TCS - Adobe ImageStyler

Adobe ImageStyler

by Paula Sanders
Tulsa Computer Society
From the February 1999 issue of the I/O Port Newsletter

ImageStyler joins the "newish" group of programs produced by Adobe for website creation and image optimization with its strength lying in its ability to streamline the afore mentioned processes. In addition, styles and effects can be applied to already published websites. This does not mean that one cannot create a new website using ImageStyler, but that the strength of this program lies in its ability to change global or individual styles and effects on an already published website. Don Singleton reviewed PageMill version 2 when it first came out and I reviewed ImageReady, version 1, relatively recently.

The window's system requirements for ImageStyler are: a Pentium or faster Intel processor; windows 95, 98, or NT 4 or later; 32 MB of ram; 40 MB of hard disk space; 256 color display with 24-bit recommended; and a CD-ROM drive. The price varies depending on whether it is downloaded from the Adobe website, http://www.adobe.com, or whether it is purchased through mail order. The Adobe mail order price is about $144. However, a demo version can be downloaded and tried. I always recommend this route because program needs vary as does what I call the "comfort factor;" i.e., how easy the program is for the particular individual to use.

In addition, pdf's and other information documents can be downloaded from the Adobe website.

The strengths of ImageStyler lies in its ability to allow the user to change shapes, text, etc., easily and then apply those changes to the website in a streamlined fashion. The information about the key features of this program are taken directly from an Adobe product sheet that I printed from their website.

  1. "Quickly create and apply graphical styles to any object."
  2. "Change any effect - or even replace or modify the underlying object - at any time while retaining the rest of the work."
  3. "Create javaScript rollover effects without writing code."
  4. "Generate precise Web-ready HTML layouts and image maps."
  5. "Quickly change the look and feel of your site with batch graphic creation features."

Every user of a program has different key interests that are important to them. I am going to just give some visual examples of some of the areas of this program that piqued my interest. The first example will have to do with the shapes palette and the second shows some easily constructed buttons and bars. See Figures #1 and Figures #2 on the TCS website in conjunction with this article.

The program is easy to use. Some of its features are similar to those found in ImageReady while others are strictly different. Download a trial version and see if it fulfills your needs.



For more information on the Tulsa Computer Society click here


This page has been accessed times.
Tulsa Computer Society 1/15/99
Don Singleton, President
don@donsingleton.com