Website Graphics

whiteboard

Guys,

Not sure where else to post this.

I have downloaded some button templates to use on a new website I am trying to put together.
The buttons are blank and red. When I add text to the buttons using psp, the background becomes what I can only describe as crystalised. Couldnt find a way to attach the images to this post.

any ideas.

whiskeyman

you'll need to host the image online first....

whiteboard

thanks whiskeyman

I jave uploaded these with the following url

the blank file downloaded is


the file which I have added text to is


the sample.jpg shows the crystalisation effect I am talking about.
I am not too hot on image manipulation so any 'for dummies' advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

whiskeyman

This is due to the compression you're using.
The blank is more or less raw.
The file you ad rext to is saved on your programme using a high compression ratio - it's swaying towards file size (smaller) rather than quality.
You'll want a larger file size for better quality.
What programme you using?
It should have an option, when saving to jpeg, to adjust the file save compresion level.

I've included my own example with a nearly no compression:

whiteboard

im currently using paint shop pro v5

whiskeyman

whiteboard wrote:

im currently using paint shop pro v5

Dont use that myself.
There should be a "save options" option once you select the jpeg file type.
http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/formatsjpeg/ss/jpegoptions_4.htm

It's just a case of selecting a lower compression/best quality value.

whiteboard

cracking stuff that worked a treat.
Thanks

LegacyUser

you shouldn't be saving simple graphics like this as .jpg, they'll be a larger file size and worse quality.

save em as .gif or .png.

jpg's are for more complex images, ie photo's.

here it is saved as a gif, with 32 colours. less colours, smaller file size, trick is to find a nice balance. you could use 16 colours, but it would look slightly dithered.

remember, it's important to have these graphics as small as possible (file size) it all adds up, and will weigh your page down considerably if you dont optimise them fully, without loosing too much quality.

here it is at 1k.



i hate paintshop, haven't used it in a while, but i'm sure it's as simple as, save as gif, then choose how many colours you give your image, although i'm sure paintshop has some round about way of doing this. (i use photoshop myself)

whiteboard

thanks paperclip,

this is a template I downloaded and am going to customise.
All these tips are great.