HTML, XHTML, & CSS All-in-One For Dummies®, 2nd Edition

Chapter 4. Editing Graphics

In This Chapter

• Introducing Gimp

• Managing the main tools

• Selecting image elements

• Working with layers

• Understanding filters

• Creating a tiling background

• Building banner images

XHTML and CSS are powerful tools, but sometimes you still need to use a graphical editor to get the look you want. In this chapter you learn to use Gimp, a free and powerful graphic editor.

Using a Graphic Editor

You'll find using a graphical editor handy for a number of tasks:

• Modifying an image: The obvious use of a graphical tool is to modify or create an image that will be used on your Web page. This could involve changing the image size, correcting the color balance, or cropping the image.

• Preparing a background image: As I discuss in Book II, Chapter 2, background images can be distracting if you aren't careful. Making a lower contrast image (either lighter or darker than normal) might make sense so the text is easier to read. You might also want to prepare a tiled background.

• Building banners: Many Web sites include a special banner image that's prominent on every page. The banner image usually has a very specific size requirement.

• Modifying existing graphics: You might be modifying a template from the jQuery UI project (see Book VII, Chapter 4) or from a CMS (see Chapter 3 in this minibook). In both cases, you often have images that are close to, but not exactly, what you need.

• Changing colors: Frequently, you have the right pattern, but not the right colors. Modifying colors with a modern ...