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Software: Ulead PhotoImpact 6, 7, 8, XL
or Pro
Author: Debbie
Hardisty
Home Page: Debisty Designs
Title: Save a .gif Image Without
Jaggies.
Skill Level: Beginner
Featured Tools:
Image Optimizer
Additional Files:
None Required
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Description: Unlike other graphic programs, it's
far better in PI to create .gif images with transparent backgrounds
on a plain white canvas rather than a transparent one. Is that statement
correct? Well yes it is actually and if you stay with me for a moment,
I'll show you why.
My terms of use for this tutorial are simple....What
you create using this tutorial is yours to do with as you please.
A link back to this tut is appreciated but is not a requirement. The
tutorial itself along with the images herein are copyrighted to me
and all rights are reserved.
Example 1
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Let's look at these rings here. You'll see that
Example 1 (on the left) has a jagged look about it. This image
was created on a transparent background and looked perfect until
I saved it to display on this web page. Example 2 (on the right)
shows a similar image created on a plain white background, saved
as a transparent .gif and you can clearly see how much smoother
it looks. |
Example 2
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So you have a great looking image that you want to save
as a transparent .gif eh? The rest of this tutorial will show you
exactly how to do just that.
It's
essential to know that although you've created this image, you must
not merge it other than as a single object. Remember, you eventually
want that white background to be transparent! So select your image
and then click on Web/Image Optimizer. A box will pop up asking if
you would like to save the entire image or selected objects. Click
on Selected objects and then on OK. Another box will pop up and we'll
see what that's all about next.
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1. This is where you need
to select which format you're going to save your image in. Be
sure that GIF is selected.
2. Click on
the 1:1 button to view your image in the preview pane at it's
full size.
3. This is
the preview pane. It shows your image as it will look in it's
optimized state. The one on the left hand side shows your image
before optimization or in it's original state.
4. You can
use the + magnifying glass to zoom in on your image to get a
closer look at how optimizing is going to affect it.
5. Be sure
that Transparency is checked.
6. The figure
you see here is the size your image will be saved at. Notice
it's considerably smaller than that of the size given above
the other pane.
7. Click on
the Save As button. Give your image a name and save to a folder
of your choosing on your hard drive.
NOTE: Be sure to choose
an image name that will not automatically overwrite your original
image or any other image that you're wishing to keep on your
hard drive.
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As you become more experienced with saving transparent
.gif images in this manner, you can then start checking how altering
other options in that box will affect your image before saving, but
for the sake of this tutorial, I've kept it fairly simple.
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The image I saved here is perfect on a white background
as you can see on the left, but look how those awful jagged bits
appeared when I added it to a coloured background on the right!
In part 2 of this tutorial
I will show you how to save your transparent .gif with a specific
plain coloured background or tiled background image in mind. |
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PART 2
