image. It is considered proper to set the black point so that the darkest part of an image will only just have zero detail.

Channel

A part of an image in Adobe Photoshop. An RGB image has three channels, CMYK has four and line-art has one. The user can perform edits on individuals. Additional channels can be created to contain masks, type, patterns, or other images. These additional channels can be combined with the main image or used for special effects.

Clipping Path

A function of the PostScript language that allows a shape to mask part of an image. A clipping path shape acts much like a cookie cutter. Clipping paths are most frequently used in Adobe Photoshop to outline or silhouette an image.

Cloning Pixels

A function in image editing software that allows scratch removal or the removal of more significant portions of an image like telephone poles or a blemish on a models cheek. The function works by picking up pixels from another part of the image and painting them over the unwanted element. Pixel cloning can even be used cloning pixels from one image into another.

Color Cast

An image is said to have a color cast if its colors are not true. A color cast will usually be described by stating the particular color predominant in the image: "The grass appears to have a red color cast."

Color Correction

The act of correcting for and eliminating an unwanted color cast. Color correction is performed on an entire image (called global color correction) or on just one part (called local color correction.)

Color Separation

The act of converting an RGB color image into CMYK color image. The act of color separation is a technical function during which critical press specific settings such as GCR, black ink limit and total ink limit are applied to the image. If an image is already CMYK it would be described as being already color separated and would not need to be separated again.

Cropping

The act of discarding unwanted detail around the edge of a picture. Cropping in this way permanently discards the detail from the file and reduces file size.

DCS File Format

A color separated photo made up of 5 files. One each representing each of the process printing colors CMYK and one master file that is used for layout positioning.

Digital Densitometer

Image editing software has the ability to measure the values in pixels and read them out in RGB or CMYK. These values are accurate when compared with the actual values stored within the files and will remain unchanging regardless of which computer display the file is shown on.

EPS File Format

Encapsulated PostScript file. A file format commonly used for photographic and drawn graphics. An EPS file is created and later placed onto a page layout in a page assembly program.

EPS Rasterizer

A feature of Adobe Photoshop that allows a PostScript illustration saved in the EPS format to be converted into pixels for special effect editing.

GCR

Grey component replacement. A color separation setting used on color photographs where cyan, magenta and yellow inks are swapped out of an image (in a balance that would yield a grey value) and black ink is swapped in instead. The advantages are a reduction in overall ink usage, a more consistent press run, and some increase in image detail.

Grayscale

A term for a black & white photographic image or a scanner setting. Refers to the range of 256 grey tones that make up the image.

Hue

A measurement of color as can be related by pointing towards a certain color on the color wheel. Hue indicates the relative redness, blueness, greenness, yellowness, etc. of a color.

Image Assembly

An act where parts of two or more images are composited together to create a new hybrid image. A typical example of image assembly would be to position a picture of sunny blue sky into the background of a picture of the Seattle skyline.

Magic Wand Tool

A tool in Photoshop used to quickly select a part of a picture. If clicked on a the fender of a red car, the magic wand will select the entire fender and maybe the hood and door. A setting called "tolerance" allows the user to define the relative selectivity of the magic wand. A tight tolerance and the magic wand will only select the highlights of the car fender. A loose tolerance and the magic wand will select the green trees behind the car. The selections made by this tool always select areas that are connected and not divided.

Mask

A function within image editing software that allows the user to restrict their image edits to only a part of the image. A mask can have a hard or soft edge allowing the user to achieve a variety of obvious or subtle effects.

Noise

A term used to describe the occurrence of pixels within in an image that contain random colors. Also refers to a filter in Photoshop that can sometimes be used to give a smoother, more natural appearance to graduated screens. This filter is also used for special effects.

Opacity

A characteristic of painting and other tools within image editing software. By adjusting opacity to a percentage of less than 100%, the user can paint a color onto an image and allow some of the image beneath to show through. (Paint with transparent paint versus opaque paint.) This same characteristic is available while performing image assembly steps and allows one image to be transparently floated in front of or behind another.

Pixel

The smallest building block within a scanned line-art or photographic image. A pixel is the small square picture element that is filled with a color, or black or white. Pixels come in various sizes and their size is expressed in terms of resolution. Resolution is measured in pixels per inch (PPI.)

Printable Color

A term used to describe a color that falls within the gamut of a particular output device. A printable color will output as expected. Compared to a color that falls out of gamut which will print as an unexpectedly different shade. See also Gamut

RAM Needs

When deciding how much RAM you need in your computer, determine the average size of picture (expressed in MB) you will regularly handle. It is desirable to have 3 times that amount of RAM installed in your computer.

Re-sample an Image

A function available in image editing that allows the user to change the resolution of the image. Resampling an image is possible to any degree but there is a high quality penalty to pay if the image is resampled above 150% or below 50%. The quality loss will come in terms of decreased image sharpness. See also Re-sizing an Image

Re-sizing an Image

A function available in image editing software. Re-sizing an image is possible to any percent but there is a high quality penalty to pay if the image is scaled above 150% or below 50%. The quality loss will come in terms of decreased image sharpness.

Resolution of an Image

Expressed as PPI (pixels per inch.) The resolution of an image is a major factor that determines the attainable output quality. Proper resolution depends on the image type: Line-art should have a resolution of 600 PPI or above and photographs should have resolution twice the anticipated halftone screen frequency.

Rotate

A function found within image editing software that allows all or part of a pixel image to be rotated by any number of degrees. Rotation in 90° increments is fast and carries no quality penalty but this is not the case for other angles. This is why it is important to carefully orient artwork on a scanner so that rotation will not be necessary.

Selective Color Correction Adjustment

An adjustment available to allow specific colors within an image to be adjusted in regard to their color make-up: It is possible to take red out of green grass without affecting the red of the apples.

Silhouetted Image

A photographic image that has had its background erased so that the image can appear to float on the page layout. This is usually accomplished by selecting the edge pixels and coloring them white. It can alternately be accomplished by selecting the subject in the image and creating a "clipping path" from the selection. This clipping path will hide any image outside of this path and allow the subject in the image to float on a page layout.

TIFF File Format

Tagged Image File Format. One of the most common graphic file formats for line-art and photographic images. A TIFF file always consists of pixels; it can store information at any resolution the user requests and can include color or black & white data.

Tone Compression

A term used in scanning and image editing that refers to compressing the broad range of tones and colors in an image down to the narrower range available on a printing press.

Tone Curves

A term for an adjustment available in image editing software. Beginning as a 45° angle line running up to the right, this line is adjusted into a curve shape by the user to effect color or tone correction. The lower left end of the curve typically represents the dark portions of a picture and an upward bend will typically lighten the shadows. Similar capabilities exist by working with the middle or highlight parts of the curve. In this way it is possible to alter only certain tone ranges of an image without making un-wanted changes in other parts of the image.

Total Ink Coverage

Sometimes abbreviated as TIC. A term used in color separation to refer to the maximum allowable percentages of process inks (CMYK) in a photo on a press run. Expressed as a percentage number that is the total of the four colors; it is typically between 240% and 350% depending on the combination of press and paper types.

Transfer Adjustment

A command found in some image editing software to help calibrate the image files to correctly output on an imagesetter. This adjustment is typically left alone, and instead, the imagesetter itself is calibrated. See also Linearization.

UCR

Under Color Removal. A color separation setting used on color photographs where cyan, magenta and yellow inks are removed from dark, neutral areas and black ink is swapped in instead. The advantages are a reduction in overall ink usage. See also GCR.

Unsharp Masking

An important function that allows the user to add apparent clarity via electronic means. Unsharp masking is considered the most sophisticated sharpening method because it sharpens without the undesirable graininess that appears with other sharpening methods.

Virtual Memory

A computer term for a performance enhancing feature of some software. Virtual memory is a process where hard disk storage space is borrowed and caused to act as if it were additional RAM. The system will then be able to perform more complex functions just as if it had the additional RAM memory actually installed. See also RAM.

White Point Adjustment

An adjustment made that will determine the amount of highlight detail in an image. It is considered proper to set the white point so that the lightest part of an image will only just have zero detail.

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Internet, Communications and Networking

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10-Base T

A popular type of EtherNet wiring that connects a single computer or printer to a Network Hub. (Sometimes called twisted pair.)

100-Base T

A new type of EtherNet wiring that connects a single computer or printer to a Network hub. The performance of 100-Base T is about 10 times that of 10-Base T. 100-Base T requires compatible network interfaces in the computer or printer and it also requires a compatible Network Hub. (Sometimes called fast EtherNet.)

AppleTalk

A networking standard that has been available on all Macintosh computers. There are AppleTalk ports on both computers and Macintosh compatible laser printers. Once connected with appropriate wiring, the AppleTalk networking standard allows users to share information with each other and also share access to any laser printers connected.

Bulletin Board Service

Often shortened to BBS. Available to anyone with a modem and communications software, they offer the caller information, software, and the chance to share information and ideas with other callers. There are commercial BBS's such as CompuServe and America On-Line. There are also hundreds of small private BBS that exist for individuals that share special interests.

E-Mail

Electronic mail. E-mail is a capability given to a computer user by installing e-mail software on their network. Once installed, it allows the user to send typed messages or other computer files to other users connected to their e-mail network. E-mail systems can be connected world wide to allow messages to be exchanged with any other connected user. The Internet is one example of a worldwide network.

E-Mail Gateway

An e-mail gateway is a combination of hardware and software that facilitates the connection of one complete e-mail network with another one. Through the gateway, any user on one network can share messages with any user on the other.

EtherNet

A high speed networking standard that is available on newer Macintosh computers. There are EtherNet ports on both computers and laser printers. Once connected with appropriate wiring, the EtherNet networking standard allows users to share information with each other and also share access to any laser printers connected.

Fax Modem

A piece of computer hardware that has two functions: Fax transmission and reception. Data file transmission and reception.

File Sharing

A term that refers to a network connection between two computers that allows them to share document files.

File Transfer

A term that refers to the transmission of data between two computers on a network, or across telephone lines using modems.

HTML

Stands for HyperText Mark-up Language. Authors create (often called coding) documents in the HTML language and put them on a Web Server. Once there, users with a Web Browser can view them and follow any HyperText Links they may contain.

HyperText Link

A HyperText Link is what weaves the World Wide Web together. Authors of HTML Web Pages can cause certain words within their copy to act like a button transporting the reader to the related topic. HyperText Links are also found in many multimedia titles. As an example, when reading this text, imaging having the ability to click on the word HTML above and jump directly to a definition. HyperText Links are said to be perhaps the most significant difference between paper based and computer based documents.

Internet

The Internet is a global web of interconnected computer networks. There are tens of thousands of networks consisting of millions of individual computers. An individual or an organization can pay a monthly fee for connection to the Internet and then share e-mail and file transfers with other users. There are a great many information sources (databases) on the Internet and if the user has the proper type of Internet connection, they can access them. The Internet is not owned by any one company but was begun by the US government to interconnect universities and department of defense facilities. Today, it is an ad-hoc accumulation of wires owned and managed by a wide range of public and private firms involved in academic and commercial disciplines.

Local Area Network

A LAN as it is called is a set of wiring within the building connecting computers to one another. Having your computer on a LAN allows you to share information with any other computer on the network.

Network

A term a series of computers connected together with wires for the purpose of sharing information. See Local Area Network.

Network Hub

A hardware device providing the interconnection between networked devices. It is called a hub because the network wiring can be sketched like a spoked wheel with the hub at the center. A Network Hub is used with 10-Base T and 100-Base T EtherNet wiring. Hubs differ in the number of ports they have and in large networks multiple hubs can be bridged together.

URL

Stands for Universal Resource Locator and sometimes pronounced like "earl". On the Internets World Wide Web, a Web Pages URL is its address. Users wanting access to that page type the URL into their Web Browser.

Web Browser

A Web Browser is software allowing the user to view HTML documents on the World Wide Web. In addition to having this software, the user must also have Internet access. Once connected to the Internet, any user who enters the proper URL can view any Web Page and follow any HyperText Links they may contain.

Web Page

A Web Page is a document written in the HTML language and viewed on-line with a Web Browser. These documents reside on a Web Server which is connected to the Internet. A Web Page can include text, graphics and sounds. It can also include a form where a user can enter information to order a product or to request information.

Web Server

A Web Server is a computer which is connected to the Internet and is running specialized World Wide Web Server software. Web Servers come in various sizes depending on the amount of data they must handle and the expected number of daily requests for information from Internet users around the world.

World Wide Web

A facet of the Internet which allows users to view and download information containing text, still and moving pictures and sound. Users can also upload information such as orders for products which they've seen on "The Web". It is called a web because many thousands of Web Pages are interconnected and a user can jump from one to another with a click of their mouse.

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Output

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Densitometer

A device used to measure light absorbed by a piece of film or a substrate. A transmission densitometer is used for film and will read out density and halftone dot percentage. These devices are used to calibrate an output device. A device called a reflective densitometer is used to measure reflective surfaces such as a proof or a press sheet.

Density Adjustment

The first step in calibrating an output device. Density adjustment is accomplished by adjusting laser exposure and film development characteristics. Results are measured with a transmission densitometer which is used to measure the density of the film coming from the output device and developed in the processor.

Emulsion Up/Emulsion Down

Emulsion is the chemical coating on film that holds the image. This term describes the orientation of the emulsion when looking at the film and reading the type on it. Depending upon other prepress steps, it will be appropriate to create film that reads correctly (versus mirror image reversal) when the emulsion is up or when it is down. Sometimes abbreviated RREU or RRED standing for "right reading emulsion up (or down.)

Film

Material that is loaded into an imagesetter. Film is coated with a light sensitive emulsion and exposed with laser light inside the output device. After chemical development the film holds a very sharp image of the layout created by the designer. This film is used to prepare printing plates for a press run.

Hardcopy

Hardcopy is the generic term used to describe the materials containing images of our layouts and artwork that come out of a laser printer or an imagesetter.

Imagesetter

An output device containing a laser that is used to form an image on film from desktop files. Particularly, an output device equipped with a PostScript RIP to interpret commands in the PostScript language.

Laser Printer

(Some, but not all Laser Printers have PostScript capabilities.) A hardware device found in most offices that uses laser technology to form an image that is transferred to paper. It is toner particles (like a copier) that actually mark the page. Laser printers have an attribute of Resolution that is expressed as DPI (dots per inch.) 600 DPI lasers are most common but there are specialized lasers with greater resolution.

Linearization

A term referring to part of the calibration process for an imagesetter. Linearizing is the process by which one makes sure that a requested 40% halftone dot will output and measure as a 40% halftone dot. An output device is typically linearized by outputting a test file containing small patches of grey in 5% steps from 0% to 100%. Each patch on the resulting film is measured with a transmission densitometer and recorded in the calibration software. The resulting settings become a filter through all future files are output.

On-line Processor

For the development of film coming from an imagesetter, an on-line processor is connected directly to the imagesetter and exposed film is automatically carried from the imagesetter into the various chemical baths required for processing the film. It is generally considered preferable to have an on-line processor because it eliminates the need for the operator to hand carry exposed film to a remote processor.

Output Device

A printer. The term is most often used to describe a high-resolution imagesetter that is used to output desktop page layouts to film negatives.

Paper

A term used for the material that is fed through a laser printer. Also refers to the photographic material that can be used in an imagesetter as an alternate to film.

Plotter

An alternate term for an imagesetter. See imagesetter.

PostScript

A page description language described by its creator (Adobe Systems) as "the language of desktop publishing." The PostScript language is a programming language spoken by desktop software after the "print" command is issued. These PostScript instructions created by the software (in partnership with the printer driver) are sent to a PostScript laser printer to describe the page the user wishes to have output. The PostScript laser printer has an interpreter inside (called a RIP) that takes that page description and instructs the laser how to image the page.

PostScript Dump

The act of printing a page layout to a disk file rather than printing directly to a PostScript laser printer. This allows the user to transport the file to another location and download it to a PostScript laser printer. See PostScript.

PostScript Error

An event that occurs during the printing of a page layout. A PostScript error can occur when a page is too complex or it contains an element that has a technical defect. When a PostScript error occurs, the printing of that file terminates and usually no hardcopy emerges. To troubleshoot the problem, an individual knowledgeable in the PostScript language can (often) analyze the error and know where in the page layout to look for the troublesome element.

PostScript File

A file created by printing a page layout to a disk file rather than printing directly to a PostScript laser printer. This allows the user to transport the file to another location and download it to a PostScript laser printer. See PostScript.

Print Command

The command, present in all software that initiates the process of creating hardcopy. See also PostScript.

Print PostScript to Disk

The act of printing a page layout to a disk file rather than printing directly to a PostScript laser printer. This allows the user to transport the file to another location and download it to a PostScript laser printer. See PostScript.

Printer Driver

Important computer software that facilitates communication between software and the output device. See also PostScript.

Processor

For the development of film coming from an imagesetter, a processor contains the various chemical baths required for processing the film.

Resolution of an Output Device

Resolution of an Output Device is expressed as DPI (dots per inch) and refers to the number of laser spots per inch. It is generally considered that having output resolution of 600 DPI or above is important for attractive but achieving quality halftone reproduction relys on having much more resolution than that. A properly formed halftone dot will require a resolution many times higher than the halftone ruling. (A 150 line screen is best when output at a resolution of 2540 DPI.) This is why quality imagesetters have peak resolutions measured 3000 DPI and above.

RIP

Raster Image Processor. A RIP is a part of a PostScript laser printer and part of a PostScript imagesetter. It is a special computer that converts PostScript page descriptions into a rasterized image that can be edited or output directly. (A page layout must be ripped before it can be output.) See also PostScript

Ripping

The act of processing a PostScript file on a RIP. See also RIP

Service Bureau

An organization (frequently born out of an existing typesetting business) equipped with PostScript imagesetters and providing simple output services. Typically solicit business with low prices and quick turn-around times.

Spooler

A term referring to a specific productivity boosting software utility. A print spooler manages the print out function for the user and allows the user to regain control of their computer much faster than without. Also, a spooler will often coordinate print jobs received from many users sharing a particular laser printer; storing each print job in a "print queue" and sending them to the laser one at a time.

Spot Size

A term referring to the smallest element an imagesetter marks onto the page. Measured in microns, these spots are the building blocks that are used to create letter forms and halftone dots. When one refers to the resolution of an imagesetter (expressed in DPI) one is referring to the matrix in which these spots are imaged, not particularly to the size of the spot itself. Modern imagesetters have several spot sizes available for specialized purposes such as stochastic screening.

Stochastic Screening

Stochastic screening is a halftoning technology available in certain Output Devices where very small dots are positioned with varying spacing. Putting dots closer together simulates darker areas and putting them farther apart simulates lighter areas. Considered much harder to output and proof, there are two benefits to the user: Greater detail in any photographic image printed with Stochastic film. Elimination of screen angles allowing process color printing with more than four inks. Each imagesetter manufacturer has their own trade name for their Stochastic Screening technology.

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Page Layout and Typography

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Align Command

The align command is used to adjust the position of two or more elements in relation to each other. Elements can be aligned along any edge (top, bottom, left, right) or on their horizontal or vertical centers.

Color Palette

A list of colors to be used in a particular publication. Once defined from a master list of all colors a color appears on the color palette so that it may be easily used to color elements of the publication.

Control Palette

A palette within Adobe PageMaker that gives the user rapid control over the size and position of elements in a publication.

Cropping a Graphic

The act of hiding unwanted detail around the edge of a picture. Cropping with page layout software (as opposed to cropping the actual picture in the image editing software) is not recommended since the cropped detail is still part of the layout and is still Ripped by the output device. Using oversized pictures and cropping them can lead to long output times.

Em

An em is a typographers unit of measurement that is proportioned to the width of a capital letter "M." It will vary from font to font and will also vary with the point size of the font.

En

An en is a typographers unit of measurement that is proportioned to the width of a capital letter "N." It will vary from font to font and will also vary with the point size of the font.

En Dash or Em Dash

A dash (hyphen) that will have its width equal to either the width of a capital letter "N" or "M."

En Space or Em Space

A space (between words) that will have its width equal to either the width of a capital letter "N" or "M."

Facing Pages

A term that means the software will display reader spreads to the user as a pair of pages viewed side by side. This allows the user to layout pages with elements crossing over the gutter. (A crossover)

Fixed Space

A special type of space used between words that will insure there will be no line breaks between those words. Often used when it is desired for two words (like the company name Binary Graphics) to never be split between two lines of body copy.

Font Usage Command

A function under the utility menu of Quark XPress that allows the user to see what fonts have been used in the creation of a particular layout. This function is valuable while preparing a digital mechanical to be sent away for film output.

Format Text

A function available in all page layout software that allows the user to change the font and point size of all copy elements. Formatting text is an important part of the page layout process and is where raw typed copy is given the proper typographic appearance.

Frame Based Page Layout

A term to describe the function of the Quark XPress page layout program. A frame is a box. The user must first position boxes onto the page and then fill those boxes with text or graphics.

Get Picture Command

A command within Quark XPress that allows the user to import a graphic file into a picture frame.

Get Text Command

A command within Quark XPress that allows the user to import a text file into a text frame.

Hard Return

A carriage return. This keystroke is what separates one paragraph from another.

Kerned Pairs

Within a font, certain letter pairs are defined with special Letter Spacing. For instance, in the word To, the lower case letter o is set closer to the capital letter T. A font may have hundreds of Kerned Pairs defined within it. Users with the right software can edit them or expand the number of them within a given font.

Kerning

A typographic term referring to making small manual adjustments between two letters to achieve an enhanced visual appearance. It is common to perform some kerning on headlines.

Leading

Leading is a typographic term referring to the vertical space between two lines of copy. Leading is measured from the baseline of one line of type up to the baseline of type above. Leading is expressed in points.

Letter Spacing

Letter spacing is a typographic term referring to the relative space between individual letters.

Linking Graphics

An important concept in page layout software that refers to the fact that page layout files do not actually contain graphics files within them. Even though the user positions graphics on the pages of the page layout file, there is only a pointer stored internally in the page layout file referring to the original hard disk location where the graphics file resides. It is an important note to make that while the user may see the graphic images on the page layout file pages, it is necessary to send the original graphic files along for film output.

Links Command

A command within Aldus PageMaker that allows the user to view and manage the linked graphics within a document. Links have various status'. They can be "OK", "missing", "modified". It is important that all links be OK before sending the files away for output. A status of missing (PageMaker uses a question mark symbol) means that the page layout software cannot find the linked graphic. A status of modified (PageMaker uses a diamond symbol) means that the graphics file has been changed since placement in the layout.

Margin Guides

Non-printing guide lines that appear in page layout software at the dimensions specified by the user. Typically used to identify body copy area, elements positioned both within and outside of these guides will show in the hard copy.

Margins

Settings in page layout software used to identify the part of the page to be used for body text.

Master Page

A feature found within page layout software that allows the user to create quick consistent page layouts. Any printing element or non-printing guide will appear on all pages of the document. It is considered wise to position any repeating elements (like page numbers) once on master pages instead of over and over again on each individual page of the publication.

Measurement Palette

A palette within Quark XPress that gives the user rapid control over the size and position of elements in a publication.

Non-printing Guides

A term for alignment aids within page layout software. These ruler and margin guides are positioned by the user to facilitate a layout where things line-up properly.

Page Layout

A term referring to the act of creating blank pages in page layout software and positioning text and graphics elements onto those pages. It is the equivalent of mechanical paste-up and is what most people think of when they think of desktop publishing.

Page Size

A setting for a publication that affects the trim size of the publication. The page size setting will determine the size of the page and determines the placement of the automatic crop marks in relation to the artwork on the pages. It is important to consult with your printer about the exact page size necessary for a particular publication.

Paste Board

A term used for the area around a page in a page layout program. This area is, like a traditional drafting table, available as a temporary holding area for elements to be used as part of a page layout. It is important to remove any extra or unwanted elements from the paste board before sending the page layout away for output. Modern page layout software is said to use a "paste board metaphor"

Picture Box

A common term for a frame within the Quark XPress page layout program. A picture box is a holder for a picture. In use, the user must first position a picture box on the page and then import a picture into it. The image can be scaled within the and box can be used to crop the picture or support a printing border around the picture.

Picture Usage Command

A command within Quark XPress that allows the user to view and manage the linked graphics within a document. Links have various status'. They can be "OK", "missing", "modified". It is important that all links be OK before sending the files away for output. A status of missing means that the page layout software cannot find the linked graphic. A status of modified means that the graphics file has been changed since placement in the layout.

Place Command

An important command in Aldus PageMaker that is used to import text and graphics files stored on the users hard disk. Once placed, text can be formatted and graphics can be sized, cropped and positioned.

Plug-in

(Originally called Additions and renamed by Adobe in PageMaker 6.0.) A term for additional software to expand the capabilities of PageMaker. Plug-ins are available from Adobe and other sources to perform many specialized tasks.

Reader Spread

A term used in page layout software to describe the pairing of pages on the computer display. Pages are grouped in numerical order as a reader would encounter them while reading: 2 paired with 3, 4 paired with 5, etc. This is contrasted to printer spreads which describe the pairings as they may occur on a printing press before the binding of the book.

Rotating a Graphic

A function available within page layout software that allows graphics to by oriented to any desired angle. This function should be avoided for scanned images since it can compromise reproduction quality and slow output times. If rotation of scanned images is necessary, it should either be done with image editing software or the image should be re-scanned at the desired rotational orientation.

Ruler Guides

Alignment aids found in page layout software. These guides are called ruler guides because they are pulled out of the display rulers with the mouse and positioned on the layout page.

Rulers

Measurement aids found along two edges of the layout display window. The rulers have a zero point that can be repositioned to any point on the screen for convenient measurement.

Scaling a Graphic

A function available within page layout software that allows graphics to by sized to any desired scale. This function should be avoided for scanned graphics since it can compromise reproduction quality. If scaling of scanned images is necessary, it should either be done with image editing software or the image should be re-scanned at the desired size.

Soft Return

Similar to a carriage return but different: Activated in page layout software and in most word processors by holding the shift key and then hitting return. This will create a break in the copy forcing the keystrokes that follow to go to the next line but it will NOT define a new paragraph. This is most often used when a line break is desired but when proper formatting requires both lines to be in one paragraph.

Story

A term for a set of copy that was imported into page layout software as one file. The story may appear in one place in one text block (PageMaker term) or in one text box (XPress term,) or it may be "chained" across multiple boxes that may reside on multiple pages of a document. A "story" is the largest piece of text that can be "highlighted" (selected in preparation for formatting) at one time. Stories must be highlighted individually.

Style Sheet

An important term for a productivity enhancing feature found in page layout and word processing software. Used to speed text formatting and assure more consistent text formatting in a publication. The user can define a set of text formatting options (font, point size, leading, spacing, etc.) and name that set of formatting commands. Names such as "headline", "body copy", "caption" indicate the anticipated uses. Once defined, a style sheet can be applied to copy and that copy will instantly take on all attributes of that style sheet. Additional productivity gains are achieved since the user can redefine a style sheet after it has been applied to copy and the copy can be instantly modified throughout the publication. It takes just a moment to redefine a caption style, for example and modify 200 captions.

Text Block

A term used in the PageMaker page layout program. A text block is an element on a page containing headline or body copy. A text block can be moved independently of any other text block on the page and can be adjusted in width and depth to change the copy flow. Text can be caused to flow from one text block to another allowing a multi-column layout or allowing an article to begin in the front, and continue in the back of a publication.

Text Box

A term used in the Quark XPress page layout program. A text box is an element on a page containing headline or body copy. A text box can be moved independently of any other text box on the page and can be adjusted in width and depth to change the copy flow. Text can be caused to flow from one text box to another allowing a multi-column layout or allowing an article to begin in the front, and continue in the back of a publication.

Text Box Chaining Tool

A tool in the Quark XPress page layout program. This tool is used to allow copy to flow from one text box to another. See also Text Box.

Text Chain

A term used in the PageMaker page layout program that refers to the copy flow from one text block to another that may take place.

Text Wrap

A term used in page layout software that refers to the way lines of text can be shaped to follow the edge of a graphic.

Tracking

A typographic term that refers to letter spacing of a range of text. Tracking adjustment will allow overall tightness or looseness of copy to be quickly adjusted to help achieve a particular visual effect or to help fit copy onto a page.

XTension

A term for additional software to expand the capabilities of the Quark XPress page layout program. XTensions are available to perform many specialized tasks from table of content generators for a book to XTensions that enhance the color separation and output capabilities of XPress.

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Scanning

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1-bit

Another term for a line-art scan file or scanner setting. Refers to the number of bits (1) in the data. With one bit a pixel will either be black or white.

12-bits per color

A feature found in some desktop scanners. This feature allows the capture of much greater shadow detail (when compared with 8-bits) and allows the scanner to create a more satisfactory scan from an original that may be low in contrast.

24-bit Scanner

A 24-bit scanner can capture 8-bits of data in each of the red, green and blue colors.

36-bit Scanner

A 36-bit scanner can capture 12-bits of data in each of the red, green and blue colors. The data will be analyzed and dropped to 24-bits of data but through this process, image quality is enhanced.

8-bit

Another term for a Greyscale scan file or scanner setting. Refers to the number of bits (8) in the data. With 8-bits per pixel the image will have 256 shades of grey. This is a sufficient number of grey values to create a quality black and white photographic reproduction.

Bitmapped Image

A bitmapped image is a computer file representing a line-art image that was scanned with a scanner. Refers to the pattern (map) of bits that are either black or white.

Black Point Adjustment

An adjustment made that will determine the amount of shadow detail in an image. It is considered proper to set the black point so that the darkest part of an image will only just have zero detail.

Brightness Adjustment

An adjustment on a scanner that allows the user to compensate for a light or dark original.

CCD

Stands for Charge Coupled Device. Essentially a light sensitive computer chip, a CCD is the optical element in a CCD scanner that converts light to voltages. The more light a CCD receives, the higher voltage it creates. These voltages are converted by the scanner into the images we see.

Color Correction Adjustment

The act of correcting for and eliminating an unwanted color cast. Part of the scanner set-up, a preview image is measured on the computer display and adjusted so that the color measures in the desired way. After this adjustment is made, the actual scan is performed using these color correction settings.

Color Space

A color space is a particular language used to describe color. Examples of color spaces are: RGB, CMYK, HSB, CIE LAB.

Contrast

The range between lights and darks in an image. Proper contrast is important so that an image appears realistic.

Contrast Adjustment

That act of adjusting contrast for proper visual results.

Curve

As in tone curve, or color correction curve. Beginning as a 45° angle line running up to the right, this line is adjusted into a curve shape by the user to effect color or tone correction. The lower left end of the curve typically represents the dark portions of a picture and an upward bend will typically lighten the shadows. Similar capabilities exist by working with the middle or highlight parts of the curve. In this way it is possible to alter only certain tone ranges of an image without making un-wanted changes in other parts of the image.

DPI

An improper expression of the resolution of a scanned image. The expression pixels per inch (PPI) is the correct indication of scanned image resolution. DPI (standing for dots per inch) is used in expressing the resolution of a laser printer or other output device.

Drum Scanner

A type of scanner on which original artwork is attached to the outside of a spinning glass drum. The image is scanned by photo multiplier tubes (PMTs) and is captured to a disk file. This type of scanner