PNG usage (was re: Recommended single-sourcing graphic file format for FM->RH)

[Grant Hogarth]

If you are talking about JPEG 2000, I would agree.
I still find that adding annotations on a JPG (unless one uses no
compression), leaves artifacts, which are especially noticeable when
they get scaled.
If you are not scaling and not annotating directly on the image, then
JPG is probably not a bad choice.
(And yes, I agree that FM needs to improve it's handling of PNG colors. 
FM10 seems to have eliminated most of that problem (in that I've not
noticed it in FM 10), but I've also not pushed the limits.  (I also save
in indexed PNG, which may have something to do with it.)

See also:

  * optiping: http://optipng.sourceforge.net/
       (get the "opti-png UI" add on here:
    http://www.enzofleri.com/eng/programs.html  )

and

  * pngcrush: http://pmt.sourceforge.net/pngcrush/

*Note from website:* Pngcrush is a command line application. If you
prefer a draggity-droppity GUI, several are available, including these
which embed pngcrush along with other command line image
compressors/optimizers:

  * ImageOptim <http://imageoptim.pornel.net/> for Macs, free, GPLv2 license
  * Trimage <http://trimage.org/> for Linux, Windows, Mac, free, MIT license


        Related "How-To" articles:

  * http://www.websiteoptimization.com/speed/tweak/png-optimization/   
    <http://www.websiteoptimization.com/speed/tweak/png-optimization/>
  * http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/07/15/clever-png-optimization-techniques/
  * http://perishablepress.com/press/2009/05/17/png-image-optimization/


John Sgammato wrote:
>
> With all due respect to my colleagues on this forum, IMO the line
> between JPG and other formats is no longer as neat as it once was.
> Many screenshots in Win 7 require gradients that JPG handles well. IMO
> anything that a photo can handle might not be so far removed as you
> might think from basic screen captures, We are no longer in the
> cartoony Win 3.x world.
>
> And since AFAIK FrameMaker still imports eleventyhundred colors with
> every .PNG file, I do not see why a PNG with its headaches is superior
> to the no-longer-extant difficulties of the .JPG format.
>
> Craving enlightenment...
>
> john
>
>  
>
> *From:*framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com
> [mailto:framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com] *On Behalf Of *Grant Hogarth
> *Sent:* Saturday, January 14, 2012 7:01 PM
> *To:* Virginia Morgan
> *Cc:* framers at lists.frameusers.com
> *Subject:* Re: Recommended graphic file format for single-sourcing
> from Frame to Robohelp?
>
>  
>
> I always vote for PNG.  The files may not be the smallest, but I've
> never had anything in the past decade choke on them (not
> display/corrupt display (either unreadable or artifacts)/Fail (as in
> crash)).
>
> JPEG is fine for Photos, and SVG for line graphics.  PS is fine if
> you've got the time to render it.
> GIF is for icons. 
> BMP/WMF/EMF should be discontinued.
>
> You may want to invest in a graphics converter.  The two best (IMO)
> are FastStone Image Viewer (or just Image Converter) and IrfanView.
>
> Grant
>
> On 1/13/2012 3:23 PM, Virginia Morgan wrote:
>
> Hello Framers --
>
>  
>
> It has been several years since I have been part of this group, so I
> apologize if this topic has been covered extensively somewhere (if
> so,  please feel free to point me to it). I have recently resumed my
> Technical Writing career at a software development company that uses
> FrameMaker to create its documentation. All the legacy manuals were
> delivered with the products as hyperlinked PDF files (not really meant
> for printing due to length, although one could do so and they are
> formatted correctly for that).
>
>  
>
> The company recently purchased TCS3, and would like to single-source
> Frame files to online help using Robohelp. I have been trying to find
> out what would be the best graphic file format  to use for this
> multi-purpose moving forward. Some background: All legacy images,
> which are primarily screenshots with some flowcharts, were .tif files,
> RGB color, 96 dpi (again, intended for on-screen viewing). Using TCS3
> moving forward, is there a better/clear recommendation for what
> graphic file format would produce the best results?
>
>  
>
> I have been searching the web for a few days and can't seem to find
> any information on this particular aspect of single-sourcing using the
> new TCS3. Does it not matter, i.e., does one just set up Robohelp
> templates to convert .tifs to .jpgs or similar?
>
>  
>
> All information is very much appreciated. Thank you, and I am happy to
> be back to this forum!
>
>  
>
> Virginia Morgan | Technical Writer
>
> TAKE Solutions, Inc.
>
> O 512.735.4316 | M 512.426.8323
>
> virginia.morgan at takesolutions.com
> <mailto:virginia.morgan at takesolutions.com>
>
>   
>

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