About Richard Moose Expertise I can answer any question about using Paint Shop Pro including, but not limited to, how to make fancy lettering, how to use layers, how to use gradients and textures, how to make 3D effects, how to make animated gifs, how and when to use vector graphics, how to choose the best format for your graphics, how to understand all the options and tools, how to retouch photographs, how to find and use filters, how to correctly understand resolution, dpi, and display size. I can answer all questions about graphics for different applications such as logos, magazines, the web, newspapers, flyers, brochures, and I have extensive knowledge of high resolution 3D graphics for posters and other types of promotional materials. I`ve used Paint Shop Pro to create video and film titles and credits as well as using it for "post production" fine tuning of graphics made with other applications like Bryce, Poser, and Maya.
Experience I've been using Paint Shop Pro for ten years, starting with version 2.0 and continuing through all releases up to the most current release. I've used it to create graphics for many personal and commercial websites as well as for print publications and film and video titles. I've been helping people use Paint Shop Pro and answering questions about it for over 8 years in my capacity as a Community Leader at a well known web building site and as an expert at question and answer sites on the web. I love helping people use this excellent program!
Expert: Richard Moose Date: 5/23/2005 Subject: JPEG Letters
Question I am on Windows XP and the letters I am wanting to change are in jpeg format. I know that I need to change that to gif I guess for what I want to do. They are gold raised letters and I want to change them to navy blue and maybe use a gradient or something with them to put on a website.
How would I do that? If it is done on a separate layer I am just not sure how to do that.
Thanks so much for your help!
Kathy :)
Answer Hi Kathy,
Sorry for the late reply, my domain host was messed up for a few days and I didn't know it.
Reworking images can be tricky sometimes and I obviously haven't seen what you are working with, but I do have some techniques that will probably help one way or another.
Just for the record, I can't see any reason to change the images to gifs from what you have said.
The first thing I would try is to open the image and then select the letters. If the letters are on a solid color background, it is often easier to select the background and then "Invert" the selection to the letters. Go to the menus at the top for "Selections" -> "Invert"
Once you have the letters selected, go to "Adjust" -> "Color Balance" -> "Color Balance" and tweak the sliders to get the colors where you want them.
Another option is select the letters and then once they are all selected, hit the Delete key to eliminate whatever colors they have and then flood fill them with whatever colors you like. If you're going to replace what is there now with a gradient, then this is the way to go. If you need help with gradient fills, let me know.
Almost any time that I am doing a project like this, I like to Save the selection of the letters just in case I may need it. "Selections" -> "Load/Save Selection" -> "Save to Disk" By having the saved selection, you can even open a new image, load the selection and basically start with a fresh canvas.
Another way to get really interesting effects is to make a new layer, load the saved selection onto the layer and position it directly over (or offset) the letters on the bottom later and then color the new selection or do what you want with it and then use the transparency slider to make the layer semi-transparent. That way the layer beneath and the layer on top both show to some degree. This is a good trick for using photographs to make lettering.
I hope this helps and please feel free to ask follow-up questions. Again, sorry for the delay!
