Crop a photo to print a panoramic

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Level 1

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Crop a photo to print a panoramic

I have an Epson 800 with a roll paper attachment. Several questions on panoramas. #1 How do you determine what length-width of your picture to crop it at 8.3 inches height so that the whole picture prints? I just printed a stitched rainbow picture at 8.30 in x 20.00 inch that looks better than the view on the computer but the last inch did not print. Tried it at 21 inches but then that cut the height to much. I just don't understand the height to length relationship. #2 How do you cut the film after printing? I am now having roll feed problems after my scissors cut? Also on the rainbow picture cut I held the roll paper button to long and it rolled back into the printer putting a few smudges of black ink on the rainbow and I ended up cutting on the roll side of the printer. #3 No pictures will print from iPhoto. I crop in iPhoto and then drag it to the desktop and open it in PREVIEW and then open Photobooth to finish them. Epson says it is a Mac problem but it was printing ok last week. This panorama printing has really been a pain. Steep learning curve for this old geezer but tonight's result is going to make it worthy. Thanks Mac 10.4.8 and iPhoto 6 in a iMac.

iMac, Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Posted on Jan 19, 2007 6:35 AM

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Answer 1

PhillyPhan

Level 5

5,440 points

Jan 19, 2007 8:43 AM in response to elmer fudd 1

The cropping affects only the aspect ratio, not the actual print dimensions. For example, a crop to 3" X 3" will produce a square print but it's not limited to three inches by three inches. It can also print 5 inches by 5 inches or any other square size. The reference to inches is only for your convenience.

After cropping to the correct aspect ratio, your printer dialog box takes over and determines the actual printing size (which is usually based on paper size). However, I'm not familiar with the Epson 800 so I can't help you any further.

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Answer 2

elmer fudd 1 Author

Level 1

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Jan 19, 2007 10:02 PM in response to elmer fudd 1

My roll paper height is 8.3 inches. In the perfect world I could put that number in the height column and the printer or computer would come up with the correct length. But it doesn't do that. At least I don't think it does. I have to put in the length which leads to a lot of experimentation and ruined film paper. Any more answers out there? Thanks

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Answer 3

Smtr

Level 5

5,450 points

Jan 19, 2007 10:07 PM in response to elmer fudd 1

Look at the pixel dimensions of your panorama. Determine the ratio of height to width. Do the math. Post your dimensions if you want help with the math.

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Answer 4

elmer fudd 1 Author

Level 1

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Jan 20, 2007 7:44 AM in response to Smtr

Thanks SMTR. That works, I think. So my 4088 x 1784 size becomes 19.95 x 8.3 inches. Then I custom crop it and it changes the image size. Is that the reason the last half inch of the picture is not printing. Can I get a ratio of what is not printing and add that to my custom size crop length and so everything prints or is something else involved? I notice you have a Epson printer. What model and how do you like it? My Canon 950 died and I purchased a Epson R800 refurbished from the Epson store just for the roll paper and panorama feature. Another steep learning curve. Thanks again.

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Answer 5

Smtr

Level 5

5,450 points

Jan 20, 2007 1:15 PM in response to elmer fudd 1

I used Photoshop Elements to do the math. When I create a blank canvas at 4088 X 1784 pixels, then constrain proportions and enter a height of 8.3 inches, it gives me a width of 19.019 inches. This may be why you aren't getting the width you expect.

More math - equal to 4088 X 1784 pixels:
19.019 X 8.3 inches
18.332 X 8.0 inches
13.627 X 5.947 inches

This is, however, academic. I don't know how to custom crop to these dimensions and force a print of the entire image. I don't know if iPhoto can do it. If you don't have Photoshop Elements 4 you might want to look into it, since your printer is so advanced. Printing custom sizes is much easier in PE 4, and it's a great photo editing application.

My Epson is a Stylus Photo RX620, and I'm very happy with it. It can copy, scan, print, and read a variety of media cards. With the right paper, I can't tell the difference between drugstore prints and my own borderless 4 X 6 prints. Your panorama feature sounds really cool. (I'd love to try it out on one I made of a wind farm in west Texas.) I suppose it does take a lot of playing with to get the feel for it.

Enjoy.

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Answer 6

elmer fudd 1 Author

Level 1

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Jan 21, 2007 11:01 PM in response to Smtr

SMTR, Thanks for the info. The crop sizing was the cure for printing the whole image. Just did a 8.3 x 24 inch and it is beautiful. Now I have to find a good and inexpensive method of framing them. Thanks again

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