Expert: Neal Ziring - 9/21/2005

Question
I have created a 'logo' in Corel Draw 12 for a web page and imported it into paint 12 (.gif). The white background really looks bad . . . The result that I would like to see is a transparent background - where the image takes on the background ot the web page.

I am using Corel Graphics Suite 12, and the useer's guide goes into technical language way beyond my comprehension (yet!) Ver 8 is still on my computer, so I could work in either.

Can you help me acheieve this? Thank you.  

Answer
Bob,

 Yes, this is something Corel PhotoPaint can do.  It
can be a little tricky to get nice results, especially
if the edges of your logo are complicated.

 First, you'll need to know the page color on which you
intend to use the logo.  If there are several background
colors you're intending to use, then you'll need to make
one GIF for each background color.

 Let's say you've chosen a background color, maybe yellow.
What you need to do is this:

   - open your CorelDraw graphic in Photopaint.  It should
     come up with the objects of your logo selected.

   - Copy the logo using Edit->Copy.

   - create a new image of the same size, or maybe a little
     larger, than your graphic.  Make the paper color for
     the new image be the same as your web page background
     color.

   - Paste your logo into the new image.  It will show
     up as an object.

   - Feather the edges of the object if you need to.

   - Change the color mode to "Paletted (8-bit)"; if you
     get a question about flattening, answer OK.  For
     the color palette choose "Web Safe".  Fiddle with
     the dither intensity if you need to, then click
     on OK.

   - Save as GIF.  When the dialog pops up asking you
     about transparency, select the background color
     of your image.

You can also learn more from this web site:

http://www.visionary-voyager.com.au/corel/photopaint/web_works/


Hope this helps...

...nz