Wallpaper creators

Widescreen considerations

Published on January 3, 2006 By Lantec In Requests

First off let me say I'm not complaining, I merely wanted to point out that more and more people are gettin Widescreen displays (1920x1200, 1680x1050, 1440x900, 1280x800) and it seems to be that the LCD makers are pushing the market in that direction. Deviant Art has a section devoted to widescreen/hdtv.

Most walls are standard size and this causes us widescreen users to have to "skip over" some outstanding wallpapers because stretching them destroys the "art" in many cases. Even those that stretch with little "loss" may not work in a case where a dual display setup consists of a standard 21" screen at 1600x1200 and a 17" laptop screen at 1920x1200 (my situation).

I guess my point comes down to a request. If you think about it....it is easier to crop the edges of many walls in order to fit the "standard" dimension screens than it is to add extra black borders to the outside edge. So I'd appreciate a little consideration to us poor, poor widescreen users. I really hate to have to pass up those really outstanding walls just because there's not a wide version.

Comments (Page 1)

boss0190

on Jan 03, 2006

It IS easier to crop a widescreen image to a standard res. The only problem being that if the wall creator doesn't have a widescreen monitor, it wouldn't be very possible to create a widescreen wall in a lot of cases if you don't know what it would look like in widescreen. Just a thought.

SIXX21

on Jan 04, 2006

I guess this topic would apply to logons as well……How about BootSkins?

Lantec

on Jan 04, 2006

I guess this topic would apply to logons as well……How about BootSkins?

I would imagine your right, however, I don't use either so I'm not sure.

The only problem being that if the wall creator doesn't have a widescreen monitor, it wouldn't be very possible to create a widescreen wall in a lot of cases if you don't know what it would look like in widescreen.

I'd be happy to beta test all your widescreen walls Boss. I'll post screenshots to imageshack so you can see how they look.

_02

on Jan 04, 2006

Hi Mike!! My laptop is the 1400x900 resolution. I have made walls at the res only to find that when I down sized them to say 1024 they looked scrunched. My Santa Sneaks In is a perfect example of that. I would have to render the wall at the 2 different resolutions for them to look equally good. Sometimes that takes hours.

Sleeping Dragon

on Jan 04, 2006

Hi Mike!! My laptop is the 1400x900 resolution. I have made walls at the res only to find that when I down sized them to say 1024 they looked scrunched

He's talking about cropping and then resizing. You would lose the sides of your walls.

My guess would be that file sizes for a wall with the standard sizes as well as the "big screen" sizes are going to be too large for people to want to download.

Apocalypse_67

on Jan 04, 2006

I can see your point Lantec, and I often get emails requesting this type of resolutions. However there are 2 key factor that prevents some authors(me)from granting such requests.

1- I only use 1024x768 on one of my PC and 1280x1024 on my other PC, which basically renders useless to me any other kind of resolutions even thought I usually create my designs at 1600x1200 for better definition purposes.

2- When I make a wallpaper, the image/idea for the design has to be well "balanced" within the borders of the canvas (screen)
Since I don't use widescreen, it will be impossible for me to design and test a wall of such resolution. Not knowing how the elements of the design will look in a final render of 1920x1280 or a dual-monitor, limits the author's options.

_02

on Jan 04, 2006

He's talking about cropping and then resizing. You would lose the sides of your walls.

Thanks Bill. I didn't even think of his comment of cropping, cos as you said, you would lose part of the wall. I have only downsized from the 1440 only to find it looked scrunched!

And I meant 1440x900, not 1400!

boss0190

on Jan 04, 2006

Apocalypse said it better, but that's what I was getting at.

Morpheous416

on Jan 04, 2006

Since I make all my walls at a native 1024*768 in PhotoShop, I'll be happy to make any of them at a higher res...besides, in PS you know what it'll look like cuz the palette fits the screen anyways.

Edit: Just keep in mind though, that there are quite a few "native" resolutions depending on what monitor/LCD you purchase. The standard three sizes most walls are found are 800*600/1024*768, and 1600*1200. To make 15 different wallpapers for all other sizes would take a long time to do.

NightTrainthedark

on Jan 04, 2006

Good post Lantec. It is hard to get a good desktop on my laptop. I will usually just slap something together to match whatever windowblind I am using. I understand how much work it is for someone to make something in a bunch of different resolutions. Thats why I appreciate it more when someone goes that extra step. In some cases the resolution of a wallpaper or logon is one of the dynamics that make it good...or bad.

People ......please state the resolutions of your works in the descriptions. Please...please...please.....

scorpio-logic

on Jan 04, 2006

I....Want.......Widescreen!!

Posted via WinCustomize Browser/Stardock Central

Corky_O

on Jan 04, 2006

In case no one is doing the math part......

1920x1200 will resize exactly (no cropping necessary) to 1680x1050, 1440x900 and 1280x800

- and -

1600x1200 will resize exactly (no cropping necessary) to 1280x960, 1024x768, and 800x600

This leaves the only popular 'odd-ball' out at 1280x1024 (I, myself being one of these odd-balls on my desktop... )

In theory; this would allow for any author who wishes to provide walls for many resolutions by creating a ".zip" file which includes one 1920x1200 size, one 1600x1200 size, and one cropped 1280x1024 - all in ".jpg" format at highest quality.

This would limit the file size, and allow anyone with a graphics editing program (including "Paint") to resize to their liking without significant loss - as long as you are 'downsizing' to prevent information loss during compression.

Of course, purists will say there is some loss (and rightfully so), but it should not be noticable at 72 ppi.

This is not to place any requirements on artists like A_67, as the art process really has no rules that I know of.....

Good thread, Lantec.....I also see the same issue due to 1440x900 on my notebook.

Lantec

on Jan 04, 2006

My Santa Sneaks In is a perfect example of that

Hi Cindi, I did notice that your 1600 version had a tall slim Santa. I missed the 1200 being a wide version which would've worked for me.

Boss/Apoc I understand the limits of the individual setups. I don't ask for anyone to make me a special resolution UNLESS they offer too. I've had Millameter and a few others make the offer and I've taken them up on it. I've also taken a few of Boss's walls that I got from "Pop-Up Central" (no insult intended Snowman) and blown them up and added a black strip to either side to make them fit. That's why I posted this thread. Like I said in the beginning I'm not complaining. I'm just pointing it out so that maybe a few more people (that can) will make the offer and maybe a few will start big (2048x1536 should cover all possibilities

) and then allow us to reduce them ouselves to fit. Even if no one does I still appreciate the effort involved in the "free to me" art.

My guess would be that file sizes for a wall with the standard sizes as well as the "big screen" sizes are going to be too large for people to want to download.

Usually the previews are of the smaller size for those on dialup.

To make 15 different wallpapers for all other sizes would take a long time to do.

If you just did 2 (1 standard, 1 wide) the individual could do the resizes.

Thanks to everyone for their input.

Lantec

on Jan 04, 2006

Must've been typing when you posted Corky_O

Corky_O

on Jan 04, 2006

Must've been typing when you posted Corky_O

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