Tech Talk - Logodisq Standard

Logodisq contains thousands of ready to use files aspecially prepared for desktop publishing (Print) workflows.

For a summary of the Logodisq specifications, you may read our Technical Specifications page preferrably. In the following lines we will dig deeper.

Elements of Logodisq Standard

1. File containers window zoom = 187pct
2. Files = Native Formats
3. Objects = Simple
4. Object size = 240px
5. Colors = Clean and true data
6. Layers = Single
7. Window coordinates = Exact

Setting standard? Why?

Why we are taking an artwork into a nonsense boundry? Short answer to this question is;"We do believe it sense". For those who like longer answers keep reading.

In a Brands World, we always use some artworks (logos in our case) in our daily rutin as a graphic artist or designer. Sometimes we create new ones and provide them as a gift (againts a satisfied invoice) to the world, but mostly we use the ones created by the others. Again, in most situations, we even don't know the artist who made it first place but these materials arrive us from different sources alongside of the ones from the PR departments.

For sure, each designer uses their very own working environment. Personal preferences and habits breeds thousands of possibilities on final outputs. Different kind of working spaces from various designing softwares are common ways to create such works.

But when we get them to our own workflow, as we are designing our creation process, we are forced to include and mix the otherones techniques into ours. We try to understand their way of thinking to merge different sources into the new ones we are working on.

"What kind of color they used", "are the objects stacked in a true order or shall we surprised by an unnecessary object hiden underneath" etc.

Instead of all that kind of unknowns, we thought that if we can constitute a standard and provide them in a compact form, we could suggest a brand new -way of common sense- kind of tool to the creative community.

There is even no need to buy a Logodisq (well, buying is not a bad idea) to appropriate these standards. We offer them as follows and wish you to read and make them a public domain. Then we believe that our above mentioned statement will be succeed. Well, thats all.

These are not rules of god. Instead, we suppose that it can be a good starting point for all.

We are looking forward for your support by appropriate to our standards.
What do you think? Any questions? Please feel free to contact us for your own ideas, comments and participation for that "Standard" thing.

Now, here comes some boring stuff!

Logodisq Standard

1. File containers (Documents) window zoom = 187%

We experienced that, 187pct zoom is useful for different size of screen resolutions.

Download Logodisq Document Template (FreeHand MX Template File).

2. Files = Native Formats

There are several illustration softwares in the market. For vectoral illustrations most popular ones are, Adobe Illustrator, FreeHand and CorelDraw. First two software can make file exchange nearly similar. They accept their native formats with some exceptions. CorelDraw uses its own native format which some versions also can be opened by Adobe Illustrator but not by FreeHand.

Intermediary formats such as EPS (Encapsulated PostScript) or PS (PostScript) sometimes can be misleading because all softwares use their own EPS type specifically with the same file extentions. And, interchangeable EPS files opened by a convertion process which causes interpretation differences. If it is a must, PDF is the best but none of the intermediary formats can establish perfect transportation as each software's own native formats. You may choose widely used formats such as FH, AI or CDR. Logodisq currently uses AI8, FH9 (for backward compatibility) and PDF.

3. Objects = Simple

Do not group objects if it is possible to combine (union or join) them (i.e. same colored objects on the same stacking level). Joined objects can be manipulated much more easily and faster.

Do not include bitmap images to your vector-image file. Of course, you can work with bitmaps in a vector document but do not leave them as linked or embedded in your final file. Remember, we are talking about vector-logos.

4. Object size = 240px

What is important here is to decide to a common value as a unit of measure. In some countries they use Centimeters instead of Inch. In Centimeter countries some others use Milimeters.

But all of us look to our jobs through the same windows. And that windows uses "Pixels" to display everything. So why don't we use only "Pixel" size. When you need to measure up your objects or when you open a new project which must use a specific measurement unit, just turn back to your own preferences.

Okay, it's pixel. But what about the size of the objects. Well, we know that vector images can be scaled up and down without any distortion. So, we name it 240 px in width, and 240 px in height independent from your screen resolution.

5. Colors = Clean and true data

We use different color spaces for different purposes. CMYK and PMS are the most common color systems in desktop publishing. Anyone can't say, "Hey, make them colored in 'that' color system aspecially." - No way. Because the original values in the logo file itself must be kept as is.

Printing purposes have higher priority and sensitive to the color values then the onscreen reproduction. RGB values can be reproduced from CMYK values but back to CMYK from the RGB values may not give true results. Therefore, if we have to state only one color space in our files, this must be CMYK, PMS or any other printing color system obviously.

Another point: To make life is easy for everyone, we also say that, "Don't leave your favorite colors in the file but give us just the colors we need."

6. Layers = Single

In your work file, it's a good idea to separate different objects into the individual layers. By that way, you can see your whole work in a hierarchy and objects can be selected much more easily when you need to work on them. But when it's time to deliver your final work, best practice is to combine them in a single layer with a true stacking order.

7. Window coordinates = Exact

Designers and Graphic Artists use big canvas on big screens. Most of them use dual screens. Have you ever think how many miles do you make in a year with your mouse on the screen? As your pointer moves from one side of the screen to the other side, you spent very big amount of time to reach your objects but not just for a real work done.

Considering this fact, we have designated standard window coordinates. You can open more than one file at the same time and each window of Logodisq files will be opened on the same place with the same window sizes.

Tip: You can choose them individually from the Dock menu - Keep your mouse button pressed on your software icon on Dock for a second to see a list of your files opened.