AntiAliasing for GreatLooking Text Graphics
by: Grannyกs Mettle
Macromedia has a wonderful software application that helps users create greatlooking text graphics by using antialiasing capabilities. In Fireworks MX 2004, artists and designers can create readable and attractive text graphics by substituting shades of the font color around the lines and curves, which otherwise can be broken and craggy in appearance.
Fireworks AntiAliasing Capabilities
Antialiasing capabilities have been with Fireworks for quite some time now. With the new edition, Fireworks MX 2004 enhanced further its four antialiasing options and added two more features.
Its antialiasing options include: None AntiAlias, which disables text smoothing; Crisp AntiAlias that allows the creation of a sharp transition between the edges of the text and the background; Strong AntiAlias for a very abrupt transition of the text edges into the background, while preserving the shapes of the text characters and improving on the detailed areas of the characters; and Smooth AntiAlias that lets the users create a soft transition between the text edges and the background.
On the other hand, the new antialias options are the System AntiAlias that uses the text smoothing method which can be found in Windows XP or Mac OS X; and Custom AntiAlias, which provides expert level controls (such as oversampling, sharpness, and strength) over the antialiasing.
The enhanced features from Fireworks allow the users to have a complete toolbox of กsandpaperก for antialiasing of text graphics. Users can quickly and efficiently smooth the edges of any working text using the Fireworks application.
To utilize the antialiasing options, simply apply any text object through the Property inspector ot the Text Editor.
AntiAliasing Options
To help you further maximize the capabilities of Fireworks and its antialiasing features, the following is suggested:
1. For antialiasing to be useful and maximized, it is best to use it on larger font sizes.
2. Do not apply antialiasing features on a bitmapped font.
3. Do not export antialiased text as a GIF with the Web 216 palette. The reason for this is that the Web 216 palette does not have the colors that you will be using to properly antialias your text.
4. Antialiased text which is exported as a transparent GIF then placed in a web page with a background color will appear more aliased. This means that the text would appear to have jagged distortions in its curves and diagonal lines. It is better to just alias the text at the beginning since you will have the same result anyway.
And,
5. Always try one of the preset antialiasing options first before developing your final output. This is to help you achieve your desired appearance. Try out the Non, Crisp, Strong, Smooth or System options. If you still do not achieve your desired requirements, then use the Custom AntiAliasing option.
About The Author
Grannyกs Mettle is a 30something, professional web content writer. She has created various web content on a diverse range of topics, which includes digital printing topics, medical news, as well as legal issues. Her articles are composed of reviews, suggestions, tips and more for the printing and designing industry.
Her thoughts on writing: กWriting gives me pleasure… pleasure and excitement that you have created something to share with others. And with the wide world of the Internet, it gives me great satisfaction that my articles reach more people in the quickest time you could imagine.ก
On her spare time, she loves to stay at home, reading books on just about any topic she fancies, cooking a great meal, and taking care of her husband and kids.
About Color Printing Wholesale
Color Printing Wholesale is a company that offers a wide range of quality digital printing services from brochures, flyers, business cards, postcards and posters, to digital, inkjet and web solutions, as well as laminating services. For further information, visit their website at http://www.colorprintingwholesale.com/category/POSTCARD/PostcardPrintingServices.html
This article was posted on April 06
by Grannyกs Mettle