Using BME

The Basics

BME is an easy to use tool that will allow you to do simple tasks quickly. There are large limitations as to the extent of what can be accomplished, so if you are a graphics guru, move onto Graphic Converter or Photoshop. For those of you who just need to get some graphics onto your pages quickly and efficiently, BME is your tool!

First you will get to see the interface and then we will dive into:

• Resizing your Image
• Changing the Brightness/Contrast
• Changing the Format and Saving

The Interface

This is the interface of BME. It is simple and easy to use. All of the tasks you will be doing with BME will be done with the Effects menu (as shown). You will Save As with the File menu as with other Macintosh programs.

Resizing Your Image

When you are using the Internet, have you noticed that pages with larger pictures take longer to download? You want to make your image a size that is not too large, but still effective. Many times after digitizing your image, you may find that it is not quite the size you had envisioned. This is easily taken care.

1. On the main interface, you would select Resize... under Effects on the menu bar.
2. Now the the Resize menu should appear (shown below).
   

    

3. First make sure the Horizontal and Vertical resolutions read 72. (For an explanation of this please see the main Manipulating Images: Using Images on the Internet page)
4. Under the size portion of the menu, you will see Width and Height. If the measurement type reads anything other than inches, click and hold on the measurement type next to Width and change it to inches. Repeat this for the Height.
5. So now you need to determine what size it is you wish to make your graphic. Resizing is one of BME's shortcomings, you must break out your calculator (or use the built in one on your Mac, located in the Apple Menu) and figure the correct proportions before changing your image, or make an educated guess.
6. Once you have entered both the new numbers, hit Resize and you will return to the main screen.

Changing the Brightness/Contrast

Often time, your image may not look quite right on the screen. Changing the Brightness and Contrast of the image gives you control of its appearance!

If you are currently using a GIF file the Brightness/Contrast controls will not function. Skip ahead to Changing the Type. Return here once you have changed your image to RGB.

1. Once again you will select Effects on the menu bar, then go down to Brightness.
2. The Brightness menu consists of a bar that will adjust your image's brightness. Simply move the bar up (brighter) or down (darker) to get the desired results and hit the Perform button.
   

    

3. If the adjustment was not all that you wanted it to be, go to Edit on the menu bar and select Undo. Return to the Brightness menu and repeat.
4. Changing the contrast of the picture is done in the same way. Instead of selecting Brightness under Effects, select Contrast.
   

    

5. As with Brightness, just move the bar up or down and hit the Perform button when complete.

Changing the Format and Saving

As discussed on the main Manipulating Images page, it is vital that your images be either GIFs or JPEGs. The image type will determine which format you choose. For a further explanation on when to use GIFs and JPEGs see the Manipulating Images main page.

Most of the time, when you scan or take a digital image from a camera or camcorder, it will automatically provide you with a PICT format image. These steps will let you change that format into GIF or a JPEG.

1. First off, you need to go to Effects on the menu bar and move over to Type (keeping mouse held down).
   

    

2. JPEGs are a RGB type, while GIFs are a Palette type. You may also choose Grayscale for B&W pictures. The Black&White type is strictly for line art. If you want to make changes in the Brightness and Contrast, you need to make sure RGB is selected. (Note: If you were changing the type so that you could adjust the Brightness/Contrast, you should return to that section now).
3. Once you have selected the type you want, go to Save As under File on the menu bar to get it in the right format. If it does not read "GIF" or "JPEG" in the upper left hand corner, click and hold and select the appropriate format (as shown below). Depending upon which type you have earlier selected (Palette or RGB) will determine which list you get.
   RGB (millions of colors)
   
   Palette (256 colors)
   

    

4. Once you have selected the format, hit save. Make sure when you are naming your file, you end it with ".gif" or ".jpeg" or ".jpg" This will allow you to easily identify your pictures and their formats.

Exercise

1. Either use the provided image, or an image that you digitized in the last module.
2. Make it smaller.
3. Adjust the Brightness/Contrast.
4. Save it as a GIF and a JPEG.

Conclusion

BME is a simple and easy choice for adjusting your image quickly. While there are some drawbacks the software is currently being distributed for free and for computers without a lot of speed or RAM, but it is still an effective choice.