WHERE
For this class, you will create a folder to store all of your work and keep that folder on your student drive.
For instance, if you are in a Communications class, you will have a folder called "Communications." The same applies if you are enrolled in Multimedia, Graphic Design, Production Printing, etc., If you are enrolled in more than one of my classes, you will need a folder for each class. This folder will be referred to as the "Class Folder."
For each assignment, you will have a folder that is kept inside of your class folder, appropriately labeled for that particular in-class project. Thus, if the class is engaged in an assignment where we make ice cream, you will make an "Ice Cream" project folder and keep it (and all materials associated with the Ice Cream project) inside of of that folder.
An appropriate example is this - "T:\Student91\Garnche\Communications\Ice Cream\"
If assignments and projects are not saved in the appropriate manner, where, what, and how they are supposed to be saved, a grade will not be issued for a project - regardless of whether that project is completed or not. ORGANIZATION IS ESSENTIAL FOR THIS CLASS.
WHAT
Projects need to be saved as the appropriate file type.
There are two types of files that need to be "collected" in order for a project to be graded. One is the Project file (Native file) and one is what we call the "render" file. This is mandatory for every assignment (unless dictated by the actual assignment itself).
When working with Microsoft word, the project file is typically a .doc file (.doc is short for "document"). For Illustrator, it would be an .ai file. For Photoshop, it would be a .psd file. For InDesign, it would be an .indd file.
When rendered, you can do a "save as" and then choose what type of file it can be saved as. So, if we save the document as a .pdf document, it is "rendered" as a .PDF (Portable Document Format) file. Read the project directions carefully and take special note of how the projects are to be saved.
PROJECT (NATIVE) FILES
When files are saved as the computer application defaults to, we call this a "native" file format. For instance, if MS Paint saves your image file as a .bmp (Bit Map) file, that is the native file that MS Paint uses.
- For the program Adobe Illustrator, the native file format is "AI" (Adobe Illustrator)
- For Adobe Photoshop, the native file format is "PSD" (Photo Shop Document)
- For Adobe Flash, the native file format is "FLA" (Flash)
- For Adobe InDesign the native file format is "INDD" (InDesign)
- For Adobe Premiere the native fiel format is "PRPOJ" (Premiere)
- For FL Studio, the native file format is "FL". (Fruity Loops)
EXPORTING FILES / IMPORTING FILES
Sometimes, we need to move a file from one specialized program to another. In order for the second program to be able to open or use it, the file must be properly formatted. This is when files are Exported. Technically, it is the same as "Saving As" but there are more specific requirements met in order for one program to be able to use another program's file. Often times, if you are trying to save a file for a certain program to use, if you can't find it under "Save," look under "Export" instead. When you want to actually open the file in the other program, if you are unable to "Open" it, try looking for "Import" or "Place."
A good, real-world example is when you move from one location to another. In order for you to properly move, you have to pack up all your belongings, change your address, register as a new voter in a new town, and sometimes you have to get a brand new driver's license. Essentially, you have to prepare to exist in a totally different environment - this is exporting. Files go through the same thing.
RENDERED FILES
When files are rendered, these files are saved as a general file formats that you can share with others and no special software is usually required.
Imagine for a moment you are baking a cake. A Project file would be your cake mix, your eggs, your milk, oil, flour, sugar,...even a pinch of salt. This Project file is not something you would give to a new neighbor to welcome them to the neighborhood. The RENDERED FILE is the actual baked cake. It is the finished product, something you could hand off to someone and they could just enjoy it it.
Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator can "Save As" (or, render) files as
- .JPG (Joint Photographer's Group)
- .EPS (Electronic Post Script)
- .GIF (Graphic Interchange Format)
- .PICT (Apple Picture File)
- and many others.
FL Studio can render it's audio files as:
- WAV (Microsoft Wave format)
- MP3/MPEG (Moving Pictures Expert Group)
