Step One
First of all, create a new logo, specifying a width and height that is suitable
for the page you're creating.
I used 755 pixels x 185 pixels, which seemed right for an 800 x 600 pixel page.
Step Two
Modify the canvas colour to match your web site's colour scheme. Here I've
entered a hex value to match my web site's background colour.
Step Three
Add an image or two. I've used an image found in the Corporate Edition 1 set from
The Logo Creator 3. You can also import images created in other graphics programs.
I occasionally create new images in either Ulead PhotoImpact XL or Macromedia Fireworks.
In general, save these as .png files for importing directly into TLC.
Step Four
I've resized and moved the image to provide an interesting background for the
header graphic. I also increased opacity to make the image less dominant.
Step Five
Now add a new text element, with your company/web site's name, and position it where you feel it looks best.
Step Six
Change the text element to suit your taste. I changed the font to 'Impact' in this example,
and applied a gradient using a dark and light blue from the metallic palette, with 3 cycles as an additional parameter.
Then I added a 1 pixel white outline, and drop shadow to complete the effect.
Step Seven
Finally, I added another image element, and scaled it to fill the full screen width.
I adjusted the opacity to make it transparent. This final image was exported as a
.jpg file, and was used as the header on this page.
As an additional refinement, I can use an image slicer to break up the image into more managable chunks,
and use the semi-transparent band at the bottom as a background for individual menu buttons.
|
