General problem situations
Searching for an image
Search instructions
Collecting images to basket and saving the baskets
Image information and layout image
Image usage history
Downloading images
Frozen images
Image formats and sizes
Using images for printing and press printing
Clipped images - using clipping paths
Masked images and JPEG2000

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FAQ

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General problem situations

You will probably find an answer to your problems from these instructions. However, if your problem cannot be solved by reading these instructions, please let us know your question or problem, and we will find the solution ASAP.

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Searching for an image

You can search for an image by browsing through existing categories or by executing specific searches. A search of the entire database is, as its name suggests, a search where specified parameters are used for finding matching images from the entire image bank of futureimagebank.com. You can also carry out advanced searches on search results as well as on the images found using categories.

The results page will show a maximum of 2,000 images, with the most recent always on top.

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Search instructions

*spee* = all images that have the word "spee" attached

*boat = all words ending in "boat"

boat* = all words starting with "boat"

speedboat = all images that have the word "speedboat" attached

new york = all images that have the words "new" OR "york" attached

"new york" = all images that have the word "new york" attached

girl +hat = all images that have the words "girl" and "hat" attached (note the space before the + sign!)

girl -hat = all images that have the word "girl" attached and do not have the word "hat" attached (again, note the space!)

0007 = all images that have the numbers "0007" either in keywords or in filename

0007235 = all images that have the numbers "0007235" either in keywords or in filename

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Collecting images to basket and saving the baskets

You can collect images to basket by clicking the "shopping cart" icon below each thumbnail.

You can also save baskets for later use. Go to your basket and select "Save current basket". You can save maximum of 15 images in one basket and you can save as many baskets as you like.

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Image information and layout image

When you click on the information link, or the thumbnail image itself, a window containing information on the image will open. You will see the image in a larger size for closer inspection. The image is in RGB format, and you may save it free of charge for layout use. You can "drag and drop" the image to a document that is open in another application, or save it to your hard disk.

- PC - Click the right-hand mouse button on the image, and select "Save Picture As" (Internet Explorer) or "Save Image As" (Netscape) from the menu that appears.

- MAC - Click the mouse button on the image, and keep the button pressed for about 2 seconds. Select "Save Link As" (Internet Explorer) or "Save Link As" (Netscape) from the menu that appears. Select "source" as the format.

The image is saved in the desired folder.

A clipped image must be saved on the hard disk and imposed on the document for it to function properly. Using Page Maker, you can impose the image as-is, but with other programs you will first have to save it in EPS format for it to function as a clipped image.

In addition to the image view, information is also available on the photographer, the copyright on the image as well as information on previous instances where the image was used, i.e. the so-called image-usage history.

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Image-usage history

The image-usage history will indicate the date the image was saved, the field of business where it was used for marketing or PR purposes, as well as the size of the target group for marketing. You will also see if the image has been in advertising use or other type of use. This information allows you to make a well-judged decision on whether the image is suitable for your own campaign.

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Downloading images

Select the file size you prefer, and "image freezing" if you want to have exclusive rights to use the image. A frozen image is removed in real-time from the sight of other image bank users. However, the customer who froze the image can still see it, and he/she can e.g. download different-sized versions of the image, if required. Freezing applies to one country at a time.

Fill in the application report.

Selecting "Save images" will move you to a page where you can save the images to your own workstation. You can neither download images one by one nor all images conveniently in one ZIP file.

More specific instructions about downloading images will be available on the download page.

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Frozen images

You can freeze an image for your own exclusive use. Freezing is done in the shopping basket by ticking the box entitled "Freeze image for exclusive use". Selecting this option will deny other users in the same country access to this image for 6 months. However, the user that froze the image can still see it in the image bank and download different file size versions for his/her exclusive use.

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Image formats and sizes

All images have been saved in JPEG format. Four different-sized CMYK versions are available on each image: A8 = 1 MB, A6 = 4 MB, A5 = 15 MB and A4 = 32 MB, as well as an RGB version: A4 = 24 MB. When saved in JPEG format, the images only require 10-40% of the original storage space on average.

Image sharpening has been separately optimised for each image size. The RGB image has not been sharpened. If you intend to use the same image in different sizes, you should download all the different-sized versions you will need. In this way you will ensure that the quality of published images is uniform. When you download the different-sized versions on the same day, you will only receive one invoice for the download.

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Using images for printing and press printing

To minimise file sizes, the images have been saved in JPEG format. Normally, you should convert JPEG images to EPS or TIF format before using any image-processing software or before sending it to a repro or printing department for printing. If you do not convert the file format yourself, inform the printing organisation of the fact that the file is in JPEG format. Not all RIP applications can perform colour separation with JPEG images, so providing advance information may save you from unpleasant surprises.

You can alter the image size by +/-30% without compromising image quality. More substantial size changes should be made using an image processing program or by downloading a more suitably sized version from the image bank.

CMYK images have been optimised for use in 54-60 LPI printwork on normal coated paper. If you use other LPI values or special papers, the images must be processed to suit the requirements of the printwork. Normally, this processing will be handled by the repro or printing house you are using; remember to inform them about it! You can carry out the desired colour separation using the RGB image

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Clipped images - using clipping paths

A clipping path is a line prepared around the target image, allowing the image to be imposed, without a background, on a background image or colour. We have prepared clipping paths for those images that, in our opinion, lend themselves for clipped image use.

Clipping paths have been saved in images where the background is completely white or of uniform colour. Such images will be automatically shown as clipped in layout programs. In addition, there are many images in the image bank (natural background, shadows, etc) where the clipping path has already been prepared, but it has not been saved for use. When you want to print such a picture clipped, open Photoshop and the image file, select the subject path from the "Paths" menu and define it as the "Clipping Path". When you now save the image, the clipping path is saved with it.

Clipped images in the futureimagebank.com bank can be found under the category "Clipped" or using the word "clipped" in a search

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Masked images and JPEG2000

Masks can also be used in case you wish to isolate a portion of an image from the rest of a photo. This goes especially if the edges are not well defined or are very complicated (as hair on our example). Masked images are delivered as JPEG2000 files, mask in turn stored as a separate alpha channel. JPEG2000 images can be opened and edited in Photoshop by installing the appropriate plug-in (found on the PS installation disks).

Example of masking:

…and clipped and masked example next to each other:

Mask in Alpha channel

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