Slide Guidlines

Applications supported

The most popular program we support is PowerPoint 98! We are Mac based but can image PowerPoint files created on a PC. If you would like to use a different application please Joe Ogrodnick or Fred Hickey!

Hardware

We image slides on a Mac using a Lasergraphix Mark IV Film Recorder and process the slides in house.

Turnaround time

Usually, we provide in-by-noon-out-by-5 service. Be advised that heavy workloads and special circumstances can extend this turnaround time. We prefer more time, of course, and request you try and get slides to us 3 days to one week before you need them especially at busy meeting times. If you are an off-campus customer, turnaround takes 5-7 working days because of the mail. Very infrequently, there are equipment failures. All the more reason to get your files to us with some lead time! It is important you get your files to Communication Services as soon as you can to be sure you (the customer) will not be making your talk without slides.

File setup

In PowerPoint, under FILE, select SLIDE SETUP, then select CUSTOM. For horizontal slides, make sure the WIDTH is 12.04 and the HEIGHT is 8.028. If you send files to us that are improperly sized we will send the files back to you to be resized. For vertical slides, those parameters are reversed. If you have questions about other software, talk to us. Most of the newer versions are very self-explanatory.

Sample template

This file contains a properly sized PowerPoint file with a few design suggestions and logos.

File delivery procedure

1. If your file is under 5 MB, attach your slide file to an email message: Send it to slidemaker@nysaes.cornell.edu only. There is no need to send multiple copies to any other address.

2. If you file is over 5 MB, drop the file directly on the slide generator's server. To do that: under APPLE, go to APPLESHARE, select ENTOMOLOGY ZONE, select SLIDEMAKER, connect as GUEST, select SLIDES TO BE IMAGED, and drop the folder of slides with your name on it onto that drive. THEN send an email message to slidemaker@nysaes.cornell.edu telling us who you are, when you need them, what you dropped onto the server, department to be billed and a contact #. If you do not understand these instructions, call Fred Hickey or Joe Ogrodnick. Alternatly, you can use our online job submission form.

3. If your file is on disk: Give the disk to Fred or Joe in the photo lab in Barton. The disk should be labeled with your name, department and file name on the outside. Please put only the slides you want imaged on the disk. If not, at least tell us which file you want imaged.

Who to contact

Fred Hickey and Joe Ogrodnick are now handling all digital imaging requests at the Station out of the Photo Lab on the first floor in Barton Lab. Ask them questions about software, slide imaging, formats, digital compositing and scanning.

Where to pick up finished slides

Slides can be picked up in the pick-up and drop-off box outside the Photo lab office (room A122) in Barton lab.

Design suggestions

A well-designed slide does not use every color in the rainbow. Yellow text on a dark blue background reads well. We suggest you select a good template and stick to it. In the future, you may want to mix and match slides from different presentations so keeping a similar format helps make all your presentations seamless. Do not crowd information into a slide. In general, use 28 or 36 point for titles, and no smaller than 16 point for text. Bulleted text is reader-friendly. Audiences like to receive handouts of your slides with some space to take notes and your name and email address so they can contact you for further information. A good rule of thumb concerning content is to look at your monitor from 10 feet away. If the text on screen is legible from that distance than you’re not putting too much information on screen.

Charge

Please see the pricing list.

Duplication

Slide duplication is not a service that is performed on Station. Because the hardware necessary for making high quality dupes is very expensive we have been out sourcing this service. Please follow the instructions below to use our recommended supplier.

Mail slides to be duplicated to:

Industrial Color Labs Inc.
6725 Old Collamer Road
East Syracuse, NY 13057

Phone # (315) 437-1155

Indicate the number of originals you are sending and the number of copies you want. Be sure to include your return address! You can use this PDF form to fill out your order. Plan for normal turnaround time to take 10 working days. If you need duplicates faster you can coordinate that by calling and express mailing your originals both ways. Payment can be made with a Cornell Procurement card. Include the credit card type, credit card number, expiration date, tax exempt number and the name of the cardholder.

Maintenance

Damage
A common problem in the photolab when clients bring slides to make prints from, duplicate or provide files from, is the poor condition they are in. Defects such as fingerprints, scratches and dust are all too common. These artifacts show up when the slide is projected; and when the slides are duplicated and scanned the artifacts are duplicated and scanned right along with the picture information. These defects can of course be removed with image editing software but it is both time consuming and costly.

Storage
Just a little "preventative maintenance" will help keep your slides in the same condition you received them right after they were processed. Slides should be stored in polyethylene sheets, Carousel trays or filing drawers made especially for this purpose, and "ideally" be kept in a dark, cool, low-relative-humidity (35% or lower) environment. The plastic sheets, slide trays and drawers prevent physical damage while temperature, humidity and dark storage play a role in dye stability and image permanence.