[galbrecht71]

Can anyone help me with making a custom image i can use for a high resolution background?

I have downloaded high resolution JPEG's and picked one i want to add some other brand logos to. I choose images larger than what i wanted to reduce them (I thought they would retain their clear edges) but they look grainy then too. also some logos are set in a white background instead of the black i would want them to be in and I dont know an effective way to crop them that looks good. I dont know allot about the different file types so i dont know which is best to use. Ive been attempting using JPEG and the only program i have available now is the standard windows "Paint". If JPEG is a bad choice for editing and design I will need tips on converting the files to [picturename."goodchoice"]

Tips on software to use and some techniques for making projects look professional will be much appreciated. Freeware is best at this point but i can get something better later on.

 

[galbrecht71]

Do you have any recommendations for software to purchase?

 

[galbrecht71]

:Wow1: Wow i cant imagine spending THAT much. I never would have guessed.

I found a student?teacher version of CS5... what is the difference between this and the $700 one mentioned earlier?

Newegg.com - Adobe Photoshop Extended CS5 Full for Windows Student/Teacher Edition

 

[galbrecht71]

This was to be my addition to this discussion - academic versions are available - you need to be able to provide items of proof of your eligibility.
Some vendors aren't as strict as perhaps they should be about this requirement.
As far as I am aware (having had various academic editions of different software as a teacher and university lecturer) there is no difference in capabilities in from the commercially licenced versions.
Another option is Photoshop Elements - has lots of the functionality of the full version without some of the more design/photographer professional-oriented features.
GIMP is an excellent freeware package with many of the features of Photoshop.

As i am currently a student providing proof would not be an issue, but it is nice to know that there are less expensive versions of a $700 - $1,200 program out there, especially since this is more of a hobby.

Someone earlier also recommended GIMP so i went ahead and downloaded it. So far i have not had much issue figuring out how to accomplish what i want, it is very user-friendly. Very pleased with the results i am getting, especially for freeware. Only concern is how much during download/install my security software spazzed. :ermm: Fuzzy brush and "blend similar colors" = Total life saver. I cannot imagine how long this would have taken in paint. I should have been in bed hours ago but I got sidetracked.

Thanks for the advice so far everyone.

 

[galbrecht71]

As Zuluclayman recommends, Adobe Elements is probably the best option if your budget doesn't permit the full version of Photoshop CS5 academic licence.

You will find it relatively easy to create what you want in either of those... or indeed any photo/imaging software that supports 'layers'

Don't be frightened or put off by the idea of 'layers' it is a technique that is easy to learn.

Ive had some minor experience with laying down tracks doing audio editing/creation and from what i have messed with so far in GIMP having the layers is very nice. Something i have not been able to figure out yet that is hindering my creative ability is separating the foreground of an image from the background. There are some graphics and logos i would like to overlay some existing patterning but cannot.

Example:

or

How would i remove the solid background and make the computer see it as a transparent.

 

[galbrecht71]

Ok i figured out my last question but have another one now. i know the difference in the RGB channels but what is the Alpha channel's purpose?