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ActiveRain Video Tutorials - Creating A Custom Graphic

Warning: This ActiveRain Video Tutorial May Create More Questions Than Answers! Watch At Your Own Risk.

Why? Because it's not possible to cover this topic in one quick how to video. There and so many different ways to create custom graphics, that an entire video tutorial series could be created just on this topic. Key to which method you use is the graphic you start out with. If you've chosen a photo (raster graphic) you may want to go a completely different direction than if you've chosen a vector graphic. Raster graphics are also known as "bitmap" graphics. (Vector vs. Bitmap)

Raster graphics are resolution dependent and can look blurry when scaled or distorted. For best results, you should always edit a high resolution image. Vector graphics are resolutions independent, meaning they can be scaled as large as you wish and will retail their image quality.

For this video, I am using a vector graphic from Shutterstock.com.

I like Shutterstock.com because I can choose to search on vector or raster images, depending on what I'm trying to do with the images. If I know I want to edit an image to become a custom graphic, like the one to the right, then I will typically start my search for a vector graphic. These are downloaded in Adobe Illustrator EPS format.

This video will give you a sense of how I edited the graphic on the right. It is not meant to be a step by step guide!

Online Videos by Veoh.com

I will do a specific tutorial post on how to use free online editing tools to create custom graphics from stock photos at a later date.

Posted by Jeff Turner on 12/26/2007 01:40 PM

Comments (13)

artutorials, video, tutorials, jeff turner, activerain community support

Originally posted at: Turner's Perspective: ActiveRain Video Tutorials - Creating A Custom Graphic

Post is included in group: HELP/FAQ (Read 'Purpose Statement' Carefully!)

13 Comments on ActiveRain Video Tutorials - Creating A Custom Graphic

DEC

2007

Hi Jeff,

I have sent this on to my son-in-law, my computing guru. Then I will have him give me a lesson. Thank you for the help.

Thanks Jeff, I have been wondering how to use and edit graphics like this. I didn't know about raster, and vector. Your explanation helps a lot. I guess a person just needs to find a site that has these types of graphics though, am I right on this? Thanks again.

OK toolman, You lost me. Can I just have TLW send you something and ask you to make it for me?

Seriously though, my first question is: Is this tutorial specific to Macs?

Jeff, Thanks for explaining. I've been trying out some of the PDF converter programs to take apart clipart. These might also work for this application. Cheaper than purchasing adobe.

Leslie... they key to all of this is finding the right graphic.

Larry... you are correct, starting with the right graphic is key. It can be the difference between 5 minutes of editing and an hour of editing.

BB... :) No, this is not specific to Macs.

Gary... I'll be doing a more generic version of this later.

Jeff, my graphic designer creates vector files for all of my ads but she always sends me another type of file because I can't open a vector file. I assume you have to own Adobe Illustrator to be able to open a vector graphic on a PC? I'm guessing many of us have this limitation. What are our options regarding using vector files?

Diane... there are a couple of free editors, but they are not as powerful as Illustrator. Dia is one, it is open source and runs on Windows as well as linux. OpenOffice.org Draw is another. Again, neither will give the power that Illustrator gives you. Anyone who knows of a good PC based vector editor, let us know.

DEC

2007

Thanks Jeff, I'll watch to see if someone has any other ideas!

JAN

2008

Thanks Jeff! WOW! It's that easy....man oh man....doesn't things seem so hard until you learn!

This is the first of many items I will be looking and learning off your blog..Thank you for your time and experience.

Question for you. Do you think there is something unprofessional with using my new Domain Name and pointing it to my Brokers website? Before I approach them with the question, I wanted to make sure it I would not offend them by asking. Currently I am promoting their website name and of course...now that I took the step to purchase my Domain name I would like to use it. What do you think? This idea was actually suggested to me by a representative at GoDaddy.com.

Thank you for you time!

Moriah Martin

JAN

2008

I have used this. not here yet, but for my other business. Thanks for teaching.

JAN

2008

I just showed a friend/fellow agent Barton Morse your RES syatem and the Active Rain Network, he fell back off his chair and nearly had a cow. Really and truly, you are a master teacher and have equipped me greatly with tools for success that I will use and I will give you a call one of these days.

Thanks JEFF

John Hurbon

Tierra Antigua Realty Google Benson Horse Property to help John Hurbon succeed in Arizona Real Estate.