Expert: Kevin Stohlmeyer - 1/7/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi

I had images done in Photoshop, then I opened them (TIFF format, 300dpi, CMYK) in Illustrator CS2. When I resize them, in smaller not bigger, the dpi increases, how can this be explained?
The final format I need is : 300dpi and file must be converted into PDF.

I tried resizing them in Photoshop first but when I open in Illustrator, the image does not look as good even if I kept the option as 300dpi.

What is the best way to do this please to get final file in 300dpi as a PDF?

ANSWER: Hi Linda,

Illustrator resamples your image when you scale a raster image. Which means it has to keep the file the same size so it balances DPI with physical size.

The best way to do this is to resize in Photoshop using Image Size and under the Resample drop down choose Bicubic SHARPER for reducing or Bicubic SMOOTHER for enlargements.

This way you can reduce the size, keep the resolution at 300 and replace in AI without any loss.

Thanks

Kevin

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Kevin
Thank you for your quick reply. I will try that.
I would also like to know this:
If I go to 'Document Raster Effects Settings' and choose 300dpi, then save the file as PDF, will the final file be in 300dpi even if the image has become more than 300dpi before I changed the raster effects setting?
There is both text and image on the file.

Answer
Hi Linda,

Document raster effects settings will dictate your effects in AI, such as drop shadow, etc. It also will dictate the resolution if you export to a raster format, like a jpg.

It will not change the placed files resolution until you export back into a raster format.

The text is not affected by the effects setting (wow confusing sentence) again, unless you export out to a raster format.

If the document stays as a vector file, AI, eps, PDF, etc. it will not change anything.

Thanks

Kevin