Graphics Specifications, Tutorials and Help

Basic Specifications for Graphics
Some Tutorials are For PSP7, but you should be able to use in all versions

When doing standard graphics, the first things to keep in mind is the file size and the dimensions.
Not everyone likes huge graphics that take up a large armount of space on their webpages or in e-mails
or guestbooks. Unless otherwise specified, you should keep your graphic sizes to around 250x360,
but no larger than 300x300.

File Formats :
Whether you agree or not, JPG's are easier to control the size of, contain more web-friendly
colours and allow text to show up more clearly. So my preferred graphic format is JPG.
But, please DO NOT optimize the graphic to such a low file size that the text is not legible
or the font and picture is not clear.

HOW TO OPTIMIZE GRAPHICS IN PSP

Transparent Gifs:
If you're not good at transparencies, I prefer that you just use a regular background.
Rather than rush through your graphics to get them done, take the time to check your
transparencies on a darker or lighter background. If you see uneven edges that do not
blend in, clean them up as best as you can. Graphics don't look professional and finished
when there is an obvious white (or any other Colour) edge around them.
I will return them to you to be redone if that happens.

Graphic Shapes:
Graphics to not have to be square all of the time, in fact having graphics that are rectangular,
circular or other geometric shapes are a nice change. There are many masks and frames available that
allow you to change shapes and appreance of your graphics.

Borders & Frames:
Graphics look more finished and professional with borders or frames.
So please consider using them.

PSP Tutorials For Borders, Edges and Frames:
CLICK HERE

Images Used On Graphics:
Please make sure images are of fine quality and not blurred. When enlarging or reducing images
to fit, they sometimes get blurry and the quality is diminished. . Here's how to enhance
some of those images that may get distorted due to resizing and optimizing.

PSP Tutorials For Enhancing Images:
CLICK HERE

Fonts & Text:
1) Please make sure that you use colours that stand out yet coordinate with the Graphic you are using.
2) Select a Font appropriate to the Design and Theme of the Graphic
DO NOT USE MORE THAN TWO FONT STYLES IN A GRAPHIC
STANDARD IS ONE SERIF AND ONE SANS-SERIF
2) When possible, make use of white space; try not to put text over the graphic itself.
3) Please make sure text is legible and clear.
4) PLEASE check Your Spelling!

Images Used:
Please use styles of graphics that will appeal to all Members.
(Meaning Males and Females)
Also make sure that there is no Copyright Infringement!

Team Themes:

The Witches Circle
Pagan, Wiccan
Witch, Wicca, Pagan, Harry Potter, Magic, Spells, Tarot, Divination, Cauldron, Witchcraft,
Gypsies, Sabbats, Pentacle, Druids, Black Cats, Familiars, Salem & anything dealing with witchcraft
from TV Shows to tools to graphics to Following the Path

Spirits of the Wind
Spiritual
Angels, New Age, Wildlife (Lions, Tigers, Bears and more.. OH MY), Celtic, Native American,
Family Pets, Totems, Spirits, Poetry, Dedication Pages (a lost loved one, 9-11, Personal Pages),
Country (Music, life, graphics), TV Shows (Highway to Heaven, Little House on the Prairie and the like),
Poetry, Recipies (Online Kitchens), Inspirational Sites, Craft Sites, Disney, Musicals, Cartoons

Flights of Fantasy
Light Fantasy
Elves, Fairies, Fae, Dragons, Hobbits, Avalon, Stonehenge, King Arthur, Guinnivere, Camelot,
Lord of The Rings, Sidhe, Fantasy graphics, Unicorns, Pegasus, Castles, Legends of Yore,
Princesses, Princes, Kings, Queens, Fantasy, Robin Hood, Atlantis

Hall of Ma'ati
History, Adventure, Cartoon
Egyptian Animals & the Egyptian Gods, Ancient Lore, World History, Cultures & Civilizations;
US History, Space Exploration, Action, Adventure & Cartoon Fan Sites, World of Super Heroes;
Computer/RP Games s uch as Final Fantasy, Tomb Raider, Mummy: the Resurrection, Pitfall, Jubei-Chan, etc.

Gothic Chamber
Gothic, Horror & Dark Fantasy
Mystery & Sci-Fi , Supernatural & Paranormal Graveyards;
Haunts, Halloween, Creatures of Horror & Darkness, Vampires, Werewolves, Ghosts, Wraiths;
Dark Elves, Dark Fae, Dark Angels, Role-playing games such as Vampire: the Masquerade;
Werewolf: the Apocalypse or Wraith.

Blinkies:

SEE BLINKIE TUTORIALS AT TOP OF PAGE

Small Blinkie - 150 (W) x 20 (H)

Medium Blinkie - 150 (W) x 40 (H)

Format: Animated GIF
(Please no .art or .x extensions)

Size: 25K and under for fast loading in guestbooks

Charms:

SEE CHARM TUTORIAL AT TOP OF PAGE

Charms - 50 x 50

Format: Animated GIF
(Please no .art or .x extensions)

Size: 25K and under for fast loading in guestbooks

Quilt Squares:

Squares - 130 x 130

Format: Animated GIF or Static JPG
(Please no .art or .x extensions)

Size: 50K and under for fast loading in guestbooks

Jar Globes:

Special Note:
Jar Globes are just MR's version of the snowglobe with a twist. Our original globes are all
animated particles in the bottom portion (A); however, not wanting them all to be the same, you
can also do other effects (B) or use the standard snowglobe appearance (C).

SEE SNOWGLOBE TUTORIALS AT TOP OF PAGE
(CAN USE SNOWGLOBE TUTORIALS FOR JAR GLOBES)

Jar Globe Base Download
(Zip File Includes PSP Image. PSP Tub & PSD Format)

Jar Globes - 150 x 225*
*Adding special effects or images that go beyond the edge of globe can alter dimensions
slightly. Please just make sure that the jar size itself is not changed.


(A)	(B)	(C)

Format: Animated GIF
(Please no .art or .x extensions)

Size: 75K and under for fast loading in guestbooks

Backgrounds:

Horizontal - 1000 (W) x 200 (H)
Vertical - 200 (W) x 1000 (H)
Tiles - 200 x 200

Format: Static JPG
(Please no .art or .x extensions)

Size: 50K and under for fast loading of Websites and E-mails

Listing of Holidays and Sabbats Specifications
Colours and Symbolss associated with Holidays & Sabbats

Major Holidays

New Years

Colours used: Silver, Gold, White, Black, Assorted Colours
Symbols: Champagne Bottle, Champagne Glasses, Streamers, Father Time, Clocks,
Confetti, Party Hats, Noise Makers

Valentines Day

Colours used: Red, Pink, White, Silver, Gold
Symbols: Hearts, Lace, Roses, Cupid, Lovesbirds & Doves, Love Knot

St. Patrick's Day

Colours used: Green, Gold, Colours of the Rainbow
Symbols: Shamrocks, Leprechauns, Rainbows, Gold Coins, Pot of Gold, Harps, Celtic Symbols,
Goblins, Elves, Trolls

Easter

Colours used: Multi-colours & Pastels
Symbols: Easter Eggs, Palm Branch, Flowers, Jelly Beans, Baskets, Bunnies, Ribbons,
Bows, Baby Chicks

Memorial Day

Colours used: Red, White, Blue
Symbols: US Flag, Soldiers, Military Grave Markers, Partriotic

4th of July

Colours used: Red, White, Blue
Symbols: US Flag, Uncle Sam, Fireworks, Patriotic

Halloween

Colours used: Orange, Black & Autumn Colours
Symbols: Witches, Vampires, Ghosts, Skeletons, Jack o'Lantern, Candy Corn,
Spiders, Webs, Black Cat

Thanksgiving

Colours used: Autumn Colours
Symbols: Turkey, Cornucopia, Corn Husks, Indian Corn, Autumn Leaves

Christmas

Colours used: Green, Red, Silver, Gold, White, Yellow
Symbols: Stars, Fir Trees, Ornaments, Candles, Candy Canes, Bells, Wreaths, Bows

The 8 Major Pagan Sabbats

Samhain

Colours used: Orange, Black, Indigo, Red

Symbols: Cauldron, Mask, Bats, Balefire, and Jack O' Lantern, Oak Leaves, Acorns, Straw,
Besom, Black Cat, Black Crescent Moon

Yule (Winter Solstice)

Colours used: Gold, silver, red, green, white

Symbols: Wreath, Yule Log, Yule Tree, Mistletoe, Holly, Evergreen, Pointsettia,
Spinning Wheels, Trolls, Phoenix, Yule Elf, Jule Gnome

Imbolc (Candlemas - Beginning & Growth)

Colours used: Brown, Pink, Red, Orange, White, Lavender, Pale Yellow, Silver

Symbols: Grain, Burrowing Animals, Ewes, Candles, Marigolds, Daffodils, Brigid Wheel,
Brigid’s Cross, Red Candle in Cauldron Full of Earth, Firebird, Dragon.

Ostara (Spring Equinox)

Colours used: Gold, Light Green, Grass Green, Robin’s Egg Blue, Lemon Yellow,
pale pink, anything pastel

Symbols: Colored Eggs, Baskets, Shamrock, Equilateral Cross, Butterfly, Violets, Lily,
Spring Wildflowers, Lamb, Hare/Rabbit

Beltane (Mayday)

Colours used: Red & White (Symbolizing God and Goddess), Dark Green, Dark Yellow,
Rainbow Spectrum, Blue, Pastels, All Colors

Symbols: Baskets, Chalice, May Baskets, White flowers & Ribbons, Butterchurns,
May Pole & Ribbons, Flower Crowns, Fires.

Litha (Midsummer, Summer Solstice)

Colours used: Blue, green, gold, yellow and red

Symbols: Feathers, Sun Dials, Fire, Swords, Satyrs, Faeries, Firebird, Dragon

Lughnasadh (The First Harvest)

Colours used: Red, Orange, Golden Yellow, Green, Light Brown, Gold, Bronze, Gray

Symbols: Sun, Grains, Cornucopias, Breads and Threshing Tools, Sun Flowers, Sun Wheel, Fire,
Circles of Stone, Sun Dials, Swords/Blades, Bird Feathers, Witches' Ladder

Mabon (Autumn Equinox)

Colours used: Brown, green, orange, red, deep gold, scarlet, yellow,
russet, maroon, all autumn colors, purple, blue violet & indigo

Symbols: Wine, Vine, Gourd, Apples, Cornucopias, Burial Cairns, Garland, Lanterns, Indian Corn,
Red Fruits, Autumn Flowers & Leaves, red poppies, Wheat Stalks

Concept & Creation - Vampire Prince
Design & Maintenance
©2002 & Up - Vampire Prince & Mystickal Realms
Some Images Courtesy of Moon Stars
Buttons by Eos Development