Tiff file size 1

[Adrian2]

Dear Folks;

I sometimes get old pencil drawings scanned to tiff format by my local drafting print shop. The file sizes they provide me are always reasonably small, ie, 500K and under, even for 24" x36" drawings.

Whenever I scan drawings or sketches at home, in 8.5" x 11" black & white format, using my HP all-in-one software, the tiff files created are enormous. Sometimes more than 10 megs.

Can someone explain how the folks at the store get their tiff files so small ? If a good tiff file creation program exists could someone reccomend one ?

Thanking everyone in advance for their help

Adrian D.

 

[Spudnik]

For some reason, I cannot view the other 6 replies to your question. So at the risk of repetition . . .

Er . . . why not go ask your drafting shop how they do it?

Good luck . . . Rocky

 

[OZZY84]

compression. some scanning apps. have the ability to change the default scan type and compression. check your default settings, make sure you use compression, experiment with the diffenrent types of compression your app. can handle. also, make sure the .tif save format is black & white not color.

Intel P4 1.7 GHZ
768 RDRAM
Win 2000 Pro
Autocad 14, 2002 with EP 2.3.1

 

[architech]

Just to add to Ozzy's note ....
TIFFs come is several different formats.

For exmaple you have:
TIFF group 3
TIFF group 4
TIFF LZW compression
TIFF non-compressed
etc..
etc...

(99%)Most "Service" bureaus have machines that will scan to a TIFF group 4.

This format will produce a high resolution image and a small file size, at the same time.

If you were to try to produce a 300 DPI TIFF @ home from your desktop scanner ... CHANCES ARE ... your file will be big. And this probably because you software does a TIFF LZW format.

Although this format is a compressed format. It's not the same.

Your TIFF may be more compatiable with other softwares WHERE the TIFF from the "PRINT SHOP" may not open with all your softwares at home. A typical error message might be "TIFF format not recongnized". Well ... now you know why.

A GIF is a GIF.
A BMP is a BMP
A JPG is JPG.
But a TIF is not TIF always.

Your next question ... where do I get the abilty to save to a Group 4.
This format is usually save for "LARGE FORMAT" scanners @ services bureaus ... like your print shop.

Sorry guy ....

You may try playing with those settings like Ozzy said ...
Or try another format like a JPEG (JPG).

later ...

 

[Adrian2]

Dear Architech & Ozzy;

Thanks for the information. Your answers led me to try creating the tiff file from Corel Photo Paint which does have an option for saving to "compressed" tiff format.

This resulted in an 8.5 x 11 pencil sketch being turned into a 60 KB tiff file, which is precisely what I needed.

I shall see if I have any trouble opening it in other applications. So far so good. Again many thanks for your kind advice

Best Regards

Adrian D