Rotating Images: How-To

[DLC]

Paint.NET tutorial.

(note, most of the images, if clicked, will open a larger version of the image in a separate window.

1. Download and install Paint.NET. Click the link above or go to getpaint.net to get the free software.

2. Open Paint.NET

3: Click file, then open, and select an image:



4: Admire your image:



5: Select a font style and size:



6: Select the Text tool from the left-hand side panel:



7: Select a location for the text, click, and type in your user name:



8: Select the Rectangle tool from the left-hand side panel:



9: Use the Rectangle tool to select an area of the image that leaves equal distance between the front and rear of the car. Also align the car either in the middle, or slightly towards the bottom of the box:



10: This is where it gets tricky. Hit Ctrl + Shift + X to crop everything outside of the box. Then hit Ctrl + R to resize the image. It might look similar to this:



Notice that the top number is 250, our desired width, but the height is 178. Much too tall. Hit Ctrl + Shift + R to resize the Canvas. Uncheck "Maintain Aspect Ratio" and confirm that the width is 250. Set the height to 130, and change the "Anchor" to middle. This will crop the extra material from the top and bottom.



11: You should now be left with a small image:



12: Click File, then select Save As, and you'll get this box:



Notice the quality slider on the top. %50 is a very good compromise, especially for such a small image. Note the file size on the top, and remember that our goal is 15KB. We're just inside that limit, so no changes are needed. Click OK to save the file.

Thanks to jamal for helping me clarify and simplify the process of resizing.

[jamal]

You should be able to un-check the maintain aspect ratio in the canvas size dialog and it will crop the extra for you when you set it to 250x130.

So make it a little taller and then resize to 250px wide and then change the canvas size to crop to 130px tall.

[DLC]

That's possible. I've not used the canvas size as a means of resizing successfully, but I'm sure it can be done. This is the method I use with Paint.NET in order to get the desired result.

I used Photoshop in the past, but I don't have a copy, and stealing it is not cool, while buying it is overkill. Paint.NET and The Gimp are free and do this very well.

Please submit other guides for alternate programs and make suggestions for improvements.

[jamal]

Oh it's all I use because you don't have to sit there and fiddle with it to get the right dimensions. Plus there's a little preview window with a box you can drag around:

[DLC]

OK, I think I see what you're saying. First, resize it to fit the horizontal dimensions of 250px, then do a canvas resize, with Maintain Aspect Ratio disabled, and set the vertical to 130? Seems to work pretty good.

Will update the guide with that information.

Not sure what software you're using there, but Paint.NET doesn't have a preview window.

[jamal]

I use the gimp. I'm not sure if that technique would work very well without being able to select what part of the image to keep, though.

[DLC]

I figured out how to do it, and it's pretty easy. Paint.NET uses an "Anchor" point, so that if the canvas is resized horizontally and/or vertically, material is taken from the points farthest away from the anchor. Setting it to Middle will just trim material equally from the top and bottom, leaving a nice, centered image in most cases.

Thanks for the info, it will make it easier.