controlling the size of an image with text over it

[bobs world]

Hi all,
I am new to this forum but really need some advise.
I am designing a site for a restaurant and want an image of a "menu" in the background with text over the top of the "menu" I need the ability to change the text regularly as prices etc change.
I tried placing the image in a table but due to the effect of tiling etc I have no control over the image.
Does anyone have any suggestions how i might accomplish this goal?

[Allen]

are you looking for the image to be static or be a background on the page? do you have a url that we can look at?

[Leprakawn]

Cool, I am designing a site for a restaurant, too! However, the menu will not have any pictures on it, but I plan on getting some that will be linked to the text.

Anyway, you can make your background not repeat with CSS. With CSS, you have control over everything! Also, I have no idea how your site is set up, but I can tell you that <div> and CSS is the way to go; tables are in a losing battle.

[bobs world]

I don't have an url for site yet. This is to be the new improved version and is still in the planning design stage. The idea is for the menu page to look as if you are looking at the menu. The ideal would have been a menu with turning page and a drop shadow to add dimension but like I said I need to change the prices etc.
the menu is very full of text and some images.
Any thoughts or opinions would be appreciated!!!

[Leprakawn]

Well, would you be able to show us a picture of the menu so we know exactly what you are dealing with?

[bobs world]

this is a screen capture of the .pdf file.

http://www.freewebs.com/bobwins/msh/pics/menupic.jpg

I had considered putting the pdf file in but will want to edit majorly.

[Leprakawn]

Well, I don't know if this is the best thing to do, but my immediate decision would be to fill in the prices with the colour from the menu, and then use <div> tags (positioned with CSS) to write the prices. Or make the menu a PSD file, and save a copy (for the Net) as a .jpg, and edit the PSD as needed.

I must ask why you need to make the prices editable? I mean, if they change them that much, then don't they have to change out the menus each time, too? And if so, that can become tedious and a waste of money. Now if the prices change due to specials or something like that, you could make a "Specials" page.

[bobs world]

Filling in the prices with the colour from the menu, and then using paint shop pro to rewrite prices as they changed was an option I had considered. however I was afraid that might be too big a file size if I kept the resolution big enough to make it clear.what are your thoughts
Since the original question was asked using your suggestion I have played with the <div> tags (positioned with CSS) to write all the text and food photos over a low resolution version of the menu background. I also plan on putting in a drop shadow to make the menu feel more touchable!
rewriting the text with <div> tags as the advantage I can move things arond from page to page since my grouping may be different.

I need to make the prices editable incase prices change faster than expected and with meat price fluctuations they did last year. They may do a temporary whiteout and rewrite them in I dont know for sure that this will happen but I want to be ready for every eventuality.
I will post on a seperate thread my question about linux vs.windows webhosting.
Thanks and thanks in advance for your thoughts opinions.
Ken

[Leprakawn]

Well, I understand that large file size means slow load time, but I know everyone's jumping onto DSL/Cable broadband connections. Also, I do know a good program that can reduce the img file's size: Irfanview. Just open an img with it, and save it as a .jpg (just make sure you're saving it to the proper folder). I've handled a few of my graphics with Irfanview.

Cool, glad to hear you are having fun with the <div> tags!

Ahh, and I had no idea about the price fluctuations. I did a previous menu, but they never adjusted theirs.

I'm sure Allen or Curtiss will have some good advice for Linux vs. Windows hosting. Take care, dude!

[bobs world]

Will checkout irfanview I am woking on improving my site. Then will be getting back to the new improved restaurant site All the more chance thanks to your advice.