Re: Digitised Microfilm - resizing for the Internet

From: Tim Au Yeung (ytau@UCALGARY.CA)
Date: Wed Jan 12 2000 - 21:54:55 CST

  • Next message: Bob Henneberger: "Re: Digitised Microfilm - resizing for the Internet" 

    Message-Id: <200001130412.VAA38020@dns.ccit.arizona.edu>
Date:         Wed, 12 Jan 2000 20:54:55 -0700
From: Tim Au Yeung <mailto:ytau@UCALGARY.CA>
Subject:      Re: Digitised Microfilm - resizing for the Internet
To: mailto:IMAGELIB@LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU

    <pre> Hello David,

    Photoshop 5.0 & 5.5 have batching capabilities for resizing, etc. that work quite well -- worth the upgrade if you don't have it. ImageReady 2.0 (which comes with Photoshop 5.5) has the additional capability of being able to export its actions as "droplets" that you can place on your desktop to run without firing up the application (from your perspective at least). If you need more capability than this, Main Event sells Photoscripter, a Photoshop plugin that allows almost all of Photoshop to be driven by Applescript -- you can write an app to create multiple web sizes, for instance as well as reporting back the size of each original image in a text file. On the Unix side of things, GIMP provides the same capabilities and it's free. The downside is that it is more complex. From what I understand, Fireworks by Macromedia has added batching capabilities although I have yet to test it. Jasc makes Image Robot whose sole function is batching images - cheaper than Photoshop if that's all you're looking for (they also make Paint Shop Pro, which is a respectable image editor). Debabelizer is definitely a good choice but depending on your need, may be on the pricey side.

    If you do use Photoshop, here's a little tip:

    Normally, you can only use Photoshop to batch one set of actions on one directory (and subdirectory). However, if you create dummy actions (actions with no commands), you can then record a single action which consists of running a batch on each of your dummy actions. You then go in and either record or insert the commands into your dummy actions to make them real actions. Play the action with the set of batches, turn off the lights and go home. Remember not to use actions with commands in them; as soon as you go to record the running of that batch, it will run -- which is not what you want it to do.

    Tim

    -------- Tim Au Yeung Manager of Digitization Initiatives Information Resources (Press) University of Calgary voice: 403.220.8975 email: ytau (at) ucalgary.ca

    ----- Original Message ----- From: "David Adams" <mailto:David.Adams@NATLIB.GOVT.NZ> To: <mailto:IMAGELIB@LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU> Sent: Wednesday, January 12, 2000 8:23 PM Subject: Digitised Microfilm - resizing for the Internet

    >
    >
    > We are currently working on a project to digitise a selection of
    microfilms
    > It is expected to digitise the microfilm as greyscale images in JPEG
    format in the region of 300-400 dpi
    > The images will be later hosted on the Internet and may need resizing down
    to smaller efficient file sizes to allow faster access.
    > I have experienced photoshop with 'quick keys' to resize the images but
    requires opening of each image
    >
    > Is there a more suitable proprietary application that can be 'run' over
    the files to batch this process seamlessly?
    >
    > the application Debabilizer comes to mind, any suggestions ?
    >
    > David Adams
    > Team Leader Copying Services
    > National Library of New Zealand
    > +64 4 4743151
    > Visit "Timeframes" New Zealands leading source of heritage images
    > http://timeframes.natlib.govt.nz/
    >

    </pre>

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