It may be a stupid question but it remains one I need to ask.... What is the best graphics format for putting graphics up on the web.... (Importance is minimizing loading time to viewer while maintaining good resolution)... and secondly what software do you guys recommend I buy/download ?

Thanks in regards,

ASh

a while ago, i was wondering what i need to host a website with my own domain name... so I KNOW there are no stupid questions on the Net!

re: graphic software, there's:

• Adobe's PhotoShop
• PaintShop
• Corel's PhotoPaint
• Macromedia's Fireworks (i think that's the name for it but I cannot be sure)

Most ppl use PhotoShop for very obvious reasons; when you see how much of the finished product (quality and size) you can easily control, you'll be pleasantly surprised.

If you can get your hands on a (2nd hand perhaps?) PhotoShop 5 license, that will do just fine and use the savings (from not buying the latest version) on some VERY necessary plug-ins.

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J de Silva
Learning Journal | GIDForums™ | GIDNetwork™ | GIDWebhosts™ | GIDSearch™

I would have to agree that PhotoShop is one of the best programs out there. I use it a lot. You could try downloading the free trial version and using it. It may be able to help you out and if not try finding an used version as Jds suggested or you could check out cnet.com they have a lot of programs that may be of use to you and most of them are free.

Hope this helps

As far as the software goes I use Photoshop (or gimp if I’m running in Linux at the time)

But for the first part of your question what type of files I've found that if It has large solid fields or solid lines that need to be kept i.e. a striped background, you will want to use a gif without any dithering it will help keep the edges looking sharp. If it is a photo or an image with gradients you can get a smaller better looking file from a jpeg.

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I can make a website....But can I make a GOOD website?

Well gifs for transparent images, i tend to usually use gifs.

Why do you not use PNG's?

I'll chime in on the png question...
I don't Use PNG's For two reasons:

One: The browser that most of the people use to visit my website (Internet Explorer) Dosen't support the png alpha blending. This can make the site look pretty bad to most of my users.

Two: I haven't been able to get png's smaller than my gif's I know other have no problem optimizing png's mine just don't look as good; or, they are about a kb larger.

But I may start using them as I become more fimilar with them.

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I can make a website....But can I make a GOOD website?

Yes this is what I thought at first, but it turns out that it actually depends on what program you are using. Have a look at this mini chart here to see that the creation of PNG's for cross platform is best when using Fireworks. I'm surprised that this hasn't made bigger attention to the issue, but thats the way it is at the moment. Most professionals use Photoshop so that's probably the reason for it.

My PNG optimisation guide may be of assistance to you ;P . Actually I've seen impressive results when competing against gifs (although there's no competition with JPGs most of the time) except when the gif is very small such as a spacer. Hopefully my quick guide will be helpful for you and others.

Rob