The latest offering by Web graphics guru Lynda Weinman, Preparing Web Graphics, is a more affordable and only slightly less detailed version of Designing Web Graphics 2, her bestselling book about the technical and artistic issues of creating Web graphics. The former includes descriptions of CGI, plug-ins, and scripting, and includes a CD-ROM, but both guides cover essentially the same topics, target Macintosh and Windows users, and are beautifully designed and in full color.

Novices will appreciate the introduction in Preparing Web Graphics, which explains HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) and the software, hardware, and cross-platform issues of Web design and Web browsing. Weinman explains the various Web file formats and teaches you how to have good-looking, yet small, Web graphics. Although Weinman nods at the common wisdom--that the .JPG format is better for photographic images and .GIF is better for illustrations--she gets much more specific about what's appropriate. For example, she shows what happens when you save a blurry photo, a crisp photo, and an illustration as compressed .JPG and .GIF images. You can refer to color charts that display browser-safe colors arranged by hue and value, learn about cross-platform color issues, and read about software packages such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator that can help you make good-looking images.

Weinman doesn't get mired in technical discussion. She illustrates how to create transparent .GIFs and interface and navigational elements such as links, maps, frames, rules, bullets, and buttons. All the while, she provides excellent design advice, adjuring you to make sure type is readable, make your pages easy to navigate, and experiment with frames and other interface elements but never overdo it. Weinman also offers HTML advice where necessary and even provides sample HTML code for aligning your page elements. The book wraps up with an introduction to Web animation and explanations of Java, JavaScript, and QuickTime. If you're designing a site for the first time, you should give Preparing Web Graphics a close look.

From Library Journal
Weinman is a one-woman graphics factory turning out essential web-design guides. Coloring Web Graphics is a simply beautiful description of browser/platform safe colors. Anyone who has carefully designed a web site only to view what looks like a bizarre parody on a friend's machine will welcome this work. The CD is full of color palettes and clip art. Deconstructing is a total case study approach to understanding web design. This hands-on, backwards look at existing web sites includes examinations of the site code in html, Java, JavaScript, ShockWave, and even PhotoShop that produced the sites. Designing Web Graphics is a total approach to building a successful web site, from advice on buying hardware to animation techniques. Especially clear discussions of graphics formats (e.g., jpegs vs. gifs) and navigational graphics are augmented in this second edition with updated information on frames, interactivity, and more. In early summer, look for Preparing Web Graphics (ISBN 1-56205-686-7. $39.99) and Creative HTML Design (ISBN Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Card catalog description
Preparing Web Graphics will help you understand how to make proper images that load fast and look good, whether you're working with web graphics for the first time or you're a seasoned digital artist wanting to transfer print graphics skills to web design. Using real-world techniques, full-color images, charts, and graphics as well as advice from an industry expert, you'll gain invaluable insight into the intricacies of this powerful medium. You'll explore the inner workings of web graphics creation, preparation, and delivery; learn the ins and outs of using browser-safe colors; and get in-depth information on animated GIFs, imagemaps, and transparency. Plus, you'll find out how to make your graphics hold up when viewed across multiple browsers, computer platforms, and operating systems. Preparing Web Graphics - graphics essentials for publishers who want to understand how to make the best images for the web!

From the Publisher
This complete reference breaks down Web graphics essentials for every designer new to the Web, the Webmaster who lacks graphics experience, or the hobbyist creating a personal home page. - Best-selling author Lynda Weinman teaches the techniques of proper presentation and delivery of Web graphics that will have readers creating dynamic Web graphics in no time.

- Provides extensive coverage of Photoshop and Paint Shop Pro

ANNOTATION

The author of Designing Web Graphics presents Web graphics essentials for designers who are new to the Web and Webmasters who are new to Photoshop. Written in the author's trademark conversational style, the book shares tips and techniques for fast and high quality Web graphics. It is written clearly enough for the Web graphics beginner to understand, and will also serve as a definitive resource for the professional Web designer.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Preparing Web Graphics will help you understand how to make proper images that load fast and look good, whether you're working with web graphics for the first time or you're a seasoned digital artist wanting to transfer print graphics skills to web design. Using real-world techniques, full-color images, charts, and graphics as well as advice from an industry expert, you'll gain invaluable insight into the intricacies of this powerful medium. You'll explore the inner workings of web graphics creation, preparation, and delivery; learn the ins and outs of using browser-safe colors; and get in-depth information on animated GIFs, imagemaps, and transparency. Plus, you'll find out how to make your graphics hold up when viewed across multiple browsers, computer platforms, and operating systems. Preparing Web Graphics - graphics essentials for publishers who want to understand how to make the best images for the web!

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal