I ´m sorry for not being precise. Since english is not my native tounge, my writing sometimes might not make sense.

Also, my software is in swedish, hence a problem somtimes to call the different tools by their correct english name.

Here is what I do:

I film the signing in HDV 1080. From PremierPro i grab the frame(s) I want for a specific sign, save as .jpg

I open the jpg in Photoshop CS6. Sometimes I use the picture as it is, sometimes I edit it.

To show the direction of the hands in that particular sign, I need to draw one or more arrows. There are functions to do this in Photoshop, but sometimes Illustrator provides better options.

In which format should the Photoshop image be saved to be able to open in best way in Illustrator, and what format is best uses to send it back to Photoshop. I need it to be a jpg.

I can import the jpg directly to AI, but then there is no way of saving it as a jpg.

I am not a very skilled user in these softewares, but I hope even I can get this to work, with some help...

regards,

Håkan

BenMarkus, thanks for your input! It sounds like I could enhance more than just the flow

The reason for using the video is that the main part of the projects always is videos of signs, so the videos have to be made anyway, and the images is more made for thumbnails and small printed charts. However, I see a loss in qualite when printing, so I will definitly try your suggestions. It is overall a better idea to take photographs of the signs, it is easier to find the correct angels, but we are talking 1000+ signs and it would take so much more time. I have noted the flow you suggest, and am very greatful for this help!

It is mainly ability to make the drawings by hand in Illustrator that is of interest, since the software makes the lines better, than in Photoshop. I have tried to use the 3D to draw arrows too, but I am too limited in my knowledge to succed. It is a large problem to make the arrows show in-out directions (hand moving towards the body or move out from it or in a diagonal). I use sequenses from premiere, and cut out arms and the try to mount them in the picture to show position at start and in end and then with an arrow "explain" the path.

Takes a lot of time...

In the first sign language book in Sweden from 1908, this was solved by three or four persons standing behind each other in a very tight row (the one with longest arms preferbly standing last!), streching out their respective hand in succesive order to show the correct path of the "original" hand in certain signs. So there were foure people trying to hide their heads and show their hands in each such picture... 100 years of development has made it easier, but the way to solve the issue is fairly equal!

/Håkan