Graphics Editing

[Sebastian42]

Which graphics programs EASILY allows a spot on a map to be circled and an arrow drown from it to the margin for the entry of a note ?

[Dalo Harkin]

Why use a graphics program when you can use Excel, thats a very easy requirement

[Sebastian42]

Why use a graphics program when you can use Excel, thats a very easy requirement

 

I had no idea that a JPG would open in excel - but even if it did, I'd appreciate guidance on how to achieve my aim. I can't think of a keyphrase for this to ask Excel's HELP.

[PseFrank]

I to was not aware that Excel could open jpegs. As Dalo has pointed out, this could be an easy option for those that don't have a graphics program...

 

However...My personal choice would be any version of Adobe Photoshop, including Photoshop Elements (The cheap version)

 

http://extremetechsupport.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=96&pictureid=229

 

For those that do have photoshop the basics are as follows:

 

1) Open your image in the editor.

 

2) Choose the Elliptical Marquee Tool from the tool bar.

 

3) Place your cursor on the point that you wish to be the centre of your circle. Press and hold down the Shift & Alt keys, and click and drag out your circle selection.

 

4) Go Edit > Stroke and type in how many pixels wide you want your outline to be. Choose a colour for the stroke. Click OK.

 

5) Choose the Custom Shape Tool from the tool bar. Choose an arrow from the shape tool menu. Click and drag an arrow shape with your cursor. (It doesn't matter where you drag your arrow shape).

 

6) Hit Ctrl + T on your keyboard to enter Free Transform. From here you can alter the size and shape of your arrow, and also rotate it in any direction, by clicking and dragging on the small square handles.

Use the directional arrows on your keyboard to move your arrow to the desired position.

 

7) Choose the Text Tool to type in your margin notes. Note: The text can also be moved via the directional arrow keys (Text layer must be selected)

 

You can download Free Adobe trials here. These are normally 30 days.

 

Hope this helps out..:)

[Dalo Harkin]

It wont open a JPEG what it will do is allow you to open a JPEG and then copy and paste the image into excel and then edit from there adding text boxes and lines etc.

 

If you dont want to use this option of copy and paste then paint will also allow JPEG alteration

[Sebastian42]

It wont open a JPEG what it will do is allow you to open a JPEG and then copy and paste the image into excel and then edit from there adding text boxes and lines etc.

 

If you dont want to use this option of copy and paste then paint will also allow JPEG alteration

 

Dalo

If I remember correctly, PAINT produces a rather degraded image once resaved. Or maybe that is a function of things like the quality of the PC and the Windows version. I tried to open a JPG and failed, then realised that one can INSERT images (as well as pasting them). I am convinced Excel CAN do it, but it might be cumbersome.

 

PseFrank

Thank you for those very extensive instructions. The image edit that you present is close to what I had in mind, and fully realising my aim is probably a matter of using different tools in a similar way.

[Dalo Harkin]

Glad we have at least provided some help for you. There are so many different variations of software and what they can do. If you do work like this a lot then I would look at some specialist software for it

[Sebastian42]

Glad we have at least provided some help for you. There are so many different variations of software and what they can do. If you do work like this a lot then I would look at some specialist software for it

 

That was precisely the point of my question - I'd like to hear suggestions as to what (specialist) software is suitable.

[Dalo Harkin]

Corel Draw is one of the best

Corel - CorelDRAW, WinDVD, Ulead Video Studio, Paint Shop Pro, WordPerfect, WinZip, & Painter

 

Other than technical abilities of CAD (which I am guessing you dont need)

[Sebastian42]

Corel Draw is one of the best

Corel - CorelDRAW, WinDVD, Ulead Video Studio, Paint Shop Pro, WordPerfect, WinZip, & Painter

 

Other than technical abilities of CAD (which I am guessing you dont need)

 

Thank you very much. I am suprised you include WinZip, and less so about WinDVD and WordPerfect, but the others seem like good leads.

[Dalo Harkin]

Yeah sorry about that, thats just Corels home page :)