How do I create and use bitmap images with Mac?

A bitmap is a bitmap, like a PDF is a PDF.
* Note: yes, there are different types/iterations of files within a file type, but for this example, it's fine.
You can set the Mac to save screenshots as BMP files.
You can create/edit them in many apps as well.
BMP's are relatively crappy files, but if you're doing websites or other low-quality work, they're fine.
Macs can make edit them just as PCs do.
Lots of software (including the OS itself) can do this.

Scott

This is just a suggestion. I use Wacom's tablet and pen and Painter software to work with bitmap and vector files. It's easy to use and inexpensive. I've been using it for 7 years.

Carolyn 🙂

Compositor is priced close to GraphicConverter, but gives you more artistic control. I use both, but mainly use Compositor for improving pictures and images (or bitmaps).

http://www.artlythere.com/compositor.shtml

Can use for free for 30 days.

You can use Image Capture to scan files into your computer, provided your scanner has a Mac driver. It might even have its own scanning program, check the scanner manufacturer's web site for Mac downloads. The scanned image can be saved in a number of different formats, the commonest is probably jpeg, which is compressed and lossy--you might want to choose tiff instead or, if you spend the bucks for Photoshop Elements (under $100, shop around, sometimes it will come with a scanner, sometimes it is on sale at Amazon) save as psd files and edit in Elements. If you scan into Image Capture and save as a tiff file you can edit in a number of different programs, including a few very basic corrections in iPhoto (which may have come with your computer, depends of which model you bought). If you're adventurous and open to learning a whole new bunch of things, you can download either Mac GIMP or the regular GIMP, which will do everything Photoshop will do and is free, but does require the installation of X11 (which is available as an optional install from your system install disk).
Francine


Francine
Schwieder

I believe that format is "PICT". As mentioned earlier, you can load, edit, and save a variety of formats with GraphicConverter - shareware, but easily worth twice the $30.

Photoshop and Graphic Converter are two that I know about.

Since you're a newcomer to the Mac, peruse Switching from Windows to Mac OS X and Basic Tutorials on using a Mac

I forgot to give you the link... http://www.wacom.com/index2.cfm

Carolyn 🙂

Thanks for the feedback. Good computing.

the regular GIMP, which will do everything Photoshop will do

Well, no, not everything, but possibly everything you will need it to do.