Surround and image with glow

[Charger27]

Does anyone know of a program or method to put a glow around and image?

The idea is to use white around a rectangular .JPG, and on top of another larger .JPG.
I would like to gradient the glow from an outer edge transparency of about 80% to the innermost (against the image it surrounds) transparency of basically 0%.

I can get close to what I want with the airbrush, but can't really control the gradient aspect of the transparency.

Any suggestions appreciated.

[TheJoshMan]

Like this?



If so, this is done using the "outer glow" feature in the "layer options" pallette of photoshop. Just right click the layer you want to add the glow to, then click "layer options" and click on outer glow and play with the settings.

[Charger27]

Yes exactly like that.
I was hoping to avoid buying Adobe Photoshop, but this is just one more reason among several lately that has me resigned to the purchase.

Does anyone have any tips as to which version to buy?
Thanks

[TheJoshMan]

I don't think you can actually buy version CS2 any longer. I believe you have to purchase the most recent version which is now CS3. Get ready for a hefty price tag. However, there are free alternatives (GIMP) that you could try. I've never used the GIMP so I wouldn't know what sort of features it has in comparison to PhotoShop.

[djr33]

There are a lot of options.
For one thing, you don't need all the features of photoshop. You could get photoshop elements, which is more limited, but much cheaper.
You could also try any one of the many other programs out there, like fireworks, corel draw (I think that's the current name of their application), paint shop pro, etc.
However, the GIMP is free, and though I don't personally like the way it works (UI, etc), it has a lot of potential and can, in theory, do most everything that any professional program can.
Also, there are free trials available for a lot of the applications, including adobe's software, so you could try the program for a month to see if it fits your needs.
And as for just making a glow, that's not a very hard thing to do, so you should think about what sort of investment you want to make, based on what else you'd want to end up doing with the program. Photoshop is great, but it's also very expensive and a lot more than you need to get just for a glow.

Also, I think it is possible to purchase older versions of photoshop on ebay, etc., though I'm not quite sure how that works. You certainly don't need the newest version.

[Nile]

You can also use Paint.net or Inkscape, both free and both not related to MS Paint.
But then keep in mind that InkScape is Vector. And Paint.net is Raster.

[Charger27]

Great suggestions - appreciate the input.
I wasn't real excited about spending $600 to $1000 on a graphics program.

Now if I could only bribe someone to respond to my Javascript post/question... I would be a happy guy.

[tfit]

I think Luce works on paintshop too

[techno_race]

You can also do this with Fireworks or Flash.
Most graphics programs supply 'filters'.
You could always have somebody here do it for you.
BTW, Photoshop is a must-have for anyone that wants to work with these kinds of graphics.

[TheJoshMan]

LOL, I suppose I didn't even THINK to say that if they wanted to save a little money that one of us could probably do it for them rather than them buying the program just to put some glow on an image...