Expert: Kevin Stohlmeyer - 10/17/2008

Question
QUESTION: Kevin-

I have been using photoshop for retouching art for many years, however I have never had to anti-alias type before. Now that I've begun building websites I am required to make sure my transparent gifs (which consist of type) use anti aliasing so that they blend into the background color of the webpage. How do I use anti-aliasing in Photoshop CS2 and CS3?
What is the procedure for creating type with anti-aliasing?

There seem  to be plenty of websites that explain the concept but I can't find one that tells me how to do it.

Thanks in advance for your help.

ANSWER: Hi Rich,

When you are using the type tool a pull down option shows up in the menu bar at the top of your screen. Your options for anti-alias are:

None - Applies no anti-aliasing
Sharp - Type appears at its sharpest
Crisp - Type appears somewhat sharp
Strong - Type appears heavier
Smooth-  Type appears smoother

Thats it! No real secrets to this.

Thanks

Kevin

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks, Kevin-

I had originally created the type with the "sharp" selection in the dropdown menu. Still the logo image is jagged. But thanks for the reasurance. I was not sure I had done this correctly until your response to my question.

I leaves me, however, with the same original problem...a jagged logo.  The type size of my logo is roughly 60 pt. If I create the type even larger and then reduce it will that possibly help?

If you have any ideas I'd love to hear them.
Thanks.



ANSWER: Hi Rich,

You can always go back and reselect the type and change the setting. Sharp is a very rasterized look, and is not used very often, try Crisp or smooth. Reducing your type will not change the results. If you have rasterized the type already, you will need to recreate it. I always keep a hidden layer of the unflattened text.

Thanks

Kevin

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Kevin-
Thanks for trying. Unfortunately that didn't do the trick either. The problem must be more than just that.

Thanks again.

Answer
Hi Rich,

A couple of questions. Is your logo kept at 100% size or is it reduced after the text is input? Next, are you using the save for web command to create your transparency or are you going about it another way? This can make a big difference with text.

Thanks

Kevin