Streamline Help Index

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Help Topic Categories

Keyboard

Commands

Commands

File

Edit

View

Option

Swatch

Statistics

Procedures

Basic Concepts

Preparing a Bitmapped Image for Conversion

Converting an Image

Working with a Converted Image

Tools

Arrow Selection Tool

Marquee Tool

Lasso Tool

Magic Wand Tool

Zoom Tool

Hand Tool

Eyedropper Tool

Pencil Tool

Line Tool

Eraser Tool

Node Deletion Tool


Commands

File Menu

Open	Ctrl+O

Convert	Ctrl+R

Batch Select

Save	Ctrl+S

Save As

Close

Exit	Ctrl+Q

Edit Menu

Undo	Alt + Backspace

Cut	Shift+Del

Copy	Ctrl+Ins

Clear	Ctrl+Del

Select All	Crl+A

Smooth Paths

Preferences

View Menu

Preview Illustration	Ctrl+Y

Artwork & Template	Ctrl+E

Artwork Only	Ctrl+W

Template Only

Actual Size	Ctrl+H

Fit in Window	Ctrl+M

Redraw	Ctrl+F

Options Menu

Conversion Method	Ctrl+G

Tolerance	Ctrl+T

Line Attributes	Ctrl+L

Color Setup	Ctrl+B

Paint Style	Ctrl+I

Custom Color

Save Current Parameters

Open Saved Parameters

Swatch Menu

Swatch Color to Selection

Swatch Color to Fill

Swatch Color to Stroke

Swatch Color to Both

Fill Color to Swatch

Stroke Color to Swatch

Select Fills Matching Swatch

Select Strokes Matching Swatch

Select Both Matching Swatch

Statistics Menu

Resources

Image


Command Menus

Use the Command menus to arrange your working environment, prepare Streamline to convert files, and work with files once they've been converted.  The tasks you can perform with each menu are as follows:

File	Manage, convert, and save files

Edit	Perform basic editing tasks such as copy, cut, paste, and undo

View	Preview your artwork and template; change size of image in window

Options	Set conversion parameters for your artwork

Swatch	Select or change colors within your image based on color swatches

Statistics	Get information about your system resources and image statistics


artwork

Once the original bitmapped image is converted into a vector image, it is called artwork.  The artwork is made up of smooth, continuous paths; after conversion, the artwork is placed on top of the original image, called the template.


template

The template is another name for the original bitmapped image.  The converted vector image, called the artwork, is placed on top of the template after conversion takes place.  (You can save a screen-resolution bitmap of the edited image for use with Adobe Illustrator; this image is also called a template).


File Menu

The File menu contains commands for manipulating files.

Open	Opens files in the selected file format.

Convert	Converts selected file or files using the current conversion settings.

Batch Select	Allows you to select multiple files for conversion.

Save	Saves the active file.

Save as	Saves the file under a specified format, path, and name.

Close	Closes the current file without quitting the Streamline program.

Exit	Quits the Streamline program.


Open Command

Opens a file containing a bitmapped image in TIF, PNT, or PCX formats.

Options

Filename	Selects the file to open.

File Format	Selects the format of the file to open.

Directories	Selects the drive and directory in which the file resides.

Related Topics

Closing a File


TIFF format

TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) is a bitmapped graphics file structure developed by Aldus and Microsoft.  Adobe Streamline can open both Macintosh and PC-generated TIFF files.


PNT format

PNT (MacPaint) file format is used by painting applications that run on the Macintosh computer.


PCX format

PCX (Zsoft PC Paintbrush Bitmap) file format is the interchange format used by Microsoft Windows Paintbrush.


Convert Command

Converts the selected file or files from a bitmapped image to a vector image, using the current conversion settings

Related Topics

Batch Select Command

Converting Images with the Outline Method

Converting Images with the Centerline Method

Converting Images with the Line Recognition Method

Converting Images using a Combination of Methods

Converting White-Line Images


bitmapped image

A graphic image consisting of a matrix of dots or pixels.  Adobe Streamline converts a bitmapped image into a vector image by defining each line as a smooth continuous path.


vector image

A graphic image defined by smooth continuous paths, or vectors.  Adobe Streamline converts a bitmapped image defined by individual dots into a vector image.


Batch Select Command

The Adobe Streamline program lets you select multiple files from various drives or directories to convert them as a group.  When converting a batch of images, you can use the Automatic or Interactive Convert option in the Preferences dialog box.

The Interactive option lets you change conversion options between images and save images under different filenames and in different directories. With this option, you must choose the Convert or Next Image command from the File menu for each new image.

The Automatic Only option lets you convert a group of images using a single set of conversion options and without prompting you between images. Images are converted and saved in the directory you specify under their current filenames with the appropriate file format extension.

Related Topics

Converting a Batch of Images

Convert Command

Handling Filename Conflicts


Handling Filename Conflicts

The Filename Conflict options in the Preferences dialog box allow you to change how the program handles name conflicts that occur when you are saving images. A name conflict occurs when you save an image with a particular name, and an image with the same name already exists in the directory. Often, the existing image is an earlier saved version of the current image, and you want to overwrite it; however, there may be times when you do not want to overwrite existing images.

To select a Filename Conflict option:

1	Select Preferences from the File menu.

2	Select the Always Prompt option if you want the program to prompt you for instructions when a name conflict occurs. In this case, the program displays an alert box that allows you to replace the existing image, to ignore the new image, or to cancel the directory conversion. Always Prompt is the default option.

3	Select the Never Replace option if you do not want the program to convert images that create a name conflict. In this case, the program skips the image altogether and continues to convert the other images in the selected directory.

4	Select the Always Replace option if you do not want to interrupt the conversion process when a name conflict occurs. In this case, the existing image is always replaced by the new image of the same name.

Related Topics

Batch Select Command

Converting a Batch of Images

Preferences Command

Save As Command


Save Command

Saves the active document using the current filename, path, and format.  The default format is the Adobe Illustrator format.

Related Topics

Save As Command


Save As Command

Lets you save the artwork using a different filename, directory, or file format; or the edited template using a specified filename or file format. Also lets you save a rasterized version of the converted image as a low-resolution, black-and-white image in the TIFF, PCX, or PNT file formats along with the final converted artwork. If the image is color or grayscale, the black-and-white template is saved using a threshold of 50 percent.

File format options for saving artwork:

Adobe Illustrator	Saves the file as a PostScript language file in the Adobe Illustrator format.

DRW	Saves the file in the format for Micrografx Designer or other applications that accept the DRW file format.

HPGL (.PLT)	Saves the file in the HPGL (Hewlett Packard Graphics Language) format for use with Hewlett Packard plotters and programs that import PLT files.

CGM	Saves the file in the Computer Graphics Metafile format.

DXF	Saves the file in the DXF format to preview, edit, and print a converted image in computer-aided design (CAD) programs such as AutoCad or VersiCad.

WMF	Saves the file in the Microsoft Windows Metafile format, compatible with Windows Version 3.0.

File format options for saving templates:

TIFF	The TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) file is a bitmapped graphics file structure developed by Aldus and Microsoft.  Adobe Streamline saves a TIFF image as a non-compressed file.

PCX	The PCX (Zsoft PC Paintbrush Bitmap) file format is the interchange format used by Microsoft Windows Paintbrush.

PNT	The PNT (MacPaint) file format is used by painting applications that run on the Macintosh computer.

Related Topics

Save Command


Close Command

Closes the current file.  If the file has not been saved, the system prompts you to save the file before closing.

Related Topic

Exit Command


Exit Command

Closes saved documents and quits Adobe Streamline. If any files have not been saved, the system prompts you to save each file before exiting.

Related Topic

Close Command


Edit Menu

The Edit menu contains commands for editing artwork, moving objects, and setting preferences.

Undo	Cancels the previous command.

Cut	Moves selection to the Clipboard.

Copy	Copies selection to the Clipboard.

Clear	Deletes selection from your work area.

Select All	Selects all paths in your work area.

Smooth Path	Removes node points from a selected path, resulting in a smoother line.

Preferences	Lets you select conversion preferences before opening a file.


Undo Command

Reverses the last operation.  Lets you undo the last editing action you have taken with a black-and-white image.  Because of performance and memory considerations, the Undo command is unavailable for color or grayscale images in the pre-processing mode.


Cut Command

Removes selected objects and places them on the Clipboard.  Once on the Clipboard, objects retain their formatting and can be pasted into any Adobe Illustrator or Adobe TypeAlign document.

Related Topics

Copy  Command

Select All Command


Copy Command

Copies selected objects and places them on the Clipboard.  Once on the Clipboard, objects retain their formatting and can be pasted into any Adobe Illustrator or  Adobe TypeAlign  document.

Related Topics

Cut Command

Select All Command


Clear Command

Deletes the current selection without saving it to the Clipboard.

Related Topics

Cut Command

Undo Command


Select All Command

Selects all the objects in the document for editing operations.


Smooth Path Command

The Smooth Path command smooths a selected path by reducing the number of anchor points by the amount specified in the Preferences dialog box. You can set your preference for the amount of smoothing to minimum, normal, or maximum.

The smoothing process attempts to maintain the shape as accurately as possible while reducing the number of anchor points. When the program smooths a path, straight line segments are replaced with curved lines even if the image has been converted using the Straight Lines Only conversion option. If you are saving the artwork in a file format that recognizes only straight lines (such as the DXF, HPGL, CGM, or WMF formats), do not use the Smooth Path command.

To smooth the selected path:

1.	Select the path you want to smooth.

2.	Choose Smooth Path from the Edit menu repeatedly until you reduce the anchor points to achieve the desired effect.

Related Topics

Preferences Command

Node Deletion Tool


Preferences Command

The Preferences options determine how the Adobe Streamline program functions in certain situations. It is a good idea to select Preferences options when you start the program; you can then easily change the options or restore the default options later.

To select Preferences options:

1.	Choose Preferences from the Edit menu.  The Preferences dialog box appears.

2.	Select the options you want to use or click Defaults to restore the programs default settings and click OK.

Options

Convert	Determines how a group of images is converted, either interactively or automatically. When an image is open, the Convert option is dimmed; you can only change the setting while no image is open.

Filename Conflict	Lets you choose how filename conflicts are handled during the automatic conversion process, either Always Prompt, Always Replace, or Never Replace.

Smooth Path	Lets you select how much smoothing should take place when you choose the Smooth Path(s) command after converting an image.

Status Bar	Lets you show or hide the status bar at the bottom of the Streamline window.

Beep after Conversion

Lets you turn on or off the beep sound that occurs when each image conversion is complete.

Confirm Deletes	Turns on a confirmation message that appears whenever the file you are saving would replace an earlier file of the same name.

Defaults	Restores the default Preferences settings.


Interactive conversion

Interactive conversion lets you select conversion options and save files individually.


Automatic conversion

Automatic conversion lets you convert one or more images without interruption using the default filename and file format.


 Always Prompt option

Using the Always Prompt option, you will be prompted before conversion if a file with the same name is found.


Never Replace option

Using the Never Replace option, Streamline will not convert an image that has already been converted.


Always Replace option

Using the Always Replace option, the program converts an image and overwrites any existing file with the same name.


View Menu

The View menu contains commands for displaying images and screen elements.

Preview Illustrations	Shows how converted image will appear when printed.

Artwork & Template	Displays the bitmapped image and converted image without stroke and fill attributes.

Artwork Only	Displays only the converted vector image.

Template Only	Displays only the bitmapped image.

Actual Size	Displays a document in its true size

Fit in Window	Displays a document so it fits inside the current window.

Redraw	Redraws the image on-screen, reflecting any changes.


Preview Illustration Command
Preview Illustration

Displays artwork as it will look when printed.   Only the previewed image appears; the template is not displayed.  While you preview the illustration, you can edit the artwork just as you do while viewing the artwork.  Editing in Preview Illustration view is more time-consuming, however, since the program must repaint the screen display after each operation.

Related Topics

Artwork Only Command

Template Only Command

Artwork & Template Command


Artwork & Template Command
Artwork & Template

Displays both the converted artwork and the template images, with the artwork overlaying the template image.

Related Topics

Artwork Only Command

Template Only Command

Preview Illustration Command


Artwork Only Command
Artwork Only

Displays only the converted artwork image on the screen.  The original template image does  not appear in this view.

Related Topics

Artwork & Template Command

Preview Illustration Command

Template Only Command


Template Only Command
Template Only

Displays the template image only.  The converted artwork image does not appear in this view.

Related Topics

Artwork & Template Command

Preview Illustration Command

Artwork Only Command


Actual Size Command
Actual Size

Displays a document at its actual size.  If the image is larger than the window size, you will have to scroll to view the entire document.

Related Topics

Scrolling with the Hand Tool

Fitting an Image in the Window

Fit In Window Command


Fit in Window Command
Fit in Window

Displays the image so that it fits in the current window.  The image will be sized to display at maximum accuracy, so in some cases, the image will not fill the the entire window.

Related Topics

Scrolling with the Hand Tool

Fitting an Image in the Window

Actual Size Command


Redraw Command

Redraws the active page reflecting any changes that have taken place since the screen was last redrawn.


Options Menu
Option Menu

The Conversion menu contains commands for setting conversion parameters.

Conversion Method	Lets you select the conversion method:  Outline, Centerline, or Line Recognition.

Tolerance	Lets you define how tightly or loosely the program traces an image's edges or centers.

Line Attributes	Lets you select the width of the pencil, eraser, and line tools.

Color Setup	Lets you select options for converting color and grayscale images.

Paint Style	Lets you select stroke and fill colors for the eyedropper and pencil tools.

Custom Colors	Lets you create your own customized colors.

Save Current Parameters

Saves the current program settings under a new filename.

Open Saved Parameters

Opens up a set of saved program settings.


Conversion Method Command

Lets you select the appropriate conversion method for your image.  The options are:

Outline	Converts images that contain filled areas and lines that vary in weight, such as clip art or hand-drawn images.

Centerline	Converts images that contain consistent line weights and no filled areas, such as CAD drawings or technical illustrations.

Line Recognition	Converts images that contain horizontal and vertical lines, such as forms, schematic layouts, and charts & graphs.

Reverse Image	Allows you to reverse the black-and-white areas of a bitmapped image before it is converted.

You can mix conversion methods for images that combine features of more than one type.  For example, you can combine Outline and Centerline methods for images that have a mix of consistent line weights and filled areas.

Related Topics

Converting Images with the Outline Method

Converting Images with the Centerline Method

Converting Images with the Line Recognition Method

Converting Images using a Combination of Methods

Converting White-Line Images


Tolerance Command

The Tolerance command allows you to adjust how closely the program matches the lines of the bitmapped image.  If you want to maintain the exact detail of the bitmapped image, use a tight tolerance setting; if you want to reduce the jagged edges or flaws of the bitmapped image, use a loose tolerance setting.   Range is from 1 (tight) to 5 (loose); default is 3.

NOTE:  A loose tolerance setting creates longer line segments and fewer anchor points, resulting in a smaller converted image file.

Related Topics

Setting Tolerance Limits


Line Attributes
Line Attributes Command

The Line Attributes options control how lines are drawn in the converted image. Since most bitmapped images contain both curved and straight lines, the default setting is Curved & Straight Lines.

Within the Curved & Straight Lines option, you can select a setting for converting long lines. If your original image includes long, straight lines, set this option to 1 (straight); this setting causes long, straight lines to be created between anchor points. If your bitmapped image includes long, curved lines, set this option to 5 (curved); this causes curved lines to be created between anchor points. The default setting is 3.

NOTE: You cannot see direction lines or edit curves in Adobe Streamline; you can, however, do this once the converted image has been opened in Adobe Illustrator.

If the original image includes only curved lines, select the Curved Lines Only option. If it includes only straight lines, select the Straight Lines Only option. If you plan to save the converted image in a file format that does not recognize direction lines (such as the DXF, WMF, CGM, and PLT formats), you should use the Straight Lines Only option to achieve the best results.


Color Setup Command

The Color Setup Dialog Box allows you to set the number of color levels, the contrast, the amount of smoothing, and how much the image should be "boosted" during conversion.  The options are:

Number of Colors	Determines how many color or grayscale levels are used to convert the image. You can select 2, 4, 8, or 16 colors for grayscale images; you can select 2, 4, 8, 16, 64, or 256 colors for color images. If you select 2 colors for the image, you can specify the threshold, contrast, and how much to boost the contrast.

Smoothing	Creates smooth transitions from one color to an adjacent color after conversion.

Convert Selection Edge

Creates a path along the selection border if you turn it on. This is useful for creating masks or for outlining areas that contain the same color

Threshold	Determines whether a pixel is converted to black or white, based on the color value of the pixel. The higher the threshold percentage, the darker a color or gray shade must be before it is converted to black.

Contrast	Determines whether a pixel is converted to black or white, based on the color value of the pixel in relation to adjacent pixels. The higher the contrast percentage, the more contrast between neighboring pixels is required for a pixel to be converted as black.

Boost	Available when the Contrast option is selected. This option lets you artificially enhance the contrast to bring out more details in the light or dark areas.

Related Topics

The Smoothing Option

The Boost Option

The Contrast Option

The Convert Selection Edge Option

The Tolerance Command

Setting Tolerance Limits


Paint Style Command

The Paint Style Dialog Box lets you assign tints and colors to an image's strokes and fills. The options are:

None 	Removes any color from the selected object.

Black or White	Allows values of black or white  to be applied to the swatch box.

Process color	Lets you define a color based on percentages of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. With grayscale images, you can only select shades of gray as a process color.

Custom color	Select from a list of pre-programmed custom colors. You can edit existing custom colors or create new custom colors by clicking the Define Custom button.

You can apply custom colors to the original image; however, when you convert that image to paths, the program retains the CMYK color values and removes the association with a custom color name. Therefore, you must apply custom colors to paths after converting an image for the custom colors to be assigned to the stroke and fill of paths.

Related Topics

Working with Colors

Choose Color Dialog Box

Custom Color Command


custom color

Custom colors in Adobe Streamline are process colors defined by name. You can globally change all instances of a custom color by changing its color value in the Adobe Streamline and Adobe Illustrator programs. When you change the definition of a custom color, the change takes effect on all areas currently using that custom color.


Custom Color Command

Custom colors in Adobe Streamline are process colors defined by name. You can globally change all instances of a custom color by changing its color value in the Adobe Streamline and Adobe Illustrator programs. When you change the definition of a custom color, the change takes effect on all areas currently using that custom color.

You can define your own custom colors using CMYK values. Defining a custom color using CMYK percentages is the same as defining a process color in the Paint Style dialog box.

NOTE: You must apply custom colors after converting an image for those custom colors to be assigned to a paths stroke and fill.

To define a custom color:

1.	Choose Custom Color from the Options menu or click the Define Custom button in the Paint Style dialog box.

2.	Select a color from the list you want to edit or click New to create your own new custom color.

3.	Enter the CMYK percentages for the color you want.

4.	Type the name that you want to assign to the color and click OK.

Related Topics

Assigning Colors to a Selected Path

Choose Color dialog box


Choose Color Dialog Box
The Choose Color Dialog Box

The Choose Color Dialog Box allows you to select colors from a palette, called the Color Picker.  Or, you can also select colors by manually changing the hue, saturation, and luminosity values or the red, green, and blue values in the boxes provided.

To select a swatch color with the Choose Color Dialog Box:

1	Double-click the color swatch in the Paint Style dialog box to make the Choose Color dialog box appear.

2	Click anywhere within the Color Picker to select a color for the swatch.

3	Drag the triangle at the right side of the color bar up and down to change the luminosity within the given color range.

Related Topics

Working with Colors

Defining Custom Colors


Save Current Parameters Command

Use the Save Current Parameters command if you plan to convert similar images at a later time. Adobe Streamline lets you save and reload program options, including your Preferences options, conversion method, tolerance, line attributes, color setup, custom colors, selected tools, placement of dialog boxes, magic wand tolerance, and pencil, line, and eraser thickness.

You can save program options using the default filename (SL.PRF); you can also create additional program option files under other names. Program option files are automatically assigned the filename extension .PRF.

Related Topics

Open Saved Parameters


Open Saved Parameters
Open Saved Parameters Command

Use this command to open a file containing previously saved conversion parameters.

Related Topics

Save Current Parameters


Swatch Menu

Use commands in the Swatch menu to apply colors to strokes, fills, or both, or to select colors for the toolbox swatch to apply to the pencil and line tools.   The options available are:

Swatch Color to Selection

Applies the current toolbox swatch color to the selected image area.

Swatch Color to Fill

Applies the toolbox swatch color to the selected filled path.

Swatch Color to Stroke

Applies the toolbox swatch color to the selected stroke.

Swatch Color to Both

Applies the toolbox swatch color to both the filled path and the stroke.

Select Fills Matching Swatch

Finds all filled paths of the same color as the toolbox swatch.

Select Strokes Matching Swatch

Finds all stroked paths of the same color as the toolbox swatch.

Select Both Matching Swatch

Finds all the stroked and filled paths of the same color as the toolbox swatch.

Stroke Color to Swatch

Applies the selected stroke color to the toolbox swatch

Fill Color to Swatch

Applies the selected fill color to the toolbox swatch


Swatch Color to Selection

After you select a swatch color, you can apply it to an area of the image that you select before conversion.  If you are working with a black-and-white (two-color) image, you can select and apply only black or white.

To apply the swatch color to the image:

1	Select a swatch color using the eyedropper tool or Paint Style dialog box.

2	Use the marquee, lasso, or magic wand tool to select the area whose color you want to change.

3	Choose Swatch Color to Selection from the Swatch menu.

Related Topics

Swatch Color to Fill

Swatch Color to Stroke


Swatch Color to Fill Command
Swatch Color to Fill

The Swatch Color to Fill command allows you to apply the current swatch color to any selected filled area enclosed by a path.

To change the fill color using the Swatch Color to Fill command:

1	Change the swatch color if necessary.

2	Select a path whose fill color you want to change.

3	Choose the Swatch Color to Fill command from the Swatch menu

The fill color of the selected path changes to the swatch color. The color change is visible when you choose Preview Illustration from the View menu.

Related Topics

Swatch Color to Selection

Swatch Color to Stroke

Swatch Color to Both


Swatch Color to Stroke

The Swatch Color to Stroke command allows you to apply the current toolbox swatch color to selected stroked paths.

To change the stroke color using the Swatch Color to Stroke command:

1	Change the swatch color if necessary.

2	Select a path whose stroke color you want to change.

3	Choose the Swatch Color to Stroke command from the Swatch menu.

The stroke color of the selected path changes to the swatch color. The color change is visible when you choose Preview Illustration from the View menu.

Related Topics

Swatch Color to Selection

Swatch Color to Fill

Swatch Color to Both


Swatch Color to Both Command
Swatch Color to Both

The Swatch Color to Both command allows you to apply the current toolbox swatch color to stroked and filled paths.

To change the path color:

1.	Change the swatch color if necessary.

2.	Select a path whose fill and stroke colors you want to change.

3.	Choose the Swatch Color to Both command from the Swatch menu.

The fill and stroke colors of the selected paths change to the swatch color. The color change is visible when you choose Preview Illustration from the View menu.

Related Topics

Swatch Color to Selection

Swatch Color to Fill

Swatch Color to Stroke


Fill Color to Swatch

The Swatch menu contains two commands that allow you to change the swatch color: the Fill Color to Swatch command and the Stroke Color to Swatch command.

To change the toolbox swatch color using the Fill Color to Swatch command:

1	Select the path whose fill color you want to apply to the swatch in the toolbox.  You can preview the fill colors of any path by choosing the Preview Illustration command from the View menu. You may also want to magnify the image using the zoom-in tool to more clearly see a color while previewing the illustration.

2	Choose Fill Color to Swatch from the Swatch menu. The swatch color changes to the fill color.

Related Topics

Stroke Color to Swatch


Stroke Color to Swatch

The Swatch menu contains two commands that allow you to change the swatch color: the Fill Color to Swatch command and the Stroke Color to Swatch command.

To change the toolbox swatch color using the Stroke Color to Swatch command:

1	Select the path whose stroke color you want to apply to the swatch in the toolbox.  You can preview the stroke colors of any path by choosing the Preview Illustration command from the View menu. You may also want to magnify the image using the zoom-in tool to more clearly see a color while previewing the illustration.

2	Choose Stroke Color to Swatch from the Swatch menu. The swatch color changes to the selected stroke color.

Related Topics

Fill Color to Swatch


Select Fills Matching Swatch

You can select all fill paths of a given color by using the Select Fills Matching Swatch command.

To select all filled paths that match the swatch:

1	Select the swatch color you want to match, using the eyedropper tool or commands in the Swatch menu.

2	After the desired swatch color has been chosen, choose the Select Fills Matching Swatch from the Swatch menu.

3	The program selects all paths with a fill color that is the same as the color swatch. If no paths contain the swatch color, the program displays a message to let you know it found no matches. Even a slightly different shade of color can prevent a match from being found.

Related Topics

Select Strokes Matching Swatch

Select Both Matching Swatch


Select Strokes Matching Swatch

You can select all stroke paths of a given color by using the Select Strokes Matching Swatch command.

To select all stroked paths that match the swatch:

1.	Select the swatch color you want to match, using the eyedropper tool or commands in the Swatch menu.

2.	After the desired swatch color has been chosen, choose  the Select Stroke Matching Swatch from the Swatch menu.

3.	The program selects all paths with a stroke color that is the same as the color swatch. If no paths contain the swatch color, the program displays a message to let you know it found no matches. Even a slightly different shade of color can prevent a match from being found.

Related Topics

Select Fills Matching Swatch

Select Both Matching Swatch


Select Both Matching Swatch

You can select paths with matching colors to fill and stroke colors by using the Select Both Matching Swatch command.

To select all filled and stroked paths that match the swatch:

1.	Select the swatch color you want to match, using the eyedropper tool or commands in the Swatch menu.

2.	After the desired swatch color has been chosen, choose the Select Both Matching Swatch from the Swatch menu.

3.	The program selects all paths with a stroke and fill color that is the same as the color swatch. If no paths contain the swatch color, the program displays a message to let you know it found no matches. Even a slightly different shade of color can prevent a match from being found.

Related Topics

Select Fills Matching Swatch

Select Strokes Matching Swatch


Statistics Menu

Use the Statistics menu commands to get information on file size and memory required for your system and the file with which you're currently working.

Resources Command

Image Command


Resources Command

Use the Resources command to get information on:

Memory Used	The amount of memory (RAM) currently used. This number depends upon the size of the image in the active window.

Free Memory 	The amount of memory available. Free memory changes with each action you take (such as opening a window or dialog box.) This value is also displayed in the About Streamline and About File Manager dialogboxes.


Image Command

The Image Statistics dialog box includes information on the image before conversion (the template) and on the image after conversion (the artwork). The dialog box includes the following information:

Image filename: 	Filename of the image

Bits per Sample and

Sample per Pixel:	A sample is the number of bits available for each color or shade of gray in each pixel. For example, if a black-and-white line art image is open, the bits per sample and the samples per pixel is 1. If an 8-bit image (containing 256 colors) is open, the bits per sample is eight and the samples per pixel is one. If a 24-bit image is open, the bits per sample is eight and the samples per pixel is three

Number of Paths	The number of paths, or line segments between anchor points in the converted image.

Number of Nodes	The number of nodes, or anchor points, in the image.


Procedures Menu

Select from these topics for step-by-step instructions.

Basic Concepts

Preparing an Image for Conversion

Converting an Image

Working with a Converted Image


Basic Concepts

Opening a Bitmapped Image

Converting a Single Image

Converting a Batch of Images

Saving a Converted Image

Changing your View of an Image

Reading the Status Bar


Opening an Image
Opening a Bitmapped Image

You can open one image at a time that you want to prepare for conversion.  To convert selected images or a folder of images in a batch see Converting Batch Files.

To open an image:

1	Select Open from the File menu. A dialog box for selecting an image appears.

2	Double-click the appropriate directory in the Directories list.

3	Select the file.

4	Click OK (or double-click the selected image).

When you convert an image, the Quick Help area becomes a progress thermometer that displays each color being converted.

Related Topics

Converting Batch Files


smoothing

Smoothing reduces the number of anchor points in a path.


Converting a Single Image

You can convert a single image at a time using the Convert command in the File menu.

To convert a single image:

1	Choose Convert from the File menu.  If no image is open when you choose the Convert command, the Convert Image dialog box appears.

2	Double-click the directory, select the desired file, and click OK.

If you are converting a color or grayscale image, the program opens the Color Setup dialog box to ensure that you select the options it contains.

When the conversion finishes, the converted artwork appears on top of the bitmapped template.  Straight paths appear in green and curved paths appear in red. The program resets the toolbox color swatch to black.

Related Topics

Batch Select Command

Converting a Batch of Images


Converting a Batch of Images

The Adobe Streamline program lets you select multiple files from various drives or directories that you want to convert in a batch. You should only convert images requiring the same conversion options together.

To convert a batch of images:

1.	Close all open images; then choose Preferences from the File menu, and select the Interactive or Automatic Only Convert option.

2.	If you have chosen the Automatic Only option, select the conversion options you want to use for the group of images.

3.	Choose Batch Select from the File menu.  The Batch Select dialog box appears.

4.	Select a filename and click Copy (or double-click the filename) to add the file to the Files to Process list. Click Select All to select all files in the list (to deselect a file, press the Control key and click the filename). To remove a file from the Files to Process list, select the file and click the Remove button; to clear all files from the list, click Clear.

5.	Click Begin Processing.

 	If you have selected the Interactive Convert option, the first image in the batch opens. Select the conversion option you want; then choose Convert from the File menu. When the conversion is complete, edit the image as desired and save it; then choose Next Image from the File meu.

If you have selected the Automatic Only Convert option, the Save As dialog box appears. Select the options you want from the Save As dialog box; then click Save to begin converting the batch of images. The converted images are automatically named by adding the filename extension for the file format you selected in the Batch Select dialog box to the original filenames.

Related Topics

Batch Select Command


Saving a Converted Image

You can save artwork at any time.  When converting artwork in batches, you must select the Interactive option in the Preferences dialog box to assign new names or directory paths.

To save an image:

1	 Choose Save As (or choose Save if you want to save the image using the filename and format shown in the status bar) from the File menu. If you would like to give the artwork a different name or file format, choose Save As.

2	 To save the converted image in an existing directory, double-click the desired directory to open it. To save the converted image in a new directory, click the New Dir button, type the directory name, click OK, and then double-click the directory to open it.

3	 Enter a new filename, select a file format for the artwork or the template and click OK.

NOTE: If the original bitmap image is a TIFF, PCX, or PNT file, that template format cannot be selected; this prevents you from replacing a original high-resolution image file with a low-resolution template.

Related Topics

Save As Command

Save Command


Changing Your View of an Image

You can change the viewing scale of an open image in several ways.

Scrolling with the Hand Tool

Magnifying and Reducing with the Zoom Tools

Fitting an Image in the Window


Scrolling with the Hand Tool

You can drag an image around inside the window using the hand tool.

To scroll an image with the hand tool:

1	Select the hand tool or press the spacebar to access the hand tool.

2	Release the mouse button while the hand is highlighted.

3	Drag the hand in the direction you want the image to scroll or move.

Related Topics

Hand Tool


Magnifying and Reducing with the Zoom Tools

Two zoom tools are available in the Adobe Streamline program: the zoom-out and the zoom-in tool.  To toggle between zoom tools, press the right mouse button or the Shift key.

You can also use these tools to draw a box surrounding an area you want to magnify or reduce.

NOTE: The plus or minus sign in the magnifying glass disappears when youve magnified or reduced the image to the fullest extent possible.

To use the zoom tools:

1	Select the zoom-in or zoom-out tool from the toolbox.

2	Position the pointer on the area you want to magnify and click the mouse button.   If you need to zoom more than once, click again to instantly move to the new view. The image is magnified or reduced by a factor of two for each mouse click, or by a factor of 1.25 if the Control key is held down.

To magnify or reduce the image with the marquee and zoom tools:

1	Select the zoom-in or zoom-out tool.

2	Drag a marquee around the part of the image you want to magnify or that is the size you want the image to fit into.

If you are magnifying the image, the area you selected fills the window as closely as possible. If you are reducing the image, the image is reduced as much as possible to fit inside the selection marquee. The magnification or reduction factor is determined by the size of the area you select.

Related Topics

Marquee Tool

Magnifying Glass Tool


Fitting an Image in the Window

To display an image so that it fits into the active window, choose Fit in Window from the View menu (or press the Enter key)

To restore an image to its actual size, choose Actual Size from the View menu (or press the Backspace key).


Reading the Status Bar

The Status Bar shows the current filename, the activity taking place, and the tool currently selected.  As you convert an image, the conversion percentage completed appears in the status bar along with the conversion method and the number of paths created.


Preparing an Image for Conversion

Selecting an Area for Conversion

Editing a Bitmapped Image

Changing the Swatch Color

Applying the Swatch Color to the Image


Selecting an Area for Conversion

You can make selections in a bitmap image using the lasso, marquee, and magic wand tools.

If you convert an image while parts of it are selected, the program only converts the selected areas. This can significantly speed up the conversion process and reduce memory requirements, especially with large or complex images.

Related Topics

Lasso Tool

Marquee Tool

Magic Wand Tool


 Editing a Bitmapped Image

You can edit a bitmapped image using the pencil, line, or eraser tools. The pencil and line tools let you draw lines in black or in the swatch color. The eraser tool lets you remove colors or gray shades, leaving white where you click or drag.

Related Topics

Pencil Tool

Line Tool

Eraser Tool


Changing the Swatch Color

The swatch color is the active color that is used when you draw with the pencil or line tool. You can also apply the swatch color to a selected area in your image both before conversion and after conversion. The Adobe Streamline program allows you to change the swatch color in three ways.

To change the swatch color with the eyedropper:

1	Click the eyedropper tool.

2	Position the eyedropper over the color you want to select and click the mouse button.

To change the swatch color in the Paint Style dialog box:

1	Choose Paint Style from the Options menu (or double-click the swatch in the toolbox). Make sure that no paths are selected in your image before you use the dialog box.

2	Select the color option you want from the Swatch section, then select a color.

3	Click OK or Apply.

To select a swatch color from the Choose Color Dialog Box

1	Double-click the color swatch in the Paint Style dialog box.

2	When the Choose Color dialog box appears, click anywhere within the color selection box to choose a color for the swatch.

3	Drag the triangle at the right side of the color bar up and down to change the luminosity within the given color range.

You can also select colors by changing the hue, saturation, and luminosity values or the red, green, and blue values in the dialog box.

Related Topics

Applying the Swatch Color to the Image

Swatch Color to Both

Swatch Color to Fill

Swatch Color to Selection

Swatch Color to Stroke


Applying the Swatch Color to the Image

After you select a swatch color, you can apply it to any area of the image you select.

To apply the swatch color to the image:

1.	Select a swatch color using the eyedropper or Paint Style dialog box.

2.	Use the marquee, lasso, or magic wand tool to select an area whose color you want to change.

3.	Choose Swatch Color to Selection from the Swatch menu.

Related Topics

Swatch Menu

Changing the Swatch Color

Working with Colors

Choose Color Dialog Box

Custom Color Command

Paint Style Dialog Box


Converting an Image

Converting an Image using the Outline Method

Converting an Image using the Centerline Method

The Number of Steps Option

The Threshold Option

The Smoothing Option

The Contrast Option

The Boost Option

The Convert Selection Edge Option

Selecting a Uniform Line Weight

Creating Separate Shapes

Converting an Image using the Line Recognition Method

Converting an Image using a Combination of Methods

Eliminating Stray Pixels in Scanned Images

Reversing the Image

Converting White-Line Images

Selecting Line Attributes for Curved or Straight Lines

Setting Tolerance Limits


Converting an Image Using the Outline Method
Converting Images Using the Outline Method

The Outline conversion method converts images by tracing an outline of each colored area in the image and filling it with black, white, or a color.  This conversion method is designed to convert images that contain two or more colors, as well as images with inconsistent line weights and filled areas, such as illustrative, graphic design, and non-technical line art images.

Images converted using the Outline method contain filled areas; colored images converted with the Outline method also contain strokes.

Related Topics

Converting an Image using the Centerline Method

Converting an Image using the Line Recognition Method


 layered area

A layered area consists of two filled images placed on top of each other.  To edit a layered area, you must edit the anchor points surrounding each of the filled areas.


fill

The fill is the area inside of a closed path; this area can be filled with color using the Paint Style dialog box or the swatch commands.


stroke

The stroke is a straight or curved path, the color of which can be changed using the Paint Style dialog box or swatch commands..  A closed stroked path encloses the fill.


swatch

The toolbox swatch displays the current color, which can be applied to an image using the commands in the Swatch menu or using the line or pencil tools. The swatch color may be changed using the Paint Style dialog box, the eyedropper tool, or commands in the Swatch menu.  Double-click on the swatch to bring up the Paint Style dialog box.


Toolbox Swatch

The toolbox swatch displays the current color, which can be applied to an image using the commands in the Swatch menu or using the line or pencil tools. The swatch color may be changed using the Paint Style dialog box, the eyedropper tool, or commands in the Swatch menu.  Double-click on the swatch to bring up the Paint Style dialog box.


Converting Images Using the Centerline Method

The Centerline conversion method converts bitmapped images by locating the center of each line and creating a stroked path. This conversion method is designed to convert technical and other images that include consistent line weights and no filled areas, such as business forms.   Centerline only affects a black-and-white (two-color) image.

Bitmapped images with lines less than 6 points in weight are suitable for converting with the Centerline conversion method. If an image contains lines heavier than 6 points, combine the Centerline and Outline conversion methods.

Specifying the number of steps to find the center of lines

To draw a stroked path and maintain a minimum number of junction points, the Adobe Streamline program must approximate the center of the line.

To approximate the center of lines, use the Number of Steps option .

Related Topics

Converting White-Line Images

Creating Separate Shapes

Selecting a Uniform Line Weight

The Number of Steps Option


junction point

The junction point is where two or more lines intersect at a point.


The Number of Steps option

In the Centerline method of conversion, the program approximates the center of each line to be converted.  The Number of Steps option lets you fine-tune this conversion process.  For each step you select, the program strips a layer of pixels from each edge of lines in the image to locate the center of the lines; the higher the number of steps you specify, the more any irregular pixels in the lines will be eliminated. A few pixels will also be stripped from the ends of the lines, resulting in slightly shorter lines.

When the conversion finishes, the program displays small circles at all junction points. If the number of junction circles seems excessive (appearing in places other than true junction points), try increasing the number of steps until junction circles appear only at true junction points

The recommended Number of Steps setting depends on the resolution of the original bitmapped image and the point size of the heaviest line in the image. The number of steps you select should be equal to or greater than the point size of the heaviest line in the bitmapped image so that all lines in the image will be approximated at one pixel wide.

Related Topics

Converting an Image using the Centerline Method

Converting Images using a Combination of Methods

Creating Separate Shapes


The Threshold Option

The Threshold option is available when you are converting a color or grayscale image and the Number of Colors value is 2.

The Threshold option lets you specify as a percentage the gray level below which Adobe Streamline will convert a pixel to black. For example, an 8-bit grayscale image has 256 levels of gray, numbered 0 (black) to 255 (white). A threshold of 50 percent causes all pixels with a gray level value below 128 (50 percent of 256) to be converted to black, and all pixels with a gray level value above 128 to remain white. The higher the percentage, the lower the number of black pixels that remain.

For a color image with the Number of Colors option set to 2 in the Color Setup dialog box, the initial gray level of each pixel is defined as the sum of the red, green, and blue values.


The Smoothing Option

The Smoothing options in the Color Setup dialog box let you smooth the lines in the converted image by averaging the color or gray levels surrounding each pixel. As you increase the smoothing, edges are assigned fewer anchor points, making the paths less complex and the images converted file size smaller.

You can choose the None, Medium, or Maximum Smoothing option. Use the maximum setting for continuous tone images; none for sharply defined color boundaries; and the medium setting for all other images.

The amount of smoothing you should apply to an image depends on the complexity of the lines; if the lines are simple, as in a checkerboard pattern, smoothing may remove too many anchor points and distort the shapes in the artwork.

Related Topics

The Smooth Path Command

The Node Deletion Tool


The Contrast Option

The Contrast option in the Color Setup dialog box is available when you are converting a color or grayscale image and the Number of Colors value is 2.

With the Contrast option selected, the program examines each pixel as it relates to its neighboring pixels. The percentage you specify is the amount of contrast with neighboring pixels above which Adobe Streamline will convert the pixel to black, thereby creating an edge.

Related Topics

The Boost Option


The Boost Option

The Boost option in the Color Setup dialog box is available when you have selected the Contrast option.

The Boost option lets you artificially bring out details in the light or dark areas; this option is useful when you convert color or grayscale images in which the stroke contrast is not very pronounced. To increase details in lighter areas, move the boost slider toward the light range; to increase details in darker areas, move the slider toward the dark range.

Related Topics

The Contrast Option


The Convert Selection Edge Option

The Convert Selection Edge option in the Color Setup dialog box is available if you have selected any area of the image.  It creates a path along the selection border if you turn it on.  This is useful for creating masks or for outlining areas that contain the same color.


Selecting a Uniform Line Weight

The Uniform Line Weight option allows you to select a specific line weight for the converted image. If you are combining the Centerline and Outline conversion methods, only lines that are centerlined are affected. You can select a line weight of 0 to 12 points; the default line weight is 1 point.

If your bitmapped image contains lines of varying weights, deselect the Uniform Line Weight option to reproduce results as close to the original as possible. If lines with different weights intersect or connect, the program may average the two line weights together and convert both lines to a single line weight.

NOTE: If you use the Uniform Line Weight option and the lines of the bitmapped image vary in weight by more than 1 point, set the Number of Steps option to the heaviest line weight.

Related Topics

Converting an Image using the Centerline Method

Converting an Image using the Line Recognition Method

Converting an Image using a Combination of Methods


Creating Separate Shapes

The Separate Shapes option determines how the Adobe Streamline program constructs paths surrounding adjacent areas. If you choose this option, each area in the bitmapped image that is completely surrounded by a stroked line will be surrounded by a unique path in the converted image. If a single line separates two enclosed areas, the line will be converted twice. Using the Separate Shapes option lets you edit an individual shape in an image without disturbing its surrounding shapes.

NOTE: Creating separate shapes can be particularly helpful if you want to move the enclosed paths in the image using the Adobe Illustrator program.

Related Topics

Converting an Image using the Centerline Method


Converting Images Using the Line Recognition Method

Because it is practically impossible to place an image in a scanner perfectly straight, vertical and horizontal lines usually appear slightly skewed in the resulting bitmapped image. The Line Recognition option straightens horizontal and vertical lines that are skewed less than 5 degrees. No other lines in the image are converted (unless you are combining Line Recognition with the Centerline conversion method). This conversion method is designed to convert images such as forms, charts, graphs, or any image containing horizontal and vertical lines. Line Recognition only affects a black-and-white (two-color) image.

Images converted using the Line Recognition method contain only stroked paths. Rather than locating the center of each line as does the Centerline method, the Line Recognition method uses pattern recognition between endpoints to create stroked paths.

The Line Recognition method ignores lines in the image that are shorter than 1/4 inch. In addition, the Line Recognition method ignores any lines in the original image that are thicker than 1/2 inch.

Although no additional parameters are associated with the Line Recognition method, parameters become available as you combine the Line Recognition method with the other two methods. For example, if you combine the Line Recognition and Outline methods, the Number of Steps option becomes available. This option lets you determine what is outlined and what is considered a horizontal or vertical line.

Related Topics

Converting an Image using a Combination of Methods

Converting an Image using the Centerline Method

Converting an Image using the Outline Method

Creating Separate Shapes

Selecting a Uniform Line Weight

The Number of Steps Option


Converting Images Using a Combination of Methods

Combining the Outline and Line Recognition methods

When you combine the Line Recognition and Outline methods the Number of Steps option becomes available. This option lets you determine what is outlined and what is considered a horizontal or vertical line.

Combining the Outline and Centerline methods

You can combine the Outline and Centerline conversion methods to convert images that use both filled areas and consistent line weights. Keep in mind that Centerline affects only a black-and-white (two-color) image.

Combining the Centerline and Line Recognition methods

You can combine the Centerline and Line Recognition conversion methods to convert images that use horizontal, vertical, slanted, and curved lines.

The options for both the Centerline and Line Recognition conversion methods can be used when combining these two methods.

Related Topics

Converting an Image using the Centerline Method

Converting an Image using the Outline Method

Converting an Image using the Line Recognition Method

The Number of Steps Option

Creating Separate Shapes


Eliminating Stray Pixels (Noise) In Scanned Images

When you select the Outline method for conversion, the Noise Level option becomes available. Use this parameter to eliminate the stray pixels (noise) introduced by scanning a poor-quality original.

You can select a noise level setting between 0 and 1000; the default setting is 8. Areas that are smaller than the noise level setting are ignored when the image is converted. For example, if the noise level is set at 8, the program ignores any elements of an image that are composed of eight or fewer pixels.

You can increase the noise level setting if you want the Adobe Streamline program to ignore larger pixel areas, or you can decrease the setting to capture all the small details of a bitmapped image. For very small images, reduce the noise level setting to retain the details of the image.

This parameter is available only when you select the Outline conversion method. If you combine the Outline and Centerline methods, the noise level setting applies to the areas that will be outlined. You can use additional program options to control the type of lines used to outline the converted image, and to control how closely the converted image matches the bitmapped image.

Related Topics

Converting an Image using the Centerline Method

Converting an Image using the Outline Method

Converting an Image using the Line Recognition Method

Converting an Image using a Combination of Methods


Reversing an Image

The Reverse Image option lets you reverse the black and white areas of an image before it is converted.

If a reversed image includes white lines and you plan to convert it using the Centerline conversion method, you must also select the White Lines option. While selecting the White Lines option will make the reverse image appear just as the original on-screen (because it is inverted twice), the program will print the white lines against a black background.

Related Topics

Converting White-Line Images


Converting White-Line Images

Normally, the Adobe Streamline program recognizes only black lines on a white background. If you want to convert an image that uses white lines on a black background (for example, a blueprint), select the White Lines option. When you select this option, the program reverses the white lines to black, converts the image and then reverses the lines back to white before saving the converted image.

You should also use the White Lines option if you are using the Reverse Image option to reverse an image that contains black lines.

Related Topics

Reversing an Image


Setting Tolerance Limits

The Tolerance option allows you to adjust how closely the program converts paths that follow curved and straight lines in the original image. The tolerance setting can range anywhere from 1 (tight) to 5 (loose). The default setting is 3 and is adequate for most image conversions.

If you want to maintain the exact detail of the original image, use a tight tolerance setting; if you want to reduce the jagged edges or flaws of the image, use a loose tolerance setting.

A loose tolerance setting creates longer line segments and fewer anchor points, resulting in a smaller converted image file.

Related Topics

Tolerance Command


Selecting Line Attributes for Curved or Straight Lines

The Line Attributes options control how lines are drawn in the converted image.  Since most bitmapped images contain both curved and straight lines, the default setting is Curved & Straight Lines.

Within the Curved & Straight Lines option, you can select a setting for converting long lines. If your original image includes long, straight lines, set this option to 1 (straight). This setting causes straight long lines to be created between anchor points.  If your bitmapped image includes long, curved lines, set this option to 5 (curved). The default setting is 3.

If the original image includes only curved lines, select the Curved Lines Only option. If it includes only straight lines, select the Straight Lines Only option. If you plan to save the converted image using a file format that does not recognize direction lines (DXF, WMF, CGM, and PLT), you should use the Straight Lines Only option to achieve the best results.


anchor point

In Adobe Illustrator, the point on a path that defines the beginning or end of a line segment.  Anchor points may be associated with direction lines that define a curve.  Direction lines do not appear in the Adobe Streamline program, but appear when the image is opened in the Adobe Illustrator program.


Working with a Converted Vector Image
Working with a Converted Image

Displaying Converted Images

Previewing the Illustration

Working with Colors

Changing the Stroke or Fill Color of the Selected Path

Selecting Colors with the Paint Style Dialog Box


Displaying Converted Images

After you convert an image, the Adobe Streamline program displays the original or edited bitmap image as a template beneath the converted image artwork. The filename of the original or edited template appears in the title bar and the filename that will be used to save the artwork appears at the left of the status bar. The toolbox color swatch is reset to black. You can use Streamline tools and commands to edit the artwork and the eyedropper tool to select colors from the template.


Working with Colors

The Adobe Streamline program offers tools and commands to change the swatch color in the toolbox and to change the fill and stroke colors of selected paths. Filling a path assigns a color to the area that is enclosed by the path. Stroking a path assigns a color to a line that is centered on the path.

If you used the Outline conversion method, outlined paths are closed and can have a stroke color, a fill color, both a stroke and a fill color, or no stroke or fill color. If you used the Centerline conversion method, centerlined paths are open and can have a stroke color or no stroke color. You can assign fill colors to centerlined paths only in a drawing program such as Adobe Illustrator.

You should understand the following about fills and strokes:

1	With the Outline conversion method, the stroke is the surrounding edge of the area, and the fill is the space surrounded by the stroke.

2	With the Outline conversion method, setting the fill and stroke to the same value is similar to setting the stroke to None because there will be no visible border around the area. The difference between the two is that with the fill and stroke set to the same color, the image area will be larger than with the stroke set to None.

3	With the Centerline conversion method, there are no fills, only black strokes. Settings for fills and white strokes are ignored.

TIP: You can add color to the strokes and fills of a black-and-white image after it is converted to artwork.

Related Topics

Selecting a Swatch Color with the Eyedropper Tool

Selecting Colors with the Paint Style Dialog Box

Applying the Swatch Color to an Image

Changing the Stroke or Fill Color of the Selected Path


Changing the Stroke or Fill Color of the Selected Path

You can change stroke or fill colors of the selected paths in two ways: by applying the swatch color to the stroke color, fill color, or both colors using the Swatch commands; or by applying a color using the Paint Style dialog box.

To change the fill or stroke color using the Swatch commands:

1	Change the swatch color if necessary.

2	Select a path whose fill or stroke color you want to change.

3	Choose the Swatch Color to Fill, Swatch Color to Stroke, or Swatch Color to Both command from the Swatch menu. The fill color, stroke color, or both fill and stroke colors of the selected path changes to the swatch color. The color change is visible when you choose Preview Illustration from the View menu.

To change the fill or stroke color using the Paint Style dialog box:

1	Select the path whose fill or stroke color you want to change, and choose Paint Style from the Options menu (or double-click the path to select it and open the Paint Style dialog box).

2	Select the fill and stroke attributes you want to apply to the selected path. If you want to select any stroke or fill by color or line weight, use the Select/Apply Attributes box.  Once you've selected your strokes or fills using the Select button, you can easily apply new colors by changing the colors in the stroke or fill boxes, and then clicking the Apply button.

3	When you're finished with all your selections, click Apply or OK.


Selecting Colors with the Paint Style Dialog Box

You can use the Paint Style dialog box to apply a color to the swatch. Use this method of changing the swatch color when you want to apply no color, black, white, a process color, or a custom color (instead of selecting a color in the artwork or template).

To change the swatch color using the Paint Style dialog box:

1	Make sure no paths are selected by clicking anywhere off of a path (you should see no anchor points). When no paths are selected, the Stroke section of the Paint Style dialog box changes to the Swatch section and the Fill section and Select/Apply options become dimmed.

2	Choose Paint Style from the Options menu (or double-click the swatch).

3	Select the color you want and click Apply to apply the color to the toolbox swatch. For more detailed instructions on using the Paint Style dialog box, see the Paint Stylecommand.

Related Topics

Color Setup Command

Custom Color Command

Swatch menu


Tool Menu

The toolbox contains tools for selecting, creating, and transforming objects and viewing your document.  To select a tool, click the tool icon in the toolbox.

Some tools are hidden; to select them, position the pointer over any toolbox icon containing the > symbol, hold down the mouse button, and drag to the right until the tool is highlighted.

Arrow Selection Tool

Marquee Tool

Lasso Tool

Magic Wand Tool

Zoom Tool

Hand Tool

Eyedropper Tool

Pencil Tool

Line Tool

Eraser Tool

Node Deletion Tool


Pointer
Arrow Selection Tool

The arrow selection tool lets you select one or more paths in the artwork. You can also extend or reduce a path selection.

To select a single path:

1	Click the arrow selection tool.

2	Position the arrow pointer on the path you want to select.

3	Click the mouse button. All the anchor points on the path are displayed as solid squares and the number of nodes (anchor points) on the path are shown in the status bar.

To select multiple paths:

1	Click the arrow selection tool.

2	Position the arrow pointer on one of the paths you want to select.

3	Drag to partially or completely enclose the paths you want to select within the selection border. When you release the mouse button, the program selects every path that crosses through the selection border.

To extend a path selection:

1	Select one or more paths.

2	Hold down the Shift key while clicking or dragging a marquee to select one or more additional paths. Repeat this step until you finish extending the selection.

To deselect paths:

1	Select the multiple paths.

2	Hold down the Control key while clicking or dragging a marquee to deselect one or more of the selected paths. Repeat this step until you finish deselecting paths. When no paths are selected, the program displays the total number of nodes (anchor points) in the artwork.


Marquee
Marquee Tool

The marquee tool lets you select rectangular areas of a bitmap image by dragging a marquee, or selection border, on the image. Use the shift and control keys to make multiple selections: hold down the shift key to add any additional selections within the image, hold down the control key to remove any part of your selection, hold down the shift and control keys simultanously to select the intersecting areas of two or more selections.

TIP: To select a very small area, zoom in to an increased magnification before making the selection.

To make a rectangular selection:

1	Select the marquee tool.  The pointer becomes a crosshair when you point inside the active window.

2	Drag a marquee around the part of the image to select.


Lasso
Lasso Tool

The lasso tool lets you select any area of an image by drawing a freehand outline around the image.

To select an area before conversion using the lasso:

1	Select the lasso tool.  The pointer becomes a lasso when you point inside the image area.

2	Drag to outline the part of the image that you want to select.  If you do not close the lasso's path, it will automatically close the path for you, from the starting point to the end point.

To select a path after conversion using the lasso:

1	Select the lasso tool.  The pointer becomes a lasso when you point inside the image area.

2	Drag across any paths you wish to select.  When you release the mouse button, all paths crossing the line you have drawn will be selected.


Magic Wand
Magic Wand Tool

The magic wand tool is a pre-processing tool that allows you to select areas of a bitmap image based on the color similarities of adjacent pixels. Select the magic wand and click a color or shade of gray in the image. The magic wand evaluates color values of adjacent pixels to determine if they are within the specified tolerance.

The magic wand tool makes selecting distinct objects quick and easy. Rather than tracing the outline of an object with the lasso tool, one touch of the magic wand can often select the whole object.

To select a similarly colored area:

1	Select the magic wand tool.

2	Click inside the area you want to select.

Setting the tolerance for the magic wand

Tolerance specifies pixels within a range of colors, from very similar to very dissimilar. Specify a low value to select only very similar colors; specify a high value to select a broader range of colors. The range of tolerance values is from 1.0 to 5.0; the default choice is 3.0.

To select magic wand options:

1	Double-click the magic wand tool.  The Magic Wand Options dialog box appears.

2	Enter a tolerance value from 1.0 to 5.0.

3	Click the Spread option if you want Streamline to make the magic wand selection based on a 3-pixel spread of pixels surrounding the pixel you click with the magic wand. Streamline will then select pixels that fall within the tolerance range of any of the pixels in the spread.

4	Click the Select Similar option if you want the program to select all colors in the image that fall within the tolerance range, rather than only colors adjacent to where you click the magic wand.


Magnifying Glass
Zoom Tool

Two zoom tools are available in the Adobe Streamline program: the zoom-out and the zoom-in tool.  To toggle between zoom tools, press the right mouse button or the Shift key.

NOTE: The plus or minus sign in the magnifying glass disappears when youve magnified or reduced the image to the fullest extent possible.

To use the zoom tools:

1	Select the zoom-in or zoom-out tool from the toolbox.

2	Position the pointer on the area you want to magnify and click the mouse button.   If you need to zoom more than once, click again to instantly move to the new view. The image is magnified or reduced by a factor of two for each mouse click, or by a factor of 1.25 if the Control key is held down.

Related Topics

Magnifying and Reducing with the Zoom Tools


Grabber
Hand Tool

You can drag an image around inside the window using the hand tool. Do this when you want to see part of an image that extends beyond the edge of the window.

To scroll an image with the hand tool:

1	Select the hand tool from the top row in the toolbox, or press the Spacebar to select the hand tool.  The pointer becomes a hand when you point anywhere inside the active window.

2	Drag the hand in the direction you want the image to scroll, or move.

Related Topics

Scrolling with the hand tool


Eyedropper
Eyedropper Tool

The eyedropper tool lets you select a color from the template and apply it to the swatch. This is especially useful if you have been experimenting with colors in the artwork and decide to revert to a color that is only available in the original image. It is also a good way to create a custom color from the original image colors.

To use the eyedropper tool:

1	Click the eyedropper tool.

2	Position the eyedropper over the color in the bitmap image you want to select, and click the mouse button. The swatch color changes.

Related Topics

Applying the Swatch Color to the Image

Working with Colors


Pencil
Pencil Tool

The pencil tool lets you draw lines (made up of colored pixels) in the swatch color and selected pencil thickness. You can also edit an image pixel by pixel by zooming in on an area and clicking with the pencil.

To draw a freehand line:

1	Select the pencil tool, and drag to draw the line.

To change the thickness of the pencil:

1	Double-click the pencil tool.  The Draw Options dialog box appears with the currently selected thickness enclosed in a box.

2	Select the thickness you want and click OK (or double-click the desired line).


Line Tool

The line tool lets you draw straight, hard-edged lines in the swatch color and selected line thickness.

To draw a straight line:

Select the line tool, and drag from one point to another in the image area.

To constrain the line to the nearest 45-degree axis, hold down the Shift key while you drag.

To change the thickness of the line:

1	Double-click the line tool.  The Draw Options dialog box appears with the currently selected thickness enclosed in a box.

2	Select the thickness you want and click OK (or double-click the desired line).


Eraser
Eraser Tool

The eraser tool allows you to erase pixels in a bitmap image by painting in white where you click or drag. This tool is especially useful for removing stray dots from a scanned image or very small text that would not convert usefully. The eraser tool is unaffected by the toolbox color swatch.

TIP: Use the zoom tool to help you erase more efficiently and more precisely. For example, to erase a large part of an image, reduce the view using the zoom-out tool; then erase most of the area, avoiding the edges. When you finish, enlarge the view using the zoom-in tool, and erase the edges.

To erase part of an image:

Select the eraser tool; then click or drag to erase the pixels beneath the eraser pointer.

To change the thickness of the eraser:

1	Double-click the eraser tool.  The Draw Options dialog box appears with the currently selected thickness enclosed in a box.

2	Select the thickness you want and click OK (or double-click the desired line).


Node Deletion Tool

You can use the node deletion tool to selectively remove one or more extraneous anchor points while retaining as much as the original shape as possible. Deleting anchor points can make the artwork easier to work with in the Adobe Illustrator program; it can also result in smaller, more efficient files.

To delete one anchor point at a time:

1	Select one or more paths containing anchor points you want to delete.  The anchor points (small boxes) become visible when you select a path.

2	Click the node deletion tool. The pointer becomes a cross hair when you move it inside the image area.

3	Click the anchor point you want to delete. The anchor point is removed and the path is reconnected. You can repeat this step again to remove more anchor points one at a time. You may want to do this so you can see the path that results after deleting each anchor point.

To delete multiple anchor points:

1	Select one or more paths with anchor points you want to delete.

2	Click the node deletion tool.

3	Position the crosshair just outside one of the anchor points you want to delete.

4	Drag to surround the anchor points you want to delete within the selection border.  When you release the mouse button, the program deletes the anchor points and reconnects the paths.


Convert Again Dialog Box

The Convert Again dialog box allows you to reconvert an image with different conversion settings.  This saves time by allowing you to convert the image without re-loading the original image into memory again.  You can also select a new image to convert by pressing Another, or cancel the conversion by pressing Cancel.


Draw Options Dialog Box

The Draw Options dialog box allows you to set the width of the pencil, line, and eraser tools.  To select a line width, click on the desired width.  Press Default to return to the default line width.specified in your Preferences.