Web Surfers are not known for their patience and if they become stalled by slow loading pages or graphic images, they will surf on. To hold their attention, you need to catch it quickly. Large image files take longer to load, so this is a good place to look for ways to create faster loading, quality Web Pages.
Here are a few hints that can help:
1. Today's Computer Monitors, the ones we can afford, have a resolution of between 72 and 96 Dots Per Inch (DPI). When scanning an image at a higher resolution then this simply creates larger image files with no improvement in picture quality. Set scanner resolution to 100 DPI or so and the image quality will be as it gets.
2. Scanner Software provides a way to preview images before scanning them into image processing software. Before you do the scan, use the preview feature to crop down to an area that will included the entire object with a minimum of empty border space.
3. Scanner Software also provides a way to adjust the Contrast and Brightness of an image before loading it into your image processor. Some also provide a way to adjust for GAMA, a method of custom balancing color for your system. These adjustments need to be done the first time you use your scanner, making sure that the image you see on the screen looks like the object. Check the settings periodically, but don't be forever twiddling with them. It simply doesn't help.
4. Once you are satisfied with the scanner settings and with the way the preview looks, scan the object into the Image Processing Software. Image Processor have features that you can use to find tune the image even more. Save the image as it appears when first acquired. It may save you some time later on should things go awry.
5. Scanners are not designed for three-dimensional objects. Beads are three-dimensional and although scanners do have some "Depth of Field" it is quite shallow. Flat work dose not usually need fine tuning, but don't count on it. Objects that have height, the third dimension, will become progressively out of focus the more height they have. Image Processing software can be used to correct some of the resulting fuzziness, but do not overdo it.
6. Two of the most important features found in image processor software. For best results:
Sharpen
Use only once to correct for fuzzy-focus. Use it more than once and it will begin to effect the color of both the scanned object and the background in a negative way.
Auto-Correct
Sounds wonderful, doesn't it? Well it isn't when it comes to bead work. It is designed for images that include people and makes adjustments based on flesh tones. Strange things can happen when flesh tones are not predominant. I recommend never using this feature for beadwork or other jewelry. If you do, and you do not see an immediate Improvement, UN-DO the result IMMEDIATELY.
Resize
Use to adjust image size so that, when displayed on the Web, scrolling is not necessary to view the entire object. Adjust image size so that it will fit on a monitor set to a resolution of 640 X 480. New computers are usually delivered with 640 X 480 as the "default" settings. Most people never change this.
7. Avoid Word Processors that automatically generate HTML. They create large, hard to understand documents that are also hard to maintain. LEARN HTML. It's easy and it's FUN. To create HTML files that are easy to understand and to maintain, use an HTML Editor. There are many excellent ones available at nominal cost.
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