Web page layouts with the GIMP
PAINTING YOUR SITE
Good homepage design is a question of the layout. Sometimes the best option is to use a graphics program to design the page, then translate the result into HTML code. The versatile image manipulation program GIMP can help.
Some purists believe they must compose HTML code line by line in a text editor to achieve clean results, but other developers are occasionally willing to consider alternatives. One little known alternative is the option of creating a graphics file in GIMP and then converting the file directly to HTML. GIMP version 2 (www.gimp.org) or newer includes the Py-Slice plug-in, which converts the image into a collection of tiles, and then creates an HTML table that organizes the tiles into an image that looks like the original. The results can easily be used for homepages with attractive graphics, like the example shown in Figure 1. Most current distributions give you GIMP version 2.2; we will be using this version for the remainder of this article. Suse users will need to add the Python extension and the Py-Slice plug-in manually [2]. After doing so, launch GIMP and create a new image (File | New). Then select the 800x600 entry in the Templates drop down. This is the resolution we will be using for the homepage. Then enter a name for the file; you will be storing the file under this name later. Make sure you use GIMP’s native .xcf format to have access to all of GIMP’s features.
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you've found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
2024 Open Source Professionals Job Survey Now Open
Share your expectations regarding open source jobs.
-
Arch Linux 2023.12.01 Released with a Much-Improved Installer
If you've ever wanted to install Arch Linux, now is your time. With the latest release, the archinstall script vastly simplifies the process.
-
Zorin OS 17 Beta Available for Testing
The upcoming version of Zorin OS includes plenty of improvements to take your PC to a whole new level of user-friendliness.
-
Red Hat Migrates RHEL from Xorg to Wayland
If you've been wondering when Xorg will finally be a thing of the past, wonder no more, as Red Hat has made it clear.
-
PipeWire 1.0 Officially Released
PipeWire was created to take the place of the oft-troubled PulseAudio and has finally reached the 1.0 status as a major update with plenty of improvements and the usual bug fixes.
-
Rocky Linux 9.3 Available for Download
The latest version of the RHEL alternative is now available and brings back cloud and container images for ppc64le along with plenty of new features and fixes.
-
Ubuntu Budgie Shifts How to Tackle Wayland
Ubuntu Budgie has yet to make the switch to Wayland but with a change in approaches, they're finally on track to making it happen.
-
TUXEDO's New Ultraportable Linux Workstation Released
The TUXEDO Pulse 14 blends portability with power, thanks to the AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS CPU.
-
AlmaLinux Will No Longer Be "Just Another RHEL Clone"
With the release of AlmaLinux 9.3, the distribution will be built entirely from upstream sources.
-
elementary OS 8 Has a Big Surprise in Store
When elementary OS 8 finally arrives, it will not only be based on Ubuntu 24.04 but it will also default to Wayland for better performance and security.