When most people get a scanner, they want to be able to scan pictures to send in their email. It's fun and easy, though there are a few things you should be aware of.
- File Size - 300K or less is ideal.
- File Type - generic file types like JPG or GIF are best.
FILE SIZE (Less than 300 K is ideal)File sizes are measured in kilobytes (K) or megabytes (MB). (1000 K is equal to one MB.) Note: This is not a measurement of the width or height of the image, but rather the measurement of how much space it takes up on the computer. Images smaller than 300 K are very reasonable in size. It is impolite to send images of a MB (1000 K) or more unless you have discussed it with the recipient first. It could take the recipient 10 minutes or more to receive the file of that size in their mailbox!
Several factors affect the file size, including: The width and height of the image, the resolution and the type of file. Width and Height (Varies from one image to the next.) Most scanning software allows you to affect the width and height of the image. You are usually allowed to select the part of the image you want. You can usually set it for 50% (half the original size, 100% (the original size), or even 200% (twice the original size.)
Suppose you start with an 8" x10" photograph and you want to scan it to be 4"x 5". You must set the scanner to 50%. Or suppose you have a slide or negative and you want to scan it to be 4" x 6". You must set the scanner to 600%. The larger the height and width, the larger the file size.
Resolution (72 dpi is ideal for email and web.)Resolution is the number of dots in any one inch of the image. The higher the number of dots in every inch, the larger the size of the file. When scanning the image, you set the resolution. Sometimes you set it numerically, sometimes the program asks what you plan to do with the image and sets the resolution accordingly. See some examples and read more about resolution in our tip Understanding Resolution.
72 DPI is ideal for email. 300 DPI is ideal for high quality printing from an inkjet printer. The larger the resolution, the larger the file size.
File Types Affecting File SizeJPG or JPEG is the best way to save a photograph. This file format was created by photographers to compress photographs (make them smaller and faster to send on the Internet). The exact same image, with the exact same width and height, and the same resolution can be hundreds of kilobytes smaller when saved as a JPG file.
In most programs, you can choose Save As from the File Menu. When the dialog box appears, click the drop down arrow on the FILE TYPE line. (This is just below the line where you type the file name.) Choose JPG or your desired type of file.
FILE TYPE (JPEG is best for most scanned photographs.)
File types are important for two different reasons. They affect the file size, but they also determine whether or not the recipient will be able to read the file. Read more about Graphic File Types.
File Types Affecting ReadabilityJPG is a generic type of file. Any computer that accesses the Internet can read a JPG file. That is not the case for all types of files. Many files are specific to certain programs. If you send a file like that to someone who does not own that program, their computer can not open the file.For example, PhotoDeluxe (a popular scanning program) saves files as PDD files. Unless the recipient has PhotoDeluxe installed on his or her computer, the computer will be unable to read or even open the file.
Make sure you save the file in a form that other people can use.
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