Make Web Pages

Web Page Graphics

Great tools to make your own web page graphic

It’s easy to convert any picture into a web page graphic with the right tool. You can edit any graphic to become a seamless web page background, or convert pictures to or from many different formats.

Now you can download pictures directly from cameras or scanners. You can easily touch up or repair. For faster webpages, you can resize any picture for optimal quality and speed.

Make your graphic image transparent, so it blends well with your background graphic.

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Web Page Graphic
File Conversions

     The ability to convert from different file formats can be a very valuable asset to any web page maker. It allows you to get free graphic and free clipart from different sources.

     If you can download a free web site graphic from a variety of sources, it opens up the possibility of using any graphic created by different artists. The ability to convert graphic file formats may allow you to use the artwork of any of your favorite artists.

     Your favorite artist could use a PC or a Mac. If you can do file conversions, you can use a free web page graphic from artists using a PC or Mac. Maybe you need a cute graphic or a serious graphic. You have virtually unlimited sources of graphics.

     You can make your own free web site graphic by scanning images from photographs. You can also import your own free web page graphics from your digital camera.

Use The Best
Web Page Graphic

     Web pages only use graphics in two formats. The JPG and the GIF formats. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Let's discuss some of the features of each.

     The main advantage of the JPG is the ability to use 16 million colors. Most photos look best using JPG's. The JPG is relatively small due to compression routines involved in saving. Be aware, this compression can detract from image quality after many saves and retrievals as each save compresses the file.

     The JPG is still the best file format for photographs. JPG's offer the ability to make slight changes in color.

     The GIF files are very small and load fast. They only allow 256 colors, but they can use transparencies and animated graphics. You can always search the web for a free GIF image or just make one yourself.

     In simple terms, use the most appropriate image format for your purposes. You want to select the pallette size to balance looks with speed. It is essential that your web page graphic load fast, because you can't expect your visitor to be too patient. After all, your visitor has thousands of other pages to look at. They are more likely to stay if the page loads fast.

Make your own
Graphic Background

Seamless Background

Background with Seam

When you make your own web site, a good graphic background is a simple way to give your web page a nice texture. The texture is usually best if you make a seamless graphic background.

A background using vivid colors or patterns detracts from your text message by making them unreadable. Remember, your text must be read through the background texture. You should use a soft background.

     To use a graphic background, you need to use the <body></body> tags. The background image is tiled to fill the available space. The graphic background for this page is only about a square inch and loads quickly.

     You can personalize your backgrounds. Use your own logo for your background. A good background gives your page a professional look. Any background you create is a free background image.

     A good graphic program like Paint Shop Pro can make seamless backgrounds a fairly simple task. This is just a taste of what Paint Shop Pro can do for you.

Transparent Images

     Make images that allow a textured background to be seen behind the image. Only a GIF file can store a transparent image.

     The two images to the right show a ball. The first image shows a colored square border around the ball. It is not transparent, while the second ball shows the texture around the ball is transparent. This shows the difference a transparency can make.

     Adding the transparency feature to a web page graphic is simple with a good graphic program. Paint Shop Pro does a fine job of creating GIF files with transparencies.

Animated Graphic

Animated graphic images are a series of images shown one by one in such a way as to give the impression of motion. If you create a loop in the animated graphic to repeat the series, your animated graphic can move virtually forever.

     Use motion graphics to help say your message. Animated graphics can make some really cool effects. It can also help convey ideas. If "a picture is worth a thousand words," just think what a well made animated graphic can say!

     If you are trying to convey a procedure, animation can show that procedure. You can also show a sequence of events using animation. In this case, each picture does not need to flow smoothly visually, but can still flow smoothly with an idea.

     If you are looking for a free animated graphic, there are a couple of approaches open. You can go to the search engines and look. There are tons of pictures out there, but many have copyright restrictions. You could pay the author or find pictures without restrictions.

     Another approach (I think better), is to make your own free animated graphic. This does take a little bit of artistic ability, but isn't as difficult as it might seem.

     If you want to make a high quality animated graphic, you need a high quality animation program. The best animation programs allow you to edit each picture. They also let you view the animations in motion as you go.

     A good animation shop is worth a thousand pictures. Paint Shop Pro includes an Animation Shop which does an excellent job of producing animated graphic images.

Clip Art

     Clip Art can be acquired from many places. Some can be purchased, while some is free. I think the main advantage of a retail clip art package is time and image availability. They usually are indexed so you can find something relatively easily. Most of these packages are available at very reasonable prices.

     The web is a wonderful place. You can search for just about anything, including clip art. You can even get free clip art. Some clip art sites have tons of stuff, although they are often cumbersome to work through. I would use these for specific images.

     Beware of copyrighted materials. The author does have rights and you need to respect those rights. Remember, authors tend to be a lot easier to work with before you infringe on their copyrights.

Make Your Own
Web Page Graphic

     Combine several pictures using cut and paste features. You can use any part from any picture or combine several pictures into one good web page graphic. Add a texture to an area of the picture. You can even overlay one picture over another. Combine pictures into an ideal picture to convey your message.

     Make offset shadows just like the pros. Give your web page graphic a 3 dimensional effect. It adds some polish to your web page graphic and your images looks more professional.

     Change the size of the graphic to fit your page. The web page graphic looks better if it fits the page. If a graphic is correctly sized, the graphic looks better and, it loads faster. Your site visitors are more likely to stay if the page looks good and loads fast.

     If you need to make preset shapes, like circles, ovals or trapezoids, Paint Shop Pro has the tools. You can draw numerous shapes in your picture, as well as cut and paste various shapes. Preset shapes can be drawn to exact specifications.

     You can zoom to different levels of detail, even down to the pixel level. You can edit your pictures one pixel at a time. You can make very fine, precise changes to the picture.

     Edit several images at once. Gain a different perspective by seeing multiple pictures. Editing several pictures is ideal for creating animation, and of course offers the perfect view.

     If you are a graphic artist for a living, you might want to spend $500-2000 for a program that may take a couple of years to learn. Some of you might be satisfied with some of the free graphic programs out there, but as you might expect, they are worth what you pay for them.

     Paint Shop Pro contains lots of great tools, with adjustments for each, with an affordable price tag. This program contains so many of the great features of the high end program, but is so easy to use.

Paint Shop Pro provides professional results for very little cash. It's easy to learn the powerful features to create professional results. "I have used Paint Shop Pro for several years, and highly recommend it!"