correct 4x6 printer size

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Level 1

5 points

correct 4x6 printer size

Hello all,
I am trying to print from iphoto using 4x6 printer paper on a macG4 and using a HP Photosmart all in one. Here is my issue when I go to print I do my settings on 4x6 and the shot gets smaller, this would be fine if I didn't want the side of my photo chopped off. It shouldn't be this hard. You set the paper to 4x6 and the shot should fit the paper not be chopped off on the sides. I have tried to crop the photo to 4x6 and this has the same issue, I lose the sides of the shot.
Any tips

g4

Posted on Dec 20, 2009 3:02 AM

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Answer 1

Old Toad

Level 10

215,718 points

Dec 20, 2009 8:50 AM in response to barry burton

Barry:

Did you crop the image to the 4x6 size ratio before printing? If you didn't then the software will crop it by enlarging the smallest dimension to fill the paper in that dimension which results in the longer dimension getting cropped of at both ends.

TIP: For insurance against the iPhoto database corruption that many users have experienced I recommend making a backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto (iPhoto.Library for iPhoto 5 and earlier versions) database file and keep it current. If problems crop up where iPhoto suddenly can't see any photos or thinks there are no photos in the library, replacing the working Library6.iPhoto file with the backup will often get the library back. By keeping it current I mean backup after each import and/or any serious editing or work on books, slideshows, calendars, cards, etc. That insures that if a problem pops up and you do need to replace the database file, you'll retain all those efforts. It doesn't take long to make the backup and it's good insurance.
I've created an Automator workflow application (requires Tiger or later), iPhoto dB File Backup, that will copy the selected Library6.iPhoto file from your iPhoto Library folder to the Pictures folder, replacing any previous version of it. There are versions that are compatible with iPhoto 5, 6, 7 and 8 libraries and Tiger and Leopard. Just put the application in the Dock and click on it whenever you want to backup the dB file. iPhoto does not have to be closed to run the application, just idle. You can download it at Toad's Cellar. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.

NOTE: The new rebuild option in iPhoto 09 (v. 8.0.2), Rebuild the iPhoto Library Database from automatic backup" makes this tip obsolete.

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Answer 2

barry burton Author

Level 1

5 points

Dec 22, 2009 5:15 PM in response to Old Toad

I am hearing you Old Toad but why should I crop before printing? Shouldn't iphoto just adjust the picture to the paper size, what happens if I need the edges to complete the shot. If I move the photo to the desktop then use preview it gives a little more control for printing but only marginal.Thanks anyway, I think I will use one of those kiosk style of printers.

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Answer 3

LarryHN

Level 10

106,142 points

Dec 22, 2009 6:08 PM in response to barry burton

I am hearing you Old Toad but why should I crop before printing?

So the photos are cropped where you want them to be rather than where the computer arbitrarily does the crop

Shouldn't iphoto just adjust the picture to the paper size,

It does - you do not like how it does it (and it does it to the print size - iPhoto knows nothing about the paper size)

what happens if I need the edges to complete the shot.

Then you need to right click on the photo and choose fit to frame

If I move the photo to the desktop then use preview it gives a little more control for printing but only marginal.Thanks anyway, I think I will use one of those kiosk style of printers.

You are welcome anyway

LN

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Answer 4

Old Toad

Level 10

215,718 points

Dec 22, 2009 7:23 PM in response to barry burton

If you use a kiosk that let's you crop at that point then you don't need to crop beforehand. But if you go to an online provider or to a photofinisher that doesn't have the kiosk option crop beforehand to save the heads. 🙂

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Answer 5

barry burton Author

Level 1

5 points

Dec 24, 2009 2:02 AM in response to LarryHN

Iphoto does know the size, if I let it know that the paper size is 4x6 why cant it fit the shot to the paper..... I think It sounds like we are going around in circles. I am using preview for the issue it lets me choose the paper size and gives me the correct preview of the finished shot. It shouldn't be this hard ! Thanks for your help anyway

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Answer 6

Dec 24, 2009 5:26 AM in response to barry burton

Barry,

Apologies if you understand this, but reading your posts I'm not sure.

For one of the pictures you are having problems with, could you select it, then get info and see what size the image is in pixels, if the image is say 600x800 then it will not scale to fit on 4x6, the image will have to be cropped or stretched to fit.

To take a screen shot on mac press shift cmd3 - cmd used to be the Apple key, that might show what you issue is clearer.

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Answer 7

Old Toad

Level 10

215,718 points

Dec 24, 2009 12:06 PM in response to barry burton

A 4x6 photo has a size ratio of 1:1.5 or 2:3. Photos from most all digital cameras have a size ratio of 4:3. You cannot fit a 4:3 photo onto a 2:3 space (paper) without losing some of the pixels, i.e. cropping. So either you make the decision of which pixels to remove or iPhoto will do it for you. It will scale the 3 size to fill the 2 direction which will leave the 4 dimension to large so pixels are removed of it equally form either end.

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