This is a list of software that made my life easier and freeware that I wish I had in the beginning.
Text Tone This handy utility is responsible for the change in color of "Smatterings" on top of the page. I've never used an easier program.
Smaller sized files are better. Smaller sized files load faster than large size files.
Create logos, buttons, and bullets online. Their program is only compatible with Unix and OS2. If you are a windows user like me than you need to use their software online. I used it to make my Smatterings link buttons that you can copy and paste to your web page if you want to link to me.
Any graphics editor that can make a rectangle and print text into it can make an awesome button for your webpage.
Create your own backgrounds and buttons. Check the program's features to help decide which one's the one for you.
Final touches for personal website graphics:
Ifran View Freeware Graphics Viewer is compatible with lots of graphic formats. It has some nice special effects. If you want to make a word processing file into a graphic, Ifran view lets you do this with a command called capture. I used this in my Comparing Formats Page. I could not use Ifran View for the Plasma Resources web site, because Ifran View is only free to use for non-commercial purposes.
XnView Similar to Ifran View. Used for finishing touches of Web Creation Freeware Button on the bottom of this page. Free to use for non-commercial purposes. Try both photo editor programs.
Combing Pictures: (for commercial and personal use)
For websites gif and jpg formats are most commonly used. For publications say a jacket for a hard cover book - stick with tif formatting.
Image Merger is a merge wizard you can seamlessly add watermarks or fade a logo onto multiple images in a single batch process. Using multiple merge options lets you superimpose one image onto another, or have the image imposed from left to right/top to bottom/center out - creating a smooth transition from one image to another in a long list of graphic formats.
Group Shot by Microsoft Soft Research allows you to randomly merge multiple graphic files into one shot. All files must be the same size. Patience and persitance is needed - if you're looking for just the right effect it's worth a try or two. Supports jpg, tif, and bmp files.
2 Pic Awesome! Cut, paste, merge multiple pictures into one final creation saves in bmp and jpg formats.
More Effects: (for commercial and personal use)
Vicmans has two graphic utilities I use: Jpg enchancher and Lighting assistant. Lighting Assistant lets you add light sources as if your picture was a stage and JPG Enchancer gets rid of the blotchness when you upgrade a jpg image to a tif image.
Color Maker An online javascript webpage design program for a fast solution for some interesting backgrounds and text settings. Requires only a HTML editor for pasting the code.
Reptile This freeware program is strange in that you have to register it before you can use it. But I am glad I survived the hassle. With it I made the treasure box backgrounds for this site, and created the plasma colored background at Plasma Resources.
Fractal Explorer Fractal Generator saves images as jpg or avi files-- Used as a starting point in my Web Creation Freeware Button on the bottom of this page. In the background on There are no Such Thing as Ghosts! Right??? I used a fractal generator as a starting block. Then I added effects, and edited it in in an editor designed to create buttons.
An awesome program free for personal and non-commercial use. It generates landscapes. It only works with windows bitmap images, so you need to use a graphics editor or Iconview to covert the saved image to JPG or GIF format to use it on your webpage. I used it to generate the skys on my Easter section.
ArtRage An easy to master paint program. Allows your photos to be the template for your own jpg oil painting.
Scott's Box Shot Maker From a jpg file, makes either a book graphic or a box graphic depending on what your selling.
Sqirlz Morph Easily combime your bitmap or jpg graphics into a Flash or AVI animation.
