Graphics

You will have a chance to create custom graphics during this unit. You will create images for you Web pages. I have included several examples below.

Once you are done viewing the examples, follow the screen resolution and graphic file type links.

• Screen Resolution
• Graphic File Types

1. Most users have their screen resolution set to 1024 x 768. That is, 1024 pixels across by 800 pixels up and down. In this class, we design for a screen resolution of 800 x 600. This means, after adjusting for the Web browser's buttons, you have an area of about 760 x 420 to work with. On screen graphics utilize 72 to 96 ppi (pixels per inch). For magazine covers, we design for 8.5 by 11 inches in print at about 300 dpi (dots per inch). You will adjust your print settings once you have completed your magazine cover.
2. Use the appropriate file type for your images. In general, use GIFs for clip-art and JPG for photos. You will learn to reduce file size by reducing image size and compressing your images. Here's some additional info:
   GIF: Max of 256 colors, supports transparencies, and animations, for clip-art
   JPG: Millions of colors, no transparencies, no animations, for photo quality images
   PNG: Millions of colors, supports transparencies, animations, and layers , for photo and clip-art
   BMP: Lousy for the Web. Well, actually just lousy! Don't use in this class.

You probably didn't know it, but I was fortunate enough to be on the cover of Time Magazine after I saved the world in 2004.

I also made the cover of Life Magazine after stopping the shut-down of the world's computers in early September, 2005.

Finally, Gaming Magazine revealed the secret CHAGOYAN character in Half-Life 2. Watch out! This character has unlimited ammo and is nearly invincible. Rumor has it that I will make a guest appearance in Halo 3 (video game) and the upcoming Halo movie! Animation There is a special type of image file called an animated gif. It is a multiframe image, similar to a flipbook. Each page in a flip book is equivalent to a frame in the animated gif. Each frame is played fast enough to give the appearance of motion. Flip Book Animated gifs should be kept simple. The more complex the animation the longer the download time for the animated image. Here's an example created by one of my former students. It is composed of three repeating frames. Resources: BlendFu .