4 Replies Latest reply: Sep 15, 2010 8:42 AM by Jacob Bugge RSS

    After scanning, then what?

    Budo Cat Community Member

      I have a page of someone's handwriting that I'd like to scan and publish on my website as a graphic. Nothing fancy about it -- just a page of printing. No cursive, no sketches, just some printing.

       

      Is it worth the trouble to convert to a vector after I scan the document? Or should I just scan it to Photoshop and save/publish as a jpg?

       

      I know this is a very subjective question. But I've never published a piece of handwriting, so I don't know if it will pixalate. And I've never used Illustrator, so I don't know how easy/difficult it would be to convert to a vector.

       

      Thanks for your suggestions.

        • 1. Re: After scanning, then what?
          Jacob Bugge CommunityMVP

          Cat,

           

           

          I have a page of someone's handwriting that I'd like to scan and publish on my website as a graphic. Nothing fancy about it -- just a page of printing. No cursive, no sketches, just some printing.

                Do you have the right/permission to publish the handwriting?

           

          Is it worth the trouble to convert to a vector after I scan the document? Or should I just scan it to Photoshop and save/publish as a jpg?

               Probably No and Maybe: it is probably worth cleaning up in Photoshop to get the best possible contrast, and Save for Web as JPEG, PNG, or GIF, remember to have Smooth ticked. Be aware that the resolution will be 72 PPI whatever you do.

           

          I know this is a very subjective question. But I've never published a piece of handwriting, so I don't know if it will pixalate. And I've never used Illustrator, so I don't know how easy/difficult it would be to convert to a vector.

               You may try to use Live Trace, possibly after a cleanup in Photoshop to get the best possible contrast, and see what it looks like; otherwise you will have to redraw it manually.
          • 2. Re: After scanning, then what?
            JETalmage Community Member

            Scan it, optimize it in Photoshop. What advantage would there be to recreating it as scaleable vector paths unless you intend to deliver it on the web as scaleable vector artwork (i.e.; Flash or SVG)?

             

            JET

            • 3. Re: After scanning, then what?
              Budo Cat Community Member

              Thanks, guys.

              • 4. Re: After scanning, then what?
                Jacob Bugge CommunityMVP

                For my part you are welcome, Cat.