Copyright: Copyright ©


About . . .

For more information on

Media Graphics International, Inc.

Contact us at (800) 598-2037

or Fax us at (303) 427-7833

Web site: www.media-graphics.com


Add Design to Thumbnail Page

Clicking on Add will bring up the Open Design window.  Choose the design you wish to add to the thumbnail list, and it will appear on the thumbnail sheet.


Align Center

This aligns the text you have highlighted, or the text in a text box, to the center.


Align Left

This aligns the text you have highlighted, or the text in a text box, to the left.


Align Right

This aligns the text you have highlighted, or the text in a text box, to the right.


Arrange Icons

This option places any minimized designs in a row at the bottom of the work space.


Arrow Cursor Button

When you click on the Arrow Cursor in the left icon menu it changes the mouse cursor from a + back to your normal editing cursor.


Back One

By clicking on Back One after clicking on an object, shape or text you will move that item backward on your design one layer.


Background and Text Color

The background and Text Color window has various options that you can choose from.  The Fill box allows you to choose how the color will fill the inside or outside of the text or shape.  The Outline box allows you to set the color that will outline the text or shape you have highlighted.  Once you have finished changing the color, fill, and outline of the text click on OK to view the changes on your design.  If you choose not to make any changes at this time click on Cancel.


Behind . . .

When you click on Behind . . . after clicking on an object, shape or text, the arrow icon will change to a pointing finger.  Click the pointing finger on the item you wish to be placed in front of the first item you clicked on.  This will place the first item you clicked on behind the item you clicked on with the pointing finger.


Bold

Click on the B to change the highlighted text appear in Bold.


Cascade

Click on Window, Cascade to allow more than one design to be seen in the work space.  This will layer the designs in a row from the top left of the screen with the top portion of the design title displayed..


Categories

New Categories

Edit Categories


Center

Click the text or graphic, then click on Edit, then click on Center to place the graphic or text in the center of the design.


Center Horizontally

Click the text or graphic, then click on Edit, then click on Center Horizontally to center the graphic or text on the horizontal line it currently occupies in your design.


Center Vertically

Click the text or graphic, then click on Edit, then click on Center Vertically to center the graphic or text on the vertical line it currently occupies in your design.


Change Object's Frame

If you would like to alter an objects frame (the area it takes up on the design) click on the object you would like to adjust, then click on the the yellow half-circle with a red triangle on top of it.  This will bring up the Frame window.  You can choose to set the frame as a rectangle (the default), a clockwise arc, or a counter-clockwise arc.  Experimenting with these options will give you an idea of what the Frame option will do.  If you don't like the results click on Edit, then Undo to revert back to the original design.


Change Object's Shape Effect

This is one of the most unique and powerful tools available to you in Media Graphics' Craft Factory.  When you highlight a shape, and then click on the strange looking blue icon on the secondary icon bar the Shape window will open.


Change Text

This window allows you to type the text you would like placed in the box you have drawn on your design.  Be sure to choose the alignment of your text, Left, Center, or Right.  Once you have typed the text, and set the alignment click OK to place the text on your card.  If you do not wish to place text at this time click on Cancel.  Once you have finished inserting the text you can Move it , Resize it, or Rotate it as you desire.


Changing the Shape

On the left you will be presented with various shape changes that you can make.  Experiment with the various shapes listed here, and watch what it does in the preview menu.  When you have chosen the desired effect click on OK.  If you do not wish to alter the shape click on Cancel.


Clear All

To clear all text and graphics on your design click on Edit, then click on Clear All to create a blank design page.


Clipped to Design Area

When a check mark appears before Clipped to Design Area this will show the graphic on the design area only.  If your graphic overlaps the design area it will stop at the edge of the design area.  If there is no check mark next to Clipped to Design Area, and the design overlaps the edge of the design area, it will appear in full with the overlapping portion outside the design area.


Color Fill

If the box is checked next to Filled then the fill of the text is controlled in the following manner.  If the dot is next to One Color the text will appear filled with the color you have chosen  If the dot is next to Gradient the text will appear filled in a gradient manner according to the tab options you choose.  If you choose the Linear tab you have the option of having the gradation horizontally, vertically, or an angle that you wish to choose.  If you choose the Spherical tab you will then need to adjust the gradation from the X (left or right) or Y (top to bottom) axis by using the small up and down arrows.


Confirm

This box informs you that changes have been made, and then asks you if you would like to save those changes, and exit the current active window.

If you wish to save your changes and stop working on the active window click on the YES button.

If you do not wish to save your changes and still wish to exit the active window click on the NO button.

If you do not wish to save your changes, but you would like to return to the active window click on Cancel.


Contents
Media Graphics'

CRAFT FACTORY

Contents

Creating a New Craft

Inserting Graphics

Inserting a Picture

Inserting Shapes

Inserting Text

Inserting Text in a Circle

Importing an Image

Scanning in an Image

Menu Bar Icon Definitions

Drop Down Menu Definitions

Technical Support

Credits


Contents of Help


Copy to New Window

Click on Edit, Copy to New Window to create a duplicate of your design in a second window.  To view and/or edit the copy of your design click on the - in the top right hand corner to minimize the current window.


Copying and Duplicating Objects

Highlight the graphic or text you wish to duplicate, then click on the Copy icon, or click on Edit, then click on Duplicate.  Click on the duplicated text or graphic, and move it to the desired position on the design.


Creating New Graphic Categories

To create a new graphic category click on FILE, CATEGORIES, and NEW.  This will allow you to add graphics into categories you personally create.  If you wish to edit a graphic in the category list either double-click on the file name, or highlight the files name and click on the To Editor button.  To exit the categories screen click on the X in the top right hand corner.


Creating a New Craft

Click on Create New Design from the opening screen, click on the New icon button, or click on File, then click on New to bring up the Select Style window.  If you wish to create a craft from scratch you can adjust the Design Size, Width and Height, and Paper Color, and then create a craft that you would like.  We recommend that you use the predesigned craft templates.  To use a predesigned craft place a check in the box next to use template, then click OK.

This will bring up the Open Design Window.  Select the template you wish to use from the list under Files.  A preview of the template will appear to the right.


Credits

Director of Product Development

Jeff Ziel

Quality Assurance

Andrew Petterson

Cynthia Kruse

Ken Love

Technical Writer

Kenneth Pruhs

Director of Operations

Scott Jensen

Image Librarian

Brian Heffron


Delete

Highlight the text or graphic you wish to remove, then click on Edit, then click on Delete to remove the text or graphic from the design.


Design Properties

When you click on File, then Properties you will bring up the design properties window.  You can change the name and id number of your design, as well as placing the name of the author who created the design and the company the design was created for.


Directories Setup

To setup the directories where files will be saved and pictures retrieved click on File, and then Directories Setup.  this will bring up the Options window.  From this window you can change the Default File Directory (which we do not advise), the Graphics Directory, and the Import Directory.  To add a new Graphic or Import Directory click on the Add icon, and then select the directory where the Graphic or Import files are located.  To edit the current Graphic or Import Directory click on the Edit icon, and then select the new directory destination where the Graphic or Import files will be located.  To delete a directory highlight the directory location from the selection box, and click on the Remove icon.  Once you have the directories setup correctly click on OK to have the settings take effect.  If you do not wish to save you changes click on Cancel.


Drop Down Menu Definitions

Using the File Drop Down Menu

Using the Edit Drop Down Menu

Using the View Drop Down Menu

Using the Insert Drop Down Menu

Using the Window Drop Down Menu

Using the Help Drop Down Menu


Edit Design Style

Click on File and then Design Styles to activate the Design Style Properties window.  From the List tab click on the design style you wish to edit.  Next click on the Edit Style tab to change the various properties of the design style.  As soon as you begin to make changes the words Modified will appear in red under the Edit Style tab heading.  When you click on the List tab, or the X to leave the Edit Style screen the Confirm dialog box will appear.


Edit Menu

Undo

Duplicate

Delete

Clear All

Group

Ungroup

Bring to Front

Send to Back

Forward One

Back One

In Front Of . . .

Behind . . .

Center

Center Horizontally

Center Vertically

Maximize

Select All

Copy to New Window

Edit Design Style


Editing Graphic Categories

To edit categories click on FILE, CATEGORIES, EDIT.  Choose the category you wish to edit by clicking on the category name, and then clicking on OK.  You are now able to add graphics to the category list.  If you wish to edit a graphic in the category list either double-click on the file name, or highlight the files name and click on the To Editor button.  To exit the categories screen click on the X in the top right hand corner.


Exiting or Closing

Closes the active window(s) and/or the Craft Factory program, and brings up the Confirm dialog box.


File Menu

New

Open

Close

Save

Save As

Categories

Properties

Import

Scan Image

Print . . .

Print Thumbnail

Print Setup

Directories Setup

Exit


Fit to Printable Area

If this option is selected the graphic will be sized according to the specifications in Page Setup.  If the graphic is too large for the page it will automatically be shrunk to fit onto the page.


Font

Click on the down arrow next to the font listed in the white box to select a different font from your system font list.


Forward One

By clicking on Forward One after clicking on an object, shape or text you will move that item forward on your design one layer.


Grouping Objects

To group graphics and/or text together click on the text or graphic, hold down the Shift key on the keyboard, click on the additional text and/or graphic, then click on Edit, then click on Group.


Help Contents

This will take you back to the Table of Contents for the Help File.


Help History

This displays a history of the help file topics you have accessed in you current help file session.


Help Menu

Contents of Help

How to Use Help

About . . .


Heptagon

This option allows you to place a blank heptagonal shape of any size on your design.  Once you have finished inserting the heptagon you can Move it , Resize it, or Rotate it as you desire.


Horizontal Tile

Click on Window, Horizontal Tile, or the H. Tile button to allow more than one design to be seen in the work space.  This will stack the designs in a row from the top of the screen to the bottom.


How to Use Help

Click on Contents of Help, or the F1 key on the keyboard to bring up a list of all available help topics.  If you are stuck in a particular area of the Craft Factory program simply press F1 for help specific to that area to be displayed.  Use the buttons Contents. Search, Back, and History to maneuver through the Help Topics.


Importing an Image

To import an image from another directory you will first need to setup where to look for those files (Electronic Card Creator only recognizes files with the WMF, BMP, JPG extension) by choosing File and Directories Setup.  Once you have the directory setup correctly click on File and then Import.  This will bring up the Select Picture window.  Once you have finished choosing the picture you can Move it , Resize it, or Rotate it as you desire.


In Front Of . . .

When you click on In Front Of . . . after clicking on an object, shape or text, the arrow icon will change to a pointing finger.  Click the pointing finger on the item you wish to be placed behind the first item you clicked on.  This will place the first item you clicked on in front of the item you clicked on with the pointing finger.


Insert Menu

Graphics

Text

Text in Circle

Basic Shapes


Inserting Graphics

To insert graphics in the craft project click on the Graphics button on the left menu bar, or click on Insert and then Graphics.  When you do this the cursor changes to a + (allowing you draw a rectangle to indicate the size, and position of where you would like the graphic placed), the Graphics icon on the left icon bar becomes active, and the Select Graphics window opens.  Once you select your graphic, and you return to the editing screen, click on the Arrow Cursor in the left icon bar to exit the Insert Graphic mode.


Inserting Shapes

Rectangle

Triangle

Ellipse

Hexagon

Line

Rounded Rectangle

Pentagon

Heptagon

Octagon


Inserting Text

When you click on the Insert Text icon on the left menu bar, or Insert and then Text from the drop down menus the cursor changes to a + (allowing you to draw a rectangle indicating the area where you would like the text placed), the Insert Text icon on the left icon bar becomes active, and the Change Text window opens.  Once you type your text, and you return to the editing screen, click on the Arrow Cursor  in the left icon bar to exit the Insert Text mode.  Once you have finished inserting the text you can Move it , Resize it, or Rotate it as you desire.


Inserting Text in a Circle

This option places the text you type in a circular, or arching shape.  When you click on the Insert Text in Circle icon on the left menu bar, or click on Insert, and then Text in Circle from the drop down menus the cursor changes to a + (allowing you to draw a rectangle indicating the area where you would like the text placed), the Insert Text in Circle icon on the left icon bar becomes active, and the Change Text window opens.  Once you type your text, and you return to the editing screen, click on the Arrow Cursor  in the left icon bar to exit the Insert Text in Circle mode.  Once you have finished inserting the text you can Move it , Resize it, or Rotate it as you desire.


Inserting a Hexagon

This option allows you to place a blank hexagonal shape of any size on your design.  Once you have finished inserting the hexagon you can Move it , Resize it, or Rotate it as you desire.


Inserting a Line

This option allows you to place a line of any length on your design.  Once you have finished inserting the line you can Move it , Resize it, or Rotate it as you desire.


Inserting a Rectangle

This option allows you to place a blank rectangular shape of any size on your design.  Once you have finished inserting the rectangle you can Move it , Resize it, or Rotate it as you desire.


Inserting a Triangle

This option allows you to place a blank triangular shape of any size on your design.  Once you have finished inserting the triangle you can Move it , Resize it, or Rotate it as you desire.


Inserting an Ellipse

This option allows you to place a blank circular shape of any size on your design.  Once you have finished inserting the ellipse you can Move it , Resize it, or Rotate it as you desire.


Inserting or Importing a Picture
Inserting a Picture

To Insert a picture you will first need to setup where the program will to look for those files by choosing File and Directories Setup.  Once you have the directory setup correctly click on the Insert Picture icon on the left icon bar, or click on File and then Import.  This will bring up the Select Picture window.  Once you have finished choosing the picture you can Move it , Resize it, or Rotate it as you desire.


Italic

Click on the I to change the highlighted text to italics.


Keep the Aspect Ratio

If this box is checked the picture will maintain its original appearance as it is enlarged or reduced to fit the box size you have created on your design.


Listing of Recently Open Designs

Below Close All is a list of the most recent designs you have had open during your current Craft Factory session.


Maximize

Scale to Fit

Scale Proportionally

Horizontally

Vertically


Menu Bar Icon Definitions

Top Menu Icons

Top Secondary Menu Icons

Side Menu Icons


Minimize All

This option minimizes all the open projects and places them at the bottom of the workspace.


More Shapes

Rounded Rectangle

Pentagon

Hexagon

Heptagon

Octagon

Line


Moving Back in Help

This allows you to move back through previously viewed help topics.


Moving Objects To the Back

To send a graphic or text to the background in the design click on the graphics or text, then click on Edit, then Send to Back.  This is especially helpful in moving graphics or text behind other graphics or text in your design.


Moving Objects To the Front

To bring a graphic or text into the foreground of your design click on the graphic or text, then click on Edit, then click on Bring to Front.  This is especially helpful in moving text on top of a graphic that is blocking the text out.


Moving a Picture, Shape or Text

You can move an object or text by clicking on the picture, shape or text and holding the left mouse button down while dragging the picture, shape or text into the desired position.


Octagon

This option allows you to place a blank octagonal shape of any size on your design.  Once you have finished inserting the octagon you can Move it , Resize it, or Rotate it as you desire.


Opening a Previously Saved Craft

Click on File, then click on Open to bring up the Open Design window.  Uncheck the box next to show internal name.  Scroll down the list until you find the previously saved craft name.  Click on the craft name to see a preview of your craft in the box to the right.  Click OK to begin editing your craft.


Outline Style

If the box is checked next to Outlined you can choose the Color, and the Size of the outline that will appear around the text you have highlighted.  If you do not wish to have an outline around your text uncheck the box next to Outlined.


Page Height

Using the up and down arrows next the the Height box allows you to resize the page height of the craft you are creating.


Page Setup

By clicking on Page Setup the Page Setup window opens.  This allows you to adjust the page to fit the Paper Size, Orientation, and Margins you wish to setup.


Page Width

Using the up and down arrows next the the Width box allows you to resize the page width of the craft you are creating.


Pentagon

This option allows you to place a blank pentagonal shape of any size on your design.  Once you have finished inserting the pentagon you can Move it , Resize it, or Rotate it as you desire.


Print Preview

From the Print Preview window you have the option to Close Print Preview and return to editing, Setup your printer, Setup up the Page you will print to, choose either Print on Transfer Paper or Fit to Printable Area, and finally Print your design.  If you do not select Print on Transfer Paper your design will automatically be printed on the paper currently in your printer.


Print on Transfer Paper

If you choose this option the design will appear on the screen to be flipped to a mirror image.  This is necessary so the transfer will be correct when applied to the object you place it on.  Be sure you have the transfer paper properly inserted into your printer, and then click on the Print button.


Printer Setup

By clicking on Print Setup the Print Setup window opens.  This allows you to select the Printer you wish to use as well as the Orientation, Paper Size, Paper Source, and other Options specific to your printer(s).


Printing

Once you have finished editing your craft, have previewed the design, and are satisfied with how it appears it is time to Print out the craft.  You can either click on the Print button in the Next Step box in the lower right, or click on the Print button in the Top Menu Bar, or click on File, and Print to move to the Print Preview screen.


Printing a Thumbnail Sheet

When you click on File, Print Thumbnail the Thumbnail window opens.  To add graphics to the thumbnail page by click on Add.  To adjust the number of graphics placed on the thumbnail page by click on Column/Row Setup.  To adjust the Page Setup, or Printer Setup click on the appropriate button.  To Print the thumbnail page click on Print.  To Cancel this page and return to editing click on Cancel.

If a check mark is next to  Print Grid the lines separating the thumbnail pictures will be printed.  If it is unchecked no separating lines will be printed.

If the thumbnails take up more than one page use the Page arrows to move to the Next, or Previous thumbnail page.


Refresh

By clicking on View, and then Refresh the graphics and text of the design you are currently working on will be refreshed to update your latest changes.


Resizing a Picture, Shape or Text

To resize a picture, shape or text left click on the object to select it,  and then click on one of the circular marks on the outline of the object.  Hold the left mouse button down while dragging the mouse in the direction you wish to resize the picture, shape or text as you desire.


Rotating a Picture, Shape or Text

To rotate a picture, shape or text left click on the object to select it,  and then click on one of the blue circular marks on the line that is extended out from the object.  The cursor will change into a circle indicating that you can rotate the object selected.  Hold the left mouse button down while dragging the mouse in the direction you wish to rotate the picture, shape or text as you desire.  If you are rotating a Shape you have an additional feature of being able to Rotate the Plane the shape is on.  There will be two extended lines on each shape.  When you click on the blue circle on the line for rotating the plane the cursor will change to the shape of a plane indicating that you can change the plane the shape is on.


Rounded Rectangle

This option allows you to place a blank rounded rectangular shape of any size on your design.  Once you have finished inserting the rounded rectangle you can Move it , Resize it, or Rotate it as you desire.


Saving

The first time you wish to save the craft you are working on you will need to click on File, then click on Save As to save your craft.  Name the craft whatever you choose, and/or place it in the directory and/or drive of your choice (we recommend you save to the default drive and directory).  After you have saved the craft you are working on, and you make further changes that you would like saved, simply click on the Save icon on the menu bar, or click on File, and then Save.


Scale Horizontally

Highlight the graphic or text you wish to scale.  When you click on Edit, then Maximize, then Horizontally, the graphic or text will fill the width of the design area, and become enlarged horizontally to fill the horizontal line it currently occupies.  This helps to enlarge text or graphics to fill the width of the design area.


Scale Proportionally

Highlight the graphic or text you wish to scale.  When you click on Edit, Maximize, Scale Proportionally, the graphic or text will fill the entire design area, and become enlarged proportionally (horizontally as well as vertically) to fill that area.  This helps when you wish to enlarge text or graphics to fill the entire design space without distortion.


Scale Vertically

Highlight the graphic or text you wish to scale.  When you click on Edit, then Maximize, then Vertically, the graphic or text will fill the length of the design area, and become enlarged vertically to fill the vertical line it currently occupies.  This helps to enlarge text or graphics to fill the length of the design area.


Scale to Fit

Highlight the graphic or text you wish to scale.  When you click on Edit, Maximize, Scale to Fit, the graphic or text will completely fill the entire design area.


Scanning in an Image

To scan in an image you will first need to make sure you scanner is properly setup, and ready for use.  Once you have the the scanner setup correctly click on File and then Scan Image.


Searching Help

This will bring up the Search window allowing you to search the Help File for a particular topic.


Select All

Clicking on Edit, Select All selects all text, and/or graphics on the current design area.


Select Graphics or Picture

The Select Graphics/Picture window allows you to choose a picture you wish to insert into you design.  Choose the picture you wish to insert by clicking on the picture's name from the list on the left.  A preview of the picture will appear to the right.  At the bottom of the preview screen you can choose to either Keep the Aspect Ratio or Stretch the Picture to Fit the box you created on your card side.  Once you have chosen your picture click on OK and the picture will be placed in the box you created on your design.  Once you have finished placing the picture you can Move it , Resize it, or Rotate it as you desire.  If you do not wish to select a picture at this time click on Cancel.  Once you return to the editing screen click on the Arrow Cursor to exit the Insert Graphic Mode.


Select Picture


Set Text Background Color or Color of the Shape

Click on text, or shape you wish to change, then click on the three multicolored Circular Shapes that are linked together to change the background color of the Text, or the color of a Rectangle, Triangle, Ellipse, Hexagon or Line that you have inserted.  This will bring up the Background Color window.


Set Text Color

Click on the different colored letter T's to bring up the Text Color window.  This will allow you to change the color of the text you have highlighted.


Setup Thumbnail Columns & Rows

By clicking on Column/Row Setup the Thumbnail Setup window will open.  Adjust the Row and Column count using the up and down arrows, and place a check in the box next to Print ID and/or Print Filename if you would like those options printed under each thumbnail.


Side Menu Icons

Arrow

Graphics

Picture

Text

Text in Circle

Rectangle

Triangle

Ellipse

More Shapes


Staggered

Click on the staggered abc to change the highlighted text to appear staggered.


Stretch the Picture to Fit

If this box is checked the picture you choose will be stretched to fit the box size you have created on your design.


Technical Support

For Technical Support on this or any other Media Graphics Product, please contact us at 303-427-8808.

Technical Support staff are available Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm Mountain Standard time.

Visit our web site at www.media-graphics.net


Text Color

The background and Text Color window has various options that you can choose from.  The Fill box allows you to choose how the color will fill the inside or outside of the text or shape.  The Outline box allows you to set the color that will outline the text or shape you have highlighted.  Once you have finished changing the color, fill, and outline of the text click on OK to view the changes on your design.  If you choose not to make any changes at this time click on Cancel.


Tilted

Click on the tilted abc to change the highlighted text to appear tilted.


Top Menu Icons

New

Open

Save

Print

Undo

Copy

Group

Ungroup

To Front

To Back

V Tile

H Tile

Exit


Top Secondary Menu Icons

Font

Bold

Italic

Staggered

Tilted

Wacky

Left Align

Center Align

Right Align

Set Text Color

Set Text Background Color or Color of the Shape

Change Object's Shape Effect

Change Object's Frame

Width

Height

Zoom


Undo

Allows you to undo the last change that you made.  Click on Edit, then Undo to reverse the last change you made.


Ungrouping Objects

To ungroup items that have been grouped together  click on the group of text and/or graphics, click on Edit, then click on Ungroup.


Vertical Tile

Click on Window, then Vertical Tile, or the V. Tile button to allow more than one design to be seen in the work space.  This will stack the designs in a row from the left of the screen to the right.


View Menu

Refresh

Clipped to Design Area

Zoom In

Zoom Out


Wacky

Click on the wacky abc to change the highlighted text to appear wacky.


Window Menu

Cascade

Horizontal Tile

Vertical Tile

Arrange Icons

Minimize All

Close All

Listing of Recently Open Designs


Zoom

Using the up and down arrows next the the Zoom box allows you to adjust the amount of the page that appears on the screen.  You may also click on View, and then Zoom In or Zoom Out to adjust the amount of the page that appears on the screen.