Re: confused about text - in general

by =?iso-8859-1?Q?St=E9phane?= Bergeron <stephberg(at)videotron.ca>

 Date:  Sat, 26 Feb 2000 15:30:04 -0500
 To:  hwg-graphics(at)hwg.org
 In-Reply-To:  CONEXCHNT
  todo: View Thread, Original
At 08:37 AM 26/02/00 -0500, you wrote:

>Hi;
>
>I'm new to PSP and web graphics in general.
>
>I have some muddy looking text buttons that I would like to re-do.
>
>http:?//www.englishcottage.com
>
>
>My first point of confusion is about Vector graphics.  It is best to create
>a vector text layer and then save the file as.. what?

For the Web you need to save graphics as either JPEG or GIF (or PNG)=20
anyway. They are all bitmap formats no matter if the image editing software=
=20
you created them in is a vector or bitmap application.  You just have to=20
remember that photographic type images are much better saved as JPEG and=20
that images with sharp edged objects, text and large areas of continuous=20
colors are better saved as GIF.  JPEG uses lossy compression to shrink file=
=20
sizes and affects the quality of the image while GIF is lossless and you=20
reduce the number of colors in a file to reduce file size. In any case you=
=20
should use anti aliasing on text unless your text is very small because it=
=20
helps getting rid of the jagged pixelized look.

>If you save a vector graphic as a bitmapped file (gif or jpg) do you lose
>the benefits of the vector graphic (I understand they create clear images
>that are faster to load) ??

Yes, you loose the ability to edit individual elements once the image is=20
exported to A Web format but you can always edit the original editor's file=
=20
and export it again.  That is why I prefer working with Fireworks 3 now=20
since you retain the ability to edit individual objects and effects at all=
=20
times and it also saves your export settings with the original file.  FW is=
=20
both a vector and bitmap editor rolled into one which is an incredible time=
=20
saver.

>Can you only use the anti-aliasing with jpg's because it has to be with 16
>million colours?

No, you are not limited to using anti aliasing with JPEGs but remember that=
=20
the more colors you use in a gif the bigger the final file size.  For=20
images with only text you can use anti aliasing with very few colors and=20
still get good looking results for very small files.  Just experiment with=
=20
your optimization settings to get the best compromise.  Again, Fireworks=20
3.0 lets you do it all right in the work environment, no need to use a=20
separate application.  I used to create graphics in either Photoshop or=20
Illustrator or both then optimize and/or slice and export them in Ulead's=20
Smart Savor Pro.  Now I do it all in Fireworks.

Now, to answer you original question, I have found that creating images=20
with text in vector type applications (be it Illustrator, Quark, or=20
whatever) does yield sharper results when exported to Web formats,=20
YMMV.  On the other hand, Photoshop creates very good looking images too=20
and with the introduction of re-editable text and effects it cuts the time=
=20
needed to change a graphic after it was finished and changes need to be=
 made.

HTH!

St=E9phane Bergeron

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