1. Customized materials specifications
for Imaxel Photo Solution

2. Customized materials specifications EN3502
 Imaxel Lab SL, 2005-2012 2
History
Date Doc version Description Author
01.03.2011 1.0 Created by Moises
Last update

3. Customized materials specifications EN3502
 Imaxel Lab SL, 2005-2012 3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INDEX
INDEX 3
Introduction 4
Materials 5
ClipArt’s ...........................................................................................................................................5
Backgrounds ....................................................................................................................................6
Masks...............................................................................................................................................7
Folder Structure to deliver 13

4. Customized materials specifications EN3502
 Imaxel Lab SL, 2005-2012 4
Introduction
Purpose of this document is to define how the customer can make their own materials in order to
include them into Imaxel software (Image Desk and Image Web).
Imaxel will add these materials to Image Web software, while that the customer will add these
materials for Image Desk software in case of the customer has the IDesk Wizard software.
Purpose of this document is not to explain these processes in order to add these materials. Contact
with Imaxel if you need help in that respect.

5. Customized materials specifications EN3502
 Imaxel Lab SL, 2005-2012 5
Materials
Here we will define all the materials that the laboratory can customize.
Imaxel will provide standard materials for this purpose, but laboratory is able to create their
own materials.
These materials will be available for full laboratory without any restriction by dealer.
ClipArt’s
We agreed that the normal size of the ClipArt’s will be 50x50mm with a resolution of 254 DPI (500 x
500pix.). There are no restrictions but we don’t recommend using ClipArt’s smaller than this size.
These files should be saved in PNG format with transparent background.

6. Customized materials specifications EN3502
 Imaxel Lab SL, 2005-2012 6
Backgrounds
We agreed that the normal size of the backgrounds will be 50x50mm with a resolution of 254 DPI (500
x 500pix.). Take in consideration that these backgrounds will be replicated inside the design area in
order to fill full design area.
These files should be saved in PNG format. Not transparent background is required in these materials.

7. Customized materials specifications EN3502
 Imaxel Lab SL, 2005-2012 7
Masks
Mask implementation
Masks are made of two PNG file with alpha cannel (32 bits):
1. Motif file: Is the image printed itself on the photo.
2. Mask file: It’s an image used to mask an area of the photo.
It’s generally agreed that software applications recognize a masked file because the file name ends
with “_m”. A motif file and a mask file get associated because they share the same file name plus the
suffix “_m”. For instance, when the motif file is “1.png”, it’s mask file will be “1_m.png”
Both the motif file and the mask file are optional, so it’s possible that only the motif file (without mask)
or only the mask file (without motif file) may exist.
Both files must be in PNG format, with alpha cannel (32 bits) and must have the same pixel size, and
must share the same folder.
We agreed that the normal size of the masks will be 10x15 (102 x 152 mm) with a resolution of 254
DPI, which yields a size in pixels of 1520 x 1020 for a horizontal mask, and 1020 x 1520 for a vertical
one. These sizes are for guidance only. An application doesn’t impose restrictions to the size, provided
both files have the same size.
When a mask is applied to a photo, the editor locks the frame ratio, keeping the ratio of the applied
mask, so that the mask image doesn’t become distorted. This is why it’s recommended that the masks
they get a ratio close to the pictures one, such as 0,65 or 0,75.

8. Customized materials specifications EN3502
 Imaxel Lab SL, 2005-2012 8
Examples
Motif file Mask file
Horizontal mask
with motif and
mask file.
1.png 1_m.png
1520 x 1020 pixels 1520 x 1020 pixels
Vertical mask with
motif and mask
file.
4.png 4_m.png
1020 x 1520 pixels 1020 x 1520 pixels
Solid mask without
motif file.
Without motif image
4_m.png
1020 x 1520 pixels
Mask with
transparencies,
without motif file.
Without motif image
5_m.png
1020 x 1520 pixels

9. Customized materials specifications EN3502
 Imaxel Lab SL, 2005-2012 9
Steps to get the mask file
1. Starting from the motif file:
2. Adding a layer to the new image:
3. Filling new layer with opaque black:

10. Customized materials specifications EN3502
 Imaxel Lab SL, 2005-2012 10
4. Defining the visible area (not masked) and eliminating its content, by making the area
transparent. It’s recommended to leave a large margin to avoid problems when the client
reduces the size of the frame.
5. Eliminating the layer of the motif.

11. Customized materials specifications EN3502
 Imaxel Lab SL, 2005-2012 11
6. Getting the mask image.
7. Finally, image is saved, in PNG format, with the same name of the motif file plus the suffix
“_m”. For instance, for the motif file “1.png”, the mask file will be “1_m.png”.

12. Customized materials specifications EN3502
 Imaxel Lab SL, 2005-2012 12
How masking process works
When the output image for each pixel of a photo, to which a mask has been applied, is composed, the
reverse opacity value (binary negation) to the correspondent pixel value (same file and column) of the
mask file is applied. For example, for an X Y pixel of the mask with a opacity value 0 (transparent), the
output pixel value will be 255 (opaque), and for a pixel of the mask qith an opacity value of 255
(opaque), the output pixel will have an opacity value of 0 (transparent).
The value of the mask image color doesn’t take part in the process, only the opacity value (alpha
cannel).
Mask Photo Output
Transparent pixel
Alpha ch.: 0 (00000000)
Opaque pixel
Alpha ch.: 255 (11111111)
Opaque pixel
Alpha ch.: 255 (11111111)
Opaque pixel
Alpha ch.: 255 (11111111)
Opaque pixel
Alpha ch: 255 (11111111)
Transparent pixel
Alpha ch: 0 (00000000)
Tranlucent pixel
Alpha ch.: 60 (00111100)
Opaque pixel
Alpha ch.: 255 (11111111)
Tranlucent pixel
Alpha ch.: 195 (11000011)

13. Customized materials specifications EN3502
 Imaxel Lab SL, 2005-2012 13
Folder Structure to deliver
Graphic elements get organized in the application in this way:
Material
Cliparts
Cliparts1
Cliparts2
Cliparts3
Cliparts4
Backgrounds
Backgrounds1
Backgrounds2
Backgrounds3
Backgrounds4
Masks
Masks1
Masks2
Masks3
Masks4
Send us your materials keeping this folder structure, please.