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Darkroom Border Files: What is this stuff??
When you look at your Darkroom borders folder, you'll see several types of files:
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.CRD ("Card" files)- This is a text file that contains the "vitals" of your border layout. Opening this file with a text editor will reveal information like this:
DESCRIPTION: <Patriotic 7 x 5 horizontal 2005>
CARDTYPE: Simple BEGIN_SUPERBORDER BEGIN_HEADER
WIDTH: 2100
HEIGHT: 1500
INITCOLOR: 128,128,128
DPI: 300
FLAGS: MIDDLE | CENTER | STRETCH_PROP_FILL
PrintRipper has no use for this file and you need not concern yourself with it beyond understanding what it is.
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.JPG- These files are image files, used for larger thumbnail views. Like .CRD files, PrintRipper has no use for these files.
- .EDP- These files appear to be smaller thumbnail files used to display photo position and count. Again, we don't need this file either.
- .DFV- This file stores any text information that you may have used. As you may have guessed, this is also not needed for use with PrintRipper.
- .TGA- This is a Targa file. This is the file we want! It is your border along with the alpha (transparency) information needed to composite your photos with a border. Also note its file size, compared to the other files...
Now that you know which file is your border image, all we need to do is convert it to a usable format for PrintRipper. You can use any image application you wish, provided that it can open .TGA files and save to .PNG format.
Converting Your Border
Open your .TGA file. You may be able to choose "save as…" or "export" in your application. When given the option of file type to save to, choose the .PNG format. Also, if given the option of 8 or 24 bit, always choose 24-bit PNG. If transparency or Alpha is given as an option, be sure to choose that as well.
Before you begin your conversions, make sure you understand your usage rights for the borders you have purchased. Be sure that you can convert them for use in other applications. Also be sure that converting your borders does not violate your use rights. Consult the creator or vendor from which you made your border purchase if you are unsure.
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Next Week: Mind Your Business- On-Demand versus Web Sales
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