Internet Marketing
Tools
Part Four Creating Graphics Basics
Graphic design is an intimidating subject for many Internet
entrepreneurs. However, most of us must learn some basic design techniques
in order to avoid the high costs of hiring a professional designer.
In order to create or edit your graphics, you'll need to invest in a good
graphics-editing program. The most popular program used by Internet marketers
is Paint Shop Pro. This powerful program is the only program you'll need
to design professional looking graphics. You can download a free 30-day trial
and register the software for only $99.
http://www.jasc.com/
Image Formats
The most popular image formats used on the Internet are
GIF and JPEG.
Graphic Interchange Format, better known as GIF, uses a maximum of 256 colors
and is best suited for images such as logos, buttons and bullets.
GIF images can be saved in two different formats:
- 87
- 89a
The 89a format is the preferred GIF format, as it has the following
benefits:
Transparency
Images saved in the 89a GIF format can have a transparent background. This
will enable the canvas of an image to be transparent and enable the background
to show through.
Interlacing
Images saved in the 89a GIF format can be saved as interlaced. This will
enable your image to display as it is being loaded into a web page. The image
will gradually become clearer as the page loads.
Animation
Images saved in the 89a GIF format can be used to create animated images.
Animated images are simply several GIF images compiled into one GIF image
file that loops. In order to create an animated image, you'll need a special
editing program.
Joint Photographic Expert Group, better known as JPEG, is the best format
for photographs. JPEG images can contain millions of colors and allow you
to specify the degree of compression.
Although there are many graphics programs available on the Internet, this
tutorial will focus on using Paint Shop Pro 7.01. If you are using a different
version of Paint Shop Pro or another graphics program, the graphic tools
mentioned below will not be located in the same places.
Editing Images
When working with images in Paint Shop Pro, you will
have the ability to save your image in PSP format. This format will enable
you to begin working on an image, save it in PSP format and finish the image
at a later time. It will preserve all of your work without any changes.
If you would like to edit an image that has been previously saved in the
GIF format, you must first increase the image's colors to 16 million. If
you don't, your colors will be limited. Go to "Colors" - "Increase Color
Depth"- "16 million colors (24 bit)" to increase your image's colors.
Resizing Images
If you'd like to resize an image in JPEG format, you
can do so in one of two ways -- through your graphics program or within your
HTML. You can resize your image within your HTML by changing the HEIGHT and
WIDTH values. To retain your images original characteristics, make sure you
adjust the height and the width equally. In other words, if your original
image dimensions are 50x100 (width 50 and height 100), to reduce your image
to one half the size, change the width to 25 and the height to 50.
If you'd like to resize an image in JPEG or GIF format,
go to "Image" - "Resize" and select "Percentage of original." Type in your
selection in the first box and click on "OK." There's no need to fill in
the second box, as it will be filled in automatically. For example. If you
would like to reduce your image to half the size it is now, type in 50. This
number is telling the program that you'd like to reduce the image's size
by 50%.
If you would like to increase your image's size, type in a number over 100.
Your original image is considered to be 100%. If you would like to increase
your image's size by 50%, type 150 in the first box.
Rotating Images
If you'd like to rotate an image, go to "Image" - "Rotate"
and select your preferences.
When rotating an image, it may lose some of its clarity (become blurry).
You can correct this problem by sharpening your image. Go to "Effects" -
"Sharpen" - "Sharpen". If after sharpening your image it still appears a
little blurry, simply sharpen it again.
Working With Text
If you would like to use text within your image, your
first step will be to select your text color. The "Styles" boxes are located
on the right hand side of your screen. The top box should be set to Null
(off) and the bottom box should be set to Solid, which will look like a
paintbrush. To change the style of each box, click on the black arrow and
make your selection.
To change the text color, click in the center of the bottom box and select
your preferred color. Your text will be displayed in the color within the
bottom box.
If you would like to outline your text in a different color, click on the
black arrow of the top box and select the paintbrush. Your text will be displayed
in the color your bottom box contains and outlined in the color your top
box contains.
Text Tool
Once you've selected your text color, click on the text
tool on the left-hand side of your screen. This will launch your text window.
Select your font and text size from the drop down menu and type in your text.
Make sure you select Antialias and Floating then click "OK."
Antialias will smooth out all of the rough edges of your text and blend it
in with your background color. You will use the Antialias setting with various
graphic tools when designing your graphics, so it is important to remember
its function.
You will now see your text with, what looks like, marching ants around it.
If you'd like to move your text, click and hold your left mouse button directly
over your text to drag it to your desired position. Try to center it as well
as possible, but don't deselect it.
If you would like to rotate your text, now is the time to do it. Simply follow
the same instructions (above) used to rotate an image.
If you make a change to your image and you're not satisfied with the outcome,
you can undo your last change by going to "Edit" - "Undo." It will only undo
the last thing you did.
Adding a Drop Shadow
Your next step will be to add a drop shadow effect. With
your text still selected, go to "Effects" - "3D Effects" - "Drop Shadow."
Your selected text will be displayed in the window. Try different settings
until you achieve the effect you'd like. Click on OK. When you're satisfied
with your text, right click on your mouse to set it.
Now that you have a basic understanding of creating graphics, take some time
to learn some additional techniques. There are many free tutorials available
on the Internet. Not only will it assist you in creating professional looking
images, but it will also save you a great deal of
money.
Copyright © Shelley Lowery
About the Author:
Shelley Lowery is the author of the acclaimed web design course, Web Design
Mastery.
http://www.webdesignmastery.com
And, Ebook Starter - Give Your Ebooks the look and feel of a REAL book.
http://www.ebookstarter.com
Visit Web-Source.net to sign up for a complimentary subscription to Etips
and receive a copy of the acclaimed ebook, "Killer Internet Marketing
Strategies."
http://www.web-source.net
You have permission to publish this article electronically, in print,
in your ebook or on your web site, free of charge, as long as the author
bylines are included.
Part Three
Part Five
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