Converting & Saving in DPP

Really new to DPP.

When saving for printing, I know I use "convert & save" but what is the best output file type for printing - TIFF or JPEG and at what resolution?

I see that the resolution can be set in the dialog box as well as the file type.

I'm not planning on doing anything really large - maybe just 8 x 12.

Also, is it best to "resize" or keep the original RAW image size (5184 x 3456, as an example of my RAW size)?

Thanks

I wouldn't resize.
ppi is largely irrelevant. I'd set it to 300ppi and forget about it.

For an 8x12 you need about 2400x3600 pixels, but more doesn't hurt.

jpg is okay, but compressed, and you don't want to use that when you want to edit further: Each time you save and close, the file get's compressed more and that will show up eventually. Also, jpg is 8bpc only. If the intende use is sending the file straight to a printer, it is fine however.

For files that require further editing, I would use tiff, either 8bpc or 16bpc (way larger, but better if you need to do luminance / color corrections further on, or use a wide gamut color space)

Is DPP a good program or should I be using something like Lightroom to convert?

I'm using a 7D and apparently need to "sharpen" before printing.

Thanks

Roxie2401 wrote in post #12534718
Is DPP a good program or should I be using something like Lightroom to convert?

I'm using a 7D and apparently need to "sharpen" before printing.

Thanks

For many people DPP is plenty good enough. Remember it is the software developed for your camera and will work very well with it. There is actually more to it than first meets the eye. It's a good program, especially since it's free and so are any upgrades from here on out.
Lightroom on the other hand is a lot more and is for more organizational and management tasks to include development/processing​. And it's upgrades aren't free.

I recommend downloading and installing the trial version of lightroom and giving it a try before you commit to anything. You might not need that much and DPP will be plenty, yet it might be just what you need.
https://www.adobe.com …oduct=photoshop​_lightroom

DPP is a very good raw converter, but it cannot do local adjustments (for instance: Just brighten one part of an image). LR can.

Are you going to be using a print shop/lab for this printing?

If so you will typically going to need to provide them with a jpeg converted to the sRGB color space (DPP should be set to use this color space).

A high quality jpeg should be able to print those 8x12 and smaller sizes without needing to fuss with resizing. You may want to experiment with sharpening for different size prints.

Also different standard print sizes will need to be cropped at different aspect ratios. A 4x6 or an 8x12 can be printed without cropping, but a 5x7, an 8x10 and an 11x14 all require some cropping.

Thanks for the advice.

The one part of DPP that I don't understand is the "resizing" vs. the "trimming tool." I see where you can put dimensions in the trimming tool, but its grayed out.

Do I understand that you first "crop" with the trimming tool and then resize with the "convert & save" function?

I think at this point all I'm really trying to do is add some sharpening and then get a good jpeg for the lab to print.

Roxie2401 wrote in post #12535344
Thanks for the advice.

The one part of DPP that I don't understand is the "resizing" vs. the "trimming tool." I see where you can put dimensions in the trimming tool, but its grayed out.

Do I understand that you first "crop" with the trimming tool and then resize with the "convert & save" function?

I think at this point all I'm really trying to do is add some sharpening and then get a good jpeg for the lab to print.

Trimming is the same as Cropping. Throwing away part of the image.
Resizing on the other hand keeps the complete image but just changes it size. like a 8 x 12 print vs a 4 x 6 print. Same picture just a different size

You should only crop if you want to discard part of the picture or reframe it for composition. I.e. the rule of thirds.
But if you are going to crop you should do it before resizing.

tkerr wrote in post #12535440
Trimming is the same as Cropping. Throwing away part of the image.
Resizing on the other hand keeps the complete image but just changes it size. like a 8 x 12 print vs a 4 x 6 print. Same picture just a different size

You should only crop if you want to discard part of the picture or reframe it for composition. I.e. the rule of thirds.
But if you are going to crop you should do it before resizing.

Thanks - I guess when I saw the "width and height" boxes in the trimming tool, I thought that was where you could specify the dimensions.

Also, I did just download the trial of LR3 - still haven't found the resizing options yet - boy, is it confusing on first look.

Roxie2401 wrote in post #12535489
Thanks - I guess when I saw the "width and height" boxes in the trimming tool, I thought that was where you could specify the dimensions.

Also, I did just download the trial of LR3 - still haven't found the resizing options yet - boy, is it confusing on first look.

LR is set up to make the work flow easier on you. You have a crop overlay tool in the Development Module, but to Resize you do that when you export/save your files.

Here are a bunch of Video Tutorials to get you started.
http://tv.adobe.com/sh​ow/learn-lightroom-3/

Roxie2401 wrote in post #12535489
Thanks - I guess when I saw the "width and height" boxes in the trimming tool, I thought that was where you could specify the dimensions.

Also, I did just download the trial of LR3 - still haven't found the resizing options yet - boy, is it confusing on first look.

In the Trimming tool the Width and Height are just showing you the resulting dimensions of your crop. As you note, they change as you adjust the crop rectangle, but you are not changing the size of your image in the way you do with the Resize option of Connvert and Save (or Batch process).

If I use DPP I set it at 350DPI, convert to Highest qualiy JPG then crop it in an old program called JPEG Crop (free) after sizing to 4X6, 6X4, 5X7 or 8X10.
If I want to really work with the photo I convert to 16 bit TIF in DPP, go to PSE9, do my work, save as 8 bit TIF in whatever print sze I want then upload to Adorama printing. Excellent prints, IMHO.

GilBean

tonylong wrote in post #12536102
In the Trimming tool the Width and Height are just showing you the resulting dimensions of your crop. As you note, they change as you adjust the crop rectangle, but you are not changing the size of your image in the way you do with the Resize option of Connvert and Save (or Batch process).

Tony,

Thanks - is there a way to set the crop for a specific size - say 8 x10 to get the correct crop size (or is this a ratio that I should set to get that specific crop) and then just drag the crop to where I want it?

Did I also just notice that DPP crop works the opposite from LR - the grid moves in DPP and the image moves in LR?

Roxie2401 wrote in post #12536404
Tony,

Thanks - is there a way to set the crop for a specific size - say 8 x10 to get the correct crop size (or is this a ratio that I should set to get that specific crop) and then just drag the crop to where I want it?

Did I also just notice that DPP crop works the opposite from LR - the grid moves in DPP and the image moves in LR?

First off, yes, the DPP crop tool is different from the Lightroom tool in a few ways! If you are used to working with Lightroom it can throw you off!

To set an aspect ratio in DPP, click on the Aspect Ratio button before you begin to do any cropping -- otherwise it is disabled. If you need to, click Reset and the button will be enabled. Then, you can select one of the presets or choose to make a Custom ratio.

One thing to note is that the DPP ratios are fixed in either horizontal or vertical orientations -- unlike Lightroom you can drag a corner to switch between the two. So if you pick the wrong one and start drawing the crop and you are goofed up, then again, the Reset button is your friend, and the drop-down list does provide the alternative ratio orientations.

tonylong wrote in post #12536561
First off, yes, the DPP crop tool is different from the Lightroom tool in a few ways! If you are used to working with Lightroom it can throw you off!

To set an aspect ratio in DPP, click on the Aspect Ratio button before you begin to do any cropping -- otherwise it is disabled. If you need to, click Reset and the button will be enabled. Then, you can select one of the presets or choose to make a Custom ratio.

One thing to note is that the DPP ratios are fixed in either horizontal or vertical orientations -- unlike Lightroom you can drag a corner to switch between the two. So if you pick the wrong one and start drawing the crop and you are goofed up, then again, the Reset button is your friend, and the drop-down list does provide the alternative ratio orientations.

Tony,

Thanks very much - getting familiar with DPP - not a bad program for just adding some sharpening (didn't have to do that with my 40D but for some reason the 7D images seems to need it - or is that because they are at 18mp vs 10mp and I'm just thinking I need to sharpen?); cropping and converting.

I wanted to sent some off to a lab just to see if the images are really soft of its what I mentioned above.

Thanks for all the help.