1 - Creating an image from scratch

1. From the "File" menu select "New...", and set the "Width", "Height", "Resolution" and "Mode" fields as shown here (take care to set the units correctly). Then click "OK".

2. Create your image in the space shown, utilising the full width available. Avoid cropping the image, changing the image or canvas size, or changing the resolution - these are already set correctly for RSC use.

2 - Modifying an existing image

1. From the "File" menu select "Open". Select the file you wish to modify, then click "Open".

2. Choose one of the following:
   

   1. For bitmap formats (e.g. tif, gif, jpg, bmp) - The file should open without further intervention being necessary. The next step is to check the image quality, and if necessary take steps to rectify any problems. Click here for details of what to do next.
       

   2. For vector formats (e.g. pdf, eps, ps, ai) - Ideally, these formats should be modified either in the program that created them (if possible), or in an application such as Adobe Illustrator, as this will preserve the vector information. If this is not possible, the file must be converted to into a bitmap before PhotoShop can handle it. How the conversion is handled is critical if a loss of image quality is to be avoided. Click here for details.
       

3. Modify your image in the space shown.

3 - Saving your image

1. Once your illustration is finalised, use the "Crop" tool to remove unwanted white space.

2. Print your image out at this point as a final size and quality check.

3. From the "Layer" menu, click on "Flatten Image" (if it is available).

4. From the "File" menu, click on "Save As...". In the dialogue box that appears, select "TIFF" from the "Format" drop down list, and enter a sensible name (e.g. figure1.tif) in the "File name" box. Click "Save".

5. In the "TIFF Options" dialogue box which then appears, select "LZW" image compression and "IBM PC" byte order. Click "OK".

.