One technique that seems to be causing a certain amount of difficulty is the combination of drop shadows and transparent backgrounds. We all have a tendency to open a new window with our favorite background color, most usually white. We create this masterpiece of text, add a drop shadow that is perfection, and then attempt to add it to a web page with a textured or colored background. The results are less than pleasing.

This obstacle can be overcome, however, quite simply. When you create your transparency, select a background color that is predominant in the background that you have chosen for your web page using it as the background color of your new image.

Open a new window in PSP and also open the graphic you've selected as the background of your web page. Using the eyedropper, pickup the color in your background and 'pour' it into the new window. Create your text, add your special effects, and save as a transparency, making sure that the background color is selected as the background color on the color palette.

To save as a Transparency:

• Select save as
• Save as type: GIF
• Click on the options button
• Select set the transparency value to the background color
• Click 0k
• Sub-type: Version 89a-Interlaced
• Click Save

This same technique will work to remove the outlines on shadowed graphics. Paste your image into a new window that has the same or similar background color as that chosen for your webpage, add your shadow and save as a transparency.