Pixel corner - advances in digital photographic technology - Column

PSA Journal, Oct, 1996 by Russell A. Rohde

Pixel Corner celebrated its first birthday August 1996, having covered topics ranging from jargon, scanners, resolutions (1-2), and Photoshop(1-4), to various filters used in digital imaging and manipulation (DI/DM). Solicited inquiries included requests for illustrations, review of infrequently used terminology and additional commentary on the paint programs as Adobe's Photoshop (PS). So, let's review the past year and see what is on the horizon. Picture Window (PW) and several other excellent paint programs are excluded from this present discussion but will be reviewed later.

New Fast Hardware

The PC (IBM) platform with Windows has been exceedingly successful in computer sales although Macintosh is still the leader in desktop publishing (DTP). Both platforms now offer a much faster CPU. A year ago, 33 to 50 MHz was about tops and six months ago 100 MHz was tops. Apple's PPCP (Power PC Platform) should debut this fall with Orient Express 604e chip speeds of 166 MHz which will increase to 200 MHz with multiprocessors. PC will surely keep abreast. Either platform is equally acceptable.

FlashPix Architecture

The above is particularly meaningful since major changes are taking place in paint programs which may make current imaging hardware adequate (yes, you read it correctly). While rumored that a new version of PS is being readied, it is less rumor and more a fact that Kodak has allied with Hewlett-Packard Co., Microsoft Corp., and Live Picture Inc. to market FlashPix (FP) for both consumers and professionals.

FlashPix has some similarities to the recently announced APS (Advanced Photo System) as a cradle to grave venture and was first announced June 3, 1996, at Chicago Comdex computer show. It envisions capture and output products including cameras, scanners, printers, in addition to image editing and word processing software which will interface with Live Picture (LP), currently Ver. 2.5, imaging technology using IVUE format.

Live Picture

Initial LP image manipulations are done in low resolution and DM commands are stored in a second file, a functional interpolation transformation system file (FITS) developed by Bruno Delean. FITS is able to function with modest memory requirements (16 to 32 MB) on a PC 486, Pentium, Mac with 68030 or Power Mac and 500 MB to 1 GB hard drive and CD-ROM. For those on Internet, browse http:/www.kodak.com.

Macromedia xRES

Not to be outdone, Macromedia, Inc. is now parent of xRes 2.0, a paint program which works well with high-res files and is touted both as a companion or alternative to PS if one is working with image files over 25 MB and finds that PS is too slow with present equipment. The question is@ do you upgrade, add DRAM, accelerator cards, or buy a new computer?

xRes 2.0 may solve your dilemma as it functions somewhat akin to LP. Menu bars, tools and some filters are quite similar to PS and thus easy to learn for those versed in PS. Unique features are sophisticated custom brushes to simulate ink, water and oil painting strokes with cubistic, pointillist and calligraphic modes and the choices of Direct Mode (full file image loading) or proprietary LRG format in xRes Mode for working with large images and also batch processing into various formats as TIFF, GIF, JPEG, RGB to CYMK, etc. A special feature permits elements of composites to retain their individuality and to behave with layer-like characteristics as found in PS Ver. 3.0. The elements or objects can be selected, edited, moved, stacked, or sized at any time. Multiple numbers of undos, up to 20 are available for brush strokes, etc. The final image rendered, is then permanent. Internet browsers: http.//www.macromedia.com/.

Where We Are

Vernon's Law stated "Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards" might well have been speaking of the learning curves for PS, LP, and xRes. The steps are equally steep and the final results rather comparable.

During the past year the PSA Techniques Division/CP-G Circuits (Eric Kahn, FPSA), two TD/ICSCI Salons (Marion Smith, FPSA), and the Heartland Digital Circuit (Wade Clutton, FPSA) testified to the embracing of DI/DM by PSA membership. Both they and the powers that be are to be commended for moving PSA into the future which is now.

"This is PSA" Promotional Program Available

An eight-minute, 80-slide "This Is PSA" promotional program is available to camera clubs, chapters and councils from their PSA Zone Directors.

The program describes PSA services and photographic activities and interests through the work of "top-25" exhibitor-members in color, nature, photojournalism and photo travel slides and in color and monochrome prints.

The show was professionally narrated and recorded, with music background and script by Mary Ellen Brucker, APSA, PSA's Public Relations Vice President.

Contributing photographers include Martin M. Bruce, FPSA, Annette Chiu, Robert B. Deen, Jr., APSA, Evelyn M. Greaves, FPSA, Fred Green, APSA, Louis E. Flack, APSA, the late Valerie A. Flack, William F. Henderson, FPSA, Robert E. Pruehsner, APSA, Donald M. Robinson, Michael Rudman, APSA, and Keith Vaughan APSA, Mary Ellen and Gene Brucker, APSA's, Lorette Burke and Don Lyon contributed location and illustration shots.