PowerPoint feature creates high-res images

An optional feature of PowerPoint 2003 can be used to create high-resolution images for radiology journal publications, according to researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

Exported images in older versions of PowerPoint, including 97, 2000, and XP, were limited to the computer screen resolution, usually 72 or 96 dots per inch. PowerPoint 2003 allows users to customize image resolution to higher values.

Microsoft's default setting for image export is configured at the low-resolution 72- or 96-dpi setting. To obtain high res-olution, users must add an optional parameter in the system registry file (ExportBitmapResolution) to specify output image resolution. The process is documented in the July issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology.