Image Problem

Jim Miller

SPFG, Supreme Picture Framing God
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Computer experts, please help.

I admit it -- I'm a computer Dummy. Sometimes I can find my way through what I need to do, but this time I'm stumped. If I knew more about what goes on inside that buzzing box, maybe I could figure it out...Or maybe I'd just create more problems. The PCs in question have Pentium 4 processors & XP operating systems, with 512 MB ram, 30-60 GB HDs, and all the usual bells & whistles.

I want to place jpeg images into Word 2000 documents & move them around. Specifically, I'm designing an 8-1/2" x 14" multi-fold brochure with text, clipart graphics, and digital images. I usually just copy/paste the images into text boxes, and sometimes "group" them.

When I load my digital photos into the computer & clean them up (crop, enhance, etc.), I can save them as .tiff, .jpeg, bitmap, or a few other formats. I've tried several formats, but Jpeg seems to work OK in most cases, and creates a fairly small file.

The problem (generally) is:
When I copy/paste a 250 KB .jpeg image (from MS Photo Editor or Paint) into an otherwise-empty Word document of a few KB, it becomes a 1.2 MB file. If I paste three or four images into my Word doc, it gets to be 10 MB or bigger. File size in itself isn't a problem -- I have plenty of RAM & hard drive, and could permanently keep the files by burning them onto CD's.

The problem (specifically) is:
When I want to send the image-laden 10 MB file to my color LaserJet printer, it takes forever to print. Since I need to print a few hundred copies at a time, that just won't work.

The Questions, now that you know the situation:
Why does a 250 KB .jpeg or .tiff image become a 1.2 MB image when I copy it to Word 2000? More to the point, how can I get the image file to stay a workable size?
 
Steps to take to paste a picture.

1 Copy
2 Open Word Document
3 Edit
4 Paste Special
5 Picture

[ 05-19-2003, 01:49 PM: Message edited by: Dermot ]
 
I had noted this same thing for several years with several word processing programs.

The situation is.... the .jpeg is being converted to a bitmap image to fit the word precessor's system of doing things. I am with you, in that I have not found a way to keep the .jpeg a .jpeg.
 
When I copy and paste from my Photo impact program I come up with a small copy.

1) When I go to insert in the word program, 2) scroll down to picture, 3# click on from file, it comes out larger. I can click on it so I have the little squares in the corners and on the sides, 4) then go to the corner and when the double arrow appears draw it in toward the pic and resize. 5) If that pic is on top of another just right click, cut and paste where you want.

If all else fails, try publisher. Also go to help and type in wrapping and that will give you some good options and tips. Good luck, I hope some of this helps. Oh, I'm not an expert.

[ 05-19-2003, 08:40 PM: Message edited by: JPete ]
 
Can the RAM in your printer be upgraded, this would solve the majority of your problems.

In MS Word Jpeg files are "embedded" into the document, meaning that you have the document saved including the graphics. If you use Tiff's the file is linked to the document with only the formatting options saved in the actual Word doc, making it a smaller file and quicker to edit. Use the "Insert" menu to add images from a file source rather than "Cut & Paste". For ease of file navigation create a "master" directory (folder) with the Word file in it, then folders for the images etc inside the master. Set Tiff files to the actual print size in your image editor rather than resizing in Word.

Or if your printer has a PostScript driver you could make an EPS file perhaps???

Jerome, is the jpg file converted to a bmp? (my memory was that it is converted to a text string the same as email does). I would like to know more if you can remember your source on this as I am a bit out of date I think...

Another option would be to take the file to a printer or copy center, it could be worthwhile to check out the pricing as laser would be considerably cheaper than ink jet.

[ 05-20-2003, 07:56 AM: Message edited by: Lance E ]
 
Your other choice is to buy the full version of Adobe Acrobat, you then can convert the doc files to PDF files and save a WHOLE lot of space and print faster too.

Lance,
I think you are correct that it embeds as a text string which makes it much bigger.
 
Originally posted by Jim Miller:
Computer experts, please help.

I admit it -- I'm a computer Dummy.
BTW Jim does that make you a Master Computer Dummy?

I thought you were dead?
 
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