What is a DOG?
If you think about watching the news on TV or many Youtube videos, you’ll know just what an overlay is used for– it’s a transparent slide that overlays an image on the screen – usually with a small digital graphic in the corner of the screen that identifies the broadcaster of creator. It’s also known as a digital on-screen graphic, digitally origination graphic (DOG), bug, ornetwork bug), and looks something like this.
Example: Screen with DOG in the corner
You can make your own using a variety of tools. You probably already know that you can make one using a graphics app such as Photoshop. However, that type of app usually comes with a hefty price tag. Here are three low-cost options you have for making one.
How to make an image overlay
Click to watch the video
What you’ll Need before you start
To make a digital on-screen graphic overlay, you just create a slide the same size as your screen which has your logo in the corner and a transparent background so the image will show through. This is a convenient way to identify your brand to your viewers.
Before you get started, there are two things to consider:
- You’ll need a good quality Logo graphic in jpg or png format. (This tutorial assumes you already have a logo. It can be a large one because you can shrink it when you make the overlay.)
- Before you begin, make sure you know the size of your screen so you can make the correct-sized slide. Most graphics apps default to 1280 x 720, but make sure this is the size of your screen before continuing.
The actual size is not as important as the aspect ratio (width to height).- Old TVs used a 4:3 aspect ratio, but modern ones use a 16:9, as does most video.
- Tablets use mostly 16:10, although some use 16:9.
What Tools to Use
- You can make an overlay using a variety of tools
- You can use a Graphics App like Adobe Photoshop
- You can use a Presentation Creation App like Powerpoint (Windows and Mac)
- or use Keynote (available on Mac only)
Here’s some more information about each option.
Option 1 – Use a Graphics App
The easiest way to make a graphic with a transparent background using a graphics app. Some free and low cost options include:
- Adobe Photoshop Elements [Here’s a Tutorial]
- Windows 10 Paint 3D. [Here’s a Tutorial]
- Gimp – GIMP is a cross-platform image editor available for GNU/Linux, macOS, Windows and more operating systems available for free
https://www.gimp.org/downloads/ - Inkscape is professional quality vector graphics software which runs on Linux, Mac OS X and Windows desktop computers available for free
https://inkscape.org
Option 2 – How to make an image overlay using Powerpoint
Using Powerpoint to make an overlay has the advantage that many people already have Powerpoint and know how to use it. It has the disadvantage of being a bit of a complicated process.
Powerpoint won’t make a slide with a transparent background, so you have to do this in two steps. First you make a slide with a background and then you remove the background from the slide.
Think of yourself as a special effects guy in the movies. They shoot a scene with two actors in a rowboat in front of a green screen. Then in post-processing, you remove the green background and then put in a different background. Only in this case, you’ll skip putting in a different background. And you won’t need a rowboat.Now that you’ve installed and configured ShredIt, you’re ready to wipe your Data. You can wipe your Free Space or wipe your phone before selling. For instructions on how to wipe your phone before selling, refer to the Tutorial Menu on the left.
To create an image overlay, follow these easy steps:
- In Powerpoint, make an Overlay Slide
– Make the slide in the same size as your screen.
– Add the logo where you want it. Make sure the logo is large enough to be seen and small enough that it won’t obstruct too much of the slide.
– Add a solid background in a color that’s not in your logo. (Like a Green Screen.)
– Export the slide to PNG.
- Make the PNG Transparent
For the next step, make a copy of the PNG you just made and modify it instead of the original. That way you still have the original PNG in case you need to start again.
Now, comes the special effects technique. You can use Preview on Mac or another tool. We’ll cover using Preview first.
Option A – It’s easy to do on a Mac, Using Preview (Only available on Mac)
– If you haven’t already done so, make a copy of the PNG you just made to work on.
– Open the copy PNG in Preview (only available on Mac).
– From the Image Toolbar, select the Magic Wand. Run it on the image to select all the Green.
– Press “Delete”.
– Close the file.
Option B – Using an online Tool
– If you haven’t already done so, make a copy of the PNG you just made to work on.
– Go to https://transparent.imageonline.co
or
https://www.adobe.com/express/feature/image/transparent-background (free sign-in required)
– From your computer, select the Copy PNG or drag it onto the web page.
– Follow the instructions.
– Download the finished PNG to your computer.and. Run it on the image to select all the Green.
When the operation is complete, you’ll have a transparent slide with a logo in the corner that you can use as an overlay.
Option 3 – How to make an image overlay using Keynote
Although Powerpoint won’t make a slide with a transparent background, Keynote will.
Now that you’ve installed and configured ShredIt, you’re ready to wipe your Data. You can wipe your Free Space or wipe your phone before selling. For instructions on how to wipe your phone before selling, refer to the Tutorial Menu on the left.
- In Keynote, make a slide in the same size as your screen.
Document Button > Slide Size - Add the logo where you want it.
Make sure the logo is large enough to be seen and small enough that it won’t obstruct too much of the slide.
Media Button > Choose - Change the background to ‘No Fill’
Format Button > Fill - Export the slide to PNG.
File > Export To > Images
making sure you click the “Export with Transparent Backgrounds” tick box.
