4 Replies Latest reply: Apr 16, 2010 10:52 AM by on5lb RSS

    About background

    on5lb Community Member

      Hello there,

       

      I do have a very old book (one of them, actually !), which has been printed on pure vellum.

       

      All drawings are already scanned, ad 160ppi and saved with a TIFF format.

       

      Now, i would like to know if i need to use the "Rectangle tool" to have a close background color to the pure vellum, or is there an other simplier way.

      NB: Starting from a new workspace !

       

      Thanks for your comments,

      Jean

        • 1. Re: About background
          P Spier CommunityMVP

          Let's slow down and figure out what you are doing.

           

          Are you trying to put a "vellum" backround behind just the drawings, or onto the entire page? Vellum would have some texture, not just a single color, so to creat a vellum-like look you'd probably want to scan an actual piece of the material and save the image, perhaps tiling if necesary to make a larger block for the background. If you want the background behind the drawings alone, it seems to me that you could simply leave it in your scans.

           

          Now onto the scans you've already completed. What color mode are they in? How are they going to be printed, and at what size reltive to the size they were scanned? Why did you pick 160 ppi (or was that a typo), which seems very low for press output except on something like newsprint with a low linescreen, or possibly for digital output, unless you intend to sale them down?

          • 2. Re: About background
            on5lb Community Member

            Hi Peter, i hope you're fine !

             

            Thanks for your reaction.

             

            As you already know, i'm new using InDesign, but i think i will love it !

            I have lots of books and magazines, but...you know, it takes time and i'm a little bit puzzled ;-)

             

            Scanning: Well, the pure vellum has a varius tint, and is grainy, so, i limited the resolution to 160 which is more then enough, because i'm not intend to print, but to export it into a PDF format or a eBook magazine.

             

            I can re-scan all of it (only 43 drawings) at any resolution, if you think it would be better ,

             

            BackGroung: Yes it should be a kind of standard for each page, but don't know how to proceed "as a clever expert will" !

             

            Please be aware i'm starting some complicated application, and i like to take the necessary time, step by step.

             

            So, if you accept, you'll be my "mentor" OK. ?

             

            The book i'm talking about, is a very amusing one, and is titled in french: "Les Quinze Joyes de Mariage".

             

            Trying to translate: "The Fiftien Joyous of Mariage" do you you get it ?

             

            It's full of handmade colored drawings (Jokes, mostly !).

             

            Best regards,

            Jean

            • 3. Re: About background
              P Spier CommunityMVP

              I don't know a thing (as proved earlier today) about epubs, but I know a lot about InDessign, and a good bit about photoshop, too, so I'll help as much as I can. Other users will come along to offer assistance too.

               

              First, I'm not sure a full page backround is a good thing on an epub, but if you want it, here's what I would do: Find a sheet of paper that has a color that is harmonious with, but not the same as, the vellum backgrounds of your drawings. It should probaly be fairly light in color so type can show well against it and it isn't too distracting. "Rumple" it a little so there is some dimension that will cause shadow and highlight areas to appear (you want this to be subtle, so don't make a ball and flatten it out, just distress it a bit, maybe by pressing between a couple of pillows). Scan that sheet of paper and use it as the background for your pages. Put it on your master page so you only have to place it once.

               

              Does that help?

              • 4. Re: About background
                on5lb Community Member

                OK Peter, i will follow your advice.

                 

                About the eBook, it's for later (maybe).

                 

                Juste because i ordered new Adobe applications, i received (as useal) the choise between several gifts, and decided (this time) for the "Layers", which were delivered with "Zinio Reader 4". Great..including National Geographic Electronic Magazine "Water" superb !

                 

                I will stay with the PDF format.

                 

                Thanks for your help, you're the right person on the right place !

                I can not say that for the "Ostrogoth Politicians" !

                 

                Regards,

                I will call you later, if...

                 

                Jean