Help Contents
3DPlus Help Contents


Welcome / Help on Help

Welcome to 3DPlus from Serif—an easy way to add new excitement and impact to your desktop publishing or Web graphics projects! From automated, Wizard-based text effects to fully rendered 3D scenes, 3DPlus gives professional-quality output with plenty of room for your input and creativity. It’s especially tailored to complement your work with PagePlus, our award-winning paper- and Web-publishing application. Like PagePlus, it’s designed to empower everyone, from novices to experts. So whatever your experience level, you’re sure to be impressed with the results!

Help on Help

The 3DPlus online help system is designed to work for you...

•	To begin learning about 3DPlus tools and menus, just move the mouse pointer around the screen. Watch the HintLine at the bottom of the screen for capsule descriptions of each feature.

•	Choose the Walkthrough for a self-paced, hands-on tour of 3DPlus tools and functions. It will get you up to speed in no time!

•	For introductory overviews of basic concepts, consult the Help topics, Basics of 3D objects and scenes and Using the 3DPlus interface.

Whatever your background, you'll find it easy to navigate through online help...

•	Click the Contents button above to display the main help menu screen, including links to the Welcome and Support pages.

•	Click the Index button to pop up the alphabetical list of help topics.

•	Choose Visual Reference for detailed information on every aspect of the interface.

•	Choose How To to peruse help information using a step-by-step approach, with topics geared toward getting results!

Note: Both the Visual Reference and HowTo sections display their tables of contents in the main window, while help topics appear in a second window.
• To make more room onscreen while you are reading help topics, click the main window's [image] Minimize button.
• To restore the main window, click the 3DPlus Help button on the Windows Taskbar.

•	And don't forget the 3DPlus Companion—especially the 3DPlus Gallery, with examples of how you can put 3DPlus to work in your next publication.


Visual Reference

MENUBAR - Click a menu name for details:

STANDARD TOOLBAR - Click for details:

TAB WINDOWS (TABS) - Click a button for details:

Click a tab for details:


File menu
Commands for opening, saving, and printing publications.
Shortcut: Alt+F

New	Runs the Startup Wizard, which gives you four options: (1) Create a 3D Text Effect; (2) Create a 3D Instant Scene; (3) Start from Scratch; and (4) Open Saved Scene. (Click any option to link to its How To topic.) Note: If Startup Wizard is unchecked on the View menu, choosing New starts a new scene from scratch, bypassing the Startup Wizard.  Tip: You can also click the New button on the Standard toolbar.
Open...	Displays a standard Windows dialog which allows you to open an existing 3DPlus scene (*.3DP) file. (See the How To topic, Opening a saved scene.) Tip: You can also click the Open button on the Standard toolbar.
Save	Saves the current scene under its current name. If it’s still unsaved (“Untitled”), the Save As... dialog automatically appears. (See the How To topic, Saving a scene.) Tip: You can also click the Save button on the Standard toolbar.
Save As...	Displays a dialog prompting you to enter a directory and file name for the scene, then saves it under that name.
Export…	Saves a graphic file version of your scene, using the format you specify. If exporting to the GIF format, you can anti-alias to the background or set a transparent background. (See the How To topic, Exporting.)
Print...	Displays a dialog box providing options for selecting a printer. Click the Properties button to display a standard Windows printer setup dialog. (See the How To topic, Printing.)  Tip: You can also click the Print button on the Standard toolbar.
Print Preview	Changes the screen view to display the document as it will appear when printed. Click the Close button to return to the scene view.
Scene Setup...	Displays a dialog that lets you set the scene's aspect ratio (proportion of width to height) to a particular value, and set the default aspect ratio for scenes started from scratch. (See the How To topic, Changing the scene setup.) Tip: Click the Scale to Frame button on the Standard toolbar to expand the scene window to fit the main window.
Recent Files List	Lists the scenes most recently opened. To open a scene, select its file name.
Exit	Closes 3DPlus. You’ll be prompted to save changes made since the last save.


Edit menu
Commands for Undo and Clipboard (cut, copy, & paste) actions.
Shortcut: Alt+E

Undo <action>	Undoes the most recent change to the current scene. Undo is grayed out when not available. Tip: You can also click the Undo button on the Standard toolbar, or press Ctrl+Z.
Redo <action>	Reapplies a change which has just been undone.  Tip: You can also click the Redo button on the Standard toolbar, or press Ctrl+Y.
Cut	Removes the selected object from the scene AND places a copy on the Windows Clipboard. If no object is selected, all scene objects are cut. Tip: You can also click the Cut button on the Standard toolbar, or press Ctrl+X.
Copy	Copies the selected object to the Windows Clipboard. If no object is selected, all scene objects are copied. Tip: You can also click the Copy button on the Standard toolbar or press Ctrl+C.
Paste	Inserts a 3DPlus object or copied text from the Windows Clipboard into the scene. Text appears as a new 3D text object, or (if a 3D text object is currently selected) the pasted text replaces the selected text. Tip: You can also click the Paste button on the Standard toolbar or press Ctrl+V.


View menu
Commands for setting view and zoom options.
Shortcut: Alt+V

Startup Wizard	If checked (the default), the Startup Wizard will run each time you start up 3DPlus or create a new scene (using File/New or the New button). If unchecked, 3DPlus automatically starts a new scene from scratch instead of running the Startup Wizard.
Wireframe Editing	If checked, objects are shown as wireframe images (without color or shading) while you are moving or adjusting them. At the same time, the background bitmap (if any) is hidden. This speeds up the display without affecting the scene itself.
Toolbars	Displays a flyout submenu that lets you control which toolbars are displayed.
Tabs	Displays a flyout submenu that lets you control which tab windows are displayed. (See the How To topic, Using the tab windows.)
Object Draw Style	Displays a flyout submenu that lets you choose one of three styles for the selected object: Filled (the normal setting), Wireframe, or Points.
Render Quality...	Displays a dialog that lets you change the default values for Resolution and Anti-aliasing to be used when the scene is linked or embedded as an OLE object. Check "Use as default" to carry new value(s) over to future sessions; otherwise they affect only the current session. (See the How To topic, Linking and embedding.)


Help menu
Help, hints, tips, and options for learning 3DPlus.
Shortcut: Alt+H

Help Contents	Displays the 3DPlus Help Contents menu.
Walkthrough	Runs the 3DPlus Walkthrough, a brief tour of tools and techniques.
Registration Wizard	Helps you to register your own personal copy of 3DPlus.
About 3DPlus...	Displays version and copyright information.


Standard toolbar

	New Click to run the StartUp Wizard, which gives you four options: (1) Create a 3D Text Effect; (2) Create a 3D Instant Scene; (3) Start from Scratch; and (4) Open Saved Scene. (Click any option to link to its How To topic.) Note: If StartUp Wizard is unchecked on the View menu, choosing New starts a new scene from scratch, bypassing the StartUp Wizard.
	Open Click to display a standard Windows dialog which allows you to open an existing 3DPlus scene (*.3DP) file. Same as menu command File/Open. (See the How To topic, Opening a saved scene.)
	Save Click to save the current scene under its current name. If it’s still unsaved (“Untitled”), the Save As... dialog automatically appears. Same as menu command File/Save. (See the How To topic, Saving a scene.)
	Print Displays a dialog box providing options for selecting a printer. Click the Properties button to display a standard Windows printer setup dialog. Same as menu command File/Print. (See the How To topic, Printing.)
	Cut Click to delete the selected object from the scene AND place a copy on the Windows Clipboard. Same as menu command Edit/Cut.
	Copy Click to copy the selected object to the Windows Clipboard. Same as menu command Edit/Copy.
	Paste Click to insert a 3DPlus object or copied text from the Windows Clipboard into the scene. Pasted text appears as a new 3D text object, or (if a 3D text object is currently selected) the pasted text replaces the selected text. Same as menu command Edit/Paste.
	Undo Click to undo the most recent change to the current scene. Undo is grayed out when not available. Same as menu command Edit/Undo.
	Redo Click to reapply a change which has just been undone. Same as menu command Edit/Redo.
	Render Preview Click to temporarily apply anti-aliasing to the current scene, smoothing jaggy edges and revealing how the scene will appear when it is exported or printed.
	Scale to Frame Click to set the scene window's aspect ratio to match that of the main window frame. See the How To topic, Changing the scene setup.

Note: To show and hide the Standard toolbar, choose Toolbars from the View menu and check or uncheck Standard on the flyout submenu.


Tools tab: Move tool

To move an object:

1	Click on the object with the Move tool's tool's cursor hotspot to select it. A red bounding box appears around the selected object.

2	Drag the selected object to the new location.

To constrain the movement of a selected object to horizontal or vertical:

•	Press and hold down the Shift key after you begin dragging the object.

To restore the object's previous position:

•	During the move, press the Esc key before releasing the mouse button.

OR

•	Just after the move, click the [image] Undo button or choose Undo from the Edit menu.

Note: To show and hide the Tools tab window, choose Tabs from the View menu and check or uncheck Tools on the flyout submenu. For details on customizing the tab display, see the How To topic, Using the tab windows.


Tools tab: Scene Move tool

To move all scene objects:

•	With the Scene Move tool, drag anywhere in the scene.

To restore the objects' previous positions:

•	During the drag, press the Esc key before releasing the mouse button.

OR

•	Just after the drag, click the [image] Undo button or choose Undo from the Edit menu.

Note: To show and hide the Tools tab window, choose Tabs from the View menu and check or uncheck Tools on the flyout submenu. For details on customizing the tab display, see the How To topic, Using the tab windows.


Tools tab: Scene Distance tool

You can use the Scene Distance tool to remove unused space—or create extra space—around the edges of the scene. Use the Distance tool (see the previous topic) to bring individual objects toward the front of the scene or move them towards the back. If there's only one object in the scene, both tools have the same effect.

To move scene objects nearer (make them larger):

•	With the Scene Distance tool, drag down anywhere in the scene.

To move scene objects farther away (make them smaller):

•	With the Scene Distance tool, drag up anywhere in the scene.

To restore the objects' previous positions:

•	During the drag, press the Esc key before releasing the mouse button.

OR

•	Just after the drag, click the [image] Undo button or choose Undo from the Edit menu.

Note: To show and hide the Tools tab, choose Tabs from the View menu and check or uncheck Tools on the flyout submenu. For details on customizing the tab display, see the How To topic, Using the tab windows.


Tools tab: Rotate tool

To rotate a selected object:

•	Click on the object with the Rotate tool's cursor hotspot, and drag in any direction. You'll find that objects respond predictably to straight-line cursor movements in any direction, whether up-and-down, side-to-side, or diagonal.

•	Circular cursor motions let you "steer" an object into precise alignment, with a little practice.

	For example, to rotate the side corners ( [image]) of a cube or bounding box clockwise around its near corner ( [image]), move the Rotate tool ( [image]) in tight counter-clockwise circles. Try it! Also, try nudging the object with repeated movements.
Rotate vs. Spin

With the Rotate tool, an object always responds to specific dragging movements with a corresponding movement, regardless of how far it's been twisted from its original orientation. With the Spin tool (see next topic), objects behave as if they "remember" their original top, bottom, front, back, left, and right—and respond with those directions in mind. Compare the two animated examples, and try the tools yourself to get a feel for the difference.

Constrained rotation prevents your up-and-down cursor movements from revealing the "back" side of an object. This makes it easier to tilt objects—especially text objects—without flipping them over completely. (Sideways cursor movements will still rotate the object through 360º.)

To rotate text objects using constrained rotation:

•	Press and hold down the Shift key as you drag.

Hint: If you've rotated the object into an awkward position, click on it with the Shift key down to restore more normal (constrained) orientation.

To restore the object's previous position:

•	During the drag, press the Esc key before releasing the mouse button.

OR

•	Just after the drag, click the [image] Undo button or choose Undo from the Edit menu.

Note: To show and hide the Tools tab window, choose Tabs from the View menu and check or uncheck Tools on the flyout submenu. For details on customizing the tab display, see the How To topic, Using the tab windows.


Tools tab: Spin tool

The animation shows the two Spin motions: tilting back and forward around the cube’s X axis (imagine it running through the center of the cube's left face), and swiveling from side to side around its Y axis (running through the top face). Note that for simplicity, the Spin tool’s button and cursor icons only depict the swivel motion.

To tilt a selected object (around its X axis):

•	Click on the object with the Spin tool's cursor hotspot, and drag up or down.

To swivel a selected object (around its Y axis):

•	Click on the object with the Spin tool's cursor hotspot, and drag left or right.

With diagonal or circular cursor movements, you can induce more varied motion, but compared to the Rotate tool's freedom of movement, the Spin tool is more controlled.

Spin vs. Rotate

With the Spin tool, the object pivots around an axis line, rather than revolving freely around an internal center point as with the Rotate tool (see previous topic). Also, with each drag of the Spin tool, the object continues to move around its own X or Y axis—as if aware of its own top, bottom, front, back, left, and right. If it helps, imagine yourself as a floating object, with someone yelling directions to "Tilt!" or "Swivel!" For example, dragging straight up always makes the object keel over backwards, regardless of its overall orientation in the space. (This effect is easiest to observe with text objects.)

•	For best results, use the Spin tool for a simple tilt or swivel motion. Use the Rotate tool for more complex spatial convolutions.

Constrained movement with the Spin tool limits the object's response strictly to X-axis tilt and Y-axis swivel, depending on the main direction of cursor movement.

To tilt or swivel text objects using constrained rotation:

•	Press and hold down the Shift key as you drag.

To restore the object's previous position:

•	During the drag, press the Esc key before releasing the mouse button.

OR

•	Just after the drag, click the [image] Undo button or choose Undo from the Edit menu.

Note: To show and hide the Tools tab window, choose Tabs from the View menu and check or uncheck Tools on the flyout submenu. For details on customizing the tab display, see the How To topic, Using the tab windows.


Tools tab: Distance tool

Each 3D object appears to sit at a particular distance along an imaginary line from your viewpoint into the scene. When there's more than one object in the scene, where the objects intersect depends on their relative distances from your viewpoint. Use the Distance tool to bring objects toward the front of the scene or move them towards the back. Use the Scene Distance tool (see the next topic) to bring all the objects in the scene forward or back as a group. If there's only one object in the scene, both tools work the same.

To move a selected object nearer (make it larger):

•	Click on the object with the Distance tool's cursor hotspot, and drag down.

To move a selected object farther away (make it smaller):

•	Click on the object with the Distance tool's cursor hotspot, and drag up.

Distance vs. Resize

While both the Distance tool and the Resize tool vary an object's size, the two tools have subtly different perspective and lighting effects. With the Distance tool, an object is being moved in relation to fixed points—such as your viewpoint and the scene's spotlights—so its proportions and surface lighting may change. The Resize tool scales an object in place, so its proportions and lighting don't change. In general, use Distance to move objects forward or back, or change where scene objects intersect. Use Resize to enlarge or reduce objects.

To restore the object's previous position:

•	During the drag, press the Esc key before releasing the mouse button.

OR

•	Just after the drag, click the [image] Undo button or choose Undo from the Edit menu.

Note: To show and hide the Tools tab window, choose Tabs from the View menu and check or uncheck Tools on the flyout submenu. For details on customizing the tab display, see the How To topic, Using the tab windows.


Tools tab: Resize tool

To adjust a selected object's size without changing its proportions:

1	Click on the object with the Resize tool's cursor hotspot.

2	Drag up to enlarge the object, or down to reduce it.

Resize vs. Distance

While both the Resize tool tool and the Distance tool vary an object's size, the two tools have subtly different perspective and lighting effects. With the Distance tool, an object is being moved in relation to fixed points—such as your viewpoint and the scene's spotlights—so its proportions and surface lighting may change. The Resize tool scales an object in place, so its proportions and lighting don't change. In general, use Resize to enlarge or reduce objects, and Distance to move objects forward or back.

Constrained movement (Shift-dragging) with the Resize tool lets you adjust an object's height or width independently without changing its depth (thickness). To adjust the depth, use the Extrude tool (see the next topic).

Note: Shift-Resize always changes the object along its original dimensions of width (its X axis) and height (its Y axis). If the object responds unexpectedly to your mouse movements, it has probably been rotated out of its original alignment. It "remembers" its own X and Y axes, even if you don't!

To change a selected object's width (size along X axis):

1	Click on the object with the Spin tool's cursor hotspot.

2	Holding down the Shift key, drag right to increase the width, or left to decrease it.

To change a selected object's height (size along Y axis):

1	Click on the object with the Resize tool's cursor hotspot.

2	Holding down the Shift key, drag up to increase the height, or down to decrease it.

To restore the object's previous size:

•	During the drag, press the Esc key before releasing the mouse button.

OR

•	Just after the drag, click the [image] Undo button or choose Undo from the Edit menu.

Note: To show and hide the Tools tab window, choose Tabs from the View menu and check or uncheck Tools on the flyout submenu. For details on customizing the tab display, see the How To topic, Using the tab windows.


Tools tab: Extrude tool

The Extrude tool makes an object thicker or thinner, without changing its height or width. To vary just the height or width, Shift-drag with the Resize tool (see the previous topic).

Note: Extrude always changes the object along its original dimension of depth (its Z axis). If the object responds unexpectedly to your mouse movements, it has probably been rotated out of its original alignment. It "remembers" its own Z-axis, even if you don't!

To change a selected object's depth (thickness, size along Z axis):

1	Click on the object with the Extrude tool's cursor hotspot.

2	Drag up to increase the depth, or down to decrease it. (Dragging in other directions has no effect.)

To restore the object's previous size:

•	During the drag, press the Esc key before releasing the mouse button.

OR

•	Just after the drag, click the [image] Undo button or choose Undo from the Edit menu.

Note: To show and hide the Tools tab window, choose Tabs from the View menu and check or uncheck Tools on the flyout submenu. For details on customizing the tab display, see the How To topic, Using the tab windows.


Tools tab: Spotlight tool

Choose the Spotlight tool to reveal and manipulate the three directional spotlight sources, which illuminate all the objects in the scene without affecting the background. The spotlights remain fixed when scene objects are moved or rotated, as if the lights were part of the studio apparatus. In other words, the spotlights' colors aren't attached to the objects.	Spotlight
You can reposition the spotlights independently as if they were on tracks circling all around the scene, always shining in toward the scene's center. Each spotlight projects a specific color and intensity, which you can also adjust. You must select a spotlight before you can move it or vary its light properties.

	Changing any spotlight setting alters the quality of scene lighting—which areas are brighter or darker, and how colors appear on surfaces.  Adjusting the lighting is more of an art than a science. Just keep trying until you achieve the effect you want!
For a full discussion of color in 3DPlus scenes, see the How To topic, Changing the color of backgrounds, objects, and scenes.

To move a spotlight:

1	Click on it with the Spotlight tool to select it.

2	Click and drag the selected spotlight it to the new position. Be sure to click on the spotlight itself—not an empty region of its bounding box.

To change the color of the selected spotlight:

•	Choose a new color using the color table on the Color tab.

To change the intensity of the selected spotlight:

•	Move the Spotlight Intensity slider on the Color tab.

The spotlights interact with the Studio tab's Floodlight setting, which determines the overall (ambient) scene illumination. To best see the effects of changing object colors, use the "Normal Floodlight" setting.

Each of the presets in the Library's Lights gallery applies a particular combination of spotlight positions, colors, and intensity to the scene objects. Simply drag a preset from the gallery to view its effect. Having customized a particular effect you like, you can then add it to the Library for future use.

Note: To show and hide the Tools tab window, choose Tabs from the View menu and check or uncheck Tools on the flyout submenu. For details on customizing the tab display, see the How To topic, Using the tab windows.


Library tab: Objects

	The Library's Objects gallery provides a selection of basic 3D shapes, including a default Text object, that you can drag into your scene. It's a convenient starting point when you're creating a scene from scratch, or for customizing an existing scene.

To add a 3D object to the scene:

1	Click the [image] Objects button on the Library tab to display the Objects gallery.

2	Scroll up or down to preview the available objects.

3	Drag any object into the scene window, and drop it into position. The new object appears at a default size.

4	Use specific tools to adjust the object's position, size, and orientation.

Note: To show and hide the Library tab window, choose Tabs from the View menu and check or uncheck Library on the flyout submenu. For details on customizing the tab display, see the How To topic, Using the tab windows.


Library tab: Materials

	A material consists of a texture (a repeating bitmap pattern) plus settings for transparency, shininess, and base color. The Library's Materials gallery lets you apply a preset material to any object, or store your own custom settings for later use.

To apply a material to an object:

1	Select the object.

2	Click the [image] Materials button on the Library tab to display the Materials gallery.

3	Scroll up or down to preview the available materials.

4	Drag any material into the scene window and drop over the target object.
Objects are selected in turn as you move the cursor over them. Release the mouse button to drop the material onto the selected object. To cancel the drag operation, release the mouse button when no object is selected.

5	If you wish, use the Material tab to customize the material.
With the Material tab, you can customize an object's material properties, for example by reducing shininess, importing a new bitmap texture, or setting the texture to repeat more often. You can set the object’s base color using the Color tab. Material settings are saved for each object when the scene itself is saved. You can also store a specific object's changed settings in the Materials gallery for future use.

To store an object's material settings in the Materials gallery:

1	Select the object.

2	In the Library's Materials gallery, click the Add button.

3	Enter a name for the new material and click OK.

To delete or rename a custom material in the Materials gallery:

1	In the Materials gallery, click the custom material you want to delete or rename.

2	Click the Delete button and click Yes.

OR

3	Click the Rename button. Enter a new name for the material and click OK.

To remove a material from an object:

1	Select the object.

2	On the Material tab, uncheck the Texture On box. This will remove the object's bitmap texture, and restore its previous base color, shininess, and transparency settings.

Note: To show and hide the Library tab window, choose Tabs from the View menu and check or uncheck Library on the flyout submenu. For details on customizing the tab display, see the How To topic, Using the tab windows.


Library tab: Backgrounds

	Each scene can have either a solid-color or bitmap background. The Library's Backgrounds gallery lets you apply a preset bitmap background to the current scene, or import a new one from a file. For details on applying a solid color to the background, see the topic on the Color tab.

To apply a preset scene background:

1	Click the [image] Backgrounds button on the Library tab to display the Backgrounds gallery.

2	Scroll up or down to preview the available backgrounds.

3	Drag any background into the scene window. The background is applied to the scene and stretched to fit the scene's aspect ratio.

You can choose a unique scene background from any standard bitmap file. Supported file types include: .BMP, .GIF, .JPG, .TGA, and .TIF.

Note: Because the bitmap will be stretched to fit your scene's aspect ratio, you may wish to crop the bitmap to a suitable aspect ratio (using a bitmap editor) before importing it.

To apply a background from an external bitmap file:

1	In the Backgrounds gallery, click the Add button.

2	Use the dialog to locate the external bitmap file, and click Open. The background is added to the gallery, using its base file name.

3	Drag the new background from the gallery into the scene window. The background is applied to the scene and stretched to fit the scene's aspect ratio.

The default background for a new scene (from scratch) is black, or "None."

To restore a solid color background:

1	In the Backgrounds gallery, select the background labeled "None."

2	Drag the background from the gallery into the scene window. The background takes on whichever solid color it had before the bitmap was applied.

To delete a custom background from the Backgrounds gallery:

1	In the Backgrounds gallery, click the custom background you want to delete.

2	Click the Delete button and click Yes to confirm deletion.

Note: To show and hide the Library tab window, choose Tabs from the View menu and check or uncheck Library on the flyout submenu. For details on customizing the tab display, see the How To topic, Using the tab windows.


Library tab: Lights

	Each scene's lighting effects derive from its directional Spotlight settings plus its overall (ambient) Floodlights setting. The Library's Lights gallery lets you apply a preset lighting scheme to the scene, or store your own custom settings for later use.

To apply a preset lighting scheme to the scene:

1	Click the [image] Lights button on the Library tab to display the Lights gallery.

2	Scroll up or down to preview the available lighting schemes.

3	Drag any scheme into the scene window. The scheme is applied to the objects in the scene (not to the background).

To try out different lighting effects, keep dragging new schemes from the gallery until you find one you like. To see how each scheme affects spotlight positions and values, choose the Spotlight tool. For a full discussion of color in 3DPlus scenes, see the How To topic, Changing the color of backgrounds, objects, and scenes.

The default color scheme used for new scenes has the spotlights positioned above and behind scene objects, close together so the combined effect is a pale, neutral backlighting. The RGB scheme from the Lights gallery repositions the lights along the object's X, Y, and Z axes.

To restore the default lighting scheme:

•	Drag the Default scheme from the Library's Lights gallery into the scene window.

The lighting scheme is saved along with the scene when the scene itself is saved. You can also store a specific lighting scheme (custom Floodlight and Spotlight settings) in the Lights gallery for future use.

To store a scene's lighting scheme in the Lights gallery:

1	In the Library's Lights gallery, click the Add button.

2	Enter a name for the new scheme and click OK.

To delete a custom lighting scheme from the Lights gallery:

1	In the Lights gallery, click the custom scheme you want to delete.

2	Click the Delete button and click Yes to confirm deletion.

Note: To show and hide the Library tab window, choose Tabs from the View menu and check or uncheck Library on the flyout submenu. For details on customizing the tab display, see the How To topic, Using the tab windows.


Library tab: 3D Clipart

	The Library's 3D Clipart gallery lets you add custom 3D objects to the scene. For variety and fun, try combining 3D objects with different backgrounds, shapes, and text.

To add a 3D clipart object to the scene:

1	Click the [image] 3D Clipart button on the Library tab to display the 3D Clipart gallery.

2	Scroll up or down to preview the available objects.

3	Drag any object into the scene window, and drop it into position. The new object appears at a default size.

4	Use specific tools to adjust the object's position, size, and orientation.

Note: 3D clipart objects have their own built-in material properties (texture, color, etc.) and so are not affected by settings on the Color or Material tabs. Like all scene objects, they will respond to lighting changes you make using the Floodlight or Spotlight settings.

Note: To show and hide the Library tab window, choose Tabs from the View menu and check or uncheck Library on the flyout submenu. For details on customizing the tab display, see the How To topic, Using the tab windows.


Material tab

The Material tab lets you adjust how the selected object reflects and transmits light, by setting properties such as a texture bitmap, transparency, and shininess. To set the object's base color, use the Color tab. To choose from preset material properties or save custom settings for a particular object, use the Library's Materials gallery.

	Shininess  Slide left or right to adjust the object's degree of shininess.
	Transparency Slide left or right to adjust the object's degree of transparency.
	Texture Preview Shows the current texture bitmap, if any. Shows "NONE" if no texture bitmap is selected.
	Texture On/Off Click to turn the texture effect on or off. An object with its texture turned off appears as if it had no texture selected, but the texture remains associated with the object.
	Import Texture Click to import a texture bitmap from an external file. Supported formats include: .BMP, .GIF, and .JPG.
	Frequency Click the up or down arrows to set the current texture's frequency—how often it repeats when wrapping around the object.

Note: To show and hide the Material tab window, choose Tabs from the View menu and check or uncheck Material on the flyout submenu. For details on customizing the tab display, see the How To topic, Using the tab windows.


Color tab

The Color tab lets you apply a color to an object or to the scene background, providing the background is not using a bitmap. (See the topic, Library tab: Backgrounds.) With the Color tab, you can also set the color and light intensity projected by each of the three directional spotlights. For an overview of color options, see the How To topic, Changing the color of backgrounds, objects, and scenes.

	Color Table  Displays a selection of "Web-safe" colors, with the standard Windows colors at the top. Scroll to see all the colors. • Move the pointer over a color to see its unique RGB (red, green, blue) value displayed on the HintLine.  • Click a color to apply it to an object or spotlight (if one is selected), or to the background (if there is no selection and no bitmap has been assigned to the current background).
	Spotlight Intensity Slide left or right to adjust the strength of the color projected by the selected spotlight. Grayed out if the Spotlight tool is not selected.
	Edit Colors Click to display the Edit Colors dialog, which lets you add or delete colors, or update existing colors by choosing new mixtures of red, green, and blue.

Note: To show and hide the Color tab window, choose Tabs from the View menu and check or uncheck Color on the flyout submenu. For details on customizing the tab display, see the How To topic, Using the tab windows.


Studio tab

The Studio tab lets you set two basic scene properties, as if the scene window were a photo studio:

•	Floodlight provides overall (ambient) scene illumination. Interacts with the directional Spotlight settings to determine the quality of scene lighting. (See the How To topic, Changing the strength and direction of scene lighting.)

•	Camera Lens determines the perspective or angle of view at which objects in the scene appear. (Other characteristics of actual lenses are not maintained—for example, everything in your scene is "in focus"!)

	Floodlight Off Turns off the Floodlight (no ambient illumination). Scene colors are dark.
	Floodlight Dim Low ambient illumination. Scene colors are muted.
	Floodlight Normal Medium ambient illumination. Scene colors are warm.
	Floodlight Bright High ambient illumination. Scene colors are vivid.
	Camera Lens Telephoto Objects appear with flat perspective, as if at a distance.
	Camera Lens Normal Objects appear as conventional to the eye.
	Camera Lens Wide Angle Objects appear with steep perspective.
	Camera Lens Fisheye Objects appear with exaggerated perspective, as if close-up.

Note: To show and hide the Studio tab window, choose Tabs from the View menu and check or uncheck Studio on the flyout submenu. For details on customizing the tab display, see the How To topic, Using the tab windows.


Text tab

The Text tab lets you create and edit 3D text objects. You can also adjust the bevel of text edges—see the next topic.

	Text Entry box • If a text object is currently selected, its text will appear here. To change the object's text, simply type the new text and click [image]. To cancel the changes before they are applied, click [image]. • To create a new 3D text object, make sure no text object is selected. Type the text for the new object and click [image]. The new text object appears at a default location in the scene window.
	Font Displays the font of the current text object. To change the font, click a new font name in the drop-down list. Hint: To quickly preview the effect of different fonts, click to open the drop-down list and step through it using the up- and down-arrow keys on the keyboard.  Hint: Dingbat and symbol fonts can be especially cool!
	Alignment buttons The "down" button indicates the alignment of multi-line text in the current text object (left-, center-, or right-aligned). Click to change the alignment. The setting has no effect if there's only one line of text.
	Font style buttons Click to apply a font style (Bold or Italic) to text in the current text object. "Down" buttons show which styles are applied, if any. A button has no effect if the selected font lacks that style.

Note: To show and hide the Text tab window, choose Tabs from the View menu and check or uncheck Text on the flyout submenu. For details on customizing the tab display, see the How To topic, Using the tab windows.


Bevel tab

The Bevel tab lets you set an optional bevel (slant-edge) effect on 3D text objects. By default, new text objects use the "No Bevel" setting until you apply a bevel. The Bevel controls have no effect on non-text objects. See the previous topic for details on changing the text itself.

	Bevel Type Click a bevel button to select the basic type of bevel to apply to the selected text object. Choices include: No Bevel, 30º, 45º, 60º, Angled, Square 1, Square 2, or Triangle.
	Bevel Depth  Slide left or right to adjust the amount of beveling to apply to the selected text object. Grayed out if the object has No Bevel.

Note: To show and hide the Bevel tab window, choose Tabs from the View menu and check or uncheck Bevel on the flyout submenu. For details on customizing the tab display, see the How To topic, Using the tab windows.


How To... Menu
Step by Step: How to...

 Start, Save, and Close 3D Scenes

 Work with 3D Objects and Scenes

 Work with Text

 Apply Visual Effects

 Output Final Scenes

 Customize 3DPlus


Start, Save, and Close 3D Scenes
Step by Step: How to...

  Start, Save, and Close 3D Scenes

Creating a text effect using a Wizard

Creating an instant scene using a Wizard

Starting a new scene from scratch

Opening a saved scene

Saving a scene

Closing 3DPlus

 Work with 3D Objects and Scenes

 Work with Text

 Apply Visual Effects

 Output Final Scenes

 Customize 3DPlus


Work with 3D Objects and Scenes
Step by Step: How to...

 Start, Save, and Close 3D Scenes

 Work with 3D Objects and Scenes

Basics of 3D objects and scenes

Using the 3DPlus interface

Adding a new object

Adding a preset background

Copying, pasting, cutting, and deleting objects

Moving objects and scenes

Rotating objects

Changing an object’s height, width, and depth

 Work with Text

 Apply Visual Effects

 Output Final Scenes

 Customize 3DPlus


Work with Text
Step by Step: How to...

 Start, Save, and Close 3D Scenes

 Work with 3D Objects and Scenes

 Work with Text

Entering new text

Setting text properties

 Apply Visual Effects

 Output Final Scenes

 Customize 3DPlus


Apply Visual Effects
Step by Step: How to...

 Start, Save, and Close 3D Scenes

 Work with 3D Objects and Scenes

 Work with Text

 Apply Visual Effects

Changing the strength and direction of scene lighting

Changing the color of backgrounds, objects, and scenes

Changing an object's material properties

Changing an object's draw style

 Output Final Scenes

 Customize 3DPlus


Output Final Scenes
Step by Step: How to...

 Start, Save, and Close 3D Scenes

 Work with 3D Objects and Scenes

 Work with Text

 Apply Visual Effects

 Output Final Scenes

Exporting

Linking and embedding

Printing

 Customize 3DPlus


Customize 3DPlus
Step by Step: How to...

 Start, Save, and Close 3D Scenes

 Work with 3D Objects and Scenes

 Work with Text

 Apply Visual Effects

 Output Final Scenes

 Customize 3DPlus

Changing the scene setup

Using the tab windows

Speeding up the display


Troubleshooting and support

Troubleshooting a problem

Don't panic! Remember that all technical problems, no matter how bizarre they may seem, have a cause and a solution. By patiently applying a logical approach, you can often identify the source of the problem and fix it yourself. In general, try simplifying your PC's setup until the problem is no longer present. Then, incrementally restore the original setup, testing to see which component makes the problem re-occur. Be careful!

Initially, try to establish:

•	Is the problem most likely arising within 3DPlus?

•	Is it a Windows problem?

•	Or is it a "hardware" problem having to do with your PC or its peripherals?

•	Have you made any recent changes to your system configuration that might be responsible for the problem?

If it's a 3DPlus issue, perhaps there's a procedure you need to know more about. Check online Help for information on the specific task you're trying to accomplish.

For Windows or hardware issues, click the Start button and choose Help for troubleshooting information -- or check the specific manuals for the peripheral.

Printing problems with Windows 95 are generally caused by using an incorrect or outdated printer driver, or a third-party printer driver. Make sure that you use the Windows printer driver designed specifically for your printer. To check printer drivers, click Start, choose Settings > Printers.

Contacting Serif technical support

Our support mission is to provide fast, friendly technical advice and support from a team of on-call experts. Serif customers are entitled to free, unlimited telephone or e-mail technical support for the first 30 days following receipt of the product. After that time, pricing policies (per-call or per-year) go into effect.

To reach Serif Technical Support, use the following numbers. (And see below for additional Serif contact information.)

USA Technical Support	(603) 886-6642
	e-mail: support@serif.com
Europe Technical Support	(0115) 914 9090
	e-mail: support@serif.co.uk

On the World Wide Web, you can check up-to-date technical bulletins at

http://www.spco.com/techsupp/custmain.htm

Please do not fax technical support queries.

Additional Serif contact information

Main office (USA, Canada):

The Software Center, PO Box 803, Nashua NH 03061, USA

Main	(603) 889-8650
Registration	(800) 794-6876
Sales	(800) 55-SERIF or 557-3743
Customer Service	(800) 489-6720
General Fax	(603) 889-1127
Sales Fax	(603) 886-4919

European office (UK, Europe):

The Software Centre, PO Box 2000, Nottingham, NG11 7GW, UK

Main	(0115) 914 2000
Registration	(0500) 454 645
Sales	(0800) 376 7070
Customer Service	(0115) 914 9090
General Fax	(0115) 914 2020

On-line product and company information

Internet	http://www.serif.com

International enquiries

Please contact our main or European office as apporopriate.


Copyrights

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 3DPlus 1.0 © 1998 Serif, Inc.


Creating a text effect using a Wizard

The first time you launch 3DPlus, you’ll see the Startup Wizard, with a menu of four choices. The first of these is 3D Text Effects. The Text Effects Wizard lets you choose from a variety of interesting, pre-stored 3D text examples and enter your own text. It's a quick and easy way to preview what you can do with 3DPlus—and let 3DPlus do most of the work for you!

To create a 3D text effect with the Text Effects Wizard:

1	Launch 3DPlus, or choose New... from the File menu. You’ll see the Startup Wizard menu.

2	Select the 3D Text Effects option and click Next. You’ll be prompted to select an effect category and enter your own text.

3	Click Finish and let 3DPlus create an instant text effect for you!

The 3D text object appears in a new scene window.

Note: If you choose File/New and the Startup Wizard fails to appear, check Startup Wizard on the View menu, then try again.


Creating an instant scene using a Wizard

The first time you launch 3DPlus, you’ll see the Startup Wizard, with a menu of four choices. The second of these is 3D Instant Scenes. The Instant Scene Wizard provides a variety of cool effects combining both text and a background, ready for you to customize or use "as is."

To create a 3D scene with the Instant Scene Wizard:

1	Launch 3DPlus, or choose New... from the File menu. You’ll see the Startup Wizard menu.

2	Select the 3D Instant Scenes option and click Next. You’ll be prompted to select a scene category and scene, and enter your own  text.

3	Click Finish and let 3DPlus create an instant scene for you!

The scene appears in a new scene window.

Note: If you choose File/New and the Startup Wizard fails to appear, check Startup Wizard on the View menu, then try again.


Starting a new scene from scratch

The first time you launch 3DPlus, you’ll see the Startup Wizard, with a menu of four choices. The third of these is Start from Scratch.

To start a new scene from scratch using the Startup Wizard:

1	Launch 3DPlus, or choose New... from the File menu. You’ll see the Startup Wizard menu.

2	Select the Start from Scratch option and click Finish.

The new scene opens with an empty scene window.

Note: If you click Cancel from the Startup Wizard, a new scene opens with an empty scene window.

To start a new scene during your 3DPlus session:

1	Choose New... from the File menu.

OR

Click the [image] New button on the Standard toolbar.

You'll be prompted to save changes to the current scene, if any.

2	If the Startup Wizard is turned on, choose Start from Scratch, then click Finish.

3	If the Startup Wizard is turned off, a new scene opens with an empty scene window.

If you turn off the Startup Wizard, you'll get a new scene from scratch each time you choose File/New.

To turn off the Startup Wizard:

•	Uncheck Startup Wizard on the View menu.

Note: You’ll have to turn the Startup Wizard back on to be able to access the Text and Scene Wizards.


Opening a saved scene

If you want to work on a 3DPlus scene (.3DP file) you previously saved, you can do so either from the Startup Wizard when you launch 3DPlus, or from the File menu later in your session.

To open a saved scene using the Startup Wizard:

1	Launch 3DPlus. If the Startup Wizard is turned on, you’ll see the Startup Wizard menu. If not, use the File menu to open your scene, as explained below.

2	Select the Open Saved Scene option.

3	In the Open dialog, select the folder and file name and click the Open button.

The saved scene appears in the scene window.

To open an existing scene during your 3DPlus session:

1	Choose Open... from the File menu.

OR

Click the [image] Open button on the Standard toolbar.

You'll be prompted to save changes to the current scene, if any.

2	In the Open dialog, select the folder and file name and click the Open button.

The saved scene opens in the scene window.


Saving a scene

To save your work:

•	To save the scene under its current name, choose Save... from the File menu.

OR

To save under a different name, or if the scene is still Untitled, choose Save As... from the File menu.

OR

Click the [image] Save button on the Standard toolbar.

See also the topic on Exporting.


Closing 3DPlus

To close 3DPlus:

•	Choose Exit from the File menu.

You’ll be prompted to save changes made since the last save.


Basics of 3D objects and scenes

The best part of using 3DPlus is that you can create terrific effects without having to master all sorts of spatial concepts and computer jargon. If you can grasp height, width, and depth, you're halfway home! But learning any new program does involve a bit of trial and error. This extended topic (and the next) will provide some basic pointers to help minimize the "error" part. We'll assume only that you've noticed the 3DPlus scene window—the proverbial "blank slate" or workspace which (if you've tried one of the Wizards, or taken the Walkthrough) quickly fills up with 3D objects.

Welcome to the studio...

The scene window lets you look in on a 3D world not unlike a photo studio, with one or more scene objects positioned against a background. As you'd expect, there are tools to let you rearrange the objects, substitute a different background image, or change the studio lighting for different effects. But that's not all. With 3DPlus, you can instantly change an object's colors and dimensions, rotate it in space, apply cool surface textures, create your own mini-universes of text and shapes... and more!

It's a 3D world...

	From your viewpoint, looking through the scene window, you see the objects in perspective. You can reposition objects to be nearer or farther away, and their sizes change accordingly. Think of three spotlights on an imaginary sphere around the scene, all pointing in toward the fixed scene center. You can reposition the lights, and vary their color and intensity for different effects.
When you're working with the scene and spotlights, you can count on the fact that up/down, left/right, and front/back directions are constant. In other words, you can't flip or invert the whole scene. Individual objects, however, have a mind of their own!

When you click on an object to select it, a red bounding box appears (as for the text object shown below), defining the space the object occupies. Each three-dimensional object takes up space in three directions, defined in 3D parlance as the X, Y, and Z axes.

	Think of the X axis as defining the object's width or left-to-right dimension, and the Y axis as defining its height or top-to-bottom dimension. Together, X and Y define the "text" part of a text object, the letters that we read.  The Z axis defines the object's depth or front-to-back dimension.
Just as each object takes up its own space, it has its own XYZ axes. When you first create a new object, its axes line up with the scene as a whole. But when you swivel or tilt an object, you change its alignment with respect to the fixed directions in the scene. For example, imagine that you rotate the letter "a" above until it's lying on its side. Now its Y axis (height) extends horizontally in the scene window.

Bear in mind that an object always "remembers" its own XYZ axes—its own top, bottom, left, right, front, and back. For example, using the Resize tool to change our letter "a" will always affect its Y axis, whichever way that axis happens to be pointing in the scene. If you're having trouble visualizing this, just try a few experiments yourself, using a single text object.

To learn about working with the 3DPlus scene window, click the Next (>>) button above to go on to the next topic.


Using the 3DPlus interface

Armed with the basic concepts of 3D objects and scenes covered in the previous topic, you're ready to use 3DPlus to create and customize scenes of your own. This extended topic will provide an overview of the 3DPlus environment.

Click a subtopic to jump to that section:

1	The scene window

2	The tabs

3	The tools

4	Manipulating objects

The scene window

The main 3DPlus window consists of a frame (with titlebar, menus, etc.) enclosing the scene window itself. The size of the scene window has no effect on the size of the 3D scene you eventually print or output. (You'll specify the output size separately—see the Exporting topic.) This means you can set the size of the scene window to suit your convenience.

In general, the larger the scene window, the longer your computer will take to redraw each scene as changes are made. But if your computer is fairly fast, the window size probably won't matter. (For other advice related to display speed, see the topic, Speeding up the display.)

To resize the scene window:

•	Drag on an edge or corner of the main window frame.

The scene window adjusts in size within the frame, maintaining its proportions.

When you start a scene from scratch, the scene window has a square shape. You may wish to create a scene with a specific aspect ratio (proportion of width to height), or expand the edges of a square scene window to provide more working area.

To adjust the aspect ratio of the scene window:

1	Resize the main window frame to the desired proportions.

2	Click the [image] Scale to Frame button on the Standard toolbar.

The scene window expands to fill the frame. Objects in the scene keep their proportions, but the background bitmap (if any) is streched to fit the new proportions.

To set a specific (numeric) aspect ratio, or change the default proportions of the scene window:

•	Choose Scene Setup... from the File menu.

For details on using Scene Setup, see the topic, Changing the scene setup.

Hint: As you add more objects to the scene, you may find yourself running out of room in the scene window.  To gain more free space at the edges of the scene, you can use the Scene Distance tool. This moves all scene objects (as a group) towards the back. Of course, you can also use it to bring objects closer, for less edge space.

The tabs

Besides the main scene window, the 3DPlus interface consists of floating tab windows (or "tabs" for short). Here's a summary of what each tab does. Click a feature's name to display its Visual Reference entry. (To access the Visual Reference menu, click the VisRef button above.)

	Click this tab...	To...
	Tools	Select any of the 3DPlus tools (see list below)
	Library	Access various galleries of preset objects, effects, etc.  • Objects - Use basic 3D shapes to create new objects  • Materials - Apply texture/color combinations to objects  • Backgrounds - Use preset bitmaps or import your own  • Lights - Apply preset lighting schemes to the scene  • 3D Clipart - Add custom 3D objects to the scene
	Material	Set properties that determine how an object appears
	Color	Apply a color to an object or to the scene background
	Studio	Set the scene's Floodlight and Camera Lens properties
	Text	Create and edit 3D text objects
	Bevel	Set an optional slant-edge effect on 3D text objects
You can hide and show tabs selectively, drag them around, even dock and undock them with each other to suit your convenience. For details, see the topic, Using the tab windows.

The tools

The Tools tab includes a set of buttons to access the nine 3DPlus tools. Most tools operate on individual objects, but several affect the scene as a whole. To choose a tool, click its button on the Tools tab. Here's a summary of what each tool does. Click a tool's name to display its Visual Reference entry, including sample animation. (To access the Visual Reference menu, click the VisRef button above.)

	Use this tool...	To...
	Move	Change the position of an object in the scene
	Scene Move	Change the position of all the objects in the scene (as a group)
	Distance	Adjust an object's distance from your viewpoint
	Scene Distance	Adjust the distance of all the objects in the scene (as a group) from your viewpoint
	Rotate	Revolve an object around its internal center, in any direction
	Spin	Tilt or swivel an object, as if pivoting around either of two spindles
	Resize	Adjust an object's overall dimensions, or (by Shift-dragging) just its height and/or width
	Extrude	Adjust an object's depth
	Spotlight	Reveal and adjust the three directional spotlight sources

Manipulating objects

Using the 3DPlus tools is easy. Just a few pointers will suffice...

When active, each tool displays a unique cursor (pointer) on the screen. The cursor has a single hotspot—a small dot at the upper left—to show where you should position the cursor before clicking on an object.
Some tools operate on individual objects. You can select an object with any of the object tools. You can only select one object at a time. Spotlights (when displayed with the Spotlight tool) behave like objects.

To manipulate any object (or spotlight):

1	Choose the tool you want.

2	Click and release on the object to select it. You'll see the object's red bounding box. (If two or more objects overlap in space, click again in the same place until you see the correct bounding box.)

3	Click on the selected object and drag to manipulate it.

Notes:

•	For tools that operate on the scene as a whole, you can click and drag in one step, anywhere in the scene.

•	To improve display speed, you can turn on Wireframe Editing mode.


Adding a new object

3DPlus objects come in three varieties: (1) 3D objects (cube, sphere, cone, etc.), (2) text objects, and (3) 3D clipart objects (apple, coffee pot, piano, etc.).

To add a 3D object to the scene:

1	Click the [image] Objects button on the Library tab to display the Objects gallery.

2	Scroll up or down to preview the available objects. (Note that one of the objects is a "3D Text" object.)

3	Drag any object into the scene window, and drop it into position. The new object appears at a default size.

4	Use specific tools to adjust the object's position, size, and orientation.

To add a text object to the scene:

•	Following the above steps for adding a 3D object, drag the "3D Text" object from the Objects gallery into the scene window.

OR

•	Copy text from another application to the Windows Clipboard. With no text object selected in 3DPlus, press Ctrl+V or click the [image] Paste button. The first line of Clipboard text appears as a new text object.

OR

1	Display the Text tab.

2	With no object selected, type the text for the new object into the Text Entry box and click [image].

Use the Text tab and/or Bevel tab to customize the text object.

See also the topics on Entering new text and Setting text properties.

To add a 3D clipart object to the scene:

1	Click the [image] 3D Clipart button on the Library tab to display the 3D Clipart gallery.

2	Scroll up or down to preview the available objects.

3	Drag any object into the scene window, and drop it into position. The new object appears at a default size.

4	Use specific tools to adjust the object's position, size, and orientation.


Adding a preset background

Each scene can have either a solid-color or bitmap background. The Library's Backgrounds gallery lets you apply a preset bitmap background (such as a pattern or landscape) to the current scene, or import a new one from a file. For details, see the Visual Reference topic on the Library tab: Backgrounds.

Notes:

•	To improve display speed, you may wish to choose Wireframe Editing from the View menu. This turns off display of the background during screen redraws.

•	The background (along with the scene window) is stretched to fit the main window frame when you click the Scale to Frame button.


Copying, pasting, cutting, and deleting objects

To copy an object to the Windows Clipboard:

•	Select the object and press Ctrl+C, or choose Copy from the Edit menu, or click the [image] Copy button on the Standard toolbar.

Note: If no object is selected, all scene objects are copied.

To paste an object from the Clipboard:

•	Press Ctrl+V, or choose Paste from the Edit menu, or click the [image] Paste button on the Standard toolbar.

You can copy text from the Windows Clipboard into the scene. If a 3D text object is currently selected, the pasted text replaces the selected text. If no text object is currently selected, pasted text appears as a new 3D text object. If the Clipboard text has multiple lines, only the first line (up to the first carriage return/line feed) is pasted; the rest is ignored.

To cut an object from the scene to the Clipboard:

•	Select the object and press Ctrl+X, or choose Cut from the Edit menu, or click the [image] Cut button on the Standard toolbar.

The object is deleted from the scene and a copy is placed on the Windows clipboard.

Note: If no object is selected, all scene objects are cut.

To delete an object from the scene:

•	Select the object and press the Delete key.

No copy is placed on the Windows clipboard.

Note: To undo a Copy, Paste, Cut, or Delete operation, choose Undo from the Edit menu or click the [image] Undo button.


Moving objects and scenes

The two position-adjustment tools let you move objects up, down, or around in the scene.

•	Choose the Move tool to change the position of a one object at a time. None of the object's dimensions change, only its placement in the scene. For details, see the Visual Reference topic, Tools tab: Move tool.

•	Choose the Scene Move tool to change the position of all the objects in the scene (as a group). For details, see the Visual Reference topic, Tools tab: Scene Move tool.

The two distance-adjustment tools let you move objects forward or back in the scene.

•	Choose the Distance tool to adjust an object's distance from your viewpoint. The object grows larger or smaller. For details, see the Visual Reference topic Tools tab: Distance tool.

•	Choose the Scene Distance tool to adjust the distance of all the objects in the scene (as a group) from your viewpoint. The entire group of objects grows larger or smaller. For details, see the Visual Reference topic Tools tab: Scene Distance tool.


Rotating objects

•	Choose the Rotate tool to revolve an object around its internal center, in any direction. For details, see the Visual Reference topic Tools tab: Rotate tool.

•	Choose the Spin tool to tilt or swivel an object, as if pivoting around either of two spindles—its X and Y axes. For details, see the Visual Reference topic Tools tab: Spin tool.


Changing an object's height, width, and depth
Changing an object’s height, width, and depth

•	Choose the Resize tool to adjust an object's overall dimensions, or (by Shift-dragging) just its height and/or width. For details, see the Visual Reference topic Tools tab: Resize tool.

•	Choose the Extrude tool to adjust an object's depth—that is, its thickness or size along its Z axis. The Extrude tool makes an object thicker or thinner, without changing its height or width. For details, see the Visual Reference topic Tools tab: Extrude tool.

Note: To resize one or more objects in all dimensions (maintaining their overall proportions), use the Distance tool or Scene Distance tool.


Entering new text

3DPlus offers three ways to create a new text object. You can create a new text object by: (1) using the preset text object in the Library's Objects gallery, (2) using the Text tab, or (3) pasting text from the Windows Clipboard. For details on formatting text, see the next topic.

To create a new text object using the preset text object:

1	Click the [image] Objects button on the Library tab to display the Objects gallery.

2	Drag the "3D Text" object into the scene window, and drop it into position. The new object appears at a default size. Use the Text tab to replace the sample text with your own.

To create a new text object using the Text tab:

1	Display the Text tab.

2	With no object selected, type the text for the new object into the Text Entry box and click [image].

To paste text from the Clipboard:

•	Press Ctrl+V, or choose Paste from the Edit menu, or click the [image] Paste button on the Standard toolbar.

If a 3D text object is currently selected, the Clipboard text replaces the selected text. If no text object is currently selected, pasted text appears as a new 3D text object. If the Clipboard text has multiple lines, only the first line (up to the first carriage return/line feed) is pasted; the rest is ignored.


Setting text properties

•	To change a text object's message, font, style, alignment, and so on, use the Text tab. For details, see the Visual Reference topic Text tab.

•	To set the object's bevel, or edge style, use the Bevel tab. For details, see the Visual Reference topic Bevel tab.

•	To change the object's position or orientation in the scene, use any of the various object tools. See the topic, Using the 3DPlus interface, or click the VisRef button above to browse the Visual Reference.

Note: Shift-dragging with either the Spin or Rotate tool provides an "Easy Rotate" mode especially suited for text manipulation.

See also the previous topic, Entering new text.


Changing the strength and direction of scene lighting

In 3DPlus, four independent settings determine the levels of light and dark in the scene:

•	The single Floodlight setting on the Studio tab provides a certain level of overall lighting in the scene, comparable to ambient or "fill" lighting in photography. There is no "floodlight" object as such; only the Floodlight setting of Off, Dim, Normal, or Bright. See the Visual Reference topic on the Studio tab for illustrations—or better yet, click the Floodlight buttons to see their effect on the scene.

•	The individual position and intensity settings for each of the three spotlights provide directional or "key" lighting. Use the Spotlight tool to display the three spotlight objects and move them around, and the Color tab to vary the intensity and color of each spotlight source. (See the next topic for a full discussion of color in 3DPlus scenes.)

For a review of 3D concepts, see the topic, Basics of 3D scenes and objects.

To move a spotlight:

1	Click on it with the Spotlight tool to select it.

2	Click and drag the selected spotlight it to the new position. Be sure to click on the spotlight itself—not an empty region of its bounding box.

To change the intensity of the selected spotlight:

•	Move the Spotlight Intensity slider on the Color tab.

Each of the presets in the Library's Lights gallery Lights gallery applies a particular combination of spotlight positions, colors, and intensity to the scene objects. Simply drag a preset from the gallery to view its effect. Having customized a particular effect you like, you can then add it to the Lights gallery for future use.


Changing the color of backgrounds, objects, and scenes

This extended topic will introduce five key points about using color in 3DPlus.

Click a point to jump to that section:

1	If the background is plain (no bitmap), it has its own color.

2	Each object has its own base color.

3	The spotlights affect all the objects in the scene.

4	You can save and re-use color settings.

5	You can apply standard colors or create your own.

For related information on Floodlight and Spotlight settings, see the previous topic.

1. If the background is plain (no bitmap), it has its own color.

The default background color for a new scene is black. You can change the color of any background to which you haven't applied a bitmap (see Library/Backgrounds). If the scene already has a background bitmap, applying a color has no effect. When exporting to the GIF format, you have the option of selecting a transparent background.

To change the scene's background color:

1	Make sure there is no object selected, and the background has no bitmap (that is, "None" is selected in the Library tab's Backgrounds gallery).

2	Select the object and display the Color tab. The background's current color appears selected in the color table.

3	Click a different table color to apply it to the background. Note that if any object is selected, the color is applied to the object instead.

Note: If you apply a bitmap to a background, the bitmap replaces the background's color. However, the color remains associated with the background, so if you later subtract the bitmap (by applying the "None" background), 3DPlus restores the previous background color.

2. Each object has its own base color.

When you create a new object (for example, by dragging one in from the Library tab), it appears with a default base color, which happens to be a light gray shade with an RGB (red, green, blue) value of 192, 192, 192. This is one of the standard Windows colors, and you'll find it in the top right corner of the Color tab's  table.
Since it's a shade of gray (note the equal proportions of R, G, and B), this default color doesn't actually contribute to the object's hue. So if a new object appears to have some hue like pink or green, it's no doubt coming from the current Spotlight settings—more on those below.

The point is that an object's base color setting isn't the only thing that determines its apparent color.

•	The current Floodlight setting adds or subtracts brightness (equally to all the objects in the scene). This can strongly impact perceived color, even though it's not changing the actual hues in the scene.

•	The Spotlight settings not only affect brightness, but each of the three spotlights has its own color setting. Since the spotlights can be moved about, each affects most strongly those objects "nearest" to it.

•	Applying a material (see also the next topic) to an object overrides the current base color, because the material includes both a texture and a base color. Subsequently changing just the base color produces a new coloration while retaining the applied texture.

The order in which you apply material or base color makes a difference. Below, (A) shows how applying the "Checkers" material (which happens to include the default gray base color in its definition) replaces the cube's blue base color with the default. In (B), the material is applied first and THEN the base color is changed—producing a different coloration.

To change an object's base color:

1	Select the object and display the Color tab. The object's current base color appears selected in the color table.

2	Click a different table color to apply it to the selected object. Note that if no object is selected, the color is applied to the scene background instead.

Hint: To lighten or darken a single object without changing its hues, apply a different shade of gray as the object's base color. As long as the R, G, and B values of the applied color are equal (check the HintLine readout), you'll only be changing the brightness.

3. The spotlights affect all the objects in the scene.

The three directional spotlight sources, which you can display and manipulate with the Spotlight tool, illuminate all the objects in the scene without affecting the background. The spotlights remain fixed when an object or the scene is rotated, as if they were part of the studio apparatus. In other words, the spotlights' colors aren't attached to the objects—but each affects most strongly those objects "nearest" to it.

Each spotlight projects a specific color and intensity, which interact with the scene's Floodlight setting and the base color of individual objects. By applying and then customizing preset lighting schemes from the Library's Lights gallery (see the next section), you can experiment with an incredible variety of color possibilities.

For details on manipulating Spotlight positions and colors, see the Visual Reference topic on the Spotlight tool.

4. You can save and re-use color settings.

The Library provides both a repository of interesting color and lighting effects, and a way to save successful combinations you've created, in order to use them later. Using drag and drop, it's easy to apply preset effect to objects and scenes.

For objects: Base color is one of the four attributes that comprise an object’s material setting. To adjust the others (shininess, transparency, and texture), use the Material tab. For details on using preset material settings or saving your custom settings, see the Visual Reference topic, Library tab: Materials gallery.

For scenes: A lighting scheme includes the combined Floodlight and Spotlight settings for the scene as a whole. For details on applying a preset lighting scheme, restoring the default lighting scheme, or saving a custom scheme, see the Visual Reference topic, Library tab: Lights gallery.

5. You can apply standard colors or create your own.

The 3DPlus color table (in the Color tab) includes the standard Windows system colors (along the top two rows), with the remainder of colors matching the 216-color palette that is used by Web browsers—the so-called "Netscape" or "Web-safe" palette (see below). To achieve a particular effect, you may wish to remix one or more 3DPlus colors, or mix your own custom colors and add them to the 3DPlus color table.

To edit the 3DPlus color table:

•	Display the Color tab and click the Edit Colors button. The Edit Colors dialog appears.

•	To change a specific color, select it in the table and drag the R, G, and B sliders. You'll see the remixed color in the preview window. When you've achieved the color you want, click Update.

•	To add a new color entry to the table, drag the R, G, and B sliders to mix the color, then click Add.

•	To delete a color entry, click Delete.

•	To see the effect of a color on the selected object, click Apply.

•	Click OK to close the dialog and accept color table changes, or Cancel to close and abandon changes. (If you applied a color to the selected object, it persists; you’ll need to re-apply the original color if desired.)

The choice of color table entries is a bit arbitrary, as 3DPlus uses many intermediate colors to render your scenes onscreen (assuming your monitor is set to display thousands or millions of colors). In fact, you don't need to worry about limiting color selection at all unless you plan to export scenes for use on a Web page, or in some specific application where the number of colors must be reduced.

If you choose "256 colors" in the Export Options dialog, two palette choices become available:

•	Choose Optimized (the default) to let the 3DPlus export filter determine the best colors to apply. This generally results in smooth color gradations and quite acceptable appearance.

•	Choose Web-safe to reduce the colors to only those found in the 216-color palette used by Web browsers. This will ensure that an image you place on a Web page won't change its appearance when viewed by users of most systems and browsers.

Note: While 3DPlus does its best to preserve the appearance of the scene, for best results you may wish to export your images as 16- or 24-bit graphics and then reduce colors "by hand" using a more powerful bitmap editor. Some programs let you assign more palette slots to important regions of the image (skin tones, for example) to preserve color smoothness.


Changing an object's material properties

Besides adjusting the color and intensity of scene lighting, you can change the material properties of objects that determine how they reflect and transmit light. These include base color, texture, transparency, and shininess.

The Library's Materials gallery lets you apply preset material properties to an object or store your own custom settings for later use. For details, see the Visual Reference topic Library tab: Materials.

See the previous topic for details on how material and base color settings interact.

To change an object's base color:

1	Select the object and display the Color tab. The object's current base color appears selected in the color table.

2	Click a different table color to apply it to the selected object. Note that if no object is selected, the color is applied to the scene background instead.

To change an object's transparency and/or shininess:

1	Select the object and display the Material tab.

2	To adjust transparency or shininess, drag the sliders left or right.

To apply a texture to an object:

•	Drag a preset material from the Library's Materials gallery onto the object. Note that applying a preset material may alter not only the object's texture but its other material properties.

OR

1	Select the object and display the Material tab.

2	Click the Import Texture button to locate and import a texture bitmap from an external file. This won't affect the object's other material properties.

The applied texture appears in the Texture Preview box.

To modify an object's applied texture:

•	Select the object and display the Material tab. The current texture appears in the Texture Preview box.

•	To set how often the texture repeats when wrapping around the object, click the up or down arrows in the Frequency control.

•	To turn the texture effect on or off, click the Texture On/Off check box. An object with its texture turned off appears as if it had no texture selected. The texture remains associated with the object, however, so you can turn it back on later if you wish. The object's other material properties are not affected.


Changing an object's draw style

When objects are created, they are normally filled—that is, they appear as solid objects with continuous surfaces. You can design unusual effects by changing the draw style of one or more objects to either wireframe or points.

To change a selected object's draw style:

1	Choose Object Draw Style from the View menu.

2	From the submenu, check the desired draw style.

Note: Don’t confuse the “Wireframe” draw style setting with Wireframe Editing mode, which displays all objects as wireframes only during screen redraws to enhance display speed.


Exporting

Exporting means converting a 3DPlus scene to an external file format, as opposed to saving it in the native .3DP format. It's one of the three primary ways of using a 3DPlus image in a publication or other graphic context; the others are OLE and printing.

When you export, the entire scene window gets converted to a bitmap graphic. You can fine-tune the graphic in a paint editing program (like ArcSoft PhotoStudio, Microsoft Paint, or JASC PaintShop Pro), so you don't have to worry if there's extra background showing around the scene objects; you can crop the image later. But make sure you're satisfied with the composition, lighting, and colors in the scene before you export—it's much more difficult to change those later.

To export a scene:

1	Choose Export... from the File menu.

2	Use the Save as Type pull-down menu to specify the export file format. Provide a file name and folder location, and click Save.

3	In the Export dialog, set any options available for the particular image and file format:

Format: Choose the number of colors (or grays) in the exported image. For 256-color images, you have the option of applying either an Optimized or a Web-safe palette.

• Choose Optimized (the default) to let the 3DPlus export filter determine the best colors to apply. This generally results in smooth color gradations and quite acceptable appearance.
• Choose Web-safe to reduce the colors to only those found in the 216-color palette used by Web browsers. This will ensure that an image you place on a Web page won't change its appearance when viewed by users of most other systems or browsers.
(For details, see the subtopic, Apply standard colors or create your own.)

Image size: The current dimensions of the scene window appear as defaults. You can change either or both, with the option of maintaining the current aspect ratio. Use caution if you change the aspect ratio, as the scene will be scaled (not cropped) accordingly.

GIF Options: GIF files support transparency—one reason they're commonly used over backgrounds on Web pages. 3DPlus gives you the option of exporting GIFs with or without a transparent background.

• If you check the box to select transparency, you have the additional option of applying anti-aliasing. Anti-aliasing is recommended. To ensure blending at the edges, match your scene's background color to the color of the background where you expect to using the GIF. For a sharper-edged (but less pretty) graphic that can be placed over any background—or if it's a sharp-edged effect you want—turn anti-aliasing off.
• If you uncheck the box to turn transparency off, anti-aliasing is automatically applied (as it is for all other export formats).

4	Click OK.

Tip: To preview how the scene will appear when anti-aliasing is applied, click the Render Preview button on the Standard toolbar.


Linking and embedding

Exporting 3DPlus files (see the previous topic) as bitmap graphics is appropriate when you're working with an application that requires images in a specific format (such as .JPG or .GIF for a Web page editor), or if you need to edit the graphic using a paint program. The drawback of exporting is that you lose the ability to edit the scene itself in 3DPlus.

Many applications—for example, Serif SPC's desktop publishing program PagePlus—allow you to insert a 3DPlus scene as an OLE object. This means you can still use 3DPlus to modify the scene later, if necessary. For example, you can change the text in a text object or alter the color scheme without having to start from scratch.

To insert a 3DPlus object into a host application:

•	Choose the application's Insert Object... command, usually found on its Edit menu.

•	To insert a saved 3DPlus (.3DP) file, choose the Create from File option and locate the file name. Check the Link box to link the object or leave the box unchecked to embed the object (see below).

OR

•	To create a new 3DPlus object, choose the Create New option. 3DPlus opens with a blank scene window. When you've created the scene, choose Update from the File menu to insert the scene as an object (or update the image already there) without closing 3DPlus.

Note: Linking inserts a picture of the scene into the document. This picture is linked to the actual 3DPlus file so that any changes you later make to the file (using 3DPlus) will be automatically reflected in your document. If using linked files in a publication, be sure to include the linked files along with the master document if the publication is moved or copied. Embedding means the object in the host application is now distinct from the original file. You can still edit the object using 3DPlus, but only from within the host application. 3DPlus objects you create using the Create New option are embedded, not linked.

For convenience, PagePlus (version 5.0 or later) provides both an Edit/Insert Object... command and a special toolbar button to launch 3DPlus directly.

To embed a 3DPlus object into PagePlus using the toolbar button:

1	Click the [image] Insert 3D Object button on the PagePlus Tools toolbar. The cursor changes to the Import cursor.

2	Click on the PagePlus page where you want the scene to appear, or click and drag to define the position and size of the scene.

3	3DPlus opens with a blank scene window. When you've created the scene, choose Update from the File menu to insert the scene into PagePlus as an embedded object (or update the image already there) without closing 3DPlus.

To edit a 3DPlus object in another application:

•	Double-click the object.

OR

•	Select the object and choose the application's Edit Object command.

In PagePlus 5, either action will launch 3DPlus, displaying the scene ready for editing. In some applications, including PagePlus 5, resizing the object will also trigger 3DPlus to regenerate the bitmap data.

3DPlus provides OLE settings for resolution (number of dots per inch) and anti-aliasing (smoothing) that tell the client application how to render the object.

•	Resolution determines how many pixels are available when the object is initially displayed, or when it is resized, in the client application. 3DPlus uses a default setting of 96 dpi, which is fairly standard and ensures that the object will appear at about the same size onscreen in the client as it did in 3DPlus. If you're intending to enlarge the image or if you're printing to a very high-quality color printer, increase the dpi setting.

•	Anti-aliasing can be turned on or off.

In general, the higher you set the resolution (or if you use anti-aliasing), the more work your computer has to do to display the object—so set the values no higher than necessary for acceptable results.

To change OLE Resolution and/or Anti-aliasing settings:

1	Choose Render Quality... from the View menu.

2	In the dialog, use the drop-down lists to specify new OLE settings.

3	Check "Use as default" to carry new value(s) over to future sessions; otherwise they affect only the current session.

Note: Using OLE, it's not possible to obtain a transparent background. For this effect, use the GIF export option (see the previous topic).


Printing

To preview the scene as it will appear when printed:

1	Choose Print Preview from the File menu.

2	The Print Preview window appears, and the rendered scene appears in the page area.

3	Click Zoom In to examine a portion of the scene, and Zoom Out to restore full view.

4	Click Close to return to the main window.

To print the scene:

•	Choose Print... from the File menu.

3DPlus automatically calculates the print resolution based on the amount of memory available on your computer. This ensures optimum quality without long printing times.


Changing the scene setup

When you start a scene from scratch, the scene window has a square shape. You may wish to create a scene with a specific aspect ratio (proportion of width to height), or expand the edges of a square scene window to provide more working area.

To adjust the aspect ratio of the scene window:

1	Resize the main window frame to the desired proportions.

2	Click the [image] Scale to Frame button on the Standard toolbar.

The scene window expands to fill the frame. Objects in the scene keep their proportions, but the background bitmap (if any) is streched to fit the new proportions.

Note: If you later resize the main window frame, the scene window won't automatically scale to fit it; you'll need to repeat the Scale to Frame step.

To set a specific (numeric) aspect ratio:

•	Choose Scene Setup... from the File menu. The Scene Setup dialog appears.

•	Adjust the vertical and/or horizontal sliders to set the desired aspect ratio, as shown by the ratio readout. Check Use whole numbers to display the ratio to the nearest integer values. If you wish, check Scale to Frame to expand the scene window to fill the frame. (This has the same effect as the Scale to Frame button.)

•	Click OK.

You also can use the Scale to Frame button or the Scene Setup dialog to establish a new default aspect ratio—the initial shape of each new scene you start from scratch.

To change the default proportions of the scene window:

•	Resize the main window frame to the desired proportions and click the Scale to Frame button while holding down the Shift key.

OR

•	Choose Scene Setup... from the File menu. The Scene Setup dialog appears.

•	Adjust the sliders to set the aspect ratio.

•	Check Set as default and click OK.


Using the tab windows

Besides the main scene window, the 3DPlus interface consists of floating tab windows (or "tabs" for short). The window frames can include one, two, or more tabs. You can hide and show tabs selectively, drag the window frames around, even dock and undock tabs to group them within frames as you see fit.

For details on a particular tab’s functions, click the VisRef button above.

To show or hide a particular tab:

1	Choose Tabs from the View menu.

2	On the flyout submenu, click to check the tab’s name to show it; uncheck to hide it.

Each time you show a tab, it appears as the selected tab. (See below for the logic of where tabs appear.)

To close a tab window:

•	Click the [image] Close button on the window frame’s title bar.

All the tabs in the window are hidden.

To reposition a tab window frame on the screen:

•	Drag the window frame by its title bar.

The tabs’ docking feature lets you group tabs as you prefer. Perhaps you like working with several separate tabs so that it’s easier to click between them. Or perhaps you need to cluster tabs in a single window frame to conserve screen space.

To undock (detach) a tab as a separate window:

•	Click on the tab’s label and drag it to the new position.

The illustration shows the Color tab being undocked from the Library tab to a separate window.

To dock (join) a tab with another window:

Click on the tab’s label and drag it into the other window’s frame.

Note:

In general, tabs behave so that the groupings you’ve laid out are preserved and convenient to use:

•	When you hide a tab using the View/Tabs flyout, its label disappears from the window frame. If you then redisplay the tab, it appears in the same frame as before, as part of the same tab grouping.

•	If a frame has only one tab and you hide the tab, the window closes.

•	If you redisplay a tab when none of its former neighbor tabs are visible, it appears in its own frame. If you then show one of the neighbors, it appears in the same frame, preserving the tab grouping.

•	If you close a window by clicking its Close button, all its tabs are hidden. If you then redisplay any one of those tabs, the entire window frame reappears with all its tabs showing.


Speeding up the display

Under certain conditions—with limited memory, many text objects or polygons, a larger scene window, and/or a background bitmap—you may find that performance slows down.

To improve display speed, you can turn on Wireframe Editing. In this mode, objects are shown as wireframe images (without color or shading) while you are moving or adjusting them. At the same time, the background bitmap (if any) is hidden. This speeds the redraw display, without affecting the scene itself.

To speed up display using Wireframe Editing:

•	Choose Wireframe Editing from the View menu.

Note: Don’t confuse Wireframe Editing mode, which only temporarily affects the appearance of scene objects, with the “Wireframe” draw style setting on the View menu. The draw style settings, applied to individual objects primarily for visual effect, persist even when objects aren’t being moved.


Help Contents


Screen 1
1	Introducing 3DPlus

		Welcome to the Walkthrough...  A brief tour that covers 3DPlus essentials without a lot of theory.  To continue, click the Next button at left.  (Click Menu at any time to return to online help.)


SCREEN 2
2	Setting up the Walkthrough

		To get started, drag this Walkthrough window over to the lower left corner of your screen.  Position the main scene window above the Walkthrough window. Arrange the tab windows off to the sides of the scene window, as shown.


SCREEN 3
3	Showing the tab windows you'll need

		Click the View menu and select the Tabs item. In the Walkthrough, we'll use the tab windows listed here to create a simple scene.  For the Walkthrough, make sure all tab names are checked, so the tabs will be visible.


SCREEN 5
4	Setting startup and display options

		On the View menu, uncheck Startup Wizard. (You can turn the Wizard back on later if you wish.)  Also, check Wireframe Editing to speed up the display.  Now we're ready to begin...


SCREEN 6
5	Creating a new scene

		Choose New from the File menu.  You should now have a blank scene window with a black background. Click the Scale to Frame button on the toolbar for a full-frame scene.


SCREEN 7
6	The Library tab and its galleries

		Select the Library tab.  Move the mouse pointer over the five buttons to see their names pop up. Each button opens a gallery that stores preset 3D objects and effects.  Click the first button, Objects.


SCREEN 8
7	Creating a 3D text object

		Scroll down in the Objects gallery to see various preset 3D shapes you can add to your scene.  Scroll to the top again.  Click on the 3D Text item and drag it into the scene window as a new text object.


SCREEN 9
8	Customizing a text object

		Select the Text tab. In the Text box, type to replace "3DPlus" with simply the letter "T". Click the Accept button to update the object. Use the drop-down list to select the Wingdings font. ...Surprised?


SCREEN 10
9	Exploring the Tools tab

		Move the mouse pointer around the Tools tab to see each tool's name. Notice the Move tool is selected.  Move the pointer over the black scene window to see the Move cursor. Notice the small hotspot dot marking the cursor's active point.


SCREEN 11
10	Selecting an object

		Click on the black background of the scene window. Then click on the "snowflake" text object with the cursor hotspot.  Note: You’ll know an object is selected when you see its red bounding box.


SCREEN 12
11	Using the Move tool

		Drag the selected object around a bit with the Move tool. Be sure to click on the object with the hotspot. If you deselect the object by mistake, click on it to reselect it.


SCREEN 13
12	Checking display speed

		On the View menu, uncheck Wireframe Editing and try the Move tool again. If your display slows down considerably, you may want to turn Wireframe mode back on.  Note: Expect slower display with larger scenes and/or more objects.


SCREEN 14
13	Adding another object to the scene

		In the Library's Objects gallery, locate the Cube. Drag a new cube into the scene and drop it just to the right of the snowflake.


SCREEN 15
14	Using the Scene Move tool

		On the Tools tab, click to select the Scene Move tool.  Click and drag anywhere in the scene window.  With Scene Move, you can move all the scene objects around as a group.


SCREEN_16
15	Using the Scene Distance tool

		Now select the Scene Distance tool and drag up and down in the scene window. This tool moves all the objects nearer and farther "in space."  With the two Scene tools, you can click and drag anywhere in the scene.


SCREEN 17
16	Using the standard Distance tool

		For comparison, choose the regular Distance tool, which works on a single object.  Click on the cube to select it, then drag up and down. This time, only the cube moves in space.  Try moving the cube in front of, then behind, the snowflake.


SCREEN 18
17	Using the Resize tool

		Now select the Resize tool. Again, click and drag up or down on the cube.  Notice the cube grows and shrinks in place. Its center remains fixed, not moving back and forth as it did with the Distance tool.


SCREEN 19
18	Using Delete, Undo, and Redo

		We don't need the cube anymore. Select it and press the Delete key.  Just for practice, click the Undo button on the toolbar to undo the action. Then click the Redo button.


SCREEN 20
19	Using the Extrude tool

		Select the Extrude tool and click on the snowflake.  Drag up and down to adjust the object's depth. Leave the snowflake thicker than it was before.


SCREEN 21
20	Adjusting spotlight positions

		Let's brighten up the scene a bit.  Select the Spotlight tool to display the three spotlights. Click on any spotlight cone to select it. Spend a little time dragging each spotlight around to experiment with various lighting effects.


SCREEN 22
21	Varying spotlight color and intensity

		Select the Color tab. The color of the currently selected spotlight is highlighted in the color table.  Move the Intensity slider to vary the spotlight's strength.  Click a different color to change the spotlight. Experiment!


SCREEN 23
22	Changing the background color

		Select the Move tool. Now that there's no object selected, the color table shows the background color (black).  Click a different color to change the background. (It doesn't have to match the color shown here.)


SCREEN 24
23	Changing an object's base color

		Now click on the snowflake to select it. The color table shows its base color to be light gray. Click a different color to change the object.  Note: Each object has a base color that interacts with the scene's spotlight settings.


SCREEN 25
24	Adjusting the Floodlight setting

		For a final lighting experiment, select the Studio tab and click a different Floodlight setting. You may wish to leave the setting on Normal. Note: The Floodlight setting provides an overall level of brightness for the scene objects.


SCREEN 26
25	Using the Spin tool

		Select the Tools tab again and choose the Spin tool.  Click the hotspot on the snowflake to select it, then click and drag up-down to tilt, or side-to-side to swivel the object.


SCREEN 27
26	Using the Rotate tool

		Choose the Rotate tool. Try clicking and dragging repeatedly to nudge the snowflake object into various positions, or turn it on its side! Restore the object to a front view before continuing...


SCREEN 28
27	Duplicating an object

		To duplicate the snowflake object: Select it, click the Copy button, then click the Paste button.  To select one object or the other: Click at a point where the two overlap, then click again. Using the Move tool, drag one object to a new location.


PKG 1
28	Bringing in a background image

		On the Library tab, click the Backgrounds button to view a gallery of preset backgrounds.  Click on the one named Clouds and drag it into the scene.


PKG 2
29	Things to try...

		Congratulations! Now that we've covered the basics, you're ready  to explore on your own. For example, the Library's Lights gallery lets you apply preset lighting schemes to the scene...


PKG 3
30	More things to try...

		The Materials gallery includes preset textures to apply to particular objects, and the Material tab lets you customize the effects... And you can save your own custom Lights and Materials settings!


PKG 4
31	And still more...

		Explore the 3D Clipart gallery for useful and offbeat objects to add to your scenes... You've completed the Walkthrough! Wondering where to go next? Click the Menu button at left and check out the Help on Help topic.