Contents
 DrawPlus Help Contents


 Welcome

Welcome to DrawPlus 3.0 from Serif. It’s the complete drawing, graphics and illustration package for your home, school, church or growing business DrawPlus 3.0 can do-it-all-for-you with automated Wizards or let you do-it-all-yourself with total control over the powerful drawing features available.

DrawPlus 3.0 is the latest in the DrawPlus line from Serif, developer of the best-selling desktop publisher, PagePlus. We’ve added powerful creative and ease-of-use tools, yet still kept the acclaimed simplicity of DrawPlus 2.0. And DrawPlus is now a powerful 32-bit application, designed exclusively for Windows 95, and ready to handle the most demanding of drawing tasks. It’s everything you need to get started NOW!!

Thank you for purchasing Serif DrawPlus 3.0. Our mission is to make sure that you’ll love it! If you have comments of ANY kind please get in touch with us. We need your feedback, especially comments and suggestions for future versions and companion products.

We also enjoy seeing samples of the work you create with DrawPlus, so please feel free to send them in. If you like DrawPlus please recommend it to your friends - your help is always appreciated! Thanks to everyone...

If you have any problems (especially with printing), start by checking out the Troubleshooting section of this help file. If you need technical support or general advice please get in touch. But, please, don’t forget to register.

Just Publish It!

P.S.  Late breaking news is available in the README file. And you can watch the Introduction to DrawPlus demo too.


Drawing and Graphics
About DrawPlus 3.0

From logos, maps and marketing material for business users to fun-stuff like cartoon drawings, masks and origami DrawPlus 3.0 does it all. With your PC, printer and DrawPlus you’ve got instant creativity with a personalized touch. It’s packed full of Wizards which do everything from creating designer publications, logos and page elements to importing pictures, creating colorful fills and creating cool text effects.

•	Total Ease-of-Use
DrawPlus 3.0 makes powerful features available to new users through a slew of ease-of-use features designed to zap that learning curve. Specific accelerated learning tools include ToolTips, context-sensitive Hints & Tips and multimedia demos.

•	Design Wizards
DrawPlus 3.0 is fully-loaded with over 150 Design Wizards – instant designer drawings and publications. Just answer the questions and let the Design Wizards do the work! There’s Design Wizards for all kinds of business and home-based tasks.

•	Logo Wizard
Logo Wizard makes it simple to add stunning logos, powerful headlines and eye-popping text effects to a drawing. Input the text, choose a design and DrawPlus 3.0 drops a typographic bomb!

•	Background Wizard
Adding abstract or themed backgrounds is easy with Background Wizard. From dazzling presentation backgrounds to space style scenes, Background Wizard gives your drawing a ready-made designer canvas.

•	Watermark Wizard
Watermark Wizard makes a notoriously difficult effect a snap to create with a wide range of customisable watermark designs on hand.

•	Border Wizard
Vastly flexible Border Wizard instantly adds borders to the page or to individual objects. Choose a border from the extensive library, or be creative and let Border Wizard guide you through building a unique design.

•	QuickShapes
Can’t draw? Won’t Draw? QuickShapes are the answer! They work like intelligent clipart… or the most powerful set of drawing tools you’ve ever envisaged. Even extremely complex shapes like spirals, petals and webs are simple to draw and customize using QuickShapes.

•	Professional-Standard Drawing Features
Features like convert text to curves, user-defined envelopes, automatic shadows, layers and multi-color fills give complete creative power. OLE2 compliance makes DrawPlus integrate perfectly with other Windows 95 applications.

•	Fun Stuff
As drawing and graphics appeals to all those creative types… and to make DrawPlus the only real drawing application to let your kids loose on there’s heaps of fun stuff included. Create fearsome fiends with the Monster Maker Wizard; crazy caricatures with the Crazy Face Wizard; and use Design Wizards for making cool games, masks, planes, origami and scenes.

With a combination of functionality, simplicity and low price point, addressing the everyday needs of individuals and growing businesses, DrawPlus 3.0 is the drawing, graphics and illustration program for everyone


Our Products

We aim to satisfy all your drawing, graphics and desktop publishing needs with a range of low cost products:

•	DrawPlus 3.0 A stunning vector drawing and illustration program (like CorelDRAW!) exclusively for Windows 95. It’s the perfect design partner for you and PagePlus, and the easiest way to draw like a pro!

•	PagePlus 4.0
An award winning desktop publisher exclusively for Windows 95, with an unrivaled combination of powerful features and simplicity.

•	PagePlus Home/Office Edition
Our entry level desktop publisher exclusively for Windows 95. It’s the easiest desktop publisher, ever.

•	Publishing Power-Suite
For Windows 3.1 users (Windows 95 compatible) the Publishing Power Suite contains everything you need to produce great results. Contains PagePlus 3.0, DrawPlus 2.0, PhotoPlus, TypePlus, TablePlus, PhotoMorph, Arena3D and a library of fonts, clipart and photos. It’s the DTP kitchen sink!

•	Multi-User Licenses All our products are networkable, and are ideal for multi-user configurations in schools, colleges, government and corporate departments. Our low-cost Site Licenses make Serif products especially popular. Call for details.


Our Mission

DrawPlus is a best-selling, award-winning drawing, graphics and illustration program. And our new DrawPlus 3.0 is the easiest and most powerful. Serif is dedicated to giving you the chance to own and use great software.


Serif contact details

If you have comments, questions or problems please get in touch with us:

Our main office (USA, Canada):

Serif, Inc.
PO Box 803, Nashua NH 03061 USA

Main	(603) 889-8650
Registration	(800) 697-3743
Sales	(800) 489-6719
Technical Support	(603) 886-6642
Customer Service	(800) 489-6720
Fax	(603) 889-1127

European office (UK, Europe):

Serif (Europe) Limited
PO Box 15, Nottingham NG7 2DA UK

Main	(0115) 9421502
Registration	(0500) 454645
Sales	(0800) 924925
Technical Support	(0115) 9421502
Customer Service	(0115) 9421502
Fax	(0115) 9701022

On-line

Internet	home page http://www.serif.com/
e-mail 	serif@serif.com, register@serif.com, support@serif.com
CompuServe	forum GO PAGEPLUS

International

Please contact your local Serif distributor/dealer. For further details please call us.


Credits

•	Clipart samples from Serif ArtPacks © Serif, Inc. & Paul Harris

•	Portions Clipart © 1996 IMSI. All rights reserved.

•	TrueType font samples from Serif FontPacks © Serif, Inc.

•	Portions graphics import/export technology ©  AccuSoft Corp. & Eastman Kodak Company & INSO Corporation.

•	ImageStream® Graphics and Presentation Filters, Copyright © 1991-1996 INSO Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

•	Portions electronic demonstrations developed using Astound and contains proprietary software of Gold Disk Inc.

All Serif product names are trademarks of Serif, Inc. Microsoft, Windows 95, and the Windows logo are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. All other trademarks acknowledged.

Serif DrawPlus 3.0 © 1996 Serif, Inc.

Many thanks to many DrawPlus users for supporting us… Especially our international user panel, dedicated beta testers, local pizza delivery, and everyone else who took the time to make comments and suggestions to help us. We couldn’t do it without you. And, of course, a big thank you to Barry Cinnamon the “big boss”. We love you, Barry…


Menus and commands (overview)
 Menus

This topic shows the DrawPlus menus and gives a brief description of each entry. Many of these entries have shortcut buttons on the Standard Toolbar or are also available in a “pop-up” menu when you right-click on an object.

Click on the menus to find out more...


File Menus

•	File/New displays the StartUp Wizard which allows you to select from various options before starting a new drawing.

•	File/Open... displays a standard Windows dialog which allows you to open an existing DrawPlus (*.DPP files) drawing.

•	File/Close closes the current file and opens a new drawing. This is the same as choosing Start from Scratch from the Startup Wizard.

•	File/Save saves the current drawing. (If it is unsaved - then this will do a File/Save As...)

•	File/Save As... displays a dialog for you to enter a file name for this drawing.

•	File/Properties displays a dialog for you to enter additional details about your drawing.

•	File/Page Setup... displays a dialog allowing you to set up the page for your drawing.

•	File/Print Preview displays a preview of how your document will look when it is printed.

•	File/Print... displays a dialog box providing options for selecting which printer to print your drawing to and how to print it. The Options button allows you to set scaling, tiling and other useful features.

•	Export as Picture... exports all the objects in your drawing, or alternatively just the current selection, as a picture in a variety of file formats.

•	File/Send... lets you send the current drawing as a Microsoft Mail e-mail message.

•	Last Saved Files List is the list of your most recently drawings. Select the one that you want to change.

•	File/Exit closes DrawPlus.


File

Commands for opening, saving
and printing publications...

New
Open…
Close
Save
Save As...
Properties
Page Setup...
Print Preview
Print...
Export as Picture..
Send...
Last Saved Files List
Exit


Edit

Commands for clipboard
(cut & paste) and OLE.

Undo
Redo
Cut
Copy
Paste
Paste Special…
Clear
Select All
Links…
Text…
Object


Edit Menu

•	Edit/Undo undoes the most recent change to the current drawing. Undo is grayed out when not available.

•	Edit/Redo reapplies a change which has just been undone

•	Edit/Cut deletes the selected object or group of objects from the drawing AND places a copy on to the Windows clipboard.

•	Edit/Copy copies the selected object, or group of objects, to the Windows clipboard.

•	Edit/Paste pastes a copy of the contents of the Windows clipboard on to the current drawing.

•	Edit/Paste Special... The Windows clipboard can contain different formats of the same object (e.g. Picture, Bitmap, OLE). This option allows you to specify which format is used.

•	Edit/Clear clears (deletes) the selected object or group of objects.

 	Edit/Select All selects all the objects in the current drawing as a group.

•	Edit/Links... controls your OLE links.

•	Edit/Text... Opens the Edit Text Window, allowing you to edit the currently selected text object.

•	Edit/Object is the standard OLE Object menu command. (It changes according to the type of the selected object.)


View

Commands for setting
view and zoom options...

Fit Page
Actual Size
Selection
Wireframe
Toolbars…
Layout Tools>
Zoom In
Zoom Out
Zoom…


View Menu
View Menus

•	View/Fit Page> sets the view so that the entire page is displayed on screen.

•	View/Actual Size displays the currently selected object at its actual size (the size it will appear when printed).

•	View/Selection sets the view to display the currently selected object.

•	View/Wireframe displays the objects on the page as outlines.

•	View/Toolbars allows you to control which Toolbars are displayed.

•	View/Layout Tools> allows you to toggle on/off the display of rulers, guides and the snapping grid.

•	View/Zoom In increases the current zoom percentage (makes objects appear larger).

•	View/Zoom Out decreases the current zoom percentage (lets you see more of the page).

•	View/Zoom... displays a dialog allowing you to set zoom options.


Insert

Commands for working
with objects, pictures etc.

Object...

Picture Wizard

Logo Wizard

Monster Wizard

Crazy Face Wizard

Background Wizard

Watermark Wizard
Border Wizard

PageHint


Insert Menu

•	Insert/Object displays the standard dialog allowing you to insert any type of OLE object.

•	Insert/Picture Wizard displays the Picture Wizard, allowing you to import pictures from a variety of sources.

•	Insert/Logo Wizard Logo Wizard makes it simple to add stunning logos, powerful headlines and eye-popping text effects to a drawing. Input the text, choose a design and DrawPlus 3.0 drops a typographic bomb!

•	Insert/Monster Wizard loads the Monster Maker Wizard, adding a wacky Monster design to your drawing.

•	Insert/Crazy Face Wizard starts the Crazy Face Wizard, adding a Crazy Face design to your drawing.

•	Insert/Background Wizard Adding abstract or themed backgrounds is easy with Background Wizard. From dazzling presentation backgrounds to space style scenes, Background Wizard gives your drawing a ready-made designer canvas.

•	Insert/Watermark Wizard Watermark Wizard makes a notoriously difficult effect a snap to create with a wide range of customisable watermark designs on hand.

•	Insert/Border Wizard Vastly flexible Border Wizard instantly adds borders to the page or to individual objects. Choose a border from the extensive library, or be creative and let Border Wizard guide you through building a unique design.

•	Insert/PageHint... inserts a PageHint into your publication to act as a reminder or helpful comment.


Format

Commands for changing formatting
of text and graphics,
Character...
Spacing
Fill
Existing>
Shading>
Fill Wizard
Fill Manager...
Line ...
Weight>
Color>
Shading>
Type>
Shadow...


Format Menu

•	Format/Character... displays a dialog containing text properties such as font, point size, and font style.

•	Format/Spacing… displays a dialog containg text spacing properties such spacing, leading and tracking.

•	Format/Fill… displays a dialog allowing you access to entire range of fill options.

•	Format/Fill(Existing)> displays a list of existing fills in an easy access side-pull menu.

•	Format/Fill(Shading) > displays list of predefined shades, in an easy access side-pull menu.

•	Format/Fill Wizard displays the Fill Wizard, helping you to apply existing fills or create amazing new ones.

•	Format/Fill Manager… displays the Fill Manager, giving you complete control over your fills.

•	Format/Line… displays a dialog allowing you access to entire range of line options.

•	Format/Line(Weight)> displays a list of predefined Line Weights in an easy access side-pull menu.

•	Format/Line(Color)> displays list of predefined Line Color in an easy access side-pull menu.

•	Format/Line(Shading)> displays list of Line Shades in an easy access side-pull menu.

•	Format/Line(Type)> displays list of Line Types in an easy access side-pull menu.

•	Format/Shadow... is a dialog for editing and managing Shadows.


Tools

General program tools
and options..

Replicate Wizard

Transform Wizard

Convert to Bitmap…
Photo Wizard

Convert to Curves

Clean Curves

Join Curves
Envelope Wizard

Curve Text Wizard

Blend...
Defaults...
Options...
Save Settings...


Tools Menu

•	Tools/Replicate Wizard displays the Replicate Wizard, providing you with a quick way to make many identical copies of the currently selected object.

•	Tools/Transform Wizard ... displays the Transform Wizard allowing you to transform the currently selected object, creating amazing special effects.

•	Tools/Convert to Bitmap...converts your currently selected object(s) to a bitmap.

•	Tools/Photo Wizard... runs Photo Wizard, giving you access to a range of special bitmap effects.

•	Tools/Convert to Curves converts the currently selected object to curves, giving you a greater range of editing options.

•	Tools/Clean Curves smooths the curves of the currently selected object, making display faster and editing easier.

•	Tools/Join Curves use this command to join together the curves of objects that you have selected.

•	Tools/Envelope Wizard displays the Envelope Wizard, giving you instant access to great special envelope effects.

•	Tools/Curve Text Wizard amazing text effects are easy  just use this Wizard.

•	Tools/Blend… creates amazing morphing effects, blending your selected objects together.

•	Tools/Defaults... allows you personalize your DrawPlus text and graphics defaults.

•	Tools/Options... displays a dialog with giving you complete control over your DrawPlus preferences.

•	Tools/Save Settings... makes your personal changes permanent.


Arrange

Help, Hints, Tips and options
for learning DrawPlus.

Align Items ...
Size Items...

Flip>

Rotate>
Order Objects>
Layers>
Group
Combine
Lock Position
Unlock Position
Snapping


Arrange Menu

•	Arrange/Align Items... allows you to align the objects in a group relative to one another.

•	Arrange/Size Items... allows you to make all selected objects the same size as the last object selected.

•	Arrange/Flip> flips your selection vertically, horizontally or both.

•	Arrange/Rotate> rotate your object to one of the predefined values, or specify an exact rotation angle by choosing Custom.

•	Arrange/Order Objects> allows you to quickly and easily move objects between layers.

•	Arrange/Layers> gives you complete control over the layers within your drawing.

•	Arrange/Group Converts your currently selected objects to a permanent group.

•	Arrange/Combine Combines the outlines of objects from the current selection. If two or more objects are selected, Combine produces a more complex shape with a single interior and "holes" where they overlap.

•	Arrange/Lock Position... locks your selection at it’s current position.

•	Arrange/Unlock Position... reverses the above.

•	Arrange/Snapping if checked, snapping is currently switched on. Select this to toggle the current snapping status between on and off..


Help

Help, Hints, Tips and options
for learning DrawPlus.

DrawPlus Help Topics
Watch a Demo

Play Game
Registration Wizard
Credits
About DrawPlus...


Help Menu

•	Help/DrawPlus Help Topics displays the Help Contents page.

•	Help/Watch a Demo… lets you watch the demos. (Or, use the Startup Wizard.)

•	Help/Play Game… lets you play the free game (if you’re registered).

•	Help/Registration Wizard... helps you to register your own personal copy of DrawPlus.

•	Help/Credits shows copyrights.

•	Help/About DrawPlus displays the DrawPlus opening image.


Printing (overview)
 Printing

Printing is the final step in the creation of your drawing. Make sure that you have the desired printer setup (File/Print/Properties...), that your printer is ready, then print.

Take a look at Common printing problems if you have any problems.


Support and troubleshooting (overview)
 Support and troubleshooting

Our support mission is to provide fast, friendly technical advice and support from a team of on-call experts. Registration gives you access to regular Serif newsletters and low cost future upgrades.

All Serif products are extensively tested before release, and we are totally confident in their quality and rock-solid stability. However, it is impossible to test all available hardware, and sometimes there are unexpected hardware/software incompatibilites. The only way to resolve these kinds of issues is to “troubleshoot” your system to find the cause of the problem.

Some of the most common problems are easy to solve. Check these topics out first for guidance:

•	Common printing problems

•	Non-printer problems

•	System setup troubleshooting

You should also read the README file which covers late breaking news, and may include problems discovered too late to be discussed here.

Getting support

If you need help, then just get in touch. We will do our best to help.


Common printing problems

Printing problems can be caused by a number of things such as using an incorrect or out of date printer driver, or having the wrong options set for your printer. Some of the more common faults are listed here with suggestions for fixing the problem.

Problem

A Windows Error or a DrawPlus Error is displayed while printing from DrawPlus.

See the Windows printer driver problems topic.

Problem

The printed output produced by DrawPlus is unreadable or bears no resemblance to the document on screen.

See the Windows printer driver problems topic.

Problem

When I print documents with an object that goes right to the edge of the page, not all of the object gets printed.

Virtually all printers have non-printing margins, and any item that falls into this area will not be printed. This means that on most printers you cannot produce a “bleed” as this is know. If you use a smaller publication page size, than the paper size in your printer, then this is not a problem. This is also not a problem with PostScript output to an imagesetter, where the full page size can be imaged.


Windows printer driver problems

Printing problems with Windows 95 are generally caused by using an incorrect or out of date Windows 3.1 printer driver, or a third-party printer driver. Make sure that you use the Windows printer driver designed specifically for your printer.

Windows Help has extensive troubleshooting information. Use Start > Help/Troubleshooting

Checking your printer driver version

If you have upgraded from Windows 3.1 to Windows 95 you must check that you are now using the latest Windows 95 driver for your printer.

To add printer drivers use Start > Settings > Printers


Non-printer problems

The are currently no reported problems.


System Setup Troubleshooting

The Windows 95 operating environment is a technically complicated system and problems can occur if your PC is not setup correctly or is using old (Windows 3.1) or non-standard device drivers etc.

If you understand terms such as config.sys and autoexec.bat then you may be able to resolve system setup problems by following the guidelines below. If you don't understand these terms then you should contact Microsoft technical support if you think your problem is related to Windows, or Serif technical support if you think that your problem is specific to a Serif product and not related to Windows.

Troubleshooting

In brief, the idea is to simplify your PC's setup, see if the problem is no longer present, and then incrementally restore your PC's original setup, testing to see which component makes the problem re-occur. Be careful!

Windows Help has extensive troubleshooting information. Use Start > Help/Troubleshooting


screen
 Tour of the Screens

Click on the following screens to find out what the various elements are called, and how to use them. You can choose:

•	DrawPlus with blank page

•	DrawPlus with drawing

•	Edit Text

•	Photo Wizard

You can also look at demos using Help/Demos... to get more information about how DrawPlus, Edit Text and PhotoWizard work.


 DrawPlus Screen

This is the main DrawPlus working screen, where you will design and create your drawings.

Click on the buttons, tools, and other elements to find out more...


Title Bar

This is the standard Windows Title Bar showing the name
of the program and the current file (e.g. Design1 or “Drawing”
if it has not been saved). The Windows buttons at the right side
of the title bar let you minimize, mazimize or close the application.


Menus Bar
Menu Bar

These are the program menus, where you can
select various commands. You can access similar menus
that pop-up by right-clicking on an object.


Standard Toolbar

The Standard Toolbar contains shortcut buttons, for performing a variety of

functions. Some of the buttons are always available, while others only become

enabled when an object is selected. Experiment by selecting an object and
watching how the Standard Toolbar changes.


Scroll Bars

A standard Windows control for changing the area
of your page that is visible.


Fill Bar

The Fill Bar allows you to apply a fill/shade
to an object. The shade is a tint of the fill
between 10% (faint) to 100% (solid fill). The
object’s current fill and shade is highlighted.


Status Bar

The Status Bar contains buttons for adjusting the current view
and showing/hiding the Status Bar floating palettes. The right

side is the HintLine which displays useful information.


Quickshape Palette
QuickShape Flyout

QuickShapes are pre-designed objects, provided by DrawPlus to save you time.
The QuickShape flyout contains a wide variety of commonly used shapes, including boxes, ovals, arrows, polygons and stars. To create a QuickShape, select a shape from the flyout and than drag over the page. The QuickShape fills the area you drag. When you release the mouse button, the QuickShape tool reverts to the Node tool, ready for the shape to be altered by dragging on its handles.


Status Editor Palette

The Status Editor is a floating palette
which allows you to specify exact size, position
and rotation values.The Status Editor can be
used to “nudge” the object position by using the
spin buttons. Or type in new values for the object

size and position.


Tool Bar

The Tool Bar provides the main DrawPlus Tools for
creating and editing objects. The Pointer group of pointer,
rotate and node editing. The Create group for creating text, lines, curves
and QuickShapes The Import group for adding clipart, and other embellishments for text to your drawing.


DrawPlus Tool Bar

This topic shows the DrawPlus Tool Bar and gives a brief description of the tools and how to use them. Notice how the current Tool is highlighted.

Click on the tools to find out more...


ToolBar Pointer
Tool Bar Pointer Tools

Click on the  Selection Tool to select, move and copy objects.
To select, click on the object.
To resize the selected object, drag over its handles.
To move the selected object, drag on it.
To copy the selected object, drag on it holding the control key.
To add the selected object to a group, click on it holding the shift key.

Click on the Rotate Tool to rotate objects at any angle. First, select
the object, then drag over one of the handles. Hold the shift key for
15 degree steps. Double-click to unrotate.

With the Node Tool you can manipulate the shape of objects by dragging on the object's control nodes. The Node Tool can also select and move objects, in the same way as the Selection Tool. Objects must be selected before the Node Tool can manipulate them. The currently selected object is shown displaying control nodes.


Text Tool

Use the Text Tool to add text to your drawing. Click with the Text Tool on the page and type to add text. Click and drag to set the size of the text before you type or double-click to open the Edit Text  dialog.


Tool Bar Create Tools

Click on the each of the following to find out more about it’s capabilities

Line Tool Flyout

QuickShape Flyout

Text Tool


Line Tool Flyout

Freehand line tool

This tool can be used to sketch lines in a freeform way. Select the tool, move the mouse over the page area and drag to draw. The curve will follow your mouse movements. When you release the mouse button the Freehand line tool will automatically smooth out the line and insert a minimal number of corner nodes.

If you want to extend an existing line, start your drag at an end point of an existing line.

If snapping is switched on, the Freehand line tool produces horizontal, vertical and diagonal straight line segments as opposed to a mixture of curved and straight line segments. A line in DrawPlus is made of a number of line segments joined together by corner nodes. If the line forms a complete outline, then it is known as a closed shape. Once you've drawn a line or closed shape, you can reshape it by dragging the corner nodes with the Node tool.

Use the Straight Line tool to create straight line segments. Select the tool and drag on the page. A straight line between the points where the drag started and ended is created. If you want to extend an existing line, start your drag at one of the existing line's end points.

Hold the SHIFT key down while dragging to constrain the angle of the created line to 15 degree increments. This is an easy way to make exactly vertical or horizontal lines.

Use the Curved line tool to draw a mixture of large, sweeping curves and straight line segments. This tool is unlike the others, in that the drawing happens between mouse clicks rather than when the mouse is being dragged.

To start drawing, click on the page where you want the line to start. If you want to extend an existing line, start the line at an existing line's end point. Now every following mouse click will add another line segment. If you want the segment to be curved, hold the mouse down while you click and drag out an attractor node. Attractor nodes act as magnets, pulling the curve into shape. If you want the segment to be straight, just click without dragging.


ToolBar_Import Tools
Tool Bar Import Tools

Click on Import to run the Import Picture Wizard, allowing you to quickly and easily import pictures from a variety of sources. Simply follow the on-screen instructions, and when the import picture cursor appears, click and drag to place your selected picture on the page.
Hold the shift key down if you want to maintain aspect ratio.

Click on the Wizard Flyout, then select one of the six Wizard buttons. When you have followed the on-screen instructions and answered the Wizard questions, drag out the object on your page.


Page

The page is the piece of paper that you’re working on. This page
shows the margins and three ruler guides. Place your guides,
text, graphics and pictures here
to create your masterpiece


Pasteboard

This is the “scratch” area around your page where
you can place objects until you need them on the page.
The pasteboard does not get printed.


Rulers

The rulers allow you to measure your page
and objects. A selected object is shown by white
indents on the rulers. Drag on the intersection to
move them. Click on the rulers to create guides.


 DrawPlus Screen with Page

This screen shows what DrawPlus looks like with a real page.

Click on the screen elements, and the objects on the page, for more information.


Border

This is a fancy border, which is easily applied by running the Border Wizard.


Text Headline

This is part of the headline typed in the Edit Text Window and then
a fancy fill applied with the Fill Wizard.


Pop-Up Menu

Right-click on an object to get a pop-up menu. This
one contains general options available when no object is selected.


Clipart Browser

This makes the huge DrawPlus clipart selection instantly accessible,

simply select the picture you’d like and drag and drop onto your drawing


Curve Editor

The Curve Editor works in combination with the Node tool. Select the corner node or point on the line or closed shape which is to be affected by the Curve Editor and then use the buttons on the Curve Editor. If all the Curve Editor's buttons are grayed out, you need to select a part of the line or shape to work on.


Picture

This is a a picture imported using the Import Picture Wizard. Use the Fill Wizard
to give it a fancy look, or try the Watermark Wizard to give your drawing a classy feel.
Alternatively, convert it to a bitmap using Tools/Convert to Bitmapand experiment with the amazing effects available in Photo Wizard


Formatting Bar

This Microsoft Office Compatible feature enables you to apply a wide range of formatting options to your selected object. With text selected, the options include bold, italic font and point size, with a graphic selected, line weight and style.


 Edit Text

The Edit Text Window is DrawPlus’s built-in text editor. Use it to create new text, or edit existing text. Start Edit Text by double-clicking on the page with the Text tool, by double clicking on an existing piece of text, or by selcting a piece of text and choosing Edit/Text… from the menu.

Click on the buttons and other elements to find out more...


Edit Text Tool Bar

The Tool Bar provides edit/clipboard shortcuts, and text
formatting commands such as bold, italic and point size.


Text Entry
Entering Text with Edit Text

Edit Text is designed for fast text editing and creation using
standard Windows cursoring controls for moving through the
text. If you're familiar with using Windows accessories like
WordPad you'll immediately be familiar with Edit Text.


 Photo Wizard

This is the main Photo Wizard working screen: the bitmap editing module built into DrawPlus. Use it to convert your files between apply special effects to your bitmaps, to touch up photos before updating your work back into DrawPlus. If you want to see Photo Wizard in action, you can take a look at the helpful demos using Help/Watch a Demo...


Photo Wizard Title Bar

This displays the current DrawPlus drawing title, and the
Windows controls for minimizing, maximizing and closing the
window. The PhotoWizard window can be resized and moved like
any normal window to suit your method of working.


Photo Wizard Preview Window

The Preview Window shows your current picture.

The mouse cursor changes to a magnifying glass when it is over this window, to show that zoom is available. To magnify the view of a particular area, drag the Zoom cursor over the area.

To reset the zoom to Fit Window, which means the picture is automatically scaled to fit the Preview Window, hold the SHIFT key down and click. To reset the zoom to 1:1, which means one picture pixel equates to one screen pixel, double-click.

You can also change zooms by using the row of Zoom buttons in the Front Panel. The current zoom percentage is displayed in the Status bar.

If you have the Crop tool selected, the mouse cursor will change to the crop symbol and dragging over the Preview Window will crop the picture to the area you drag.


Photo Wizard Status Bar

The Status Bar shows information about the current picture. The information includes:

The width and height of the picture in pixels.

The picture's color depth, which is the number of bits used to store the color of each pixel. This determines the maximum number of different colors the picture can have, which is also displayed.

The amount of memory the picture takes up, in kilobytes when uncompressed.

The current zoom percentage for the Preview Window.


Photo Wizard Front Panel

The Photo Wizard Front Panel gives you access to the full range
of special effects and image controls available in Photo Wizard.

The top set of buttons allows you to apply one of the special,
predefined filters to your picture, these include sharpen, smooth,
emboss, posterize and sepia.

The second group of controls manipulate color. You can change
the red, green and blue color components and adjust brightness
and contrast. You can perform gamma correction and dither 24-bit
TrueColor pictures down to, say 8-bit, 256 colors.

The controls in the third group perform geometric operations.
You can mirror the picture, rotate it by 90° or by any other angle.
You can scale the picture to fit an exact size and crop it to remove
unwanted detail.

The next line of controls support the clipboard: You can cut, copy
and paste to and from the clipboard and undo changes.

The bottom group of controls manage the Preview Windows Zoom
percentage.


 On-line Book

This Windows Help file provides information about DrawPlus 3.0. Browse through it using the usual Windows Help controls. And you can take a look at the helpful demos using Help/Watch a Demo... for even more information about DrawPlus.

You can also read DrawPlus documentation on screen! It has been converted to an Adobe Acrobat file with hyperlinked Contents and Index pages. You’ll find that Acrobat provides easy tools for viewing and navigating the publication.

Click here [image] to read DrawPlus 3.0 Companion.

(You need to install Adobe Acrobat to use this feature.)

Click here [image] to read the latest news in the DrawPlus README file.


Demos

Access demos using Help/Demos... or by selecting the “Watch a Demo” option in the Startup Wizard. The following demos are available:

(Be patient, loading the demo takes a few moments.)

•	Click here [image] to watch Introduction.

•	Click here [image] to watch Photo Wizard.

•	Click here [image] to watch Wizard Design Elements.

•	Click here [image] to watch QuickShapes.


 Registration

As a Registered User we can keep you informed about upgrades and other products.

The Serif Registration Wizard guides you through the process of registering your copy of DrawPlus 3.0. Registration is simple and FREE, but you do need to register within 90 days of installing your copy.

To register you need to enter your Registration Number. If you bought directly from Serif, this number is printed on your invoice. If you obtained DrawPlus from a store or dealer, or it was bundled with a PC, scanner or printer you will need to call Serif (free phone call) and quote your Installation Number and Code to get it. Either way, it's quick, simple and free. If you've not registered yet, this screen will pop-up regularly to remind you.


How To...

Get Help

Start, Save and Close Drawings.

Add Text

 	Add Logos and Text Effects.

Import Pictures

Add Backgrounds and Watermarks

Select, Copy, Move, and Resize

Rotate and Shear

Arrange Objects

Format Objects

Print your Drawing

Create new Fills

Customize DrawPlus


Get Help

Help

Use the Help file (Help/DrawPlus Help Topics)  in the usual way to get more information about using DrawPlus.

Hints and Tips

Hold your mouse over a button for a pop-up ToolTip. Watch out for the helpful Hints and Tips that pop-up as you work. They can be disabled or reset using Tools/Options.

Demos

Take a look at the interactive demos for more help on DrawPlus.

Online Companion

The Online Companion is full electronic documentation for you to browse through.


Start, Save and Close Drawings

Start a new Drawing

Use File/New to get the Startup Wizard, then choose the Start from Scratch option.

Open an existing Drawing

Use File/New to get the Startup Wizard, then choose the Open a Drawing option or choose File/Open to go directly to the dialog box. The file menu also lists your last used publications. Click on the name to load the file.

Use a Design Wizard

Choose the Use a Design Wizard option from the Startup Wizard to have DrawPlus create a publication or drawing for you. Then simply answer the on-screen questions and add your own information.

Save your Drawing

Use File/Save or File/Save As to save your Drawing.

Close DrawPlus

To close DrawPlus choose File/Exit


Add Text

Add new Text

Use the Text Tool to add text to your drawing. Click with the Text Tool on the page and type to add text. Click and drag to set the size of the text before you type or double-click to open the Edit Text dialog.

Edit existing Text

Double-click on the text with the Selection Tool, double-click on the text with the Text Tool or single-click on the text with the Text Tool to open the Edit Text dialog with the text loaded. Use the Edit Text dialog to edit the text or apply formatting.

Text on a Curve

Make sure the Curve Text Wizard is turned on using Tools/Options/Ease of Use then use Tools/Curve Text Wizard to access the Curve Text Wizard. Follow the on-screen questions and enter your own information. Alternatively, select some text on the page with the Selection Tool and use the Curve Text flyout on the Standard Toolbar to apply a predefined curve.

Enveloped Text

Make sure the Envelope Text Wizard is turned on using Tools/Options/Ease of Use then use Tools/Envelope Wizard to access the Envelope Wizard. Follow the on-screen questions and enter your own information. Alternatively, select some text on the page with the Selection Tool and use the Envelope flyout on the Toolbar to apply a predefined envelope shape.

Fancy text with Logo Wizard

Use Insert/Logo Wizard or the Logo Wizard button on the Wizard flyout to access the Logo Wizard. Answer the on-screen questions and input your own information.


Add Logos and Text Effects

Fancy text with Logo Wizard

Use Insert/Logo Wizard or the Logo Wizard button on the Wizard flyout to access the Logo Wizard. Answer the on-screen questions and input your own information.

Text on a Curve

Make sure the Curve Text Wizard is turned on using Tools/Options/Ease of Use then use Tools/Curve Text Wizard to access the Curve Text Wizard. Follow the on-screen questions and enter your own information. Alternatively, select some text on the page with the Selection Tool and use the Curve Text flyout on the Standard Toolbar to apply a predefined curve.

Enveloped Text

Make sure the Envelope Text Wizard is turned on using Tools/Options/Ease of Use then use Tools/Envelope Wizard to access the Envelope Wizard. Follow the on-screen questions and enter your own information. Alternatively, select some text on the page with the Selection Tool and use the Envelope flyout on the Standard Toolbar to apply a predefined envelope shape.

Shadows on Text

Select a text object using the Selection Tool then use Format/Shadow… to customize and add a shadow effect or use the Shadow button on the Standard Toolbar to add the last used shadow.


Import Pictures

Import Picture Wizard

Click on the Import Picture button on the Drawing Toolbar to access the Import Picture Wizard or select Insert/Picture Wizard  from the menus. Make sure the Import Picture Wizard is turned on by using Tools/Options/Ease of Use. This will help you choose and import your picture.

DrawPlus 3.0

The Import Picture Wizard allows you to choose picture using the Serif DrawPlus 3.0. You can view pictures then drag and drop them onto your drawing.

Scanning

The Import Picture Wizard allows you to scan directly into DrawPlus using the TWAIN scanning standard.

PhotoCD Images

This option allows you to view and import pictures from a PhotoCD


Add Backgrounds&Watermarks
Add Backgrounds and Watermarks

Background Wizard

Use Insert/Background Wizard or the Background Wizard button on the Wizard flyout to access the Background Wizard. Answer the on-screen questions and input your own information.

Watermark Wizard

Use Insert/Watermark Wizard or the Watermark Wizard button on the Wizard flyout to access the Watermark Wizard. Answer the on-screen questions and input your own information.


Select Copy Move and Resize

Select an Object

Use the Selection Tool to select an object by clicking on it. Step through overlapping objects by clicking repeatedly. You must select an object before you can modify it.

Select a Group

Hold down the Shift key while clicking to add an object to a group. Or, using the Selection Tool, start dragging over a blank area of your drawing to create a selection box or “marquee”. Any objects enclosed in this box will be selected as a group.

Copy

Use the Selection Tool to drag on an object while holding down the Control key.

Move

Use the Selection Tool to drag on a selected object.

Move, exact value

Use the Status Editor to enter exact position values.

Resize

Use the Selection Tool to drag over one of the handles on a selected object.

Resize, exact value

Use the Status Editor to enter exact size values.


Rotate and Shear

Rotate

Use the Rotate Tool to drag over one of the corner handles of a selected object.

Rotate, exact value

Use the Status Editor to enter exact rotation angle values.

Shear

Use the Rotate Tool to drag over the middle handles of a selected object.


Arrange Objects

Align Objects

Objects can be aligned in relation to each other by selecting them as a group, then using Arrange/Align Items.

Snapping

Objects can be lined up with any guides (margins, ruler guides, grid dots) that are visible on your page when then Snapping button on the Status Bar is checked.

Order Objects

As objects are created they are order is such a way that the most recently created object will overlap earlier ones. You can change the order of and object within the stack by stack by selecting it then using Arrange/Order Objects.

Layering

The DrawPlus page can have multiple layers to contain different sets of objects. Use Arrange/Layer/Layer Manager to add or delete layers or to control how DrawPlus uses layers. Use the Layer Tabs above the Status Bar to access different layers.

Permanent Groups

Groups of objects can be made permanent by using the Group/Ungroup button on the Standard Toolbar.


Format Objects

Use Menus

Use the Format menu to change how objects look.

Use the Formatting Toolbar

Use the options on the Formatting Toolbar to change how objects look.

Use the Fill Bar

Click on the Fill Bar to apply a fill to selected object. The right-click menu has options for adding separate fills and line colors for objects.

Use Right-Click Menus

Right-click will always pop-up a menu with options appropriate for the selected object. Right-click on the selected object and choose a pop-up menu option to change how the object looks.

Use Paste Format

Select an object with the formatting you want to apply to another object. Click the Paste Format button on the Standard Toolbar. The next object you select with have the formatting of the original object applied to it. Use Shift-Click to select object without pasting the new format.


Print your Drawing

Print

Use File/Print to print your masterpiece! Set the Options you want to reduce the drawing to fit onto your printer page or to create giant, tiled posters.

Print Preview

Use File/Print Preview or click on the Print Preview button on the Standard Toolbar to get a quick preview of how your drawing will print.


Create new Fills

Use Fill Wizard

Use Format/Fill Wizard to let the Fill Wizard help you create new fills. Answer the questions and the new Fill will be added to the bottom of the Fill Bar.

Use the Fill dialog box

Use the Fill dialog box, accessed from Format/Fill to apply existing Fills or create new ones.


Customize DrawPlus

General

Use the General tab of Tools/Options to set AutoSave times, undo levels and Fast Graduated Fill options.

Layout

Use the Layout tab of Tools/Options to change horizontal and vertical measurement units.

Ease of Use

Use the Ease of Use tab of Tools/Options to customize or reset helpful features.

Snapping

Use the Snapping tab of Tools/Options to set spacing for the snapping grid and to control other snapping options.


Microsoft Office Compatible

Serif DrawPlus 3.0 is a Microsoft Office Compatible product, which means that its toolbars, menus, and shortcut keys are similar to those used by Microsoft Office. If you are already using Microsoft Office, which includes Microsoft Excel, Word, Microsoft Access and PowerPoint, then many of the tasks you have learned to complete in Office can be completed in a similar manner in DrawPlus 3.0. These similarities will make it easier for you to use our products together and with other Microsoft Office Compatible products.

Look for the Microsoft Office Compatible logo when purchasing software. For more information about the Microsoft Office Compatible program, and for a complete listing of Microsoft Office Compatible products, in the United States call Microsoft Customer Service at 1-800-426-9400. Customers outside the United States should contact their local Microsoft office.

Office Compatible Features of Serif DrawPlus 3.0

Includes the standard Microsoft Office menus: File, Edit, View, Insert, Format, and Tools menus.

Has toolbars like those in Microsoft Office. You can customize the toolbars by choosing large or small and color or black-and-white buttons.

Include Wizards to simplify document creation and other complicated tasks.

Lets you send a DrawPlus 3.0 document through Microsoft Mail. If you have Microsoft Mail or Microsoft Exchange set up, you will see the Send item on the File menu.

Displays a context-sensitive menu when you click the right mouse button.

Displays a status bar at the bottom of the DrawPlus 3.0 to keep you informed as you work. Holding the mouse cursor over any  button shows a ToolTip describing the buttons purpose.

Using DrawPlus 3.0 with other Office applications

To embed a DrawPlus 3.0 Object in Microsoft Word:

In Word, select Object… from the Insert Menu. Select Serif DrawPlus 3.0 Drawing. DrawPlus 3.0 will run In-place. Create your drawing as usual. To return back to Word, click on the Word page.

Drag and Drop between DrawPlus 3.0 and Word:

Make sure Word is running. In DrawPlus 3.0, select the object. Drag the object to the Word button on the taskbar, but do not drop it there. After a moment, the Word window opens. Drop the object on the open Word window.


Microsoft Office Compatible

Serif DrawPlus Home/Office 95 is a Microsoft Office Compatible product, which means that its toolbars, menus, and shortcut keys are similar to those used by Microsoft Office. If you are already using Microsoft Office, which includes Microsoft Excel, Word, Microsoft Access and PowerPoint, then many of the tasks you have learned to complete in Office can be completed in a similar manner in DrawPlus Home/Office 95. These similarities will make it easier for you to use our products together and with other Microsoft Office Compatible products.

Look for the Microsoft Office Compatible logo when purchasing software. For more information about the Microsoft Office Compatible program, and for a complete listing of Microsoft Office Compatible products, in the United States call Microsoft Customer Service at 1-800-426-9400. Customers outside the United States should contact their local Microsoft office.

Office Compatible Features of Serif DrawPlus Home/Office 95

Includes the standard Microsoft Office menus: File, Edit, View, Insert, Format, and Tools menus.

Include Wizards to simplify document creation and other complicated tasks.

Has toolbars like those in Microsoft Office. You can customize the toolbars by choosing large or small and color or black-and-white buttons.

Displays a context-sensitive menu when you click the right mouse button.

Displays a status bar at the bottom of the DrawPlus Home/Office 95 to keep you informed as you work. Holding the mouse cursor over any  button shows a ToolTip describing the buttons purpose.

Lets you send a DrawPlus Home/Office 95 document through Microsoft Mail. If you have Microsoft Mail or Microsoft Exchange set up, you will see the Send item on the File menu.

Acts as both an OLE client and an OLE server.

Using DrawPlus Home/Office 95 with other Office applications

To embed a DrawPlus Object in Microsoft Word:

In Word, select Object… from the Insert Menu. Select Serif DrawPlus Drawing. DrawPlus will run In-place. Create your drawing as usual. To return back to Word, click on the Word page.

Drag and Drop between DrawPlus and Word:

Make sure Word is running. In DrawPlus, select the object. Drag the object to the Word button on the taskbar, but do not drop it there. After a moment, the Word window opens. Drop the object on the open Word window.

To embed a block of text from a Word document into a Serif DrawPlus document

In Word, select the text. Press CTRL+C to copy the text to the Clipboard. Switch to Serif DrawPlus. Press CTRL+V to paste the object into DrawPlus as an embedded Word object.