MENUEdit,Undo <ALT-Z>|Z,_(,Cut <ALT-X>|X,Copy <ALT-C>|C,Paste <ALT-V>|V,Clear,_(,Select All <ALT-A>|A
MENUGoodies,Bring To Front <ALT-F>|F,Send To Back <ALT-B>|B,_(,Restore Color <ALT-R>|R,_(,Ideal Size <ALT-I>|I,_(,Clothing Color,Skin Color!,_(,Delete Page,Insert a Page,Copy a Page,Swap Pages...,Go To Page <ALT-G>|G,_(,Add Music
HLP01This section provides general information about the program.
HLP02Allows you to choose or create a border for your title page.
Choosing a Border:
Click the Border button. The border-selection screen shows the border choices. Click on the border you want. The border will appear around the title page. To select no border, click on the solid-colored button. Click the "OK" button to return to the title page.
Creating a Border:
In the picture window, click on the object to select it. Choose Cut or Copy from the Edit menu. Use left page-turning arrow to go back to the title page. Choose Paste from the Edit menu.
HLP03Lets you change the color of text or objects.
Coloring an Object:
Select an object or group of objects you want to color. Click the Color button. You see the color-selection screen. Click one of the colors. To return the object to its original color, select the object. Then choose Restore Color from the Goodies menu.
Coloring Text:
When the text cursor is active, click the Color button. You see the color-selection screen. Click one of the colors.
To return text to its original color, move your cursor to the story window. Then choose Restore Color from the Goodies menu. Click on the "OK" button to return to the title page or main work screen.
HLP04The Selection Cursor:
"Arrow" used to perform most program functions.
The Wait Cursor:
"Clock" which appears when the program is processing a command.
The Text Cursor:
"|" which appears at the current cursor location in text.
HLP05Undo:
Undoes your most recent action. This includes Cut, Copy, Paste, and Select All commands, changes to text, and coloring, deleting, and moving objects.
Cut:
Removes the selected object or text from your story. Objects or text that have been cut may be pasted.
Copy:
Duplicates the selected object or text. The original objects or text remain in place. Objects or text that have been copied may be pasted.
Paste:
Places any previously cut or copied objects or text into your story. Text is added at the insertion point. Objects appear at the same location of the original cut or copied object. Multiple copies of objects or text can be pasted.
Clear:
Deletes the selected objects or text.
Select All:
Selects all the text in the story window or all the objects in the picture window.
HLP06New:
Lets you start a new story. The new story will have the specifications set in the Preferences... option.
Open:
Lets you open a previously saved story.
Close:
Lets you close your story. You may save any changes to your story before closing.
Save:
Lets you save your story. If you have not saved it yet, you will be asked to enter a name. You can save in Normal or Read Only format. Read Only format allows you to open a story without using My Own Stories. You cannot edit a Read Only story.
Save As:
Lets you save a story under a different name. Any previously saved version of the story is also preserved.
Revert to Saved:
Replaces the document on the screen with the most recently saved version. This command makes it easy for you to undo all the changes that you have made to a story.
Preferences:
Allows you to specify the preferences for each new document. Font selection, page type, object size and movement, and printed page format are features that can be set under Preferences.
Program Sound:
Allows you to turn the program sound on or off.
Printer Setup:
Lets you install another printer driver and select the printer port.
Print:
Lets you print all or a portion of your story. Printed formats are set in the Preferences. The title page is page number 0 (zero).
Quit:
Lets you leave My Own Stories. You can save changes to your document before quitting.
HLP07Bring to Front:
Brings selected objects in front of other objects. In effect, this reshuffles the object order and places the selected object at the top of the pile.
Send to Back:
Sends selected objects to the back of your picture window behind other objects.
Restore Color:
Allows you to return text or objects to their original color. The original text color is black.
Ideal Size:
Returns an object to its originally drawn size.
Clothing Color:
Allows you to change a clothing region of the objects in the Kids and Adults categories.
Skin Color:
Allows you to change a skin region of the objects in the Kids and Adults categories.
Delete Page:
Allows you to remove the current page. A deleted page cannot be retrieved. The other pages are automatically renumbered. The title page cannot be deleted.
Insert a Page:
Allows you to add a blank page before your current page. Existing pages are renumbered. You cannot insert a page before the title page.
Copy a Page:
Allows you to duplicate a previously created story page to your current page. The story page, including scenery, objects, and text, is copied. You cannot copy the title page.
Swap Pages:
Allows you to change the order of your story pages. You cannot swap the title page.
Go To Page:
Allows you to move to any page in your story. To go to the title page, type 0 (zero).
Add Music:
Lets you choose the type of music to be played at the beginning or ending of a story. Selected music is played when your title page and last story page are displayed. Music is available only in Read mode.
To listen to or to select music, click on the button or the word describing the music. To return to your story, click "OK."
HLP08Provides a list of topics that you can select to get on-screen information.
HLP09Start a New Story:
Lets you to begin writing a new story. Choose picture-and-text pages or text-only pages
Choose a Story to Finish:
Lets you work on a story that you already started.
Choose a Story to Print:
Lets you choose a saved story to print.
Choose a Story to Read:
Lets you read a story that you already wrote. No editing is allowed.
I Would Like to Quit Now:
Lets you exit My Own Stories.
HLP10Lets you choose the type of music to be played at the beginning or ending of a story. Selected music is played when your title page and last story page are displayed. Music is available only in Read mode.
HLP11Clicking:
Press and release the mouse button.
In Text:
Moves the text cursor to the place in the text where the cursor is positioned. Any previously selected text is deselected.
In Graphics:
Selects a single object. All previously selected objects are deselected.
Shift-Clicking:
Hold down the shift key, then press and release the mouse button.
In Text:
Extends the current text selection range to the place clicked. Any previously selected text remains selected. Clicking on selected text will shorten the selection range to the place clicked.
In Graphics:
Allows selection of additional objects without deselecting any previously selected objects. Clicking on a selected object will deselect the object.
Drag:
Hold down the mouse button to select.
In Text:
Selects a range of characters (individual letters, numbers, etc.).
In Graphics:
Creates a selection rectangle. All objects within are selected.
Double Clicking:
In Text:
Selects the word clicked on.
HLP12Lets you select objects for placement in the picture window.
The object-selection screen consists of eight object categories. The object-selection boxes contain the names of the objects that are available in each category. Nine objects are displayed at a time. More objects are available in each category. You can scroll through the objects by clicking on the right or left arrows beneath the object-selection boxes.
The preview box, located in the lower right corner of the screen, allows you to view an object before placing it in your picture window.
Selecting an Object:
Select an object category. Use the right or left arrows to scroll through the objects available in the category. Locate an object to place in your picture window by clicking on the object selection labels.
Placing an Object:
Click on an object category. Use the arrow keys alongside "More Objects" to scroll through the category; then click on the object that you want. Drag the object from the preview box to the picture window. Repeat if you want two or more copies of the object. Select as many objects as you want. Up to fifty objects can be placed on a page. Click "OK" when you're done.
Moving an Object:
Click on the object or group of objects to select. Drag the object or group of objects to its new location.
Removing Objects:
Select the object or objects you wish to delete. You can select all the objects at once by choosing the Select All command from the Edit menu. Click the Trash button on the tool palette, choose Cut or Clear from the Edit menu, or press the Delete key.
If you drag an object into the picture window but don't release the mouse button, you can drag the object back into the preview box to remove it.
HLP13Turning Pages:
You can move from one page to another by clicking on the page-turning arrows that appear at the bottom of every page.
The current page number appears between the arrows. My Own Stories has a page limit of 50 pages per story.
HLP14Lets you select the scenery for your story. Scenery may consist of "Scenes", "Colors", or a combination of both.
Choosing/Changing a Setting:
Click the Scenery button. Choose "Scenes" or "Colors." Click on one of the places or color buttons. Choose a background from the top row of choices. Choose a foreground from the bottom row of choices.
Click the "OK" button when you're done.
HLP15Lets you assign sound effects to objects currently in your picture window. Forty-one sound effects are available. When you give sound to an object, you hear the sound when you are creating or editing your story. Sounds are not available in Read mode.
Assigning Sound:
Select the object that you want to have sound. Click the Sound button. You see the sound-selection screen. You can see more sound effects by clicking the small arrow at the bottom of the selection boxes. Click on the sound you want.
Unassigning Sound:
To remove sound from an object, choose the "None" button.
Click the "OK" button when you're done.
HLP16Lets you enter the text for your story.
Entering Text:
With the cursor in the story window, just start typing. If you fill the story window, a new page is created for you.
Selecting Text:
Move the cursor to the beginning of the text you wish to select, drag to the end of the text you want to select.
Deleting Text:
The Backspace key deletes the character to the left of the insertion point.
Deleting Selected Text:
Highlight the text you want to delete. Then press the Backspace key, choose the Clear command from the Edit menu, or click the Trash button.
HLP17Lets you create a title page for your story.
Title:
Lets you add or change a story title. Click the button and then start typing in the text box that appears.
Author:
Lets you add or change the author's or authors' names. Click the button and then start typing in the text box that appears.
Info:
Lets you add or change information about your story such as the date, publishing company, or story summary line. Click the button and then start typing in the text box that appears.
Border:
Lets you place a border around your title page.
Color:
Lets you color text or objects you have placed on your title page.
HLP18Scenery:
Lets you create a setting for your story. For more information, see Scenery-Selection Screen.
Objects:
Lets you select and place objects in your picture window. For more information, see Object-Selection Screen.
Color:
Lets you color selected objects or text. For more information, see Color-Selection Screen.
Sound:
Lets you assign sound effects to selected objects. For more information, see Sound-Selection Screen.
Bigger:
Lets you change the size of objects. Just select the object and click the button.
Smaller:
Lets you change the size of objects. Just select the object and click the button.
Flip:
Lets you flip objects horizontally. Just select the object and click the button.
Spell:
Lets you place the word of a selected object in your story text. You can spell objects that you have put in your picture window. Click where you want the word to appear in the story window. Select the object you want to include in your story text. Click on the Spell button.
Trash:
Allows you to delete objects or text. Just select what you want to get rid of and then click the button.
Stop:
Allows you to quit your current story. My Own Stories will ask if you want to save your story before you quit.
HLP19Provides font choices for the text on your title page and story window. Fonts are shown in the type you will get when you enter text. Font styles, such as plain, bold, and italic, are available for some fonts.
You can select fonts from the Type menu or in Preferences... from the File menu.
