Unless the images for the webpage have been provided by the customer
in a suitable format, the web designer will either have to create
the page images from scratch or modify the existing image to ensure
that the file weight is suitable for our page.
One of the key factors with any web page graphics is the download
time.
This is directly determined by the filesize (weight) of the images in the
web page as well as the type of connection (dial-up or broadband) our visitor
is using to download and view the page in their web browser.
There are numerous Graphics programs on the market which are capable
of exporting various image formats to suit a variety of different
purposes.
Most web page images will have the following file formats:
.gif - Gif files
are the lightest file weight and ideal for Navigation Button images
or picture thumbnails.
animated gif - Very light weight image files commonly used for Banner advertising
with multiple frames.
.jpg - Jpeg
files are heavier in file weight than Gif files but offer better
quality image resolution. Good for logos and full size pictures.
.swf - Most commonly
used in association with Flash built websites, enabling animations
to occur - similar to movie files.
Other file types would be relating directly to video and these
will require more indepth knowledge of the medium to implement.
.avi - Usually
too large file size for web page use. This is the usual file type
for digital video cameras.
.mpeg - Far more
common video file type. Commonly used and viewable in Windows Media
player or similar plug-in viewers.
.qt - Quicktime
movies associated with Apple quicktime player. The best video format
at this current time.
Each of the above formats can contain audio tracks within the digital file.
However, back to graphics for web pages.
The program I recommend that will do most all graphic web jobs successfully
and reliably is Adobe Fireworks .
(The approximate cost is around £250 ).
It is a vector graphics program and extremely versatile. It is capable of
exporting files in all the above graphics formats.
For a more indepth view of the programs capabilities please visit the macromedia
website for the latest version.
www.macromedia.com.
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