Preferred file format?
PRR
I download from the internet, and edit in some way, to make a collage,
or simply add text, to make wallpaper for my desktop. I'm happy enough
with the results I get (I have a 15.4" laptop display, 1280x800). When
working with Picture It, I think I've always saved my final projects
as PNGs. I have two questions:
1. Is there one format that would provide me with the best resolution?
I don't recall ever noticing any difference between the same file
saved as different formats. Or should I always save in the same format
as the original picture?
2. Is there any format that will allow Picture It to peel off parts of
a project, so I don't have to start over? I have tried making a
collage, and then changing one or two photos, or the background color,
but haven't seen any way to do this--each time, I have to start all
over again. Is there a way to short-cut this?
John Inzer
PNG is a lossless format and is an excellent
choice for saving your photos. TIFF is also
a good choice but personally I use the JPEG
format. The file sizes are smaller and the format
is universal. I realize it is not lossless but have
not encountered any issues because of it.
Now for the question about layered projects.
If your version of Picture It! can save in the MIX
or PHP format...the layers will be preserved for
future editing. The problem is that those formats
are not compatible with other software. If you
move to an operating system that is not compatible
with PI2001 like Vista or Windows 7 you will not
be able to open your files so always be sure to
save a 'flat' copy of your projects in the TIFF,
PNG, or JPEG format.
--
J. Inzer MS-MVP
Digital Media Experience
Notice
This is not tech support
I am a volunteer
Solutions that work for
me may not work for you
Proceed at your own risk
PRR
in PNG.
As far as my second question is concerned--I've decided to purchase
later versions of PI/Digital Image Suite for my next laptop (assuming
they run on Windows 7), so I can continue doing what I"m doing here.
Can versions later than 2001 read these same MIX/PHP files? Or were
you just cautioning against trying to open those files in, say, GIMP?
> Proceed at your own risk- Hide quoted text -
>
John Inzer
> OK, regardless of the original photo, then, I'll save my final result
> in PNG.
>
> As far as my second question is concerned--I've decided to purchase
> later versions of PI/Digital Image Suite for my next laptop (assuming
> they run on Windows 7), so I can continue doing what I"m doing here.
> Can versions later than 2001 read these same MIX/PHP files? Or were
> you just cautioning against trying to open those files in, say, GIMP?
All versions of MS Picture It! / MS Digital Image
are compatible with Picture It! MIX/PHP files.
The latest and last version of MS Digital Image
was:"Microsoft Digital Image Suite 2006 Anniversary
Edition" and it is optimized for Vista. You might
find a copy at Amazon or on eBay. Hopefully
it will run on Windows 7 but I am not positive.
Tip...if you purchase Windows 7...the best
choices would be Windows 7 Professional,
Ultimate or Enterprise...because they are compatible
with Windows XP Mode...which allows older software
to run. See the following article.
Install and use Windows XP Mode in Windows 7
http://tinyurl.com/yapvreg
or.....
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/install-and-use-windows-xp-mode-in-windows-7
There's still a 60 day trial version of DI2006
available for download if you would like to try it:
Microsoft Digital Image
Starter Edition 2006
http://tinyurl.com/28loxr
or...
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=7C3B3DED-A15F-48C5-B724-7796FE8C151E&displaylang=en
(this product line has been
discontinued but you can still
download the Starter Version
and run it for 60 days)
Unlike the retail version...the trial does not
have the ability to create VCDs and it does
not include the clipart and pre-formatted
projects.
PRR
"Picture It" format in my save as dialog. I must have Windows set to
not show file extensions, as I didn't see anything like .mix in the
dialog, or on the file's properties. I'll fix that later.
Thanks a lot John. You've always been a big help here in the picture
it ng.
I can get the eduation pricing on Windows 7 which is one of the
"fuller" versions so I'll most likely pick up my next computer with
DOS of some kind (if it comes with a discount). Barring that, I'll be
sure to get one of those versions.
On Feb 27, 11:49 pm, "John Inzer" <oo...@doobie.zyx> wrote:
>
> ===================================
> All versions of MS Picture It! / MS Digital Image
> are compatible with Picture It! MIX/PHP files.
>
> The latest and last version of MS Digital Image
> was:"Microsoft Digital Image Suite 2006 Anniversary
> Edition" and it is optimized for Vista. You might
> find a copy at Amazon or on eBay. Hopefully
> it will run on Windows 7 but I am not positive.
>
> Tip...if you purchase Windows 7...the best
> choices would be Windows 7 Professional,
> Ultimate or Enterprise...because they are compatible
> with Windows XP Mode...which allows older software
> to run. See the following article.
>
> Install and use Windows XP Mode in Windows 7http://tinyurl.com/yapvreg
> or.....http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/install-and-use-windows-x...
>
> There's still a 60 day trial version of DI2006
> available for download if you would like to try it:
>
> Microsoft Digital Image
> Starter Edition 2006http://tinyurl.com/28loxr
> or...http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=7C3B3DED-A15...
John Inzer
> OK, I see online that the .mix format is what PI 2001 simply calls the
> "Picture It" format in my save as dialog. I must have Windows set to
> not show file extensions, as I didn't see anything like .mix in the
> dialog, or on the file's properties. I'll fix that later.
>
> Thanks a lot John. You've always been a big help here in the picture
> it ng.
>
> I can get the eduation pricing on Windows 7 which is one of the
> "fuller" versions so I'll most likely pick up my next computer with
> DOS of some kind (if it comes with a discount). Barring that, I'll be
> sure to get one of those versions.
You're welcome, thanks for the update.
Personally, I never hide file extensions...
I like to see the format of each file when
I open a folder.
MS Picture It! / MS Digital Image has
a long and diverse history and I never
know exactly how much or how little info
to share with someone. Maybe some
of the following info will be useful to you.
Just for reference...if you open a pre-
formatted project in PI2001...a Greeting
Card...for example. When you save it...
the .php format will be your only option.
And...even though all later editions of
Picture It! and Digital Image are basically
compatible with .php files...if you happen
to go too far with your editing...the file
may be incompatible with the later
versions. What makes the difference?
Hard to say exactly...I've seen it happen
with too many layers and too much cropping...
but not every time. Just something to be
aware of if it occurs. The only way to fix it
is to reopen the file in 2001 and start
removing objects and resaving until it
becomes compatible with your later version.
As for .mix...if you want to create a special
picture with layers...for example..add
a cutout of someone who was absent the
day a photo was taken. Once you have
your layered photo edited to your satisfaction...
go to...File / Save As / open the 'Save As Type'
drop window and scroll to the top...
choose (highlight) 'Picture It! Format (*mix)'...
Choose a Save location / Enter a Name...
Save...
When you re-open the .mix file...your layers
will still be intact and editable. The .mix format
was abandoned with the 2001 version. The
2002 version introduced the PNG-Plus format
for all layered files and that remained the
default until the 2006 edition when the product
line was discontinued..
Cheers.