Calendars are indispensable for planning but we can't deny their decorative effect on everybody who sees them too. So a calendar with a picture is an obvious choice.
We can look at them as kind of windows with sometimes truly spectacular views and a useful table with dates (sometimes with additional space for notes) as a bonus. Or maybe a to-do list with an inspiring image on the top? In any case, calendars with pictures are a popular choice for most of us.
But how can we make one? What tools and skills do we need for such a project?
I'll show you a simple way to make a calendar with a lovely picture with completely free tools and resources, yet with a professional-looking result. Please, be careful, the devil is, like always, in the details.
Do you make your own calendars or just buy them?
Well, this article is about making a calendar, not about making dozens of calendars which are offered through web pages (see example of such page above).
Yes, before you decide to put up such page, you need to understand the basic difference between GIF, JPG, PNG, SVG and other graphic formats. You should be able to convert between them, know how to resize each graphic file, know a bit about most useful formats for desktop computers and mobile devices, know how to compress the files where the compression is possible and what prize you pay with your decision (typically faster loading files come with less ressolution).
No, I believe, everybody, especially with some previous knowledge of MS Office, can become pretty self-reliant in LibreOffice in a few minutes. Inkscape is a different kind of beast, because it's a graphic program aiming at graphic designers.
Anyway, to make a simple calendar, you just need the basic knowledge of dealing with files and graphic elements (import, export, pick an element, move it, resize it). Even without tutorials anybody can learn it through trial-and-error method. Some setbacks should be expected at a bit more demanding tasks like centering/aligning elements and you'll probably notice it's not so user-friendly when you export a file and later you can't find it (warning - be focused before you press enter).
The computer crashed before I asked my other question regarding learning materials.
The fourth paragraph to your subheading Beware of the dimensions indicates that compression methods, graphic formats and quality versus speed compromises are vital concerns.
Would there be that quantity of quality learning materials for improving extant knowledge, or self-instructing, on the above-mentioned concerns?
The second paragraph under your subheading You have to put a table and chosen graphic together indicates that "Inkscape is way more demanding for beginners than LibreOffice programs but there are tons of learning materials on YouTube and for a simple project like making a calendar with a picture, you'll probably know enough in a couple of hours."
Would that quantity of quality learning materials also apply to LibreOffice?