If you would like to increase your image's size, type in a number over 100. Your original image is considered to be 100%. If you would like to increase your image's size by 50%, type 150 in first box.

Rotating Images

If you'd like to rotate an image, go to "Image" - "Rotate" and select your preferences.

When rotating an image, it may lose some of its clarity (become blurry). You can correct this problem by sharpening your image. Go to "Effects" - "Sharpen" -"Sharpen." If after sharpening your image it still appears a little blurry, simply sharpen it again.

Working With Text

If you would like to use text within your image, your first step will be to select your text color. The "Styles" boxes are located on right hand side of your screen. The top box should be set to Null (off) and bottom box should be set to Solid, which will look like a paintbrush. To change style of each box, click on black arrow and make your selection.

To change text color, click in center of bottom box and select your preferred color. Your text will be displayed in color within bottom box.

If you would like to outline your text in a different color, click on black arrow of top box and select paintbrush. Your text will be displayed in color your bottom box contains and outlined in color your top box contains.

Text Tool

Once you've selected your text color, click on text tool on left-hand side of your screen. It looks like a capital A. This will launch your text window. Select your font and text size from drop down menu and type in your text. Make sure you select "Antialias" and "Floating" then click "OK."

Antialias will smooth out all of rough edges of your text and blend it in with your background color. You will use Antialias setting with various graphic tools when designing your graphics, so it is important to remember its function.

You will now see your text with, what looks like, marching ants around it. If you'd like to move your text, click and hold your left mouse button directly over your text to drag it to your desired position. Try to center it as well as possible, but don't deselect it.

If you would like to rotate your text, now is time to do it. Simply follow same instructions (above) used to rotate an image.

If you make a change to your image and you're not satisfied with outcome, you can undo your last change by going to "Edit" - "Undo." It will only undo last thing you did.

Adding a Drop Shadow

Your next step will be to add a drop shadow effect. With your text still selected, go to "Effects" - "3D Effects" - "Drop Shadow." Your selected text will be displayed in window. Try different settings until you achieve effect you'd like. Click on OK. When you're satisfied with your text, right click on your mouse to set it.

Now that you have a basic understanding of graphics, take some time to learn some additional techniques. There are many free tutorials available on Internet. Not only will it assist you in creating professional looking images, but it will also save you a great deal of money.

Copyright © Shelley Lowery 2002.

(8) ALWAYS check and double-check your site for spelling and grammatical errors. In addition, make sure your images and links are all working properly. If you have several errors, your site will appear to be unprofessional. If you've been out of school for a while, you may want to refresh your memory. Visit any of following sites for a crash course in writing and grammar.

=> Guide to Grammar and Writing http://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/index.htm

=> A Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation http://www.grammarbook.com/

=> Exploring English http://www.shared-visions.com/explore/english/

(9) Design your site to be easily navigated. Place your navigation links together at top, bottom, left or right side of page. Use tables to neatly align your links. If you are planning on using graphic buttons to navigate your site, keep in mind, with each graphic you add to your page, it will take that much longer for your page to load. If you only have a handful of navigational links, using graphic buttons will be fine. If you have over six links, it would be wise to simply use text links to keep your load time down.

(10) If you must use frames, use them sparingly. If frames are not properly used, they can make your site look unprofessional. Avoid making your visitors have to scroll from side to side to view your content. This can be very irritating and cause your visitors to leave. If you must use frames, offer your visitors a choice. Frames verses no frames.

(11) Try to keep number of clicks required to get from your main page to any other page on your site down to three. Keep in mind, your visitors may enter your site from pages other than your main. Always have good navigational links on every page and place your company logo at top of each page.

(12) There are thousands of free scripts available on Internet that will enable you to create all kinds of special effects. You may be tempted to try some of these scripts. However, be very selective and only use a special effect that will add value to your site.

(13) If you're using music on your site, make sure that you do not set it to "autoplay." It can be very distracting.

(14) All web browsers are not created equally. View your site through different browsers and screen resolutions so you will see how your visitors will view your site.

Visit following site to test your web pages:

=> NetMechanic - Provides a variety of free services for your web site including browser compatibility testing, graphic file size reduction, link check, HTML check, load time check, spell check and more. http://www.netmechanic.com/

(15) Continually add new content to your site. Give your visitors a reason to keep coming back.

The best advice I can offer is to keep it simple. The simple, well-designed, professional looking web sites make sales.

Copyright © Shelley Lowery 2001-2002