Contribute comes with some basic image editing tools that allow you to resize, rotate, crop and adjust Sharpness, brightness/contrast.
When you edit an image you are editing the copy on the server or the copy in your draft page. You are not editing your source file on your computer.
Resizing an Image
If you have insert an image that is too big, you can just resize it. This is a better option than adjusting the display properties.
- Select the image. This bring up the image editing toolbar.
- Click the resize button.
- Click one of the image selection handles and drag the image until you get the proper size. It is best to grab the corner handles so you can maintain the image proportion. If you drag one of the side handles, your image will appear distorted. Optionally you can change the image size numerically by adjusting the Width and Height in the toolbar. The measurement used here is pixels.
Important note for resizing images
Do not use the resize tool to increase the image size. Increasing the image size with the resize tool will greatly reduce the image quality.
If the image is too small and your original source photo is a larger size, delete the photo you have on your page and re-insert the image again.
If you need assistance with photo editing, contact the web administrator.
Rotating Images
You may need to change the image rotation because your photo that you took with your digital camera is in Portrait mode but it appears in landscape.
- Select the image. This will bring up the image editing toolbar.
- Rotate the image in either clockwise or counter-clockwise direction by clicking on the appropriate button in the image editing. Each click will rotate the image 90 degrees.
Cropping Images
If you have an image and you only want to show a section of the image, use the crop tool.
- Select the image. This will bring up the image editing toolbar.
- Click the crop button in the image editing toolbar.
- Selection handles will appear on the image. Move the selection handles until you have the area you want to crop the image down to. You can also move the area around by clicking and dragging in the middle of the area.
- Double click the image to complete the crop.
Sharpening Images
The sharpening tool will take the edges of objects in your image and increase the contrast of them. This will make the edges of the objects in your image stand out more. You may want to use this if the details of your image appear to be muddy or cloudy (WRONG).
- Select the image. This will bring up the image editing toolbar.
- Select the sharpen button in the image editing toolbar. This will bring up the Sharpen dialog box.
- Make sure you can see the image by moving the Sharpen dialog box around the screen. Also, make sure the Preview box is checked.
- Drag the slider to adjust the sharpen amount. Once you have the desired effect on your image, click OK to apply the effect.
You shouldn’t over-sharpen your image. If you over-sharpen your image, it will appear to be too doctored and look strange. You should use this tool sparingly.
Brightness and Contrast
If your image is too dark, use the brightness and contrast tool.
- Select the image. This will bring up the image editing toolbar.
- Select the Brightnexx/Contrast button from the tool bar. This Brightness/Contrast dialog box will appear.
- Make sure you can see the image by moving the Brightness/Contrast dialog box around the screen. Also, make sure the Preview box is checked.
- Drag the sliders to adjust the Brightness and Contrast. Optionally you can adjust the brightness and contrast numerically. Once you have the desired effect on your image, click OK to apply the effect.
Contribute’s Brightness/Contrast tool is best used for minor adjustments. If you over brighten the image or give your photo too much contrast, the photo will appear very altered. If you require more advanced brightness and contrast adjustments, edit them in an external application such as Adobe Photoshop. Alternatively contact the Web administrator or College Communications for assistance in editing your images.