Sunday, April 19, 2009

Inserting Images into word documents (skip if you know how)

As visual artists you will want to show your audience what you do. Text just doesn't capture what an image can in terms of conveying meaning. This is a technology course, and so it is important that you leave this class ready to show the world your great ideas. And judging from the blogs, your ideas are fabulous!

How to insert an image

Inserting an image into a document is easy once you know how. Note: For some strange reason you can't just drag the image from the desktop into the document.
Step 1: With your document open, place the cursor where you want the image to be placed.
Step 2: You have to have the image stored either on your computer (for instructions see below) or a portable flash/thumb drive attached to computer. The image must have an image extension. Usually you will use the smaller file formats jpg, jpeg, gif or bmp. Limit using large files like psd (photo shop), or tiff because your document will be too large to email easily.
Step 3: From the top menu in Word select INSERT (it's between view and format). Then from the drop down, select PICTURES, then FROM FILE. Then you will get a window that pops up which looks like finder. Navigate to the image you want and select it.
Step 4: The image will now be in your document but if the image you will want to resize it. Click on the image. Little black boxes will surround your image. Those boxes are handles. You click and drag on the handles to scale your image. Note however if you enlarge your image the quality will suffer.
Voila, you have inserted an image. You can even insert a video following the same steps!

How to Get an Image into your Computer

You will want to save your images as jpegs or tiffs, and insert them in the way you have been asked - sometimes your professor, client or funding body will ask for attachments, or inserted in your documents. While jpegs are smaller size, tiffs are better quality and you can send them to printing services for professional quality publications. As a habit, I save my work as tiffs for printing, and jpegs for the internet and emailing... Note use jpegs if you are going to insert an image into a word document that you know you will be emailed.
1. Scanning: assuming you have access and artwork is appropriately sized for scanner
2. Cell phones: Many cell phones have a camera, and while the quality isn't always great, you will get the image you need in a pinch.
3. Camera: Best choice for quality - I'd be happy to go over lighting techniques for 3D models. If there is one technological purchase that is vitally important to you from a career standpoint it is a camera you are comfortable using. As an artist you are only as good as the documentation of your work. Sad but true!
4. Webcam on your computer, put the object in front of the camera and shoot.
5. And lastly ask a friend who has mad photography skills.

Emailing assigments FAQ

Sending assignments /Use these email addresses:
  • Primary class email address: melanieaway@hotmail.com (I am using this email to receive assignments)
  • backup email address: melanie@melaniestewart.com (I will check this address but won't be expecting assignments here, only use this address is you could not send to the address above)
Subject line needs to include
  • TA10
  • the kind of assignment (midterm, final etc)
  • your name
Your actual file must be saved as
  • firstname_lastname_kind of assignment.doc
    • example mary_smith_final.doc
  • I need to be able to open your file in Word 2004 for Mac
    • I can't open docx files
Confirmation emails
  • You will always get a confirmation email from me regarding assignments which were to be emailed to me. (keep these emails as proof that I received your assignment)
  • If you do not get a confirmation email within a few hours of sending resend to the backup email address melanie@melaniestewart.com
    • failing getting a a confirmation, send it to Alan
Inserting images in word documents
  • do not send images as separate files
  • insert your images into your midterms

Individual assignments

10 questions list: (already done)
email to Alan,
subject line to include: TA10, Ten Questions, and your name.
The file attachment should be firstname_lastname_tenquestions.doc

midterm:
email to melanie melanieaway@hotmail.com
subject line to include: TA10, midterm, and your name
The file attachment should be firstname_lastname_midterm.doc

script analysis:
turn in a hardcopy and email a copy to melanie ( melanieaway@hotmail.com )
subject line to include: TA10, script analysis, and your name
The file attachment should be firstname_lastname_sa.doc
using different colored highlighters everyone will mark up a script with indications of time, location, props/furniture, characters, entrances and exits & special effects. The list of these items is then listed on a plot (the act by act inventory of design elements)
final exam:
email to melanie melanieaway@hotmail.com
subject line to include: TA10, final exam, and your name
The file attachment should be firstname_lastname_final.doc

The final exam will likely be a take-home exam which you will email to me

Group assignment descriptions:

manifesto: this is an artistic statement about your group, your goals, and what holds you together... be creative, and don't hesitate to revise your manifesto as your group develops

blog: should contain documentation of the group projects, reading notes, and documentation of the group's creative process( ie. meeting notes, collages, research images, sketchbook pages, brainstorms, emo poems, and emo drawings.)

environmental proposal: your group will create a proposal for your environmental design presentation (see below) - post on blog, and send to Melanie and Alan

presentations/performances: there are three group assignments (see below) due at the end of the term, you will work on these projects throughout the term, your entire group will be involved, rehearsed, organized - presentations will be about 15 minute with visuals that can be presented on a mac laptop (thumb-drive, dvd, cd,or web based images. TEST! TEST! TEST!)

  1. stage design: fits on a table top, reflects a design for a specific type of theater(proscenium, thrust, arena, etc.), shows visually a transition between two states, ie. day to night, still to turbid, prosperous to poor. etc.
  2. environmental design: location outside of the theater, enhances an interesting space with the addition of visual elements. according to the description of the proposal
  3. live design: with simple props and simple costumes, the entire group enacts a design that shows visually a transition between two states. total time including setup performance and break down= 15min.