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images for your imagination
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Index:
* What is a Pixoi Subscription? What is Pay-Per-Download?
* What is the difference between being a subscriber and buying "Pay-Per-Download" images?
* Why are there two different sales concepts, Subscription and Pay-Per-Download? Is there difference in their contents?
* There are three graphic designers in our company. Do we have to get three separate Pixoi One-Year Subscriptions?
Is a Pixoi Subscription personal?
* Do I have to pay for every image I download?
* Is it possible to get images sent to me on a CD?
* In which media am I allowed to use the images?
* Can I download several images at one time?
* Can I give my Pixoi ID to my colleague?
* Why are the images so large on my computer screen?
* How can I change the size of an image?
* What is lightbox?
* What payment methods are accepted?
* Is Value Added Tax included or will it be added on top?
* How do I renew my Pixoi Subscription?
* How much is USD100 in Euros?
Other Information:
* Image types and searching.
* Low-resolution layout images.
* Using lightboxes.
* Download process.
* Image size and file types.
* Quality of the images. What are we actually talking about?
* Image resolution, screen resolution and printing resolution.
* RGB and CMYK color spaces.
* The facts behind the printing process.
* Using images in broadcasting and AV-presentations.
* How to re-size an image.
* Image manipulation.
* Copyright of the images.
* Payment and security.
* VAT policy.
* Re-downloading.
* Supported browsers.
* How does the download/payment process work?
Question: What is a Pixoi Subscription? What is Pay-Per-Download?
Answer: At Pixoi we want the images to be easily accessible for you so we have created two convenient purchase options:
With a one-time Pixoi Subscription payment you will be able to download the Royalty-Free images you need whenever you want. No additional fees, no price calculations, no annoying forms to fill in. Just sign in, search and download the image. That is all it takes!
If you only want to pay for the images you download, then your best choice is our Pay-Per-Download option. Here you have even more images to choose from and they are priced according to the image size and collection.
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Question: What is the difference between being a subscriber and buying "Pay-Per-Download" images?
Answer: The major difference is that Pixoi Subscribers, having once made the payment for the subscription, can download images without any further payments. The price for Non-Subscribers is paid per image download.
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Question: There are three graphic designers in our company. Do we have to get three separate Pixoi One-Year Subscriptions? Is a Pixoi Subscription personal?
Answer: The Pixoi One-Year Subscription is for one user only. Pixoi offers, however, the option of volume discounts. Please contact our customer service at pixoi@pixoi.com.
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Question: Do I have to pay for every image I download?
Answer: There are two options for you: Subscription stock and Pay-Per-Download stock.
For the subscription stock you only have to make one payment and you can download whatever you need without any additional payments.
The Pay-Per-Download stock is for single image sales and on that service you only pay for what you download.
They are both easy to use and give you a chance to choose your preferred plan. Please notice that some of the images are only available on the Pay-Per-Download service.
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Question: Is it possible to get images sent to me on a CD?
Answer: No, sorry. Pixoi is only an on-line image library. It is the fastest and easiest way to get your images whenever you need them. Since we are continuously adding images to the service it is also the only way to ensure you always have the most uptodate material available.
Some Pay-Per-Download collection images are also available as virtual CDs and for some of them we may be able to serve you with physical CDs. Please contact our customer service at pixoi@pixoi.com for more information.
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Question: In which media am I allowed to use the images?
Answer: Practically in any media. Please note that some restrictions other than the Pixoi terms of use may apply! Please be sure to read the end user license agreement for each collection because there are some variations.
We also ask you to please publish the source whenever it is possible.
It is always your responsibility to make sure you follow the terms of use and the applicable law in each country. We'll be glad to help you with any questions if necessary.
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Question: Can I download several images at one time?
Answer: No, sorry. The download process is a single-image download process, just use the link provided for each image size. This is for your own safety and security.
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Question: Can I give my Pixoi ID to my colleague?
Answer: No you can't! The Pixoi ID and password are for your use only. Since you are responsible for the usage of the images downloaded with your ID, we advise that you really do NOT give your personal customer information to anyone else. It isn't wise and it is against the Pixoi Terms of Use.
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Question: Why are the images so large on my computer screen?
Answer: The Pixoi images have a resolution of 300dpi, which is required for top-quality printing. For on-screen display the resolution is typically only 72dpi and this difference causes the images to appear very large on your computer display.
For on-line and computer use, the lowest resolution images are the best option as they are already in right resolution. For more information, please look at the section regarding "Resolutions" in the "Other Information" chapter!
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Question: How can I change the size of an image?
Answer: Different image manipulation software programs have different approaches in this matter. Generally the process is very simple.
For example, Photoshop has a feature called "image size" in which you can re-size the image and choose another resolution according to your needs. Please take a closer look at the information regarding "Image size" and "Re-sizing an image".
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Question: What is lightbox?
Answer: A lightbox is a virtual gallery where you can list and arrange images you are interested in. Lightboxes can then be shown to your customers, employees etc. if needed.
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Question: What payment methods are accepted?
Answer: Currently we accept Visa and MasterCard/Eurocard and some other common credit cards. The payment is processed over an SSL-secured connection within just a couple of seconds.
We also welcome other payment methods such as PayPal. If there is another way you would like to pay for our services we encourage you to ask for it by contacting us. Please use the "Contact us" link at the bottom of the page.
When making a payment using your Credit Card, please make sure that the connection is secure before providing any confidential information. Some browsers give a faulty error message when entering a secure connection. Please check that the address bar has "https://" at the beginning of the line!
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Question: Is Value Added Tax included or will it be added on top?
Answer: In most cases there is no VAT at all. VAT will only be added for private customers inside the European Union.
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Question: How do I renew my Pixoi One-Year Subscription?
Answer: We will notify you before your Pixoi Subscription expires and you will be provided with instructions on how to renew your order for the next year at that time. For your convenience and security there are no automatic payment transactions.
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Question: How much is USD100 in Euros?
Answer: USD 100 is about 80 Euros. Please refer to any exchange rate provider for accurate daily rates.
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Info: Image types and searching.
For searching there are two main ways to get going/started:
First, the quickest way, is to simply click on an item in the category list. The other way offers you the full searching flexibility of specifying a keyword and other options and seeing the results immediately.
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Info: Low-resolution layout images.
You can download low-resolution images for layout purposes from the large preview window. Just "drag and drop" the image onto your desktop. You may also save the image by "right-clicking" on it with your mouse and saving the image to the desired location.
For final resolution images you have to proceed with the normal download procedure.
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Info: Using lightboxes.
The lightboxes are "stores" where you can collect and sort images. Images can be added to a lightbox in search results window by clicking on "add to lightbox". After adding the selected images to the lightbox you may view the entire lightbox either from the link in the large preview window, or from the site main menu.
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Info: Download process.
Any of the images may be downloaded whenever you want/require from the large preview window. Downloading is done on "image by image" basis, just choose the right image size link and click on it. The image will download into your browser window.
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Info: Image size and file types.
All "Super Large" Pixoi images are of approximately the same size. In pixels their size is about 5000x4000 and their resolution is 300 dpi. Their file format is jpeg (.jpg). Jpeg is the most common image format and it can be used on all operating systems and platforms, without any special software.
Jpeg format compresses the image effectively, reducing the file size to a more transferable size, yet still maintaining excellent quality.
All "Super Large" Pixoi images have been saved with best quality settings meaning that the image can be opened to its full size without any visible loss in the quality.
The quality of a copy of the same image saved in jpg or tiff format; practically do not differ from each other. If you are about to do any image editing, we strongly suggest that you first save the image to a "lossless" format for editing. Repeated editing and saving in jpg format may reduce the image quality. Such "lossless" formats are, for example, .psd and .tif.
.psd is Adobe Photoshop file format and even though it compresses the image a bit it is still lossless.
.tif is most commonly used lossless file format. It is compatible with most operating systems.
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Info: Quality of the images. What are we actually talking about?
Since quality is more or less a subjective measure, the definition is a bit difficult. Still, at least two different kinds of quality can be found: technical quality and visual quality. Technical quality can be judged through several measures such as resolution, color depth and image size. Visual quality is a combination of different artistic values and technical quality, with the artistic part usually being more important. For an image to be good in quality, it is normally required that a certain level of technical quality is reached and that the content of the image "does the job". The technical requirements differ greatly according to the media being used.
An image good enough for internet publishing is usually totally unacceptable for high-resolution printing.
At Pixoi, we do everything to the highest standard. Our images are more than good enough for the most demanding high-quality printing projects. In numbers this means an image size of 5000 x 4000 pixels at a resolution of 300dpi. Some images may also come in a smaller size, although they still have exceptional quality. Our images help you obtain the best possible final result. It is the final output that counts!
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Info: Image resolution, screen resolution and printing resolution.
Image resolution defines how many pixels per unit of distance have been used when creating an image. It is usually given as pixels per inch (ppi) or pixels per cm. Resolution defines the image definition. Different resolutions are used in different production methods.
Screen resolution is the resolution you see on your computer display. Generally this is 72 pixels per inch. Images having a resolution higher than that appear larger on the screen and vice versa.
Printing resolution must not be confused with the image resolution!
Printing resolution defines the resolution used in the printing process or the printing ability of the printer. It is given as dots per inch (dpi).
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Info: RGB and CMYK color spaces
The most common color spaces are RGB and CMYK. RGB is used on displays and when scanning images and it is considered the most natural and human-eye-like color space.
CMYK is a color space developed for specifically for printing processes and it handles the colors differently from RGB space. The color separation in CMYK is effected by many things like printing standard, paper type etc.
Controlling the colors in CMYK space is difficult because the displays are not able to view CMYK color but only try to simulate them in RGB space. To compensate for the irregularities in the production chain all of its parts should be calibrated. In a properly calibrated production chain the printing result equals that seen on the screen.
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Info: The facts behind the printing process.
Since printing processes and projects vary greatly, a simple explanation really cannot be given. A good rule of thumb is that if you have a question regarding the final output or the printing process, consult your printing office. They will be able to tell you about the necessary steps to follow.
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Info: Using images in broadcasting and AV-presentations.
Using images in electronic media is a much more simple process than that of using them in printing projects. On-screen presentations, those that are to be presented with a projector or a monitor, use RGB color space and are so much easier to control. What you see is what you get, at least it should be. Some data projectors do display the colors oddly and the result may be tonally incorrect. Once you know the equipment you will be using there shouldn't be any problems. You have to make sure that you optimize the images to the chosen media by resizing them to equal the display resolution. The same applies to their use in a broadcasting environment. Since there are various TV-systems in the world using different image sizes and color systems we suggest you study the operator's instructions of your editing system for finding out what best fits your TV-system and production environment. Generally there are no problems with importing images into all editing systems, you just have to resize them to fit the screen. Most modern standards are using "non-square pixels" and so require that the image be squeezed before importing it to the system.
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Info: How to re-size an image.
Most image manipulation programs have excellent tools for resizing images. For example in Adobe Photoshop, re-sizing is done by choosing "Image Size" in the image menu and typing in the new required image resolution and dimensions. That's it. Now just save the image with a new name. Generally re-sizing is fine if you want to make images smaller than the original, the quality does not deteriorate. If you need to enlarge the images the requirements are slightly different. Relatively minor enlargements like 10-30% can be done within the image manipulation software but anything more than that should be done with software programs like Genuine Fractals Print Pro from onOneSoftware, which uses more advanced fractal calculation methods for the job.
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Info: Image manipulation.
Most digital images enjoy some re-touching before final release. Adjusting the image tonally or sharpening the image should be done as a last step before finishing the work. For this very reason we applied minimal tonal adjustments or sharpening to the Pixoi images already in the RAW conversion process. This guarantees you a possibility to alter the image size and other features while maintaining the best possible quality. Do the image manipulation after you have re-sized the image and when you know the requirements of the printing process. Sometimes just adjusting contrast may change the whole feeling of the image.
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Info: Copyright of the images.
As the controller of the copyright, Pixoi Ltd grants its customers the right to use images according to the Pixoi terms of use. For any content from our partners, please refer to their own terms of use. Please make sure you have studied the terms in full, and that you understand the terms before using the Pixoi site and the images contained herein. Images containing possible copyrighted logotypes, corporate identities and other copyrighted material must not be used against the terms of the respective copyright holder. Also, special terms apply to such images as money, notes and other official documents. Generally, the images are shot according to these terms but special regulations apply to the post processing of these images. These terms vary from time to time and place to place. As a user, You must understand and follow the terms in each case.
Pixoi Ltd is the final arbiter of how the Pixoi customers are and are not allowed to use the Pixoi images. The rights to use the images on the Pixoi site extend to the length of the Subscription. Upon termination of a Subscription all usage rights revert back to Pixoi. Customers must re-apply annually to renew the Subscription. Single image customers without annual Pixoi subscription are allowed to use the image for a period of one year from the date of purchase.
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Info: Payment and security.
We currently accept direct payments with credit cards and PayPal payments. PayPal enables you a wide variety of payment choices.
All direct payments shall be made using a valid credit card. Currently we accept Visa and MasterCard/Eurocard and the payment is processed instantly on an SSL-secured connection. Make sure that the connection is secure before submitting any confidential information. Some browsers give a faulty error message when entering a secure connection. Check that the address bar begins with "https://"! For using PayPal or other payment methods please contact our customer service at pixoi@pixoi.com.
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Info: VAT policy.
Pixoi image bank is a global operator and the service is VAT-free except for private customers within EU. VAT will be added to the bill automatically.
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Info: Re-downloading.
An already paid order may be re-downloaded without additional payment as long as they are to be used for the same production. An example of this could be the accidental erasure from a hard disc, and so the loss of a previously downloaded image.
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Info: Supported browsers.
Currently we support most of the latest versions of the common browsers on most Operating systems.
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Info: How does the download/payment process work?
The process is very straightforward. If you wish to become a Pixoi Subscriber you have to first fill in your member information and then pay the fee listed on the member page. After logging in you will be allowed to download images whenever you need them. There are no additional payments.
In simple steps: Register and pay only once! After that just log in to Pixoi site, browse the images, collect the chosen ones to the shopping cart, fill in the simple usage report and download the images.
If, however, you want to buy a single image, the process is as follows:
Register, choose and collect the image to shopping cart, pay and then download. For each image: Pay and download. It's easy and logical.
Probably the most convenient way of using the images is the annual subscription.
Just pay once and then use the images.
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