Gordon's Software Training

Tutorials on Graphics

Case Western University, Chapter 7, Images
CNET Web Graphics 101
Creating Graphics for the Web. Compression basics with GIF and JPEG formats.
Webreference.com. Graphic tutorials featuring article by Wendy Peck.

Background Images

Netscape Sampler

Background Color

“When specifying a background image (with BACKGROUND) it is a good idea also to specify a background color (with BGCOLOR.) That color should be one similar to the prevailing color of the image; this ensures that if the user viewing your page has image loading off, or if your background image cannot be loaded for some reason, the page will still look close to the way you intended.” From Netscape

Example: <body bgcolor="#gray" background="assets/grayba.jpg" text="black" link="blue" vlink="green" alink="purple">

silver	gray	maroon	green
navy	purple	olive	teal
white	black	red	lime
blue	magenta	yellow	cyan

These 16 colors are supported by name in HTML 4.0. You do not have to use a number/letter code to identify them in your color tags.

Free graphics

Most of these sites offer free graphics, but there may be restrictions on how you use these graphics. It is your responsibility to read these restrictions at each site. Our text on page 61 suggests getting images from AltaVista and Lycos.

Animations

Counters

The Ultimate Counter

Sources of Free Audio Clips (Sound Files)

WAV sound files

Google Search Results

Pirovich

Webplaces

Animal Sounds

Sunsite

Customizing graphics for faster loading

Compare the quality of the same photo of a Canadian goose in different sizes and formats. This page will take a long time to load -- several minutes perhaps -- but be patient to see how you can still have high quality photos at low KB sizes that do load quickly.

GifWorks. Experiment with using an on-line program that can you can use to customize your gif graphics.

Customizing free banners

Crecon.com. Free resources in creating banners across the top of your webpage, logos, and buttons.

BannerzRus. More free banners, logos and buttons. Tutorials, too, from BannerzRus for creating banners.

Sources for Web Page Graphics