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`
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`
`oHow to Add Photos to Email.
`oSend Electronic Postcards
`oCreate an Ontine Photo Album
`oMake Your Own Web Page
`oShare Your Memories Online
`
`1
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`I
`
`£
`
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`{
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`
`Edited by Seth Godin
`
`0001
`0001
`
`Apple/Twitter
`Apple/TWitter
`Ex. 1015
`EX. 1015
`IPR2 of U.S. Pat. No. 8,612,515
`IPR2 of US. Pat. No. 8,612,515
`
`

`

`Yflll'VE fill! FIHIIIIE‘S!
`.
`' Afll'fi lilllflf Ill IIIIEITM IMMINH
`
`I
`
`0002
`
`

`

`mm m manners:
`ms lilllllf Ill
`nmmu mums ~
`
`Edited by Seth Godin
`
`
`1;: AOL Press
`
`was Dulles, VA
`
`0003
`
`0003
`
`

`

`Tat/v: GotPictum! AOL’s Guide to D'yital Imagiiy
`
`The figures in this book were created for the sole purpose of demonstrating the capabilities
`of digital imaging software. Some contain fictitious content and may include photographs
`posted on the AOL service by its members. No figure in the book may be reproduced or
`altered in any manner.
`
`V
`Editorial Director: Brad Schepp
`Interior and Cover Design: Karen Engelmann
`
`© 1998 by America Online, Inc.
`
`America Online is a registered service mark ofAmerica Online, Inc.
`
`All rights reserved. The text oftliis publication, or any part thereof, may not be reproduced in any
`manner whatsoever without written permission from the publisher.
`
`PrinnedintheUnited Slates ofAmerica
`
`9899001098765432
`
`Libmry ofCongress Catalog'ngviml’ublicafion Data
`Godin, Seth.
`.
`You’ye Got Picrum! AOL’s Guide to Digital Imaging/by Seth Godin.
`‘
`p.
`cm.
`Includes index.
`
`Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 98-71566
`ISBN: 1-891556-51-7
`
`0004
`
`0004
`
`

`

`Elli-[HMS HlflM AMlllllil llllllllll
`
`Welcome to AOL Press, creator of official, authoritative guides straight from
`America Online. Each book is written just for you, our members.
`
`With so many books published every year, especially about online stuff, you may be
`wondering what makes an AOL Press book difierent.
`
`Glad you asked.
`
`We develop and write AOL Press books with our members’ needs in mind—always.
`To develop these books, we consulted with you at every step. First, we asked you
`just which topics you’d like to see AOL cover. We then made sure we included the
`information you wanted, in a friendly way. That means jargon-free and emphasizing
`the practical.
`‘
`
`We also remembered that you’re online not only to get things done, but also to have
`‘ some fun along the way.
`
`This book will open a new world to you— the world of computer pictures. You’ll
`learn how it’s now as easy to send pictures online as it is to send words. We hope
`you have as much fun exploring this book, as we did creating it.
`
`See you online,
`
`.
`
`Brad Schepp
`Editorial Director
`
`America Online
`
`0005
`
`0005
`
`

`

`. lflKNflWlHlllMllllS
`
`With special thanks to Elisabeth Parker for her essential contributions, and to
`Kathryn Toyer for her help.
`‘
`
`At Seth Godin Productions, thanks to Nana Sledzieski, Wendy Wax, Lisa DiMona,
`Linda Carbone, Lisa Lindsay, Perri Knize, Shelley Flannery, Rachel Thompson,
`Susan Kushnick, and Katherine Kendall.
`
`At AOL, thanks to Brad Schepp, John Tierney, Judy Karpinski, John Dyn, Don
`Crowl, and Paul DiVitO.
`.
`
`0006
`
`0006
`
`

`

`lillNlHll‘J ,
`
`Introduction
`
`PM L mm“ mm llll Ail
`
`1
`
`2
`
`How Do 1 Get My Pictures in There?
`
`Sharing Pictures With Friends, Family, and Online Pals
`
`PM ll: ill Blfiflhl Plflflil [HER Mill
`
`3
`
`All Those Special Memories: Creating Simple Photo Albums
`and Other Keepsakes
`
`Family Trees and Other Personal Records
`
`The Great Photo Swap: Posting Pictures for Mates, Dates,
`and Online Buddies
`'
`
`Celebrating! Invitations, Announcements, and Other Ways to
`Spread Good News
`
`Creating Web Pages With Personal Publisher
`
`8
`
`9
`
`Kids and Digital Pictures
`
`Using Digital Pictures At Work
`
`10 How to Set Up a Home Digital Lab
`
`1 1 The Power of Graphics Software
`
`12 Touching Up and Improving Pictures
`
`lNFORMATION AT YOUR FINGERTIPS. RIGHT?
`
`0007
`
`19
`
`35
`
`37
`
`49
`
`59
`
`69
`
`99
`
`109
`
`121
`
`135
`
`147
`
`0007
`
`

`

`13 Advanced Imaging and Special Effects
`
`14 Graphics and Multimedia Onlinc
`
`15 Storing and Keeping Track ofPictures
`
`‘
`
`mm
`
`mm MIG
`
`mm
`
`MIX
`
`‘
`
`161
`
`175
`
`191
`
`205
`
`215
`
`223
`
`225
`
`
`
`0008
`
`0008
`
`

`

`
`
`llllW III] ‘| EH
`MYPIEIIIIIES ‘
`IN IIIHIE?
`
`0.0.0.0I.OO..0.0.0...C0.00.0.0I.0..O.I0.00...OI0.00.IO...O...IIOIOOCOIIIOOOCCOOOOOICOOOOCCO..0...IDOOO.CIOIOOUOOOOOOOOCOOOOOIOOOOOOOOOICCOC
`
`here’s no big mystery to getting your favorite
`
`pictures online. And the sooner you figure out
`
`
`
`you can Start enjoying how to do it, the soo
`
`
`Let’s begin by intro “
`a
`
`
`
`0009
`
`0009
`
`

`

`DIGITAL PICTURES
`
`ADVANTAGES OF
`
`Yes, you can have it all. Digital
`
`pictures are both fun and practical.
`
`Digital pictures offer the following
`advantages:
`
`0 Convenlence. With digital pic-
`tures, you can get more copies
`any time you want. You can
`also crop, resize, and retouch
`
`photographs without having to
`send them to the lab.
`
`Usefulness. Once you get used
`to digital pictures, you'll won-
`der how you ever did without
`them. You can use them for
`
`holiday and birthday cards, a
`household property inventory,
`business presentations, school
`
`the list goes on and
`reports
`on. Best of all, it’s easy to
`share them with other people
`online.
`
`Savings. in the long run (and
`even the short run) it costs
`
`less to produce digital plc-
`tures. Once you have a scan or
`
`CD made, or purchase a digital
`camera, you can create differ-
`
`ent versions of the same pic-
`tures over and over again.
`
`Fun. Sure digital pictures have
`
`practical advantages. But we -
`
`like them because they're fun.
`
`IIOIIOOO'It-IODOIOOIIIIOCOIOOOICOOCCOIOOOOO
`
`no...OI.000000..noooonlooooooootooo.Ono-loo..00...0......IIo0.0000ooO0090..oonoooooooooooooooooo
`
`Bellingfligilall’iclures
`
`First things first. You already have hundreds of
`downloadable images online right now: clip art,
`nature images, cartoons, and more, and you can scan
`them. It’s also easy and inexpensive to convert your
`own rolls offilm and existing photographs into digi-
`tal pictures at a film lab, or take them with a digital
`camera or on your video camera. Here’s how:
`
`..................................................
`Download Them
`
`To find images that can be downloaded (down-
`loadable images), go to picture areas like the"
`Photography Forum (keyword: Photography Forum),
`the Image Exchange (keyword: Imageex), and Pic-
`tures (keyword: Pictures). We’ll cover others at the
`end of chapter 2. Or you can Visit your favorite
`AOL forums and channels like Entertainment,
`Travel, and Sports. You’ll find plenty of digital pic-
`tures in your areas of interest.
`
`TakeThemmaD'g'taH-ab
`
`Most film labs can put the pictures on your rolls of.
`film or negatives on a floppy disk or photo CD-
`ROM. This takes about the same amount of time
`
`and costs about the same amount of money as
`develoPing prints. Simply check of? the photo CD
`option when you fill out the form. When the pic-
`tures are ready, slip the disk into your computer
`and launch the Picture Gallery on the AOL service.
`From there, you can view and save photos to your
`hard drive, convert them, and work with them.
`
`YOU'VE GOT PICTURES! AOL681CFUIDE TO DIGITAL IMAGING
`
`0010
`
`

`

`..................................
`Scan Them
`
`You can also scan existing photographs and art—
`work, or have them scanned for you and saved onto
`a disk. A scanner is a device that copies your pic-
`tures into a computer. Maybe you know someone
`with access to one (they can start under $100). If
`not, take your artwork to a copy shop that offers
`graphics services, like Kinko’s, and have them scan
`it for you and give you the file on a disk.
`
`A copy shop should be able to scan an image for
`you within 24 hours for under $15. That’s sort of
`
`expensive, but it might be worthwhile for special
`objects, like your college diploma or your water-
`color collection. Ifyou didn’t take the photograph
`or create the artwork yourself, most copy shops also
`require a signed permission form from the photog-
`rapher or artist. Check around and see if a photo
`processing lab can scan your prints for less. Some
`charge only $3 to $10 per print, plus a charge for
`the disk, while others might charge a flat fee of
`around $25 for 24 exposures.
`
`.................................................................
`Use a Digital Camera
`
`You can also try using a digital camera. It’s fun,
`convenient, and way more affordable than it used
`to be. With a digital camera, you can take photos
`the same as you would with a regular camera, but
`without film. It records the images automatically
`into a digital format. You can then load the files
`from the digital camera straight into your com—
`puter. Like regular cameras, digital cameras only let
`you take a certain number of pictures before you
`have to unload the ”film.” When the digital camera
`is full, you simply plug it into the serial port on
`
`TO ASK PHOTO
`
`DEVELOPING LABS
`
`Can you convert photos or film
`to digital format?
`
`What digital format do you
`use?
`
`Can you format files as GlFs or
`JPEGs?
`
`How much does it cost to copy
`
`my files to disks?
`
`How many pictures can you fit
`on a disk?
`
`How much does it cost to con-
`
`vert my files to CDs?
`
`How many rolls of film can you
`fit on a CD?
`
`0".IIIO.9.0..0..0.0...I...I0.000COOIO'OICIOO0..IOOIIIOOI...OI.OIIIIOODIIOOOOOOOOUOIICIOI'OIIOIIODOQIIOOII...DO.IOOOOCOIOIOOOOOOOOIOOI.IOOIOOIO QUESTIONS
`
`How long does it take?
`
`Can I get a rush order and
`what is the extra cost?
`
`Can I use the same CD later to
`
`add more images?
`
`Do you convert images in—
`house or do you send the pic-
`tures or roll of film out?
`
`Do you guarantee your ser-
`vices?
`
`Can I furnish my own blank
`disks or CDs?
`
`HOW DO I GET MY P|0<bZT1URES IN THERE?
`
`0011
`
`

`

`xnoigitalsmp
`
`.
`
`00K SHOPg
`
`[3‘
`6:5“
`LQGO SHD E
`
`FIGURE 1.1
`
`AOL's Digtal
`Shop
`
`
`
`
`
`your computer. Fortunately, it only takes a few minutes to load the images onto your
`computer and then you can start all over again.
`
`Imagine never having to pay to develop .a roll offilm again! Chapters 10 and 12 help
`you select a digital camera and use it to take quality digital pictures. You can also find
`great deals through the AOL Store’s Digital Shop (figure 1. 1) from vendors such as
`Casio and Minolta.
`
`Use Your Video Camera
`.........................................................................
`
`Do you have a video camera? Do you know you can use it to take digital pictures?
`Professionals use an expensive video card and software. If you’re like the rest of us,
`you will do just fine using Play Incorporated’s Snappy, a nifty piece ofhardware sell-
`ing for about $200. Simply attach one end to your printer port and the other end to
`your video camera, VCR, or television. It displays frames from your videos so you
`can select the good ones and save them as digital pictures. You can have a blast cre—
`
`Y (3 LI' V E.
`
`(3 ()‘T I3 ICB'T LJFRIE S’!
`
`[k (>en5i%2 (3 Lllt) E 11()
`
`I)! (3| 1'l\ L I ha A|(3l hl(3
`
`0012
`
`

`

`ating a show for your family and friends: wedding scenes, reunions, whitewater raft-
`ing adventures. Find out more about cameras and accessories at the Digital Shop
`(keyword: Digital Shop) under Cameras 8: Video Hardware. Stop by to check out
`digital video cameras that plug right into your computer, from vendors such as
`Casio, Minolta, and Kodak.
`'
`
`Digital Picture file Formals
`
`You’ll get the best results if you understand a thing or two about file formats. Don’t
`be scared off by the technical—sounding names. All you need to know is that digital
`pictures are like ordinary photographs and graphics—only you have to either create
`them on a computer or convert them to a format that the computer can read. Digi-
`tal pictures come in several different file formats—which are indicated by a filename
`
`,Kittenin he at[zoom.ipg
`
`H
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIGURE 1.2
`Continuous tone
`photograph
`
`
`
`HOW DO I GET MY PICTURES IN THERE?
`0013
`
`0013
`
`

`

`
`
`Gl-l: Scared l
`
`f; FIGURE 1.3
`
`
`mum. “PM.,- -
`
`Artwork with
`solid colors
`
`
`
`extension (such as GIF, IPEG, or BMP). Filename extensions tell your computer
`what application to launch the file with and indicate the format in which the picture
`was saved. All these filename extensions may look like alphabet soup, but you will
`get to know their differences and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
`
`Digital pictures come in the following flavors:
`
`°
`
`IPEG: Small file sizes, high image quality, and short download times
`have made IPEGs (pronounced jay-peg) popular both on and off the
`m Web. The IPEG file format is ideal for, detailed, continuous tone pho-
`tographs like the one shown in figure 1.2. JPEG files work well online
`because anyone can View them with a Web browser. ‘(IPEG stands for
`Joint Photographic Experts Group, the organization that developed this
`file format.)
`
`0 GIF: The GIF file format enjoys many of the IPEG’s advantages. How-
`ever, it lends itself better to artwork with solid colors, like the drawing
`shown in figure 1.3, than to photographs. You can also do neat things
`with GIFs—like assemble a few of them into animations, or eliminate
`the background color to make them blend seamlessly with a Web page.
`(GIF stands for Graphic Interchange Format. People used this file for-
`mat to share digital pictures on online services before the Web existed.)
`
`’ BMP: Windows users often exchange BMP files because Microsoft Win-
`dows’ built-in Paint program can open them. In addition, most applica-
`tions can handle the BMP (bitmap) file‘format, which works well for
`photographs.
`‘
`
`YOU'VE GOT’PICTURESI A0051]: GUIDE TO DIGITAL‘IMAGING
`
`0014
`
`

`

`
`
`
`
`WHICH IS BETTER,
`on: OR JPEG?
`
`GIF and JPEG are popular be
`
`cause most Web browsers support
`
`them. But when do you use a GIF
`
`and when do you use a JPEG? The
`
`following lists can help you deter-
`
`mine how to format your digital pic-
`tures:
`
`GIF
`
`JPEG
`
`Line art
`
`Scanned photos
`
`Cartoons
`
`Full-color images
`
`Bold colors
`
`Photorealistic
`
`images
`
`Icons
`
`Gray-scale images
`
`Bold lines
`
`Complex color
`
`gradients
`
`Detailed shading
`
`Large areas
`of solid color
`
`0 Other image formats: In addition to the
`common file formats listed above, you
`might run into digital pictures created in
`popular graphics applications or those
`used by graphics professionals. These
`include TIP, EPS, PCX, PCT, and WMF
`
`files, which you can learn about in the
`
`many graphics forums on the AOL ser-
`vice. You can open many different pic-
`ture file formats in AOL 4.0. Simply
`select File, Open from the task bar at the
`top of the screen.
`
`..................................................................................................
`When to Use Which File Format
`
`Now that you know about all the various digital
`picture formats, how do you figure out when to use
`what? You can convert and save to different graphic
`file formats with the Picture Gallery. Which image
`file format you choose depends on how you plan to
`use your digital pictures. Keep in mind that you can
`convert high-density images to low-density, but
`not vice versa.
`
`The following list tells you what digital picture file
`formats work best for which purpose:
`
`- GIF and JPEG: In most cases, you can’t
`go wrong with GIFS and JPEGs. Use
`them for your Web page or any online
`communications. Web browsers only
`support the GIF and IPEG formats. Files
`saved in these formats also transfer
`
`quickly when e-mailing or uploading.
`But keep in mind that many applica-
`tions—such as, word processing, page
`layout,
`spreadsheet, and presentation
`programs—can’t
`handle GIPS
`and
`
`JPEGs. (AOL 4.0 cam.)
`
`DOIODOOOCOOICO...0......0......IOCOIOOOIOCOIDIIOOIIOQIIOOO0......0.00.00.00.00..00.IOOOUOIOOOOO0.0.000000000000000IOOOOOO..0UGO-OOOOOQDOOCOOOI.
`
`HOW DO I GET MY PICTURES IN THERE?
`0015
`
`0015
`
`

`

`USES FOR DIGITAL PICTURES
`
`You probably already have lots of ideas about how to use your digital pictures. But here are a few that
`
`you may not have thought of yet. Throughout this book you'll find more.
`
`-
`
`Illustrate‘flyers and brochures.
`
`Personalize letters and e-mail.
`
`Create multimedia slide shows.
`
`Publish an online newsletter.
`
`Create a Web page.
`
`Spruce up school reports and assignments.
`
`Illustrate a family tree.
`
`- Assemble anonline photo album.
`
`0 Create an illustrated calendar.
`
`I “" PC Graphlcfirts Forum
`
`‘
`
`.
`
`l
`
`PC Graphic ,
`
`I'
`
`F22: PC: Graphic MIL; Forum information
`Ea Artlsts' Spotlight & Picks OfThe Week
`‘ El Graphic Resource Center
`@ Recommended Viewers
`, E'Online Classroom
`
`V
`
`.
`
`. Classifieds
`
`Ea Subscribe to The Weekly Byte -- it‘s free!
`Ea Mac Graphic Arts & CAD Forum
`. ® Search Computing
`_
`-
`_
`-
`.
`‘
`‘
`‘
`‘
`.Granhic Ccmferénce Center ‘ ..
`'erences each night at 13:30 ET '
`Enter chat orju‘ie
`chedule here
`
`Groups
`
`.
`
`_
`
`a
`lb‘unerstore
`
`_' CCIi’rfJJt
`
`Ig
`
`YOU'VE GOT-PICTURES! A%big GUIDE TO DIGITAL IMAGING
`
`0016
`
`

`

`0 BMP: Use when exchanging files with Windows users who might want
`to use the files in documents that were created in other applications. Just
`about every Windows application can handle BMPs. Many of the Mac-
`intosh applications can import BMPs too. But keep in mind: Macintosh
`users may not be able to look at your file before importing it into a doc-
`ument.
`
`See? No more alphabet soup. Now that you know a little about file formats, you
`can send a cyberbouquet of roses or ogle Uncle Harry’s new fireplace. You can learn
`even more about digital pictures and graphics terms at the PC Graphic Arts Forum
`(keyword: Graphics), as shown in figure 1.4:.
`
`SnanYnu'vellutYnurlmagefile ,
`
`' Once you have your digital pictures, the fun can really begin. E-mail them to rela-
`tives and friends, upload them to forums, use them for all kinds of creative projects,
`or just keep them for yourself. You can even make a slide show presentation out of
`them that will also work as a screen saver for your computer. The possibilities are
`endless.
`
`Chapter 2 will introduce you to the Picture Gallery, AOL’s built-in tool kit that
`gives you everything you need to store and craft your favorite pictures. And don’t
`forget—you can manipulate your digital pictures. Change your eye color, crop out
`your blind date, even add special effects like textured backgrounds and negative
`images. So knock yourself out. Make your peonies look like they nabbed the blue
`ribbon, or draw a mustache and horns on your boss. Chapter 11 discusses imaging
`and graphics software further, so you can put what’s in your head on your screen.
`
`AOL Channels and forums give you just about everything you need to become a
`digital picture whiz. Visit the Pictures area (keyword: Pictures) of the Interests
`channel for ideas and tips. You can even enter a digital picture contest! It’s time to
`get rolling with all those pictures.
`
`HOW DO I GET MY PICTURES m THERE?
`0017
`
`0017
`
`

`

`MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS FOR AOL 4.0,
`
`Windows 95 and Windows 98
`
`c 16 megabytes RAM system configuration
`0 Pentium-class PC
`
`0 45 megabytes available hard disk space
`
`0 640 x 480, 256 colors screen resolution, or better.
`
`0 14.4 Kbps modem, or faster
`
`Windows 3.1).
`
`if you need to upgrade any system components. be sure to visit AOL's Hardware Shop at keyword
`Hardware Center. (See the Upgrade Tips section.) Users with Windows 95 machines that don't meet the
`AOL 4.0 for Windows 95 requirements can use the 16bit version (the version which is normally used on
`
`Windows 3.1
`
`- 16 megabytes RAM system configuration
`
`- 486ciass PC, or better
`
`0 30 megabytes available hard disk space
`
`0 640 x 480, 256 colors screen resolution, or better
`
`0 14.4 Kbps modem, or faster
`
`Macintosh
`
`0 12 megabytes RAM system configuration
`
`0 System 7.1. or better
`
`0 68040 or PowerPC Macintosh
`
`0 640 x 480, 256 colors display, or better
`
`9 14.4 Kbps modem, or faster
`
`YOU'VE GOT PICTURES! AOOOI’Iés GUIDE TO DIGITAL IMAGING
`
`0018
`
`

`

`
`
`SHARING
`Plllllllllfi
`‘ Wllll
`HIIENIIS.
`lAMIlY, Mlll
`llNllNl PMS ,
`
`00......00ODOOOOOOOOOOOOIIIOIOIIOOOOOOIIODOOOOOC-IOICODOCOUOOOOOOOOOCOCCIO......O....0...IIO..0...00'...I...OIIO..0...OOOIOOIIOICCOOOOOOOO
`
`ere’s the part you’ve been Waiting for: how to
`
`play around with pictures and special back-
`Instant Messages,
`grounds in your
`ail,
`
`4.0; it makes
`tures on th "
`
`.
`
`R
`
`.
`
`Egan flipping
`
`
`
`
` .g’é
`‘Z‘at together -
`
`presentation that documents your newborn’s com-
`
`ing home from the hospital, for example.
`
`0019
`
`0019
`
`

`

`
`Select Open
`
`Picture Gallery
`
`
` FIGURE 2.1
`
`
`Using the Picturelflallery
`
`~ The Picture Gallery is your premier tool for managing and manipulating digital pic-
`tures. You can use the directory feature to find and organize picture files on your
`hard drive or disk, use the thumbnail feature to preview miniature versions ofyour
`pictures, use the toolbar to. change the full-size version of the picture and place it
`right in an e-mail message or other document.
`
`To launch the Picture Gallery:
`
`1. Selecr Open Picture Gallery from the File menu (see figure 2.1). You’ll
`see the Open Picture Gallery dialogue box (see figure 2.2).
`
`2. Browse for the directory folder, disk, or CD -ROM that contains your
`digital picture files.
`'
`
`3. Select the file and click on Open Gallery. The'Picture Gallery dialogue
`box appears, as shown in figure 2.3. You can either place the image in
`a file or e-mail, or View and edit it using the toolbar buttons.
`
`YOU'VE GOT PICTURES! AOL'S GUIDE To DIGITAL IMAGING
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`Open Picture
`Gallery
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`~
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`AI Images
`
`See how easy it is? The Picture Gallery dialogue box displays miniature versions of m
`your pictures, called ”thumbnails.” It can show six pictures at a time Click on Next
`to View more.
`
`...........................................................................................................................
`Placing Pictures in Messages and Files
`The Picture Gallery dialogue box makes it easy to place your 25th anniversary party
`photo into an e-mail or special picture file. But before you do, remember the dis-
`cussion on file formats in Chapter 1. You may want to open your picture first and
`save it to an apprOpriate file format. The next section, ”Touching Up, Saving, and
`Converting Picture Files,” tells you how.
`
`To place your picture into a message 'or file:
`
`1. Open a document or create a new message, then display the Picture
`Gallery dialOgue box.
`
`2. Click on the photo and drag the image into your message 0r file.
`
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`To send a picture, click and drag it into an e-rnaii.
`To open a picture or make changes to it. Click on it.
`
`£435 Picture Gallery
`
`
`
` FIGURE 2.3
`
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`
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`
`Picture Gallery
`
`_
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`3 Total
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`Touching Up, Saving, and Converting Picture“ Bilge
`
`The Picture Gallery also provides you with an image editing window, as shown in
`figure 2.4. The image editing window displays your image at actual isize and includes
`tools for retouching. For example, you can crop the 25th anniversary picture to elim-
`inate the caterer’s elbow and rotate it on an angle for a more interesting layout. This
`section explains the image editing window tools, and tells you how to save and con—
`vert your images.
`
`You can also convert images to different file formats. But remember that images with
`fewer colors, higher compression levels, and lower resolutions do not convert suc-
`cessfully to image formats with more colors, lower compression levels, or higher res-
`olutions. For example, you gain norhing from converting a GIF into a JPEG,
`though some IPEGs can work well as GIFs. The GIF format only supports 256 col~
`ors, while the IPEG format supports millions of colors.
`
`To display an image in the image editing window:
`1.. Display your thumbnails in the Picture Gallery dialogue box.
`
`YOU'VE GOT PICTURES! AOL’S GUIDE TO DIGITAL IMAGING
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`editing window
`
`FIGURE 2.4
`
`Picture Gallery
`
`i
`i
`
`
`
` " mean;
`
`
`2. Select the picture you want to edit by clicking on it.
`
`3. Begin touching it up.
`
`You can click on different toolbar buttons to edit your digital pictures. The toolbar
`buttons are located at the top ofthe image editing window below the title bar. Ifyou
`need to be reminded what each button does, simply glide your cursor over it to see
`a brief pop—up description. If you can’t find the toolbar buttons, click on the down
`arrow to reveal them.
`
`- Rotate Picture. Rotates the picture in 90 degree increments so you can
`make jazzy layouts.
`
`- Flip Picture Horizontally. Flips the picture backwards along the Y axis (left
`or right).
`
`0 Flip Picture Vertically. Flips the picture upside down along the X axis (top
`or bottom).
`‘
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`- Zoom ln/Out. Expands the picture to fit within the viewing format. This
`may distort your image.
`,
`
`- Cropping. Crops your picture to a defined area, to eliminate part of the
`image. To define your cropping area,‘ place your cursor on the image,
`then drag it diagonally to create a square or rectangle. For this icon to
`work, you must first select the area you want to crop. Say the choicest
`picture from the anniversary party is marred by the presence of your
`ubiquitous caterer. Place your cursor on the picture and, with the left
`mouse button held down, drag a box around the part of the image you
`want to keep. Everything outside that box, including the chief cook, will
`bite the dust.
`
`-
`
`Increase Picture Contrast. Intensifies your picture’s light and dark areas.
`This can add more definition to photographs that look washed out or
`too dark. Don’t lose the‘detail on that beautiful cake.
`
`' Decrease Picture Contrast. Decreases contrast between the picture’s light
`and dark areas. This can help smooth the edges and eliminate unwanted ‘
`details. (Do you really want everyone to see that blemish you got right
`before the party?)
`
`0 Brighten Picture. Brightens a picture that looks too dark.
`
`0 Dim Picture. Darkens a picture that looks too light.
`
`0
`
`Invert Picture. Creates a ”negative” of the current picture. This reverses
`all ofthe colors as well as the light and dark areas. You can use these neg-
`ative images to add interesting effects to your layouts.
`
`- Convert Picture to Grayscale. Makes a color image look like a black-and-
`white photograph. Turning a picture into a grayscale image can reduce
`its file size, and shows you how the image would look when printed on p
`a black-and-white printer. Grayscale can also give your pictures an inter- ‘
`esting ”old-fashioned” look.
`
`The image editing window also has a button bar below the picture for additional
`tasks:
`
`0 Save. Saves the image.
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`BACKGROUND
`
`TIPS FOR E-MAIL
`
`IMAGE AND
`
`- Revert. Reverts to the last version of the
`
`image saved and eliminates all edits
`made up to that point. When experi-
`menting,
`the Revert button is your
`friend.
`
`-
`
`Insert
`
`in E-mail.
`
`Inserts the current
`
`image in the currently open e—mail mes-
`
`sage.
`
`- Cancel. Cancels the last change made or
`gives you the option to save it and then
`returns you to the Picture Gallery. To
`save your changes:
`
`1. Select Save As from the File menu.
`
`The Save Graphic As dialogue box
`will appear.
`
`2. Select a folder from the Save In: list.
`
`3. Enter a name for your file in the File
`name: text field.
`
`4. Use the File Types list to select the for-
`mat if you want to convert your file.
`For more about
`file formats,
`see
`
`chapter 1.
`
`5. Click on Save.
`
`JazzingUpl-MailMessages
`
`Sure, you can use the Picture Gallery’s Insert in E-
`mail feature to do just that. But it is just as easy to
`start from the Write Mail screen (click on. Write on
`the AOL toolbar or enter Control-M), where you
`can add snazzy backgrounds or embed pictures
`
`O0"...ICIIII.DOOOOOOIIOOOOOOOOOCOOQ...I00...IIIOOCOOOOOOOIOOOOOOOIOOOOOOIOOOOOIOOOOOOOIIIDOOOOOOOO0.00ICIOUOIOODOIOOIOIOD..IIOCOOOOOIOOICOOOOI
`
`Have fun using pictures and
`
`images in your e-mail messages.
`
`Follow these tips to get the best
`results:
`
`0 Choose appropriate back-
`
`ground and text colors. Busl
`
`ness messages should look
`professional and low-key. You
`can use more casual color
`schemes with friends and
`
`family.
`
`0 Watch your colors. Use light-
`colored text on dark-colored
`
`backgrounds and vice versa.
`Otherwise, people may have
`trouble reading your mes-
`sages.
`
`0 Watch your file slzes. Embed-
`ded and background images
`increase your email mes-
`
`sage’s file size, and can slow
`down your transmission time.
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`53%, Write Mail
`
`
`
`
`
`FIGURE 2.5
`
`
`
`
`
`Write Mail
`screen
`
`
`
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`u- w.m W ..
`
`w...
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`a...»
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`'-
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`" ...
`
`
`
`right in the message (instead ofusing an attachment), as shOwn in figure 2.5. This is
`a great way to share pictures with other AOL members—although your friends on
`the Internet may nOt be able to see them.
`
`Right Click with your mouse where you want to insert a digital picture. When the ,
`pop-up menu appears, select the Insert a Picture option. When the Open dialogue
`box appears, you can browse for the picture you want and select it. That’s it.
`
`To add a patterned image to the background of your e-mail message:
`
`1. Place your cursor anywhere in your e-mail message and click on it with
`the right mouse button.
`
`2. When the pop~up menu appears, click on the Background Picture
`option. The Open dialogue box will appear.
`
`3. Browse for a background image, then click on Open.
`
`Hint: Image backgrounds work best when you use subtle patterns with low contrast
`levels. You don’t want your friends to have to squint and sweat trying to read your
`black letters against a fuchsia background.
`
`YOU'VE GOT PICTURES! AOL'S GUIDE To DIGITAL IMAGING
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`' To add a solid-colored background to an e-mail message:
`
`1. Place your cursor anywhere in your e—mail message and click on it with
`the right mouse button.
`
`2. When the pop-up menu appears, click on the Background Color
`option with the right mouse button. The color palette dialogue box will
`
`appear.
`
`TIPS FOR SENDING AND RECEIVING FILES
`
`The most common way to send a file is as an attachment via e—mail. Now. with AOL's version 4.0, you
`
`can send digital pictures through e—mail.
`
`When you're sending and receiving files online, there are a few things you need to keep in mind:
`
`.When sending documents of any type it is better to send a text-only file. These files are often
`referred to as ASCII files. They are straight text files withno fancy printer codes, no special format-
`
`ting. These files can be read by anylcomputer and anylword processing program. They can also be
`read by cross-platform computers, which means that if you're on a PC and send to someone on a
`
`Mac. that person can still read your file.
`
`. Size becomes very important when you're sending or receiving files. Bigger is not better in this
`instance. When at all possible, compress large files. Note that AOL 4.0 will compress multiple
`attached files when you send a message. if you don't already have a program to zip and unzip files,
`you shodld get one. (One of the most popular and best programs is called WinZip.) For more infor-
`
`mation about working within compressed files on the AOL service, go to Member Services (key-
`word: Member Services).
`
`
`
`3. Never accept files from someone you don't know. A nasty virus could take down your computer. Or
`you could get a picture you’d rather not see or rather not have your children see.
`
`4.. Never send attachments to email lists Some people are billed by the size of the files they receive
`and won't appreciate your sending them an unsolicited attachment. Some people just prefer not to
`receive unasked—for flies from others. Some don't know how to (or can’t) open attachments. To
`these people. your attachment'Is not only unwanted butuseless. Lastly, not everyone uses the
`same type of computer—some are on Macs and some are on PCs—nor do they all have the same
`
`operating systems or the same programs. Your attachment will be nothing but a nuisance in such
`cases.
`
`5. Your modem's speed makes all the difference in the world—especially when it comes to sending
`and receiving images. So consider upgrading, if you are not already using a 56 Kbps modem. The
`Modem Shop, part-of the AOL Store (keyword: Modem Shop or AOL Store) includes a great selection
`of modems from t0p vendors including U.S. Robotics.
`
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`3. Pick your favorite among the yariety of colors, click on it, then click on
`the OK button.
`
`Afll flnline Greetings
`What’s a long-distance relationship without postcards? That’s What we thought.
`You’ll be happy to know that Online Greetings (keyword: Online' Greetings) offers a
`great assortment ofready-made pictures to choose from, like the one in figure 2.6. A
`package of ten cards w