**FAQ's & General Information** : For Beginners

Dots Per Inch (DPI) and Pixels per inch (PPI)

Technically DPI refers only to how many dots per inch a printer is capable of printing. PPI refers to how many pixels per inch the image actually contains irrespective of how many dots per inch (dpi) a printer is capable of producing.

However the terms dpi and ppi have become corrupted by numerous sources so that the terms DPI and PPI are used almost interchangeably.

The correlation between dots and inches is seen in the table below. As the human eye cannot discern quality levels over 300dpi in printed material, 300dpi is the chosen, and industry, standard for high quality print images. 

If you attempt to increase the physical size of an image above the limit of its pixel resolution (ppi) the result will be a pixilated or poor quality image, no matter the dots per inch resolution (dpi) it is printed at.

Digital scrapbookers need to ensure that each element in a layout has the required pixels per inch (ppi) to create a quality print at 300 dots per inch (dpi). The formula for this is

See also this article Why 300ppi/dpi? http://scrapbook-bytes.com/cgi-script/tutorials/publish/article_285.shtml

Pixels per Inch (PPI) see  Dots per Inch

Resolution see also Dots Per Inch

Resolution describes the clarity or level of detail of a digital image. Technically the term "resolution" refers to spatial resolution and brightness resolution; commonly, however, the word is used to refer to spatial resolution alone. The higher the resolution, the greater the detail in the image (and the larger the file). For computers, digital cameras and scanners, resolution is measured in pixels per inch (ppi); for printers, resolution is measured in dots per inch (dpi).

.JPEG/JPG Joint Photographics Expert Group

Common file format used extensively for photographs and for web imaging. Uses lossy compression which can degrade the image quality. JPEGs discard information every time they are saved. To assure the highest quality picture, only save your original file once as a JPEG eg when downloaded from a digital camera. Use duplicates of the original file for photoediting or digital scarpbooking projects.

.PNG Portable Network Graphics

Common high quality file format used to save digital scrapbooking elements requiring transparency. It uses a lossless compression format that retains transparency.

.TIFF/TIF Tagged Image File Format

Common file format used extensively for the storage of high-quality images. TIFFs have large file sizes due to minimum compression, generally a lossless format. Ideal for scans and master files.

.PSD

Propriety image file format for Adobe PhotoShop and PhotoShop Elements. Retains layer and image information that is not transferable between other applications.

.PNG Plus

Default image file format for Microsoft Digital Image Pro. Retains layer and image information that is not transferable between other applications.

.PSP Paint Shop Pro

Default image file format for JASC Paint Shop Pro. Retains layer and image information that is not transferable between other applications.

.UFO Ulead File Object

Default image file format for Ulead PhotoImpact. Retains layer and image information that is not transferable between other applications.

.ART

Propriety image file format for America Online AOL – images are highly compressed.

.CPT

Propriety image file format for Corel Photo-Paint Retains layer and information that is not transferable between other applications.

.BMP (Bitmap)

File format common to Windows and Windows applications. Generally a lossless format.

.ZIP

File format that can compress single or multiple files into one folder to create an archive.

.RAR

File format that can compress single or multiple files into one folder to create an archive.

.RAW

A camera raw image file contains the unprocessed data from the image sensor of a digital camera.

.PDF

Propriety file format created by adobe.com for its Adobe Acrobat software. Mainly used for large documents and considered to be a universal format. You can download a free version of  the Adobe Acrobat reader software from their website.

Layout abbreviated to LO or L/O 1

The complete or partially completed digital scrapbook project.

Layout 2

The physical placement of elements and over design of a digital scrapbook page.

Crop also called Cyber Crop, Virtual Crop, Digital Crop 1

A gathering of digital scrapbookers in a virtual chat room environment to create digital scrapbook pages

See article What is A Crop? http://scrapbook-bytes.com/cgi-script/tutorials/publish/article_256.shtml

Crop 2

To reduce the size or change the shape of a graphic by removing part or parts of the image.

Scraplift

To create a layout that is identical to, or very similar in style and/or content, to a layout created by another person. Scraplifting is generally considered as permissible as long as credit is given to the original creator.

R.A.K  Random Act of Kindness.

To create a layout as an unexpected gift for another person.

Alpha

A set of decorated alphabet letters used individually as page embellishments on a layout.

Kit

A collection usually combining papers and design elements that coordinate in colour and/or style.

Font

Fonts refer to typefaces for your screen display and printer output. It represents a graphical design which applies to all numerals, symbols and characters in the alphabet. A font comes in different sizes and styles.

Overlay see also Transparency

An element of text and design with large areas of transparency, that is placed over all other elements of a layout.

Word Art

The artistic arrangement of text, usually a quote which may also incorporate images

PageByte see Template

E-zine

A magazine in electronic, rather than printed, format. It can be downloaded to your hard drive, usually in PDF format. SBB produces a monthly e-zine, Tid-Bytes available for purchase in the store.

Element see also Embellishment

Refers to any individual decorative digital object that may be used in a layout.

Embellishment see also Element

Opacity

The measure of how opaque or see through an element is.

Transparency see Overlay

An element of text and design with large areas of transparency, that is placed over all other elements of a layout.

Bevel

A raised effect created by applying highlight and shadow colors to the inside and outside edges of the border of an image or text area in order to create the illusion that the image or text area has three dimensions.

Emboss

The creation of the illusion of a raised (embossed) image. Embossing a graphic image adds dimension to it by making the image appear as if it were carved as a projection from a flat background.

Ding bat also known as Dings or Wing Dings

A typographic ornament or graphic. Dingbat fonts are digital type where each character is a small graphic or icon.

Import

Process of moving data or software from one system, or one system area, into another.

Export

Process of moving data or software from out of one system, or one system area, into another.

Tube

The name given to a propriety graphic image format .tub by JASC Paint Shop Pro.

Template see also Page Byte

Pre-assembled and designed pages that require only the addition of a photo/’s and/or personalized journaling to create a complete layout.

File Transfer Protocol ( FTP)

A method for transferring files between machines at different locations.

Brush

In terms of graphic software a brush is a tool that allows you to create a wide variety of effects. It is similar to a painting tool that allows you to paint with images of varying color, size, transparency and more. Brushes are available in propriety formats depending on the type of program. Photoshop brushes are .abr format, PSP brushes are .jbr format. Both formats can be converted for use in other programs.

Layer

In image-editing software, a constituent part of an image that can be manipulated independently of other parts.

Feather

To soften the edges of an image so that the image blends into the background

Mask

A function within image editing software that allows the user to restrict their image edits to only a part of the image. A mask can have a hard or soft edge allowing the user to achieve a variety of obvious or subtle effects.

Filter see also Plug in

A tool which is designed to produce a certain effect

Plug in see also Filter

A plugin (or plug-in) is a computer program that can, or must, interact with another program to provide a certain, usually very specific, function, extending the capabilities of a software program.

Copy and Paste

Copy-and-paste is a simple method of reproducing text or other data from a source to a destination. The task can be done using keyboard shortcuts – control key held down while typing the letters X (for cut), C (for copy), and V (for paste), or with the mouse by right clicking with the mouse button and choosing the desired function or using an applications menu or by dragging and dropping. The information is copied to a location called the clipboard as a temporary means of storage.

Cut and paste

Cut and paste is a means of moving text or other data such as images from a source to a destination. The task can be done using keyboard shortcuts – control key held down while typing the letters X (for cut), C (for copy), and V (for paste), or with the mouse by right clicking with the mouse button and choosing the desired function or using an applications menu. Sometimes, if a section of text is cut and a different section of text is cut after it, the first section of text will be cut out of existence, with no way to retrieve it. This only applies to cut and paste programs that can only hold one thing on the clipboard. This is usually not a problem for clipboards that can hold multiple cuts.

MegaPixel

A megapixel is 1 million pixels, and is usually used to express the resolution capabilities of digital cameras.

Photoshop (PS)

Adobe ™ PhotoShop is a software application that performs a variety of image and graphic related tasks. It is considered to be the industry standard graphics program. It is a popular choice for digital scrapbookers. It is considered to have a high learning curve. Learn more at www.adobe.com

PhotoShop Elements (PSE)

Adobe ™ PhotoShop Elements is a software application that performs a variety of image and graphic related tasks. It is a feature reduced version of  PhotoShop. It is a popular choice for digital scrapbookers. It is considered to have a medium to high learning curve. Learn more at www.adobe.com

Paint Shop Pro (PSP)

JASC ™ Paint Shop Pro is a software application that performs a variety of image and graphic related tasks. It is a popular choice for digital scrapbookers. It is considered to have a medium learning curve. Learn more at www.jasc.com

Digital Image Pro (DIP)

Microsoft ™ Digital Image Pro is a software application that performs a variety of image and graphic related tasks. It is a popular choice for digital scrapbookers. It is considered to have a low learning curve. Learn more at www.microsoft.com

PhotoImpact (PI)

Ulead ™ PhotoImpact is a software application that performs a variety of image and graphic related tasks. It is a popular choice for digital scrapbookers. It is considered to have a medium learning curve. Learn more at www.ulead.com

Burn

Slang for making (burning) a CD-ROM copy of data, whether it is music, software, or other data.

Dial up

Dialup access is a way of connecting a computer to the Internet using a modem and the telephone line. It is rather slow and blocks the telephone line.

DSL/ ADSL

Digital Subscriber Line is a technology for bringing high-bandwidth information to homes and small businesses over ordinary copper telephone lines. xDSL refers to different variations of DSL, such as ADSL, HDSL, and RADSL.

Cable

A broadband transmission technology using coaxial cable or fiber-optic lines for high speed internet transmission

Artifacts/jaggies/pixellated

Unwanted visible effects in the picture

Pixel see also ppi and resolution

A pixel (a contraction of picture element) is one of the many tiny dots that make up the representation of a picture in a computer's memory. Usually the dots are so small and so numerous that, when printed on paper or displayed on a computer monitor, they appear to merge into a smooth image. The colour and intensity of each dot is chosen individually by the computer to represent a small area of the picture. 

Vector Graphic

Describes the use of geometrical primitives such as points, lines, curves, and polygons to represent images in computer graphics. Vector graphics can be resized with minimal distortion and are subject to minimal image degradation. Vectors are suitable for simple or composite drawings.

Raster Graphic

A raster graphic is a data file or structure representing a generally rectangular grid of pixels, or points of color, on a computer monitor, paper, or other display device.  The quality of a raster image is determined by the total number of pixels (resolution), and the amount of information in each pixel (often called color depth). Raster graphics cannot be scaled to a higher resolution without loss of apparent quality

Newbie

A term used to refer to a beginner in any endeavour.

Avatar

A visual image used to represent yourself online.

Computer Assisted Scrapbooking

Using the tools of a computer to assist in creating a traditional paper scrapbook.

Digital Scrapbooking

Definition: Digital Scrapbooking (verb): The creative art of digitally creating an image, adding photos, memorabilia, journaling, and embellishments. The primary purpose of scrapbooking is to preserve memories for future generations, but a secondary purpose often is to exercise your creativity as you display your memories in a scrapbook.

Scrapbooking

Scrapbooking (verb): The creative art of taking books with blank pages and adding photos, memorabilia, journaling, and embellishments. The primary purpose of scrapbooking is to preserve memories for future generations, but a secondary purpose often is to exercise your creativity as you display your memories in a scrapbook.