home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search
Text File | 1993-12-28 | 95.5 KB | 2,462 lines |
- {H000 (Table of Contents)
-
- <R>Table of Contents<r>
-
- <L>Color Palette=H550<l>
- <L>Current Color and Pattern Selections=H530<l>
- <L>Drawing Board=H570<l>
- <L>Hollow/Solid Buttons=H540<l>
- <L>Main Menu=H139<l>
- <L>Mouse=H131<l>
- <L>Patterns=H560<l>
- <L>QuikMenu=H130<L>
- <L>Size Selector=H520<L>
- <L>Tool Bar=H510<l>
- <L>Video Mode=H125<l>
- }
- {H130 (QuikMenu)
-
- <R>QuikMenu<r>
-
- Users of QuikMenu (a graphical Desktop Menu program from NeoSoft) may
- start NeoPaint by depressing the NeoPaint icon or button. If you
- purchased NeoPaint after installing QuikMenu the first time, you must
- first set up a NeoPaint program icon using the Modify/Add/Software Icon
- feature in QuikMenu. The Location line should read C:\NEOPAINT and
- the Command line should read NEOPAINT
-
- <B>Note:<b> if you installed NeoPaint to a different directory during
- installation, substitute the name of the directory you've created on the
- Location line. Refer to your QuikMenu documentation or QuickMenu's
- context sensitive Help function (F1) if you need more information on
- setting up a software icon/button for NeoPaint.
- }
- {H131 (Mouse)
-
- <R>Mouse Actions<r>
-
- NeoPaint will work with a Microsoft, Logitech or fully compatible
- mouse. Other pointing devices, such as trackballs, which are compatible
- with the above mice should work as well. Your mouse driver (usually
- MOUSE.COM) must be loaded before running NeoPaint. Please refer to
- your mouse's user manual for more information.
-
- The position of the mouse on your screen is shown by a moving cursor,
- and by the <L>XY=H172<l> Coordinates box in the upper right portion of the screen.
-
- Generally, mouse buttons are used as described below:
- <T5><L>Left button=H133<l><T20><L>Right button=H132<l>
- <T5><L>Dragging=H134<l><T20><L>Double Clicking=H135<l>
- <T5><L>Left Handed=H645<l><T20><L>Mouse Cursor Position=H172<l>
- }
- {H132 (Mouse - Left Button)
-
- <R>Left Mouse Button<r>
-
- This button is used for selecting items from menus and palettes,
- pressing command and menu buttons, positioning items such as text,
- drawing, erasing, selecting areas, and moving nodes on polygons.
-
- <T10><L>MOUSE=H131<l>
- }
- {H133 (Mouse - Right Button)
-
- <R>Right Mouse Button<r>
-
- Used to choose line colors from the palette, to exit from dialogs, or
- to paint with a second color when in <L>Zoom=H200<l> and <L>Fill=H240<l> modes.
-
- <T10><L>MOUSE=H131<l>
- }
- {H134 (Mouse - Dragging)
-
- <R>Dragging the Mouse<r>
-
- You usually click once to select or position. Some actions and tools
- require that you drag the mouse cursor. To drag, you position the cursor
- over the object or starting point and press the left mouse button.
- Holding down the left mouse button, move the cursor to the ending
- position before releasing the button.
-
- <T10><L>TOOL BAR=H510<l>
- <T10><L>MOUSE=H131<l>
- }
- {H135 (Mouse - Double Click)
-
- <R>Double Click<r>
-
- Some features in NeoPaint are accessed by clicking twice on an icon,
- color, etc. You needn't worry about clicking twice quickly as in some
- programs. In NeoPaint, the first click selects an item, the second click
- on an already selected item will allow you to edit or make a further
- selection.
-
- <T10><L>MOUSE=H131<l>
- }
- {H139 (Menu - Main)
-
- <R>Main Menu Bar<r>
-
- This is a list of option buttons at the top of the screen <L>File=H140<l>, <L>Edit=H150<l>, <L>Picture=H160<l>,
- <L>Options=H170<l>, <L>Help=H180<l>). Note that a letter is underlined in the title of each button.
-
- You may pull down a menu from each button by either clicking on the
- button with your mouse, or by holding down the ALT key and pressing the
- underlined letter corresponding to the button you wish to select. This
- principle works for other NeoPaint menu functions as well, and can be a
- real time saver.
-
- <B>For example:<b> to activate Help, either click the Help button, or press
- ALT and the H key (ALT/H).
- }
- {H125 (Video Mode Menu)
-
- <R>Changing the Video Mode<r>
-
- This menu box is located at the top, center portion of the NeoPaint
- screen. It can be used to change the monitor resolution to expand or
- limit your working surface and color choices. NeoPaint automatically
- includes as selections, only the screen resolutions and colors supported
- by your monitor and graphics card hardware. The menu will drop down when
- you click on the arrow at the right side of the box showing the
- currently selected resolution. Note: when changing resolutions, any
- drawing currently loaded must be closed. NeoPaint will prompt you to do
- this. Once the screen display has been switched to the new resolution,
- you may then reload any drawings and convert them to the new mode.
-
- See also: <L>Color Palette=H550<l>
- }
- {H500 (XY Mouse Coordinates)
-
- <R>The Mouse Coordinate Display<r>
-
- At the upper right corner of the screen are two boxes which display
- the position of the <L>mouse=H131<l> cursor/pointer. The position is measured in
- the number of pixels relative to the upper left corner (i.e., 0, 0) of
- the drawing on which you are working. The Y position is the number of
- pixels down from the top, and the X position represents the number of
- pixels from the left. This is very useful for precise sizing and
- placement.
-
- See also: <L>SHOW MOUSE POSITION=H172<l> topic.
- }
- {H510 (Tool Icons)
-
- <R>The Tool Bar<r>
-
- Immediately below the Menu Bar, a selection of tool icon buttons is
- displayed. The tool displayed on a button can be selected by clicking
- on that button with the mouse. Note that some of these icons contain a
- small arrow at the lower right corner. This indicates that you may
- modify how that tool functions by clicking a second time on that icon.
-
- See also:
-
- <T5><L>Scissors Selector=H370<l><T20><L>Eraser=H380<l>
- <T5><L>Text Tools=H390<l><T20><L>Syringe/Color Selector=H210<l>
- <T5><L>Special Effects Tools=H221<l><T20><L>Zoom=H200<l>
- <T5><L>Brush=H230<l><T20><L>Fill=H240<l>
- <T5><L>Airbrush=H122<l><T20><L>Rubber Stamp=H260<l>
- <T5><L>Line=H270<l><T20><L>Rectangle=H280<l>
- <T5><L>Rounded Rectangle=H290<l><T20><L>Circle=H300<l>
- <T5><L>Polygon=H310<l><T20><L>3-D Objects=H320<l>
- }
- {H520 (Size of Tool)
-
- <R>Size Selector<r>
-
- This box is located on the left side of the NeoPaint screen. Clicking
- on the arrow will drop down a menu containing a range of sizes for the
- tool selected. The tools affected by this box include the erasers, the
- marking pen, the brushes, airbrushes, and the thickness of the lines
- used to form straight lines, squares, circles, polygons and 3D objects.
-
- See also: <L>CUSTOM SIZE=H704<l> for selecting other sizes.
-
- <T5><L>TOOLS=H510<l>.
- }
- {H704 (CUSTOM SIZE)
-
- <R>Custom Tool Sizes<r>
-
- Tools may be configured in sizes from 1 to 40 pixels using the
- CUSTOM SIZE selection at the bottom of the <L>Size Selector=H520<l> menu.
- A preview window allows you to preview the actual size of your
- selection.
- }
- {H530 (Color & Pattern Box)
-
- <R>The Color/Pattern Status Box<r>
-
- The currently selected line color, fill color, gradient and pattern
- are displayed in the box immediately below the Size Selector. The
- outside border of the box represents the color and pattern of any lines
- being drawn, while the interior shows the color currently selected to
- fill the interior of <L>objects=H510<l> being drawn or filled. If a pattern has been
- selected, this will be also be shown, in the currently selected color.
-
- See also: <L>Colors=H550<l> and <L>Patterns=H560<l>.
- }
- {H540 (Hollow & Solid Buttons)
-
- <R>The Hollow/Solid Selector<r>
-
- You may choose whether the fill of an object being drawn will obscure
- figures directly underneath it. Click on the Hollow button to draw
- hollow shapes. Click on the Solid button to fill the object drawn with
- the selected color. Also, clicking with the right mouse button will
- choose whether the line will be Hollow or Solid.
-
- <B>Note:<b> To allow the background to show through a pattern, use the
- <L>Transparent=H401<l> Patterns option, and not the Hollow/Solid Selector. If
- you select a <L>pattern=H560<l> when the Transparent Patterns mode is selected
- from the OPTIONS Menu, the texture will overprint the background,
- revealing areas not covered by dots in the pattern.
- }
- {H560 (Patterns)
-
- <R>The Pattern Window<r>
-
- Directly below the Hollow/Solid selector, a small window is displayed
- which contains a selection of patterns and textures. A thumbnail bar
- appears on the right side of the window which allows you to scroll
- through the selection of patterns currently loaded. You move through the
- selections by clicking on the thumbnail button and moving the button up
- or down while depressing the mouse button. Alternatively, you may click
- on the arrows at the top and bottom of the thumbnail scroll bar to
- advance through the selections one frame at at time. Use the left mouse
- button to select a pattern to be used for Fills and Brushes; use the
- right mouse button to select a pattern for lines and outlines.
-
- You may edit individual patterns by clicking a second time on the
- currently selected pattern (either in the Pattern Window, or in the
- Color/Pattern Status Box).
-
- See also: <L>Editing Patterns=H127<l>.
- }
- {H127 (Edit Pattern)
-
- <R>The EDIT PATTERN Window<r>
-
- On the left side of the editing window, is the pattern editing
- workspace. To the right is a preview of the effect your edits have over
- a large area.
-
- You draw your pattern/texture by clicking on individual squares in
- the editing screen to the left. A click on a white pixel will change it
- to a black pixel. Clicking on black will change it to white. Four
- command buttons are at the bottom of the window. The Clear button clears
- the existing pattern and gives you a blank workspace. The Invert button
- changes the black pixels to white and the white pixels to black,
- producing a reverse pattern. The OK button saves your changes and
- returns you to the drawing screen. The Cancel button returns you to your
- drawing without saving your changes to the pattern. Note: White areas in
- your pattern will remain white unless <L>Transparent=H401<l> Patterns is
- selected from the <L>Options=H170<l> Menu. The Black areas in your pattern will be
- shown in the currently selected <L>Fill Color=H530<l> when used in your picture.
- Your pattern, used in the transparent mode may be used to produce
- interesting effects.
- }
- {H550 (Color Palette)
-
- <R>The Color Palette<r>
-
- The bottom, left section of the screen is occupied by the Palette
- window. Again, as in the Pattern Window, a thumbnail scroll bar on the
- right side of the window allows you to scroll through the selection of
- colors (the palette) currently loaded.
-
- You may select a background color by moving the cursor over the
- desired color and clicking the left mouse button. The line color (or
- second paint color when using Zoom or Fill tools) may be selected by
- clicking the right mouse button. The number of pure colors with which
- you may work is determined by your system's monitor/video card
- configuration and the resolution selected in the <L>Video Mode=H125<l> box. When
- limited to 2 or 16 pure colors, NeoPaint approximates other shades by
- mixing the available colors. Colors may be <L>Edited=H126<l> individually by
- clicking a second time on any color in either the palette or the
- <L>Color/Pattern Status Box=H530<l>.
-
- Note that a small "L" will appear on the Palette to indicate the
- currently selected Line (or second paint) color, and a small "F" will
- designate the active Fill color.
-
- See also: <L>Save Palette=H104<l> and <L>Load Palette=H103<l>
- }
- {H126 (Edit Color)
-
- <R>Editing Colors<r>
-
- Clicking a second time on any color, except black and white, which
- cannot be edited, will allow you to adjust that color. The Edit Color
- dialog box will be displayed. Four sliding bars representing the <L>Value=H551<l>
- of each of three colors and the brightness level are displayed at the
- top of the editing screen. You may use your mouse to scroll each bar to
- a new value. Finer incremental adjustments can be made by using the left
- and right arrow keys on your keyboard. Use the TAB key to switch between
- scroll bars when using the keyboard. A preview of the effect of your
- changes is shown in a small window at the bottom/center of this dialog
- box.
-
- Three command buttons also are arranged along the bottom of this
- window. The Reset button returns the color and brightness values to the
- state which existed when you began editing. The OK button saves your
- changes to the palette and returns you to your drawing. Pressing the
- Cancel button ignores any changes you have made to the color and returns
- you to the drawing. Note: Any changes to the palette affect the current
- drawing only.
-
- Changes to the <L>palette=H550<l> are saved to the disk when you save the
- drawing file. Each drawing has a palette associated with it.
- }
- {H551 (Color Value)
-
- <R>Color Value Settings<r>
-
- NeoPaint uses the RGB color model to control color balance and
- brightness. This is the same model used on color monitors and expresses
- each color as combination of Red, Green and Blue values. The following
- table shows how to set the three color values to produce common pure
- colors. An enormous range of additional tints may be obtained through
- adjustments made to the color balance using this function.
-
- <T5>Red=Red to right, other bars to left
- <T5>Green=Green to right, other bars to left
- <T5>Blue=Blue to right, other bars to left
- <T5>Yellow=Red and Green to right, Blue to left
- <T5>Magenta=Blue and Red to right, Green to left
- <T5>Cyan=Green and Blue to right, Red to left
- <T5>White=All colors to right
- <T5>Black=All colors to left
-
- See also:<T8><L>Color Palette=H550<l><T20><L>Color/Pattern Selection=H530<l>
- <T8><L>Color Similarity=H703<l>
- }
- {H570 (Drawing Surface)
-
- <R>The Drawing Board<r>
-
- The drawing workspace occupies most of NeoPaint's screen. This is the
- area where you will do most of the drawing and editing of your images.
- You may open several drawing board windows at one time, each containing
- a different image. The image window in which editing is taking place
- will be shown with active scroll bars and command buttons. The other,
- inactive image windows will not show these features, and may be
- overlapped by the active window, or switched completely to the
- background.
-
- Window Components:
- <T5><L>Top Title Bar=H571<l><T20><L>Corner Buttons=H572<l>
- <T5><L>Outer Borders=H573<l><T20><L>Scroll Bars=H574<l>
- <T5><L>Menu=H139<l><T20><L>Tools=H510<l>
- }
- {H571 (Window Title Bar)
-
- <R>Window Title Bar<r>
-
- At the top of the active window are two buttons and a bar containing
- the name of the currently loaded image. The X button on the left side of
- the window's title bar will close the window. The title bar of a small
- image window can be dragged with the mouse to move the window to a new
- location.
-
- The square button to the left may also be accessed from the keyboard
- by holding down the ALT key and pressing the Space key. This will
- present you with a menu containing four choices. Using the keyboard,
- you may select any command by highlighting it using the arrow keys (or
- by typing the first letter in a command's title) and pressing the Enter
- key to accept or the ESC key to cancel. The choices are: Switch, Move,
- Size, Zoom, and Close. Note: when working on a new drawing, the title
- bar for the image will be labeled "untitled" until you Save the image.
-
- <B>Switch<B> lets you jump between image files, when multiple files
- are open, without resizing the window on top to get at an image which
- lies underneath the active image. When you select Switch, a list of all
- opened image files appears. Select the image to which you wish to go, by
- clicking on its file name.
-
- <B>Move<b> allows you to move the entire window containing your image to
- another position on your screen. Use the arrow keys on your keyboard to
- reposition the window. This is handy when displaying more than one image
- file at one time. Note: the window must be smaller than the workspace
- area in order to move it.
-
- <B>Size<b> allows you to shrink or expand the window. Use the keyboard
- arrows to resize the window to the desired size.
-
- <B>Zoom<b> switches your current drawing from a small sized window to a
- large window occupying the entire workspace (and back), by selecting
- this option.
-
- <B>Close<b> will exit the current window. If the image in the window has
- changed since last being saved, you will be given the option of saving
- your changes. If you do not save your changes, they will be lost and the
- image will remain as it was when last saved.
-
- <T10><L>Drawing Board=H570<l>
- }
- {H572 (Window Corner Buttons)
-
- <R>Window Corner Buttons<r>
-
- The Zoom button in the upper right corner (stacked up/down arrow
- heads) can be used to maximize or minimize the size of the current
- window. The resize button at the lower right corner can be used to
- simultaneously size any window both horizontally and vertically.
-
- <T10><L>Drawing Board=H570<l>
- }
- {H573 (Window Outer Borders)
-
- <R>Outside Window Borders<r>
-
- The narrow frames surrounding small windows can be used to resize a
- window on one side at a time. Click the mouse on one side of the frame,
- then drag the border to the desired size.
-
- <T10><L>Drawing Board=H570<l>
- }
- {H574 (Scroll Bars)
-
- <R>Scroll Bars<r>
-
- Along the right and bottom of this window are two sets of scroll
- bars. You will note that the thumbnail buttons on each bar will change
- size to show what percentage of the entire drawing is displayed within
- the window. As with scroll bars on other windows, you may hold down the
- thumbnail button while moving the mouse to scroll around your drawing.
- The image in the window will move along with the button to reflect your
- current position on the page. Alternatively, you may click on the arrows
- at the ends of the bars to scroll through the image.
-
- <T10><L>Drawing Board=H570<l>
- }
- {H700 (Image Conversion)
-
- <R> Converting Image Resolution<r>
-
- NeoPaint looks at each image file it is asked to load to determine
- the number of colors it uses. To change the number of colors
- available, use the <L>Video Mode=H125<l> selector at the top of the NeoPaint
- screen to select a mode containing a different number of colors. Next,
- after the screen has changed to the new resolution, use the <L>Open=H101<l>
- command to load the picture. If the image contains a different number of
- colors, you will be asked if you wish to Convert the picture to the new
- mode. If you choose to convert the image, and this will result in fewer
- colors being used, you will be asked if you wish to use one of several
- dithering methods to approximate colors and shades not available in
- the reduced-color image version.
-
- You may need to experiment by reloading the image several times to
- see which method produces the best results with a particular picture.
- The image is not permanently altered until you <L>Save=H102<l> it in the new
- format, so you may load it several times and only Save the version
- which works out best. Each dithering method has its own merits and
- which one you use depends on what you want to do with the final product.
-
- Note that image file format conversions are accomplished using the
- NeoPaint <L>SAVE AS=H601<l> command.
- }
- {H140 (File Menu)
-
- <R>The FILE Menu<r>
-
- The File menu contains functions related to importing, exporting,
- printing and saving files.
-
- The File commands are:
-
- <T5><L>NEW=H100<l><T20><L>OPEN=H101<l>
- <T5><L>SAVE=H102<l><T20><L>SAVE AS=H601<l>
- <T5><L>CLOSE=H602<l><T20><L>CLOSE ALL=H603<l>
- <T5><L>LOAD PALETTE=H103<l><T20><L>SAVE PALETTE=H104<l>
- <T5><L>LOAD PATTERNS=H105<l><T20><L>SAVE PATTERNS=H106<l>
- <T5><L>PRINT=H107<l><T20><L>EXIT=H108<l>
- }
- {H100 (NEW Command)
-
- <R>New<r>
-
- Selecting this command will load a blank, untitled drawing into a
- window. NeoPaint will suggest default dimensions for your new image,
- which you may override by typing in a preferred size.
-
- <T5><L>MENU=H139<l>
- }
- {H101 (OPEN Command)
-
- <R>Open<r>
-
- If you wish to edit a pre-existing drawing, you should select this
- command from the menu. You will be presented with the Open dialog which
- lists available image files in a window to the right. If there are more
- image files on the list than will fit in the space allowed, you may
- scroll through the list using the scroll bar provided. In most cases,
- you will simply click on the image's title in the list to open an image.
-
- The files which are listed have been sorted from your DOS directory
- using the three letter DOS extension. They are sorted alphabetically
- and limited to files that match the file mask. The current mask being
- used by NeoPaint is displayed on Open's title bar. You may display
- files using other three letter file extensions or, list all files, by
- pressing the Search button and selecting another file type from the drop
- down menu (click on the arrow to display choices). You may search for
- image files having one of the standard file masks from the list, or you
- may type in a filename directly.
-
- File Search Shortcut: A row of diamond check boxes above the Files
- listing keep track of where on the disk you last stored images in each
- of the file formats supported by NeoPaint. If you check one of these,
- NeoPaint will automatically jump to the DOS subdirectory in which that
- type file was last Saved, and list files found at that location. To open
- a file from another drive accessible by your computer, you may select
- the corresponding drive letter from the list of drives recognized by
- NeoPaint. Click on the arrow under Drives: to drop down the list of
- available choices.
-
- You may also click through subdirectories to search for an image
- file. Subdirectories branching off from the current directory are listed
- by name in the Directories box. You may click on one of these to log on
- to that subdirectory. If you wish to go back one step in the DOS
- Directory tree, click on the folder next to the two dots (..). If you
- wish to return all the way to the drive's root Directory, click on the
- folder next to the (\) backslash. Any image files matching the file mask
- (specified in Search) will have their names displayed as you go from
- subdirectory to subdirectory.
-
- Note: Typically, PCX format files end in .PCX, TIFF format files
- end in .TIF and CompuServe GIF format files end in .GIF
-
- <T5><L>MENU=H139<l><T20><L>IMAGE CONVERSION=H700<l>
- }
- {H102 (SAVE Command)
-
- <R>Save<r>
-
- Selecting Save will write your image to the disk. Any changes you
- have made to the image will overwrite the original copy stored in the
- file. If you wish to save both the original file as well as your latest
- modified copy, you should save using the <L>SAVE AS=H601<l> function.
- }
- {H601 (SAVE AS Command)
-
- <R>Save As<r>
-
- Save As allows you to assign a name to a new, untitled image you have
- just created; to save your edited version under a different name, thus
- preserving the original file; and to make a copy of the image in a
- different file format. To SAVE an edited image into a file other than
- the original, you must supply a filename at the line prompt. NeoPaint
- supplies you with the current subdirectory path and all you need type is
- a one to eight character name for the file to be created. If you wish to
- store the new file in a different subdirectory, you may use either your
- mouse or the arrow keys on your keyboard to move the cursor to the left
- and edit the PATH to direct the file to the proper directory.
-
- A drop down menu at the bottom of the Save As dialog allows you to
- save your work in a different image format.
-
- You are limited to eight characters when naming your image file. You
- need not type in the three letter DOS extension as NeoPaint will assign
- these for you. NeoPaint will not allow you to use the following
- characters in the name you type as DOS reserves these characters for
- other purposes. Acceptable characters:
-
- a-z, A-Z, 0-9, _, ^, $, ~, !, #, %, &, -, {}, (), @, ', `.
-
- <T5><L>MENU=H139<l>
- }
- {H602 (CLOSE Command)
-
- <R>Close<r>
-
- Choosing Close will unload the current image from NeoPaint. If you
- have made any edits to the image, NeoPaint will ask if you wish to save
- these changes or if you would rather leave the image in its original
- state.
-
- <T5><L>MENU=H139<l>
- }
- {H603 (CLOSE ALL Command)
-
- <R>Close All<r>
-
- If you have several image windows loaded into NeoPaint, you may close
- them all at once by using Close All. Again, you will be prompted to save
- any edits you have made, before NeoPaint clears the workspace.
-
- <T5><L>MENU=H139<l>
- }
- {H103 (LOAD PALETTE Command)
-
- <R>Load Palette<r>
-
- A custom <L>Palette=H550<l> of colors may loaded from a previously saved
- palette file, or from a stored image file. You may use a file mask to
- select from lists of pre-stored .PAL files, or you may view and choose
- from image files in GIF or PCX format.
-
- <T5><L>MENU=H139<l>
- }
- {H104 (SAVE PALETTE Command)
-
- <R>Save Palette<r>
-
- If you have altered the colors on NeoPaint's <L>Palette=H550<l>, you may
- use this option to save them for use in other pictures. You may give the
- new palette a file name consisting of up to eight characters. NeoPaint
- will assign the DOS extension .PAL to the name you supply.
-
- Checking the Make Default box will cause this palette to be used when
- starting a NEW image or converting an image to a resolution with this
- number of colors.
-
- <T5><L>MENU=H139<l>
- }
- {H105 (LOAD PATTERNS Command)
-
- <R>Load Patterns<r>
-
- You may import previously saved patterns into the current image.
- Doing this will replace the patterns available in the <L>Pattern=H560<l>
- Window with the new selection. Pattern file names on your drive will end
- with the DOS extension .PAT and should have been generated by NeoPaint.
- NeoPaint cannot use pattern files generated by other programs.
-
- <T5><L>MENU=H139<l>
- }
- {H106 (SAVE PATTERNS Command)
-
- <R>Save Patterns<r>
-
- If you have customized the <L>Pattern=H560<l> in NeoPaint, you may wish to
- save your changes for use in creating future images. Selecting this
- option will allow you to assign a name of up to eight characters to your
- pattern file. NeoPaint will automatically add the DOS extension .PAT
- to the file's name.
-
- Checking the Make Default box will cause these patterns to be loaded
- each time you start NeoPaint.
-
- <T5><L>MENU=H139<l>
- }
- {H107 (PRINT Command)
-
- <R>Print<r>
-
- Selecting Print will cause a dialog box to appear. Five drop down
- menus are used to select the type of printer connected to your computer,
- size, quality, DOS output port information, and paper orientation. You
- may use graphics printers compatible with devices listed in the menu.
- Note that not every printer is capable of printing graphic images. In
- addition, dot matrix graphics printers do not support halftones. Half-
- tone printing improves image quality by converting colors into grey dot
- patterns. Consult the printer's documentation for compatibility
- considerations.
-
- The Printer menu allows you to select from the printers which you
- installed using the Installation program. If you need to add a new
- printer to the list, you must run the INSTALL program from your
- NeoPaint INSTALLATION diskette.
-
- The Port menu lists the DOS printer ports. You may also write the
- image to a print file by selecting the File option from the list. The
- direction at which your picture is to be printed on the paper is
- controlled using the orientation menu just below the Port menu.
-
- The Scale Factor controls the size of the printed image. Generally,
- a size of 300% will fit a 640x480 image onto a page printed in landscape
- mode. 400% is very close to the size at which the picture appears on
- your screen. You may adjust this percentage to obtain better resolution
- and to better match your printer's capabilities.
-
- Finally, use the Print Quality menu to select a Dark or Light mode.
- Usually, the Dark setting will produce a higher quality image, though
- it may take longer to print.
-
- Once you have finished configuring the settings for your printer, you
- may start printing by clicking on the Print button. If you wish to exit
- the Print dialog without printing, click on the CANCEL button. To view
- your image on the screen, use <L>Show Preview=H166<l> command.
-
- <T5><L>MENU=H139<l>
- }
- {H108 (EXIT Command)
-
- <R>Exit<r>
-
- Exit will return you to DOS. If any files are still open in which
- edits have taken place, NeoPaint will give you an opportunity to Save
- the changes before these files are closed.
-
- <T5><L>MENU=H139<l>
- }
- {H150 (EDIT Menu)
-
- <R>The EDIT Menu<r>
-
- Edit includes several functions usually used along with the <L>Scissors=H370<l>
- selection tool.
-
- The EDIT commands are:
-
- <T5><L>UNDO=H151<l><T20><L>CUT=H152<l>
- <T5><L>COPY=H153<l><T20><L>COPY TO=H109<l>
- <T5><L>PASTE=H154<l><T20><L>PASTE FROM=H110<l>
- <T5><L>DELETE=H155<l><T20><L>SHOW CLIPBOARD=H156<l>
- <T5>and<T20><L>CROP=H157<l>
- }
- {H151 (UNDO Command)
-
- <R>Undo<r>
-
- This will remove your last edit to the image. Use this immediately
- when you make a mistake such as using the wrong tool, erasing more than
- you meant, etc. This may be <L>Disabled=H644<l> to conserve memory. The
- Undo command is available by using the UNDO button at the top of the
- screen, by selecting Undo from the Edit menu, or by typing ALT/U.
-
- <T5><L>MENU=H139<l>
- }
- {H152 (CUT Command)
-
- <R>Cut<r>
-
- Once you have selected an area with the <L>Scissors=H370<l> tool, you may
- use this option to Cut the area from your drawing. The area is placed,
- temporarily, onto the NeoPaint <L>Clipboard=H156<l>. If desired, you may use
- the <L>Paste=H154<l> command to re-insert this area into another image or onto
- the same image. Use the <L>Copy=H153<l> command if you wish to leave the original
- area intact.
-
- <T5><L>MENU=H139<l>
- }
- {H153 (COPY Command)
-
- <R>Copy<r>
-
- Selecting this command will make a Copy onto the <L>Clipboard=H156<l> of the
- area selected by using the <L>Scissors=H370<l> tool. This area is then available
- for use by the <L>Paste=H154<l> command.
-
- See also: <L>COPY TO=H109<l>
- }
- {H109 (COPY TO Command)
-
- <R>Copy To<r>
-
- After selecting an area using the <L>Scissors=H370<l> tool, you may copy
- this area into its own image file. You will be asked to supply a name,
- consisting of up to eight characters, for this file . This file will not
- be overwritten by subsequent <L>Cut=H152<l> or <L>Copy=H153<l> commands.
-
- See also: <L>PASTE FROM=H110<l>.
- }
- {H154 (PASTE Command)
-
- <R>Paste<r>
-
- The Paste command inserts the image stored on the <L>Clipboard=H156<l> into
- the current image window. Once the area appears on the screen, it will be
- shown surrounded by a dotted line. You may reposition it by immediately
- positioning the mouse cursor in the center of the pasted area. The mouse
- cursor will change to a small hand when the cursor is over the area to
- be moved. At this point, you may press down on the left mouse button and
- drag the Pasted area to a new location. Note: if you intend to move an
- item pasted into the current image, you must do so immediately. Using or
- selecting a tool or menu item (other than from the Picture menu) will
- cause NeoPaint to assume that you have decided to leave the pasted area
- in its current location.
-
- At any time between pasting the area and going on to another tool,
- the pasted area may be <L>Flipped=H163<l>, <L>Inverted=H162<l>, <L>Rotated=H112<l>, or manipulated
- with other <L>Special Effects=H115<l>. You may repeatedly Paste the same item from
- the clipboard. See also: <L>Cut=H152<l> and <L>Copy=H153<l>. To paste from another image file,
- see <L>Paste From=H110<l>. See also: <L>Transparent Cutouts=H178<l> mode option.
- }
- {H110 (PASTE FROM Command)
-
- <R>Paste From<r>
-
- If you have used the <L>Copy To=H109<l> function, to copy an area, you may
- use this command to Paste the image file you created into the active
- image window. You will be asked to supply the name of the file you
- created using the Copy To command. You may also Paste From using an
- entire normal image file, though these may be so large that they blot
- out much or all of the current image.
-
- <T5><L>MENU=H139<l>
- }
- {H155 (DELETE Command)
-
- <R>Delete<r>
-
- Choosing this command will cause the area within a rectangular
- portion selected by the <L>Scissors=H370<l> tool to be wiped clean.
-
- <T5><L>MENU=H139<l>
- }
- {H157 (CROP Command)
-
- <R>Crop<r>
-
- This command allows you to extract a rectangular area from a larger
- picture, trimming away the unwanted portions. Use the <L>Scissors=H370<l> tool
- to surround the area you wish to retain, then select the Crop function
- and the image outside the selected area will be discarded.
-
- <T5><L>MENU=H139<l>
- }
- {H156 (SHOW CLIPBOARD Command)
-
- <R>Show Clipboard<r>
-
- You may display the NeoPaint Clipboard as a reminder of its current
- contents. The clipboard only holds the last item placed there using
- either the <L>Cut=H152<l> or <L>Copy=H153<l> command.
- }
- {H160 (Picture Menu)
-
- <R>The PICTURE Menu<r>
-
- The commands:
-
- <T5><L>ADJUST CONTRAST=H113<l><T20><L>ADJUST PALETTE=H114<l>
- <T5><L>SHOW SCREEN=H165<l><T20><L>SHOW PREVIEW=H166<l>
- <T5><L>PICTURE INFO=H116<l><T20>and <L>EDIT SCREEN=H168<l>
-
- are related strictly to the overall image in the current window.
-
- Other items under the PICTURE button:
-
- <T5><L>CLEAR=H161<l><T20><L>INVERT=H162<l>
- <T5><L>FLIP HORIZ=H163<l><T20><L>FLIP VERT=H164<l>
- <T5><L>ROTATE=H111<l><T20><L>SCALE=H112<l>
- <T5><L>EFFECTS=H115<l><T20>and <L>DISTORT/SKEW=H167<l>
-
- allow you to manipulate sections selected with the <L>Scissors=H370<l> tool,
- <L>Paste=H154<l> command; as well as the entire image. One use for the various
- flip, rotation and scale functions is for producing a great number of
- variations of a single item in the <L>Clipboard=H156<l>.
- }
- {H161 (CLEAR Command)
-
- <R>Clear<r>
-
- Choosing this option will erase the entire image, leaving you with a
- blank drawing board window. You also have the option of clearing the image
- with the current fill color or white.
-
- <T5><L>MENU=H139<l>
- }
- {H162 (INVERT Command)
-
- <R>Invert<r>
-
- You may produce an opposite for your entire image, a freshly <L>Pasted=H154<l>
- item, or just that part selected with the Scissors tool. Depending on
- the colors available, each color will be changed to its <L>RGB=H551<l> opposite
- (i.e., black will become white, red will become blue-green, etc.), or an
- approximation. The <L>Palette=H550<l> will remain the same. This can produce
- very interesting effects.
-
- <T5><L>MENU=H139<l>
- }
- {H163 (FLIP HORIZONTAL Command)
-
- <R>Flip Horizontal<r>
-
- The entire image, a freshly <L>Pasted=H154<l> item, or area selected by the
- <L>Scissors=H370<l> tool, can be flipped, left to right. See also: <L>Flip=H164<l>
- <L>Vertical=H164<l>.
- }
- {H164 (FLIP VERTICAL Command)
-
- <R>Flip Vertical<r>
-
- Using this command, you can flip either your entire image, or just a
- <L>selected=H370<l> area, upside down.
-
- See also: <L>FLIP HORIZONTAL=H163<l>.
-
- <T5><L>MENU=H139<l>
- }
- {H111 (ROTATE Command)
-
- <R>Rotate<r>
-
- This command turns the <L>selected=H370<l> area (or whole image, if no area
- is selected) in 90 degree increments.
-
- <T5><L>MENU=H139<l>
- }
- {H705 (PICTURE ROTATE Command)
-
- <R>Rotate<r>
-
- This command turns the <L>selected=H370<l> area (or whole image, if no area
- is selected) in 90 degree increments.
-
- <T5><L>MENU=H139<l>
- }
- {H112 (SCALE Command)
-
- <R>Scale<r>
-
- You may stretch or shrink the size of your image, or a <L>selected=H370<l>
- area, by using the Scale command. You have several pre-set sizes from
- which to choose. Simply click on the check box next to the desired new
- size. If you choose Custom Size, you should type in the size, in pixels.
- The first number represents the new width and the second, the new height
- of the image. See also the <L>CROP=H157<l> command for trimming an image.
-
- The Maintain Aspect Ratio check box stops the image from being
- distorted. When this box is checked, NeoPaint will come as close as
- possible to the size specified, without stretching the picture out of
- shape.
-
- <T5><L>MENU=H139<l>
- }
- {H113 (ADJUST CONTRAST Command)
-
- <R>Adjust Contrast<r>
-
- This command adjusts the overall contrast of the picture currently
- being edited. Click to the right side of the scroll bar to increase the
- contrast. Click to the left side to decrease the image contrast. You may
- use the mouse to hold down and slide the thumbnail button. Your image in
- the background will be updated as you decrease or increase the values.
- If you wish to make finer adjustments, use the left and right ARROW keys
- on the keyboard to move in single unit increments.
-
- See also: <L>ADJUST PALETTE=H114<l> command for brightness controls.
-
- <T5><L>MENU=H139<l>
- }
- {H114 (ADJUST PALETTE Command)
-
- <R>Adjust Palette<r>
-
- The color balance and brightness across the entire palette may be
- adjusted using the four thumbnail scroll bars in this dialog. Just as
- for your color monitor, NeoPaint uses a <L>RGB=H551<l> color model, which means
- that colors are expressed as values of Red, Green and Blue. You may
- change these by using either the mouse to move each thumbnail button, or
- by using the Arrow keys on your keyboard to move in finer increments.
- When using the keyboard, you can switch between scroll bars by using the
- TAB key.
-
- The effect of each change made to the current palette is reflected on
- your picture in the background.
-
- Note: As changes you make in Adjust Palette will affect all of the
- colors in both your image and palette, you will usually want to make
- only very fine adjustments to the overall color balance. You may adjust
- individual colors on the palette using the <L>Edit Color=H126<l> feature.
-
- Use the Reset command button at the bottom of the dialog to clear
- your changes and start again.
-
- Click on the OK button to save your changes to the palette,
- and return to editing your image.
-
- Choose the Cancel button to return to your picture without saving the
- color changes you have made.
-
- <T5><L>MENU=H139<l>
- }
- {H115 (EFFECTS Command)
-
- <R>Special Effects<r>
-
- A variety of effects allow you to alter a selected area of your
- picture or, if no area has been selected with the <L>Scissors=H370<l> tool (in
- <L>rectangle mode=H371<l>), to apply the effect to the entire image.
-
- A descriptive name of each special effect may be selected from the
- drop down menu (click on the Arrow button to display). Once the desired
- effect has been highlighted, press the Apply button.
-
- Depending on the effect, the number of colors on your display, the
- size of the area being transformed, the operating speed of your
- computer, etc., the time involved in processing your image may vary
- greatly. A graph showing the percentage completed will be displayed
- while the calculations for the effect are processed.
-
- If you are new to NeoPaint, you may wish to experiment with each
- effect on a small area of an image. Although most effects will vary,
- depending on the characteristics of the selected area, you will be
- generally familiar with what results to expect. You may <L>Undo=H151<l> any
- special effect by immediately selecting the UNDO command from the <L>Edit=H150<l>
- Menu, or by clicking on the UNDO button or pressing ALT/U.
- }
- {H165 (SHOW SCREEN Command)
-
- <R>Show Screen<r>
-
- Choosing this command will use your entire screen to display the
- active image. If the image will not fit into the area available on your
- monitor, a small Hand cursor will appear. You may use this cursor to
- drag the image, revealing portions lying outside the limits of your
- screen. Exit from this mode by pressing the right mouse button, or
- hitting a key on the keyboard. The command to view the entire image at
- one time, is <L>Show Preview=H166<l>.
-
- <T5><L>MENU=H139<l>
- }
- {H166 (SHOW PREVIEW Command)
-
- <R>Show Preview<r>
-
- Use this feature to view the entire image. The current image will be
- loaded into a window and completely displayed. Use this to view your
- entire picture at once, no matter what the size. See also: <L>Show Screen=H165<l>.
-
- <T5><L>MENU=H139<l>
- }
- {H167 (DISTORT/SKEW Command)
-
- <R>Distort/Skew<r>
-
- This command is used to stretch and add perspective to rectangular
- areas <L>selected=H370<l> using the Scissors tool. After clicking on this
- command, node handles will appear along the edge of the selected area.
- Use your mouse to drag each node in the direction which you wish to
- stretch that part of the image. If you need to have a handle in another
- spot, click on the dotted area outline to add a new node. Once you have
- adjusted the area to your satisfaction, click on the OK button in the
- dialog box at the top of the screen.
-
- <T5><L>MENU=H139<l>
- }
- {H168 (EDIT SCREEN Command)
-
- <R>Edit Screen<r>
-
- If you need to use the entire screen as a workspace, select this
- command from the menu, or press the F3 key. You will be using the last
- tool selected when editing in full screen. The F and ALT keys are still
- functional for calling up commands in full screen mode. Use the F3 key
- to return to normal editing mode - with the menu, tool bar and palette
- shown.
-
- <T5><L>MENU=H139<l>
- }
- {H116 (PICTURE INFO Command)
-
- <R>Picture Info...<r>
-
- Selecting this command will present you with the filename, file size,
- picture dimensions, memory used when file opened, and number of colors
- in the image's palette.
-
- <T5><L>MENU=H139<l>
- }
- {H170 (OPTIONS Menu)
-
- <R>The OPTIONS Menu<r>
-
- The selections found under this menu allow you to set constraints on
- how various NeoPaint features will work. The commands are:
-
- <T2><L>SNAP TO GRID=H171<l><T20><L>SHOW MOUSE POSITION=H172<l>
- <T2><L>TRANSPARENT PATTERN=H401<l><T20><L>SET GRID=H117<l>
- <T2><L>TRANSPARENT CUTOUTS=H178<l><T20><L>DRAW FROM CENTER=H179<l>
- <T2><L>SET TILE FILL=H118<l><T20><L>GRADIENT OPTIONS=H701<l>
- <T2><L>CLONE OPTIONS=H702<l><T20><L>COLOR SIMILARITY=H703<l>
- <T2>and<T20><L>SET PREFERENCES=H119<l>
- }
- {H171 (SNAP TO GRID Command)
-
- <R>Snap to Grid<r>
-
- If Snap to Grid is enabled, a check mark will appear next to the menu
- selection. This will cause the cursor to snap to the nearest point on a
- grid as specified in the <L>Set Grid=H117<l> command. Click on the menu command
- to enable or disable this function.
-
- <T5><L>MENU=H139<l>
- }
- {H172 (SHOW MOUSE POSITION Command)
-
- <R>Show Mouse Position<r>
-
- This selection turns the: <L>Mouse Coordinate Display=H500<l> on and off.
- When this feature is enabled, two boxes will appear at the upper left of
- the screen. The box labeled X shows the cursor position as a number of
- pixels from the left The box labeled Y shows the position as a number of
- pixels from the top. You may switch the Mouse Coordinate Display on or
- off, by clicking on the menu command.
-
- <T5><L>MENU=H139<l>
- }
- {H178 (TRANSPARENT CUTOUTS Command)
-
- <R>Transparent Cutouts<r>
-
- Enabling this mode allows the image underneath to show through when
- you cut and <L>paste=H154<l> a section of an image onto another portion. Any areas
- which contain the mask color (white) will become transparent, and the
- image underneath will show through.
-
- <T5><L>MENU=H139<l>
- }
- {H179 (DRAW FROM CENTER Command)
-
- <R>Draw from Center<r>
-
- <L>Circles=H300<l>, <L>rectangles=H280<l> and <L>3-D objects=H320<l> will normally be drawn from a
- corner and dragged to the opposite corner to produce a shape of the
- correct size. If you would rather start in the center and drag to an
- outside edge for these objects, enable this mode. A check mark will
- appear to show that this mode has been activated.
-
- <T5><L>MENU=H139<l>
- }
- {H401 (TRANSPARENT PATTERN Command)
-
- <R>Transparent Pattern<r>
-
- The white background of any Pattern Fills will become transparent
- when this function is enabled. The background will show through and the
- pattern the black portion when shown in the <L>Pattern=H560<l> window will be
- added in the currently selected color.
-
- <T5><L>MENU=H139<l>
- }
- {H117 (SET GRID Command)
-
- <R>Set Grid<r>
-
- You may specify the width of a grid for use with the <L>Snap to Grid=H171<l>
- selection. You will be prompted to designate the size of the grid in
- terms of horizontal and vertical measurements. When you are satisfied
- with the size of the new grid, click on the OK button. When you click on
- OK in Set Grid, the Snap to Grid feature will be turned on auto-
- matically. You will only see the effect of your settings when drawing
- with Snap to Grid enabled.
-
- <T5><L>MENU=H139<l>
- }
- {H118 (SET TILE FILL Command)
-
- <R>Set Tile Fill<r>
-
- Use this command to specify a file to use with the <L>Tile Fill=H240<l>
- tool. You may use any of the image file types supported by NeoPaint.
- Two check boxes allow you to choose whether the fill image will use the
- cursor position, or the upper, left hand corner of your picture as a
- reference point in positioning the fill.
-
- <T5><L>MENU=H139<l>
- }
- {H119 (SET PREFERENCES Command)
-
- <R>Set Preferences<r>
-
- This command brings up a sub-menu of configuration choices.
- Typically, you will seldom need to reset these items:
-
- <T8><L>PICTURE=H641<l>
- <T8><L>DIRECTORIES=H642<l>
- <T8><L>MISCELLANEOUS=H643<l>
- }
- {H701 (GRADIENT OPTIONS Command)
-
- <R>Gradient Options<r>
-
- This command is used to specify the type of gradient used with the
- <L>Gradient Fill=H243<l>, <L>Gradient Rectangle=H284<l> and <L>Gradient Circle=H303<l> tools.
-
- Use the scroll bar in the Style option to set the orientation of the
- fill. The Direction option tells NeoPaint where to place the colors in
- the fill. You also have the option of using one of four Dithering
- Methods to smooth or coarsen transitions between the selected colors.
-
- An approximation of the effect of your selections will be shown in
- the window in the Style box. If you wish to change the Line and Fill
- colors being used, simply select new colors from the palette.
-
- Note that the smoothness of the transition between the two colors will
- depend upon the palette currently being used, as well as your selections
- using this command.
-
- Once your choices have been made, click the OK button. The selections
- you've made will remain in effect until you use this command to make
- changes to them.
-
- <T5><L>MENU=H139<l>
- }
- {H702 (CLONE OPTIONS Command)
-
- <R>Clone Tool Options<r>
-
- The <L>Cloning tool=H227<l> may be used in two modes. Use this command to
- select the mode you prefer. The first mode always snaps the source back
- to the point of origin once the mouse button is released. The second mode
- allows the point being cloned to trail the mouse cursor, pantograph
- fashion, at a fixed distance.
-
- <T5><L>MENU=H139<l>
- }
- {H703 (COLOR SIMILARITY Command)
-
- <R>Color Similarity Settings<r>
-
- This command allows you to <L>Erase=H380<l> and <L>Fill=H240<l> a range of
- closely related colors. Click on the arrow buttons to choose a value for
- the degree of difference which will be allowed. The value may range from
- zero (only the selected color or shade of grey will be affected) to 63
- (all colors and grey shades will be affected).
-
- The formula used to determine Color Similarity is based on the values
- selected using in producing <L>RGB colors=H551<l> and greys.
-
- One common use for this function is to aid in deleting or changing
- monochromatic backdrops in scanned images. This allows another image
- to be easily substituted for a background using the <L>Tile Fill=H241<l> tool.
- Another use is for removing off colors or producing interesting effects
- with the Eraser tool.
-
- <T5><L>MENU=H139<l>
- }
- {H641 (PREFERENCES/PICTURE Command)
-
- <R>Picture<r> allows you to set the Default <L>Video Mode=H125<l> the program
- will use when you load NeoPaint. You may also specify the dimensions and
- file format for new images opened using the <L>New=H100<l> command under the
- <L>File=H140<l> button.
- }
- {H642 (PREFERENCES/DIRECTORIES Command)
-
- <R>Directories<r> will allow you to change the DOS subdirectories
- NeoPaint uses to store Fonts, Stamps and other information. NeoPaint may
- need to use your hard disk to temporarily store image information. You
- can specify a certain directory, or indicate that NeoPaint should use an
- existing Temporary subdirectory for this purpose. If the directory you
- specify does not exist, NeoPaint will not create a directory or move
- files for you.
-
- Click on the OK button to accept your changes, or Cancel to exit the
- dialog without making changes to your configuration.
-
- <T5><L>MENU=H139<l>
- }
- {H643 (PREFERENCES/MISCELLANEOUS Command)
-
- <R>Miscellaneous<r> contains switches for the following options:
-
- <T5><L>Undo=H644<l> on/off.
- <T5><L>Swap=H645<l> left/right mouse buttons.
- <T5><L>Backup=H646<l> previous version of image file.
- <T5><L>Beep=H647<l> warning on/off.
- <T5><L>Zoom Gridlines=H648<l> on/off.
- <T5><L>Memory=H649<l> usage controls.
- }
- {H644 (PREFERENCES/MISC/UNDO)
-
- <R>Undo On/Off<r>
-
- NeoPaint's <L>Undo=H151<l> feature allows you to restore your image to its
- state prior to your last edit. This is a convenient feature for recover-
- ing from mistakes, however it does take up memory and may slow your
- system slightly. If you have either a slow system, or a system with
- limited memory, you might wish to turn this feature off to improve
- performance.
-
- <T5><L>MENU=H139<l>
- }
- {H645 (PREFERENCES/MISC/SWAP)
-
- <R>Left Handed Operation<r>
-
- The Swap check box allows you to use the Left <L>mouse button=H131<l> in place
- of the Right, and the Right mouse button in place of the Left. Left-
- handed and ambidextrous persons may find operating with the button
- functions switched to be more intuitive. The Swap feature is on when
- this box is checked.
-
- <T5><L>MENU=H139<l>
- }
- {H646 (PREFERENCES/MISC/BACKUP)
-
- <R>Automatic Image File Backup<r>
-
- Backup files enable you to recover an image file when the last saved
- version has been corrupted or contains unwanted edits. If this feature
- is enabled, NeoPaint will write a copy of the file to the disk in its
- original state, prior to saving the latest edited version (using the
- <L>Save=H102<l> command under the <L>File=H140<l> menu button). Note, however, that
- image files tend to be very large, and unless you regularly erase old
- backup files (files ending in the DOS extension .BAK), even large hard
- drives can quickly become filled. If you decide to leave Create Backup
- (BAK) Files <B>off<b>, you can still keep backup copies of any file you
- wish by using the <L>Save As=H601<l> function instead of Save, and giving
- your edited file a name different from that of the original image. If
- this box is checked, NeoPaint will write a backup copy of each edited
- file you Save.
-
- <T5><L>MENU=H139<l>
- }
- {H647 (PREFERENCES/MISC/BEEP)
-
- <R>Beep Warning<r>
-
- NeoPaint will beep when you try to perform an invalid action. You may
- switch this off. If the Beep When Error Occurs box is checked, NeoPaint
- will beep.
-
- <T5><L>MENU=H139<l>
- }
- {H648 (PREFERENCES/MISC/SHOW ZOOM GRID)
-
- <R>Show Zoom Mode Gridline Aid<r>
-
- You may turn off the Show Gridlines In Zoom Mode feature. The
- gridlines allow for more accurate editing when using the <L>Zoom=H200<l> tool,
- but lends a slightly washed-out look to some colors.
-
- NeoPaint is installed with this feature disabled. If you need the
- grid lines, click on the checkbox to turn this feature on.
-
- <T5><L>MENU=H139<l>
- }
- {H649 (PREFERENCES/MISC/MEMORY)
-
- <R>Memory Usage Controls<r>
-
- NeoPaint will attempt to use all the free Memory which is available
- in your system. If for some reason you need to keep NeoPaint from
- accessing one of the types of memory available on your system, you may
- do so by deselecting the corresponding box. Note: It is strongly
- recommended that you NOT limit NeoPaint's access to memory. Doing
- this may slow down your system while working in NeoPaint. In any case,
- NeoPaint needs some memory, you cannot uncheck all the memory boxes.
-
- <T5><L>MENU=H139<l>
- }
- {H180 (HELP Menu)
-
- <R>The HELP Menu<r>
-
- Clicking on the Help Menu Button will present you with NeoPaint's
- program information functions.
-
- The selections are:
-
- <T6><L>HELP=H002<l> - using the HELP system.
- <T6><L>VIEW README.DOC FILE=H181<l> function.
- <T6><L>SYSTEM INFO=H120<l> viewer.
- <T6><L>ABOUT NEOPAINT=H121<l> screen.
- }
- {H002 (USING HELP Command)
-
- <R>Using the Help System<r>
-
- If you need information regarding the proper use of a particular
- NeoPaint function, it is often more convenient to first use the Help
- command to search for answers before resorting to NeoPaint's printed
- manual. On entering the Help system, you will be presented with a Table
- Of Contents containing categories of subjects covered. You may click on
- any category to display relevant subjects contained under that heading.
- You may also click on Index to show an alphabetized listing of all
- subjects in the Help system. Clicking on any item will bring up
- information regarding that subject. If there are related topics within
- the informational text, these will appear as <L>underlined=H900<l> words or
- phrases. You may click on any related topic displayed to switch to a
- display of the information relating to that topic.
-
- You may also search for a specific topic by clicking on the Find
- button. You will be asked to indicate the subject for which you are
- searching, and NeoPaint will then try to match your request.
-
- <T5><L>MENU=H139<l>
- }
- {H181 (VIEW README.DOC FILE Command)
-
- <R>View README.DOC File<r>
-
- Late breaking information and features becoming available after the
- production NeoPaint's documentation, will be included on the disk as an
- ASCII file named README.DOC. You may view this text from within NeoPaint
- by selecting this command.
-
- <T5><L>MENU=H139<l>
- }
- {H120 (SYSTEM INFO Command)
-
- <R>System Information<r>
-
- This command will detail some of the hardware which NeoPaint has
- found present on your computer system.
-
- <T5><L>MENU=H139<l>
- }
- {H121 (ABOUT NEOPAINT Command)
-
- <R>About NeoPaint<r>
-
- Selecting this command causes a screen to be displayed which shows
- copyright and version information about NeoPaint.
-
- <T5><L>MENU=H139<l>
- }
- {H370 (SCISSORS TOOL)
-
- <R>The SCISSORS Selection Tools<r>
-
- The Scissors Icon is used to <B>Select<b> specific areas of your picture
- for further modification, as well as to cut and paste. Using this tool,
- select an area by <L>dragging=H134<l> the mouse cursor from one side of an area
- to its opposite side. A dotted outline (or marquee) will surround the
- selected part of the image. To <B>Deselect<b> an area, simply move the
- mouse cursor off to the side and click once.
-
- Once the desired area has been selected, you may <B>Move<b> this piece from
- your picture by positioning your mouse cursor in the center of the
- selected area. The cursor will change to a small hand. Hold down the
- left mouse button and drag the cut piece to a new location and release.
- If you drop the piece in the wrong spot, use the <L>Undo=H151<l> command to
- restore the picture. You may <B>shrink<b>, <B>enlarge<b> or <B>distort<b> the selected
- area by using the mouse to <L>drag=H134<l> the nodes (or handles), which appear
- as small boxes at the angles of the dotted line. When your mouse is
- properly positioned over one of these nodes, the cursor will change to a
- pointing hand. Press down on the left mouse button and drag the node to
- a new position. As you move these, the marquee will stretch or shrink.
-
- If you wish to Copy the area (i.e., move a copy of the area yet
- leaving the original surface intact) hold down the CTRL key while
- dragging the selected area to the desired location. Holding down the
- Shift key while moving the mouse will leave a trail of paint, allowing
- you to use the selected area as a paint brush.
-
- Note: When selecting a <L>rectangular=H371<l> area, part of which lies <B>outside<b>
- the image area displayed in the screen's workspace, simply continue
- holding down the mouse button and drag to the edge of the window nearest
- to the destination. The image will scroll underneath the cursor until
- you move the mouse off the window's edge, or until you reach the edge
- of the picture.
-
- A selected area may be <L>Cut=H152<l> or <L>Copied=153<l> to the NeoPaint
- <L>Clipboard=H156<l>, <L>Copied to a File=H109<l>, or <L>Deleted=H155<l>. Once a portion of your
- picture has been selected, these options are available under the <L>Edit=H150<l>
- menu button. Areas selected with these tools may also be modified using
- the commands listed under the <L>Picture=H160<l> menu button.
-
- Clicking a second time on the Scissors icon will drop down a menu
- containing three tool types:
-
- <T10><L>STRAIGHT LINE=H371<l>
- <T10><L>ZIGZAG LINE=H372<l>
- <T10><L>UNDULATING LINE=H374<l>
- }
- {H371 (RECTANGULAR SELECTION TOOL)
-
- <R>Selecting Rectangular Areas<r>
-
- The topmost icon (<L>Scissors=H370<l> next to a straight line) selects or
- cuts rectangular areas.
-
- Note: You must select a rectangular area using the straight line
- Scissors tool in order to use the <L>Picture/Effects=H115<l> command. If you
- need to apply a particular Effect to an irregular area, try dividing the
- area into sections and use several small rectangles to modify in more
- than one operation.
- }
- {H372 (POLYGONAL SELECTION TOOL)
-
- <R>Selecting Polygonal Areas<r>
-
- The middle icon (<L>Scissors=H370<l> next to a zigzag) selects or cuts
- polygonal areas. Click to draw line segments around the area you wish to
- select. You may complete the boundary by clicking a final time close to
- your starting point, or by clicking the right mouse button. At this
- point, a dialog window will allow you to make changes (see <L>Edits=H375<l>).
- }
- {H374 (FREEFORM SELECTION TOOL)
-
- <R>Selecting Areas Freehand<r>
-
- The lower icon (<L>Scissors=H370<l> next to an undulating line) selects or
- cuts free form areas. Simply <L>drag=H134<l> the mouse around the area to be
- selected. You will be given an opportunity to change your outline (see
- <L>Edits=H375<l> topic).
- }
- {H375 (EDITS - SELECTED AREAS)
-
- <R>Editing a Selected Area<r>
-
- Area boundaries delineated with the <L>Polygonal=H372<l> and <L>Freeform=H374<l>
- Scissors may be edited once the area has been selected. If you wish to
- make minor adjustments to include or exclude areas, you are given an
- opportunity to use the mouse to reposition the nodes (or handles) which
- appear as small boxes at the angles of the border line. When your mouse
- is properly positioned over one of these nodes, press down on the left
- mouse button and drag the node to a new position. As you move these, the
- border will stretch or shrink. You may add or delete nodes by clicking
- with the left mouse button to add, or delete by holding down the CTRL key
- while clicking with the left button. The entire selected area may also be
- rotated by clicking on the Rotation buttons in the dialog box at the top
- of the screen.
-
- Once the boundaries of the area are in place, click on the OK button
- in the dialog window. A marquee will appear around the entire area,
- which may then be Moved, Stretched, Distorted, Copied, etc. as for any
- selected area (see <L>Scissors=H370<l> tool).
- }
- {H380 (ERASER Tool)
-
- <R>ERASER Tools<r>
-
- The Eraser consists of two tools. You may choose between the tools by
- clicking a second time on the Eraser icon. The size of the cursor is
- controlled by the <L>Size Selector=H520<l> box. The Eraser will be three to
- four times the selected line width.
-
- The topmost tool will erase everything under the cursor when the
- mouse is clicked or dragged. The second tool will erase only the current
- color selected in the <L>Color/Pattern Selection=H530<l> Box (or shades which
- are similar to this, as specified using the <L>Color Similarity=H703<l> command)
- wherever the left mouse button is clicked or dragged. In this mode,
- clicking or dragging with the right mouse button will only erase the
- current line color as shown in the border around the Color/Pattern
- Selection Box.
- }
- {H390 (TEXT Tool)
-
- <R>The TEXT Toolbox<r>
-
- Text in a variety of styles and fonts may be placed within your
- picture. When you click on the Text icon, a text cursor appears. Move
- the cursor to the location at which you wish your text line to begin,
- and click to begin typing. You may change the <L>Font=H124<l>, color, size and
- style, either prior to typing your text or at anytime before selecting
- another tool or starting a new line of text.
-
- By clicking a second time on the Text icon, you will be presented
- with a choice of text styles (e.g., Bold, Italic, etc). You may select
- to apply one or a combination of these styles to your text. Your text
- will be drawn in the current fill color selected in the <L>Color/Pattern=H530<l>
- Selection Box. The current line color will be used for drop shadowing,
- when choosing the Shadow command.
-
- When entering text, you may use the Backspace key to erase and Enter
- to start a new line. The ESC key cancels the entry.
-
- See also: the <L>FONTS=H124<l> command topic.
- }
- {H124 (FONT Selector)
-
- <R>Selecting Fonts<r>
-
- The font and size are changed by clicking on the FONTS... function
- at the bottom of the menu. The Font dialog window will be displayed with
- the current font selected. The selections may be viewed by clicking on
- the individual font names. The font will be previewed in the Example
- window at the lower, left corner. Font and size choices may be scrolled
- using the scroll bars. Not every font comes in every size (though you
- may stretch or shrink any size using the <L>Scissors=H370<l> tool).
- }
- {H200 (ZOOM Tool)
-
- <R>ZOOM<r>
-
- When it comes time to touch up the details in your picture, you will
- probably want to get a closer look at the part of the image being
- modified. You can exercise precise, pixel level control by switching
- into the Zoom editing mode. To do this, first click on the Zoom icon.
- Move your cursor near to a corner (or to the center if you have
- activated the <L>Draw from Center=H179<l> mode) of the area which to be magnified.
- Hold down the left mouse button and <L>drag=H134<l> the mouse to
- surround the area. A marquee will appear showing the boundary of the
- area selected. When you have enclosed the desired area, release the
- mouse button.
-
- See also:
-
- <T10><L>The ZOOM Editing Window=H201<l>
- <T10><L>Gridline Editing Aid=H648<l>
- <T10><L>Tools Available in ZOOM=H206<l>
-
- To exit from the Zoom edit window, click on either the small preview
- window on the left side, click on the image in the background, or click
- on the X button at the upper left corner of the window.
- }
- {H201 (ZOOM Window)
-
- <R>The ZOOM Editing Window<r>
-
- The Zoom window consists of a pair of thumbnail <L>scroll bars=H574<l> along
- the right and bottom allowing movement to other points within your
- picture without exiting the <L>Zoom=H200<l> mode. On the left side is a scroll
- bar which permits you to increase or decrease the magnification factor.
- The magnification factor is displayed above the scroll bar and just
- above this is an actual size (1:1) view of the section of the image on
- which you are working. This small window will show the effect of your
- edits as you make them.
-
- The main part of the Zoom edit window is occupied by a magnified,
- editable view of a part of your picture. If there is any pattern in the
- section being edited, you will be able to distinguish the individual
- pixels which make up the image. You edit the image by clicking on
- individual pixels. Clicking the left mouse button will place the
- currently selected fill color, while clicking on the right button will
- place the currently selected line color. You may change colors at any
- time.
- }
- {H206 (ZOOM Tools In)
-
- <R>Tools Available Within ZOOM<r>
-
- <T5><L>ERASER=H380<l><T20><L>BRUSH=H230<l>
- <T5><L>FILLS=H240<l><T20><L>HIGHLIGHTER=H220<l>
- <T5><L>STRAIGHT LINE=H270<l><T20><L>RECTANGLE=H280<l>
- <T5><L>GRID=H171<l><T20><L>GRADIENT RECTANGLE=H284<l>
- <T5><L>ROUND RECTANGLE=H290<l><T20><L>CIRCLE=H300<l>
- <T5><L>GRADIENT CIRCLE=H303<l> and<T20><L>COLOR SAMPLER=H210<l>
-
- The above tools can be used in <L>Zoom=H200<l> mode. The Eraser and
- Brush may be used to click on individual pixels, or may be dragged
- across an area.
-
- The Fill tool will either fill an enclosed area (of one color) with
- another color or tile pattern, or may be used to replace one color (as
- selected in the <L>Color/Pattern Selection Box=H530<l>) with another throughout
- the Zoom edit window.
-
- The Highlighter works by changing the color value of any pixel to
- which it is applied.
-
- The Color Sampler is extremely useful in Zoom mode, particularly when
- working with 256 color images. Instead of scrolling through the <L>Palette=H550<l>,
- you can simply select the color you need directly from the <L>Zoom screen=H201<l>.
-
- Line, Rectangle, Grid, Rounded Rectangle, and Circle tools are
- dragged to produce these forms. You may also paint using <L>Patterns=H530<l>, as
- well as colors from the palette, while in Zoom. This allows you to
- precisely apply a pattern/texture to a specific area
- }
- {H210 (COLOR SAMPLER Tool)
-
- <R>The Syringe COLOR SAMPLER<r>
-
- The color sampler may be used to select a color directly from the
- surface of the picture, rather than from the <L>Palette=H550<l>. This feature
- is particularly handy when working with 256 color or gray scale images,
- where it is either difficult to distinguish between individual shades,
- or when it saves time over making a search through the many selections
- available on the Palette.
-
- To use the color sampler, move the cursor directly over the desired
- color. You should be able to spot the color at the center of the
- crosshairs. The color clicked on is placed into the <L>Current Color/=H530<l>
- <L>Pattern Selection=H530<l> Box. Press the left mouse button to change the
- current fill color, or press the right mouse button to select a new
- current line color.
- }
- {H221 (SPECIAL EFFECT Tools)
-
- <R>Special Effect Tools<r>
-
- Clicking a second time on the icon in this button (located between
- the Syringe and Brush icons on the tool bar) will bring up a selection
- of special purpose tools. The tools available are:
-
- <T10><L>the Highlighter Marker=H220<l>
- <T10><L>Charcoal pencil=H222<l>
- <T10><L>Crayon=H223<l>
- <T10><L>Watercolor brush=H224<l>
- <T10><L>Smudge tool=H225<l>
- <T10><L>Pixel Blender=H226<l>
- <T10><L>Cloning tool=H227<l>
- }
- {H220 (HIGHLIGHTER Tool)
-
- <R>The HIGHLIGHTER Marker<r>
-
- The Highlighter works in much the same manner as the felt-tipped
- markers used for highlighting text. It adds its color value to the value
- of any color in the image with which it comes into contact. The size of
- the Highlighter tip is controlled from the <L>Size Selector=H520<l> box. You
- may also highlight using a <L>pattern=H560<l>.
-
- Note: The resulting value will depend on the two colors, and
- availability of suitable colors in the <L>current palette=H103<l>. Highlighting
- results tend to be most predictable when using monochromatic palettes.
-
- <T10><L>SPECIAL EFFECT TOOLS=H221<l>
- }
- {H222 (CHARCOAL PENCIL Tool)
-
- <R>Charcoal Pencil<r>
-
- The second tool from the top of this menu is the Charcoal pencil.
- <L>Dragging=H134<l> this tool produces a "scratchy" line. Change the shape of
- the tool by first selecting one of the types under the <L>Brush=H230<l> icon.
-
- Try using the <L>Smudge=H225<l> tool to further soften lines made with this
- tool and produce other effects.
-
- <T10><L>SPECIAL EFFECT TOOLS=H221<l>
- }
- {H223 (CRAYON Tool)
-
- <R>Crayon<r>
-
- <L>Dragging=H134<l> the crayon tool produces a solid line with a "clumpy" edge
- Try using the <L>Smudge=H225<l> tool to further soften the lines produced
- by this tool.
-
- Change the shape of the tool by first selecting one of the types
- under the <L>Brush=H230<l> icon.
-
- <T10><L>SPECIAL EFFECT TOOLS=H221<l>
- }
- {H224 (WATERCOLOR Tool)
-
- <R>Watercolor brush<r>
-
- This tool allows the loaded color to "bleed" into surrounding areas,
- producing a soft effect. Other interesting effects may be obtained by
- using this tool along with a <L>patterned fill=H560<l>.
-
- Change the shape of the tool by first selecting one of the types
- under the <L>Brush=H230<l> icon.
-
- <T10><L>SPECIAL EFFECT TOOLS=H221<l>
- }
- {H225 (SMUDGE Tool)
-
- <R>Smudge tool<r>
-
- This tool is used to blend areas of colors into one another, much
- like smearing together oil pastels. The number of intermediate colors
- which are able to be produced depends in great part on the colors
- available in the <L>palette=H550<l> you are using in a particular image.
-
- <T10><L>SPECIAL EFFECT TOOLS=H221<l>
- }
- {H226 (BLENDER Tool)
-
- <R>Pixel Blender<r>
-
- This tool is used to produce a homogenous mix of the colors in a
- particular area. You may also use this along with the <L>Smudge=H225<l> tool
- to retouch coarse areas or to produce finer gradations between areas.
-
- <T10><L>SPECIAL EFFECT TOOLS=H221<l>
- }
- {H227 (CLONE Tool)
-
- <R>Cloning Tool<r>
-
- The Clone brush allows you to "paint" an exact duplicate of one area
- onto another. Popular uses for this include taking one area of skin in
- a photo and using it to remove wrinkles or blemishes, or cloning an area
- of landscape to paint out an offending feature.
-
- Click once on the area you wish to duplicate, then move the mouse
- to the spot at which you wish to start copying. <L>Drag=H134<l> the mouse to
- copy as much of the original area as needed.
-
- If you wish to move the origin point for the area being copied,
- either move the mouse cursor over the point and drag to a new location,
- or click again on the Cloning Tool icon and designate a new origin.
-
- <T10><L>SPECIAL EFFECT TOOLS=H221<l>
- }
- {H230 (BRUSH Tool)
-
- <R>BRUSH Tools<r>
-
- These tools are used for most freehand painting operations. Clicking
- on the icon will reveal a menu of the different Brush types from which
- you may select. The Brush size is controlled by choosing a width from
- the <L>Size Selector=H520<l> box.
-
- Brushes may be used by either clicking at specific points, or by
- <L>dragging=H134<l> the mouse to produce a stroke. Color depends on the
- <L>Current Color/Pattern Selection=H530<l> Box contents. A <L>Pattern=H560<l> may be used
- with the color to obtain a textured effect. The left mouse button will
- paint with the current fill color and pattern. Using the right mouse
- button will paint with the currently selected line color.
-
- Note: the <L>Highlighter=H220<l> and <L>Watercolor=H224<l> brush may be used for
- painting with semi-transparent washes. The <L>Stamp=H266<l> tool may be used
- for painting with pictures and to create custom, multi-color brushes.
-
- Also note that some brush tools (such as Watercolor or Stamps) must
- be moved slowly on some older systems in order to prevent the brush from
- "skipping" too much - although this may be used to advantage when such
- an effect is desired (such as when purposely moving the mouse very
- quickly in order to make lots of image duplicates using a Stamp).
- }
- {H240 (FILL Tool)
-
- <R>FILL Tools<r>
-
- Use this tool when you need to Fill large areas with a color,
- pattern, etc. The tool at the top of the menu is the basic Fill tool. It
- will flood any enclosed area containing a single color (or a range of
- colors as specified using the <L>Color Similarity=H703<l> command under the
- Options menu button) with the selected color. The color produced will
- depend on the contents of the <L>Current Color/Pattern Selection=H530<l> Box.
- A <L>Pattern=H530<l> may be used with the color to obtain a textured effect. The
- left mouse button will flood with the current fill color and pattern.
- Using the right mouse button will Fill with the currently selected line
- color. Pressing any key on the keyboard will halt the execution of the
- flood.
-
- Note: The basic Fill tool will flood an area containing an existing
- color with a second color. There must be a border of another color which
- completely surrounds the area which you wish to Fill. A gap in this
- border, of even a single pixel, will allow the color to leak and you may
- end up inadvertently flooding a larger area than intended. Should this
- occur, the <L>Undo=H151<l> command (ALT/U) will remove the color. Then examine
- the border for gaps (using Zoom if needed) and patch the gap before using
- Fill once again. The extent of the area affected by Fill is also limited
- to the portion of the picture actually displayed within the current
- image editing window. If you desire to use Fill over areas lying outside
- the portion displayed, you will need to scroll to these areas and
- reapply the tool. The Fill tool may be used in <L>Zoom=H200<l> mode for more
- precise control.
-
- The other FILL tools available are:
-
- <L>Tile Fill=H241<l>, <L>Gradient Fill=H243<l> and <L>Color Replacement Fill=H242<l>
- }
- {H241 (TILE FILL)
-
- <R>Filling with Tiled Images<r>
-
- The Tile Fill tool is the middle tool on the <L>Fill=H240<l> menu. This will
- allow you to fill an area with a <L>STAMP=H260<l> (tile fashion), or even another,
- entire picture. Before applying this tool, be sure to select an image
- for the fill, using the <L>Set Tile Fill=H118<l> command.
-
- An infinite variety of textures can be had by using this tool to
- import images containing complex textures and using these to fill a
- background masking color. To do this, you will first need to designate
- those areas in which the image will show through, by painting them with
- a color used nowhere else in that area (the mask). Next, select the
- texture image file and Tile Fill that color.
- }
- {H243 (GRADIENT FILL Tool)
-
- <R>Gradient Fill<r>
-
- Use this tool to fill an area with two colors (the currently selected
- line and fill colors) which gradually blend into one another. Grey
- scale images, monochromatic pictures and images with <L>palettes=H550<l>
- optimized to contain a good range of intermediate shades between colors
- will result in the smoothest gradients.
-
- The style, direction and method for the gradient is controlled using
- the <L>Gradient Options=H701<l> command under the OPTIONS menu button.
- These options may be employed to further smooth gradient transitions.
- }
- {H242 (COLOR REPLACEMENT FILL)
-
- <R>Replacing A Color<r>
-
- The last tool in the <L>Fill=H240<l> menu is the Color Replacement Fill.
- Applying this tool will replace every occurrence of the color on which
- you click with the color contained in the <L>Current Color/Pattern=H530<l>
- <L>Selection=H530<l> Box.
- }
- {H122 (AIRBRUSH Tool)
-
- <R>The AIRBRUSH (Spray Can)<r>
-
- The Airbrush tool is useful for subtle shading, blending and
- producing lines with indistinct edges.
-
- If you click a second time on the icon, a dialog window allows you to
- set the spray pattern produced by the nozzle and the rate at which the
- color droplets are sprayed onto your picture. Note: A slower Flow Rate
- will give you more control, while a faster rate will be better for bold
- strokes.
-
- Just as for the <L>Brush=H230<l> tools, the size of the area covered is
- controlled through the <L>Size Selector=H520<l> box. The color obtained using
- the left button is a current fill color in the <L>Current Color/Pattern=H530<l>
- <L>Selection=H530<l> Box. Using the right button will spray the current line color.
-
- The Airbrush can be used by clicking once in a particular area, or by
- <L>dragging=H134<l> the mouse using either button. Just like a real airbrush or
- aerosol can, the longer you hold the tool over a particular area, the
- denser the paint build up.
- }
- {H260 (STAMP Tool)
-
- <R>STAMPS<r>
-
- The Stamp icon represents one of NeoPaint's most powerful, yet easy
- to use tools.
-
- You can click once to Stamp the current stamp picture onto your
- image, just like a rubber stamp. You may also drag the Stamp cursor like
- a brush to paint with a Stamp image.
-
- See also: <T12><L>Painting with Stamps=H266<l>
- <T12><L>Importing Images as Stamps=H265<l>
-
- You may choose, create and edit Stamp images by clicking a second
- time on the Stamp icon. This will bring up the <L>Stamp Pad=H123<l> window.
- }
- {H123 (STAMP PAD)
-
- <R>The STAMP PAD<r>
-
- In the Stamp Pad window, a scroll bar allows you to preview the <L>Stamp=H260<l>
- images stored on your system. Clicking once on an image will select that
- image and highlight the image's title. Clicking a second time on an
- image (or clicking on the OK button) will load that image onto the Stamp
- and return you to your picture. Along the bottom of the window are a
- series of option buttons:
-
- <T5><L>ADD=H261<l><T20><L>EDIT=H262<l>
- <T5><L>DELETE=H263<l><T20><L>RENAME=H264<l>
- <T10><L>PREVIEW=H267<l>
- }
- {H261 (STAMP/ADD)
-
- <R>Adding a New Stamp<r>
-
- To create a <L>Stamp=H260<l> image, select the Add button from the <L>Stamp=H123<l>
- <L>Pad=H123<l>. You will be presented with an editing screen measuring 64x64
- pixels. You may paint an image using any of the normal tools. Since the
- area is small, you may prefer to use the <L>Zoom=H200<l> (when working from a
- small window, be sure and click on the <L>Maximize/Minimize=H572<l> button at the
- upper right corner to give you more working space). When done, click on
- the X box at the upper left corner of the window. A dialog box will ask
- you if you wish to save the Stamp, and if so, under what name. Your
- Stamps are saved as image files, and thus, you are limited to eight
- valid DOS <L>filename=H601<l> characters.
-
- Note: Any white areas in the Stamps will be transparent when applied.
- If you do not wish the background to show through the white areas of
- your pattern, you should paint out areas which will lie under the Stamp
- prior to using the Stamp tool.
- }
- {H262 (STAMP EDIT)
-
- <R>Editing Existing Stamps<r>
-
- The Edit button allows you to make changes to existing <L>STAMP=H260<l>
- images. Select the image you desire to change by clicking once on the
- image or its title in the preview window. Next click on the Edit button.
- You may make changes to the existing image just as you did when creating
- a Stamp using the <L>Add=H261<l> button.
- }
- {H263 (STAMP DELETE)
-
- <R>Removing Stamps from the System<r>
-
- To delete a <L>Stamp=H260<l> image file, click on the unwanted image to
- highlight the title, then click on the Delete button.
- }
- {H264 (STAMP RENAME)
-
- <R>Renaming Stamps<r>
-
- You can Rename a highlighted <L>Stamp=H260<l> image file by clicking on the
- Rename button. You will be asked to supply a new DOS <L>filename=H601<l> composed
- of from one to eight characters. Stamps will appear in alphabetical order
- in the <L>Stamp Pad=H123<l> window.
- }
- {H267 (STAMP PREVIEW)
-
- <R>Stamp Preview On/Off<r>
-
- The Preview option check box may be used to display or hide <L>Stamp=H260<l>
- pictures. Unchecking this box will speed the display on slower computer
- systems.
- }
- {H266 (STAMP - PAINTING WITH)
-
- <R>Painting with Stamps<r>
-
- Any <L>Stamp=H260<l> may be used as a brush merely by <L>dragging=H134<l> the stamp
- across the screen. Stamps may also be customized to suit particular jobs.
-
- Multicolor brushes, textures, and spatters are some of the
- sophisticated, custom tools which you may create with the <L>Stamp Pad=H123<l>.
- Examples of these are included on your disk. A multicolor brush is a
- circular area containing a combination of colors. When dragged, this can
- produce a rich, often impressionistic effect. Textures are large
- patterns containing a great deal of transparent white. When repeatedly
- stamped over wide area of other colors, this gives a textured effect.
- Splatters are dots of color separated by intervening transparent white
- space. When this Stamp is clicked repeatedly, the effect is somewhat
- like that obtained by <L>Airbrush=H122<l> tools, except a combination of colors
- may be used. Dragging spatters will create streaks.
- }
- {H265 (STAMP IMPORT)
-
- <R>Stamps from Outside the STAMP PAD<r>
-
- Aside from the <L>Stamp Pad Add=H261<l> command, you may create Stamps using
- a <L>Scissors=H370<l> tool along with the <L>Copy To=H109<l> command to import an area
- from an existing picture. After selecting an area using one of the
- Scissors tools, select Copy To from under the <L>Edit=H150<l> menu button. Use
- the File Type drop down menu to select ST for the file type, then type in
- a 1-8 character name for the stamp. If you wish, an entire image file may
- also be saved as a <L>Stamp=H260<l>, using the <L>Save As=H601<l> command.
-
- Using the Scissors tool to copy an image (or portion of an image)
- into Stamp format can be used for creating a larger sized Stamp. Images
- beyond the Stamp Pad's 64x64 pixel format may, however, display very
- slowly in the Stamp Pad preview window, so you may want to limit storage
- of larger stamps, or turn off the preview mode altogether. You can
- shrink a larger area to a more manageable size, using the <L>Scale=H112<l>
- command to resize the image.
-
- Note: Try and keep stamps you create small in size. Large Stamp
- images may take up a great deal of disk space, and it is difficult to
- paint with large Stamp images - they tend to drag very slowly.
- }
- {H270 (LINE Tool)
-
- <R>LINE Tools<r>
-
- Use the tools under the Line icon to easily draw various line types.
- Clicking twice on the icon will drop down the tool selections. The width
- of lines is controlled using the <L>Size Selector=H520<l> box.
-
- The line color, as selected in the <L>Current Color/Pattern Selection=H530<l>
- box, will be used for lines drawn with these tools.
-
- The three LINE tools are:
-
- <T10><L>STRAIGHT LINES=H271<l>
- <T10><L>RADIANT LINES=H272<l>
- <T10><L>BEZIER CURVES=H273<l>
- }
- {H271 (LINE - STRAIGHT)
-
- <R>Straight Lines<r>
-
- At the top of the <L>Line=H270<l> menu is the Straight Line tool. When this
- tool is selected, you may draw a line by clicking and holding at one of
- the ends of your line, then <L>dragging=H134<l> the mouse cursor to the point
- where the line should end before releasing. The line will be drawn
- connecting the two points. Repeat this procedure as often as you wish.
-
- Note: Holding down the the Shift key while drawing lines will cause
- the line to snap to an angle in 45 degree increments.
- }
- {H272 (LINE - RADIANT)
-
- <R>Radiant Lines<r>
-
- The middle icon in the <L>Line=H270<l> menu represents the Radiant Line
- tool. This tool is used to paint with lines to form star bursts and
- elaborate line designs. To use the tool, move the cursor to the point
- where you wish to start the design (the lines will radiate from this
- point). Next click and hold the mouse button and <L>drag=H134<l> to form the
- first line of the design. When the line reaches the right length and
- position, release the button and move the cursor around the axis to
- form your design. To complete the design, click once more.
- }
- {H273 (LINE - CURVE)
-
- <R>Bezier Curves<r>
-
- The tool at the bottom of the <L>Line=H270<l> menu is the Bezier Curve tool.
- Use this tool to draw smooth, accurate curves. To draw a curve, move the
- cursor over one of the endpoints. Click and <L>drag=H134<l> to the point at
- which the curve will end before releasing the button. Two nodes will
- appear at each end of the line. You may move these nodes with the mouse
- to reorient the line, or move the centerpoint to move the whole line.
- Move the handles attached to each node to pull out a curve of the desired
- shape and size. Click once more and the final curve will be drawn.
- }
- {H280 (RECTANGLE Tool)
-
- <R>Rectangles<r>
-
- Precisely drawn rectangles and squares may be quickly formed using
- the Rectangle tool. The thickness of the line may be selected using the
- <L>Size Selector=H520<l> box. The color and/or pattern for the lines and interior
- of the shape will be as in the <L>Current Color/Pattern Selection=H530<l> Box.
- Note: Holding down the SHIFT key while drawing will restrict the
- shape formed to a perfect square.
-
- Clicking a second time on the icon will drop down options:
-
- <T5><L>Regular RECTANGLE=H281<l>
- <T5><L>GRID=H283<l>
- <T5><L>Gradient RECTANGLE=H284<l>
- <T5><L>Editable RECTANGLE=H282<l>
- }
- {H281 (Regular RECTANGLE)
-
- To use the topmost <L>Rectangle=H280<l> tool, position the cursor at the
- point at which one of the corners will be located. Press down and hold
- the mouse button and drag the cursor to the opposite corner. When the
- rectangle reaches the correct size, release the mouse button. If you
- would rather draw the shape starting from a center point, use the
- <L>Draw from Center=H179<l> mode under the Options menu button.
- }
- {H282 (Editable RECTANGLE)
-
- You may produce irregular rectangles and polygons using the tool
- containing a <L>Rectangle=H280<l> with an arrow inside. Either <L>drag=H134<l> the
- rectangle from one of its corners, or from a center point (if you are
- using the <L>Draw from Center=H179<l> mode under the Options menu button).
-
- Once the shape has been drawn, nodes will appear along the sides of
- the figure. You may drag the nodes to modify the shape, add handles by
- clicking along the outline, and/or rotate the figure using the rotation
- buttons in the accompanying dialog box. You may reposition the shape by
- dragging the centerpoint. When you are satisfied with the figure, click
- on the OK button in the dialog, and the figure will be drawn and filled.
- }
- {H284 (Gradient RECTANGLE)
-
- Use this tool to draw a <L>rectangle=H280<l> filled with two colors which
- gradually blend into one another.
-
- The style, direction and method for the gradient is controlled using
- the <L>Gradient Options=H701<l> command under the Options menu button.
- }
- {H283 (RECTANGLE GRID)
-
- The Grid tool icon is found at the bottom of the <L>Rectangle=H280<l> menu.
- This tool draws a rectangular Grid. The size of the grid will depend on
- the spacing last selected using the <L>Set Grid=H117<l> command. Draw the grid
- just as you would a normal rectangle. If you wish only whole units in the
- grid to appear, make sure <L>Snap to Grid=H171<l> is enabled.
- }
- {H290 (ROUNDED RECTANGLE Tool)
-
- <R>Rectangles with Rounded Corners<r>
-
- Use this tool to draw squares or rectangles having rounded corners.
- The thickness of the line may be selected using the <L>Size Selector=H520<l> box.
- The color and/or pattern for the lines and interior of the shape will be
- as shown in the <L>Current Color/Pattern Selection Box=H530<l>. Note: enabling
- the <L>Draw from Center=H179<l> mode under the Options menu button will allow
- you to draw the rectangle from the center instead of from the corner.
-
- Use the <L>Snap To Grid=H171<l> mode if you need to proportion the object
- in exact increments.
-
- Note: Holding down the Shift key while drawing will restrict the
- box to a perfect rounded square.
- }
- {H300 (CIRCLE Tool)
-
- <R>Circles and Ellipses<r>
-
- This tool is used to draw circles and ellipses. You may pull out the
- shape either from a corner or from the center, depending on whether or
- not the <L>Draw from Center=H179<l> mode is selected under the Options menu
- button. Use the <L>Snap To Grid=H171<l> command if you need to draw an object
- with exact proportions. The thickness of the line may be selected using
- the <L>Size Selector=H520<l> box. The color and/or pattern for the lines and
- interior of the shape will be as in the <L>Current Color/Pattern Selection=H530<l>
- Box.
-
- Note: Holding down the Shift key while drawing will restrict the
- object to a perfect circle.
-
- Clicking a second time on the icon will bring up two additional
- variations of this tool:
-
- <T10><L>Gradient Filled Circle=H303<l>
- <T10><L>Editable Ellipse=H305<l>
- }
- {H303 (Gradient CIRCLE)
-
- <R>Gradient Circle<r>
-
- Use this tool to produce a <L>circle=H300<l> containing a fill consisting of
- two colors which gradually blend into one another.
-
- The style, direction and method for the gradient is controlled using
- the <L>Gradient Options=H701<l> command under the Options menu button.
- These options may be employed to further smooth gradient transitions
- and produce the illusion of depth.
- }
- {H305 (Editable CIRCLE)
-
- <R>Editable, Irregular Ellipses<r>
-
- This tool allows you to construct ellipses using bezier mode. Once
- you have used the mouse to <L>drag=H134<l> out the <L>circle=H300<l>, nodes will
- appear along the outline of the shape. You may drag the nodes to
- resize the ellipse, drag the centerpoint to move the figure, drag the
- handles attached to each node to distort the circle, and/or use the
- rotate buttons from the accompanying dialog to rotate the shape. Once
- the overall shape, size and placement are satisfactory, click on the
- OK button in the dialog and the shape will be drawn and filled.
- }
- {H310 (POLYGON Tool)
-
- <R>Polygons<r>
-
- Drawing multi-sided figures is greatly simplified by using the tools
- found under this icon button.
-
- Clicking a second time on the icon will drop down the Polygon menu.
-
- The thickness of the line may be selected using the <L>Size Selector=H520<l>
- box. The color and/or pattern for the lines and interior of the shape
- will be as in the <L>Current Color/Pattern Selection=H530<l> Box.
-
- The Polygon Tools are:
-
- <T10><L>REGULAR POLYGON=H311<l>
- <T10><L>FREEFORM POLYGON=H312<l>
- <T10><L>EDITABLE REGULAR and FREEFORM=H313<l> Polygons
- }
- {H311 (POLYGON - Regular)
-
- <R>Regular Polygon<r>
-
- The selection appearing at the top of the <L>Polygon=H310<l> menu is the
- Regular Polygon tool. To construct an object using this tool, move the
- mouse cursor to a point where an angle in your object will occur. Press
- and hold the left mouse button and drag the line for the first side.
- When the line reaches the desired length and position, release the
- mouse. Next, move the mouse to the point where the second side will
- terminate. A rubber-band line will follow the cursor. When the second
- side has been correctly positioned, click once with the left mouse
- button to set the line. Continue constructing the sides of your object.
-
- When you click on the point at which you started, the Polygon will
- be complete, and the correct line width, color and object fill will be
- painted. You may also draw the last side by clicking once with the
- right mouse button.
-
- Note: Holding down the Shift key at any time while drawing a
- regular Polygon will cause the line being drawn to snap to a 45 degree
- increment.
- }
- {H312 (POLYGON - Freeform)
-
- <R>Freeform Polygon<r>
-
- The second selection from the top of the <L>Polygon=H310<l> menu represents
- the Freeform tool. Use this to create complex, irregular shapes. As
- above, you must first determine a starting point. With the mouse cursor
- over this point, press and hold down the left mouse button. While still
- holding down the button, slowly drag the mouse to outline your object.
- When you have come around again to the starting point (or close by),
- release the button and your object will be drawn. NeoPaint will draw a
- straight line between the starting point and the point at which you
- release the mouse button.
- }
- {H313 (POLYGON - Editable)
-
- <R>Editable Polygons<r>
-
- The third and fourth icons appearing in the <L>Polygon=H310<l> menu are
- versions of the first two which give you a chance to adjust the object's
- outline before the final figure is drawn. To use these two tools, draw
- as for <L>Regular=H311<l> and <L>Freeform=H312<l> Polygons. Once you have completed the
- object, an outline will appear with a node (shown as small boxes) appear-
- ing at each angle. Use the mouse to <L>drag=H134<l> the nodes to expand or
- contract the outline as desired. As you move these, the outlines will
- stretch or shrink. Should you need to add a node, simply position the
- mouse cursor over the point on the outline where you would like a new
- node to appear, then press the left mouse button. To delete a node, move
- the mouse cursor over the unwanted node. Holding down the CTRL key,
- press the left mouse button and the node will disappear.
-
- You may also drag the centerpoint to reposition the entire shape, and
- use the rotate buttons from the accompanying dialog to rotate the figure.
- }
- {H320 (3-D Tool)
-
- <R>Three Dimensional Object Tools<r>
-
- Clicking a second time on this icon will allow you to quickly and
- easily construct either 3-D rectangles or pyramids.
-
- Once you have selected either the cube or pyramid tool, place the
- object onto the drawing board by clicking at one corner and dragging to
- the proper size before releasing the mouse button. You may also draw the
- shape starting from the center point, if the <L>Draw from Center=H179<l> mode
- has been enabled under the Options menu button. Depending on which tool
- you have selected, this initial side will be either ones side of a box
- or the base of a pyramid.
-
- Line and Fill attributes are determined by values selected in the
- <L>Size Selector=H520<l> box and the <L>Current Color/Pattern Selection=H530<l> Box.
- Once you have rotated the object to the desired position, click on the OK
- button to place the object in your picture.
-
- Once you have defined the dimensions of the first side, a dialog
- window containing several editing buttons will be presented:
-
- <T10><L>Rotation Buttons=H321<l>
- <T10><L>Extrude Object=H322<l>
- <T10><L>Options=H326<l>
- }
- {H321 (3-D ROTATE)
-
- <R>Rotation Buttons<r>
-
- You can rotate your object along any combination of the X axis
- (vertical through the center from top to bottom), Y axis (horizontal
- through the center of the sides), and/or Z axis (through the center from
- front to back). Use the arrow buttons to rotate the <L>3-D object=H320<l> into the
- desired position.
- }
- {H322 (3-D EXTRUDE)
-
- <R>Extrude Object<r>
-
- A pair of buttons allow you to extrude your <L>3-D object=H320<l> to make it
- longer or shorter. Use the arrow buttons to increase or decrease the
- length of the object button to make the object thinner.
- }
- {H326 (3-D OPTIONS)
-
- <R>3-D Options<r>
-
- A check-off box allows you to work with your <L>3-D object=H320<l> in either a
- "solid" mode with hidden lines removed and fills shown, or in a Wire
- Frame mode, which presents the object as transparent showing all edges
- while being edited. If, however, you wish to draw a hollow 3-D object,
- use the <L>Hollow/Solid Selector=H540<l> box to specify Hollow drawing mode.
-
- You can click on the Rotation Angle box to increase or decrease the
- degree the object will move along each axis.
-
- Note: You can increase the speed by rotating in Wire Frame rather
- than "solid" mode. Rotations can be further accelerated by specifying
- a Rotation Angle of 45 degree, or a multiple thereof.
- }
- {H001 (INDEX)
- <R>INDEX<r>
-
- <L>3-D object=H320<l>
- <B>A<b>
- <L>ABOUT NEOPAINT=H121<l>
- <L>ADJUST CONTRAST=H113<l>
- <L>ADJUST PALETTE=H114<l>
- <L>Airbrush=H122<l>
- <B>B<b>
- <L>Blender=H226<l>
- <L>Brushes=H230<l>
- <B>C<b>
- <L>Charcoal=H222<l>
- <L>Circles=H300<l>
- <L>CLEAR=H161<l>
- <L>Clone tool=H227<l>
- <L>Clone options=H702<l>
- <L>CLOSE=H602<l>
- <L>CLOSE ALL=H603<l>
- <L>Color Palette=H550<l>
- <L>Color Sampler=H210<l>
- <L>COLOR SIMILARITY=H703<l>
- <L>Color, edit=H126<l>
- <L>COPY=H153<l>
- <L>COPY TO=H109<l>
- <L>Crayon=H223<l>
- <L>CROP=H157<l>
- <L>CUT=H152<l>
- <B>D<b>
- <L>DELETE=H155<l>
- <L>DISTORT/SKEW=H167<l>
- <L>Drawing board=H570<l>
- <L>DRAW FROM CENTER=H179<l>
- <B>E<b>
- <L>Edit Menu=H150<l>
- <L>EDIT SCREEN=H168<l>
- <L>EFFECTS=H115<l>
- <L>Ellipse=H305<l>
- <L>Erasers=H380<l>
- <L>EXIT=H108<l>
- <B>F<b>
- <L>File Menu=H140<l>
- <L>Fill=H240<l>
- <L>FLIP HORIZ.=H163<l>
- <L>FLIP VERT.=H164<l>
- <L>Font Selector=H124<l>
- <B>G<b>
- <L>Gradient Fill=H243<l>
- <L>Gradient Options=H701<l>
- <B>H<b>
- <L>Help Menu=H180<l>
- <L>Highlighter=H220<l>
- <L>Hollow/Solid=H540<l>
- <B>I<b>
- <L>Image Conversion=H700<l>
- <L>INVERT=H162<l>
- <B>L<b>
- <L>Lines=H270<l>
- <L>LOAD PALETTE=H103<l>
- <L>LOAD PATTERNS=H105<l>
- <B>M<b>
- <L>Main Menu=H139<l>
- <L>Marker tool=H220<l>
- <L>Microscope=H200<l>
- <L>Mouse=H131<l>
- <B>N<b>
- <L>NEW=H100<l>
- <B>O<b>
- <L>OPEN=H101<l>
- <L>Options Menu=H170<l>
- <B>P<b>
- <L>Paint tube=H240<l>
- <L>PASTE=H154<l>
- <L>PASTE FROM=H110<l>
- <L>Pattern, edit=H127<l>
- <L>Patterns=H560<l>
- <L>PICTURE INFO=H116<l>
- <L>Picture Menu=H160<l>
- <L>Polygons=H310<l>
- <L>PRINT=H107<l>
- <B>Q<b>
- <L>QuikMenu=H130<l>
- <B>R<b>
- <L>Rectangles=H280<l>
- <L>ROTATE=H111<l>
- <L>Rounded rectangle=H290<l>
- <B>S<b>
- <L>SAVE=H102<l>
- <L>SAVE AS=H601<l>
- <L>SAVE PALETTE=H104<l>
- <L>SAVE PATTERNS=H106<l>
- <L>SCALE=H112<l>
- <L>Scissors Selection=H370<l>
- <L>SET PREFERENCES=H119<l>
- <L>SET TILE FILL=H118<l>
- <L>SHOW CLIPBOARD=H156<l>
- <L>SHOW PREVIEW=H166<l>
- <L>SHOW SCREEN=H116<l>
- <L>Smudge tool=H225<l>
- <L>SNAP TO GRID=H171<l>
- <L>Special Effect tools=H221<l>
- <L>Spray can=H122<l>
- <L>Squares=H280<l>
- <L>Stamp Pad=H260<l>
- <L>Syringe=H210<l>
- <L>SYSTEM INFO=H120<l>
- <B>T<b>
- <L>Text Tool=H390<l>
- <L>Three-D object=H320<l>
- <L>TRANSPARENT CUTOUTS=H178<l>
- <L>TRANSPARENT PATTERNS=H401<l>
- <B>U<b>
- <L>UNDO=H151<l>
- <B>V<b>
- <L>Video Mode=H125<l>
- <L>VIEW README.DOC FILE=H181<l>
- <B>W<b>
- <L>Watercolor tool=H224<l>
- <B>Z<b>
- <L>Zoom=H200<l>
- }
- {H900 (UNDERLINED)
-
- Yep, that was an underlined word all right!
-
- <T10><L>Return to HELP=H002<l>
- }
-