How to Make Picture Collages on the Computer

Before designing your collage, determine which photos you want to include.

Designing a picture collage is a creative way to showcase your favorite photos of friends and loved ones. To create a collage on your computer, you can use Microsoft Paint. The program is free and is included in Windows 7, as well as earlier platform versions. In addition to using photos in your collage, Paint also allows you to add custom drawings, shapes and text. After you create the collage, you can use it as your desktop wallpaper or share it with friends online.

Instructions

1. Go to "Start" and click "All Programs." Open the "Accessories" folder and select Paint. A blank canvas will be displayed when you open the program.

2. Set the size for your blank canvas. To increase the canvas, click and drag the small white boxes on the corners and edges of the canvas. You can also set a specific canvas size by clicking the "Resize" button on the toolbar and entering specific dimensions.

3. Click the "Paste" button in the upper-left corner of the toolbar and select the "Paste from" option. Navigate through your folders and select the first image you want to include in your collage. After the image is inserted in your canvas, click and drag it to your desired location. You can also resize the image by clicking and dragging the corners and edges of the picture. Repeat this step for each image you want to add to your collage.

4. Click the "Text" button if you want to add text to your collage. The text tool allows you to choose the style, size and color of your font. If you want to add a custom drawing to your photo collage, use the "Brushes" button.

5. Click the "Paint" tab, highlight the "Save As" option and select your preferred image format, such as JPEG, BMP or PNG. The "Save As" dialog box will appear on the screen.

6. Enter a name for your new file and select the folder you want to save your collage. Click the "Save" button.

Resources

• Microsoft Windows: Using Paint