Comments on: Matching Portrait Head Sizes

By: Cari Jansen

Cari Jansen — Sun, 10 Dec 2006 17:06:13 +0000

If you set the reference point to “centred” before scaling, the transformation will apply from the centre inward/outward. After this you could use the position tool to further position the pic or use the arrow keys on the keyboard (press shift-key to make movements in larger increments). Also: Set the position tool options to “no delay”, and the masked proportion of the image appears immediately, without having to wait for that ’short delay’ which is the default tool option. Double cick the tool to amend that setting.

By: Cari Jansen

Cari Jansen — Sun, 10 Dec 2006 17:05:58 +0000

To do the maths in InDesign: Select your content — I use the position tool or use a shortcut for “select content” –and enter “350/1.25″ in the Scale X or Y percentage field (ensure that “constrain proporations for scaling” is enabled and press enter). Press return/enter on keyboard to apply.

By: Cari Jansen

Cari Jansen — Sun, 10 Dec 2006 17:05:00 +0000

E.g. If all headshots need to be 3.5cm height (or if the distance between the eyes needs to be this value - as per Mordy’s tip), then use 350 (3.5 x 100) and divide this by what you measure… for instance 1.25cm.

By: Cari Jansen

Cari Jansen — Sun, 10 Dec 2006 17:01:38 +0000

Note that you can use the following calculation to calculate required scaling percentage for incorrectly sized graphics:

100xNewSize / Old Size

If you’ve already placed all of your headshots, then measure the ‘old’ size with the measurement tool and have InDesign do the maths for you…

By: Cari Jansen

Cari Jansen — Sun, 10 Dec 2006 17:00:17 +0000

Here’s another method that involves use of measure tool:

By: Anne-Marie

Anne-Marie — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 17:41:08 +0000

I like the idea of using a semi-transparent proxy … but I’d probably move these to an upper layer and lock the layer so I can easily grab and manipulate the head shots on their own layer.

Great topic, Pariah! I like these “in the trenches” production tips that use ID’s features.

By: katharine shade

katharine shade — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 00:09:42 +0000

A technique I’ve used in the past is to use guide rules - drag in a few so that they line up with the master picture’s top of the head, eyeline and bottom of the chin. That might work well in combination with dialing back the transparency on the master image.

By: Mordy Golding

Mordy Golding — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 16:39:42 +0000

Great tip Pariah. I always teach my students to focus on the eyes. A person’s attention is always drawn towards the eyes in a photo, so since people’s heads do tend to vary in size and shape (not to mention varying hair styles), use the eyes to align images at the same eyeline level, and use the eyes as a guage for size as well. Dialing back the transparency makes it easier to match up the eyes from image stacked on top of eachother.