posted on October 7, 2000 12:06:20 PM
Hi, need some computer tech advice. I am trying to make some transparent gifs for listings as well as my web pgae (so that I do not have a gif with a white square around it when using on on colored background pages) I had an address for one called "Hugh's Gif Tool" but I cannot make the link work to download it. Does anyone have a source for a program that makes TRANSPARENT Gifs???? Thanks, Pam
If you are only going to be doing images and graphics once or twice more in your lifetime, then TuCows or Download.com is the place to go to get what you need.
If, or when you do decide to start working with images on a more frequent basis, then don't piddle around with collecting a Transparent GIF Maker, a JPEG Crusher, and dozens of other little free utilities. Instead, go to your local computer software store and pick up a copy of Paint Shop Pro from JASC,Inc http://www.jasc.com
That package contains everything you'll ever need for web graphics and graphics of all sorts. If you buy it at the store, there is always a promotional $30-off discount sticker on the box.
posted on October 7, 2000 01:46:53 PM
I have Ulead's Cool-3D program to make incrediable 3D text images with. In fact, the day that I paid for it, I had a customer that I showed my new toy to and he placed an order for his web site. That program got paid off in just that one order. They have very good products.
I have been using Paint Shop Pro for the past 5 years or longer. When I started up my web design business, I bought CorelDRAW and Adobe PhotoShop for $400. You can only imagine how furious I was with myself after learing how to do cool things with those programs, I gave Paint Shop Pro a serious look.
I was really mad because there wasn't anything in that $400 Adobe PhotoShop program that JASC's PSPro couldn't do for only $40 back then! Oh, sure: there were a few little bells and whistles special effects. But at that time, I discovered that all of Adobe's plug-ins for special effects would plug right into Paint Shop Pro!
I did try out Ulead's PhotoImpact just a couple of years ago. I made the comparison and founf that for a beginner, PhotoImpact was definetly the way to go. PhotoImpact back then and I think now is meant for those who just bought thier very first home computer and want to get onto the web. It has very good optimization features that take all the guesswork out of doing graphics.
But if you want to get into the nitty-gritty of doing graphics, PSPro is the much better choice, IMO. PSPro compared to PhotoImpact has many more features that allow you to control your graphics and images, but then, there's that steeper learning curve (nothing like CorelDRAW, though).
You may download a copy from either web site and see for yourself.
posted on October 7, 2000 04:16:19 PM
I use Photoshop, Corel PhotoPaint, Fractal Design Painter and several freeware/shareware proggies that I rotate. I just sold a copy of PSP 4 because I don't have room on my hard drive for another graphics package.
If all you want to do is create transparent GIFs, the best program I have seen so far is LViewPro. It's best because it's easy. Just click the dropper tool on the color you want to make transparent. LViewPro is shareware, but free for personal use.
posted on October 7, 2000 05:22:52 PM
Hmmmm . . . selling your old software packages! Now why didn't I think of that! I knew there was a reason that I was holding onto those software boxes and manuals.
posted on October 7, 2000 08:22:55 PM
A BIG THANKS to everyone for taking a minute to help me out.
BORILLAR...I just bought the Paint Shop Pro program and had not had time to "explore" it. I looked at it briefly and kind of panicked. (in fact i opened a thread about it
I am sure its not as hard as it looks but after trying to muddle thru Adobe Photoshop I tend to panic easy.
Twinsoft....Thanks for the program info site...I downloaded a copy and will check that out.
I know basic html (probably just enuff to be dangerous)and can use a simple photo editing program so I have some computer smarts so if I can get past the panic I am sure I can figure it out. All hints and gentle directions are welcome to get me started......LOL
Thanks again everyone, your a great bunch.....Pam
The Jasc web-site has support, and there are also a couple of good books out for PSP (I'll find my copy and post title). I remember well the steep learning curve at the beginning and would be glad to help if you need it. For transparent gifs, here an excerpt from their support page for PSP 5:
"Creating Transparent GIFs for the World Wide Web using Paint Shop Pro 5
"To create a GIF transparency in Paint Shop Pro 5, your image must be 256 colors. Use the Dropper tool from the toolbar and use the secondary mouse key (typically the Right mouse key) to select the color in the image you wish to be transparent. Then select the Colors menu > Set Palette Transparency > Set the palette transparency to the current background color. To show the transparency in the image, hit the Proof button. Hit OK.
"If you would like to view the transparency, select Colors > View palette transparency.
"You may have problems if your background color is white or black. If you look at your color palette for the background and see several shades of white or black, then the transparency will only affect one of the several shades. In this case it is best to fill the entire background of your image with one color that is not used in your graphic. GIF89a transparency will only work on a single solid color, so images with multiple shaded colors as a background will not be good choices for transparent Web images."
posted on October 7, 2000 10:17:40 PM
Islander!! THANK YOU...that was the gentle "push" I needed to get me going.....will play with it a bit and see if I can figure it out.
Thanks also for the web site info....I never thought of the support page. I do know that I have heard RAVES about the Paint SHop Pro program so I think the money spent will be worth it. Have a great evening....Pam
