How to Save an Image in GIF or JPEG Format

There are many ways to create an image in the required format: If you created the image using ChemDraw:

1. Adjust the page setup to suit the complexity and orientation of the drawing
   • If the drawing is simple, use the normal paper size (e.g. 8.5" x 11")
   • If the drawing is very complex, use a larger paper size (e.g. 8.5" x 14")
   • Choose landscape mode if the drawing is wider than it is high
2. Use the Object-Scale command sequence to expand the image to the full size of the page
3. Save the image as a GIF
4. If the simple method described above does not preserve tiny but important details, then save the image as a 300 dpi TIFF from ChemDraw and the use another program to convert that TIFF to a GIF

• If the image was created in a drawing application such as Adobe Illustrator or Macromedia Freehand, make sure that the smallest numbers and letters are at least 10 pixels high, and preferably 20 pixels high. Then save it as a GIF or JPEG file.
• Some word processors (e.g. WordPerfect and MSWord) will allow you to paste a captured screen into a document. You may also paste other bitmap images (e.g. TIFF files, BMP files, etc..) into the document. If you then save this document as an HTML file, any bitmap contained in the document will usually be saved as a separate GIF file. (Look for a .gif file created in the same directory at the same time as the .html file.) The resolution of this GIF file will be the same as the captured screen or the original bitmap file.
• Some word processors (e.g. WordPerfect and MS Word) allow you to create or to paste into a document a vector graphic (e.g. WMF) or to copy images directly from a vector graphic drawing application (such as ChemDraw or ISIS draw). If you then save this word processor document in HTML format, any vector graphic contained in the document will usually be saved as a separate GIF. (Look for a .gif file created in the same directory at the same time as the .html file.) While convenient, this is not a recommended method for creating a GIF image. Vector graphics will be converted to GIFs at low resolution -- the rough equivalent of 72 dpi. Thus, if you want to include an image in the abstract as you compose it with a word processor, we recommend that you first save your image as a GIF, JPG. TIFF, BMP or other bitmap file, and then insert that image into the document.
• Several HTML editors, such as Netscape Composer, allow you to drag a bitmap image into a document. When that document is saved is saved as a .html file, any image contained in the document will be saved as a separate GIF or JPEG file. (Look for .gif or .jpg files created in the same directory at the same time as the .html file.) The resolution of this image will be the same as the original bitmap image.
• If none of the methods described above are available to you, but you have access to a scanner, then scan from a drawing on paper. We recommend that you scan in grayscale mode, at a resolution of 300 dpi if the image is less than 4.5 inches wide, at a resolution of 200 dpi if it is more than 4.5 but less than 6 inches wide, and at 150 dpi if it is over 6 inches wide.
• There are many image editors, such as Adobe Photoshop, that will open different kinds of image files and save them in GIF or JPEG format.
• If you do not have any of the applications described above, but you do have a bitmap (.bmp) image to be included in your abstract, you might be interested in a free "bitmap-to-GIF" converter.
• For more information, read Tips for Making Better Images.