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Framework Specification Management is the creation and organisation of values, items and templates that are required to support the use of specifications (Colours) within Framework. These specifications represent documents relating to selections such as colour, tile, or electrical selections. Framework Specification Management allows for consistent and accurate data to be available to complete the client's selections.
Design Considerations - Images
Images should be included in a comprehensive Specification Management solution, recorded against individual selections (ie. value range values). Seeing images make the selection process easier, and end-result selections reports are clear and engaging, providing a professional result from the selections process.
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When collecting and preparing images for inclusion in Specification Management, the following should be considered.
Image File Format
Supported Image Formats:.bmp
Note: The format of the images added to Framework must be .bmp, due to limitations and the treatment of different formats by the Crystal Reports reporting solution. Images can be sourced in any format available, but should be converted to .bmp BEFORE being implemented into Framework.
Image Dimensions
Images can be of any dimension, however as many images are often displayed together, any uniformity that can be achieved in image dimensions and/or aspect ratio will improve the aesthetic of any report output. How images will appear in Specification management reporting and output should be a specific focus. Showing images in reports can be done in one of two ways:
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Of the two options above, option 1 (fixed shape/ratio) is recommended if all images are to be the same size (although this may not provide desired detail on larger images). If selecting option 2, a maximum width of 600 pixels applies. ALWAYS check and test your images at their maximum size, in all reports that they're to be used in, to ensure they will display/print correctly. |
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Additionally, regardless of option, all images must be 300dpi (see below). |
Dots-Per-Inch (DPI)
As the intended use of images, in addition to onscreen display, is specifically for printing/PDFing in reports, the Dots-per-Inch (DPI) of images used is critical.
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Regardless of the image dimension approach chosen from the two options above, all images must have the same DPI, and this should be 300dpi. This will ensure consistency in image scaling, display, and printing/PDFing. |
Image Size
Image size (ie. file size) is an important consideration for functionality, performance, and outut/outcomes. Images should be less than 50kb (ideally), and no more than 150kb (preferably).
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As images are rendered/printed as small pictures/swatches, images of a greater size do not necessarily improve the end result. Additionally, as many images are included in a single Specification Management report, large images can make a report too large to render, and/or can be too large to PDF and send as an email attachment. |
Manipulating Images
It is highly recommended that standardisation of images based on the above guidance be implemented. This is best achieved by using inexpensive software tools to make this an easy process. The following tool is an excellent example of such products, and provides for everything needed to manage images for Framework.
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