resources:
This page contains helpful information to get you started with the course assignments. The following information is available. Click on one of the links to jump to that section.

downloading the latest browser:
Like all software, each new edition of internet browsers has added important functionality. In the recent past, the differences between Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer were relatively minor. With version 5.0 of Internet Explorer available for both platforms, the clear advantage seems to belong to Microsoft.

For ease of use and power, you should download the latest version (version 5.5 or 6) of Internet Explorer from Microsoft. Note that it comes pre-installed with Windows 98SE, Windows 2000, Windows ME, or Windows XP. Upgrades are also available from the KSU Bookstore.

Special Note to AOL Users: AOL is both a service (ISP) and software. Its software is simply an inferior product to the other browsers. It was designed to provide a much more limited and narrow internet experience than full browsers. Therefore, you should use AOL as a service and switch to Explorer as your browser. See the instructor for additional information.

downloading the template files - Windows:
  1. Open Internet Explorer
  2. Enter the following URL in address line at the top of the screen:

    http://www.itecksu.org/pub/desvisuals/templates.zip     and press <Enter>. Your screen should look something like this:



  3. Once the file is downloaded, click on the "Open" button to open the zip file. Click "Extract all files" to extract the files.

downloading template files - Macintosh
  1. Open Internet Explorer
  2. Enter the following URL in address line at the top of the screen:

    ftp://www.itecksu.org/desvis     and press <Enter>

  3. Your screen should contain a listing of the template files.


  4. We'll use template1.psd as an example. The 5 template files are Adobe Photoshop files (.psd) and will open in Adobe Photoshop Elements. They contain a grid system set to the correct dimensions, as well as layers containing the design elements appropriate for that problem. Click the file that you want to download, in this case template1.psd. A warning box should appear because Explorer can not display the file. Choose "Save File As."


  5. Macintosh users often select the "Documents" folder on their hard drives to store files. While this is a good choice, a better choice is to create a special folder for your Designing Visuals file. In this example, we'll create a folder on the desktop. Click on the New Folder button. Note that your new folder will appear on your desktop because "Desktop" is the heading of the drop-down menu on this dialog box.


  6. You will see the "New Folder" dialog box.


  7. Name your new folder something convenient like "Designing Visuals."


  8. Your file will now be saved to your new folder. Click the Save button.


  9. Explorer's Download Manager may appear to indicate the file is downloading. Close Download Manager by clicking on the close box in the upper left corner of the window.


  10. The file will now be downloaded into the new Designing Visuals folder.


Accessing other PhotoShop resources

There are a variety of resources available to you online tohelp you master Adobe PhotoShop. These links will get you started, but don't hesitate to look around and find additional materials on your own. Adobe Classroom in a Book. The Classroom in a Book series offers fun and effective tutorials that are free for educators. You must register every time you access their site. All of the chapters for the PhotoShop 5.5 and 6.0 books are available in PDF form and requires the free Acrobat Reader software.

completing the problems in PhotoShop Elements
  1. Make sure that you have correctly installed Adobe Photoshop Elements.
  2. Locate and open the folder in which you placed the downloaded template(s). Double-click on the file to open it in Adobe Photoshop Elements.
  3. Note that you have a canvas that is 556 pixels (~8 in.) square. Locate the layers palette in the lower (Please refer to the Adobe Photoshop Elements manual for information about the work area.
  4. Duplicate the layers (right-click) as you see fit.
  5. Click and drag the new layers to any outlined grid position.
  6. To add text, select the "A" tool.
  7. Click and drag a rectangle text box to hold your text.
  8. Change the text attributes as you see fit and type your text. Alternately, type the text, select it, and then change its attributes.
  9. After you composition is complete, make sure that you turn of the grid layer.
saving Elements files as gif files
  1. Before you save your files as web pages, save them as regular Publisher documents. If you wish to make changes, Publisher files are much easier to edit than web pages.
  2. Choose File>Save for Web...
  3. Select GIF from the drop down.
  4. Name each file according to the directions for that problem. Usually, you will name files with names like prob01a.gif, prob01b.gif, and so on. Then, your web pages will be named correctly. It is critical that your web pages be named exactly as instructed. Otherwise, they will never be found online.
  5. Save your files in a logical location, such as a DesVis folder in your My Documents folder.
posting problems to your personal web directory - Windows users
  1. In this tutorial, we will illustrate the steps using the fictitious student William Clinton. Mr. Clinton’s username would be wclinton. He has specified a password of "hillary."
  2. Type the following URL into the address line at the top left of the screen, substituting your username and password:

    ftp://clintonw@portfolio.educ.kent.edu
  3. Press <Enter>
  4. You will be prompted to enter your user nname and password. After you enter your password, click <OK>. In general, it is not a good idea to ask Explorer to save passwords unless you are the only one who will use this computer and it is located in a safe area.


  5. Since you will be using this address many times, choose Favorites>Add to Favorites.
  6. You should now have your personal web directory on the portfolio server open. If you have used this space before, you may have series of directories for your problems and projects.
  7. If you do not have a DesVis, Right click in your FTP window (the window you just opened) and select New > Folder.
  8. Double-click on the folder DesVis folder.
  9. To post your problems, simply drap the file to your DesVis folder. It will transfer automatically. You may drag several folders at once, or one at a time.
  10. Delete unwanted folders by clicking on the delete button or right-clicking on the unwanted folder.