A handbook to help execute some of the more routine tasks performed in the
Digital Teaching Resources Laboratory
Department of Biological Sciences University of Alberta
Sections 2-5 Powerpoint Techniques
Table of Contents Section 2 - Preparing a Powerpoint slide presentation - BASICS.
structure of a presentation. 1 basic rules of good presentations. 2 preparing the presentation. 4 fills and fill effects. 6 inserting images.. 10 freeform tool. 11 selection of help files. 12 typefaces (differences between). 16 computer and colour. 17 gradients.. 19 design and layout. 20 design and layout ideas and examples. 32 transparent backgrounds from Adobe Photoshop - as PNG files.. 35 using Photoshop/Powerpoint picture fills. 39 picture fill examples. 42
Section 3 - Sending a Powerpoint Slide Presentation from a PC computer to the Polaroid ProPalette 8000 or Digital Palette HR6000 Slide Maker. 44 Section 4 - Sending a Powerpoint Slide Presentation from a Mac computer to the Polaroid ProPalette 8000 or Digital Palette HR6000 Slide Maker. 46
Section 5 - Printing a Powerpoint Slide Presentation, with the Polaroid Pro Palette 8000 or Digital Palette HR6000 Slide Maker. 48
printing other file types directly. 49
Section 2. Preparing a Powerpoint slide presentationBASICS.
This handbook will not describe the choices available for preparing the actual slide presentations using masters and templates, there are to many to list and choosing one that is appropriate for your talk is a personal preference. Just beware of choosing weird colour combinations. This manual will introduce you to some common and not so common Powerpoint features and give you several design tips that are lifted and/or adapted from
The Presentation Design Book by Margaret Y. Rabb 1993.
Types of presentations which can be created in Powerpoint are shown in (Fig.84).

Overhead transparencies

Paper printouts On-screen presentations Notes, handouts, & outlines 35mm slides WWW documents
Fig.84 Types of presentations that can be created in Powerpoint.
Structure of a Presentation The Rule of Tellem
Tellem what you are going to tellem, Tell it to them, and then Tellem what you told them. The Translation: Start with an introduction; including an agenda or set of goals for the presentation, provide the content; information and summarize the presentation.
Last is First - The Summary/Conclusion Slide
One researched fact of presenting that has been around for a while is that most people attending a presentation will remember no more than five key points. What has not been confirmed is what are the key points? How to get your audience to remember the key points that you want them to remember? If we take this as a truth, what impact should it have on creating an effective presentation. Start with the last slide! Thats right, when you are ready to create your presentation, forget the details for a minute, forget the presentations organization, instead:
first! Write out your conclusion or summary slide first It should emphasize the most important points you plan to make. Once you have visualized those points, its relatively easy to build your presentation around them. Tellem. Curious, it comes back to the Rule of Tellem Even the brilliant people in your audience may need your help in deciding what you believe most important. Help them out. A PowerPoint Slide Master contains objects that you want to appear on each slide in your presentation. With a Slide Master, you only have to create an item once and PowerPoint will automatically include them on every slide. Some things are set up by PowerPoint (for example; place for slide title and text) so you dont have to create them each time. If you want to add additional items to a master, you can at any time. The Slide Master has boxes already set up for the slide title and text. Theyre called the Master Title and the Master Body object. The format of these objects determines the way your text will look on each slide. You can always make slides look different from the Slide Master, but a Slide Master gives you a consistent starting point. The Slide Master is flexible. You can move objects around, add art, add headings or labels, change colors and fonts. As you create a slide, you have the option of using or not using the elements from the Slide Master. To change the entire presentation, you simply change the format of the Slide Master. PowerPoint will then change all your slides accordingly. PowerPoint Templates PowerPoint also offers templates. A template is a presentation containing PowerPoint masters and a color scheme. PowerPoint offers 160 pre-designed templates to help you get started quickly. Applying a template to a presentation you are creating means the design work is already done for you. You can apply a template when you are just starting a presentation, or you can create a presentation and apply the template later.

Fig.103 Open window after clicking the open picture from file box icon on menu bar. The file highlighted under look for appears in preview window.
Fig.104 Open window after clicking the crop icon on menu bar. The image has been cropped on the left hand side.
Fig.105a-c The three images, from left to right: normal imported image, brightness and contrast applied, watermark applied to fade image.
When moving image or text within a presentation frame a horizontal or vertical plane can be maintained if the shift key is pressed while moving, also if a jerky movement occurs it is due to the snap to grid being selected. The snap to grid (Fig.106) can be turned off by opening Draw, Snap and deselecting the grid icon. When items are needed to be placed behind or in front of each other, it can be done by selecting Draw, Order, and the command required (Fig.107). The example shown (Fig.108) shows the BIO of BIOSCIENCES placed behind the semi-transparent green box, while the CES is brought to the front of the semi-transparent blue box. B I O SCIEN C E
Fig.107 Open window for accessing Fig.106 Open window for accessing the Snap selection. the selection for order of stacking.
Fig.108 example showing bring to front (top) and send to back (bottom).
One of the relatively unused, but important tools, is the freeform tool, it is accessed by selecting Autoshapes, Lines and clicking on the Freeform Icon (Fig.109). This tool allows you to draw any shape you wish by clicking on page, moving mouse to next placement point and clicking again, this is repeated until shape has been drawn (Fig.110a). Your drawing can be edited (re-shaped etc) by right mouse clicking the drawing and selecting Edit Points. Making this selection will allow all points to appear on your image (Fig.110b). NOTE Points correspond to the number of clicks NOTE: made during drawing of image. When the points are highlighted on the drawing, others can be added or subtracted, lines can be stretched (Fig.110c), smoothed, and curved until the drawn image is to your satisfaction (Fig.110d). Apply these functions by clicking the right mouse to access the window (Fig.111). The cursor must be placed on a point to change its form and before clicking the right mouse.

Fig.109 Open window to access freeform tool.
b d Figs.110a-d Original drawing, points highlighted, points being edited and final drawing ( ) shows current point being stretched.
Various applications are available when Autoshapes is selected (Fig.112).
Fig.112 Open window after clicking Autoshapes.
Fig.111 Open window (after clicking right mouse) to access additional point editing.
Many informative hints and shortcuts are given under the Powerpoint help files, a selection of the more common ones are shown below.

Change capitalization

1. Select the text you want to change. Case. 2. On the Format menu, click Change Case 3. Click the option you want.
Move or copy text by dragging
1. Select the text you want to move or copy. 2. To move the text, drag it to its new location. To copy the text, hold down CTRL and drag the copy to its new location.

Selecting text

To select A word A paragraph or (in outline view a paragraph and all its subparagraphs All text on a single line All text in an object or (in outline view) an entire outline Do this Double-click the word Triple-click anywhere in the paragraph Click Press CTRL+A
Copy only the look and style of text
1. Select the text that has the style you want. , and then select the text you want to apply the 2. Click the Format Painter formatting to. NOTE: You cant copy the font and font size on text created by the WordArt tool on the Drawin toolbar. Drawing
Options, 1. On the Tools menu, click Options and then click the Edit tab. 2. Select the Automatic word selection check box
Automatically select whole words
To adjust spacing automatically when you add or delete words
Options, 1. On the Tools menu, click Options and then click the Edit tab. 2. Select the Use smart cut and paste check box. The spacing around added or deleted text will adjust to add a space between words or to remove a space before a period.
Copy or trim portions of a picture

When we see three lines of type together (Fig.120a), evenly spaced and consistently sized, its fair to assume that they form a single statement. If the third line is pulled down (Fig.120b), away from the other two, the relationship changes. The only difference between the two frames is the use of the space - but the effect is profound.
Fig.121a Extraneous elements

Fig.121b Clean image

You might take it as a warning sign if your frames are generally so tight that you must rely on lines and borders (Fig.121a). Theyre probably just too loaded with information. Try spreading the content over more frames (Fig.121b). Be generous with the materials you need to get the job done.
DESIGN & LAYOUT - lines and borders

Fig.122a Too much

Fig.122b Much better
While lines help distinguish one category of information from another, theyre not as effective as you might think in creating visual emphasis. We tend to think underlining will bring a point to the viewers attention, but sometimes the extra clutter has just the opposite effect (Fig.122a). Try changing the type colour or weight rather than adding a line where its not necessary (Fig.122b).
Fig.123 Borders separate more than they emphasize
Borders act as separators. They convey the unmistakable message that whatever is inside the borders doesnt belong with whats outside (Fig.123). Presentation graphics rarely benefit from a border around the whole frame. Projected images define their own space very well without extra help, and screens are already framed and bordered by the monitors hardware. Borders dont make a statement look as important as we expect they might. In fact, framing an element can actually decrease its impact by cluttering the visual field.
DESIGN & LAYOUT - Opening titles
Figs.124a,b Focus attention on the title of the presentation, then add supporting information.
Because theyre the first frames your audience will see, take advantage of the opening titles to set the visual style and engage your audience (Figs 124a,b). The elements are fewer and simpler than the bullet lists, graphs or tables that will follow, so your free to work out a pleasing arrangement that focuses attention on the most important elements. When youd like to include lots of information up front, use more than one title frame, or build a sequence. Unless the speaker is especially well known, the title of the presentation is usually placed first as the featured element.
Figs.125a-c Make a subtitle graphically distinct from the title (top). Experiment with subtle variations in typography to further distinguish between the two levels of information (bottom left and bottom right).
Of course you may find that the contrast in length between a brief title and a long subtitle makes a smaller type size necessary. Fine. Reduce the potential for graphic overkill by changing only the size at first (Fig.125a). If that doesnt give you enough contrast between title and subtitle, work with a second variable (Figs.125b,c). Remember the choices you made in these frames so you can apply them to text frames throughout the presentation.

DESIGN & LAYOUT - tables
When graphs arent specific enough and verbal descriptions are too cumbersome, tables offer elegant solutions for showing exact numeric values. They can be quite visually appealing and provocative. Design tables by envisioning the motion you want your audience to follow - across a column, down a row or hopping from one entry to another.
Fig.126 Tables are an efficient format for organizing many separate but related bits of data.
Fig.127 Align decimal values on the decimal point for clarity in comparisons.
Separate the vertical columns of a table with enough space (Fig.126) to keep entries from running together, and resist the temptation to create a gridwork of vertical and horizontal lines that isolate the bits of data, working against the connections and comparisons youd like to create. Allow plenty of room between horizontal rows to open up the grid. Thin horizontal lines (Fig.127) or subtle horizontal bands of colour can help the viewer follow the information across categories, working with the natural motion of left to right. Or if a particular column holds the key to your ideas, try highlighting it with a vertical band of colour. As a rule, columns of words or short phrases should be set flush-left; columns of numbers should be placed flush-right or aligned by decimal points.
DESIGN & LAYOUT - column & row labels
Labels for vertical columns can follow the alignment of the column below, or they can be centred over the column when that defines the column more clearly. If you have a column of figures with a noticeably ragged left edge, flush-right column labels will look just right. On the other hand, a thin column of checks or visual symbols calls for a label centred above it Typographic choices for labels should reflect the type size and style used in the body of the table, with subtle differences to set them apart slightly. Boldface column labels over lightweight type provide a good solution; so do thin lines between the labels and entries (Fig.128a,b). When your table is successful, your viewers will have no trouble distinguishing labels from entries, and they will be able to move between entries with ease.

Fig.132a-c Flat drop shadow (a), 3D shadow (b). Graduated shadow (c). Each style creates a different effect.

USE RESTRAINT

Most audiences sincerely appreciate graphic simplicity. People decide to attend a presentation because they want to reach a new understanding of the topic, not to be wowed by fancy pictures. Software programs are loaded with features that can seduce you into graphic overload. The vast array of colour choices and graphic formats, for instance, makes it tempting to go wild and and use more features than necessary to get your point across. Just because you have the capabilities for unlimited typefaces, shadows, patterns, decorated corners, borders and tapered lines does not mean theyll contribute to your communication goal. To test for graphic overload, stand back and start paring down the design devices. If you can remove anything without sacrificing content or clarity, keep going (Figs.133a,b).
Fig.133a,b Examples of Graphic overload (a), Effective communication (b). a b
Move repetitive words or phrases to the heading or subhead. For example, when listing departments in Biological Sciences (Fig.134), pull the word Departments and use it in the subheading. To avoid repetition, pull out recurring words or phrases and use them as headings I.e. in the above slide the word Department appears too many times and is replaced in new slide below by a Departments header (Fig.135), followed by the list of departments.

BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

University of Alberta Department of Botany Department of Entomology Department of Genetics Department of Microbiology Department of Zoology

Departments

Botany Entomology Genetics Microbiology Zoology University of Alberta
Fig.134 Example of repetitive words (the Department)
Fig.135 Departments used as list header.
Because theyre more dynamic, built sequences (Figs.136a-f) help keep your audience involved visually with the screen. On the first frame, viewers will see only the heading, subhead and first bullet item. As each new point is added, its highlighted to focus the viewers attention on it. All previous points are low-lighted for contrast. When all points for a particular topic have been added, your bullet frame is complete. The full frame provides a good opportunity for review. Try different variations to build sequences (there are many to choose from), but stick with one variation at a time.

The slide samples Figs.144,145 had image imported from file and faded in Powerpoint. Fade by clicking the Image Control button on the menu bar and selecting Watermark. The faded image needed further changing, this was done by using both the Brightness and Contrast tools situated on the menu bar. If the before mentioned icons are not on the menu bar, acquire access to the Watermark, Brightness and Contrast by selecting Format on the menu bar and then Picture in the open window, after this selection a box named Format Picture will open and under Color, select Watermark (Fig.146). The Watermark selection will automatically change the Brightness to read 85% and the Contrast 15%. Click OK. The photographic image will be faded. If the image is too light it can be adjusted by altering the Brightness and Contrast values.
Photograph by J.Scott taken in Edmonton, Alberta
Fig.145 Faded Powerpoint background image with text from Word Art.
Fig.146 Open window showing access to Watermark, Brightness and Contrast selections.
Creating Photoshop images with transparent backgrounds for importing into Powerpoint for slide presentations.
The Photoshop image should have unwanted materials removed and the background filled with a colour so that it can be easily selected by means of the magic wand (Figs.147a,b).
Fig.147a Original image as captured from the www.
Fig.147b Image with background material removed by means of the stamp tool.
Select the parts you wish to have appear transparent (in this example, the background) by using the Magic Wand (Fig.148). If bleeding of the background selection into the main subject occurs, reduce the tolerance level of the magic wand and then shift/click all parts of the background until selection is complete, hence avoiding bleeding. Open the Help box on the menu bar and select Export Transparent Image (Fig.149).
Fig.148 Background selected by using magic wand and Shift/click method.
Fig.149 Help box opened and Select Transparent Image command selected.
The next step is to select the I have selected the area to be made transparent command (Fig.150) which will open a new window which asks What will the image be used for, select Online (Fig.151), NOTE: The Print selection in the What will the image be used for? window allows the image to be imported into your poster presentation. If imported into Microsoft Publisher it will appear with a white background although it will print out as transparent.

Fig.150 Export Transparent Image window opened to show the I have selected the area to be made transparent command.
Fig.151 Window showing selection to choose what will the image be used for.
The next window to open asks Which image format would you like? Choose PNG (Fig.152). The next to open is the Save As window, give the file a name and select where its to be saved (Fig.153.
Fig.152 Window showing selection to choose which image format would you like ?
Fig.153 Save As window for selecting file name and destination.
After saving as a PNG file an option window will open (Fig.154). Click OK. The final window to open informs you that the Export Image with Transparency Wizard is now completed and your image is now ready to be used on line (or, in this case for importing to another presentation) (Fig.155).
Fig.154 PNG Options window
Fig.155 Final window after completion.
You will now notice that the original image is open in Photoshop along with the new PNG image (Fig.156). Selecting the PNG file and opening the Image Size window will reveal the resolution to be 72 dpi (Fig.157). This image has a transparent background and will import with such into a Powerpoint presentation as seen in (Fig.158).
Fig.156 Open Photoshop window after completion - shows both original and PNG images.
Fig.157 PNG file image size before closing resolution is 72 dpi.
Fig.158 PNG file placed on a green filled background to show that the goldfish background is transparent.
Examples of images downloaded from the Internet (Figs.159a,160a), opened in Photoshop, edited (Figs.159b,160b) and processed through the Export Transparent Wizard to produce PNG files with transparent backgrounds.
Fig.159a Image as downloaded from web site.
Fig.159b Image edited and transparent background created using Photoshop applications. NOTE: image placed on coloured background fills to show transparency).
Fig.160a Image as downloaded from web site.
Fig.160b Image edited and transparent background created using Photoshop applications. NOTE: image placed on gradient background fill to show transparency.
Another method of creating transparent backgrounds or in fact eliminating excess background material in Powerpoint presentations or posters is by using the image as a fill (briefly mentioned earlier). The required shape is either manufactured by using the freeform tool , select Autoshapes, Lines, Freeform Tool or by choosing one of the basic shapes, block arrows, flowchart or Stars and Banners, obtained by selecting Autoshapes (Fig.161), and opening the required window (Figs.162a-d).

Fig.173 Fill Effects open and Picture selected from file.
Fig.174 Octagonal shape drawn and filled with above image. Line colour changed to green.
Examples of other filled shapes are shown below (Figs.175-184). Autoshapes windows are open to show the shapes used. NOTE: all images are from scanned 35mm slides.

(Fig.175)

(Fig.176)

(Fig.178)

(Fig.177)

(Fig.180)

(Fig.179)
(Fig.181) This requires a bit more work in Photoshop. Underlying images cut to fit pages.

(Fig.182)

(Fig.183)

(Fig.184)

Section 3. Sending a Powerpoint Slide Presentation
from a PC computer to the Polaroid ProPalette 8000 or Digital Palette HR6000 Slide Maker.
1. Open your presentation. (If you have used any unusual fonts in your presentation, embed them in the presentation before saving as they will not be loaded in the slide maker), this will send them with the presentation to the slide maker (Fig.185).
Fig.185 How to embed your font in a powerpoint presentation.
2. Check under File, Page Setup and check that 35mm slides is selected. 3. Under File click Print (Fig.186), and the Printer Window will open (Fig.187).
Fig.187 (right) Printer Window opens after clicking print. All relevant selections are made.
Fig.186 (left) Open File window for print selection.
4. Under Name, select Slide Printer or Xerox 4900 depending on which computer you are using. Print to file will automatically be selected. 5. If you are sending all your presentation slides leave All selected. NOTE: only applies when sending to Propalette 8000.
6. Send your presentation in batches of ten slides or less (less if really large file size), when using the Palette HR6000. Select Slides and type in 1-? (Repeat the procedure again for each batch of slides sent I.e. 11- ? Etc.). Large files have a tendency to crash the Digital Palette HR6000 slide maker if sent all at once. 7. Select Scale to fit paper. 8. Deselect Collate (not needed). 9. Deselect Black & White (if selected). 10. Click OK. 11. A Save in window will appear (Fig.188), select Appleshare new and ditrl will show in window.

Fig.188 Open window for sending file to Appleshare New then ditrl Folder.
12. Name your file (something simple) in File Name: The file will automatically have the postscript extension.prn added to it. 13. Save. 14. Repeat all steps for next batch of slides.
Section 4. Sending a Powerpoint Slide Presentation
from a Mac computer to the Polaroid ProPalette 8000 or Digital Palette HR6000 Slide Maker.
1. Open your presentation. 2. Check under File, Page setup and check that 35mm slides is selected. 3. Select printer type by opening Chooser under the apple menu in Finder. 4. Under select Chooser, LaserWriter 8, ENTOMOL, DITRL B&W Laser postscript print driver (Fig.189). 5. Exit Chooser. 6. Under File click Print (Fig.190), and the Printer Window will open (Fig.191). 7. Select either Microsoft Powerpoint (if sending complete presentation) or General (Fig.192) for a complete or split presentation (You can enter slide batch numbers under General and click back to Microsoft Powerpoint). 8. Print What, select slides. 9. Send your presentation in batches of ten slides or less (less if really large file size), when using the Digital Palette HR6000. Select Slides and type in 1-? (Repeat the procedure again for each batch of slides sent I.e. 11- ? Etc.). Large files have a tendency to crash the Palette HR6000 slide maker if sent all at on
Fig.189 Open Chooser window for print driver selection.
Fig.190 Printer Window opened.
Fig.191 Open Printer window - General for selecting split presentations.
Fig.192 Open window - Microsoft Powerpoint for selecting scale to fit paper and deselecting Black & White (if necessary) presentations.
10. Select Scale to fit paper. 11. Deselect Black & White (if colour presentation). 12. Select Save as File (Fig.193) then select All under Font Inclusion and File under Destination (Fig.194) if not already selected. 12. Click Save. 13. A window will appear (Fig.195) , select appleshare new and ditrl will show in window. 14. Name your file (something simple) in Create File (Fig.196) Leave the.ps if already present, attach it to your file name if it is absent. 15. Repeat all steps for next batch of slides.
Fig.193 Selection to open Save as File window.
Fig.194 Save as File window open. Destination and Font Inclusion selected.
Fig.195 Open window allowing File creation and destination.
Fig.196 Open window for sending file to appleshare new folder ( extension must be present).
Section 5. Printing a Powerpoint Slide Presentation,
to the Polaroid Pro Palette 8000 or Digital Palette HR6000 Slide Maker.

Queue window should already be open on monitor, if not open window by double clicking the Raster 95 icon on desktop. 1. Open Add Files to Queue window by clicking on the menu bar at the top of the screen (Fig.197). 2. If the appleshare new (ditrl) folder does not open automatically at this step, locate by clicking Network Neighborhood, moss, users, ditrl. 3. Select your file(s), (Ctrl-click will select multiple files). Open single files by selecting and double clicking or both single and multiple files by highlighting and selecting open. The files will now appear listed in the queue (Fig.198). 4. Highlight the file(s) in the queue and then select to preview your file presentation (Fig.199). 5. Check each frame of the previewed presentation by progressively clicking the X at the top right hand corner of each slide frame. 6. Load film into the slide maker, follow instructions and cautions given along side the printer. Special care must be taken not to press on the film while loading so that the camera shutter blades are not pushed back and damaged. If you should get your film back from Photo Services without any images, it means that the shutter blades have been damaged beforehand and the shutter has not been opening during your film run. (Fig.200). 7. After previewing send the film to the slide printer by clicking 8. After all slides have been exposed, the film is rewound and removed from the slide maker. Sore bought film will automatically rewind if all 24 or 36 exposures are exposed. If only partially used the film will have to be rewound following the instructions posted by the slide makers. Exposed film can be processed by Photographic Services.

open queue

Fig.198 Selected file in queue and preview icon selected. Fig.197 An open add files to queue window for selecting file(s) from Appleshare New Folder.
Fig.199 Selected file opened to show preview.
Fig.200 File being sent to slide maker.
NOTE: Images can be sent directly from the program they have been created in e.g. Photoshop. If a scanned image is formatted to 3:2 landscape or 2:3 portrait and saved as a tiff or jpeg document into the appleshare new folder it can be previewed and printed by the digital palette HR6500 or propalette 8000. If the scanned image to be printed is not in the 3:2 format e.g. it is a square image (Fig.201), one dimension (height in landscape format and width in portrait) should be adjusted to 2 and the canvas size enlarged to 3 (otherwise the image will be stretched to fit frame (Fig.202) and filled with a background colour if desired (Fig.203).
Fig.201 scanned image (square) height adjusted to 2.

Fig.202 previous image with canvas size adjusted to 3 in length and filled with green.
Fig.203 previous image without canvas size adjusted stretched to fit frame.
If your slide presentation was created in the on screen format either by accident or because you wish to use it for an onscreen show and also for a slide presentation you can still send it to the slide maker as is, without remaking the presentation in the required 35mm slide format. With your presentation open, print to file as per usual but do not scale to fit When you preview the postscripted file at the slide fit. maker the frames will have a black fill (which will be opaque on projection) at the each side of the image. Photographic Services offers E-6 (slide) processing twice daily, film handed in prior to 10:30 am will be ready for pick-up at 12:00 noon and film handed in later than 10:30 am and prior to 2:30 pm will be ready for pick-up by 4:00 pm.

Film Output FAQ

PrePress Express Film Output FAQ
Durst LVT Film Output What is an "LVT" output print? How High is the Resolution of our LVT? LVT Output File Specs: LVT Resolution Chart LVT Film Stock Polaroid ProPalette 8000 Film Recorder Polaroid ProPalette Output Specs: How do i prepare the color and contrast for film output? How do i prepare a file for film output? What is the optimal file size for film output? What film type can you output onto? Additional Services File Retention Policies Long Term File Storage
Ordering Film Output How do i place an order for film output? Payment Terms Shipping Terms
Durst LVT Film Output What is an "LVT" output print? The LVT is an ultra-high resolution, continuous tone Film Recorder. It exposes digital files directly onto E-6, C-41 and B&W film. LVT is an acronym for "Light Valve Technology", which was the original exposure moderating mechanism when the film recorder was first introduced by Kodak. The LVT was originally designed by Kodak but they sold the business to Durst a number of years after they invented it. The current models (ie Rhino+) use LEDs to expose the film, which gives a much nicer print. After the LVT business was sold to Durst, they improved the printers and software tremendously.
How High is the Resolution of our LVT? The Durst LVT uses fixed optical resolutions when exposing the film. The resolutions are referred to as RES40, RES80. Lower RES's are available on the device but are not used for film. The RES is the number of pixels per millimeter (MM). RES40 is exposes the film at 40 pixels per millimeter or 1,016 pixels per inch (PPI). RES80 is exposes the film at 80 pixels per millimeter or 2,032 pixels per inch (PPI).
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That really is a lot of pixels per MM! As an example, the LVT uses a 30x microscope to allow us to focus the beam. We have to use one of the largest pixel settings just to be able to see them. Even with the assistance of the 30x scope, you cant see the RES 40 or RES 80 pixels. The prints are so tight that you will never see the individual pixels on the print. They are truly amazing prints to see! The ultra-high resolutions are enhanced by the continuos tone nature of film. The LVT uses all films to its fullest potential. Continuous tone film recorders offer extremely smooth gradations and subtle transitions that are not possible on other devices. There are no dots as in inkjet prints and no scans lines as in CRT film output. LVT Output File Specs: LVT File Prep: Create your files using the Adobe RGB 1998 profile, color correct and then save the file as an 8 bit RGB TIFFs (IBM Tiff format). The Tiffs must be flattened, no alpha channels with No Profiles Embedded. If a profile is embedded the LVT will reject the file. The actual imaging area on the LVT is slightly smaller then the nominal film size. Please take this into consideration when creating your file. Please use the table below. Exact 4x5" or 5x7 output requires 8x10" film. Create your files for the desired output resolution and film size. The active image area for 4x5 is 4.37x3.62 and 8x10 is 9.25x7.48 RES 40 = 1016 DPI RES 80 = 2032 DPI Sample: Creating a new image for LVT RES 40 Output in Adobe Photoshop CS4 Note: The file name in the image is a sample, you may keep your original file name.

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LVT Resolution Chart When creating the file for LVT OUtput, please size them according to the chart below.
Film Size 4x5-4.37x3.62 8x10-9.25x7.48 RES 40 (1016 DPI) 4,440px x 3,678px 9,398px x 7,600px File Size 46.72 MB 204.35 MB RES 80 (2032 DPI) 8,880px x 7,356px 18,796px x 15,200px File Size 186.89 MB 817.39 MB
Sample: Creating a new image for LVT RES 40 Output in Adobe Photoshop CS4 Note: The file name in the image is a sample, you may keep your original file name.
LVT Film Stock The LVT Rhino+ can image files on Color Negative (C-41), Color Positive (E-6) and B&W negative films. Color Negative - Kodak Portra 160VC Color Positive - Fuji Provia 100F RDP3 Color Positive - Kodak E100G B&W Negative - Kodak Tmax 100 B&W Negative - Ilford FP4+ If you require a different film stock, please Contact Us. We can potentially calibrate the LVT to any Color or B&W film stock and processing routine. The setup fee for a film stock not listed if you provide the film is $250. Please Note: A minimum of 5-10 sheets of 8x10 film is required to complete the calibration. The film should all be from the same emulsion lot. The film used for imaging the final files should also be the same emulsion lot. If we will need to source the film, the setup fee is $600.
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B&W 8x10 Positives are also available, please Contact Us for more information.
Polaroid ProPalette 8000 Film Recorder Polaroid ProPalette Output Specs:
All files should be in the Adobe RGB 1998 color space. Files should be saved as RGB Mac Tiff's at the correct size indicated in the table below.
Format 35mm 35mm 6x7cm 6x7cm 4x5 4x5
Output Res 4K 8K 4K 8K 4K 8K
Input Res Pixels 4096 x x x x x x 6370

Input Res PPI 819 1638

File Size MB 33.5 134.2 41.2 164.7 39.1 156.5
Aspect Ratio 3:2 3:2 11:9 11:9 54:42 54:42
How do i prepare the color and contrast for film output?
Slides (Chrome): For proper slide output, you should prepare your files heavier (darker) in the shaddows and high 3/4 tones. This will prevent the shadows from washing out and appearing grey. Color Negatives: Prepare the files for your negatives as you would like to have them printed. Because C printing is very subjective, try to prepare your files so when they're printed, the least amount of burning and dodging will be needed. B&W Negatives: Files destined for B&W output should be de-saturated but still in RGB. This will produce the best results when printed onto B&W film.
How do i prepare a file for film output? The example below is for a 35mm imaged at 8k.

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1. Create a new document in your preferred image editor. 2. Set the documents height to 5460 pixels 3. Set the documents width to 8192 pixels 4. Set the documents dpi/ppi to 5461 pixels 5. Set the documents working color space to Adobe RGB 1998 6. Set the documents background color to a color of your choice (black or white is most common) 7. Drag or move your image into this new document (convert colors to Adobe RGB 1998 if necessary) 8. Enlarge or reduce the image to fit the canvas size and adjust color as needed 9. When all of your editing is completed, save the image as a Flattened TIFF, Mac compatible Without Any Compression (very important!) Please contact us if you have any questions.
What is the optimal file size for film output? Our Polaroid ProPallette 8000 film recorder can image files of almost any size and still achieve good results. The optimal file sizes are listed below for the film size and resolution. 35mm @ 4K 33.5mb 35mm @ 8K 134.2mb 6x7cm @ 4K 41.2mb 6x7cm @ 8K 164.7mb 4 x 5 @ 4K 39.1mb 4 x 5 @ 8K 156.5mb Larger files will not improve the quality but smaller files will have a noticeable drop in resolution. For projection only viewing, smaller files are OK since the projector, screen, focus and film flatness will vary. A lower resolution file will not be as noticeable in those situations. We have imaged files as small as 2mb jpg's and they came out great. For printing or archiving, it is best to provide us a file that is sized in line with the table above. Lower resolution files will have a significant impact for film intended to be used in printing or archiving.
What film type can you output onto? In general, we can output onto any available film stock for 35mm, 120/220 and 4x5. Below is a list of film currently in stock. Other stock are available with a surcharge.
Film Types 35mm Kodak 35mm Fuji 6x7 Kodak 6x7 Fuji 4x5 Kodak
Chrome EPP Fuji Provia 100f EPP Fuji Provia 100f EPP

Color Neg Portra 160nc

B&W Neg PlusX or Tmax Neopan 100
Portra 160nc NPS 160 Portra 160nc
PlusX or Tmax Neopan 100 Tmax 100, FP4
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4x5 Fuji 4x5 Polaroid Type 59

NPS 160

Neopan 100 Type 55
Please contact us for more information or if you would like a specific film choice.
Additional Services File Retention Policies From Live Storage: PrePress Express will maintain your scans live on our server for a period of 30 days after the order ships out. If an additional CD or DVD is needed within 30 days, there is no charge to retrieve the files from our LTO tape backup. The charge to burn an additional CD/DVD is $15 per disc + shipping. From Long Term Storage: After 30 days, the files are transfered from our live storage servers and moved to our long term LTO tape storage library. The cost to restore from our long term tape backup is $0.05c per mb + CD or DVD media and shipping. The minimum charge for restoring from tape is $50 + media and shipping. Long Term File Storage PrePress Express is now offering Long Term Offsite Storage for all of our Drum Scanning, Retouching and Layout services. Keep all of your files safe for years to come! LTO tapes have a shelf life of over 30+ years. Compare that with CD's or DVD's that can start to degrade in as little as 3-5 years. Our Offsite storage service can hold up to 100gb of files per tape. We will backup and store the tape either at our offsite storage facility or send you 1x LTO 1 tape with the Retrospect catalog file on a CD. We can backup any files that we create or work on. You may may also send us additional files to add to the backup. The cost per tape is $200.00 and $100.00 per year to store the tape at our offsite facility. There would be no storage fee if we send you the tape. The cost to restore from your long term tape backup is $0.005c per mb + CD or DVD media and shipping. For restorations over 20gb, we recommend that the files are restored to a portable firewire hard drive. You may send us one or PrePress Express can supply one for an additional $100.00. Contact us for more information.

Ordering Film Output How do i place an order for film output?
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To place an order for film output: You will need to create the file according to our specifications for either Durst LVT film output or Polaroid ProPalette film output. We will then send you an upload link to our secure server. After we receive your file, we will image the film according to your output requirements and send it back to you. To place an order, Please contact us anytime.

Payment Terms

Pre Press Services:
New accounts: For new accounts, payments are made with the order either by Credit Card, Company or Personal Check, Cashiers Check, Bank Check, Money Order and Cash. Net Term accounts will be considered on a case by case basis. Open Accounts (Net Term): Net account status will be given on a case by case basis. Please fill out our Open Account Application PDF. Open accounts may only be paid by check or money order. Invoices over 45 days will be billed to a credit card on file with a $25 penalty. Account Default: Accounts that are past due (Due date plus a 5 day grace period) will be charged 1.5% per month (18% per year) until payment is received. All collections and legal fees will be the sole responsibility of the debtor. Returns / Refund policy: All jobs are considered closed after 5 business days. No claims for refunds are accepted after 5 business days from receiving the job. No refunds will be permitted without an RMA#.

Payment Types Accepted:

Visa, MasterCard, Discover. To facilitate faster processing of your credit card, please download and fill out our Credit Card Authorization Form PDF.
Other payment type accepted: Company or Personal Check, Cashiers Check, Bank Check, Money Order and Cash. Checks or Money Orders should be made out to Photographer At Large. We also accept Wire transfers. The fee per transfer is $35.00 usd. To see a complete list of payment and shipping terms, Click Here.

Shipping Terms

Shipping Policies:
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Drum scans, Prints and Pre press items:
We will ship all outbound items via UPS, FedEx or USPS. Other services like DHL, LTL, Etc.may be arranged upon request. Service types include: Priority Overnight, Standard Overnight, 2 day, 3 day and Ground. Return Shipping of your originals: The safe return of your originals is our primary concern. Our standard for shipping originals is Overnight by FedEx, UPS or Priority Mail. We can ship with another carrier or service at your request but we require that a release be on file. Shipping fees may be billed on interim invoices and/or on the final invoice. We do not ship originals COD or freight collect. Please call us for a shipping quote before placing your order. Insurance: Shipping insurance is mandatory on all returned originals and will be added to the invoice. You may specify the amount but we are not responsible for any loss or damage once the carrier accepts the package. Client Accounts: If you have a UPS, FedEx or DHL account, we can use your account to ship your items. There is a $5 handling charge to cover packing materials and time.

To see a complete list of payment and shipping terms, Click Here.
Thank you for visiting our Drum Scanning FAQ. If you have any questions, please contact us anytime. All information contained on this page is 2006-2010 Photographer At Large / PrePress Express and may not be reproduced in any way without our written consent.
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