Email Basics - Part One
Email Basics - Part One: Continued
FTP Basics - Part Two
FTP Basics - Part Two: Continued
Zip/Unzip Basics - Part Three
Graphics Basics - Part Four
Graphics Basics - Part Four: Continued
Icon Basics - Part Five
HTML Basics - Part Six
HTML Basics - Part Six: Continued
Text Editor Basics - Part Seven
Autoresponder Basics - Part Eight
Autoresponder Basics - Part Eight: Continued
Ezine Basics - Part Nine
Ebook Basics - Part Ten
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Shelley Lowery
www.web-source.netCopyright ? Shelley Lowery 2002.
About the Author:
Shelley Lowery is the author of Ebook Starter - A complete
ebook design kit. Subscribe to Etips, for a wealth of quality
information to assist you in Web Design, Internet Marketing
& Ecommerce. All new subscribers receive a free copy of
the highly acclaimed ebook, "Killer Internet Marketing
Strategies." http://www.web-source.net/cg...