Web Graphics for Dummies (Paperback)

by Dummies Technology Press (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Great graphics make all the difference when it comes to successful Web pages. At the same time, unattractive, slow-loading graphics earn you the scorn of Net surfers everywhere. Now, thanks to Web Graphics For Dummies, you can beautify your Web site while remaining a Netizen in good standing. In this easy-to-understand reference, Internet expert and professional designer Linda Richards not only explains what you need to know about GIFs, JPEGs, and other graphic formats but also shows you how to Create Web graphics by using professional tools (like Adobe Photoshop) or surprisingly sophisticated shareware tools (like Paint Shop Pro) Locate graphics online that you can use with impunity Make clickable image-map graphics for creative navigation Use transparent backgrounds and interlacing effectively Produce animated graphics easily Plus, Web Graphics For Dummies comes complete with a bonus CD-ROM containing demo and shareware programs, such as Adobe PageMill, TextureMill, Mapedit, and WebPainter.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Inc (Computers) (August 8, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764502115
• ISBN-13: 978-0764502118
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,341,525 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Too basic, March 17, 1999

By A Customer

This book contains a few interesting chapters, but most of it is just space-filler. There's some good info about how to minimize the size of your graphics, but very little about how to actually make your graphic in the first place!

The author should have chosen a couple of graphic programs (ie Photoshop and Paint Shop Pro) and shown actual examples of different techniques that work well for web graphics (ie how to make lettering appear to glow or shimmer, liquid and fire effects, etc). Also some info on using scanned images would have been useful.

If you're completely new to graphics then you may learn something from it (get the book out of the library, it's not work buying), otherwise don't bother.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not in a league with other "Dummies Tech Press" titles, January 22, 1999

By A Customer

I was extremely disappointed in Weg Graphics for Dummies, especially in comparison with other books in the "Dummies" series. Usually I find these books a great way to get a jump-start on a new technology, but not this time. First, it seems ludicrous to publish a book on web graphics that is completely B&W. Several lessons on color refer to the B&W images in the book to demonstrate...DUH! The print quality in general was inferior, making the graphic examples literally useless in many cases. Frequently you are unable to distinguish between the "before" and "after" images at all. If you know absolutely nothing about web graphics, you will at least learn the difference between a .gif and a .jpg...but not a whole lot else. Also, you will be better served by this book if you are a Mac user vs. a PC user. If you are looking for a good overview on how to create icons, buttons, background borders and seamless tiles, I suggest finding a book published with some color and some better examples.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Funny & Englightening, January 29, 1999

By A Customer

Web Graphics for Dummies is entirely fun as well as enlightening. I learned a lot not only about creating graphics for the web, but also about the Internet in general. The demo programs on the CD are very useful and helped me make a decision about what programs to buy. I liked this one a lot!