» Forum Index » Problems and solutions » Topic: Really Quick Quicky! 
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Posted on 05/04/06 8:29:56 PM |
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tank172
ThreeDee Thriller Posts: 692 Reply  |
Really Quick Quicky!
Steve, when you start a new project from scratch, I'm curious as to what page size and resolution you prefer to start out with on your new document settings. Photoshop's default is 72 dpi. Should I go ahead and change that to 300 dpi if I'm creating a layout for a magazine spread? |
Posted on 06/04/06 09:13:00 AM |
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Steve Caplin
Administrator Posts: 7047 Reply  |
Re: Really Quick Quicky!
Depends on the magazine, and the size of the image. Certainly, you shouldn't use 72dpi for any work that's intended to be printed. It will look awful. 300dpi is the best quality for magazines. But if you're working on a whole spread, that will mean a huge file; you need a really fast computer if it's not going to grind to a halt. An A4 double page spread at 300dpi will mean a 50Mb file, and that's before you put any layers in. Working at, say, 240dpi will lower this to 32Mb, which is rather more manageable. As to size - I always try to get the editor to give me a size for the project before I start working on it. If they can't do that, because the page hasn't been designed yet, then get a maximum possible size: they can always make an image smaller, but it's hard to make it bigger without losing quality. Hope this helps! |
Posted on 12/04/06 04:14:10 AM |
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tank172
ThreeDee Thriller Posts: 692 Reply |
Re: Really Quick Quicky!
Thanks, Steve. Your response definately answers my questions. I did say that Photoshop's default is 72 dpi, but I unknowingly created the new document at 1024X768 pixels...which put it at 72. When I realized this, I opened a new doc. w/ the correct size of the spread and gutters, Photoshop then put it back to 300 dpi. Which is what I wanted. Are there any other document sizes that Photoshop automatically adjusts the dpi when someone creates a new document? (Just a curious question, but not really needed for me to continue working) Thanks again! Chris |
Posted on 12/04/06 08:37:12 AM |
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Steve Caplin
Administrator Posts: 7047 Reply |
Re: Really Quick Quicky!
The 'default' size is usually the last one you specified when you created a new document. But if you have anything copied to the clipboard, then it's the dimensions of that file that are used when you next make a new document. It can be irritating for this to happen, but it's also useful on occasion. If you copy an image from a website, for example, then when you make a new document in PS to paste it into, the doc will automatically be the right size. If you want to use your previous settings instead, hold opt/alt as well as command/ctrl N. Should override clipboard settings. |