Hi all,

I am trying to combine 2 photos, a .jpg file, and a .gif file into a single image. (Image Composer, VISIO) All seems well as I position the images, group them, then save it as a .gif. When I downsize the image, I lose resolution. 

I've read here and elsewhere that re-sizing .jpg images does result in loss of resolution, but I'd thought this was not a problem with .gifs.

Is there a feature for re-sizing I should be looking for in my programs that addresses this problem? This is not the same as image compression, is it?

Am I graphics program poor? In other words, is this re-sizing feature program specific, and not covered by Image Composer or VISIO?

Cheers,

OldHack

this page should answer your questions.

G'day OldHack.

As a general rule, use .gif files for images with only lines or plain colour such as maps, cartoons and text images like you might have for your site logo.

Use .jpg files for photos. Save a minium number of times. 80% quality should be fine for the web. This will give a good bit of file size compression without significantly, visually degrading your image for web purposes. If you want to print the image, it's a different matter.

Have a look at the digital images on my site if you have any doubts. If you're not achieving this quality, then you're doing something wrong. Probably something quite basic.

You're up against it a bit, using one photo which is a .gif file. It's already lost it's sparkle. That's what a .gif file is. It's 8 bit wheras a .jpg is 24 bit.

If possible, go back to the .jpg original. Otherwise, put up with it or else forget it.

Regards,
Laurie.

OldHack -- follow what Laurie tells you ... he knows an awful lot about gif and jpg images!

OldHack,

I haven't used Image Composer, but for imaging-- there are still no programs that beat Photoshop.

I am trying to combine 2 photos, a .jpg file, and a .gif file into a single image. (Image Composer, VISIO) All seems well as I position the images, group them, then save it as a .gif. When I downsize the image, I lose resolution.

To combine 2 photos of different formats - you need to consider these facts:
* the two pics should be of similar resolution (72 dpi for web normally- if you are considering print)
* .gif is indexed color file (8 bit)- whereas jpg is true color - 16/24/32  bit colors. In gif, colors are optimized from the image itself.. The number of colors in gif files is 256 only and according to the image, the colors are different for each image.

From your case, I think you've opened the gif file first and pasted your jpg file. From this, your jpg image will be downgraded to 256 colors. That is why you lost colors from your jpg and image looked poor.

Cosider opening jpg first and paste your gif afterwards. BUT SAVING TO GIF WILL CHANGE YOUR 24 BIT COLORS (16 million colors) to 8 BIT COLORS (256 colors). You will lose quality anyway.

So mix two images carefully. You can save 8 bit image (gif) to jpg and the colors will remain intact. But reversing is not recommended.

As a general rule, use .gif files for images with only lines or plain colour such as maps, cartoons and text images like you might have for your site logo.

Follow this rule. You will never have problems.

incomeblast, travelagent, and laurie_m,

Every time you guys help me, especially travelagent, I end up with a ton of reading , AND... solutions !

I tried the .jpg file approach with what I've completed so far and it looks like that will work. I'm not done yet, but think I'm on the right track. I need to re-do some of the original elements. The logo for example was designed for da boss in 1996 and over the years she has lost track of the original file. In fact, I've found both .gif and .jpg versions of it, and what I think was a Corel .cmt file.

incomeblast wrote:

but for imaging-- there are still no programs that beat Photoshop

Does Photoshop include shape design tools?

Thanks folks,

Overhaulin' OldHack

It's Saturday -- pack up and go fishin' ... the images will still be there...

Hi OldHack.

Adobe PhotoShop is the ant's pants. It is the graphic arts programme by which all others are judged. If you see something on the web, on a huge billboard or in a magazine, you can do it in PhotoShop. But it'll cost ya! $1300 AU last time I looked. If da boss will buy it for you, well and good. I'm doubtful, however, whether your level of graphic arts ability warrants such a grand programme.

You can get PhotoShop Elements, which is a lite version, much cheaper. It will do all you need.

I have ArcSoft PhotoStudio which is quite handy. Will work in layers which is what you are looking for.

I also have the GIMP which is an open source (free) programme. It is a PhotoShop copy, which, although it may not have all the features of the number one programme, is most useful.

If you are to learn to use PhotoShop to its potential, you have a long, steep learning curve ahead. Hardly worth the effort for your needs or ability. Some people do a PhotoShop course.

For most of what I do, I use Irfanview, which is a free download for personal use and (I think) $20 US for a comercial licence. Doesn't work in layers. I make most of the stuff for my web pages in IrfanView, then copy and paste into  templates I've created in a html editor. (with some help from TravelAgent and encouragement from Matte)

IrfanView makes html image pages and html thumbnail pages. It resizes images and converts file type and name. You can make slideshows and web slideshows. It's excellent for downloading a digital camera card and moving files around. Looks like TravelAgent has used IrfanView to make panoramas of multiple images for some of his business cards.

If you intend getting into grafic arts, then go for it. It's challenging and rewarding. However, if all you need to do is get one image right, I sugest you get someone to do it for you.

Regards,
Laurie.

OldHack wrote:

Does Photoshop include shape design tools?

Photoshop has everything you need. Yes, it is expensive. If you really want to get into graphics this is the program though.

I am still using Photoshop 6 bought few years back. It meets my requirements. They have come up with  CS2 which I am planning to upgrade soon. Upgrading is also expensive. You get other programs for the price of upgrading. But I can't settle with other programs. It is too good to compromise and I am into graphics, animation --- heavy stuff... I can't think of working without it !

laurie_m wrote:

If you are to learn to use PhotoShop to its potential, you have a long, steep learning curve ahead. Hardly worth the effort for your needs or ability. Some people do a PhotoShop course.

For simple jobs, photoshop doesn't have that steep learning curve. If you really need to do heavy graphic stuff, you need to learn... that's true with any programs -- even making web pages ! I think if you can use windows paint -- you can use photoshop -- My 5 year old daughter does good photoshop

About Photoshop course.. YOU'VE INTERNET, BUDDY ! You've tons of FREE courses online if you can afford to buy the Software..

Don't discount PaintShop Pro - it does from what I can ascertain, just about everything PS does, and you have pick it up real cheap by using froogle or similar comparison shopping services.

If your having problems with cost, what I use is a "program suite" that I have made.  I use several different cheap/free programs that I have found to accomplish the same thing as one full featured program.  some of the programs are, Microsoft Paint, ArcSoft PhotoImpression, IrfanView (www.irfanview.com) and others. 
travelagent also mentioned that laurie knows everything about imgs. Could you look at my site and tell me what I am doing wrong?

G'day skipper. Welcome to the forum.

laurie knows everything about imgs

This is quite an exageration. I know enough to get me by, often imaging by the seat of my pants. Travelagent reckons I have some ability because I did a little task for him that nobody else seemed to be able to manage.

I had a look at your site. Not sure if you're asking about the images or the site in general.

If it's about the images, the main thing is the lack of them.

If it's about the site, then I think you're asking for a site review. In this case, you'll need to have genuine participation in the forum for a while, according to the rules, then ask for a site review in the appropriate section.

I don't bother myself anymore, about site reviews, because I've had a gut full of users asking for a review in which they have no interest. Just after a backlink.

In your case, there's heaps you're doing wrong. Establish yourself as a genuine member, first, and some fellow members will likely give you some homework. Plenty to choose from!

Here's a little sneek preview:

1)  Go, get yourself some photos, one photo for everything you say.

2)  If you really wish to succeed, you'll need a proper html editor and you'll need to work through a html tutorial and learn to hand code html as well as manipulate images for the web. Consider whether you want to put in the effort to build a good website.

If you have any specific questions, best to make a separate post. Only by chance that I opened this one. It's long since run it's course.

Regards,
Laurie.