General:
Formats
Relative Size
Color and Format

Microsoft Tools:
Photo Editor
Image Composer - The Working Environment
Image Composer - Colors and Effects
Image Composer - Layers and Sprites

Paint Shop Pro:
Introduction
Opening/Acquiring
Editing
Layering
An insertion example
A lettering example
Saving

Images Applied:
The Web
PowerPoint (animations)

Elsewhere on this site:
General Instructional Technology
Presentation/Web
Imaging
Sound
Video
Home

Images Using Microsoft's Tools: Photo Editor

        Photo Editor is the simplest of Microsoft's image editing products.  It does not have a lot of the options available in more sophisticated image programs, like layering, color counting, automatic colorization, multiple levels of "Undo," or adding text.  It will do simple format changes (see Formats), will alter color saturation and contrast, will resize/rotate/crop, and will do a dozen or so picture effects.  If your goal is simply to control display size, change formats, or to do some simple effects, Photo Editor is up to the task.

Installation

In either case, you'll be presented with the option of "Add or Remove Features." Select this. "Photo Editor" is under "Office Tools."

Resizing/Cropping

        Changing display size is not necessary if the image will be used in a Word, PowerPoint, or other productivity application - best to work in the image's original size, and then resize in the application in which the image is used.  However, if the image will be used on the Web, it's best to size to fit: decide how large your image will be in your Web page, and size to fit using Photo Editor. Making images smaller using an image editor rather than resizing in FrontPage or other Web authoring software will greatly improve Web page download time.  See Images under Images, Music, Movies, and the World Wide Web in Presentation. for a more complete discussion of file size and Web page construction.

        Be careful if you resize - don't be deceived by the view size of the image in Photo Editor, since it may be zoomed (see left).  Look at the "Resize" options - it will show you the size of the original picture in pixels or inches, and will allow you to resize by value or percent. The "Smooth" option attempts to fill in missing picture information smoothly when enlarging pictures - but don't expect miracles!

        Cropping is most easily done by pre-selecting the area you want to keep using the selection tool , and then cropping from the "Image/Crop" menu.  You can ignore all the presented settings and just click "OK."  An oval crop is also given as an option.

Color and Contrast

        Photo Editor doesn't give a lot of control over color, but if you just need to brighten a dark picture, or improve contrast, it will do fine. Try "Autobalance" under "Image" first, and see if it helps.  If not, you can try settings by hand under "Balance."  Remember that if you don't like what you've done, you can always "Edit/Undo."  Changing brightness and contrast will help some images, but if the picture is really dark, lightening it will make it lighter, but won't fix it entirely - missing detail will still be gone.

        If you intend for your image to be posted on the Web, and you want it to be partially transparent (to allow backgrounds to show through), you'll need to save in GIF format.  Set the transparency color first by clicking on the dropper on the tool bar, and then clicking on the color you intend to be transparent.  Remember that only that exact color will be transparent - if you click on a wall or background that has subtle changes in color, only a portion of it will become transparent.  Test your saved GIF in a Web page.  If you want more control over this, you'll need a better program!

Picture Effects

        Using effects can be fun, but since usually the intent of images is to display, effects usually get in the way.  Use with caution!  One very good use of effects, however, is to convey an idea without actually showing enough detail for folks to pick out faces.  If you like a picture, but don't know if the students in it have signed their image permission form, use an effect!

        Which effect is an esthetic decision.  Several of the effects ("Chalk and Charcoal," "Graphic Pen," "Notepaper," "Stamp") produce black and white images - a striking effect with the added benefit of greatly-reduced file size.