The previous posts remain true in the context of current activity.
As I may have mentioned, I am merging all my files into, actually numerous, main working PSD and PDF files. I started writing this project in DOC and transitioned to DOCX. As that progressed, the basic format became a layout that accommodated the illustrations. Those illustrations were processed through TIF, JPG, PSD, PDF and PNG formats, eventually inserting the best image into the DOCX layout. Numerous changes were made along the way, some of which were tests that didn't work out. The initial prototype books were created in this way, the converted to PDF and assembled as an Acrobat document for printing. Oh yes, and I have complete books in both right and left gutters, so that adds to the number of files, but also the complexity and file size.
This earlier methodology sort of worked, but I had issues with image degradation and big problems with file size. In fact, the file size difficulties caused me to be locked out of my files. Major, major bummer. Then, on top of needing to rebuild my files numerous times, I had hard drive failures. Four times I had hard drives fail and I lost my work because of that.
This all forced me to rebuild my work, multiple times, and to rethink how I was doing it. I had to completel restructure, not only my main working files, but also my backup systems and my methodology. I divided the layout components into smaller segments and created multiple files, both for storage and backup. This has resulted in a numbering system that records each progression toward completion and each component carries that ID number. So, the current Revision, which is being built for the printing is REV 426. That sounds insane, but in some instances I jumped over ten numbers, just to make it easier to delineate.
Oh yes, also these numerous files exist for both the Big People's Books and the Gnome-sized books. Right now, I am only working on the Big People Books. Unfortunately, it is not a simple matter of reducing the size to print the Gnome-sized books. The layout components are substancially different. So I'll have to either do that over again or just let the Gnome-sized books be different. I think I will let them be different. That will make it more appealing to acquire both editions. I guess it rather depends. I may do one Gnome-sized book over with the new layout, just to see if it translates better than the older layout. The new layout I am working on now really has many improvements in both the design and clarity, but also, sad to say, I found more graphic errors and typos, which I corrected. Unfortunately, those errors remain in the last edition of the Gnome-sized books.
What it gets down to is money, really. I simply cannot ignore errors and put out the kind of money needed for a press run. Neither myself nor any of my investors would be happy about that
So, now I am breaking down the DOCX file into PSD layers, so I can eliminate DOCX from the system, except for the initial writing process. This is as much for security against HD failure as it is to give me more latitude in layout flexibility.
I would make note here that; there are five more Gnomic Tales that might be expanded upon, so this new layout methodology will make it easier if that happens.
We are advancing with the illustration process, currently finishing the sketches for the remaining panels. I am inserting the sketches where the description panel were, and I will be replacing those sketches with the finished illustrations when we get to that point. In the mean while, I am rebuilding the entire layout in the PSD format, as I find that the easiest for me to work with for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is I may need to adjust the layout once the new finished artwork comes into play and the background elements a now locked into place, yet still editable with effecting the other components
The current objective is to complete the Industry Review Edition as a Three Volume Set, which would really be a Five Volume Set, if I include the Libretto, which I am think I will do.
I am also setting up the production line to include laser etching, for two reasons. First, to etch artwork on the outside of the box for the boxed set and second, to cut out wooden figures of our characters, maybe for a gameboard or something like that.
So that where we stand for now. I may post more on the business of this project on IMS Management, sometime soon
AG
