The Binary Graphics Glossary
Copyright © 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 Binary Graphics,
Inc.
This no frames glossary contains over 500 terms. Many definitions
include important background information to help the reader with
their work.
Use the find function of your browser to search for a term... or
peruse a category!
This glossary is divided into the following categories:
Color and Calibration
Fonts
Hardware
Illustration
Image Editing
Internet, Communcataions and
Networking
Output
Page Layout and Typography
Scanning
Workflow
Color and Calibration
Copyright © 1994, 1995 Binary Graphics, Inc.
- 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.
Fonts
Copyright © 1994, 1995 Binary Graphics, Inc.
- 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
Hardware
Copyright © 1994, 1995 Binary Graphics, Inc.
- 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'.
Illustration
Copyright © 1994, 1995 Binary Graphics, Inc.
- 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."
Image Editing
Copyright © 1994, 1995 Binary Graphics, Inc.
- 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.
Internet, Communications and Networking
Copyright © 1994, 1995 Binary Graphics, Inc.
- 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.
Output
Copyright © 1994, 1995 Binary Graphics, Inc.
- 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.
Page Layout and Typography
Copyright © 1994, 1995 Binary Graphics, Inc.
- 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.
Scanning
Copyright © 1994, 1995 Binary Graphics, Inc.
- 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 gives the best quality result.
- Dynamic Range
- An expression of the density difference between highlights and
shadows. As a measurement of scanner quality, dynamic range is one
of the primary differences between low and high quality scanners.
A desktop scanner with a small dynamic range will yield scanned
images that lack detail in shadow areas.
- Flatbed Scanner
- A type of scanner with a light sensing CCD element on a moving
carriage mounted under a sheet of glass. Artwork is placed face
down on this glass and covered with a hinged cover. A flatbed
scanner has much in common with the top portion of an office
copier.
- FPO Scan
- A low-resolution photographic scan (usually 72 PPI) used for
composition purposes only. After laser hardcopy is produced, the
FPO image is replaced with a different (high-resolution) scanned
image.
- Gradation Adjustment
- An adjustment leading up to performing a scan where the user
makes adjustment to the brightness and color balance of the image.
After performing a preview scan, the user will adjust the tone
correction curves of their scanner to achieve natural color.
- Grayscale Image
- A term for a black & white photographic scan file. Refers
to the range of 256 grey tones that make up the image.
- Grey Balance Adjustment
- A color correction adjustment to insure that grey elements
within a scanned image appear as a neutral grey. It is generally
considered proper technique to adjust the image so that neutral
grey elements appear neutral gray. If this is done, it will
usually be true that other elements within the image will also
have true color reproduction.
- High-resolution Image
- A term used to describe an image with enough detail (achieved
through having plenty of pixels per inch) for quality reproduction
and use in final film. How high the resolution should be depends
on the image type: Line-art should have resolution of 600 PPI or
above and photographs should have resolution twice the anticipated
halftone screen frequency.
- Interpolation
- A function found on low cost scanners where optical resolution
(expressed as PPI) is enhanced through software enhancement. In
this way, a 300 PPI scanner can create 600 PPI files.
Interpolation does not give as good a result as a scanner with
higher optical resolution. (The software won't be able to enhance
detail the scanner doesn't see in the first place.)
- Low-resolution Image
- A low-resolution photographic scan (usually 72 PPI) used for
composition purposes only. After laser hardcopy is produced, the
low-resolution image is replaced with a different
(high-resolution) scanned image.
- OPI
- Open Prepress Interface. A term relating to the use of special
low-resolution versions of high-resolution images. This process
offers faster page layout. These low resolution images are
automatically exchanged for the high-resolution version when the
layout is output.
- PhotoCD
- A technology from Kodak that allows photographic images to be
stored on a CD-ROM disc. These PhotoCD images can be displayed on
a television set or can be used in a desktop page layout and
separated to film. A complex technology, the achievable quality
depends on a talented computer operator with knowledge of color
prepress techniques. That in hand, PhotoCD can achieve above
average quality color separations for a low unit cost.
- 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.)
- PMT
- Photo Multiplier Tube. A light sensing element used in high
quality drum scanners. It is said that scanners using PMT
technology create the highest quality scans.
- PPI
- Pixels Per Inch. An expression of resolution of a scanned
image.
- Resolution of a Scanner
- Expressed as PPI (pixels per inch.) The resolution of a
scanner limits the enlargement capabilities of the device. Optical
resolution is the resolution of the device and interpolated
resolution is resolution enhanced by software and is the res.
frequently touted in scanner advertisements. Interpolated
resolution does not always yield significant detail enhancement.
- Shadow Detail
- A term that refers to the amount of detail contained in the
dark parts of an image. It is desirable to maintain shadow detail
but there is a risk of decreasing overall contrast if one lightens
the shadow too much in an attempt to expose detail. If an image is
scanned without shadow detail, it will be impossible to regain
detail in an image editing program.
- Sharpness
- An attribute of a scanned image and also an attribute of a
good quality scanner. It is considered desirable for an image to
have good sharpness.
- Tone Curve
- A term for an adjustment available on certain scanners.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
Workflow
Copyright © 1994, 1995 Binary Graphics, Inc.
- Digital Film Evaluation Checklist
- A checklist created by Binary Graphics in Seattle that
documents the things to check when evaluating film output.
- Digital Mechanical
- An industry standard term standing for the combination of
three things: Laser hardcopy representing a press ready layout. A
disk containing all layout and graphic files used to create that
hardcopy as well as all necessary fonts. A disk transmittal form
that provides information about the job.
- Digital Mechanical Check-in
- An activity that takes place in the prepress department of a
commercial printing plant where a digital mechanical is checked
for missing elements and loaded onto the computer network.
- Digital Mechanical Makeready
- An activity that takes place in the prepress department of a
commercial printing plant where a digital mechanical is prepared
for film output. This activity includes checking the file
preparation methods and general state of the files. It also
includes the digital stripping of images, trapping, and
imposition.
- Digital Mechanical Quality Control Checklist
- A checklist created by Binary Graphics in Seattle that details
the elements of a digital mechanical that should be confirmed
before the digital mechanical is sent away for film output.
- Hardcopy Mark-up
- The act of writing necessary information onto the surface of
the laser hardcopy before handing a digital mechanical over to the
output vendor.
- Hardcopy Mark-up Checklist
- A checklist created by Binary Graphics in Seattle that
documents the things that need to be written on the laser hardcopy
that is part of a digital mechanical. The elements on this
checklist are drawn from industry standard guidelines.
- Pre-design Production Planner
- A pre-planning aid created by Binary Graphics in Seattle that
helps gather necessary production information before files are
created.
- Pre-planning
- The act of planning the production steps and determining
responsibilities before creating the computer files that will make
up the digital mechanical. Pre-planning is generally said to save
time and money.
- Shared Responsibility
- An important term relating to the relationship between the
organization that creates a digital mechanical and the
organization that outputs it. Usually a matter of negotiation, it
is in the best interest of all concerned to work this out in
advance and create a plan to account for errors and problems to
include such unfortunate events as software bugs that prevent
deadlines from being met.
- Vendor Coordination
- An important thing for a print buyer to do when involved in
the pre-planning and creation of a digital mechanical. It is
important to coordinate the capabilities and efforts of the design
staffs with the prepress production organization. Proper division
of responsibility must be negotiated between the two groups and
proper file preparation methods should be followed.
- Workflow
- A term used to describe the steps taken in the execution of a
task such as creating and outputting a digital mechanical. Proper
workflow is determined based on the specific project being
undertaken, the skills and desires of the file creators, and the
capabilities and policies of the firm that will create the
high-resolution film output.
- Workflow Test Files
- A term used for a test made in the early stages of digital
mechanical creation. Workflow test files are designed to confirm
the compatibility of the software being used as well as confirming
the particular production techniques being used.