The Problem of Output
Brad Crane
The digital to analog translation of the Bernina Artista 630 embroidery machine presents a new format of output for graphics reproduction. Specifically, I am interested in its capacity for scalar translation of imagery for accurate representation. For this project I sought to output to three formats: digital (web), print, and fabric. To confront the first problem there is no way, for example, to actually show you the project in its native vector format, only a png:
Conversion from vector to raster is a precondition for digital output directly to the web (pdf and SVG files are anomalies, but are also not presentable without plugins through standard browsers). Regardless, the difference between vector and raster presentation provides an intriguing chasm to the development of highly precise graphical representation in fields that are inherently dependent on them. Applications like ACAD and Illustrator produce vector based graphics in dxf and ai formats, but must eventually be output to compressed content consumption formats like jpeg, mpeg, png, and PDF. These compression formats are intended for display on web, monitors, and print. However there is another conversion between the compression algorithm and the end format of paper, monitor, et al. For example, lineweight information from vector graphics are not displayed through the monitor based projection of PDF files.
The problem then becomes how to develop consistent graphical output that is consistent between all intended formats. In print the graphic is rasterized and postscripted through a printer's software:
In the final example the embroidered version is intentionally low resolution, but aims to prove the point of this project: that the final output of a graphic can give a new perception and meaning to it. In this case the crocheted language of the output makes the intentionally modern graphic style transform into one our grandmother's might have designed.
