OT-ish! - PsP:Better quality for PNG import?

Grazie wrote on 4/12/2003, 3:04 AM
Hiyah Guys 'n Gals!

Been fathoming the depths of Paint Shop Pro - Good buying decision!

Okay - I've created some PNGs in PsP, but the edges of the drawn elements are "stepped" or "jagged", when I bring them into V4. I realsie this has something to do with the original resolution/pixels - yeah? What are your best settings for these?

I'm sure the "principles" are the same/similar to PhotoShop. So, all you PSers have a go too.

Eagerly awaiting your replies,

Grazie

Comments

Tyler.Durden wrote on 4/12/2003, 6:17 AM
Hi G,


If your stills look OK in PsP prior to use in Vegas it is probably due to scaling in Vegas.

Stills that you will not zoom-in on are suggested to be 72dpi 655x480 (NTSC), 787x576 for PAL.


There is some brief info here:

http://www.martyhedler.com/homepage/Veg_Stills.html
(Click on "Stills & Aspect"...) Select PAL version.



HTH, MPH

Tips:
http://www.martyhedler.com/homepage/Vegas_Tutorials.html

Grazie wrote on 4/12/2003, 7:22 AM
Mmmm... yes-ish Marty . . . But what size should I be creating stuff in PsP for PNGs? I'm really getting some nasty jaggers in PsP at the moment.

I'll have a look see at your link though.

Grazie
Paul_Holmes wrote on 4/12/2003, 7:26 AM
You might need to set anti-aliasing on when you create your graphics. I don't know how this works in PaintShop but this can be turned on or off in Ulead. If you're creating other than square or rectangular graphics anti-aliasing helps smooth the edges.

Also, you should create all your graphics as 655X480 on a transparent background.
Grazie wrote on 4/12/2003, 9:24 AM
Yup, Paul, got "anti-aliasing on ".

Also is "655X480 on a transparent background" correct for PAL, or is this relevant?

Grazie
Tyler.Durden wrote on 4/12/2003, 10:49 AM
Hi,

787x576 for PAL, as per SoFo...


HTH, MPH
Cheesehole wrote on 4/13/2003, 11:22 PM
Grazie,

What kind of graphics are you creating? I did a test in PSP 7.04 using the default airbrush. Created a new image (300x300 just to use an even number), scribbled some puddles of color, saved it as a PNG and brought it into Vegas. No jaggies.
Grazie wrote on 4/14/2003, 12:41 AM
Hiyah, CH!

I've been following the JASC PsP tutorials where they ask for an original set up of 400hx400w pixels; Resolution=72,000 pixels/inch.

Now when I complete the tute, I've gone down the Unsharp Mask route so I could resize if I wanted to - yeah?

I've saved as PNGs and GIFs - jaggies!

The JASC Tutorial is at:
http://www.jasc.com/tutorials/nieuwenstein/tubepainting.asp?


Thanks

Grazie
Cheesehole wrote on 4/14/2003, 1:25 AM
I took a look at the tutorial. A couple of points...

1) don't be concerned with the "Resolution" setting. That is only relevant when printing, so the printer knows how big you want your picture to come out. It has no meaning in video. Just choose a size that matches your intended format. Someone already suggested a size to use for PAL video. I usually just use 720x480 for NTSC and when I drop the file into Vegas it is automatically resized to fit the frame.

2) use a transparent background for your new image instead of black as suggested in the tutorial.

3) don't bother with GIFs. For Vegas you want PNGs.

4) Don't bother with the "PNG Optimizer". Just hit Save As... and choose PNG from the drop-down menu.

5) the Unsharp mask is only suggested because after resizing an image it can become blurry. You shouldn't bother with that because you shouldn't be resizing your image.

If you follow those guidelines I can't think of a reason why you'd end up with jaggies. Let us know how it works out.
Grazie wrote on 4/14/2003, 2:07 AM
CH! How many ways can I say "thanks"! I'm gonna give this a go within the next hour . . . NOT only did you go to the tute I was following and put yourself out to see what I was doing BUT you also gave me a full explanation as to what is happenning - NO mystifacation JUST pure assistance! - You blushing? You should be!!!

I'll take Marty's - thanks Marty - advice on the PAL sizing - yeah?

My best regards

Grazie - Oh yes, I will post back my results - be assured of that!
Grazie wrote on 4/14/2003, 3:37 AM
CH - VAST improvement!

Followed you "5 Points". I found that 767x576 gave slightly ovoid circles. 720x576 betterish.

Used the transparency setup - not black - it worked!

Still getting slight jaggies - but not so great - yes I do preview in Best!

Errmmm what else? . . . . Oh yeah, just had some great fun using the spray can in PsP on some COPY n Paste direct from V4 into PsP! I used the PAste as tranni - neat effects available there! Used the spray can over the tranni-layer and brought that back into V4 - weird!!!

So, still have jaggies. Need to review exactly what I'm doing. I've added to my toolbox of "Can Do's" with PsP and V4. Understanding "Layers" in PsP better . . .

Overall, CH, Marty & Paul Holmes - thanks a bunch! Really!

Grazie