Using Google Image Search to Find Symbols for Communication Boards

Google's Image Search (www.google.com) has more than 425 million images indexed and available for viewing. To use Image Search, select the "images" tab or visit http://images.google.com. Enter a query in the image search box, then click on the "Search" button. On the results page, just click the thumbnail to see a larger version of the image, as well as the web page on which the image is located.

Please be aware that images identified by the Google Image Search service may be protected by copyrights. You do not have a right to use them for any purpose other than viewing them on the web. If you plan to use the graphics you find in any other way, we advise you to contact the site owner to obtain the requisite permissions. There is often an email address somewhere on the website where you can send your request.

WARNING: The results you see when using Google’s Image Search may contain mature content. The search engine has a mature content filter that eliminates a lot of problems, but it is not entirely foolproof.

Preparing a graphic for use in Boardmaker:

Reduce the color depth of your images to 256 colors (8 bit). Most graphics used on the internet have been reduced in file size to facilitate fast loading on your browser. If this has not been done, it will be necessary to reduce the image's color depth using photo editing software. Due to memory requirements, Boardmaker is designed to best handle images with 256 colors. You will need to reduce the color depth (number of colors) of your digital pictures to 256 colors. Failure to do this step will produce poor image quality or can cause problems in working with the software.

Resize the image. For most communication uses, you will work with a consistent image size like 2" x 2" or 1" x 1". You can suffer some loss of image quality by making large changes in picture size within Boardmaker.

Saving Digital Images in Boardmaker Libraries

Make a new symbol library file for your digital images (see instructions below). Select the image, copy it to the clipboard, and paste it into your new symbol library file. Click on the Change (Picture Name) button and enter the name for your new symbol. Click OK when finished.

To create a new Boardmaker Library:

1. In the Symbol Finder window, select New from the File menu.

2. Enter a name for your new library file.

3. Be sure to save the new library in the Boardmaker Libraries folder (Mac) or in the Color or B&W directory (Windows). Your new library will not be available to Boardmaker if you save them in the wrong place.

4. Click on the Save button. A new, blank, library file will appear in the Symbol Finder window.

5. You can now copy your digital picture and then paste the picture into the new Boardmaker library.