Expert: LizaL - 6/6/2005

Question
Dear Liza,

We try to use Photoshop for textile design (Now using version 8.0 CS)
In textile there is most of the times a different scale put in the design. (to with the number of yarns used in x and y direction that is different).
Example you can have 10 pixels/cm in X direction and 20 pixels in Y direction.

Photoshop does not allow to enter a different resolution for each direction. However we have found to work around this by using the Pixel aspect ratio. Giving a pixel aspect ratio of 0.5 will give same visual effect as scale 1(x)/2(y).

But here also start the problem. When pixel aspect ratio is used, you can not draw anymore with a pixel size of 1 point. (1 point in X AND Y). So it makes it unpossible to draw a one pixel line or dots.

Do you know if there is any way to work around this ? help would be very much appriciated.

Thank you.

This is a question ALL textile designs will have so when an answer is available and made public I am pretty sure you have many happy text.designers.  

Answer
Hi Kir,

I will be absolutely honest with you and tell you I really don't know how to advise you. The only thing I know is that pixel aspect ratio is generally used in conjunction for creating images that will be used in video production. That's the only context I know for using it.

That said, let me ask you -- is there any way you can use pixel aspect ratio -- since you guys seem to have a formula for making it work somewhat for what you're doing -- and draw using the single line options? I don't know if this would help you or not, and it's kind of hard for me to visualize this, without seeing something that you're working on.

But anyway, the single line and single column selection tools are located in the selection tools area of the tool box -- first set of tools in the top, upper left of the tool box. Once you select one of those, you can fill it with any color or gradient.

I'm sorry I can't answer your question, but textile design, and especially drawing the way you describe, just aren't within my realm of expertise.

However, let me give you some links of people you might write to or post to, and see if they can help:

-- UNCG's textiles department. Ms. Ramsey teaches computer classes in conjunction with textile design, and you could probably email her and ask her what you've asked me, and get an answer you can use.
http://www.uncg.edu/tdm/tdm_department/tdm_faculty/ramsey.html

-- The Computer Textile Design Group: They have forums you can post to, and you can also email people associated with the group.
http://www.ctdg.co.uk/home.htm

-- Computer Integrated Textile Design Association: They might have someone who can help you.
http://www.citda.org/


Again, I apologize, but this is really out of my area. The only way I know to draw with one pixel is to use the single line and single column tools -- and even using those tools, a whole line is drawn, and that might not be what you want.

I do hope the links help.

Lisa