While I generally do not recommend assigning classses and/or ids to individual <div> elements because it will make cross referencing a big headache (imaging running back and forth, checking the classes and then scanning for that particular <div> element), it will be easier to create images using inline CSS styles. Of course, you’re right about the fact that it will add additional bulk to the code, but compared to an image, the raw CSS code itself is pretty smal.

Formats like .gif and .png are good contenders of the CSS style of creating images because of their ability to compress huge areas of uniform colour. In addition, it is semanically incorrect to use <div>to create images as well :) heheh.

Simpler shapes can be easily done by using CSS image, but when the image gets complicated, I agree with you that falling back to conventional image formats is the most feasible and sensible way. No one would want to toil hours away at the computer figuring out the dimensions of a <div> element that makes up part of a very complicated image.

Thanks for the compliments!

Excellent post. :)

nice picturesssss

It’s really fascinating to know what CSS can do and the Christmas tree is one cool trick! But I’ve to say, I’ll still prefer using images rather than CSS even for the small arrows. It’s kind of troublesome to add more classes etc. to the HTML.

I agree that it may reduces loading time due to the lack of images but then again, more HTML codes and CSS are being loaded on the page which in turns also increases the loading time (although not as much as images).

This may work for simple shapes but I think we can do a lot more with images. There are still certain graphical effects that cannot be done with CSS and with the cross browser issue, isn’t it simpler to work with images? :)

I may have a different viewpoint in regards to implementing this but this is a very well-written tutorial and article! :)

I’m a lecturer in Physical and Health Education at Malaysian Teaching Institute (Raja Melewar Campus Seremban).

I’m in progress writing research proposal to submit to University of Malaya Kuala Lumpur by August 2010, for my Philosophy Doctor Degree.

My interest research topic is about Implementetion Strategics Planning For Smoking Prevention and Cessation Among Adolescent : Evidence-Based Tasks.

It’s my big pleasure to keep in touch with you to share some point of view and information about smoking tobacco habit among adolescents.

Please contact me via email zackaryzul@yahoo.co.uk or facebook by name Zackaryzul Alyahya.

Thank you.