Double click on the Clip IT icon to load the software.
If you wish to use Clip IT from your hard drive, simply copy the software into your preferred folder.
Using Clip IT
The clip art pictures are stored as Macintosh picture files (PICT) which can be loaded into most packages (such as drawing packages, word processors etc....). You can double click on any of the picture files and they will automatically be loaded into Simple Text (or Teach Text). If you do not have a suitable application in which to manipulate the pictures then you can use Clip IT to create scenes.
Creating a new scene
To create a new scene, select 'Create new Scene' from the Scene menu. Selecting this will bring up a browser dialogue box. Select the image that you want to use and then click on 'Open' to load it in. A preview of a selected file can be seen at the bottom of the selector dialogue. After you have opened the file, a window will appear with your selected scene.
Note: you can only create one scene at a time.
Adding items to a scene
Once a scene has been loaded, you can add multiple objects to it from either your clip art directories or from the clipboard.
Adding items from the directory
Select 'Add to Scene' from the Scene menu to add a new object. This will bring up a similar browser dialogue to that used when creating a new scene. Here you can browse the directories and add the required object by selecting it and clicking on 'Open'. If the file displayed is a directory then clicking on 'Open' will select that directory and allow you to browse its contents. As with creating a new scene, if a picture is selected then a small preview will be shown at the bottom of the browser dialogue.
Note: every time an item is added it appears in the top left hand corner.
Adding items from the clipboard
If a picture has been placed on the clipboard from another application (like the scrapbook or an art package), then you can paste it onto the scene using the Edit menu options. To paste in a picture select 'Paste' from the Edit menu. If this option is faded out it either means that there is nothing on the clipboard or the item on the clipboard is not a picture (i.e. it could be some text).
Manipulating items in a scene
Clip IT provides some simple tools for the manipulation of any of the items you have added to your scene.
Selecting an item
An item can be selected by moving the mouse over it and clicking the mouse button. When an item is selected a black border is drawn round it. It is only possible to select one item at a time. If another item is selected when you select another, then the old selection will be cleared.
Moving an item
An item can be moved around the scene by selecting it as instructed in Selecting an item, holding down the mouse button and moving the mouse around. Once you are happy with the item's new position then release the mouse button.
Scaling an item
You can change the size of an object by first selecting it (see Selecting an item), moving the mouse pointer over the small black square in the bottom right hand corner of the selection box, holding down the mouse button and moving the mouse. When you move the mouse you will notice the selection box changing in size. Once you are happy with the new size of the item then release the mouse button. The item's size will then be set to your dragged box.
Copying items
You can make a copy of an item by using the clipboard. To make a copy of the item, select your item using the mouse. Then select 'Copy' from the Edit menu and then 'Paste' from the Edit menu. A new copy of the object appears on the scene.
Deleting items
An item can be deleted by selecting the item and then selecting 'Cut' from the Edit menu. This removes the item from the scene and places it on the clipboard. If you decide that you want to put the item back again then you can select 'Paste' from the Edit menu.
Moving objects to the back/front
When you have lots of items on a scene you may want to have certain items in front or behind others. To do this select the item that you want to move and either select 'Bring to Front' or 'Put to Back' from the Edit menu.
Saving scenes
Once you have created your scene you then save it as a complete PICT file. This is done by selecting 'Save' from the Scene menu. Saving is done by a standard Mac Save dialogue. This picture can then be imported into a compatible art package. Alternatively, you can save your entire picture to the clipboard. To do this you must ensure that you have no objects selected, by selecting 'Clear' from the Edit menu, and then selecting 'Copy' from the Edit menu to place it on the clipboard. It can then be pasted into your art package or scrapbook as desired.
Note: When you save a scene it is saved as a complete PICT file. You can re-load it into Clip IT to add new items to it but you will not be able to manipulate any of the items that you had added before.
Printing scenes
Your scene can be printed by selecting 'Print' from the file menu. The orientation of the page (landscape or portrait) etc. can be altered by selecting 'Page setup' from the File menu.
