 | Level: Intermediate Ken Bluttman (ken@kenbluttman.com), Freelance Web Developer, Freelance Consultant
01 Jul 2008 Imagine creating Web-page graphics dynamically using just code
— no need for a complex graphics program. Creating and manipulating images is yours for the doing with
the power of PHP. Put your coding skills to work generating images for the
Web.
In this tutorial
This tutorial steps through using the GD library, showing you how to create and alter
images on Web pages. It starts with the basic GD construct, then builds on it to showcase various graphics techniques. The purpose of this tutorial is to show you how to get started with the GD library and
to provide a variety of techniques you can apply to your Web-page coding. The tutorial
doesn't cover every GD function, but it teaches you the basics. The Resources section
provides Web sites where you can learn more about using the GD library.
Prerequisites
You're advised to do a refresher of PHP basic programming methods before you begin this
tutorial. Knowledge of image and graphics processing is helpful. You should understand
pixels, shapes, graphic file types, resizing, and similar graphics-manipulation concepts. A working knowledge of PHP will go a long way in making this tutorial easy to follow.
You should also have general programming knowledge. The particular syntax requirements,
although similar to some other programming languages, may take some study.
System requirements
-
Web server
- Any operating system and any Web server can be used. Feel free to use Apache V2.X, or
the IBM® HTTP Server. Download from Apache or IBM.
-
PHP
- PHP V5.1.4 or later is required.
-
GD
- As of PHP V4.3, a version of the GD library comes bundled with new PHP installations.
You won't need to worry about this requirement if you're using a later version. Use
phpinfo() to see if your PHP installation is GD-enabled. The
section "Introducing GD" discusses the history and versions of GD, and where to find the library.
Formats html, pdf
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