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  • SCI Drawing Knowledge: Comparison of Common Color Modes SCI Drawing Knowledge: Comparison of Common Color Modes
    Mar 26, 2025
    Understanding Image Color Modes The color mode of an image is a model that expresses a certain color in digital form, or a way to record the color of an image. It is divided into: RGB mode (ideal for digital displays), CMYK mode (optimized for print media), HSB mode (intuitive hue-saturation-brightness representation), Lab color mode (device-independent color space), grayscale mode (scientific imaging and monochrome graphics), indexed color mode (limited palette for web graphics), two-tone mode (elegant duotone effects), and multi-channel mode (specialized color separations). In scientific research and journal cover design, the most critical color modes are grayscale mode (for microscopy and monochrome data), RGB mode (for on-screen presentations and digital publications), and CMYK mode (for high-quality printed journal covers and figures). Understanding these modes ensures accurate color representation in scientific visuals.   1、Gray scale Definition: also known as grayscale map, the image expressed in gray scale is called grayscale map. Grayscale color: pure white, pure black and a series of transition colors from black to white.       Features: It does not contain any hue, that is, there are no colors such as red and yellow.       2. RGB RGB mode is mainly used for screen display and is a luminous color mode. All colors in nature can be obtained by combining different intensities of the three color wavelengths of red, green and blue (RGB), which is what people often call the three-primary color principle. It is more suitable for electronic journals and can also be used for paper journals.     3. CMYK CMYK color mode is a printing mode and a reflective color mode. The four letters refer to Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black, representing four ink colors in printing. CMYK mode is essentially the same as RGB mode, except that the principle of color generation is different. In RGB mode, the color is generated by mixing the colored light emitted by the light source, while in CMYK mode, the light shines on paper with different proportions of C, M, Y, and K inks. After part of the spectrum is absorbed, the light reflected to the human eye generates color. It is more suitable for paper journals.       4, Notes: CMYK and RGB are the most common color modes in academic journals. For the mutual conversion of the two image color modes, the CMYK color range (gamut) and RGB mode are relatively small, so the CMYK mode can be converted to RGB mode, while  RGB mode may cause color distortion when converted to CMYK mode.   For example, the two journal covers below demonstrate how color modes impact design: the left cover is in RGB mode, while the right cover has been converted to CMYK mode. Due to CMYK's smaller color gamut, the hues appear more vivid and abrupt, with weaker transitions. This shift is a common challenge in scientific cover design, where accurate color representation is crucial. This color mode conversion problem is also frequently encountered by many researchers when making diagrams, We hope today’s discussion helps you navigate these color mode conversions effectively!    
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  • SCI Drawing Knowledge: Bitmap & Vector Graphics SCI Drawing Knowledge: Bitmap & Vector Graphics
    Mar 20, 2025
    When drawing scientific illustrations, we often face the choice between bitmap and vector graphics. This article will focus on exploring their definitions and differences for reference.   1. Image Types and Definitions Vector Graphics: Composed of mathematically defined curves, with anchor points and paths as their basic components.     Bitmap Graphics: Also known as raster or pixel graphics, they are composed of individual pixels. When magnified, it becomes evident that the image consists of tiny square pixels.     2. Image Types and Resolution Vector Graphics: They are resolution-independent, meaning they can be scaled to any size and printed at any resolution without losing clarity. Bitmap Graphics: Composed of pixels, so when an image is enlarged, the pixels also get bigger. Since each pixel has a single color, enlarging a bitmap image results in the well-known pixelation effect.   3. Image Types and Color Representation Bitmap Graphics: Capable of displaying rich and detailed colors, making them ideal for realistic images of natural objects. Vector Graphics: Due to mathematical constraints, they have limited color representation and cannot effectively depict realistic objects. Instead, vector graphics are often used for icons, logos, illustrations and other simple, clear designs. In the following images, you can see that bitmap graphics display a wider range of colors.   Bitmap Graphics Vector Graphics   4. Image Types and File Formats Common Bitmap Formats: bmp, pcx, gif, jpg, tif, psd of photoshop etc. Common Vector Formats: AI, EPS, SVG (AdobeIllustrator), dwg, dxf (AutoCAD), cdr (CorelDRAW), etc.   5. Image Type Conversion Vector graphics can be converted into bitmap images using graphic design software. However, converting a bitmap image into a vector graphic requires complex and extensive data processing, and the quality of the resulting vector image may vary significantly.
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  • SCI Drawing Knowledge: ACS Cover Layout Query
    Sep 24, 2024
    ACS ( American Chemical Society) has a large number of journals under its umbrella, and TOP journals such as JACS, for example, are universally popular among scholars. As shown above, the ACS series of journals have their own distinctive cover layout, both rectangular area layout and non-regular area layout. This can cause inconvenience to teachers who need to draw their own covers, here we provide you with the official ACS 2024 layout lookup table for each journal, and hope that it will help you in your image drawing work.
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  • SCI Drawing Knowledge: An Introduction to Cover Layout Using the RSC as an Example
    Sep 24, 2024
    A cover article is a way for every scholar to recognise his or her efforts and research results. Scholars generally pay more attention to the cover. When designing a journal cover, the first thing we need to consider is the layout (size), which is usually shown on the journal's website or in the editor's invitation letter. Let's take the cover of a RSC journal as an example, and discuss with you how to deal with the layout issues in the cover design process. The figure below shows the cover invitation letter for RSC journals, which is divided into two cases: Cover artwork and Back Cover artwork. Let's first focus on Back Cover artwork, generally speaking, the size required by Back Cover artwork is 188mm wide x 136mm high, that is to say, we need to submit the final cover manuscript to the editor, it needs to be such a size (layout). There are 4 details we need to pay attention to here: Firstly, there will be a 168mm wide x 166mm high safe area included in the total size of 188mm wide x 136mm high, we need to put the most important content into this safe area. Try to avoid important content in the outermost 20mm, such as molecular formula, text, key structures, etc. Secondly, the cover image should not be too empty or biased to one side, as shown in the picture below, which is a typical substandard work. Secondly, the colour of the half-ring logo will be specifically adjusted by the editor according to the Cover artwork we submit, and we can make it without having to think about it during the production process, as shown below.  
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  • Tools Microdiscussion: Image Design and Software Selection
    Nov 29, 2024
    Before we start to draw a scientific image, we necessarily need to consider the choice of drawing software. The correct choice of software, can make our drawing work to achieve twice the result with half the effort. Here we are based on the use of image location and drawing style on a few common problems to give you some advice.   Question 1: whether you can use PPT directly after the submission of drawings? Ans: We need to make it clear that, in addition to data graphs and mass spectrometry such as special images, the rest of the image processing work, it is best to use professional image processing software. Here is a special reminder that it is best not to use PPT for image drawing, firstly, it is difficult to reach the requirements of high-level journals in terms of effect; secondly, the resolution is on the low side, the general requirements of journals is 300dpi, while the default resolution of PPT is only 96dpi or 150dpi.   Question 2: the production of three-dimensional effect must use three-dimensional software? Ans:  First of all, we usually see the image, are flat images, the following two, the difference is the expression of its effect: the left picture is a three-dimensional effect, the right picture is a flat effect. Secondly, three-dimensional software in the production of three-dimensional effect image must have its unique advantages, some complex three-dimensional effect image, almost only use three-dimensional software to produce. However, for simple three-dimensional effects, plane software can also be achieved through the adjustment of light and shadow, as shown below. Question 3: Which of the 3D software, Maya or 3Dmax, can make this structure? Ans: When we ask this kind of question, we are actually considering which software can be used to make the required image faster or easier. Different software can make the same structure, so we can choose the one we are more familiar with, without getting hung up on the choice of software. Keep in mind that the essence of software is a tool, and a tool that serves its purpose is a good tool.   Question 4: I want to draw a liquid bubble in PS, should I use the pen tool or the brush tool. Ans: Same as the previous question, the same structure, different tools can do, we can use the most familiar. The essence of software is a tool, the tool that can achieve the purpose is a good tool.  
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  • SCI Drawing Knowledge: Image Resolution
    Mar 12, 2025
    When discussing the differences between vector graphics and bitmap images, we touched upon a key characteristic of bitmap images—resolution. Indeed, resolution plays a crucial role in scientific image collection and paper preparation. This article will explore the definition of resolution, how to calculate it, and common issues related to it. 1. Definition of Image Resolution Image resolution is a unique attribute of bitmap images, referring to the number of pixels contained within an inch of an image. It is measured in DPI (dots per inch), often referred to as "pixels per inch" or "dots per inch." Essentially, resolution determines the level of detail in an image, much like the concept of density in physics. 2. How to Calculate Image Resolution When we know the physical size of an image and the number of its pixels, we can calculate the size of its resolution with the formula shown below. 3. About image size One thing to pay special attention to is that when we refer to image size, it is not the physical size of the image but the number of pixels (number size) in the drawing software. Usually, the larger the resolution, the finer the image. As shown in the following figure, the physical size of the same two diagrams, the more the number of its pixel grid, the finer the image. 4. Frequently Asked Questions About Resolution Q1: Since it is said that the larger the resolution, the finer the image, is it true that the larger the resolution, the better the image quality? From this extreme example above, it seems that increasing the resolution does not affect the fineness of the image when the image has a single color. So, in the face of more complex color images, the resolution can be appropriately increased, while the color of a single image can meet the demand. Q2:The difference between PPI and DPI. ppi (pixels per inch): the sampling rate of the image (in the image, the number of pixels contained in each inch), refers to the smallest point of the screen can be resolved. dpi (dots per inch): print resolution (the number of dots per inch that can be printed, that is, the printing accuracy), in general, can be understood as the smallest physical device can be resolved unit. The two use different scenarios (screen and print), the definition is slightly different, can be generalized to some extent. Q3:Can I put an image into Photoshop by directly increasing the resolution to make the image clearer? It is possible to get Photoshop to increase the DPI, but there is no practical significance, because the total amount of information the image has has already been determined. If you increase the resolution at the same size, it will only result in an unrealistic enlargement of the pixels in the image (the extra pixels are calculated by difference); if you don't limit the size, you will change the size at the same time as you change the resolution. Therefore, the resolution should be determined at the beginning of the image drawing and not hope to change it later. Q4:Are there any requirements for image resolution in journal submissions? In journal submissions, generally for color portfolio images, the image requirements are 300 dpi or higher, depending on the journal's author submission guidelines. For example, the author guidelines on the PNAS website have the following image resolution requirements: Please supply high-resolution files whenever possible. Resolution of at least 1200 dpi is needed for all line art, 600 dpi for images that combine line art with photographs/halftones, and 600 dpi for images that combine line art with photographs/halftones. Resolution of at least 1200 dpi is needed for all line art, 600 dpi for images that combine line art with photographs/halftones, and 300 dpi for color or grayscale photographic images. Please review the PNAS Digital Art Guidelines.    
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