Customize the Screen Saver


Using a photograph you can easily customize the Hot Air Balloon Screen Saver to show your favorite balloon floating across the computer screen when the computer is idle. The photograph should show the entire balloon without any obstructions. The entire outline of the baloon should be against the sky. See the photographs below for examples of what could be easily modified to work with the Hot Air Balloon Screen Saver. The photo on the left could be easily modified; however the one on the right would be difficult to use - it would be difficult to clip the trees out from the background around the basket.

Option 1: Do it Yourself If you are acustomed to using a graphics editor (such as Corel PhotoPaint, Microsoft Photo Editor, ...) and have access to a computer scanner, then first scan the photograph and open it in your favorite graphics editor. Set the background (or paper) color to RGB values of 0, 0, 102. Create a mask that contains everything but the balloon. Delete the contents of the mask allowing the paper color (0, 0, 102) to show through. Continue this process until you have only the image of the balloon surrounded by the blue background. Save this file, using your favorite graphics format, into the Balloon Pics folder you created earlier. Optoin 2: Send It In If you would prefer you can either send me a scanned image of your balloon (to Doug.Harper@wku.edu) or snail mail me a photo and I will scan it. In exchange for a pin of your balloon (or your favorite balloon related give away item) I will modify the image to make it compatible with the Amazing Hot Air Balloon Screen Saver and will return it to you by email. If you would like your photograph returned the please enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope. I hope you enjoy the Hot Air Balloon Screen Saver.