PCX Clip Art - Professional Plus

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{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 OSCS) 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 Note: 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 QuikMenu'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: <T10><L>Right button=H132<l> <T10><L>Left button=H133<l> <T10><L>Dragging=H134<l> <T10><L>Double Clicking=H135<l> <T10><L>Left Handed=H645<l> <T10><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> and <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. For example: to activate Help, either click the 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: <T10><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: <T15><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: <T10><L>Scissors Selector=H370<l> <T10><L>Eraser=H380<l> <T10><L>Text Tools=H390<l> <T10><L>Zoom=H200<l> <T10><L>Syringe/Color Selector=H210<l> <T10><L>Highlighting Marker=H220<l> <T10><L>Brush=H230<l> <T10><L>Fill=H240<l> <T10><L>Airbrush=H122<l> <T10><L>Rubber Stamp=H260<l> <T10><L>Line=H270<l> <T10><L>Rectangle=H280<l> <T10><L>Rounded Rectangle=H290<l> <T10><L>Circle=H300<l> <T10><L>Polygon=H310<l> <T10><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 <L>TOOLS=H510<l>. } {H530 (Color & Pattern Box) <R>The Color/Pattern Status Box<r> The currently selected line color, fill color 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, <T3><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. Note: 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, <T12><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>. See also: <T11><L>SAVE PALETTE=H104<l> and <T11><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. <T10>Red=Red to right, other bars to left <T10>Green=Green to right, other bars to left <T10>Blue=Blue to right, other bars to left <T10>Yellow=Red and Green to right, Blue to left <T10>Magenta=Blue and Red to right, Green to left <T10>Cyan=Green and Blue to right, Red to left <T10>White=All colors to right <T10>Black=All colors to left See: <T10><L>Color Palette=H550<l> <T10><L>Color/Pattern Selection=H530<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: <T10><L>Top Title Bar=H571<l> <T10><L>Corner Buttons=H572<l> <T10><L>Outer Borders=H573<l> <T10><L>Scroll Bars=H574<l> <T10><L>Menu=H139<l> <T10><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 highlight- ing 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: 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. Move 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. Size allows you to shrink or expand the window. Use the keyboard arrows to resize the window to the desired size. Zoom switches your current drawing from a small sized window to a large window occupying the entire workspace (and back), by selecting this option. Close 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 arrowheads) 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> } {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: <T10><L>NEW=H100<l> <T10><L>OPEN=H101<l> <T10><L>SAVE=H102<l> <T10><L>SAVE AS=H601<l> <T10><L>CLOSE=H602<l> <T10><L>CLOSE ALL=H603<l> <T10><L>LOAD PALETTE=H103<l> <T10><L>SAVE PALETTE=H104<l> <T10><L>LOAD PATTERNS=H105<l> <T10><L>PRINT=H107<l> <T10><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. <T10><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 <T10><L>MENU=H139<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 editied 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, _, ^, $, ~, !, #, %, &, -, {}, (), @, ', `. <T10><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. <T10><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. <T10><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. <T10><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. <T10><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. <T10><L>MENU=H139<l> } {H106 (SAVE PATTERNS Command) <R>Save Patterns<r> If you have customized the <L>PATTERNS=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. <T10><L>MENU=H139<l> } {H107 (PRINT Command) <R>Print<r> Selecting PRINT will cause a dialog box to appear. Three drop down menus are used to select the type of printer connected to your computer, DOS output 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. Halftone printing improves image quality by converting colors into grey dot patterns. Consult the printer's documentation for compatibility considerations. The PORT Menu lists the DOS printer ports. You may also write the image to a print file by select- ing 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. 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. 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. <T10><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. <T10><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: <T10><L>UNDO=H151<l> <T10><L>CUT=H152<l> <T10><L>COPY=H153<l> <T10><L>COPY TO=H109<l> <T10><L>PASTE=H154<l> <T10><L>PASTE FROM=H110<l> <T10><L>DELETE=H155<l> <T10><L>SHOW CLIPBOARD=H156<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. <T10><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. <T10><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>. } {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. <T10><L>MENU=H139<l> } {H155 (DELETE Command) <R>Delete<r> Choosing this command will cause the area within a retanglular area selected by the <L>SCISSORS=H370<l> tool to be wiped clean. } {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: <T10><L>CLEAR=H161<l>, <T10><L>ADJUST CONTRAST=H113<l>, <T10><L>ADJUST PALETTE=H114<l>, <T10><L>SHOW SCREEN=H165<l>, <T10><L>SHOW PREVIEW=H166<l>, and <T10><L>PICTURE INFO=H116<l> are related strictly to the overall image in the current window. Other items under the PICTURE button: <T10><L>INVERT=H162<l> <T10><L>FLIP HORIZ=H163<l> <T10><L>FLIP VERT=H164<l> <T10><L>ROTATE=H111<l> <T10><L>SCALE=H112<l> <T10><L>EFFECTS=H115<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. <T10><L>MENU=H139<l> } {H162 (INVERT Command) <R>Invert<r> You may produce an opposite for your entire image, a freshly <L>PASTED=154<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. <T10><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 VERTICAL=H164<l>. } {H164 (FLIP VERTICAL Command) <R>Flip Vertical<r> Using this command, you can turn either your entire image, or just a <L>selected=H370<l> area, upside down. See also, <L>FLIP HORIZONTAL=H163<l>. <T10><L>MENU=H139<l> } {H111 (ROTATE 90 Command) <R>Rotate 90 Degrees<r> This command turns the <L>selected=H370<l> area (or whole image, if no area is selected) 90 degrees to the right. You may immediately repeat the command to rotate in further increments. (The <L>FLIP VERTICAL=H164<l> command is the same as ROTATING twice.) <T10><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. 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. <T10><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. <T10><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. <T10><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 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>. <T10><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>. <T10><L>MENU=H139<l> } {H116 (PICTURE INFO Command) Picture Info ... Selecting this command will present you with the filename, picture dimensions, and number of colors in the image's palette. <T10><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: <T10><L>SNAP TO GRID=H171<l> <T10><L>SHOW MOUSE POSITION=H172<l> <T10><L>TRANSPARENT PATTERN=H401<l> <T10><L>SET GRID=H117<l> <T10><L>SET TILE FILL=H118<l> <T10><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. <T10><L>MENU=H139<l> } {H172 (SHOW MOUSE POSITION Command) <R>Show Mouse Position<r> This selection turns the: <T4><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. <T10><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. <T10><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 automatically. You will only see the effect of your settings when drawing with SNAP TO GRID enabled. <T10><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. <T10><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> } {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 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. <T10><L>MENU=H139<l> } {H643 (PREFERENCES/MISCELLANEOUS Command) <R>MISCELLANEOUS<r> contains switches for the following options: <T10><L>UNDO=H644<l> on/off. <T10><L>SWAP=H645<l> left and right mouse buttons. <T10><L>BACKUP=H646<l> previous version of image file. <T10><L>BEEP=H647<l> warning on/off. <T10><L>ZOOM GRIDLINES=H648<l> feature on/off. <T10><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 recovering 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 perfomance. <T10><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 ambidexterous persons may find operating with the button functions switched to be more intuitive. The SWAP feature is on when this box is checked. <T10><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 off, 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. <T10><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. <T10><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. <T10><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. <T10><L>MENU=H139<l> } {H180 (HELP Menu} The HELP Menu 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. <T10><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. <T10><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. <T10><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. <T10><L>MENU=H139<l> } {H370 (SCISSORS TOOL) <R>The SCISSORS Selection Tools<r> The SCISSORS Icon is used to Select 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 Deselect an area, simply click the right mouse button, or move the mouse cursor off to the side and click once. Once the desired area has been selected, you may MOVE 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 shrink, enlarge or distort 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 while 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 outside 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>). } {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. 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 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 SELECTION=H530<l> 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 of the area which you wish to enlarge. 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, the following topics: <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 also 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> <T10><L>ERASER=H380<l>, <T10><L>BRUSH=H230<l>, <T10><L>FILL=H240<l>, <T10><L>HIGHLIGHTER=H220<l>, <T10><L>STRAIGHT LINE=H270<l>, <T10><L>RECTANGLE=H280<l>, <T10><L>GRID=H171<l>, <T10><L>ROUND RECTANGLE=H290<l>, <T10><L>CIRCLE=H300<l>, and <T10><L>COLOR SAMPLER=H210<l> 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 a 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 a color you need directly from the <L>ZOOM screen=H201<l>. LINE, RECTANGLE, GRID, ROUND 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/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. } {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 16 color palettes. } {H230 (BRUSH Tool) <R>BRUSH Tools<r> These tools are used for most freehand painting operations. Clicking on the icon will reveal a menu (left) of the differentBRUSH 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> 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. } {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 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 (with 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: <T5><L>Tile Fill=H241<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. } {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 within the <L>CURRENT COLOR/PATTERN 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 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. <T5>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: <T10><L>ADD=H261<l> <T10><L>EDIT=H262<l> <T10><L>DELETE=H263<l> <T10><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 PAD=H123<l>. You will be presented with an editing screen measuring 64x 64 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 STAMP 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) 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 can only be shown in the STAMP PAD preview window as a large X, along with their titles. You can shrink a larger area to a 64x64 pixel size which can be previewed in STAMP PAD, 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 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. Move the mouse in any direction to pull out the curve. When the curve has reached the desired 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=H530<l> SELECTION BOX. Note: Holding down the 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: <L>Drag RECTANGLE from Corner=H281<l> <L>Drag RECTANGLE from Center=H282<l> <L>Draw a GRID=H283<l> } {H281 (RECTANGLE FROM CORNER) 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. } {H282 (RECTANGLE FROM CENTER) The tool appearing in the center of the <L>RECTANGLE=H280<l> menu is used to draw from the center of the RECTANGLE. Place the mouse cursor at the center of the area in which you wish the RECTANGLE to be drawn. Click and hold the mouse button, then drag in any direction. Once the object has reached the correct size, release. } {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=H117<l> GRID 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=H171<l> TO GRID 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: Holding down the the SHIFT key while drawing will restrict the shape formed to a perfect square. Clicking a second time on the icon will give you the choice of drawing a rectangle starting from the corner, or pulling a the object from a center point. Use the <L>SNAP TO GRID=H171<l> command if you need to proportion the object exactly. Note: Holding down the 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. Clicking a second time on the icon will give you the choice of drawing an ellipse starting from one corner, or pulling the circle from a center point. 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=H530<l> SELECTION BOX. Note: Holding down the the SHIFT key while drawing will restrict the object to a perfect circle. } {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=H530<l> SELECTION 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 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) appearing 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. } {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. 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=H530<l> SELECTION 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> A <L>ABOUT NEOPAINT=H121<l> <L>ADJUST CONTRAST=H113<l> <L>ADJUST PALETTE=H114<l> <L>Airbrush=H122<l> B <L>Brushes=H230<l> C <L>Circles=H300<l> <L>CLEAR=H161<l> <L>CLOSE=H602<l> <L>CLOSE ALL=H603<l> <L>Color Palette=H550<l> <L>Color Sampler=H210<l> <L>Color, edit=H126<l> <L>COPY=H153<l> <L>COPY TO=H109<l> <L>CUT=H152<l> D <L>DELETE=H155<l> <L>Drawing board=H570<l> E <L>Edit Menu=H150<l> <L>EFFECTS=H115<L> <L>Erasers=H380<l> <L>EXIT=H108<l> F <L>File Menu=H140<l> <L>Fill=H240<l> <L>FLIP HORIZ.=H163<l> <L>FLIP VERT.=H164<l> <L>Font Selector=H124<l> H <L>Help Menu=H180<l> <L>Highlighter=H220<l> <L>Hollow/Solid=H540<l> I <L>INVERT=H162<l> L <L>Lines=H270<l> <L>LOAD PALETTE=H103<l> <L>LOAD PATTERNS=H105<l> M <L>Main Menu=H139<l> <L>Marker tool=H220<l> <L>Microscope=H200<l> <L>Mouse=H131<l> N <L>NEW=H100<l> O <L>OPEN=H101<l> <L>Options Menu=H170<l> P <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> Q <L>QuikMenu=H130<l> R <L>Rectangles=H280<l> <L>ROTATE 90=H111<l> <L>Rounded rectangle=H290<l> S <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>SNAP TO GRID=H171<l> <L>Spray can=H122<l> <L>Squares=H280<l> <L>Stamp Pad=H260<l> <L>Syringe=H210<l> <L>SYSTEM INFO=H120<l> T <L>Text Tool=H390<l> <L>Three-D object=H320<l> U <L>UNDO=H151<l> V <L>Video Mode=H125<l> <L>VIEW README.DOC FILE=H181<l> Z <L>Zoom=H200<l> } {H900 (UNDERLINED) Yep, that were an underlined word all right! <T10><L>Return to HELP=H002<l> }