Your Name Here Image

This tutorials explains how you can add text to any blank button or graphic image using our favorite Imaging Program - Paint Shop Pro.  (Note that this tutorial was originally written for modifying an image located within a FrontPage web.)

1.  Open Paint Shop Pro 8.  Go to File > Open.  Navigate to your web (normally C:\My Documents\My Webs\Name of Web) Highlight the logosample.gif or .jpg (if desired), it may also be called nameblank.  Click OK to open them in PSP8.  Click once on the image name to make this image the active one.  If it is the GIF image, go to Colors> Increase Color Depth > 16 million.

2.  Activate the Text Tool.  This is the "A" located in the tool bar that normally runs down the left side of your screen.  Once it is selected, place your cursor inside of the image and click once.

3.  The Text Entry Window:  In this window you can set the font (any on your computer), size, color, alignment, and bold, etc.  First, click on the button "Standard Text".  Next, make sure that "Floating" and "Antialias" are checked. 

4. You will also want to select your text color which is described in more detail below.  Type in your company or site name.  Highlight what you just typed.  Click on the color box.

5.  The "Marching Ants":  You will see your text surrounded by moving dashed lines on your image.  You can reposition your text by holding down the left mouse button and moving it.  (You will know you have grabbed the correct area when your cursor changes to a Plus Sign with small arrows on each end.)

6.  Adding a Drop Shadow:  Go to Effects > 3D Effects > Drop Shadow.  This window will appear.  Play with the settings until you find a result that is pleasing to you.  Hint:  Click on the "Eye" to see a sneak preview of what the effect will look like.  When satisfied, click OK.  Again, you can reposition your text by placing your cursor over the text, holding down the left mouse button and then moving the text into position.

7.  Saving for the Web: When you are happy with your results, go to Colors > Decrease Color Depth > 256 Colors.  In the window that appears, set the parameters as shown below:

Click OK.  Next go to File > Save As.  Give your image with the same name as the existing ""Your Name Here", (e.g.. name.jpg) and save it directly into your FrontPage web's images folder, this will overwrite the current image. Close Paint Shop Pro.  (You do not need to save changes the images.)

8.  Your New Image:  When you open your FrontPage web, your new image should be appearing and will have replaced the original image. 

PaintShopPro 8 is a powerful imaging program and is a perfect compliment to FrontPage.  You can download a free 30 days trial version from http://www.jasc.com.