Preparing and Sizing Your ART Images

You may want to print these instructions so that you can easily refer to them as you work.

Step 1. SIZING YOUR ARTWORK FILE

In Photoshop or Photoshop Elements, OPEN A COPY OF your artwork file
- do NOT make changes on your original artwork file.

A. Once your art file is open…Go to IMAGE on the tool bar and drop down to IMAGE SIZE.

B. First check to see that the resolution is 72, and if not, change it to 72 now.

C. Next, look at the Pixel Dimensions on this drop down box and see if the Width and Height of your artwork image work with the width and heights shown above. If they are fine. Just hit OK and go to Step Three – If they are different and you want to make your artwork file fit the SDA format, then do the following:

D. Uncheck CONSTRAIN PROPORTIONS.

E. Under PIXEL DIMENSIONS

- for a HORIZONTAL IMAGE change the Height number of your artwork image to 1024 pixels as long the current height of your artwork file is greater than 1024 pixels. If your existing file height is less than 1024 pixels and you make it larger – a poor and blurry image will likely result. If you don’t have experience in incrementally increasing the size of a file, seek technical help to avoid degrading your image.

-for VERTICAL or SQUARE IMAGE change the Height number of your artwork image to 1280 pixels as long the current height of your artwork file is greater than 1280 pixels. If your existing file height is less than 1280 pixels and you make it larger – a poor and blurry image will likely result. If you don’t have experience in incrementally increasing the size of a file, seek help to avoid degrading your image.

Step 2. CHECK THE MODE OF YOUR ARTWORK IMAGE

Under IMAGE on the tool bar, drop down to MODE and be sure your file is 8-bit. If not change it now.

Step 3.   SAVING YOUR FILE CORRECTLY

IMPORTANT: Following this method of saving your file will make it readable on both MAC and Windows operating systems. Otherwise it may not be viewed on different computers.
A. Select FILE on the toolbar and drop down to SAVE AS. A dialog box will appear.
B. Choose the location where you will save your file – desktop, whatever you choose.
C. GIVE YOUR ARTWORK A USEFUL FILE NAME. Put your first and last
name at the beginning of each file name. Putting a “dot” to separate your name makes it easier to read. If your files get confused then your name will help others to
find it. Example: JANE.SMITH-Artwork Name.jpg
D. Next to FORMAT select jpg or jpeg or gif or png as a file format.
E. Check to see that the type of file you chose now appears after your file name.
F. If it does, click SAVE.

If not, hit Cancel and try “FILE > SAVE AS” rather than FILE> SAVE
or other method.

Step 4.   CREATE A DUPLICATE LAYER

Under LAYER on the tool bar drop down to DUPLICATE. (layer)
Now, temporarily set this open file aside.

Step 5.   CREATE A NEW FILE – let’s refer to it as the SDA UPLOAD file.

Create a new file in Photoshop or Photoshop Elements on your computer using this information:
IF your artwork is HORIZONTAL:
Width 1280 pixels
Height 1024 pixels
IF your artwork is VERTICAL or SQUARE:
Width 1024
Height 1280

Resolution 72
Color Mode RGB – 8 bit
Background content White

Step 6.   GO TO YOUR OPEN ARTWORK FILE

Click and Drag the top layer of your artwork file onto your newly created SDA Upload file. This will help you see how your artwork will fit into the optimal format for SDA. If you like what you see: Go to Step 7. NOTE: Your image may fit one dimension but not the other. If you don’t like what you see, seek some help to manage this problem.

If you like your file…Go to LAYERS on the tool bar and drop down to FLATTEN.

Step 7.   SAVE THIS NEW SDA UPLOAD FILE

Carefully follow the Saving Your File Correctly in # 3 above.

Step 8.   CHECK THE SIZE OF YOUR FILE

Your SDA Upload file may be up to 8mg or even larger. It can be less than 8mg, but it does need to represent your art work in a professional manner. Larger file sizes may permit SDA to use your images for a variety of purposes. In such cases an SDA tech person will copy and convert your files to whatever size is needed after you have uploaded them.
To know how big a file is on a MAC: Save and Close the file onto your desktop. Then, highlight the file without opening it and go to FILE on the tool bar and drop down to GET INFO. The accurate file size is listed here. This is generally different from the file size you see on the lower left of an open art file as you are working on it.
To know how big a file is in WINDOWS: Right click on the file and go to PROPERTIES.

If your file is way too small or way too large seek help to do what is necessary to obtain a better size.

WHAT ABOUT YOUR HEAD SHOT ?

For step-by-step instructions go to Create your Head Shot for your SDA Profile.

CONGRATULATIONS ! You are ready to UPLOAD YOUR ARTWORK  FILES.

Return to HOW TO

Go to: Create Your SDA Profile