Q:
What kind of software can I use to create my
files?
A: Any package may be suitable as long as the files are saved
in a usable format, such as TIFF or EPS, and not the format native to
the program. Please refer to the section on file formats in the Technical
Guidelines for Submission of Figures.
Q:
What if a graphic submitted cannot be used?
A:
If a graphic is unusable, we will contact you and notify you of the
reason. We will also tell you what needs to
be done differently to achieve successful integration
of digital images.
Q:
What are the preferred file formats for electronic
files of raster images?
A:
EPS, TIFF, Adobe Photoshop native file, or JPEG (use only the maximum
quality compression setting).
Q:
What are the preferred file formats for electronic
files of charts and graphs (vector images)?
A:
Unlocked PDFs created from a vector program, Adobe Illustrator, other
vector EPS, or Microsoft PowerPoint 98 and 2000
Q:
What file formats ARE NOT ACCEPTED for electronic
file submission?
A:
Microsoft Word, GIF, and video formats (iMovie) are not accepted for
still images in the print version of the Journal; however,
we do accept QuickTime, MPEG, and AVI video formats for videos on
the Web.
Q:
Why can’t I submit a GIF image?
A:
The GIF format is commonly used to display indexed-color images over
the Web. GIF, a compressed format designed to minimize
file transfer over phone lines, is not designed to be used as a print
format.
Q:
Why can’t I submit an image created in
a non–industry-standard graphics program?
A:
Ensuring high-quality output and consistency requires that we thoroughly
test all elements processed within our workflow. We rely heavily on
the PostScript environment; therefore, all applications that interact
within our system must generate stable, standards-compliant PostScript
code. Many applications that can create graphics do not support
PostScript or do not use standard PostScript interpreters.
Q:
What is the minimum image resolution (dots or
pixels per inch, also known as “dpi” or “ppi”)
for electronic raster image files?
A:
266 dpi or ppi for color and black-and-white raster images or halftones
(this refers to continuous tone images containing gradations of colors
or shades of gray, such as photomicrographs and radiographic images). They should also be at least 4 in wide for
half-page figures and 6.5 in wide for full-page figures. The minimum
width for figures is 3 in.
Q:
Will the proof of my article show low-resolution
figures?
A:
The figures seen on proofs are generated from original high-resolution
image files on a 600 dpi laser printer. The quality of the laser proof
reflects the limitation of the laser printing. When the pages
are printed for final output, a high-resolution imaging device is
used to generate material for printing presses.
Q:
What kind of removable storage or other media
will you accept?
A:
3.5" diskettes (Mac/Win), CD-R or CD-RW (Mac/Win), and Iomega
Zip Disk 100 or 250 (Mac/Win)
Q:
Can I send a compressed file?
A:
Yes, we accept PKZIP or WINZIP for Windows, Stuffit for Macintosh,
or any self-extracting compression software.
Q:
Is “hard copy” defined as printouts
of figures in place of digital art (for example, a print
of an annotated scanned photograph)?
A:
Yes, we do define hard copy as printouts of the digital art files.
Submission of hard copy is required when figures have already been created
electronically but in an unsupported application (e.g., Microsoft
Word). If we cannot process the digital file, we ask that you submit a printout (or hard copy) of the file.
Q:
Are laser- or inkjet-printed pages acceptable
for submission of hard copy ?
A:
No, not for scanning. A dye sublimation print, photograph, or slide
proves to be better for scanning.
Q:
Can I FTP my files directly?
A:
Yes, but we prefer that you use the upload feature in Manuscript
Central. If for some reason your files are too large to upload, please contact us at 617-734-9800 to use our FTP
site.
