Re: [docbook-apps] Graphic formats for screenshots

[DeanNelson@aol.com]

Yes, this is our practice also.

 

We use Autocad and SolidWorks drawings in our publications. But those tools tend to make crappy images in raster formats (PNG, JPG). But recently we started storing these images in PDF and using the FOP plug-in to use these images in our PDF rendering. The output looks much better.

 

We also use as much SVG as possible. The only drawback is usually fonts of text in these images may be rendered differently, depending on the renderer. An example of this is when a drawing tool puts out an SVG and different tool picks it up, the fonts are "approximated" sometimes. So SVG is not always the silver bullet for us, but its really great on simple drawing images.

 

Regards,

Dean Nelson

 

In a message dated 8/6/2009 3:34:39 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time, abdelazer@gmail.com writes:

On Thu, Aug 6, 2009 at 10:10 AM, <DeanNelson@aol.com> wrote:
> It really depends on the content of your images.

That's right.

At O'Reilly, we store a "web" and "print" version of every single
image that appears in our content. The "print" version is fairly easy:
a black & white PDF at 300dpi. The "web" version is more complex, and
isn't actually itself suitable for the web. Instead, it is a file that
can be transformed into an image suitable for the web (changes size
and format, typically).

For technical illustrations, SVG is an attractive choice for a format,
but we currently don't have any expertise in storing & rendering
these, so we haven't. Instead, we use a mix of PNGs (for
illustrations, drawings) and JPGs (for photos), both stored at very
big sizes and in full color (when available). When it comes time to
actually deliver content, we use these PNG or JPG masters to make a
smaller (less than 1000 pixels high or wide, say) versions that we
actually deliver to customers.

Speaking very generically, JPGs _tend_ to be better at photographs and
PNGs _tend_ to be better at the rest, but that can bite you. Use SVG
if you can also _tends_ to be good advice, but SVG has real ramp-up
costs. PDF is great for sending things to an offset printer.


HTH,
Keith

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