Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
Update. When last-minute changes happen while a job is on press, it's tempt-
ing to say, “Whatever,” and be glad the job is done. Don't give in to tempta-
tion. Unless the correction won't affect some future version of the piece,
make the edit in the original file. Guaranteed: you won't remember the
change if you need to output the file again.
Catalog
If you are a prolific imagemaker, archive your images in a program designed for
photographers. Apple Aperture or Adobe Lightroom both have excellent tools for
archiving, tagging, and organizing.
If the file formats you're using are more of a non-photo mix, try catalog soft-
ware. Windows Expression Media is available in both Windows and Mac versions. I use
it because it recognizes and manages not just image files, but also all Adobe Creative
Suite extensions and other program-specific formats. It's the software I used for the
examples in this chapter.
All good catalog software offers a slideshow feature, and some export the slide-
show to a player. If you're in a desperate hurry or are not in a field where portfolio
technology and sophistication are crucial, your archive can become a portfolio in min-
utes. All you need is the catalog software and a drive containing your selected images.
You can drag whole folders into the catalog or bring in individual files. As long
as the original images remain where the cataloging software can find them, they can
display at full size onscreen. If you change your mind and don't want to show some-
thing, you can just delete it from the catalog. (It won't delete from the drive.)
After you've arranged your material in order, it's easy to set the slide show
options for how long each image remains on screen or whether there are transitions
between images. You can even choose a typeface and font size for any captions.
Back up
All of these techniques make it easier to retrieve your files for portfolio build-
ing. But the job is even easier if everything is in one place. As you finish a project,
copy the final version to a dedicated disc or removable hard drive, either by hand or
by using your operating system's tools, like the Mac's Time Machine. If you have to
create your portfolio fast, everything you need will be there—ready for output, pre-
sentation, or web conversion.
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