Copyright: Copyright© Ulead Systems, Inc. July 1999


This help file contains topics about selected dialog boxes in your PhotoImpact package. You can access these topics through those dialog boxes or by navigating through a main help file associated with one of the PhotoImpact programs.


Add Palette Ramp Sample dialog box

Preview window Displays the selected palette ramp.

Name Enter a name for the palette ramp.

Click OK to save the palette ramp to the Palette library.


Emboss dialog box

Displays an image as a single-color imprint on a solid surface.

Light source Choose the direction of shadows on the image and which parts should appear raised or indented. Light sources from above cause dark areas to look raised. From below, dark areas look indented.

Coating color Click to select a new color for the image.

Depth Set how strong the embossed effect is. Higher settings cause a more pronounced embossed effect.

Preview Click to see how the changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

Thumbnail Choose a portion of the active image to show in the dialog box preview window.

Add Adds the settings to the EasyPalette.


Gaussian Blur dialog box

Blurs an image by evaluating the color values of all pixels in the image and shifting them towards the most common color in the image.

Variance Choose a higher value to make the image blurrier. As the setting gets higher, the image approaches a single color closely matching the most prevalent color in the image.

Preview Click to see how the changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

Thumbnail Choose a portion of the active image to show in the dialog box preview window.

Add Adds the settings to the EasyPalette.


Emphasize Edge dialog box
Emphasize Edges dialog box

Increases contrast in an image, making edges more distinct.

Level Choose higher values to produce a clip with harder, more sharply-defined edges.

Preview Click to see how the changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

Thumbnail Choose a portion of the active image to show in the dialog box preview window.

Add Adds the settings to the EasyPalette.


Blur dialog box

Produces an out-of-focus effect for an image.

Level Select how much you want to blur the image.

Preview Click to see how the changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

Thumbnail Choose a portion of the active image to show in the dialog box preview window.

Add Adds the settings to the EasyPalette.


Average dialog box

Gives an image a softer look by evaluating the color values of all pixels and moving them toward the average pixel value.

Square size Choose a larger size for a softer picture. As the size gets bigger the focus deteriorates.

Preview Click to see how the changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

Thumbnail Choose a portion of the active image to show in the dialog box preview window.

Add Adds the settings to the EasyPalette.


Motion Blur dialog box

Blurs an image with an effect similar to when a subject or camera moves when taking a photograph.

Light Source Choose the type of motion desired.

Camera simulates camera movement.

Natural simulates light source movement.

Object simulates subject movement.

Angle Choose the direction of motion.

Moving offset Set how strong the motion appears.

Preview Click to see how the changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

Thumbnail Choose a portion of the active image to show in the dialog box preview window.

Add Adds the settings to the EasyPalette.


Puzzle dialog box

Breaks an image into squares and rearranges them as if they were sliding-puzzle pieces.

Background color Click to select a new color for the borders of the squares.

Square size Set the size in pixels of each square. If the size does not evenly fit in the image, squares are cropped from the lower right.

Preview Click to see how the changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

Thumbnail Choose a portion of the active image to show in the dialog box preview window.

Add Adds the settings to the EasyPalette.

Random Click to readjust the effect at random until you find the one you want.


Tile dialog box

Breaks an image into square tiles and shifts them as if they are being placed or removed from the image.

Background color Click to select a new color for the borders of the squares.

Square size Set the size in pixels of each tile. If the size does not evenly fit in the image, squares are cropped from the lower right.

Shift value Set a higher value to randomize the order of the tiles more. A value of zero creates a well organized tiled effect.

Preview Click to see how the changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

Thumbnail Choose a portion of the active image to show in the dialog box preview window.

Add Adds the settings to the EasyPalette.

Random Click to readjust the effect at random until you find the one you want.


Facet dialog box

Breaks an image into square tiles and shifts them to simulate the appearance of viewing the image through cut glass.

Square size Set the size in pixels of each square. If the size does not evenly fit in the image, squares are cropped from the lower right.

Shift value Set a higher value to randomize the order of the tiles more. This is similar to increasing the size of the cuts in the glass. A value of zero produces almost no change to the original image.

Preview Click to see how the changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

Thumbnail Choose a portion of the active image to show in the dialog box preview window.

Add Adds the settings to the EasyPalette.

Random Click to readjust the effect at random until you find the one you want.


Warm / Cool dialog box

Add tint to an image producing a warmer or cooler feeling.

Color Choose the tint you wish to apply.

Level Set a higher value to apply a stronger tint. As the level increases the tint becomes more dominant.

Preview Click to see how the changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

Thumbnail Choose a portion of the active image to show in the dialog box preview window.

Add Adds the settings to the EasyPalette .


Fat / Thin dialog box

Fat expands an image at the center. Thin squeezes compresses an image at the center.

Level Set a higher level to expand (Fat) or compress (Thin) the image more.

Preview Click to see how the changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

Thumbnail Choose a portion of the active image to show in the dialog box preview window.

Add Adds the settings to the EasyPalette .


Wind / Blast dialog box

These effects create a feeling of a wind blown image. Windy evokes a feeling of a mild to strong wind blowing across the image. Blast is more like gale force winds.

Direction Choose the direction the wind blows.

Moving offset Set a high value to create a stronger wind effect.

Preview Click to see how the changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

Thumbnail Choose a portion of the active image to show in the dialog box preview window.

Add Adds the settings to the EasyPalette.

Random Click to readjust the effect at random until you find the one you want.


Sharpen dialog box

Makes edges stand out more distinctly in an image.

Level Choose higher to get stronger borders.

Preview Click to see how the changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

Thumbnail Choose a portion of the active image to show in the dialog box preview window.

Add Adds the settings to the EasyPalette .


Add Noise dialog box

Produces a speckled image.

Distribution Choose Uniform to evenly distribute the noise through the image. Choose Varied to make parts of the image noisier than others.

Variance Increase the variance to create a more speckled effect.

Preview Click to see how the changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

Thumbnail Choose a portion of the active image to show in the dialog box preview window.

Add Adds the settings to the EasyPalette .


Mosaic dialog box

Blurs the image into blocks by averaging pixel values in each block.

X-axis size Set the width of each square in pixels.

Y-axis size Set the height for each square in pixels.

Preview Click to see how the changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

Thumbnail Choose a portion of the active image to show in the dialog box preview window.

Add Adds the settings to the EasyPalette .

Square Select Square to make each block a perfect square.

Note: If the block size does evenly fit into the image, the blocks are cropped starting from the lower right corner.


Sphere dialog box

Produces a wide-angle camera lens effect on an image.

Light direction Choose the angle for a light source on the image.

Preview Click to see how the changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

Thumbnail Choose a portion of the active image to show in the dialog box preview window.

Add Adds the settings to the EasyPalette.


Punch / Pinch dialog box

Punch pushes out the center of an image as if it were being stretched on the outside of a Sphere. Pinch squeezes the center of the image as if it were pushed into the inside of a sphere.

Power Set a high value to make the effect more pronounced.

Preview Click to see how the changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

Thumbnail Choose a portion of the active image to show in the dialog box preview window.

Add Adds the settings to the EasyPalette.


Whirlpool dialog box

Twists an image into a swirling pattern.

Direction Choose a clockwise or counterclockwise swirl.

Twist degrees Set how much rotation to use. The higher the number, the greater the distortion.

Preview Click to see how the changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

Thumbnail Choose a portion of the active image to show in the dialog box preview window.

Add Adds the settings to the EasyPalette.


Ripple dialog box

Adds waves to an image as if viewed through water.

Direction Choose Center to create waves start from the center and move out in a circular pattern. Choose Edge for waves that appear to be flowing across the image.

Frequency Choose a high value for more waves.

Amplitude Choose a high value for larger waves.

Preview Click to see how the changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

Thumbnail Choose a portion of the active image to show in the dialog box preview window.

Add Adds the settings to the EasyPalette.


Watercolor dialog box

Enriches the colors in an image to simulate the appearance of a watercolor painting.

Stroke size Choose Small for short brush strokes. Choose Large for big strokes.

Moisture level Set higher levels to add streaking typical of paints with higher water content.

Preview Click to see how the changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

Thumbnail Choose a portion of the active image to show in the dialog box preview window.

Add Adds the settings to the EasyPalette.


Unsharp Mask dialog box

Sharpens the image by subtracting an amount determined by the average pixel values in the specified cell size from each pixel in that cell.

Sharpen Factor Set a high factor for stronger contrast.

Aperture Radius Set a low radius to reduce pixelization.

Preview Click to see how the changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

Thumbnail Choose a portion of the active image to show in the dialog box preview window.

Add Adds the settings to the EasyPalette.


Choose Intensity to make the brightness of the image more like the reference.

Choose Saturation to make the richness of the colors more like the reference.

Choose Chrominance to tint the image according to the colors of the reference.


Positive values add to the total, usually causing the image to become lighter. Negative values usually cause darker results.


Stagger dialog box

Creates a wobbly effect for the image.

Direction Choose which way the image wobbles.

Preview Click to see how the changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

Thumbnail Choose a portion of the active image to show in the dialog box preview window.

Add Adds the settings to the EasyPalette.

Random Click to readjust the effect at random until you find the one you want.


Custom Effect dialog box

Distort image data by remapping pixel locations in a plane. The easiest way to use this filter is to first select a method by clicking on the Samples button. After examining the map, you can fine tune to achieve the effect you want.

Thumbnail Choose a portion of the active image to show in the dialog box preview window.

Add Adds the settings to the EasyPalette.

Map Drag the curve to squeeze or expand pixels. The left edge of the graph represents the center of the image; the right , all four edges. If the curve is steep, the image will be squeezed; if shallow, expanded.

Show control points Click to place control points on the graph. This may make it easier to draw the desired curve. Enter the number of points you want in the points text box.

In / Out Shows the current and remapped pixel assignments when the mouse is in the Map area.

Methods Click to start with a reference map. The Smooth option takes the current map and smoothes out any sharp changes in the curve. All effects applied are cumulative, that is, the map is not reset before you apply a new effect from the Method list.

Preview Click to see how the changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

Load Use a previously saved matrix file to remap the colors.

Save Saves the current matrix settings to a file for future use in another image.


Custom Filter dialog box

Create custom effects by changing the color values of pixels by weighting them against their surroundings. The easiest way to use this filter is to first select a method by clicking on the Method button. Then, after examining the matrix and other filter settings, you can fine tune it for the effect you want.

Thumbnail Choose a portion of the active image to show in the dialog box preview window.

Add Adds the settings to the EasyPalette.

Matrix Enter a value representing the relative weight a each pixel has when calculating new pixel colors. The center box is the pixel that will actually be changed.

Reset Returns the grid to its unchanged appearance.

Load Use a previously saved matrix file to remap the colors.

Save Saves the current matrix settings to a file for future use in another image.

Test Click to see how the changes in the right preview window on the dialog box. (This is a little faster than pressing the Preview button but not as clear.)

Preview Click to see how the changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

Samples Click for some sample maps to help you get started.

Symmetry Select an option to help you add factors into the proper places faster.

Divided by Enter a value that will bring the color values for all pixels down to a value that falls between 1 and 256. For best results, this number should be equal to the sum of all factors in the matrix. (If the sum comes out to zero, the factor should be 1.

Offset Set a value to add to each pixel after the matrix calculation. Positive values make the image lighter; negative, darker.

Invert Apply the complimentary colors to those calculated by the filter. For example, all black pixels would become white.


Warping dialog box

Distorts localized regions of an image by allowing you to drag control points.

Sample image Drag the grid to define how to warp the image.

Preview image Shows how the current warping settings will affect the image. (Press the Testing button to update this image.)

Grid size Choose the type of grid to place over the image. A small grid gives you finer control over the changes.

Show control points Check to place control points at the grid intersections. Clear to remove the points. Clearing the points gives you a better view of the original image.

Test See how the changes affect the image in the right preview window in the dialog box. (This is a little faster than pressing the Preview button but not as clear.)

Reset Returns the grid to its unchanged appearance.

Preview Click to see how the changes will affect the actual image before applying them.


Thumbnail dialog box

Allows you to choose what appears in the dialog box preview window while applying the filter. This can be useful if you are concerned about a particular region, or to change the magnification in the preview window. It also allows you to choose an image for adding filter settings to the EasyPalette.

Scales the entire image to fit in the preview window.

Selects a portion of the image to show at full size in the preview window.

Selects any part of the image to show in the preview window. PhotoImpact automatically resizes areas larger than the preview window.


Add To / Update EasyPalette dialog box

Saves the current dialog box settings in the EasyPalette  of the EasyPalette for future use.

Preview Window Displays the image that will appear in the EasyPalette .

Sample name Enter a name for this filter setting that will remind you of what it does or when to use it.

Gallery / Library Select the Gallery or Library you want to save the attributes in.

Tab group Select a tab group within the Gallery or Library.

Recently-used Displays the most recently used Galleries and Libraries.


Palette Ramp Editor dialog box

Contains pre-defined ring palettes and allows you to edit or design ring palettes.

Palette ramp Displays the currently selected ring palette and its order control points.

Hue shift control Adjusts the hue in the ring palette without changing the saturation and brightness. Click and drag the index in the color hue bar or enter the desired hue value.

Ring Rotates the color ring affecting the start and the end color. Enter the degree of turn.

Add Inserts a newly defined ring palette to the library.

Palette library Contains the pre-defined ring palettes. Click to select a ring palette to display in the ring palette window.


Allows you to reorder, change, add or delete colors from the selected ring palette.

To edit the ring’s color order, click and drag the control point of the color around the ring to the desired position.

To change/delete a color on the ring, right-click on the control point and select “Change color” or “Delete”.

To add a color to the ring, click on the area of the ring you wish to add a color to. This opens the Windows color picker. Select a color and click OK to add it to the ring.


PhotoImpact plug-ins

PhotoImpact includes plug-in effects for enhancing your images, plus the Ulead Color Picker, which offers better control for choosing colors to use. Access the Ulead Color Picker by right-clicking on a color box in dialog boxes, or on the Attribute Toolbar of certain tools.

The plug-in effects in PhotoImpact include:

  Charcoal Displays an image with a charcoal-drawn look.

  Colored Pen Softens an image to simulate the look of colored pens.

  Oil Paint Enriches the colors in an image to simulate the appearance of an oil painting.

  Magic Gradient Fills an image with specially designed gradients.

  Kaleidoscope Generates a pattern based on the placement of a reflection in the image.

  Turnpage Curls up a corner of an image, like you’re turning a page.

  Light Creates a focused or diffused beam on an image.

  Artist Texture Creates a custom texture based on a gradient by combining various textures.

  Creative Warp Distorts an image by mirroring and segmenting it.

  Painting Applies painting effects such as Watercolor, Oil Paint and Crayon to an image. You can also apply textures and add a colored tint to the image and create seamlessly tiling backgrounds.

  Particle Applies natural effects such as bubbles, firefly, rain, snow, clouds, smoke, fire and stars.

  Remove Red Eye Removes red from a selected area of the image. While this effect is primarily used to remove the “red eye” effect created by camera flashes, you can also use it to decrease the level of red in any other part of the image.

  Transform Applies brush effects such as Smudge, Pinch, Punch, Sphere, Ripple, Stone, Mirror, Whirlpool, Diffuse and global effects such as Horizontal and Vertical squeeze.

  Type Effect Applies predefined effects such as Gradient, Hole, Glass, Metal, Emboss, Concrete, Sand, Lighting, Fire, Snow, Neon and Seal. These effects can be applied only when there is a selection or object.

  Other plug-ins If you add any compatible third-party plug-ins (such as Kai’s Power Tools), they will also appear in the All submenu and at the bottom of the Effect menu.


Magic Gradient dialog box

Fills an image with specially designed gradients.

Ring palette window Displays the ring palette containing the set and order of colors used in the current magic gradient effect. (The order of the colors starts from the left middle part of the ring which is at 0 degrees and makes a 360 degree turn.)

Edit Click to create your own ring palette.

Reflect control button Reverses the order of the second set of ring palette colors (per two groups) applied in the magic gradient effect.

Hue shift control Adjusts the hue in the ring palette without changing the saturation and brightness. Click and drag the index in the color hue bar or enter the desired hue value.

Ring control Rotates the color ring changing the first color of the set. Enter the degree of turn.

Repeat number Define the number of times to repeat the ring palette in the pattern.

Mode Select a pattern to use in the effect. (For some modes, move the pointer to the sample set window and if the pointer changes to a hand shape, you can move the center point of the gradient. Click and drag to the desired center point position.)

Slope Allows you to specify the pattern's direction. Click and drag the red dot to the determine the selected mode's degree of turn.

Frequency Allows you specify the number of times to apply the pattern in the magic gradient effect. Click and drag the pointer to the desired number of patterns.

Amplitude Allows you to specify the length and width of the pattern. Click and drag the pointer to the desired ripple or wavy effect.

Preview Click to see how the changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

Add Adds the custom gradient and settings to the EasyPalette.


  When selected, and the repeat number is set to at least 2, the first set of colors is applied in the regular order and the second set is applied in the same order, reversed. This arrangement is applicable for every two sets of colors.


This help file contains topics about selected dialog boxes in your PhotoImpact package. You can access these topics through those dialog boxes or by navigating through a main help file associated with one of the PhotoImpact programs.


GIF Save Options dialog box

Color table Displays the color palette of an image. Click on the color you wish to make transparent when the image is placed as an object.

Transparent color Displays the color that appears transparent when placed as an object into another image.

Save in Interlaced format Check to open the image progressively when viewed on-line. This may increase file size.


TIF Save Options dialog box

Format Choose to save the file for use on an IBM PC- compatible or Apple Macintosh system.

Compression Choose the compression method to apply to the file.

Strip size Try the default setting of 8 first. If you need a smaller file, increasing the strip size may help.

Tile size If varying the strip size still does not produce adequate compression, try varying the tile size.

Use horizontal differentiation If your image contains large solid-colored areas (not dithered), horizontal differentiation can improve the compression. If the image is mostly random or widely dispersed colors the advantage is minimal.

Include preview information Saving a preview makes the file a little bigger but allows some programs to display the image without actually opening it.


IFF, PSD, & TGA Save Options dialog box

Choose Run Length Encoding (RLE) for a smaller file size. If you have problems save it again without compression.


UFO Save Options dialog box

Compression Choose JPEG for a smaller file size. If you have problems save it again with RLE or no compression.

Advanced Select to save the vector (or path) information of the image.


RAS Save Options dialog box

Compression Choose Run Length Encoding (RLE) for a smaller file size. If you have problems save it again without compression.

Byte order Try Most Significant Byte (MSB) first.

Color order Try BGR first.


JPEG Save Options dialog box

Quality Lower quality results in smaller files at the cost of image quality. The default setting offers good compression without significantly affecting the image appearance.

Progressive compression Check to enable the file to open progressively. This also places preview information in the file which enables some programs to view the file without actually opening it.


PIC Open Options dialog box

Pen Select the pen you want to assign a color to.

Color Select a color for the currently selected pen.

Width Set the desired width in pixels for the image.

Height Set the desired height in pixels for the image.

Default Click to restore the Width and Height settings to 400 and 300 pixels respectively.


Photo CD Open Options dialog box

Resolution Choose the image resolution for opening PCD files.

Data Type Choose the data type for opening or viewing PCD files.


Photo CD images can be displayed at the following resolutions (pixels):

64 x 96

128 x 192

256 x 384

512 x 768

1024 x 1536

2048 x 3072

4096 x 6144


Photo CD images can be displayed using the following data types:

RGB True-Color

Indexed 256-Color

Grayscale


EPS Save Options dialog box

Format The ASCII format is more widely accepted but results in a larger file size. Binary EPS files are about half the size of the same ASCII files.

Clipping path Set low to trace object shapes more accurately in the EPS file. This may be useful if you wish to add text on a path in another program.

Save Preview Saving a preview makes the file a little bigger but allows some programs to display the image without actually opening it.


BMP Save Options dialog box

Choose whether to save the file as an MS-Windows or OS/2 bitmap.


PNG Save Options dialog box

Interlace Check to allow images to open progressively when viewed on-line. This may increase file size.

Description Assign a brief description, key words, or other text message to store with the image.

Compression method Choose Compress more for the smallest possible file. Choose Compress faster to enable faster opening when viewed on-line.

Background color Click the color square to choose a color that appears as a background to the image.

Note: This dialog box is not available in PhotoImpact Album.


A compression setting of 0 results in very little space savings and most accurate reproduction. A 100 setting produces the smallest possible file, but result in a less detailed reproduction.

Note: This setting is inversely related to the Quality setting for some other JPEG image editing programs.


The benefit of choosing this option depends on the image.


This is most useful for images you are preparing for the WWW or other on-line services. It enables viewers to see a representation of the image faster, thus allowing them to decide faster whether to wait to download the entire image for viewing. It is also useful if you wish to automatically see a preview thumbnail in the Open Image dialog boxes in Ulead and other programs that support preview information.


When using compression, larger strip sizes offer higher compression ratios. However, some programs may not be able to read TIF files with large strip sizes.


FPX Save Options dialog box

Create multiple dimensions If this option is selected when you save the file, you will have the choice of opening the image with different dimensions in the future. Selecting this option will increase the file size.

Calibration flag in header Adds a flag in the header of the file that indicates the images pixel data is from a calibrated device.

Compression Select to compress the file using the JPG compression method. Use the slider to adjust the level of compression.

Quality Lower quality results in smaller files at the cost of image quality. The default setting offers good compression without significantly affecting the image appearance.


FPX Open Options dialog box

Single file Select new dimensions for the image to resample the selected image. You will still need to save the file again to permanently apply the dimensions. This option is only available if Create multiple dimensions was selected when saving.

Multiple files and default Opens images with the smallest, medium, largest, or fit to screen dimension size when select multiple files or no file be selected.

Apply existing transformations Applies viewing transformations (such as filter, rotation, blur) saved in the file. If not transformations were saved, the file is read as normal.


DCS Save Options dialog box

Format The ASCII format is more widely accepted but results in a larger file size. Binary EPS files are about half the size of the same ASCII files.

Composite PostScript Adds a small or normal size PostScript image in the main file that is used as a preview image.

Clipping path Set low to trace object shapes more accurately in the DCS file. This may be useful if you wish to add text on a path in another program.


Creating buttons: Rectangular
Creating buttons
  Regular	  Irregular

Use PhotoImpact’s Button Designer to create 3D buttons for your web site or presentation.

1.	Open an image or select a portion of an image to use for the button face.

2.	Click Web: Button Designer.

3.	Select Inward if you want to limit the size of the button to the current image dimensions. Select Outward if you wish to add a border to the image.

Select the style you wish to use for your button.

4.	Type the size in pixels for the button border. Clear Mirror if you wish to set each border size independently.

5.	Select colors and their transparencies for the borders.

6.	Click OK.


You may only select Inward for the full-picture button style, (fourth Style choice).


Creating buttons: Irregularly shaped
Creating buttons
  Regular 	  Irregular

For unique buttons, create a button from an irregularly shaped selection area.

1.	Make a selection area using the Lasso  [image]  or Magic Wand  [image]  Tool.

2.	Click Web: Button Designer: Any Shape.

3.	Adjust the settings for the button in the Any Shape Button Designer dialog box.

  Irregular button - Inner

  Irregular button - Outer

  Any Shape Button Designer dialog box


Freehand paint tool

Select to manually control the strokes of your paint tool.


Straight line paint tool

Select to create a straight line stroke. Click at two different places to create the two endpoints of your line.


Connected line paint tool

Create multiple connecting straight lines by clicking at two different places to create the endpoints of each line. Press ESC to deselect the connected line paint tool.


Brightness

Brightness describes how much light appears to be coming from an image. A pure white image would be considered to have maximum brightness while a black one would have no brightness.


Constrain

Constrains the selection to a perfect square or circle.


Freehand selection

Creates a selection of arbitrary size.


Fixed selection

Creates a selection area of the size specified.


Fixed size value

Enter the size, in pixels, of the fixed selection area.


Anti-alias mode

Smoothes out the rough edges of a selection area.


Move mask

Allows you to move a selection area without moving any image data.


Auto snap sensitivity

Type the sensitivity level for the Auto snap function

1 being the most sensitive and 10 the least sensitive. The higher the sensitivity

the wider the range of color values that will be selected.


Similarity

Type the level of color similarity to select. The higher the value the wider the range of color selected.


Sample by path

Select colors similar to those you drag the mouse over in the image using the similarity value on the Attribute Toolbar.


Sample by area

Select colors based on similarity inside the selection area created using the similarity value on the Attribute Toolbar.


Fit in window

Zooms in or out to fit the current frame in the window without scrollbars.


Zoom Ratio Slider

Use the slider to zoom in or out arbitrarily on the current frame.


Zoom in

Zooms in sequentially on the image.


Zoom Out

Zooms out sequentially on the image.


Resize

Click and drag the handle bars to resize a selection. To maintain the proportions of the selection press Shift while resizing.


Free rotate

Click and drag to freely rotate a selection on the current frame.


Flip horizontally

Click to create a mirror image using the horizontal axis as the reference.


Flip vertically

Click to create a mirror image using the vertical axis as the reference.


Rotate 90 degrees counterclockwise

Click to rotate the current selection 90 degrees in counterclockwise direction.


Rotate 90 degrees clockwise

Click to rotate the current selection 90 degrees in a clockwise direction.


Rotate 180 degrees clockwise

Click to rotate the current selection 180 degrees in a clockwise direction.


Degree and direction of rotation

Select the direction of rotation and type the angle of rotation.


Foreground Color

Set the foreground color. Click to view the Ulead color picker. Right click to view other color pickers.


Background Color

Set the background color. Click to view the Ulead color picker. Right click to view other color pickers.


Quick Palette

Displays the palette of currently assigned brush colors. The color block with the border is the currently selected brush color, and its RGB and Hue, Saturation and Brightness values are displayed. Click a square to change its color, or click on the current image to add that color to the selection of brush colors.


Colors

Click a color to select it as the new foreground color.

With the Eyedropper Tool, right-click on a color to display the Ulead Color Picker and select a color.


Colors

Click a color to select it as the new foreground color.

Change a color by clicking below it and selecting the new color from the current frame with the Eyedropper Tool, or right click on a color to display the Ulead Color Picker and select a color.


Brush Preview

Displays a preview of the selected brush size and shape.


Brush Height

Type a value or use the slider to select the height of the brush.


Brush Width

Type a value or use the slider to select the width of the brush.


Equal Brush Height and Width

Click to make the height and width of the brush equal values.


Eraser Mode

Click to change the brush to an eraser.


Brush Shape

Select a rectangular or elliptical shape for the brush.


Brush Angle

Type a value or use the slider to adjust the angle of the brush. Type a value from 0 to 359. The higher the value the more extreme the angle in relation to the image surface.


Soft edge

Type a value or use the slider to adjust the softness of the brush edge. The higher the value the softer the edge.


Distribution

Type a value or use the slider to adjust the placement of bristles. The higher the value the wider the bristle placement.


Random

Creates a random size variation among the bristles of the selected brush. The higher the value the more the relative sizes of the bristles variety.


Brush Weight

Type a value or use the slider to increase or decrease the heaviness of the brush. The higher the value the stronger an impression it will leave on the paint layer.


Brush Head Size

Type a value or use the slider to change the thickness of bristles. A higher value will make the bristles thicker and therefore hold more paint.


Brush Density

Type a value or use the slider to change the number of bristles in the brush. The higher the value the more bristles.


Apply Method

Select the mode to apply paint. Always is the default method.


Painting Method

Click to draw freehand in a straight line or in a series of connected lines.


Alignment

Select the cloning alignment:

Absolute Data can be cloned anywhere on the image, regardless of the original position. Select this option to clone multiple copies from the original image.

Frame Data will be cloned in the same position on the current frame as on the original image. This option cannot be used when cloning onto the same image.

Relative Data will be cloned relative to the first mouse click.


Transparency

Determines the strength of the effect. The higher the value the greater the transparency of the paint, showing more of the base image.


Wetness

Determines the strength of the effect. A high value increases the wetness of the paint, making the paint appear as if water has been spilled over it.


Dodge

Determines the strength of the effect. A higher value will make the pixels appear lighter.


Burn

Determines the strength of the effect. A higher value will make the pixels appear darker.


Sharpen

Determines the strength of the effect. A higher value will make the pixels appear sharper.


Blur

Determines the strength of the effect. A higher value will make the pixels appear more blurred.


Retouch Highlights, Midtones and Shadows

Determines the strength of the effect on the highlights, midtones and shadows in the image. A positive value lightens highlights, midtones or shadows, a negative value darkens highlights, midtones or shadows. A value of zero has no effect on the image.


Smudge

Determines the strength of the effect. A higher value will make the smudge harsher, as if more pressure is being applied.


Saturation and Unsaturation

Determines the strength of the effect. The value determines the amount of white added to or removed from the pixels.

Saturation To add more white, increase the value.

Unsaturation To remove more white, decrease the value.


Warp

Determines the strength of the effect. A higher value will make the warp harsher, as if more pressure has been applied.


Wet and Dry Warp

Select wet or dry mode.

Wet mode Softens the edges of the warp.

Dry mode Makes the edges slightly harsher.


Bristle Smear

Determines the strength of the effect. The higher the value the greater the adjustment to the pixels, as if more pressure is being applied.


Wet and Dry Bristle Smear

Select wet or dry mode.

Wet mode Softens the edges of the smear.

Dry mode Makes the edges slightly harsher.


Multiple or Single Color

Select to paint with a single or multiple foreground color.

Single Color Paints with the solid color.

Multiple Color Uses the chosen color as the start color and adds a gradient of other colors as you paint.


Color Preview

Set the paint color. Click to view the Ulead color picker. Right click to view other color pickers.


Select Hue, Saturation and Brightness

Type a value or use the slider to adjust the Hue, Saturation and Brightness of the paint color.


Delta

Select the range for the relative change in pixel size between the highest and lowest pressure.

Note Only available when using a pressure-sensitive tablet.


Step

Select the maximum number of size changes that can result from varying pressure.

Note: Only available when using a pressure sensitive tablet.


Fade in/out

Select a fading method for the tool. The higher the value, the more gradual the fade in or out.


Spacing

Select the distance between the centers of each stroke. The higher the value the greater the distance.


Pressure options

Select pressure options for transparency and pressure.

Note: Only available when using a pressure-sensitive tablet.


Switch foreground and background color

Click to quickly switch the current foreground color with the background color.


Options

Randomly Paints objects onto the image in a random order.

Sequentially Paints objects onto the image in the same order as layers.

Stamp Paints an object where you click.

Trail Paints a continuous sequence of objects over the image as you move your mouse.


Open

Opens a file to clone onto the current image from.


Paintbrush Paint Tool
Paint Tool

  Paintbrush

  Using the Brush Panel


Paintbrush painting tool options
Paint Tool

  Paintbrush

  Using the Brush Panel


Paintbrush painting tool color options
Paint Tool

  Paintbrush

  Using the Brush Panel


Paintbrush painting tool advanced options
Paint Tool

  Paintbrush

  Using the Brush Panel


Airbrush Paint Tool
Paint Tool

  Airbrush

  Using the Brush Panel


Airbrush painting tool options
Paint Tool

  Airbrush

  Using the Brush Panel


Airbrush painting tool color options
Paint Tool

  Airbrush

  Using the Brush Panel


Airbrush painting tool advanced options
Paint Tool

  Airbrush

  Using the Brush Panel


Crayon Paint Tool
Paint Tool

  Crayon

  Using the Brush Panel


Crayon painting tool options
Paint Tool

  Crayon

  Using the Brush Panel


Crayon painting tool color options
Paint Tool

  Crayon

  Using the Brush Panel


Crayon painting tool advanced options
Paint Tool

  Crayon

  Using the Brush Panel


Charcoal Paint Tool
Paint Tool

  Charcoal

  Using the Brush Panel


Charcoal painting tool options
Paint Tool

  Charcoal

  Using the Brush Panel


Charcoal painting tool color options
Paint Tool

  Charcoal

  Using the Brush Panel


Charcoal painting tool advanced options
Paint Tool

  Charcoal

  Using the Brush Panel


Chalk Paint Tool
Paint Tool

  Chalk

  Using the Brush Panel


Chalk painting tool options
Paint Tool

  Chalk

  Using the Brush Panel


Chalk painting tool color options
Paint Tool

  Chalk

  Using the Brush Panel


Chalk painting tool advanced options
Paint Tool

  Chalk

  Using the Brush Panel


Pencil Paint Tool
Paint Tool

  Pencil

  Using the Brush Panel


Pencil painting tool options
Paint Tool

  Pencil

  Using the Brush Panel


Pencil painting tool color options
Paint Tool

  Pencil

  Using the Brush Panel


Pencil painting tool advanced options
Paint Tool

  Pencil

  Using the Brush Panel


Marker Paint Tool
Paint Tool

  Marker

  Using the Brush Panel


Marker painting tool options
Paint Tool

  Marker

  Using the Brush Panel


Marker painting tool color options
Paint Tool

  Marker

  Using the Brush Panel


Marker painting tool advanced options
Paint Tool

  Marker

  Using the Brush Panel


Oil Paint Tool
Paint Tool

  Oil Paint

  Using the Brush Panel


Oil paint tool options
Paint Tool

  Oil Paint

  Using the Brush Panel


Oil painting tool color options
Paint Tool

  Oil Paint

  Using the Brush Panel


Oil painting tool advanced options
Paint Tool

  Oil Paint

  Using the Brush Panel


Particle Paint Tool
Paint Tool

  Particle

  Using the Brush Panel


Particle painting tool options
Paint Tool

  Particle

  Using the Brush Panel


Particle painting tool color options
Paint Tool

  Particle

  Using the Brush Panel


Particle painting tool advanced options
Paint Tool

  Particle

  Using the Brush Panel


Drop Water Paint Tool
Paint Tool

  Drop Water

  Using the Brush Panel


Drop water painting tool options
Paint Tool

  Drop Water

  Using the Brush Panel


Drop water painting tool color options
Paint Tool

  Drop Water

  Using the Brush Panel


Drop water painting tool advanced options
Paint Tool

  Drop Water

  Using the Brush Panel


Bristle Paint Tool
Paint Tool

  Bristle

  Using the Brush Panel


Tool Panel
Paint Tool

  Bristle

  Using the Brush Panel


Bristle painting tool color options
Paint Tool

  Bristle

  Using the Brush Panel


Bristle painting tool advanced options
Paint Tool

  Bristle

  Using the Brush Panel


Paintbrush Clone Tool
Clone Tool

  Paintbrush

  Using the Brush Panel


Paintbrush clone tool options
Clone Tool

  Paintbrush

  Using the Brush Panel


Paintbrush clone tool advanced options
Clone Tool

  Paintbrush

  Using the Brush Panel


Airbrush Clone Tool
Clone Tool

  Airbrush

  Using the Brush Panel


Airbrush clone tool options
Clone Tool

  Airbrush

  Using the Brush Panel


Airbrush clone tool advanced options
Clone Tool

  Airbrush

  Using the Brush Panel


Crayon Clone Tool
Clone Tool

  Crayon

  Using the Brush Panel


Crayon clone tool options
Clone Tool

  Crayon

  Using the Brush Panel


Crayon clone tool advanced options
Clone Tool

  Crayon

  Using the Brush Panel


Charcoal Clone Tool
Clone Tool

  Charcoal

  Using the Brush Panel


Charcoal clone tool options
Clone Tool

  Charcoal

  Using the Brush Panel


Charcoal clone tool advanced options
Clone Tool

  Charcoal

  Using the Brush Panel


Chalk Clone Tool
Clone Tool

  Chalk

  Using the Brush Panel


Chalk Clone Tool Options
Clone Tool

  Chalk

  Using the Brush Panel


Chalk Clone Tool Advanced Options
Clone Tool

  Chalk

  Using the Brush Panel


Pencil Clone Tool
Clone Tool

  Pencil

  Using the Brush Panel


Pencil clone tool options
Clone Tool

  Pencil

  Using the Brush Panel


Pencil clone tool advanced options
Clone Tool

  Pencil

  Using the Brush Panel


Marker Clone Tool
Clone Tool

  Marker

  Using the Brush Panel


Marker clone tool options
Clone Tool

  Marker

  Using the Brush Panel


Marker clone tool advanced options
Clone Tool

  Marker

  Using the Brush Panel


Oil Paint Clone Tool
Clone Tool

  Oil Paint

  Using the Brush Panel


Oil paint clone tool options
Clone Tool

  Oil Paint

  Using the Brush Panel


Oil Paint clone tool advanced options
Clone Tool

  Oil Paint

  Using the Brush Panel


Bristle Clone Tool
Clone Tool

  Bristle

  Using the Brush Panel


Bristle clone tool options
Clone Tool

  Bristle

  Using the Brush Panel


Bristle clone tool advanced options
Clone Tool

  Bristle

  Using the Brush Panel


Object Clone Tool
Clone Tool

  Object Clone

  Using the Brush Panel


Clone Tool

  Object Clone

  Using the Brush Panel


Clone Tool

  Object Clone

  Using the Brush Panel


Dodge Retouch Tool
Retouch Tool

  Dodge

  Using the Brush Panel


Dodge retouch tool options
Retouch Tool

  Dodge

  Using the Brush Panel


Dodge retouch tool advanced options
Retouch Tool

  Dodge

  Using the Brush Panel


Burn Retouch Tool
Retouch Tool

  Burn

  Using the Brush Panel


Burn retouch tool options
Retouch Tool

  Burn

  Using the Brush Panel


Burn retouch tool advanced options
Retouch Tool

  Burn

  Using the Brush Panel


Blur Retouch Tool
Retouch Tool

  Blur

  Using the Brush Panel


Blur retouch tool options
Retouch Tool

  Blur

  Using the Brush Panel


Blur retouch tool advanced options
Retouch Tool

  Blur

  Using the Brush Panel


Sharpen Retouch Tool
Retouch Tool

  Sharpen

  Using the Brush Panel


Sharpen retouch tool options
Retouch Tool

  Sharpen

  Using the Brush Panel


Sharpen retouch tool advanced options
Retouch Tool

  Sharpen

  Using the Brush Panel


Tonal Adjustment Retouch Tool
Retouch Tool

  Tonal Adjustment

  Using the Brush Panel


Tonal adjustment retouch tool options
Retouch Tool

  Tonal Adjustment

  Using the Brush Panel


Tonal adjustment retouch tool advanced options
Retouch Tool

  Tonal Adjustment

  Using the Brush Panel


Smudge Retouch Tool
Retouch Tool

  Smudge

  Using the Brush Panel


Smudge retouch tool options
Retouch Tool

  Smudge

  Using the Brush Panel


Smudge retouch tool advanced options
Retouch Tool

  Smudge

  Using the Brush Panel


Saturation Retouch Tool
Retouch Tool

  Saturation

  Using the Brush Panel


Saturation retouch tool options
Retouch Tool

  Saturation

  Using the Brush Panel


Saturation retouch tool advanced options
Retouch Tool

  Saturation

  Using the Brush Panel


Warp Retouch Tool - Brush Panel
Retouch Tool

  Warping

  Using the Brush Panel


Warp retouch tool options
Retouch Tool

  Warping

  Using the Brush Panel


Warp retouch tool advanced options
Retouch Tool

  Warping

  Using the Brush Panel


Bristle Smear Retouch Tool
Retouch Tool

  Bristle Smear

  Using the Brush Panel


Bristle smear retouch tool options
Retouch Tool

  Bristle Smear

  Using the Brush Panel


Bristle smear retouch tool advanced options
Retouch Tool

  Bristle Smear

  Using the Brush Panel


This help file contains topics about selected dialog boxes in your PhotoImpact package. You can access these topics through those dialog boxes or by navigating through a main help file associated with one of the PhotoImpact programs.


File dialog boxes

This class of dialog box allows you to decide the names, locations, and characteristics for files when opening or saving them. They may contain some or all of the following choices:

Look in/Save in Find the desired folder.

View the contents of the next higher folder in your system.

Toggles between displaying the folders on your desktop and the folder you last viewed.

Create a new folder.

List names.

List names with statistics.

File name Identify the file(s) selected for saving, opening, or loading.

Files of type Select a particular file format for opening or saving to.

Open as read only Protects an album or image from changes.

Partial Load Opens only a selected area of the image for editing.

File information See the data-type, size, resolution, and other file statistics.

Convert color Select if you want PhotoImpact to automatically convert the colors of your current image based on the new color table.

Preview View a thumbnail picture of the selected image. (Images with preview information automatically appear.)

Options Define format specific save options for the selected format. (Not all file formats have options.)

Browse Search for files or folders.

Save to Album Save a thumbnail image of the file to the listed album.

Save Selection Include the selection in the image when saving.

Invoke Options dialog box Opens the Save Options dialog box of the selected file format before saving the image.

Album button Select or create an album for the thumbnail images.


Some file formats do not offer any save options. In this case, the Options button is disabled.


Some file formats cannot save selections. In this case, the Save Selection option is disabled.


Browse dialog box

Look in Find the desired folder.

View the contents of the next higher folder in your system.

Create a new folder.

List names.

List names with statistics.

File name Defines the search criteria for finding files. You may use the * and ? wildcards to find files with similar names.

Files found Shows all files found matching the search criteria in the File name text box.

Scan Expand the search to include any folders inside the selected folder.


Any Shape Button Designer dialog box - Bevel
Any Shape Button Designer dialog box
  Basic	  Light	  Warping
  Bevel	  Shadow

Thumbnail window Displays the selected object or selection area. Click and drag the control points to adjust the light direction.

Preview window Displays the button with the selected attributes applied.

Bevel size Adjusts the size of the bevel edge on the button. The higher the value, the wider the bevel edge.

Bevel smoothness Rounds the edges of the bevel to creater a smoother 3D button. The higher the value, the smoother the bevel.

Pressed Inverts the Light angle to make the button look as if it has been pressed or selected.

Outer Applies the bevel to the outer edge of the button area.

Bevel type Displays a range of bevel styles. Click a style to apply it to the button.

Symmetric Duplicates the bevel style on the opposite edges of the button.

Show .bevel Displays the selected bevel style in the preview window as a black and white mask.

Fine control Provides greater control over the bevel of the button.

Repeat Duplicates the bevel on the button to create a new bevel style.

Preview Select Apply on image and click Preview to see how the texture will look.

Add Adds the custom button and settings to the EasyPalette.


Any Shape Button Designer dialog box - Light
Any Shape Button Designer dialog box
  Basic	  Light	  Warping
  Bevel	  Shadow

Thumbnail window Displays the selected object or selection area. Click and drag the control points to adjust the light direction.

Preview window Displays the button with the selected attributes applied.

Lights Select the number of lights to be shone on the button.

Highlight Adjusts the overall highlight value of the light shone on the button.

Shadow Adjusts the overall ambient value of the light shone on the button.

Face brightness Adjusts the brightness or darkness of the button face.

  Click a light to individually adjust its settings.

Angle Enter a value (in degrees) for the direction of light. You can also adjust the lighting by dragging the control point on the thumbnail window.

Elevation Click and drag the red control point or enter a value to adjust the position of the light on the z axis. A value of 90 positions the light directly above the button.

Light value Adjusts the strength of the light.

Specular Adjusts the strength of specular light.

Light color Click the color preview to select a new light color.

Preview Select Apply on image and click Preview to see how the texture will look.

Add Adds the custom button and settings to the EasyPalette.


Any Shape Button Designer dialog box - Shadow
Any Shape Button Designer dialog box
  Basic	  Light	  Warping
  Bevel	  Shadow

Thumbnail window Displays the selected object or selection area. Click and drag the control points to adjust the light direction.

Preview window Displays the button with the selected attributes applied.

Shadow Applies a drop shadow to the button. Select a style from the list below:

Applies a basic drop shadow in one direction.

Applies a shadow around all edges of the button. Use this to create a “glow” effect.

Applies a shadow to both the inner and outer edges of the button.

X offset Adjusts the distance of the shadow from the left or right edges of the button.

Y offset Adjusts the distance of the shadow from the top or bottom edges of the button.

Transparency Adjusts the transparency of the shadow. The lower the value, the more opaque the shadow.

Glow Adjusts the size of the shadow around the edges of the button (only available for the last two shadow styles).

Soft edge Softens the edges of the shadow so it blends with the background image.

Color Click the color preview to change the color of the drop shadow.

Preview Select Apply on image and click Preview to see how the texture will look.

Add Adds the custom button and settings to the EasyPalette.


Any Shape Button Designer dialog box - Warping
Any Shape Button Designer dialog box
  Basic	  Light	  Warping
  Bevel	  Shadow

Thumbnail window Displays the selected object or selection area. Click and drag the control points to adjust the light direction.

Preview window Displays the button with the selected attributes applied.

Warping Applies a distortion effect to the button.

Smoothness Rounds the warping of the bevel to create a smoother 3D button.

Warp level Adjusts the strength of the distortion.

Preview Select Apply on image and click Preview to see how the texture will look.

Add Adds the custom button and settings to the EasyPalette.


True Color 48-bit to 24-bit

Dither Choose a dithering option to create the most accurate reproduction. The best choice depends on the source material.

None Choose None when the image is composed almost entirely of large single-colored areas.

Pattern Choose Pattern if choosing None results in blotchy images and Dither results in too much "noise". The Pattern result may offer a pleasing alternative.

Diffusion Choose Diffusion when the image has multi-colored patterns, shading, and other fine points. While you can't avoid losing some detail, this usually produces the most pleasing result.


Grayscale 16-bit to 8-bit

Dither Choose a dithering option to create the most accurate reproduction. The best choice depends on the source material.

None Choose None when the image is composed almost entirely of large single-colored areas.

Pattern Choose Pattern if choosing None results in blotchy images and Dither results in too much "noise". The Pattern result may offer a pleasing alternative.

Diffusion Choose Diffusion when the image has multi-colored patterns, shading, and other fine points. While you can't avoid losing some detail, this usually produces the most pleasing result.


Select Source dialog box
Select Source

Allows you to specify the type of input devices to use.


Selection Menu dialog boxes

  Border
  Expand / Shrink Selection
  Similar
  Soften
  Import
  Export


Object Menu dialog boxes

  Shadow
  Import
  Export
  Properties


Grayscale Color Picker dialog box

Color patch Select a color by clicking anywhere on the color patch or dragging the slider until you find the shade you want for your image.

New Displays the color as you click on the color patch or drag the slider.

Current Displays the current color of your grayscale image.


Path Draw Options
Options

Depending on which Path Tool is active, the Options menu may or may not contain any of these items:

Galleries Choose a gallery for applying preset styles to your path.

Material Contains preset color, reflection, bump, material and shading styles.

Deform Contains preset effects for changing the perspective (angle) of text.

Wrap Contains preset shapes and formations you can apply to your text.

Even-Odd fill Select to alternate between filling closed shapes and leaving them empty in a path object with intersecting lines.

Shadow Adds a shadow to the object.

Split shadow Separates a previously applied shadow from the active object. The shadow then becomes a new image object.

Anti-aliasing Select to smooth jagged edges of a moved path.


Path Draw Roundness
Roundness

Adjusts the edges of a rounded rectangle. Dragging the slider to the right on the Attribute Toolbar makes all four corners of your rectangle appear rounder, while dragging it to the left makes the edges look sharp and thus, more rectangular.

Note: This option is only available if you select Round Rectangle as the shape of your path.


Use Preset Property - Quick Command Panel

Select to use the default settings for the command. This option is only available if a command has the Dialog Box button  [image]  beside it. The selected task will then be applied to your image without opening the dialog box for you to configure its settings. To clear this option, select the button once more until you see  [image]  or right-click and select Use Preset Properties. The corresponding dialog box will then be opened when you play that task.

  Quick Command Panel

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Property - Quick Command Panel

Opens the dialog box for the command. Adjust the dialog box settings and click OK.

  Quick Command Panel

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Delete All - Quick Command Panel

Removes all commands from the list.

  Quick Command Panel

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Lock - Quick Command Panel
Lock / Unlock - Quick Command Panel

Select to store a command in the Cache list. To unlock, click the box or right-click and clear the Lock option.

  Quick Command Panel

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Use Image As Thumbnails

Replaces the default thumbnail images with your current image. This allows you to see how your image will appear with various effects. Click the Try button on the EasyPalette toolbar and choose which thumbnails to use:

Selected thumbnails Replaces only the currently selected thumbnails.

Visible thumbnails Replaces only the thumbnails that are currently on screen.

All thumbnails Replaces all the available thumbnails.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact

  EasyPalette


Show/Hide Tree View

Toggles between showing and hiding the heirarchy of Galleries or Libraries on the left pane of the EasyPalette.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact

  EasyPalette


Show/Hide List View

Toggles between showing and hiding thumbnail information. Here, you have the full control over your object layers - whether to view/hide or lock/unlock it.

Note: This option is only available in Layer Manager.


Show/Hide Group Member

Toggles between showing and hiding components of grouped objects. If hidden, the thumbnail of the grouped object becomes the merged image of the components.


Image Optimizer

Opens the Image Optimizer dialog box for reducing the file size before saving. This is helpful as it minimizes loading time.

  Optimizing your images

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


EasyPalette Toolbar

The EasyPalette Toolbar provides an easy access to all the Galleries and Libraries. Click below to learn more about each item.


Rename - EasyPalette Gallery

Allows you to change the name of the selected Gallery or Library.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact

  EasyPalette


New Group - EasyPalette Gallery

Allows you to assign a name to grouped objects. If you do not want to assign a group name, open the EasyPalette Options dialog box (accessed from View Menu Commands) and leave Automatically assign group name cleared.

  Assigning group names

  Welcome to PhotoImpact

  EasyPalette


Group Management - EasyPalette Gallery

Opens the Group Management dialog box for organizing your Galleries and Libraries. You may create a new group and assign a name to it, rename or arrange the way they appear in the EasyPalette.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact

  EasyPalette


Add Commands Thumbnails - EasyPalette

This option allows you to place commands that are not displayed in the EasyPalette gallery. Right-click a gallery and select Add commands thumbnails. Whatever command you selected will be added to My Gallery for future use.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact

  EasyPalette


Fit Selection - EasyPalette

Adjusts the mask so as to match the size and shape of your object. This option is only available in the Mask Library.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact

  EasyPalette


Try

Allows you to see how your image will appear with various effects by replacing the default thumbnail images with your currently active image.

  Use image as thumbnails

  Welcome to PhotoImpact

  EasyPalette


EasyPalette Options

Opens the EasyPalette Options dialog box for configuring some EasyPalette settings.

  EasyPalette Options dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact

  EasyPalette


Tolerance

Determines the strength of the effect. The higher the value, the more adjustments there are on the pixels.


Custom Color

Click the color square to change the color.


Eye Color

Displays the new color.


Level

Determines the strength of the effect. A higher value will make the effect appear smudgy.


Treshold - Remove Scratch

Determines the strength of the effect. The higher the value, the more blotches there are.


Level - Remove Noise

Determines the strength of the effect. The higher the value, the more adjustments there are on the pixels, making the image appear smudgy.


Treshold - Remove Noise

Determines the strength of the effect. The higher the value, the more adjustments there are on the pixels.


Color - Color Transform Pen

Set the source and destination color. Click to view the Ulead Color Picker. Right-click to view other color pickers.


Similarity - Color Transform Pen

Type the level of color similarity to select. The higher the value the wider the range of color selected.


Reset to Default
Reset to Default - Toolbars & Panels

Displays all the basic toolbars and panels you would need to work in PhotoImpact. If you choose to show or hide a toolbar and/or panel, click the specific toolbar or panel directly from the Toolbars & Panels submenu.

Note: You may also access most of the options in the Toolbars & Panels dialog box from a submenu by clicking Layout  [image]  on the Standard Toolbar or select Customize from the Toolbars & Panels submenu.

  Toolbars & Panels dialog box

  Arranging the Workspace

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Customize Toolbars and Panels
Customize - Toolbars & Panels

Allows you to choose which specific toolbars and/or panels you want to display on your screen.

Note: You may also access most of the options in the Toolbars & Panels dialog box from a submenu by clicking Layout  [image]  on the Standard Toolbar or select Customize from the Toolbars & Panels submenu.

  Toolbars & Panels dialog box

  Arranging the Workspace

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


System Properties dialog box

Provides information on your computer system.

Memory Displays your processor type and how much system memory you have.

Disk Displays all the drives on your computer and which folder you are in.

Display Shows you the display quality of images.

Plug-ins Displays the plug-in folder and how many plug-ins are included.


Remove Red Eye Retouch Tool
Tool Panel

Retouch Tool
Touch up your images with the Retouch Tool. Adjust the lighting, sharpness, tone, or saturation and apply effects such as Warping and Bristle Smear. Click below to select a Retouch Tool.

Remove Red Eye
Select options for each tool on the Attribute Toolbar. Click below to learn more.


Remove Scratch Retouch Tool
Tool Panel

Retouch Tool
Touch up your images with the Retouch Tool. Adjust the lighting, sharpness, tone, or saturation and apply effects such as Warping and Bristle Smear. Click below to select a Retouch Tool.

Remove Scratch
Select options for each tool on the Attribute Toolbar. Click below to learn more.


Remove Noise Retouch Tool
Tool Panel

Retouch Tool
Touch up your images with the Retouch Tool. Adjust the lighting, sharpness, tone, or saturation and apply effects such as Warping and Bristle Smear. Click below to select a Retouch Tool.

Remove Noise
Select options for each tool on the Attribute Toolbar. Click below to learn more.


Color Transform Pen Retouch Tool
Tool Panel

Retouch Tool
Touch up your images with the Retouch Tool. Adjust the lighting, sharpness, tone, or saturation and apply effects such as Warping and Bristle Smear. Click below to select a Retouch Tool.

Color Transform Pen
Select options for each tool on the Attribute Toolbar. Click below to learn more.


Remove Red Eye Retouch Tool
Retouch Tool

  Remove Red Eye

  Using the Brush Panel


Remove Scratch Retouch Tool
Retouch Tool

  Remove Scratch

  Using the Brush Panel


Remove Noise Retouch Tool
Retouch Tool

  Remove Noise

  Using the Brush Panel


Saturation Retouch Tool
Retouch Tool

  Color Transform Pen

  Using the Brush Panel


Charcoal

Makes the image appear as if it were painted using charcoal.

  Applying filters and effects

  Charcoal dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Text Entry dialog box

Workspace Enter text for the image. To create a paragraph return, press Ctrl + Enter.

Update Saves changes before closing the dialog box.


Preferences dialog box - Save
Preferences dialog box
  PhotoImpact	  System
  Plug-Ins	  Associate
  Guidelines & Grid	  Save
  Painting tools	  Display

Choose the file formats that will appear in the Save dialog box when storing image files. When saving images from the Save/Save dialog box, clicking Options then opens the Save Options dialog box of your currently selected file format to allow you to further configure some settings. If you want the whole list to be available, select List all file formats.

  Setting PhotoImpact defaults

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Paint as object mode

If this mode is selected, all painting, cloning, or retouching operations occur on a transparent layer atop the active document, thereby retaining the base image. In this mode, all selected or active objects are automatically cleared. Once you leave this mode, a new object, which is extracted from this layer, is created and becomes the active object.

Note: This option is available in all Painting, Clone, and Retouch Tool except for Object Clone and Color Replacement Pen.


Group Objects dialog box

Allows you to assign a name for your grouped objects. A group can still be put together with another object or group. Maximum group level is 16. Once you reach the limit, the Group command is disabled.

Group name Enter a name for the grouped objects.

Automatically assign group name next time Select this option if you want PhotoImpact to automatically group objects without asking for a group name.

  Assigning group names

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Assigning group names

If you have two or more objects that you want to group together, simply right-click and select Group. But it is easier to manage your files if you assign names to each group.

1.	Open the EasyPalette  [image]  from the Standard Toolbar.

2.	Click View Menu Commands  [image]  and select EasyPalette Options.

3.	Make sure that the "Automatically assign group name" option is cleared. Click OK.

4.	To group your objects together, right-click and select Group. PhotoImpact will prompt you for a name.

5.	Enter a name for the group and click OK.

Note: If the Automatically assign group name option is selected, PhotoImpact will not ask you to enter a name for your group. Instead, it will automatically provide an object number as a name (for example, Group 1, 2, 3...) when you group objects together.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Batch Convert Auto-convert dialog box

This warning message appears when the file format of your destination image does not support the specified data type. You may then have the option of skipping the file and proceeding with the conversion of the next file in line, or you may prompt PhotoImpact to convert your image to a data type that your destination file format supports.

Select Apply the same command to the rest of the files if you want PhotoImpact to perform the same commands in this dialog box to all the other files when a different data type is detected.


Rename Gallery / Library dialog box

Enter a new name for the Gallery or Library before importing it to your EasyPalette.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact

  EasyPalette


Swap Foreground / Background Color

Click to switch the foreground and background color.


Restore last display ratio

Changes the current magnification to the last displayed zoom ratio you just made. This is useful especially if you have to repeatedly work in the zoom in and out state.


Adjust window

Select to automatically resize a window to make an image fit at all zoom ratio.


Reading this Help

This help contains several aids to make navigating through topics easier.
  Jumps to the shown topic.
  Jumps to a topic describing the listed dialog box.
  Pops up tips or advice to help you work more efficiently.


Finding files

1.	Click File: Open.

2.	Click Browse in the Open dialog box.

3.	Enter any path and file name constraints for the search in the Browse dialog box.

4.	Click Scan.

5.	Choose the desired file for further action from the found list and click OK.


Calibrating the display

1.	Click File: Preferences.

2.	Click the Display category.

3.	Check Monitor Gamma.

4.	Raise or lower the Gamma Value until the gray box looks something like this:

Note: Increase your distance from the monitor to about six feet, (2 m), to make the pattern in the upper rectangle less apparent.

5.	Click OK.


Managing memory

1.	Click File: Preferences.

2.	Click the System category.

3.	Choose directories for storing temporary information. Note: Do not specify two temporary directories in the same drive or partition.

4.	Select Limit hard disk usage to, and set a value for maximum disk space to have Ulead programs limit disk space used while running. Leave it unchecked to use Windows defaults.

5.	Select Limit RAM usage to, and set a value for maximum memory to have Ulead programs limit RAM used while running. Leave it unchecked to use Windows defaults.

6.	Click OK.


Make sure each of your temporary directories is on a different drive or partition.


This does not affect the actual data, it just affects appearance when not active.


Raising the value makes the lower half lighter; lowering makes it darker.


This button only appears if you are running in Windows for Workgroups or Windows 95.


Batch Manager dialog box

Category Select which group of menu commands you want to display.

Images/Files Choose the images you want to repeat the command on.

Operations Choose the command you want to repeat from the drop down list. Note: Close Quickly closes all selected images without saving. Capture provides a warning prior to doing so.

Select All Choose all open images in the workspace.

Deselect All Deselect any selected images.


 Double-click anywhere in the workspace to open the Batch Manager dialog box.


Photo Properties dialog box

Obtain statistical information about the image in the active window.

Attributes Displays the data type, dimensions, resolution, and workspace size when open.

File Displays the name, format, saved file size, and other information.

Album Info If the image has been placed into an album, click this to see Album information, including Album name, key words, and other field data.

File Info Displays further information such as compression type.


Choose JPEG compression for the smallest Album file size.


Open

Opens the Open dialog box for selecting files to place in the workspace.

[Ctrl+O]


System Properties

Opens the System Properties dialog box with tabs showing memory, hard disk, display, and plug-in information pertaining to Ulead programs.


About Ulead Products

Opens the Ulead Products help document. This provides insight into the history, philosophy, and products of Ulead Systems.


Helo Topics
Ulead PhotoImpact Help

Opens the Help Topics dialog box where you can search for topics in the online help.

[F1]


About
About PhotoImpact

Provides copyright and other information about the program.


Online Registration

Opens Ulead Systems Registration Wizard which allows you to register your products through our web page or the e-mail internet connection. Registering your software ensures periodic updates of all our products.


Switch

Opens a menu listing other Ulead programs for quick access.


Cascade

Arranges all open windows diagonally in the workspace from left to right and top to bottom.

[Shift+F5]


Tile Horizontally & Tile Vertically
Tile Vertically & Tile Horizontally

Evenly distributes all open windows in the workspace.

[Shift+F4] - Tile Vertically


Arrange Icons

Arranges icons for all minimized windows along the bottom of the workspace.


Close All

Closes all files currently open in the workspace.


Recent Files

Shows up to the last nine files opened. Clicking a file on this list opens it in the workspace.

Note: You can limit the maximum number of file names shown with the Preferences command in the File menu.


Open Files

Lists the names of all currently open files in the workspace. Clicking a file name activates its window.


Exit

Closes the program.

[Ctrl+Q]


Close

Closes the active image without ending the working session.

[Ctrl+W]


Actual View

Resizes the image to 1x (100 %) magnification. It increases or decreases the magnification on the image to display it at its actual size.

[Ctrl+0]


Photo Properties

Opens the Properties dialog box with statistics about the current file.

[Alt+Enter]


Full Screen

Hides the Windows interface, filling the screen with the current image. If the image is smaller than the screen, a frame surrounds the image. To return to Windows, press Escape.

[Ctrl+U]


Fit In Window/Fit Window By
Fit In Window

Resizes the current image to the largest magnification that will completely fit in a window.

[Ctrl+Shift+0]


Zoom In/Zoom Out

Shows submenus for zooming in or out on the current image. The submenus offer magnifications ranging from 1/16 x to 16x.


Technical Support Contents
Technical Support

Please prepare the following information before contacting us so we can offer you the best possible support:

  The program name and serial number.
  Nature of the problem.
  Any error messages or dialog boxes that appear when the problem occurs.
  System information including CPU, operating system, and any other programs running when the problem occurs.

If you write or fax us, please add printouts of the following:
  AUTOEXEC.BAT
  CONFIG.SYS
  WIN.INI
  ULEAD32.INI

Note: You can open most of these files at once by running SYSEDIT.EXE, found in your Windows program directory.


How to contact us - North & South America
How to contact us

North & South America

Tel: +1 310 523 9393
Fax: +1 310 523 9399
Address:
Ulead Systems, Inc.
970 West 190th Street
Suite 520
Torrance, CA 90502

E-mail:  info@ulead.com
URL:  http://www.ulead.com


How to contact us - International
How contact us

Headquarters	Europe
Tel: +886 2 2764 8599	Tel: +49 531 220 7920
Fax: +886 2 2764 9599	Fax: +49 531 220 7999
Address:	Address:
Ulead Systems, Inc.	Ulead Systems GmbH
10F, #45 Tung Hsing Rd. 	Wolfenbuetteler Str. 33
Taipei, Taiwan 110	38102 Braunschweig, Germany

E-mail:  info@ulead.com.tw	E-mail:  info@ulead.de
URL:  http://www.ulead.com	URL:  http://www.ulead.de
URL:  http://www.uleadasia.com
URL:  http://www.ulead.com.tw

Japan
Tel: +81 3 5491 5661
Fax: +81 3 5491 5663
Address:
Ulead Systems, Inc.
No. 31, Hills 2, Setagaya Business Square
4-10-3 Yohga, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 158-0097, Japan

E-mail:  info@ulead.co.jp
URL:  http://www.ulead.co.jp


  North & South America

  International


Welcome to Component Designer

This help file contains topics about the Component Designer, a dynamic program that aids you in creating Web components. To learn more about Component Designer and each of the item found within the program, you can navigate through this help file or click an item in the Component Designer program window invoked from the PhotoImpact program then click the Help button.

  What is Component Designer?

  Enabling Component Designer

  The Component Designer Workspace


What is Component Designer?

The Component Designer is a powerful tool that helps you create path- and text-based Web components such as banners, bullets, button, icons, java rollover buttons, and separators. There is a vast array of pre-designed templates that you can choose from and modify at a later date.

When you choose a template, a preview of all the components within each template is displayed on the right pane of the workspace. You can then adjust and modify each individual component. Adjust the size, change the color, apply shadow, or even modify its text, in such cases as banners with text on it. This is particularly useful when you want to place personalized buttons and bars, bullets and banners on your Web site.

After you have finished modifying your component, you have the choice of either sending your image to PhotoImpact for further editing or saving the image via Image Optimizer where you can minimize the file size, thereby, reducing loading time on the Web.

  Welcome to Component Designer

  Enabling Component Designer

  The Component Designer Workspace


Using Component Designer
Enabling Component Designer

You can enable Component Designer from within the PhotoImpact program. However, since Component Designer is a stand-alone program, it continues running even if you quit PhotoImpact.

To enable Component Designer:

1.	From PhotoImpact, click Web: Component Designer.

2.	On the left pane of the Component Designer workspace, you will see seven template groups. Click the plus or minus sign to show or hide the templates within each group.

3.	Choose a template from the list. All the available components are then displayed on the right pane of the workspace.

4.	Select a component.

5.	Click Next. Component Designer allows you to work on the component in the editing area. You can adjust the size of the component (and the text, too, if there is any on the component), change the color, or even apply shadow to it.

6.	After you have finished modifying the selected component, click Export.

7.	Choose between To PhotoImpact and To Image Optimizer (and To HTML for Java Rollover buttons). To PhotoImpact opens your modified component in PhotoImpact to allow you to further edit your image, while To Image Optimizer opens it in Image Optimizer, enabling you to further reduce its file size before putting it up on your Web page.

Note: In the case of Java Rollover buttons, there is an additional option, To HTML, which, when selected, opens the Save As dialog box for creating an HTML file to open your image in.

  What is Component Designer?

  The Component Designer Workspace

  Welcome to Component Designer


Component Designer workspace
The Component Designer Workspace

Click below to know more about each component and its workspace.

  What is Component Designer?

  Enabling Component Designer

  Welcome to Component Designer


Banner / Button dialog box

This is the main working area where you can customize your component by changing the text, color, and size, among others.

Viewing area Displays your selected component. Any changes made will be updated immediately.

Zoom tools These tools allow you to change magnification of your component.

Background color Click to change the background color of your workspace to further accentuate your component.

Attributes Displays a list of attributes whose settings you can readily change.

Size Adjust the dimension of your component, whether in percentage or in pixels, as shown in the working area. You may enter a value or drag the slider until you reach the desired size.

Shadow Allows you to apply shadow to your banner.

Text Enter your text and specify its attributes. Only single line text is allowed.

Color Specify a color for your object. Click the squares to change the previous color.

Back Goes back to the main page for selecting another category or component.

Export Opens your modified object in either PhotoImpact or the Image Optimizer.

  Back to the main workspace


Shadow Attributes

Shadow Select to apply shadow to your component.

Shadow color Specify a color for your shadow from the Ulead Color Picker.

Shadow position Choose a direction where you want the shadow to fall.

X-offset Enter a value or drag the slider to adjust the distance between the object and the shadow on the horizontal plane.

Y-offset Enter a value or drag the slider to adjust the distance between the object and the shadow on the vertical plane.

Tile angle Enter a value or drag the slider to adjust the angle at which the object's shadow slants.

Perspective Enter a value or drag the slider to adjust the slanting position of the shadow.

Transparency Enter a value or drag the slider to adjust the transparency level of the shadow. A high transparency setting allows more of the base image or any underlying objects to show through.

Soft edge Enter a value or drag the slider to adjust how smooth the edges blend with the background color or image.

Shadow size Enter a value or drag the slider to adjust the dimension of the shadow.


Text Attributes

Text Enter text here. If the Change shape when text changes item is selected, the dimension of the object changes accordingly. Otherwise, the object's size remains the same regardless of the length of your text.

Font Select a type of font from the list, which automatically displays a preview of how your text actually looks as you run your mouse down the list.

Style Select a character type style for your text.

Change shape when text changes Select to change the dimension of the object accordingly each time text is altered.


Color Attributes

Single color Fills the selected attribute with a solid color. Enter a color value or click the color square to open the Ulead Color Picker for selecting a color. Alternately, click the color cells to change the color directly.

Gradient color Fills the selected attribute with gradually changing colors.

Texture Fills the selected attribute with a texture file. Choose between Natural Texture and Magic Texture.


Gradient Color

Fill type Specify how you would like to apply gradient to the mask image. You may apply it with gradually changing colors starting from one point and extending along a straight line to another point or extending outward to the sides, whether rectangular or circular.

Two colors Creates a gradient fill between two colors.

Multiple colors Creates a gradient fill between several colors. Click the Fill colors to adjust the palette ramp of the gradient.

Ramp Determines how the colors change in a gradient fill.

RGB Follows the colors found in a straight line connecting the start and end colors in the RGB cube.

HSB Clockwise Follows the colors found in a continuous arc going clockwise around the HSB cone from the start to end color.

HSB Counterclockwise Follows the colors found in a continuous arc going counterclockwise around the HSB cone from the end to start color.


Texture Fill

Choose between Natural and Magic texture with which to fill an attribute of your component.

Thumbnails Displays all the available thumbnails in the Texture folder. Click one to fill your selected attribute with the texture.

More Clicking this button while in Natural Texture allows you to open a texture file. Clicking this button while in Magic Texture, however, opens the Magic Gradient dialog box for selecting a magic gradient.

  Magic Texture dialog box


Icon / Bullet / Separator dialog box

This is the main working area where you can customize your component by changing the text, color, and size, among others.

Viewing area Displays your selected component. Any changes made will be updated immediately.

Zoom tools These tools allow you to change magnification of your component.

Background color Click to change the background color of your workspace to further accentuate your component.

Attributes Displays a list of attributes whose settings you can readily change.

Size Adjust the dimension of your component, whether in percentage or in pixels, as shown in the working area. You may enter a value or drag the slider until you reach the desired size.

Shadow Allows you to apply shadow to your banner.

Color Specify a color for your object. Click the squares to change the previous color.

Back Goes back to the main page for selecting another category or component.

Export Opens your modified object in either PhotoImpact or the Image Optimizer.

  Back to the main workspace


Zoom in Increases the magnification of your image.
Zoom out Decreases the magnification of your image.
Show actual size Resizes your image to 1x (100 %) magnification.
Fit in window Resizes the current image to the largest magnification that will completely fit in a window.


Button Bar dialog box

Allows you to modify the attribute settings of button bars, which are a series of buttons arranged either horizontally or vertically. These buttons are normally used on Web pages as buttons for table of contents or for directories.

Option Allows you to enter text for your buttons and organize them in terms of layout, spacing and order.

Text Specify the font and style of your text.

Size Adjust the dimension of your component, whether in percentage or in pixels, as shown in the working area. You may enter a value or drag the slider until you reach the desired size.

Shadow Allows you to apply shadow to your banner.

  Back to the main workspace


Options
Button Bar Options

Add a new button Places a new button right below the selected one on the list. Simply type a desired text and click this button.

Set button text Replaces the current text on the selected button with a newly entered one.

Delete a button Removes a button from the button bar.

Move button up Moves the button up one level.

Move button down Moves the button down one level.

Same width for all buttons Select to make the size of all buttons the same despite a difference in the length of text.

Button spacing Specify the distance between buttons.

Layout Select to arrange your buttons in horizontal or vertical order.


Size

The following options are only available if Same width for all buttons is selected in the Options Tab:

Measured by button bar Select to evenly divide the total width into the number of buttons to determine the dimension of each component.

Measured by single button Select to adjust the dimension of each button individually.


Java Rollover Button dialog box

Options Specify settings for placing your Java Rollover button on the Web.

Same text for buttons Select to make the text on all buttons the same.

URL Enter the Internet address where you want your Java Rollover button to appear.

Target Specify the frame location.

Alt Specify a name to be displayed when you move your mouse over your Java Rollover button.

Size Adjust the dimension of your component, whether in percentage or in pixels, as shown in the working area. You may enter a value or drag the slider until you reach the desired size.

Preview Allows you to see how your button actually looks before putting it up on the Web.

  Back to the main workspace


Magic Texture dialog box

Select a texture to add to the image.

Sample tiles The center tile shows the currently selected texture. Click a bordering tile to shift the texture accordingly. Repeat this action until you find the texture you want.

Random Changes the center tile to another randomly selected texture.


Output Option dialog box

Output each button as a separate image file Select to save each of the buttons as an individual image file after optimizing them in Image Optimizer. Leave it cleared if you want to save the buttons as one single file.


 Color Management

Matches colors generated by input devices to those generated by output devices, ensuring consistency in color.

Note: This command is only available if you are running Windows 98 or NT 5.0.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Guidelines
Guidelines & Grid

Toggles between hiding or displaying moveable guidelines or a fixed grid on the active image. To add, shift or remove guidelines, click View: Ruler to display the Ruler. Select display options in the Preferences dialog box.

Guidelines [Ctrl+Shift+G]

Grid [Ctrl+Shift+R]

  Using Guidelines and Grids

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Lock Guidelines

Locks the Guidelines in place, preventing you from accidentally shifting or removing them.

  Using Guidelines and Grids

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Clear All Guidelines

Removes all Guidelines from the active image.

  Using Guidelines and Grids

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Snap To Guidelines

Snaps all mouse actions to the nearest guideline if the position of the mouse is within the selected tolerance range. Select guideline options in the Preferences dialog box.]

[Ctrl+Shift+S]

  Using Guidelines and Grids

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Snap To Grid

Snaps all mouse actions to the nearest gridline if the position of the mouse is within the selected tolerance range. Set grid options in the Preferences dialog box.

[Ctrl+Shift+N]

  Using Guidelines and Grids

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Split To CMYK dialog box

Separation Profile Select an output profile from the list. If no profiles are available, the image will be separated without color management enabled.

Rendering Intent Select a rendering intent from the list:

Perceptual Expands or compresses the gamut of the image to fill the gamut of the destination device.

Relative Colorimetric Converts colors that fall outside the gamut of the destination device to the nearest possible color that can be rendered in the destination device’s gamut. This includes white, which means that paper white may not necessarily be “true” white (255,255,255 RGB values).

Saturation Matches the level of saturation of colors on your monitor profile to that of colors on the destination device. This may be at the expense of hue and brightness.

Absolute Colorimetric Converts colors that fall outside the gamut of the destination device to the nearest possible color that can be rendered in the destination device’s gamut. White is preserved so that the white on your monitor matches paper white.

  Enabling Color Management

  What is Color Management?

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Partial Load dialog box

Grid Toggles between hiding and displaying a grid on the selected image. Enter values in the Grid spinboxes to adjust the grid size.

Information Displays information about the size of the entire file and the selected area of the file.

  Opening part of an image

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Preferences dialog box - Guidelines & Grid
Preferences dialog box
  PhotoImpact	  System
  Plug-Ins	  Associate
  Guidelines & Grid	  Save
  Painting Tools	  Display

Select display and snap to options for guidelines and the grid.

Guidelines

Color Click the color preview to select the color of guidelines.

Style Select a display style from the drop-down list.

Grid

Horizontal spacing Adjusts the distance between horizontal grid lines.

Vertical spacing Adjusts the distance between vertical grid lines.

Color Click the color preview to select a different guideline color.

Style Select a display style from the drop-down list.

Snap tolerance Adjusts how close your mouse needs to be to the guide or grid lines to snap to them. A higher value creates a greater snap tolerance.

  Setting PhotoImpact defaults

  Using Guidelines & Grids

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Color Replacement Pen Paint Tool
Tool Panel

Paint Tool
Apply and remove paint from your images with the Paintbrush. Click below to select a brush type.

Color Replacement Pen
Select brush options on the Attribute Toolbar. Click below to learn more.


Color Replacement Pen Brush Panel
Paint Tool

  Color Replacement Pen

  Using the Brush Panel

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Color Replacement Pen painting tool options
Paint Tool

  Color Replacement Pen

  Using the Brush Panel

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Color Replacement Pen painting tool color from options
Paint Tool

  Color Replacement Pen

  Using the Brush Panel

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Color Replacement Pen painting tool color to options
Paint Tool

  Color Replacement Pen

  Using the Brush Panel

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Color Replacement Pen painting tool advanced options
Paint Tool

  Color Replacement Pen

  Using the Brush Panel

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Preview color

Click to select a color to replace.


Red channel

Enter a value or use the slider to adjust the amount of red in the original or replacement color.


Green channel

Enter a value or use the slider to adjust the amount of green in the original or replacement color.


Blue channel

Enter a value or use the slider to adjust the amount of blue in the original or replacement color.


Lock channels

Locks the red, green and blue channels so the original or replacement color has equal amounts of all three colors. This will create varying shades of gray.


Original and Replace colors

Click the color previews to select an original color (the left color preview) and a replacement color.

  Color Replacement Pen

  Replacing selected colors

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Opening part of an image

If you are working with a large image, you can spend a lot of time waiting for the screen to re-draw after you have applied an effect, cloned or painted on the image, or created a selection area. Use the Partial Load option in the Open dialog box to open only the part of the image you want to work on.

1.	Click File: Open.

2.	Select the image file you want to open, and select Partial Load at the bottom of the dialog box.

3.	Click OK.

4.	The Partial Load dialog box opens, with the selected image displayed. By default, a grid is applied to the image. Use this grid to select an area of the image to load.

5.	Adjust the size of the grid using the Grid spinboxes below the preview image.

6.	If the area of the image you want to edit fits inside one of the grid sections, click the area of the grid to select it for editing. Click OK to load this area for editing.

7.	If you want to select a custom area, clear Grid, then click and drag on the preview image. Use the resize handles to adjust the size of the selected area. Click OK to load this area for editing.

8.	You can now edit the selected area as you would any other image. Once you have finished editing, save the image as you normally would. The entire image is saved, including all edits made to the area partially loaded. However, if you change the data type or resize the loaded area, it must be saved as a new file.

  Open/Save dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Replacing selected colors

1.	Select the Color Replacement Pen  [image]  from the Paint Tool  [image]  drawer.

2.	On the Attribute Toolbar, select the Original Color you want to replace by clicking the left color preview, and select the Replacement Color by clicking the right color preview.

3.	Adjust the size of the brush by entering a value in the Shape spinbox on the Attribute Toolbar, and click the Shape icon to select a basic brush shape.

4.	Adjust the tolerance of the Color Replacement Pen by increasing or decreasing the Similarity level. The higher the level, the wider the range of color selected. The similarity option is particularly useful if you want to replace an area of color that has a soft edge.

5.	For more advanced color replacement options, display the Brush Panel. On the Color From and Color To tabs, you can individually adjust the Red, Green and Blue channels.

6.	Begin painting on your image. Whenever your mouse passes over the color selected as the Original Color, it will be replaced by the Replacement Color.

7.	To remove paint from the image, click Erase on the Attribute Toolbar to switch the Brush to Erase mode.

  Color Replacement Pen

  Painting

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Using Guidelines and Grids

Guidelines and Grids are useful for quickly lining up objects on your image. Guidelines are moveable lines that can be placed vertically or horizontally. Grids are fixed in place, however the grid size can be adjusted in the Preferences dialog box.

Displaying Guidelines

1.	Click View: Ruler to display the Ruler around the top and left edges of your image.

2.	Click View: Guidelines & Grid - Guidelines [Ctrl+Shift+G] to enable the use of Guidelines.

3.	Click on the Ruler and drag onto your image to add a Guideline. The Guideline can be moved along the x or y axis to reposition it.

4.	Once you have added Guidelines to the image, make them even more useful by selecting Snap to Guidelines from the View Guidelines & Grid menu [Ctrl+Shift+S]. This snaps any mouse movements to the nearest Guideline.

5.	To adjust the style of the Guideline, click File: Preferences [F6] and select the Guideline & Grid category. In the Guideline group, select a line style and color. You can also adjust the Snap to tolerance level in this tab. Click OK to apply it.

Displaying a Grid

1.	Click View: Guidelines & Grid - Grid [Ctrl+Shift+R] to display the grid.

2.	To adjust the Grid style and color, click File: Preferences [F6] and select the Guidelines & Grid category. In the Grid group, select the Grid style and color. Adjust the Horizontal and Vertical spacing to increase or decrease the distance between gridlines.

  Preferences dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Enabling Color Management

If you are using PhotoImpact with Windows 98 or NT 5.0, you can enable color management.

1.	Click File: Color Management.

2.	In the Color Management dialog box, select Enable Color Management.

3.	Choose between enabling Basic or Proofing Color Management:

Basic matches colors between your monitor and a selected output device.

Proofing emulates how colors in your image would appear on another selected device. This is useful if you intend to pass on an image to a printer for example, and want to do a “soft-proof” of how the image will appear.

4.	Select a monitor profile from the drop-down list.

5.	Select your printer profile from the drop-down list. If you have no printer installed, this option is unavailable.

6.	Select an overall Rendering Intent:

Perceptual Expands or compresses the gamut of the image to fill the gamut of the destination device.

Relative Colorimetric Converts colors that fall outside the gamut of the destination device to the nearest possible color that can be rendered in the destination device’s gamut. This includes white, which means that paper white may not necessarily be “true” white (255,255,255 RGB values).

Saturation Matches the level of saturation of colors on your monitor profile to that of colors on the destination device. This may be at the expense of hue and brightness.

Absolute Colorimetric Converts colors that fall outside the gamut of the destination device to the nearest possible color that can be rendered in the destination device’s gamut. White is preserved so that the white on your monitor matches paper white.

7.	If you selected Proofing Color Management, you can select a profile for the emulated device. Click the drop-down list to choose a device.

8.	Select the Rendering Intent for the emulated device profile. See step 6 for more information.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Working with 48- and 16-bit images

PhotoImpact supports uncompressed PSD files, TIF with LZW or no compression, or UFO files with RLE or no compression saved in a 48-bit RGB and 16-bit Grayscale data type.

To convert an image to this data type, click Format: Data Type and select True Color (48-bit) or Grayscale (16-bit). Once you have converted an image to either of these data types, tool use is limited to the Zoom Tool and Eyedropper Tool. Some menu commands are also unavailable. For more information, see the printed documentation.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


What is Color Management?

When printing color images, you might have noticed significant differences in color between what you get on paper and what you see on screen. One reason is because different devices (such as scanners, printers, monitors) have different color settings. The type of paper you print on can also have an effect on dot gain, which in turn modifies colors - for example, coated paper will reproduce color differently to uncoated paper. Another reason is that color is displayed on your monitor using a red, green and blue (RGB) color model, while color is printed using a cyan, magenta, yellow and black (CMYK) model. The gamut (or color range) of these two models is not exactly the same, which means that it is impossible to exactly reproduce some colors that are displayed on your monitor.

Enabling a color management system can help maintain consistency in color between input and output devices. A color management system works by embedding color profiles for specific devices in your image files. Each color profile relates the gamut of the device to a standard color space. A common standard color space is CIE LAB. This standard was developed in the mid 1970’s and measures color by hue, saturation and brightness rather than by RGB or CMYK values. CIE LAB measures variations in color by units of DELTA-E. The difference between each unit of DELTA-E is visible to the human eye, which is the major advantage of this system. This system has since been modified to the stage where it is now possible to switch profiles and images between different color management systems, software applications and operating systems.

  Enabling Color Management

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Perceptual Expands or compresses the gamut of the image to fill the gamut of the destination device.

Relative Colorimetric Converts colors that fall outside the gamut of the destination device to the nearest possible color that can be rendered in the destination device’s gamut. This includes white, which means that paper white may not necessarily be “true” white (255,255,255 RGB values).

Saturation Matches the level of saturation of colors on your monitor profile to that of colors on the destination device. This may be at the expense of hue and brightness.

Absolute Colorimetric Converts colors that fall outside the gamut of the destination device to the nearest possible color that can be rendered in the destination device’s gamut. White is preserved so that the white on your monitor matches paper white.


This help file contains topics about selected dialog boxes in your PhotoImpact package. You can access these topics through those dialog boxes or by navigating through a main help file associated with one of the PhotoImpact programs.


Creative

Accesses a submenu for applying the following effects:

Lighting Applies cool lighting effects to your images in the form of lightning, spotlight, halo, fireworks, and laser, among others.

Type Applies natural and other effects such as metal, snow, fire, glass, metal and emboss.

Particle Applies natural effects such as bubbles, rain, snow and clouds.

Transform Applies effects such as pinch, punch, whirlpool and diffuse.

Painting Applies different textures that can make your image appear as if it has been painted on canvas, with water colors or oil paints.

Creative Warp Distorts an image or selection by applying a mirrored texture. Textures can also be converted into animated GIFs, using Ulead GIF Animator.

Artist Texture Create unique textures and effects for backgrounds or buttons. Textures can also be converted into animated GIFs, using Ulead GIF Animator.

  Lighting dialog box

  Type dialog box

  Particle dialog box

  Transform dialog box

  Painting dialog box

  Creative Warp dialog box

  Artist Texture dialog box


This command is only available if the image is in True Color mode.


Magic

If Ulead Magic plug-ins are installed, this command opens a submenu listing them for you to choose.

To install Ulead plug-ins, click File: Preferences and select the Plug-ins category. Enter the path of the Ulead plug-ins folder or click Browse  [image]  to search for the folder.

Turnpage Curls up a corner of an image, like you’re turning a page.

Light Creates a focused or diffused beam on an image.

Kaleidoscope Generates a pattern based on the placement of a reflection in the image.

Magic Gradient Fills an image with specially designed gradients.

Other plug-ins If you add any compatible third-party plug-ins (such as Kai’s Power Tools), they will also appear in the All submenu and at the bottom of the Effect menu.

  Turnpage dialog box

  Light dialog box

  Kaleidoscope dialog box

  Magic Gradient dialog box


Lighting dialog box - Lightning Basic
  Basic	  Advanced

The Lightning effect consists of the main lightning body and forks branching out of it. Click the Basic tab to specify settings for the main lightning body. Use the Key frame control to produce animated lightning effects.

Preview window Shows a preview of the image or selection area with the effect attributes applied.

Effect Click a thumbnail to apply a lighting effect to the image.

Width Sets the intensity of the lightning. A high value makes the lightning look "thicker".

Seed Changes the direction of the lightning randomly.

Frequency Sets the number of times the lightning rotates. A higher number results in more turning points.

Amplitude Sets the extent of movement in the lightning body. A high number adds more alternating "peaks" to the lightning.

Brightness Adjusts the brightness of the lightning.

Opacity Sets how the lightning blends onto the image. A low value makes the lightning more transparent, a high value more opaque.

Color Click the color box to change the color of the lightning (the default color is white).

Reset Click to place the effect back in its default position. Changed settings will not be affected.

Key frame control Allows you to create an animation clip. The various controls here allow you to change the effect's behaviour at each and every frame of the clip.

Ambient light color Click the color box to change the color tone of your image.

Ambient light strength By default, your image is made to look dimmer in order for the effect to "stand out". Enter a higher number or move the slider to make the image look brighter.

Elements Lists the effects to be applied to your image. Click the + button to add an effect to the list and click - to remove an effect. Click the up and down arrow buttons to scroll through this effect list.

Preview Click to see a larger preview of the effect on the image.

Add Click to add your effect settings to the EasyPalette.

Save Click to save the image with the effect as animation gif or sequence bmp files.


Lighting dialog box - Lightning Advanced
  Basic	  Advanced

The Lightning effect consists of the main lightning body and forks branching out of it. Click the Advanced tab to change fork settings. Use the Key frame control to produce animated lightning effects.

Preview window Shows a preview of the image or selection area with the effect attributes applied.

Effect Click a thumbnail to apply a lighting effect to the image.

Fork no. Specifies how many forks appear in the lightning.

Fork length and Fork width Sets the size of the forks in the lightning. Choosing a higher value enlarges the size.

Fork angle Sets the angle of the forks away from the tangent angle of the lightning body.

Fork amplitude Sets the extent of movement in the forks. A high value adds more alternating "peaks" to the forks, producing a more electrifying effect.

Glow out Makes the lightning glow.

Glow bright Makes the lightning glow brighter when a higher value is selected.

Key frame control Allows you to create an animation clip. The various controls here allow you to change the effect's behaviour at each and every frame of the clip.

Ambient light color Click the color box to change the color tone of your image.

Ambient light strength By default, your image is made to look dimmer in order for the effect to "stand out". Enter a higher number or move the slider to make the image look brighter.

Elements Lists the effects to be applied to your image. Click the + button to add an effect to the list and click - to remove an effect. Click the up and down arrow buttons to scroll through this effect list.

Preview Click to see a larger preview of the effect on the image.

Add Click to add your effect settings to the EasyPalette.

Save Click to save the image with the effect as animation gif or sequence bmp files.


You may reposition any of the effects by moving your mouse over the preview window. When the mouse pointer changes to a 4-headed arrow, click and drag the effect to a desired location on the image.

To change the angle of the Lightning effect, click and drag the upper or lower end to a desired position. To adjust the length, click one end of the lightning and drag to increase or decrease the length.


Lighting dialog box - Fireworks Basic
  Basic	  Advanced

The Fireworks effect adds exploding fireworks to an image. Click the Basic tab to change the overall look of the effect. Use the Key frame control to produce animated firework effects.

Preview window Shows a preview of the image or selection area with the effect attributes applied.

Effect Click a thumbnail to apply a lighting effect to the image.

Brightness Adjusts the brightness of the fireworks.

Density Sets the number of star particles contained in the effect. A high number adds more particles to the effect.

Fall speed Sets how fast or slow the particles fall down.

Hue change Adjusts the hue of the fireworks.

Completeness Sets how far the star particles will fall off from the initial position where the fireworks exploded.

Initial speed Shifts the direction where the star particles will fall. A positive value allows the particles to fall towards the right side, a negative value towards the left side.

Hue variation Changes the color variety in the effect. A high value introduces more colors to the effect. (The default value is 0 and the fireworks appear only in a single color.)

Sun color This is the color inside the core of the star particle. Click the color box to change the color.

Star color This is the color of the star particle and its tail. Click the color box to change the color.

Reset Click to place the effect back in its default position. Changed settings will not be affected.

Key frame control Allows you to create an animation clip. The various controls here allow you to change the effect's behaviour at each and every frame of the clip.

Ambient light color Click the color box to change the color tone of your image.

Ambient light strength By default, your image is made to look dimmer in order for the effect to "stand out". Enter a higher number or move the slider to make the image look brighter.

Elements Lists the effects to be applied to your image. Click the + button to add an effect to the list and click - to remove an effect. Click the up and down arrow buttons to scroll through this effect list.

Preview Click to see a larger preview of the effect on the image.

Add Click to add your effect settings to the EasyPalette.

Save Click to save the image with the effect as animation gif or sequence bmp files.


Lighting dialog box - Fireworks Advanced
  Basic	  Advanced

The Fireworks Effect adds exploding fireworks to an image. Click the Advanced tab to customize more settings for the star particles in the effect. Use the Key frame control to produce animated fireworks effects.

Preview window Shows a preview of the image or selection area with the effect attributes applied.

Effect Click a thumbnail to apply a lighting effect to the image.

Sun range Adjusts the size of the inner core of the particles.

Softness Affects the glow of the effect. A low value makes the fireworks more luminous.

Star range Adjusts the size of the star particles.

Star spikes Sets the number of spikes in the star particles. A high value adds more spikes (the default is 4).

Tail length Adjusts the tail length of the star particles.

Tail opacity Sets how transparent or opaque the tail appears. A lower value makes the tail more transparent.

Key frame control Allows you to create an animation clip. The various controls here allow you to change the effect's behaviour at each and every frame of the clip.

Ambient light color Click the color box to change the color tone of your image.

Ambient light strength By default, your image is made to look dimmer in order for the effect to "stand out". Enter a higher number or move the slider to make the image look brighter.

Elements Lists the effects to be applied to your image. Click the + button to add an effect to the list and click - to remove an effect. Click the up and down arrow buttons to scroll through this effect list.

Preview Click to see a larger preview of the effect on the image.

Add Click to add your effect settings to the EasyPalette.

Save Click to save the image with the effect as animation gif or sequence bmp files.


Lighting dialog box - Lens Flare Basic
  Basic	  Advanced

The Lens flare effect adds a glowing flare to an image. This effect looks very much like the flare you see from the sun when you try to stare at it. Click the Basic tab to change the overall look of the effect. Use the Key frame control to produce animated effects.

Preview window Shows a preview of the image or selection area with the effect attributes applied.

Effect Click a thumbnail to apply a lighting effect to the image.

Lens type Each zoom lens type produces a different flare combination. Select an option that gives a desirable effect.

Intensity Adjusts the brightness of the overall effect.

Size Adjusts the size of the glowing flare.

Light color Click the color box to change the color of the glowing light.

Reset Click to place the effect back in its default position. Changed settings will not be affected.

Key frame control Allows you to create an animation clip. The various controls here allow you to change the effect's behaviour at each and every frame of the clip.

Ambient light color Click the color box to change the color tone of your image.

Ambient light strength By default, your image is made to look dimmer in order for the effect to "stand out". Enter a higher number or move the slider to make the image look brighter.

Elements Lists the effects to be applied to your image. Click the + button to add an effect to the list and click - to remove an effect. Click the up and down arrow buttons to scroll through this effect list.

Preview Click to see a larger preview of the effect on the image.

Add Click to add your effect settings to the EasyPalette.

Save Click to save the image with the effect as animation gif or sequence bmp files.


Lighting dialog box - Light Bulb Basic
  Basic	  Advanced

The Light bulb effect simulates the lighting effect produced by your regular light bulb. Click the Basic tab to change the overall look of the effect. Use the Key frame control to produce animated effects.

Preview window Shows a preview of the image or selection area with the effect attributes applied.

Effect Click a thumbnail to apply a lighting effect to the image.

Range Sets how far the light source illuminates.

Strength Adjusts the brightness of the light source.

Softness Affects the mood of the surrounding environment. A high number gives a softer feeling.

Star spikes Sets the number of rays emanating from the light source. A high number adds more light rays.

Star size Sets the length of the light rays.

Light color Click the color box to change the color of the light source.

Reset Click to place the effect back in its default position. Changed settings will not be affected.

Key frame control Allows you to create an animation clip. The various controls here allow you to change the effect's behaviour at each and every frame of the clip.

Ambient light color Click the color box to change the color tone of your image.

Ambient light strength By default, your image is made to look dimmer in order for the effect to "stand out". Enter a higher number or move the slider to make the image look brighter.

Elements Lists the effects to be applied to your image. Click the + button to add an effect to the list and click - to remove an effect. Click the up and down arrow buttons to scroll through this effect list.

Preview Click to see a larger preview of the effect on the image.

Add Click to add your effect settings to the EasyPalette.

Save Click to save the image with the effect as animation gif or sequence bmp files.


Lighting dialog box - Light Bulb Advanced
  Basic	  Advanced

The Light bulb effect simulates the lighting effect produced by your regular light bulb. Click the Advanced tab to customize more settings for the effect. Use the Key frame control to produce animated effects.

Preview window Shows a preview of the image or selection area with the effect attributes applied.

Effect Click a thumbnail to apply a lighting effect to the image.

Variance Adds length variety to the light rays. A high number produces different lengths, while a low number gives more consistent lengths.

Rotation Rotates the light source. Increase the value to rotate clockwise and lower the value to rotate counterclockwise.

Spread angle Sets the degree of radiance for the light source. A high number makes the light source more radiant, producing wide-angled light rays.

Key frame control Allows you to create an animation clip. The various controls here allow you to change the effect's behaviour at each and every frame of the clip.

Ambient light color Click the color box to change the color tone of your image.

Ambient light strength By default, your image is made to look dimmer in order for the effect to "stand out". Enter a higher number or move the slider to make the image look brighter.

Elements Lists the effects to be applied to your image. Click the + button to add an effect to the list and click - to remove an effect. Click the up and down arrow buttons to scroll through this effect list.

Preview Click to see a larger preview of the effect on the image.

Add Click to add your effect settings to the EasyPalette.

Save Click to save the image with the effect as animation gif or sequence bmp files.


Lighting dialog box - Halo Basic
  Basic	  Advanced

The Halo effect adds a circle of light to an image. Click the Basic tab to change the overall look of the effect. Use the Key frame control to produce animated effects.

Preview Window Shows a preview of the image or selection area with the effect attributes applied.

Effect Click a thumbnail to apply a lighting effect to the image.

Halo brightness Adjusts the brightness of the light.

Halo radius Adjusts the size of the effect.

Expand range Sets how far the light illuminates the surrounding.

Sun brightness Adjusts the brightness of the inner light source.

Sun radius Sets the size of the inner light source.

Color ramp Select which color ramp to use for the circle of light: RGB (Red, Green, Blue) or HSB (Hue, Saturation, Brightness).

Body color This is the color of the light circle. Click the color box to change this color.

Glow color This is the glowing color emanating from the light circle. Click the color box to change this color.

Sun color This is the color of the inner light source. Click the color box to change this color.

Reset Click to place the effect back in its default position. Changed settings will not be affected.

Key frame control Allows you to create an animation clip. The various controls here allow you to change the effect's behaviour at each and every frame of the clip.

Ambient light color Click the color box to change the color tone of your image.

Ambient light strength By default, your image is made to look dimmer in order for the effect to "stand out". Enter a higher number or move the slider to make the image look brighter.

Elements Lists the effects to be applied to your image. Click the + button to add an effect to the list and click - to remove an effect. Click the up and down arrow buttons to scroll through this effect list.

Preview Click to see a larger preview of the effect on the image.

Add Click to add your effect settings to the EasyPalette.

Save Click to save the image with the effect as animation gif or sequence bmp files.


Lighting dialog box - Halo Advanced
  Basic	  Advanced

The Halo effect adds a circle of light to an image. Click the Advanced tab to customize more settings for the effect. Use the Key frame control to produce animated effects.

Preview Window Shows a preview of the image or selection area with the effect attributes applied.

Effect Click a thumbnail to apply a lighting effect to the image.

Variance Gives the effect a more rough or smoother look. A lower value smooths out outer edges of the light circle.

Softness Adjusts the lighting mood of the inner light source.

Rotation Rotates the circle of light. Increasing the value rotates it clockwise and decreasing the value rotates it counterclockwise.

Shape seed Changes the shape of the light circle. A lower value produces a spherical shape. A higher value distorts the shape.

Merge mode Select the way to merge the effect with the base image.

Key frame control Allows you to create an animation clip. The various controls here allow you to change the effect's behaviour at each and every frame of the clip.

Ambient light color Click the color box to change the color tone of your image.

Ambient light strength By default, your image is made to look dimmer in order for the effect to "stand out". Enter a higher number or move the slider to make the image look brighter.

Elements Lists the effects to be applied to your image. Click the + button to add an effect to the list and click - to remove an effect. Click the up and down arrow buttons to scroll through this effect list.

Preview Click to see a larger preview of the effect on the image.

Add Click to add your effect settings to the EasyPalette.

Save Click to save the image with the effect as animation gif or sequence bmp files.


Lighting dialog box - Spotlight Basic
  Basic	  Advanced

Click the Basic tab to change the overall look of the spotlight effect. Use the Key frame control to produce animated effects.

Preview window Shows a preview of the image or selection area with the effect attributes applied.

Effect Click a thumbnail to apply a lighting effect to the image.

Brightness Adjusts the brightness of the spotlight and its light source.

Softness Adjusts the lighting mood. A high value gives a more smoother and softer light.

Rotation Changes the direction where the spotlight "hits". Increasing the value rotates it counterclockwise, while decreasing the value rotates it clockwise.

Split range Adjusts the size of the spotlight.

Distance Sets the distance between the light source to the illuminated target.

Spot brightness Adjusts the brightness of the spotlight.

Shape ratio Changes the shape of the spotlight. A higher value gives it a more circular look. A lower value makes it more spherical.

Color Click the color box to change the color of the spotlight.

Reset Click to place the effect back in its default position. Changed settings will not be affected.

Key frame control Allows you to create an animation clip. The various controls here allow you to change the effect's behaviour at each and every frame of the clip.

Ambient light color Click the color box to change the color tone of your image.

Ambient light strength By default, your image is made to look dimmer in order for the effect to "stand out". Enter a higher number or move the slider to make the image look brighter.

Elements Lists the effects to be applied to your image. Click the + button to add an effect to the list and click - to remove an effect. Click the up and down arrow buttons to scroll through this effect list.

Preview Click to see a larger preview of the effect on the image.

Add Click to add your effect settings to the EasyPalette.

Save Click to save the image with the effect as animation gif or sequence bmp files.


Lighting dialog box - Spotlight Advanced
  Basic	  Advanced

Click the Advanced tab to customize more settings for the spotlight effect. Use the Key frame control to produce animated effects.

Preview window Shows a preview of the image or selection area with the effect attributes applied.

Effect Click a thumbnail to apply a lighting effect to the image.

Variance Gives the spotlight effect a rougher or smoother look.

Lamp size Adjusts the size of the light source.

Project mode Select Horizontal floor to project the spotlight downwards, as if directing the spotlight to a stage floor. Select Vertical wall to project the spotlight lengthwise, as if directing the spotlight to a wall. (Use the Rotation slider to select which area to project the spotlight.)

Key frame control Allows you to create an animation clip. The various controls here allow you to change the effect's behaviour at each and every frame of the clip.

Ambient light color Click the color box to change the color tone of your image.

Ambient light strength By default, your image is made to look dimmer in order for the effect to "stand out". Enter a higher number or move the slider to make the image look brighter.

Elements Lists the effects to be applied to your image. Click the + button to add an effect to the list and click - to remove an effect. Click the up and down arrow buttons to scroll through this effect list.

Preview Click to see a larger preview of the effect on the image.

Add Click to add your effect settings to the EasyPalette.

Save Click to save the image with the effect as animation gif or sequence bmp files.


Lighting dialog box - Meteor

This effect looks as if a flashing meteor is falling from the sky. The Basic tab settings change the overall look of the effect. Use the Key frame control to produce animated effects.

Preview window Shows a preview of the image or selection area with the effect attributes applied.

Effect Click a thumbnail to apply a lighting effect to the image.

Brightness Adjusts the brightness of the effect.

Size Adjusts the size of the falling meteor.

Length Adjusts the tail length of the falling meteor.

Variance Gives the effect a rough or softer look. A lower number smooths out the outer edges.

Rotation Rotating the falling meteor changes the direction where it is coming from. Decreasing the value rotates it clockwise and increasing the value rotates it counterclockwise.

Color Click this color box to change the light color which glows from the falling meteor.

Reset Click to place the effect back in its default position. Changed settings will not be affected.

Key frame control Allows you to create an animation clip. The various controls here allow you to change the effect's behaviour at each and every frame of the clip.

Ambient light color Click the color box to change the color tone of your image.

Ambient light strength By default, your image is made to look dimmer in order for the effect to "stand out". Enter a higher number or move the slider to make the image look brighter.

Elements Lists the effects to be applied to your image. Click the + button to add an effect to the list and click - to remove an effect. Click the up and down arrow buttons to scroll through this effect list.

Preview Click to see a larger preview of the effect on the image.

Add Click to add your effect settings to the EasyPalette.

Save Click to save the image with the effect as animation gif or sequence bmp files.


Lighting dialog box - Comet Basic
  Basic	  Advanced

The Comet effect adds a comet to the image. Click the Basic tab to change the overall look of the effect. Use the Key frame control to produce animated effects.

Preview window Shows a preview of the image or selection area with the effect attributes applied.

Effect Click a thumbnail to apply a lighting effect to the image.

Brightness Adjusts the brightness of the effect.

Size Adjusts the size of the comet.

Tail length Adjusts the length of the comet's tail.

Rotation Rotating the comet changes the direction where it's coming from. Decreasing the value rotates it clockwise and increasing the value rotates it counterclockwise.

Main color Click this color box to mix a color with the glowing light that's emanating from the comet.

Primary tail color Click this color box to change the color of the comet's tail.

Reset Click to place the effect back in its default position. Changed settings will not be affected.

Key frame control Allows you to create an animation clip. The various controls here allow you to change the effect's behaviour at each and every frame of the clip.

Ambient light color Click the color box to change the color tone of your image.

Ambient light strength By default, your image is made to look dimmer in order for the effect to "stand out". Enter a higher number or move the slider to make the image look brighter.

Elements Lists the effects to be applied to your image. Click the + button to add an effect to the list and click - to remove an effect. Click the up and down arrow buttons to scroll through this effect list.

Preview Click to see a larger preview of the effect on the image.

Add Click to add your effect settings to the EasyPalette.

Save Click to save the image with the effect as animation gif or sequence bmp files.


Lighting dialog box - Comet Advanced
  Basic	  Advanced

This effect adds a comet to the image. Click the Advanced tab to customize more settings for the effect. Use the Key frame control to produce animated effects.

Preview window Shows a preview of the image or selection area with the effect attributes applied.

Effect Click a thumbnail to apply a lighting effect to the image.

Variance Gives the effect a rough or smoother look. Decreasing the value makes the light appear softer.

Ionic number Adds more tails to the comet.

Cometary range Adjusts the angle of light which radiates from the comet towards its tail.

Ionic range Adjusts the angle of light which radiates from the comet towards the additional tails.

Cometary deviate Shifts the light range so that light emanates only from one side of the comet's tail. Increasing the value shifts the light range to the left side. Decreasing the value makes the light appear to the right side of the comet's tail.

Ionic deviate Changes the position of the additional tails.

Ionic color Click this color box to change the color of additional tails added to the comet.

Key frame control Allows you to create an animation clip. The various controls here allow you to change the effect's behaviour at each and every frame of the clip.

Ambient light color Click the color box to change the color tone of your image.

Ambient light strength By default, your image is made to look dimmer in order for the effect to "stand out". Enter a higher number or move the slider to make the image look brighter.

Elements Lists the effects to be applied to your image. Click the + button to add an effect to the list and click - to remove an effect. Click the up and down arrow buttons to scroll through this effect list.

Preview Click to see a larger preview of the effect on the image.

Add Click to add your effect settings to the EasyPalette.

Save Click to save the image with the effect as animation gif or sequence bmp files.


Lighting dialog box - Laser Basic
  Basic	  Advanced

This effect adds a laser beam to the image. Click the Basic tab to change the overall look of the effect. Use the Key frame control to produce animated effects.

Preview window Shows a preview of the image or selection area with the effect attributes applied.

Effect Click a thumbnail to apply a lighting effect to the image.

Mode Select a shape (linear or spiral) from the drop-down list.

Length Adjusts the length of the laser beam.

Range Adjusts the width of the laser beam.

Angle Rotates the laser beam. Decreasing the value rotates it clockwise and increasing the value rotates it counterclockwise.

Brightness Adjusts the brightness of the laser beam.

Softness Affects how the laser beam glows. Decreasing the value makes the laser glow brighter.

Color ramp Select which color ramp to use for the laser beam: RGB (Red, Green, Blue) or HSB (Hue, Saturation, Brightness).

Body color This is the light color of the laser beam. Click the color box to change this color.

Glow color This is the color of the glowing light surrounding the laser beam. Click the color box to change this color.

Reset Click to place the effect back in its default position. Changed settings will not be affected.

Key frame control Allows you to create an animation clip. The various controls here allow you to change the effect's behaviour at each and every frame of the clip.

Ambient light color Click the color box to change the color tone of your image.

Ambient light strength By default, your image is made to look dimmer in order for the effect to "stand out". Enter a higher number or move the slider to make the image look brighter.

Elements Lists the effects to be applied to your image. Click the + button to add an effect to the list and click - to remove an effect. Click the up and down arrow buttons to scroll through this effect list.

Preview Click to see a larger preview of the effect on the image.

Add Click to add your effect settings to the EasyPalette.

Save Click to save the image with the effect as animation gif or sequence bmp files.


You may reposition any of the effects by moving your mouse over the preview window. When the mouse pointer changes to a 4-headed arrow, click and drag the effect to a desired location on the image.


Key Frame Control

Preview slider Drag the slider  [image]  to preview the progress of the animation.

Key frame controller  [image]  Diamonds on this slider are "key frames". Click on a diamond to jump to a point on the clip and change effect settings.

Add key frame Click  [image]  to add a key frame.

Delete key frame Click  [image]  to remove a key frame.

Reverse key frame Click  [image]  to flip the key frames around and reverse the effect of the animation. (This button is enabled only when there are key frames in the animated clip.)

Auto reverse Click  [image]  to enable or disable auto reverse. When selected, preview reverses the effect when it reaches the end of the clip and forwards through the effect when it reaches the beginning of the clip.

Play Click  [image]  to play the animated effect in the preview window.

Stop Click  [image]  to stop the preview.

Current frame  [image]  Shows the frame number the preview is in.

Total frames  [image]  Allows you to specify the total number of frames for your clip. Enter a desired number or click the arrow buttons to increase/decrease the number of frames.

  Creating animated lighting effects


Ulead Grayscale Color Picker dialog box
  Color	  Grayscale

Choose Grayscale colors visually from a Grayscale palette.

Grayscale palette Click to select a color from the palette or drag the slider at the bottom until you reach the desired color.

New / Current block The left side shows the color under the mouse pointer. The right side shows the color defined by the gray value boxes. When you click on the image, both colors become the same.

Gray value Enter a new value for the gray channel here if you don't want to use the palette.


Image Optimizer

Image Optimizer saves your images with the highest possible quality at the lowest possible file size, ensuring that your images won't exceed the byte budget for the Web.

  Enabling Image Optimizer


Enabling Image Optimizer

After creating images for your Web site, you'll want to save them in a Web-optimized format in order to reduce loading time.

To enable Image Optimizer:

1.	Click Web: Image Optimizer.

2.	Select from JPG, GIF, and PNG file formats with the buttons at the far right and adjust compression settings. The Preview window at the top right updates accordingly to display the compressed image.

3.	Click Compress By Size if you want to compress a JPEG image to a specific file size.

4.	Click Save As to save your image in the selected format.

  Saving an image as a GIF

  Saving an image as a JPEG

  Saving an image as a PNG


Saving an image as a GIF

To save an image as a GIF:

1.	Click Web: Image Optimizer to open the Image Optimizer interface.

2.	Click the GIF Image Optimizer button just below the Preview window on the right.

3.	On the Mask Options tab, select the Pick Color option to choose the colors that you want to be transparent. Hold the Ctrl key down as you click the image on the left. Your cursor becomes an eyedropper tool as soon as you drag it over your image.

4.	To select a particular region of colors based on their similarity to the pixel that you selected using the eyedropper, enter a Similarity value.

5.	If you want to create custom transparencies, select the Import Mask option and type the name of the file that you want to use as your mask.

6.	Select Enable background blending using background settings if you want the transparent areas in the GIF to match the background tile that you will use in your Web page. This makes your image blend in smoothly with the background of your Web page.

7.	From the Background tab, select a color or an image that you want to blend with your image.

8.	Click the Palette tab to view the color palette used for your image. From here, you can save this palette as a file for later use. Click the Save Palette button to open the Save Palette File dialog box. Palettes are saved with the *.PAL extension.

9.	Click the GIF Options tab. Select Interlaced if you want the image to load gradually into the browser window.

10.	Select a preset to use from the Preset list. You can also add your own preset or remove it from the list.

11.	Click the Modem speed menu button. This lets you select a connection speed, which is then used to calculate the download time for an optimized image.

12.	After you've entered the settings to optimize the GIF file, click the Save As button to save it.

  Saving an image as a JPEG

  Saving an image as a PNG


Saving an image as a JPEG

To save an image as a JPEG:

1.	Click Web: Image Optimizer to open the Image Optimizer interface.

2.	Click the JPEG Image Optimizer button just below the Preview window on the right.

3.	On the Mask Options tab, select the Pick color option to choose the colors that you want to be transparent. Hold the Ctrl key down as you click the image on the left. Your cursor becomes an eyedropper tool as soon as you drag it over your image.

4.	To select a particular region of colors based on their similarity to the pixel that you selected using the eyedropper, enter a Similarity value.

5.	Because the JPEG format does not natively support transparency, the transparent areas here are actually blended with the background specified in the Background tab. You can use this technique to blend the 'transparent' areas in with the background colors of your page or with another image.

6.	If you want to create custom transparencies, select Import Mask option and type the name of the file that you want to use as your mask.

7.	Set the Soft level for the image. This blurs the image slightly according to the selected value in order to facilitate compression as well as to compensate for any dithering previously applied to the image. A higher level selected means that the image will be blurrier.

8.	Select a Mode for the JPEG file that you want to create - Progressive, Standard, or Standard Optimized. Progressive creates an image that gradually fades in as it downloads. Standard creates an image that is compatible with all browsers, but generally have larger file sizes than file created in Progressive mode. Standard Optimized creates the smallest possible image file using a non-progressive compression technique.

9.	Select a Preset to use. You can add your own preset or remove it from the list.

10.	Adjust the level of compression by entering a value for Quality, or by dragging the Quality slider.

11.	Click the Modem speed menu button. This lets you select a connection speed, which is then used to calculate the download time for an optimized image.

12.	After you've entered the settings to optimize the JPEG file, click the Save As button to save it.

  Saving an image as a GIF

  Saving an image as a PNG


Saving an image as a PNG

To save an image as a PNG:

1.	Click Web: Image Optimizer to open the Image Optimizer interface.

2.	Click the PNG Image Optimizer button just below the Preview window on the right.

3.	On the Mask Options tab, select the Pick color option to choose the colors that you want to be transparent. Hold the Ctrl key down as you click the image on the left. Your cursor becomes an eyedropper tool as soon as you drag it over your image.

4.	To select a particular region of colors based on their similarity to the pixel you selected using the eyedropper, enter a Similarity value.

5.	If you want to create custom transparencies, select the Import Mask option and type the name of the file that you want to use as your mask.

6.	Set the Soft level for the image. This option blurs the image slightly according to the selected value in order to facilitate compression as well as to compensate for any dithering previously applied to the image. A higher level selected means that the image will be blurrier.

7.	Select a File type for the PNG file that you want to create - True Color, Indexed, or Grayscale. True Color PNG files contain millions of colors and are significantly larger than JPGs because PNG uses a lossless compression format, meaning that no data is lost while the file is being saved. Indexed files are 8-bit files similar to GIFs and contain a maximum of 256 colors in the image file, Grayscale files are 8-bit grayscale images that contain up to 256 distinct shades of gray.

8.	Select the Interlaced option if you want the image to gradually fade in as it downloads. This allows you to get a rough preview of the image before it has finished loading. However, interlaced files are larger than non-interlaced and may take a fraction longer to load.

9.	If you chose to create an Indexed PNG file, select the default palette type you want to use from the Palette option.

10.	Select the Alpha channel option if you chose the Import Mask from the Mask Options tab. This saves the mask as an actual alpha channel that can be used and modified later.

11.	Click the Modem speed menu button. This lets you select a connection speed, which is then used to calculate the download time for an optimized image.

12.	Click the Save As button to save your file as a PNG.

  Saving an image as a GIF

  Saving an image as a JPEG


JPEG Image Optimizer dialog box - Mask Options
  Mask Options	  Background	  JPEG Options

None Click if you don't want to apply a mask to your image.

Pick color Select to choose the range of colors in the image that you want to use as a mask.

Similarity Enter a value to select a particular region of colors based on their similarity to the pixel that you selected using the eyedropper.

Import mask Click if you want to use an image as your mask.

File name Enter the name of the file that you want to use as your mask.

Enable background blending using background settings Select this option to blend the mask more smoothly into the original image.

Invert transparent area Select to reverse the selection area, making the unselected portion your transparent area.

Save as Click to save your file.

Batch Select to open the Batch dialog box for trying out different compression settings on your file before you actually save it.

After Image Optimizer is done with batch processing, you can see the results of the tests in the Batch Results dialog box that appears.


JPEG Image Optimizer dialog box - Background
  Mask Options	  Background	  JPEG Options

Select a color to use as the default transparency place holder or the color for the transparent areas in your image.

White color Fills transparent areas with this color.

Black color Fills transparent areas with this color.

User selected color Fills transparent areas with a color of your choice. Click the color square to open the Ulead Color Picker and choose a color for the mask.. Right-click to open other color pickers.

User selected image Fills transparent areas with an image of your choice. Enter the name of the file or click Browse to search for the file.

Tile offset Enter a value to define the image's X- and Y-offset. This shifts the image a number of pixels based on the entered value. Negative values move the image left and down while positive values move the image right and up.


JPEG Image Optimizer dialog box - JPEG Options
  Mask Options	  Background	  JPEG Options

Preset Select a preset. The choices depend on the mode you select. Click Add to create a new preset or click Delete to remove a preset from the list.

Soft Select a level to determine the amount of blur that will be applied to your image. The higher the number, the smoother your image appears. This facilitates compression and compensates for any dithering you've previously applied to your image.

File type Select a file type to save your image as.

Mode Select the type of JPEG file you want to create.

Subsampling Select a subsampling method. Applying it to your image enhances the compression  by retaining all the information on brightness but approximates some of the less important color information.

Quality Select the quality you want for your image by entering a value or dragging the slider. The higher the quality, the larger the file size and the longer it will take to download  your image.

Compress By Size Opens the Compress By Size dialog box for reducing your file to a specific size.


GIF Image Optimizer dialog box - Mask Options
  Mask Options	  Background
  GIF Options	  Palette

None Click if you don't want to apply a mask to your image.

Pick color Select to choose the range of colors in the image that you want use as a mask.

Similarity Enter a value to select a particular range of colors based on their similarity to the pixel you selected using the eyedropper.

Import mask Click if you want to use an image as your mask.

File name Enter the name of the file that you want to use as your mask.

Enable background blending using background settings Select this option to blend the mask more smoothly into the original image.

Invert transparent area Select to reverse the selection area, making the unselected portion your transparent area.

Save as Click to save your file.

Batch Select to open the Batch dialog box for trying out different compression settings on your file before you actually save it.

After Image Optimizer is done with batch processing, you can see the results of the tests in the Batch Results dialog box that appears.


GIF Image Optimizer dialog box - Background
  Mask Options	  Background
  GIF Options	  Palette

Select a color to use as your mask.

White color Fills transparent areas with this color.

Black color Fills transparent areas with this color.

User selected color Fills transparent areas with a color of your choice. Click the color square to open the Ulead Color Picker and choose a color for the mask. Right-click to open other color pickers.

User selected image Enter the name of the file that you want to use as your background image. Click Browse to search for the file.

Tile offset Enter a value to define the image's X- and Y-offset. This shifts the image a number of pixels based on the entered value. Negative values move the image left and down while positive values move the image right and up.


GIF Image Optimizer dialog box - GIF Options
  Mask Options	  Background
  GIF Options	  Palette

Preset Select a preset. The choices depend on the mode you select. Click Add to create a new preset or click Delete to remove a preset from the list.

Soft Select a level to determine the amount of blur that will be applied to your image. The higher the number, the smoother your image appears. This facilitates compression and compensates for any dithering you've previously applied to your image.

File type Select a file type to save your image as.

Color Enter a value to set the maximum number of colors that your file contains.

Weight Specify the color channel that you want to emphasize. This prompts the program to favor colors from a certain color channel (Red, Green, or Blue) when building the color palette.

Palette Select the default palette type you want to use. Select "User defined" to apply a customized palette. Specify a user-defined palette file (*.PAL) in the File name field.

Dither Click to apply dithering to your image. This mixes existing colors from the palette in different patterns in order to mimic the missing color.

Interlaced Click if you want the image to load gradually into the Web browser.


GIF Image Optimizer dialog box - Palette
  Mask Options	  Background
  GIF Options	  Palette

Colors Displays all the colors in the selected palette.

Save palette Stores your palette file in *.PAL format for later use.


PNG Image Optimizer dialog box - Mask Options
  Mask Options	  Background
  PNG Options	  Palette

None Click if you don't want to apply a mask to your image.

Pick color Select to choose the range of colors in the image that you want use as a mask.

Similarity Enter a value to select a particular range of colors based on their similarity to the pixel you selected using the eyedropper.

Import mask Click if you want to use an image as your mask.

File name Enter the name of the file that you want to use as your mask.

Enable background blending using background settings Select this option to blend the mask more smoothly into the original image.

Invert transparent area Select to reverse the selection area, making the unselected portion your transparent area.

Save as Click to save your file.

Batch Select to open the Batch dialog box for trying out different compression settings on your file before you actually save it.

After Image Optimizer is done with batch processing, you can see the results of the tests in the Batch Results dialog box that appears.


PNG Image Optimizer dialog box - Background
  Mask Options	  Background
  PNG Options	  Palette

Select a color to use as your mask.

White color Fills transparent areas with this color.

Black color Fills transparent areas with this color.

User selected color Fills transparent areas with a color of your choice. Click the color square to open the Ulead Color Picker and change the color of your mask. Right-click to open other color pickers.

User selected image Enter the name of the file that you want to use as your background image. Click Browse to search for the file.

Tile offset Enter a value to define the image's X- and Y-offset. This shifts the image a number of pixels based on the entered value. Negative values move the image left and down while positive values move the image right and up.


PNG Image Optimizer dialog box - PNG Options
  Mask Options	  Background
  PNG Options	  Palette

Preset Select a preset. The choices depend on the mode you select. Click Add to create a new preset, or click Delete to remove a preset from the list.

Soft Select a level to determine the amount of blur that will be applied to your image. The higher the number, the smoother your image appears. This facilitates compression and compensates for any dithering you've previously applied to your image.

File type Select a file type to save your image as.

Weight Specify the color channel that you want to emphasize. This prompts the program to favor colors from a certain color channel (Red, Green, or Blue) when building the color palette.

Filter Select a filter to apply to your image to further reduce its size.

Palette Select the default palette type that you want to use. Select "User defined" to apply a customized palette. Specify a user-defined palette file (*.PAL) in the File name field 	Dither Click to apply dithering to your image. This mixes  the existing colors from the palette in different patterns in order to mimic the missing color.

Interlaced Click if you want the image to load gradually into the Web browser.

Alpha channel Select to save the mask as an actual alpha channel that can be used and modified later.


PNG Image Optimizer dialog box - Palette
  Mask Options	  Background
  PNG Options	  Palette

Colors Displays all the colors in the selected palette.

Save palette Stores your palette file in *.PAL format for later use.

Note: This is only available if you select Indexed Color in the PNG Options tab.


Compress By Size dialog box

Compresses your image to a specific file size.

Original file size Displays the current file size of your image.

Desired file size Enter a file size that you want Image Optimizer to reduce your image file to. Choose from bytes or kilobytes.

Compression ratio Specify the amount of compression that you want by percent.


Performing a batch test

Image Optimizer allows you to try different color and compression settings on your file before you actually save it. This lets you experiment more quickly with the variables that affect these image file formats the most.

To perform a batch test:

1.	Click the Batch button to open the Batch dialog box.

2.	For GIF and PNG, enter the lowest number of colors to test in the Fewest colors entry box. For JPEG, enter a number for Lowest quality.

3.	Enter the highest number of colors to test in the Most colors entry box in the GIF and PNG Batch dialog box and the Highest quality percentage for JPEG.

4.	Select either a specific number of tests to perform, or perform a single test for each increment of 0-20 colors. If you choose to have tests done by Increment, then be aware that entering a smaller number of increments results in more tests.

5.	Click OK. Once the tests have been generated, you can view the results in the Batch Results dialog box that appears. Highlight a particular test image, then click the Select button to put that image into Image Optimizer's main preview window and use its settings to optimize your image.


JPEG Batch dialog box

Lowest quality Enter a value for the lowest quality. A high value means that more compression will be applied to the file. 	Highest quality Enter a value for the highest quality. A higher value means that less compression will be applied to the file, and that the file may require a longer loading time. 	Number of tests Specifies how many tests you want Image Optimizer to perform.	Increment Specifies how many colors will be tested in one trial. The higher the number, the fewer tests Image Optimizer will perform.

  Performing a batch test


GIF Batch dialog box
GIF / PNG Batch dialog box

Fewest colors Enter a value for the fewest colors. A high value means that more compression will be applied to the file. 	Most colors Enter a value for the highest quality. A higher value means that less compression will be applied to the file, and that the file may require a longer loading time. 	Number of tests Specifies how many tests you want Image Optimizer to perform. 	Increment Specifies how many colors will be tested in one trial. The higher the number, the fewer tests Image Optimizer will perform.

  Performing a batch test


JPEG History dialog box
Batch Results dialog box

Once the batch tests have been generated, you can view the results in the Batch Results window.

Total number of tests Specifies the total number of times Image Optimizer has performed a test.

Compression details Displays details of your image after compression, including file size and its attribute settings.


Visual Open

Opens the Visual Open dialog box for selecting files to place in the workspace. You will see the heirarchy of folders on your disk drive in the left pane. Clicking a folder displays thumbnails of recognized image file types in the right pane.

[Ctrl+ Shift+O]

  Visual Open dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Batch Convert

Allows you to convert image type and/or file format of all files in a selected folder. This saves you the trouble of activating each file and repeating the command.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Batch Convert dialog box

Converts the image type and/or file format of all files in a selected folder. This command will overwrite your original files, so select a different destination folder if you want to retain the original files.

Source Specify here which image files y ou want to convert.

Folder Select the location of the folder containing the files you want to convert. Click Browse to view other files and folders.

Type Select All Formats to apply the conversion to all image files, or choose a particular format from the drop-down list to apply the conversion only to images of that format.

Include all subfolders Select this option if you want to convert files within the subfolders of the speficied folder.

Destination Specify here what to do with the newly created images.

Open to workspace Creates the new images in the workspace. This option does not save the new images.

Save and close Overwrites the original files in their source folder with the newly converted images and automatically closes the files.

Save to this folder and close Select the destination folder for the converted files. Click Browse to view other files and folders.

Convert file format to Select Not Changed to retain the original format of the files in the source folder, or choose a particular file format from the drop-down list to convert the files to. Click Options to choose whether to save the files as an MS-Windows or OS/2 bitmap.

Convert data type to Select Not Changed to retain the original data type of the files in the source folder, or choose a particular data type from the drop-down list to convert the files to.

Show message when errors occur Displays messages when errors occur while applying the conversion.


Capture

Setup Opens the Capture Setup dialog box for collecting images from your screen for later use in PhotoImpact and in other programs. You may specify the area that you need to capture, whether you want the entire screen, a specific object, or a mere portion of your image.

Start Minimizes your PhotoImpact program and automatically switches to Capture mode, allowing you to capture any screen after pressing the capture hotkey as specified in the Capture Setup dialog box.

  Capture Setup dialog box

  Post-processing dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Capture Setup dialog box

Source Specify what to capture.

Active window Captures the currently active window on your screen.

Active workspace Captures the workspace of the currently active window.

Full screen Captures everything currently on your screen.

Selected object Captures the selected object or item on your screen.

Selected area Captures an area of your screen that you define by clicking the specified hotkey then dragging your mouse.

Menu under pointer Captures the menu directly under your mouse pointer.

Destination Specify here what to do with the captured images.

Workspace Creates the new images in the workspace. This option does not save the new images.

Clipboard Places the new image in the clipboard.

File Saves the new images in the specified folder. Click Browse to specify which folder to save your captures images to.

Activation defining the keyboard key for starting a capture, a delay (in seconds) before starting a capture, and how to automatically perform sequential captures if desired.

Hotkey Choose a shortcut key from the drop-down list for activating the capture command.

Delay Select to put an interval between activation and actual capturing.

Multiple capture Select this option if you want to continue capturing. This is useful when you have several images to capture. If left cleared, Capture mode is automatically terminated right after the first capture.

Pointer Select this option if you want to specify your own pointer style or choose from the available pointers on the list. To specify your own, select Custom from the list or click Browse to specify which program to acquire the pointer from. If left cleared, the image appears without any pointer.

Post-processing Define the image characteristics for capturing.

Change Opens the Post-processing dialog box for specifying image characteristics.

Capture Now Closes the dialog box and the program to let you begin capturing.


Select Pointer dialog box

Specify the mouse pointer used in capturing images.

Windows pointer Uses the standard Windows pointer in capturing images.

Program pointer Specify your own pointer by choosing which program to acquire the pointer from.

Pointers Displays all the available pointers within the Windows program or within the program you specify under the Program pointer item.


Capture Setup - Post-processing dialog box

Specify the image characteristics for capturing. If none is selected, current display settings will be used.

Data type Choose the desired data type from the list. Click Option to specify the resolution and half-tone screen of Black and White images and Indexed Color images.

Resolution Select to specify the resolution of the image to be captured.


Selection Menu

  Select Base Image
  Select Previous Selection
  None
  All
  Invert
  Border
  Expand/Shrink
  Similar
  Soften
  Convert to Object
  Preserve Base Image
  Import Selection
  Export Selection
  Copy selection to Object Library


Preserve Base Image

Leaves the base image unchanged when moving a selection. Clear to replace the space vacated by the selection with the current background color.


Object Menu

  Merge	  Arrange
  Merge All	  Space Evenly
  Combine as Single Object	  Shadow
  Delete	  Split Shadow
  Duplicate	  Show Marquee
  Revert	  Import Object
  Convert Object Type	  Export Object
  Group	  Copy to Object Library
  Ungroup	  Properties
  Align


Fill dialog box - Gradient Tab
Fill dialog box – Gradient Tab
  Color	  Texture
  Gradient	  Image

Fills the selected image or mask with a changing range of colors. The Gradient Tab varies depending on whether your selection is an image or text / path:

Image selection:

Gradient Fills the object with gradually changing colors.

Fill type Specify how you would like to apply fill to your image. You may fill your object with gradually changing colors starting from one point and extending along a straight line to another point or extending outward to the sides, whether rectangular or circular.

Fill color Fills the selected image with the specified range of colors.

Two colors Creates a gradient fill between two colors.

Multiple colors Creates a gradient fill between several colors. Click the Fill colors to adjust the palette ramp of the gradient.

Ramp Determines how the colors change in a gradient fill.

RGB Follows the colors found in a straight line connecting the start and end colors in the RGB cube.

HSB Clockwise Follows the colors found in a continuous arc going clockwise around the HSB cone from the start to end color.

HSB Counterclockwise Follows the colors found in a continuous arc going counterclockwise around the HSB cone from the end to start color.

Magic Gradient Fills the object with a special gradient. Click the Fill colors to adjust the palette ramp of the magic gradient.

Merge Determine which color characteristics of the fill you want to apply.

Transparency Set a higher value to make the fill more transparent. This allows the underlying image to show through more clearly.

Preview Displays how changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

Add Adds the settings to the EasyPalette.

Sample Displays a preview of the current fill source, not the result after applying fill to your image.

Text / Path selection:

Note: If your selected image is a text or path object, the only thing different in the dialog box (Gradient Tab) is the absence of some Fill Type options and Magic Gradient.

Fill type Specify how you would like to apply fill to your image. You may fill your object with gradually changing colors starting from one point and extending along a straight line to another point.

  Gradient fills

  Fill Tool

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Fill dialog box - Texture Tab
Fill dialog box – Texture Tab
  Color	  Texture
  Gradient	  Image

Fills the selected image or mask with a texture. Choose from the gallery of magic and natural textures.

Thumbnails Displays all the available texture or patterns in the selected gallery and tab group.

Gallery Choose a gallery to see an array of texture and patterns.

Tab group Choose between Natural Texture and Magic Texture.

Natural Texture Fills the selection with the shown natural texture. Click More to open the Open dialog box for manually selecting a texture file.

Magic Texture Fills the selection with the shown magic texture. Click More to open the Magic Textures dialog box for selecting a magic texture with quick samples.

Merge Determine which color characteristics of the fill you want to apply.

Transparency Set a higher value to make the fill more transparent. This allows the underlying image to show through more clearly.

Preview Displays how changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

Add Adds the settings to the EasyPalette.

Sample Displays a preview of the current fill source, not the result after applying fill to your image.

  Gradient fills

  Fill Tool

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Fill dialog box - Image Tab
Fill dialog box – Image Tab
  Color	  Texture
  Gradient	  Image

Fills the selected image or mask with an image:

File Choose the image file to use as the fill. Click Browse to specify which file to open.

Clipboard Fills the selection with the current clipboard data. (Only available if the clipboard contains image data.)

How to fill Select whether to tile or fit the image in the selection.

Merge Determine which color characteristics of the fill you want to apply.

Transparency Set a higher value to make the fill more transparent. This allows the underlying image to show through more clearly.

Preview Displays how changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

Add Adds the settings to the EasyPalette.

Sample Displays a preview of the current fill source, not the result after applying fill to your image.

  Gradient fills

  Fill Tool

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Fadeout

Opens the Fadeout dialog box for changing the mask image of an active object or a selection. If your object or selection is a text or path object, you have the option of enabling or disabling the Fadeout function by selecting the Apply Fadeout box or leaving it cleared. But if your object or selection is an image, there is no way to disable the function.

Note: The Fadeout function is only available for True Color and Grayscale images.

[Ctrl+H]

  Fadeout dialog box for image objects

  Fadeout dialog box for text/path objects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Mask Mode

Toggles between Mask Mode and Normal mode. Mask Mode allows you to create a rough selection area by placing a tinted mask over your image except where a selection exists. This enables you to fine tune your selections by letting you "paint" the selection. To enable Mask Mode, select Mask Mode from the Edit Menu or the mask icon from the status bar.

Note: The Mask Mode function only works for True Color 24-bit and Grayscale 8-bit images.

[Ctrl+K]

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Show Marquee

Toggles between showing or hiding the selection marquee (dotted lines or outline boundary) of your selected objects.

[Q]

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Histogram

Displays the color distribution of either the entire image or just the selected area of your image. You may then adjust color imbalances using Tone Map or Color Balance to further enhance your image.

  Histogram dialog box

  Tone Map

  Color Balance

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Histogram dialog box

Histogram The gray graph shows the current distribution of colors in the image. Drag the triangular handle or pointer to obtain the histogram reading in the Statistics area on the left.

Channel Choose which color channel you want to get a graphic reading of. Choosing Luminosity gives you a histogram of all channels simultaneously. The other channels specific colors.

  Fixing the color balance

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Equalize

Automatically adjusts your images that are too dark.

  Fixing the color balance

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Calculation

Merges two images of the exact same size together based on the selected source channel, with the first image laid over the other. This makes the new image appear like a superimposed picture.

  Calculation dialog box

  Merging files together

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Merging files
Merging files together

Use this procedure to generate a new file based on merge control between two different files.

1.	Prepare at least two images of the same size and select Format: Calculation.

2.	In the Calculation dialog box, choose an image for your Foreground and Background images, which server as your floating and base image respectively.

3.	You may apply mask to your image by selecting Mask (located between your Foreground and Background images). The list contains all grayscale image files with the same size as your active document. If you don’t have any grayscale images opened, the Mask item will be grayed out.

4.	Choose a source channel from the list: Master, R, G, or B.

5.	Choose an operator channel from the list. This determines which color characteristics of the object you want to apply to your image. You will see a preview of how your image will appear on the right thumbnail.

  Calculation dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Split Shadow

Separates a previously applied shadow from the active object. The shadow then becomes a new image object whose attributes you can always go back to and modify.

Note: Split Shadow only works when shadow has been applied earlier to the currently selected object. However, if there are multiple objects selected, Split Shadow is automatically disabled.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Arrange
Arrange Order

Arranges the order of your object in the workspace.

Bring Forward Moves the object up one level.

Send Backward Moves the object down one level.

Bring To Front Moves the object to the highest level.

Send To Back Moves the object to the lowest level.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Web Preview

Center Simulates Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator and displays the current image in indexed-256 color mode. PhotoImpact displays the image at full screen. To change back to normal mode, press any key or mouse button.

Tile Simulates Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator and places duplicate copies of the image side-by-side until the entire screen is filled.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Tip Of The Day

Displays different useful tips every time you start the program. To disable, leave Show Tips at Startup option cleared. To show tips, click Help and select Tip of the Day.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Object Properties dialog box - Position and Size tab
Object Properties dialog box
  General	  Position and Size
  Text or Path

Allows you to review and change the characteristics of the selected object.

Position Displays the current co-ordinates of the object’s location. Enter new co-ordinates to move the object.

Lock Anchors the object to its position on the image.

Size Choose the desired size for the image.

Unit Percent changes the size in proportion to the original; Pixels allows you to specify the exact size for the image in pixels.

Keep aspect ratio Maintains the horizontal and vertical proportion for the image when resizing.

  Creating an object

  Blending images

  Defining image map tags

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Object Properties dialog box - Text tab
Object Properties dialog box
  General	  Position and Size
  Text or Path

Allows you to review and change the characteristics of the selected text or path object. The Text tab (or Path tab if your object is a path) will only be visible if you have either a text object or a path object selected.

Color Click to choose a color picker for selecting a new color.

Font Select a font to apply to your object.

Size (Text) / Line width and style (Path) Specify the size and style for your object.
Text entry box (Text) Enter the desired text in the white box. To create a paragraph return, press Ctrl + Enter.

Preview Click to see a preview of how your object looks with the changes you just made.

  Creating an object

  Blending images

  Defining image map tags

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Tool Panel - Path Drawing Tool
Tool Panel

Path Tool
The Path Tool contains four tools that allow you to reshape vector objects. It differs from the reshape tools in that the actual shape data for the object is retained until merged. The color option provides you with a quick way to change the object's color or choose a gradient or magic texture for the text. Use the Trace command or choose between Horizontal and Vertical Deform to create vector shapes. Then for advanced 3D effects, choose from several 3D modes. Click below to learn more about each tool.

Path Drawing Tool
The Path Drawing Tool allows you to create solid-filled vector objects. The Attribute Toolbar contains tools for determining the shape, color, and mode of your path. Click below to learn more about each item.

  Creating objects


Tool Panel - Outline Drawing Tool
Tool Panel

Path Tool
The Path Tool contains four tools that allow you to reshape vector objects. It differs from the reshape tools in that the actual shape data for the object is retained until merged. The color option provides you with a quick way to change the object's color or choose a gradient or magic texture for the text. Use the Trace command or choose between Horizontal and Vertical Deform to create vector shapes. Then for advanced 3D effects, choose from several 3D modes. Click below to learn more about each tool.

Outline Drawing Tool
The Outline Drawing Tool allows you to create close-curved, hollowed vector graphics. This is useful when you want to draw any object with a hole in it, such as a doughnut-shaped path or an irregularly shaped frame. The Attribute Toolbar contains tools for determining the shape, color, and mode of your path. Click below to learn more about each item.

  Creating objects


Tool Panel - Line and Arrow Tool
Tool Panel

Path Tool
The Path Tool contains four tools that allow you to reshape vector objects. It differs from the reshape tools in that the actual shape data for the object is retained until merged. The color option provides you with a quick way to change the object's color or choose a gradient or magic texture for the text. Use the Trace command or choose between Horizontal and Vertical Deform to create vector shapes. Then for advanced 3D effects, choose from several 3D modes. Click below to learn more about each tool.

Line and Arrow Tool
The Line and Arrow Tool allows you to create vector graphics of lines and arrows based on the specified attributes. The Attribute Toolbar contains tools for determining the shape, color, style and mode of your path. Click below to learn more about each item.

  Creating objects


Tool Panel - Path Edit Tool
Tool Panel

Path Tool
The Path Tool contains four tools that allow you to reshape vector objects. It differs from the reshape tools in that the actual shape data for the object is retained until merged. The color option provides you with a quick way to change the object's color or choose a gradient or magic texture for the text. Use the Trace command or choose between Horizontal and Vertical Deform to create vector shapes. Then for advanced 3D effects, choose from several 3D modes. Click below to learn more about each tool.

Path Edit Tool
The Path Edit Tool allows you to edit any existing path - be it a solid-filled path, an outline, or a line or arrow. Simply make a path active and modify its attributes. The Attribute Toolbar contains tools for reshaping your path. Click below to learn more about each item.

  Creating objects


What's New in PhotoImpact 5
What’s New in PhotoImpact 5

  Component Designer Create great looking, pre-designed web components such as buttons, banners, icons, and separators, among others, from the available templates and customize them for your Web page. Export to PhotoImpact for further editing or save an image via Image Optimizer to further reduce its file size.

  Java Rollover Assistant Need an easy way to create mouseover for your Web page? Use this feature to design java rollover buttons. All you need is a group of buttons and PhotoImpact will automatically make it a mouseover and export it as an HTML file format.

  Image Slicer Want to place a huge image on your Web site but you're worried about the downloading time? Slice your image and divide it into smaller ones to facilitate rapid download and previewing. PhotoImpact automatically generates the appropriate HTML code to put all the pieces back together.

  Enhanced EasyPalette Now with more preset effects, textures, shapes, and objects to choose from, the EasyPalette offers a fast alternative to enhancing your images. Toggle between displaying a hierarchy of folders in your galleries and libraries or showing thumbnails for easy drag-and-drop selection.

  Enhanced Path Tools The Path Tool now includes four different tools for creating and reshaping vector objects. Choose from an array of options and modes to produce advanced 3D objects. Convert your images to path objects and freely distort them without losing image quality.


Fadeout dialog box - for image objects

This dialog box allows you to adjust the mask image, or the underlying image, of your object or selection.

Fill type Specify how you would like to apply gradient to the mask image. You may apply it with gradually changing colors starting from one point and extending along a straight line to another point or extending outward to the sides, whether rectangular or circular.

Fill color Applies a specified range of colors to your mask image.

Two colors Creates a gradient fill between two colors.

Multiple colors Creates a gradient fill between several colors. Click the Fill colors to adjust the palette ramp of the gradient.

Transparency Set a higher value to make the object more transparent. This allows other images below the object to show through more clearly.

Preview Click to see how the changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

Add Adds the settings to the EasyPalette.


Fadeout dialog box - for text/path objects

This dialog box allows you to adjust the mask image, or the underlying image, of your path. It also reflects fadeout attributes of your selected object. Here, you have the option of removing fadeout effect.

Apply fadeout Select to apply fadeout to your mask image. If left cleared, the rest will be grayed out.

Fill type Specify how you would like to apply gradient to the mask image. You may apply it with gradually changing colors starting from one point and extending along a straight line to another point or extending outward to the sides, whether rectangular or circular.

Fill color Applies a specified range of colors to your mask image.

Two colors Creates a gradient fill between two colors.

Multiple colors Creates a gradient fill between several colors. Click the Fill colors to adjust the palette ramp of the gradient.

Transparency Set a higher value to make the object more transparent. This allows other images below the object to show through more clearly.

Preview Click to see how the changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

Add Adds the settings to the EasyPalette.


EasyPalette New Group dialog box

The EasyPalette allows you to assign a name for grouped objects. If you do not want to assign a group name, open the EasyPalette Options dialog box (accessed from View Menu Commands) and leave Automatically assign group name cleared.

Group name Enter a name for your grouped objects.

  Assigning group names


EasyPalette Rename Group dialog box

The EasyPalette allows you to change the name of grouped objects.

Original group name Displays the current name of the grouped objects.

New group name Enter a new name for the group.

  Assigning group names


Add Commands Thumbnails dialog box

This option allows you to place commands that are not displayed in the EasyPalette gallery.

Commands Displays a list of commands which you can add to the EasyPalette for future use.

Add Saves the settings of the selected command to a specific gallery.


Path Draw Shape
Shape

Select either a preset or custom shape for your path, line or arrow. Select Custom Shape to import an *.AI file.


Width

Determines the thickness of the border around a path. This option is only available in Outline Drawing and Line and Arrow tool. Select a line width from the list or click More to create a custom one.

  Color and line dialog box


Color and Line dialog box

Allows you to specify a color and width of the border around your path.

Color Specify a color for your line. Click the color square to change the color.

Line width Specify how thick you want your line to be. Choose between 1 and 99. The width depends on the arrow style and size.

Line style Specify a style for your border, line or arrow.

Arrow Select a style and size for both ends of your arrow. This option is only available in Line and Arrow tool.


Outline Drawing Tool Style
Style

Allows you to select the type of line for your outline, line, or arrow. This option is only available in Outline Drawing and Line and Arrow of the Path tool.


Arrow

Allows you to select a style for both ends of your arrow. Click More to open the Color and Line dialog box for specifying a custom arrow.

  Color and line dialog box


Toggle - Path Edit
Toggle

Switches between Path mode and Object mode. When in Object mode, clicking the object automatically shifts to Path mode, allowing you to freely edit your path.


Edit point - Path Edit Tool
Edit point

Allows you to freely edit your path.

Pick Click to edit or adjust an existing path.

Add Places an extra node or handle on the path for easier editing.

Delete Removes a node or handle from the path.

Note: Press Ctrl or Shift as you click to switch from one mode to another. Releasing the mouse switches it back to Pick mode.


Edit mode - Path Edit Tool
Edit mode

Select Free Edit to retain angle settings and control points when editing the shape.


Convert line - Path Edit Tool
Convert line

Convert path to curve segment Select to be able to change the active path segment to an arch.

Convert path to line segment Select to automatically change the active path segment to a straight line.

  Converting a path segment to a curve


Duplicate - Path Edit Tool
Duplicate

Creates another path with the same attributes as your active one.


Delete - Path Edit Tool
Delete

Removes the selected path or path segment.

  Path Tool

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Alignment - Path Edit Tool
Alignment

Arranges the position of your path objects in the workspace. There should be more than one path selected. Otherwise, the function will be grayed out.


Grouping - Path Edit Tool
Grouping

Group path Puts together the selected paths so you can apply attributes to multiple paths at one time.

Ungroup path Splits a selected group apart, making each an individual path object.

  Path Tool

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Reset center - Transform Tool
Reset center

Moves the rotation point back to the center of the object. When Transform Tool is at the Rotate Freely mode, a rotation point appears at the center of the object. You may then move the center to change the point around which the object spins.


Color - Color Transform Pen
Color

Click to select a source and destination color. This allows you to replace a set of colors with another through color similarity, which determines the range of colors to be included.


Similarity - Color Transform Pen
Similarity

Set a range of colors closest to the source color. It determines the range of colors to be included.

  Color Replacement Pen


New Task - Quick Command Panel

Opens a dialog box for creating a new task. You can add a series of commands and actions and group them as a single task.

  Quick Command Panel

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


New Task dialog box - Quick Command Panel

Enter a new task name Enter a name for your new task.

Comment Enter a brief description about the task.

Record Begins recording the commands and actions to be saved to the task. Click Stop on the Quick Command Panel to finish recording.

  Quick Command Panel

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Delete Task - Quick Command Panel

Removes the selected task.

  Quick Command Panel

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Include in Task - Quick Command Panel

Select to include command in the current task the next time you hit Play. If left cleared, the command will not be executed during playback.

  Quick Command Panel

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Arrange Order - Quick Command Panel

Move up Moves the command up one level.

Move down Moves the command down one level.

Move top Moves the command to the highest level.

Move bottom Moves the command to the lowest level.

  Quick Command Panel

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Index

Displays the Index value of a selected color. This only applies to Indexed 16- or 256- color data types.


Black & White

The Black & White display information in the Attribute toolbar changes as you move your Eyedropper. This only applies to Black & White data type.


Welcome to PhotoImpact Help
Welcome to PhotoImpact

Welcome to PhotoImpact help. In addition to this introduction, this document contains the following sections to help you learn.
This help file is best viewed with a display resolution of 800 x 600, with 256-color or higher display.
  Using PhotoImpact Offers instruction on completing single tasks.
  Reference Describes menu commands, the workspace, and dialog boxes.
  Tutorials Offers tutorial style instruction on achieving a specific goal with PhotoImpact.
  Contacting Ulead How to contact Ulead Systems when you need advice or have comments.


What is PhotoImpact?

PhotoImpact is a versatile object-oriented image editing program that is easy and fun to use. Until you accept a change, each one you make is preserved as an independent item (object) that you can further modify without affecting any other part of the image. This offers better control of your finished project because you can decide at any time when to accept changes.

PhotoImpact offers a variety of special effects and other intuitive tools to make editing easier. A fun collection of special filters with real-world descriptions of how they work makes putting the finishing touch on your project a one-two-three process. When you have found a setting you particularly like, the customizable EasyPalette allows you to save it for future use on other images.


General

  Using the clipboard	  Joining two images
  Copying	  Dragging & Dropping
  Deleting data	  Finding files
  Duplicating	  Changing modes
  Cropping an image	  Setting PhotoImpact defaults
  Zooming in or out	  Adding third party plug-ins
  Zooming in on part of an image	  Assigning group names
  Changing the desktop wallpaper	  Merging files together
  Recovering from mistakes	  Replacing the base image
  Repeating actions on multiple images	  Enabling Color Management
  Converting images	  Adding workspace to an image
  Managing memory	  Opening part of an image
  Using Guidelines and Grids	  Enabling Component Designer


Objects & Selections
Objects

  Creating objects	  Managing objects
  Editing objects	  Creating frames
  Grouping & ungrouping objects	  Converting objects
  Hiding & showing objects	  Creating shadows
  Moving objects	  Placing & spacing objects
  Finding objects	  Using the 3D Virtual Trackball
  Merging objects to the base image	  Creating a grayscale mask
  Creating smooth edges for blending	  Blending images
  Creating path objects	  Tracing an image
  Importing path objects	  Converting a path segment to a curve


Selections

  Rectangular & elliptical selections
  Freehand selections
  Selecting by color
  Precision selecting
  Moving a selection
  Creating smooth edges for blending
  Adding selections to the Object Library
  Creating a border on a selection
  Creating frames


Painting & Cloning

  Painting
  Painting an effect
  Painting objects to other images
  Cloning
  Replacing selected colors
  Color fills
  Gradient fills
  Using the Brush Panel


3D Objects & Effects

  Using the 3D Virtual Trackball
  Creating 3D Text & Path Objects
  Applying 3D effects to transformed objects
  Using the Material dialog box to apply 3D effects
  Reshaping images


Working with text

  Adding text
  Transforming text
  Creating 3D text & path objects
  Creating smooth edges for blending
  Gradients
  Using the Gradient Ramp


Enhancing

  Applying filters and effects
  Modifying effects
  Editing by eye
  Adjusting color on-screen
  Stylizing your images
  Changing indexed image colors
  Using the true color spectrum most effectively
  Using Guided Workflow Tools
  Using the Gradient Ramp
  Basing one image on another
  Adding a shadow
  Fixing the color balance
  Automatic fixes


Transforming

  Transforming images
  Straightening images
  Reshaping images
  Instant rotating and flipping
  Resizing images
  Rotating with the mouse
  Rotating by degree
  Transforming text
  Deforming images
  Converting a path segment to a curve


EasyPalette

  EasyPalette basics
  Object Library basics
  Using your images as examples in the EasyPalette
  Adding objects to the Object Library
  Fine-tuning EasyPalette effects
  Placing objects from the Object Library into images
  Importing filters & effects into the EasyPalette
  Modifying the EasyPalette
  Finding objects
  Assigning group names


Web Imaging

  Creating backgrounds
  Creating regular buttons
  Creating irregular buttons
  Defining image map tags
  Preparing images for animation
  Creating web efficient images
  Creating frames
  Creating shadows
  Enabling Color Management
  Enabling Component Designer
  Slicing an image
  Creating Java rollover buttons
  Enabling Image Optimizer


Workspace

  Arranging the workspace
  Placing the toolbars
  Changing the desktop wallpaper
  Using the Brush Panel
  Calibrating the display


File Menu

  New	  Digital Camera
  Open	  Import / Export
  Visual Open	  Capture
  Restore	  Print Preview
  Close	  Print
  Save	  Send
  Save As	  Preferences
  Batch Convert	  Color Management
  Place	  Recent Files
  Scanner	  Exit


Edit Menu

  Undo Before	  Crop
  Redo To	  Duplicate
  Clear Undo/Redo History	  Fill
  Repeat	  Fadeout
  Cut	  Expand
  Copy	  Rotate & Flip
  Paste	  Stitch
  Clear	  Trace
  Clipboard	  Mask Mode


View Menu

  Add A View	  Remove Menu Bar
  Actual View	  Photo Properties
  Maximize At Actual View 	  System Properties
  Zoom	  Toolbars & Panels
  Fit In Window	  Ruler
  Full Screen	  Guidelines & Grid


Format Menu

  Auto-process	  Equalize
  Style	  Calculation
  Brightness & Contrast	  Post-Processing Wizard
  Color Balance	  Dimensions
  Hue & Saturation	  Resolution
  Focus	  Frame & Shadow
  Tone Map	  Data Type
  Invert	  Color Table
  Level	  Windows Wallpaper
  Histogram


  Black & White

  Grayscale

  Optimized Indexed 16-Color

  Optimized Indexed 256-Color

  WWW Browser Optimized

  RGB True Color

  Indexed 16-Color

  Indexed 256-Color

  16-bit Grayscale

  48-bit RGB True Color

  Create a New Image

  Split to CMYK

  Combine from CMYK


Effect Menu

  All	  Video
  Blur & Sharpen 	  Warping
  Noise	  Custom Filter
  Camera Lens	  Custom Effect
  2D	  Paint On Edges
  3D	  Magic
  Natural Painting	  Creative
  Special


  Average

  Blur

  Emphasize Edges

  Find Edges

  Gaussian Blur

  Sharpen

  Unsharp Mask


  Add Noise

  Despeckle

  Remove Moiré


  Cool

  Facet

  Warm

  Mosaic

  Motion Blur

  Fat

  Thin

  Remove Red Eye


  Ripple

  Whirlpool


  Pinch

  Punch

  Sphere


  Watercolor

  Charcoal

  Colored Pen

  Oil Paint


  Emboss

  Puzzle

  Tile

  Wind

  Blast

  Stagger


Web Menu

  Component Designer	  Java Rollover Assistant
  Background Designer	  Image Map Assistant
  Button Designer	  HTML Assistant
  Frame Designer	  Post to Web
  Shift Image	  Helper Program
  Grid and Partition 	  Image Slicer
  Create Seamless Tile	  Image Optimizer
  Web Preview


Window Menu

  Cascade	  Batch Manager
  Tile Horizontally	  Tile with Album
  Tile Vertically	  Tile with EasyPalette
  Arrange Icons	  Open Files


Help Menu

  Ulead PhotoImpact Help
  Tip Of The Day
  PhotoImpact Shortcut Keys
  Ulead On The Web
  Online Registration
  About PhotoImpact


  Ulead Homepage

  PhotoImpact Homepage

  Technical Support


Workspace Commands
Workspace

  Measurement Unit	  Toolbars & Panels
  Color Picker Menu 	  Path submenu
  Global Viewer


EasyPalette Menu Commands A - M
EasyPalette A - M

  Add PhotoShop Plug-in Thumbnails 	  Detach
  Add Natural Texture Thumbnails	  Drag & drop in PhotoImpact only
  Add Commands Thumbnails	  EasyPalette Options
  Apply	  Export
  Copy object to image	  Find / Find next
  Copy 	  Gallery manager
  Create gallery/library	  Group Management
  Create new group	  Import
  Cut	  Menu layout
  Delete	  Modify Properties & Apply


EasyPalette Menu Commands O - V
EasyPalette O - V

  Object Library Manager	  Store image as selection
  Paste	  Store selection
  Properties	  Tab Group Management
  Read-only	  Tab Groups
  Reset thumbnails	  Thumbnail Menu
  Resize commands	  Tile
  Show/Hide tree view	  Try
  Show/Hide list view	  Use Image As Thumbnails
  Sort	  Variations
  Store image	  Viewing options


Quick Command Panel Menu
Quick Command Panel

  Tasks	  Play
  New Task	  Use Preset Property
  Edit Task	  Cache
  Delete Task	  Lock
  Delete All	  Custom
  Stop	  Record
  Task Manager 	  Batch Task


  File Menu

  Edit Menu

  View Menu

  Format Menu

  Selection Menu

  Object Menu

  Effect Menu

  Web Menu

  Window Menu

  Help Menu

  Workspace

  EasyPalette A - M

  EasyPalette O - V

  Quick Command Panel


File Menu dialog boxes

  New	  Batch Convert
  Open	  Capture Setup
  Visual Open	  Print
  Save	  Send
  Save As	  Preferences


Edit Menu dialog boxes
Edit & View Menu dialog boxes

Edit Menu	View Menu
  Fill	  Photo Properties
  Fadeout - for Image	  System Properties
  Fadeout - for Text / Path	  Toolbars & Panels
  Expand
  Stitch
  Trace


Format Menu dialog boxes

  Auto-process - Batch	  Post-processing Wizard
  Style	  Dimensions
  Brightness & Contrast	  Resolution
  Color Balance	  Frame & Shadow
  Hue & Saturation	  Black & White to Grayscale
  Focus	  Convert to Black & White
  Tone Map	  Convert to Indexed 16 Color
  Level	  Convert to Indexed 256 Color
  Histogram	  Combine from CMYK
  Calculation	  Color Table
  True Color 48-bit to 24-bit


Effect Menu dialog boxes

  Blur & Sharpen submenu	  Special submenu
  Noise submenu 	  Warping
  Camera Lens submenu	  Custom Filter
  2D submenu	  Custom Effect
  3D submenu	 Magic submenu
  Natural Painting submenu	 Creative submenu


  Average

  Blur

  Emphasize Edges

  Gaussian Blur

  Sharpen

  Unsharp Mask


  Add Noise


  Cool

  Facet

  Warm

  Mosaic

  Motion Blur

  Fat

  Thin

  Remove Red Eye


  Ripple

  Whirlpool


  Pinch

  Punch

  Sphere


  Watercolor

  Charcoal

  Colored Pen

  Oil Paint


  Emboss

  Puzzle

  Tile

  Wind

  Blast

  Stagger


  Magic Gradient

  Kaleidoscope

  Light

  Turnpage


  Artist Texture

  Creative Warp

  Painting

  Particle

  Transform

  Type

  Lighting


Web Menu dialog boxes

  Component Designer
  Background Designer
  Button Designer (Rectangular)
  Button Designer (Any Shape)
  Frame Designer
  Shift Image
  Grid and Partition
  Create Seamless Tile
  Java Rollover Assistant
  Image Map Assistant
  HTML Assistant
  Post to Web
  Image Slicer
  Image Optimizer


EasyPalette dialog boxes

  Add to / Update EasyPalette 	  Properties
  Create Gallery 	  Menu Layout
  Import Gallery 	  New Submenu
  Export Gallery 	  Find
  Create Object Library	  Viewing Options
  Import Object Library	  Resize EasyPalette
  Export Object Library	  Description
  Group Management	  Add APS Plug-in thumbnail


Quick Command Panel dialog boxes

  New Task
  Edit Task
  Task Manager
  Batch Task


Nested dialog boxes A - L

  Acquire	  Editing
  Acquire Image	  Edit Keyword
  Add to EasyPalette	  Edit List
  Animation 	  EPS Save Options
  Brightness	  Eyedropper
  BMP Save Options	  GIF Save Options
  Browse	  Gradient fill
  Check Ulead Web Site	  IFF, PSD & TGA Save Options
  Choose Color From Palette	  Insert Thumbnails into Album
  Confirm Delete Temporary File	  JPG Save Options
  Crop	  Low Resolution
  Delete Sent Mail


Nested dialog boxes M - U

  Magic Gradient	  RAS Save Options
  Magic Textures	  Quick Samples
  Material Library	  Select Custom Shape
  Material	  Straighten
  New Album	  Texture Library
  Options	  Thumbnail
  Palette Ramp Editor	  TIF Save Options
  Photo CD Open Options	  Title
  PIC Open Options	  UFO Save Options
  Preview	  URL


  File Menu dialog boxes

  Edit Menu dialog boxes

  View Menu dialog boxes

  Format Menu dialog boxes

  Selection Menu dialog boxes

  Object Menu dialog boxes

  Effect Menu dialog boxes

  Web Menu dialog boxes

  Nested dialog boxes A - L

  Nested dialog boxes M - U

  EasyPalette dialog boxes

  Quick Command Panel dialog boxes


Tutorials

Click the image to find out how you can recreate each of the samples shown below.


Standard Toolbar

The Standard Toolbar contains frequently needed commands and tools to make working with PhotoImpact faster and easier. You may dock it below the menu bar or along the bottom edge of the PhotoImpact workspace, or drag it anywhere on your desktop as a floating toolbar. Click above to find out more about each button.


Tool Panel - General
Tool Panel

The Tool Panel provides all the editing tools you need to work on images. By selecting the right tool, you achieve better control for selecting, drawing, transforming, and touching up images. Each tool has its own Attribute Toolbar. Click above for more information about each tool and its Attribute Toolbar.

  Creating objects


Tool Panel - Pick Tool
Tool Panel

Pick Tool
Use the Pick Tool to move selections and objects around the image. If you move a selection area with the Pick Tool, only the marquee is moved. The image data is not moved.

  Creating objects


Tool Panel - Magic Wand Tool
Tool Panel

Selection Tool
Create regular and irregularly shaped selections and paths with the Selection Tools. Click below to learn more about each tool.

Magic Wand Tool
The Magic Wand Tool allows you to instantly select areas based upon color. The Attribute Toolbar contains tools for determining how to create the selection area and how to manipulate selections once created. Click below to learn more about each item.

  Creating objects


Tool Panel - Lasso Tool
Tool Panel

Selection Tool
Create regular and irregularly shaped selections and paths with the Selection Tools. Click below to learn more about each tool.

Lasso Tool
The Lasso Tool allows you to create freehand selections. The Attribute Toolbar contains tools for determining how to create the selection area and how to manipulate selections once created. Click below to learn more about each item.

  Creating objects


Tool Panel - Standard Selection Tool
Tool Panel

Selection Tool
Create regular and irregularly shaped selections and paths with the Selection Tools. Click below to learn more about each tool.

Standard Selection Tool
The Standard Selection Tool allows you to create rectangular or elliptical selections. The Attribute Toolbar contains tools for determining how to create the selection area and how to manipulate selections once created. Click below to learn more about each item.

  Creating objects


Tool Panel - Bezier Curve Tool
Tool Panel

Selection Tool
The Selection Tools allow you to create regular and irregularly shaped selections and paths. Click below to learn more each tool.

Bezier Curve Tool
The Bezier Curve Tool allows you to create custom selection areas that consist of straight and curved lines. While creating your selection area with the Bezier Curve Tool, it is effectively a path. Once you are happy with the path, convert it to a selection. Click below to learn more about each item.

  Creating objects


Tool Panel - Text
Tool Panel

Text Tool
The Text Tool allows you to add sophisticated text effects to your images. The color option provides you a quick way to change the text color or choose a gradient or magic texture for the text. You may easily convert your text into a path by selecting From Text to Path from the Object: Convert Object Type submenu. And for advanced 3D effects, choose from several 3D modes. Click below to learn about each item in the Text Attribute Toolbar.

  Adding text


Tool Panel - Eyedropper Tool
Tool Panel

Eyedropper Tool
The Eyedropper Tool allows you to select drawing colors visually by clicking on a color in an open image. Your selected color will be the one used for the brush when you activate a painting tool. The Attribute Toolbar contains eight color squares that you may assign colors to. The bordered color squares show the RGB values of the color beneath the eyedropper. (HSB color values are also shown.) Click below to learn more about each item.


Tool Panel - Zoom Tool
Tool Panel

Zoom Tool
The Zoom Tool allows you to change the magnification for the active image. Click below to learn more about each item.

  Zooming in or out


Tool Panel - Transform Tool
Tool Panel

Transform Tool
The Transform Tool allows you to resize, rotate, and deform images. The Attribute Toolbar contains several items to help control the way you change the image dimensions. Click below to learn more about each item.

  Rotating
  Reshaping images


Bucket Fill Tool
Tool Panel

Fill Tool
The Fill Tool offers four ways to fill an area with color. Depending on the selected tool and its settings, the fill can be a solid color or gradually changing range of colors. Click below to learn more about the Fill tools.

Bucket Fill
Fills the object with a solid color. Click below to learn more about Bucket Fill attributes.


Linear Fill Tool
Tool Panel

Fill Tool
The Fill Tool offers four ways to fill an area with color. Depending on the selected tool and its settings, the fill can be a solid color or gradually changing range of colors. Click below to learn more about the Fill tools.

Linear Gradient Fill
Fills the object with gradually changing colors starting from one point and extending along a straight line to another point. Anything beyond the start and end points for the fill within the selected area is filled with the start and end colors.


Rectangular Fill Tool
Tool Panel

Fill Tool
The Fill Tool offers four ways to fill an area with color. Depending on the selected tool and its settings, the fill can be a solid color or gradually changing range of colors. Click below to learn more about the Fill tools.

Rectangular Gradient Fill
Fills the object with gradually changing colors starting from one point and extending outward to the corners in a rectangular shape. If the outer edge of the fill occurs before the edge of the object being filled, the remaining area is filled with the end color.


Elliptical Fill Tool
Tool Panel

Fill Tool
The Fill Tool offers four ways to fill an area with color. Depending on the selected tool and its settings, the fill can be a solid color or gradually changing range of colors. Click below to learn more about the Fill tools.

Elliptical Gradient Fill
Fills the object with gradually changing colors starting from one point and extending outward. If the outer edge of the circular fill occurs before the edge of the object being filled, the remaining area is filled with the end color.


Paintbrush Paint Tool
Tool Panel

Paint Tool
Apply and remove paint from your images with the Paintbrush. Click below to select a brush type.

Paintbrush
Select brush options on the Attribute Toolbar. Click below to learn more.


Airbrush Paint Tool
Tool Panel

Paint Tool
Apply and remove paint from your images with the Paintbrush. Click below to select a brush type.

Airbrush
Select brush options on the Attribute Toolbar. Click below to learn more.


Crayon Paint Tool
Tool Panel

Paint Tool
Apply and remove paint from your images with the Paintbrush. Click below to select a brush type.

Crayon
Select brush options on the Attribute Toolbar. Click below to learn more.


Charcoal Paint Tool
Tool Panel

Paint Tool
Apply and remove paint from your images with the Paintbrush. Click below to select a brush type.

Charcoal
Select brush options on the Attribute Toolbar. Click below to learn more.


Chalk Paint Tool
Tool Panel

Paint Tool
Apply and remove paint from your images with the Paintbrush. Click below to select a brush type.

Chalk
Select brush options on the Attribute Toolbar. Click below to learn more.


Pencil Paint Tool
Tool Panel

Paint Tool
Apply and remove paint from your images with the Paintbrush. Click below to select a brush type.

Pencil
Select brush options on the Attribute Toolbar. Click below to learn more.


Marker Paint Tool
Tool Panel

Paint Tool
Apply and remove paint from your images with the Paintbrush. Click below to select a brush type.

Marker
Select brush options on the Attribute Toolbar. Click below to learn more.


Oil Paint Tool
Tool Panel

Paint Tool
Apply and remove paint from your images with the Paintbrush. Click below to select a brush type.

Oil Paint
Select brush options on the Attribute Toolbar. Click below to learn more.


Particle Paint Tool
Tool Panel

Paint Tool
Apply and remove paint from your images with the Paintbrush. Click below to select a brush type.

Particle
Select brush options on the Attribute Toolbar. Click below to learn more.


Drop Water Paint Tool
Tool Panel

Paint Tool
Apply and remove paint from your images with the Paintbrush. Click below to select a brush type.

Drop Water
Select brush options on the Attribute Toolbar. Click below to learn more.


Bristle Paint Tool
Tool Panel

Paint Tool
Apply and remove paint from your images with the Paintbrush. Click below to select a brush type.

Bristle
Select brush options on the Attribute Toolbar. Click below to learn more.


Paintbrush Clone Tool
Tool Panel

Clone Tool
Duplicate areas of an image and paint it onto the same image, or onto a new image with the Clone Tool. Click below to select a brush type.

Paintbrush
Select brush options on the Attribute Toolbar. Click below to learn more.


Airbrush Clone Tool
Tool Panel

Clone Tool
Duplicate areas of an image and paint it onto the same image, or onto a new image with the Clone Tool. Click below to select a brush type.

Airbrush
Select brush options on the Attribute Toolbar. Click below to learn more.


Crayon Clone Tool
Tool Panel

Clone Tool
Duplicate areas of an image and paint it onto the same image, or onto a new image with the Clone Tool. Click below to select a brush type.

Crayon
Select brush options on the Attribute Toolbar. Click below to learn more.


Charcoal Clone Tool
Tool Panel

Clone Tool
Duplicate areas of an image and paint it onto the same image, or onto a new image with the Clone Tool. Click below to select a brush type.

Charcoal
Select brush options on the Attribute Toolbar. Click below to learn more.


Chalk Clone Tool
Tool Panel

Clone Tool
Duplicate areas of an image and paint it onto the same image, or onto a new image with the Clone Tool. Click below to select a brush type.

Chalk
Select brush options on the Attribute Toolbar. Click below to learn more.


Pencil Clone Tool
Tool Panel

Clone Tool
Duplicate areas of an image and paint it onto the same image, or onto a new image with the Clone Tool. Click below to select a brush type.

Pencil
Select brush options on the Attribute Toolbar. Click below to learn more.


Marker Clone Tool
Tool Panel

Clone Tool
Duplicate areas of an image and paint it onto the same image, or onto a new image with the Clone Tool. Click below to select a brush type.

Marker
Select brush options on the Attribute Toolbar. Click below to learn more.


Oil Paint Clone Tool
Tool Panel

Clone Tool
Duplicate areas of an image and paint it onto the same image, or onto a new image with the Clone Tool. Click below to select a brush type.

Oil Paint
Select brush options on the Attribute Toolbar. Click below to learn more.


Bristle Clone Tool
Tool Panel

Clone Tool
Duplicate areas of an image and paint it onto the same image, or onto a new image with the Clone Tool. Click below to select a brush type.

Bristle
Select brush options on the Attribute Toolbar. Click below to learn more.


Object Clone Tool
Tool Panel

Clone Tool
Duplicate areas of an image and paint it onto the same image, or onto a new image with the Clone Tool. Click below to select a brush type.

Object Clone
Select brush options on the Attribute Toolbar. Click below to learn more.


Dodge Retouch Tool
Tool Panel

Retouch Tool
Touch up your images with the Retouch Tool. Adjust the lighting, sharpness, tone, or saturation and apply effects such as Warping and Bristle Smear. Click below to select a Retouch Tool.

Dodge
Select options for each tool on the Attribute Toolbar. Click below to learn more.


Burn Retouch Tool
Tool Panel

Retouch Tool
Touch up your images with the Retouch Tool. Adjust the lighting, sharpness, tone, or saturation and apply effects such as Warping and Bristle Smear. Click below to select a Retouch Tool.

Burn
Select options for each tool on the Attribute Toolbar. Click below to learn more.


Sharpen Retouch Tool
Tool Panel

Retouch Tool
Touch up your images with the Retouch Tool. Adjust the lighting, sharpness, tone, or saturation and apply effects such as Warping and Bristle Smear. Click below to select a Retouch Tool.

Sharpen
Select options for each tool on the Attribute Toolbar. Click below to learn more.


Blur Retouch Tool
Tool Panel

Retouch Tool
Touch up your images with the Retouch Tool. Adjust the lighting, sharpness, tone, or saturation and apply effects such as Warping and Bristle Smear. Click below to select a Retouch Tool.

Blur
Select options for each tool on the Attribute Toolbar. Click below to learn more.


Tonal Adjustment Retouch Tool
Tool Panel

Retouch Tool
Touch up your images with the Retouch Tool. Adjust the lighting, sharpness, tone, or saturation and apply effects such as Warping and Bristle Smear. Click below to select a Retouch Tool.

Tonal Adjustment
Select options for each tool on the Attribute Toolbar. Click below to learn more.


Smudge Retouch Tool
Tool Panel

Retouch Tool
Touch up your images with the Retouch Tool. Adjust the lighting, sharpness, tone, or saturation and apply effects such as Warping and Bristle Smear. Click below to select a Retouch Tool.

Smudge
Select options for each tool on the Attribute Toolbar. Click below to learn more.


Saturation Retouch Tool
Tool Panel

Retouch Tool
Touch up your images with the Retouch Tool. Adjust the lighting, sharpness, tone, or saturation and apply effects such as Warping and Bristle Smear. Click below to select a Retouch Tool.

Saturation
Select options for each tool on the Attribute Toolbar. Click below to learn more.


Warp Retouch Tool
Tool Panel

Retouch Tool
Touch up your images with the Retouch Tool. Adjust the lighting, sharpness, tone, or saturation and apply effects such as Warping and Bristle Smear. Click below to select a Retouch Tool.

Warping
Select options for each tool on the Attribute Toolbar. Click below to learn more.


Bristle Smear Retouch Tool
Tool Panel

Retouch Tool
Touch up your images with the Retouch Tool. Adjust the lighting, sharpness, tone, or saturation and apply effects such as Warping and Bristle Smear. Click below to select a Retouch Tool.

Bristle Smear
Select options for each tool on the Attribute Toolbar. Click below to learn more.


Color Palette

The Color Palette consists of three sections to let you select paintbrush colors, the foreground color, background color, and make quick color, brightness, and contrast adjustments to selected areas. Click below for more details.


Status Bar

Depending on the mouse location in the PhotoImpact workspace, the Status Bar offers different information. Some examples of what you might see in it are the x and y positions of the mouse in the active image, brief descriptions of menu commands and workspace items, and the status of a task. The right side of the Status bar has icons for converting data types and changing the standard unit of measurement in PhotoImpact. It also has the Mask Mode button for applying mask to your image. Click on the Status bar above to learn more about each item.


Brush Panel

Use the Brush Panel to fine tune settings for your paint, clone and retouch tools by using the individual settings for each brush and retouch tool. Once you have customized your brush or retouch tool, click Add on the Attribute Toolbar to save it to the EasyPalette. To view the Brush Panel, click View: Toolbars & Panels - Brush Panel.
  Retouch Tools
  Paint Tools
  Clone Tools


  Dodge

  Burn

  Blur

  Sharpen

  Tonal Adjustment

  Smudge

  Saturation

  Warping

  Bristle Smear

  Remove Red Eye

  Remove Scratch

  Remove Noise

  Color Transform Pen


  Paintbrush

  Airbrush

  Crayon

  Charcoal

  Chalk

  Pencil

  Marker

  Oil Paint

  Particle

  Drop Water

  Bristle

  Color Replacement Pen


  Paintbrush

  Airbrush

  Crayon

  Charcoal

  Chalk

  Pencil

  Marker

  Oil Paint

  Bristle

  Object Clone


Global Viewer

The Global Viewer  [image]  allows you to quickly find a spot in an image that is bigger than the window displaying it. It becomes available when the displayed image is larger than its window. To activate the Global Viewer, click on its icon in the bottom right corner of the active window. By dragging the global viewer frame about the miniature image, you shift the focus of the main window.


Quick Command Panel - Workspace
Quick Command Panel

The Quick Command Panel allows you to place all the commands you use the most in one location for quick access. Click below to learn more about each item.


  Standard Toolbar

  Tool Panel

  Color Palette

  Global Viewer

  Status Bar

  EasyPalette

  Quick Command Panel

  Brush Panel


Shortcuts - File Menu
Shortcuts

PhotoImpact contains many shortcut keys to help you work more efficiently.
  View a list of all shortcuts


Shortcuts to print
Shortcuts	  Back to main page

File Menu

Ctrl + N	Creates a new image file.

Ctrl + O	Opens a folder where you last saved an image file.

Ctrl + Shift + O	Opens the Visual Open dialog box.

Ctrl + W	Closes the current image file. If you have not saved the file, you are prompted to do so.

Ctrl + S	Saves the current image file.

Ctrl + P	Prints the current image file.

F11	Start capturing.

F6	Displays the Preferences dialog box.

Ctrl + Q	Quits PhotoImpact. If you have any image files open that have not been saved, you are prompted to do so.

Edit Menu

Ctrl + Z	Undoes the last menu command.

Ctrl + Y	Redoes the last menu command.

Ctrl + T	Repeats the last menu command.

Ctrl + X	Cuts the current selection.

Ctrl + C	Copies the current selection to the clipboard.

Ctrl + V	Pastes image data from the clipboard as an object.

Del	Deletes the current selection and fills the space with the specified background color.

Deletes the active object. Also deletes a path or a control point when in Path Edit Tool.

Ctrl + R	Crops the image to the current selection.

Ctrl + D	Duplicates the base image and any objects, creating a new image file.

Ctrl + F	Opens the Fill dialog box, where you can select to fill the selection with a solid color, gradient or texture.

Ctrl + H	Opens the Fadeout dialog box.

Ctrl + K	Enables/Disables Mask mode by placing a tinted mask over your image except where a selection exists.

View Menu

Ctrl + 1	Creates another copy of the image file.

Ctrl + 0 (number)	Displays the image at its actual size.

Ctrl + M	Maximizes the window and displays the image at 1:1 ratio.

+	Zooms in progressively on the image.

-	Zooms out progressively on the image.

Ctrl + Shift + 0	Resizes the current image to the largest magnification that will completely fit in a window.

Ctrl + U	Hides all toolbars and panels and displays the image at full screen.

Alt + Enter	Displays the Photo Properties dialog box.

Ctrl + (number)	Magnifies or reduces the image view in different sizes. The image will be scaled to fit in the window at all times.

Ctrl + Shift + G	Displays or hides Guidelines.

Ctrl + Shift + S	Snaps to Guidelines.

Ctrl + Shift + R	Displays or hides Grid lines.

Ctrl + Shift + N	Snaps to Grid lines.

Format Menu

F9	Automatically adjusts the brightness of the image.

Ctrl + B	Opens the Brightness & Contrast dialog box.

Ctrl + L	Opens the Color Balance dialog box.

F7	Opens the Focus dialog box.

F8	Opens the Tone Map dialog box.

Ctrl + G	Opens the Dimensions dialog box, where you can adjust the size of the image.

Selection Menu

Space	Selects the Base Image.

Ctrl + A	Selects the entire contents of the image.

Ctrl + Shift + A	Selects all objects in an image.

F5	Preserve Base Image.

Object Menu

Q	Show/Hide marquee.

Ctrl + Shift + Enter	Opens the Object Properties dialog box when there is an active object.

Window Menu

Shift + F5	Arranges all open windows diagonally in the workspace from left to right and top to bottom.

Shift + F4	Evenly distributes all open windows vertically in the workspace.

Help Menu

F1	Starts the Ulead PhotoImpact online help.

Shift + F1	Activates the Context Sensitive Help. Just click an item in question.

Misc.

G	Show Global Viewer (if available).

Z	Switch to the Zoom Tool.

`	Display Tools submenu.

F3	Find next – EasyPalette.

Alt + P	Play – Quick Command Panel.

Tab	Show/Hide Toolbars and Panels.

Page Up/Down	Scroll image vertically.

Home/End	Scroll image horizontally.

E	Toggles between Painting and Erase mode when in Painting Tool.

Ctrl + F1	Show/Hide EasyPalette.

Ctrl + F2	Show/Hide Quick Command Panel.

Ctrl + F3	Show/Hide Brush Panel.

Ctrl + Shift + Del	Deletes the selected thumbnail from the EasyPalette.

C	Switch to the Eyedropper Tool.

X	Switch Foreground and Background color.

W	Switch to the Pick Tool.

Arrow keys	Moves the object up/down one pixel or to the left/right. This works on all tools except for Painting/Retouch/Clone/Fill tool.


New dialog box

Data type Click the desired color characteristics for the new image.

  Black and White	  Grayscale

  16-Color	  256-Color

  True Color

Image size Select the dimensions for the new image.

Standard Select a standard preset image size from the menu.

Active image Creates a new image with the same dimensions as the active image.

User-defined Enter custom height and width dimensions. Click the Transpose button  [image]  to easily switch the width and height values.

Resolution Select a resolution for the image.

Memory size Displays the approximate file size of the new image - the final size of the file will vary depending on the contents and file format.

Canvas Click on the color preview to select the background color for the new image.

Preview Displays a preview of the new image relative to the method selected from the drop-down list.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Post To Web dialog box

File name Enter a name for the image. The default is the name the image was last saved as.

Data type Posts the file as a JPG file or a PNG file.

Click OK to launch the Web Publishing Wizard, which takes you step by step through the process to publish your image on the Internet.

  Creating web efficient images

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


JPG format is best suited for images such as photographs. It uses a lossy compression scheme, which means that some detail (usually an insignificant amount) will be lost when saving. The PNG format uses a lossless compression scheme and was designed to replace the GIF format. It is more suitable for inline images. The major difference between PNG and GIF formats is that PNG does not support multiple images, that is, you cannot create animations with PNG files.


Expand dialog box

Enter the number of pixels to increase the size of the image by.

Increases all four sides by the same value.

Expand color Click the color square to select the color of the new canvas that will surround the existing image.

  Adding workspace to an image

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Toolbars & Panels dialog box

Determines how various PhotoImpact items appear in the workspace. Select each item you want to appear in the image editor workspace. Clear each item you want to hide or disable. Here you can turn Tool Tips on or off, choose between small and large icons for the toolbars, and decide which toolbars and panels appear.

  Arranging the workspace

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Expand / Shrink Selection dialog box

Expand / Shrink Select to enlarge or decrease the size of the current selection area.

Shape Select Box to expand or shrink the selection while retaining the same corner angles. Select Circle to expand or shrink the selection with rounded edges.

Keep original soft edge If you have applied a soft edge to the selection area, this option is available. When selected, PhotoImpact retains soft edge information after expanding or shrinking the selection.

  Rectangular and elliptical selections

  Freehand selections

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Soften dialog box

Select a value to soften the edges of the selection by. The higher the value, the more the edges will be blended with the background color or image.

  Blending images

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Import Selection dialog box

Open image(s) Select from the list of open images.

File Select and click OK to import a previously saved image.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Only Grayscale or Black & White images can be used.


Export Selection dialog box

New image Creates an untitled grayscale image from the selection area.

File Opens the Save dialog box to save the selection area as a new grayscale image file.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Import Object dialog box

Import from Select the object source.

Open image(s) All open image files are listed.

File Select a previously saved image to import.

Replace Select which elements of the active image the imported object should replace.

Image and selection Replaces the object in the destination image with the object and selection from the source image.

Image only Replaces the object in the destination image with the entire source image.

Selection only Imports a grayscale or black & white image as a mask over the object of the source image.

Resize when replacing Select None to import the object with the same dimensions. Fit adjusts the dimensions of the object to fit the selection area or object in the active image, while maintaining the imported object’s aspect ratio.

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


If the image you select does not contain any objects, the entire image is imported.


Export Object dialog box

Export to Select the object destination.

New image Creates an untitled image from the object.

File Opens the Save dialog box to save the object as a new image file.

Export content Select which elements of the image to export.

Image and selection Exports the image object and its mask as selection.

Image only Exports the object as a selection.

Selection only Exports a grayscale mask to a new grayscale image.

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


URL dialog box

Select attributes for an object you intend to use as an image map. Once you have done this, make sure the object is selected and click Web: Image Map to select further options.

Use as web clickable area (image map) Creates an image map from the current object if the object is to be used as an image map.

URL Enter the WWW location to go to when the selected area is clicked on by a user in a web site.

Image map shape

  Detected automatically PhotoImpact automatically detects the appropriate image map shape.

  Rectangle Creates a rectangular shape within the image.

  Circle Creates a circular shape within the image.

  Polygon Creates an irregular shape within the image.

  Creating web efficient images

  Defining image map tags

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Material dialog box - Color/Texture tab
  Color/Texture	  Transparency
  Bevel	  Shadow
  Border/Depth	  Light
  Bump	  Shading
  Reflection

One color Fills the object with a selected solid color. Click on the color preview to open the Ulead Color Picker. Right-click to select from the currently assigned brush colors.

Gradient color Fills the object with a gradient fill. Click on the color preview to select options for the type of gradient fill and the colors to be used.

Texture Fills the object with a magic or nature texture from the Texture Library.

File Fills the object with a previously saved image file.

Options Select the appearance options for the image to be used as the object fill.

Fadeout Select to apply a mask over your object based on the settings you specify in the Fadeout dialog box.

Deform image Deforms a texture, image or gradient fill to follow the deformed shape of an object or text.

Preview shape Click to select a preview shape and the background color of the preview area - click Background Color to open the Ulead Color Picker for choosing a solid color to fill the background with; click Checkerboard to fill the background with a black-and-white checkerboard. Select Show Highlight Point to display the point where light is most visible.

Lights Adjusts the direction of lights shone on the object. Select which light to adjust by clicking on it. The maximum number of lights is 4. Click the Light tab to adjust the number of lights.

Preview window Displays the selected effects applied to the preview shape.

Add Saves the attributes to the EasyPalette. You can select to save partial or all attributes.

Gallery Displays thumbnails from the Material Gallery. Select a thumbnail to apply its settings in the Material dialog box.

Preview Displays a preview of the selected parameters on the object.

  Fadeout dialog box for image objects

  Fadeout dialog box for text/path objects

  Enhancing 3D objects

  3D Effects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


With Deform image selected	Without Deform image selected


Material dialog box - Bevel tab
  Color/Texture	  Transparency
  Bevel	  Shadow
  Border/Depth	  Light
  Bump	  Shading
  Reflection

None Object has no bevel.

3D Round Object has a smooth, rounded bevel, much like a dome.

3D Chisel Object has a bevel with defined edges.

3D Custom Applies one of the preset custom bevel edges.

3D Trim Creates a 3D bevel either horizontally or vertically on the object, depending on the object's deformation direction.

3D Pipe Creates a cylindrical outline bevel around the edges of the object.

Bevel joint type Select between round join and miter join.

Preview shape Click to select a preview shape and the background color of the preview area - click Background Color to open the Ulead Color Picker for choosing a solid color to fill the background with; click Checkerboard to fill the background with a black-and-white checkerboard. Select Show Highlight Point to display the point where light is most visible.

Lights Adjusts the direction of lights shone on the object. Select which light to adjust by clicking on it. The maximum number of lights is 4. Click the Light tab to adjust the number of lights.

Preview window Displays the selected effects applied to the preview shape.

Add Saves the attributes to the EasyPalette. You can select to save partial or all attributes.

Gallery Displays thumbnails from the Material Gallery. Select a thumbnail to apply its settings in the Material dialog box.

Preview Displays a preview of the selected parameters on the object.

  Enhancing 3D objects

  3D Effects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Original image (no bump map)


3D Round bevel with bump map


3D Chisel bevel with bump map


3D Trim bevel with bump map


3D Pipe with bump map


3D Custom with bump map


Material dialog box - Border/Depth tab
  Color/Texture	  Transparency
  Bevel	  Shadow
  Border/Depth	  Light
  Bump	  Shading
  Reflection

Border Select a higher value for a wider border. If you have selected a fourth gradient fill, increasing or decreasing the border width will allow you to fit the entire gradient into the object or text.

Depth Select a negative value for a concave border or a positive value for a convex border. A value of zero produces no depth.

Maximum border width Select the maximum width of the bevel border. Setting a maximum border width is useful for controlling a gradient fill, as the maximum width of the gradient fill is the same as the maximum border width. A higher maximum border width value increases rendering time.

Type of border

  In Places the bevel border within the original boundaries of the object, resulting in no increase the size of the object.

  Out Adds the border to the outer edges of object, increasing the overall size of the object.

  Both Adds borders to the inside and outside edges of the object, creating an outline of the object.

Preview shape Click to select a preview shape and the background color of the preview area - click Background Color to open the Ulead Color Picker for choosing a solid color to fill the background with; click Checkerboard to fill the background with a black-and-white checkerboard. Select Show Highlight Point to display the point where light is most visible.

Lights Adjusts the direction of lights shone on the object. Select which light to adjust by clicking on it. The maximum number of lights is 4. Click the Light tab to adjust the number of lights.

Preview window Displays the selected effects applied to the preview shape.

Add Saves the attributes to the EasyPalette. You can select to save partial or all attributes.

Gallery Displays thumbnails from the Material Gallery. Select a thumbnail to apply its settings in the Material dialog box.

Preview Displays a preview of the selected parameters on the object.

  Enhancing 3D objects

  3D Effects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


20 pixel border	10 pixel border


Material dialog box - Bump tab
  Color/Texture	  Transparency
  Bevel	  Shadow
  Border/Depth	  Light
  Bump	  Shading
  Reflection

Bump map Creates a 3D effect on the surface of the object by applying an embossed version of a previously saved image to the surface of 3D object.

Density Adjusts the level of variation between the edges of the image.

Use bump map as reflection Reflects the selected image off the surface of the object. This creates a more realistic 3D effect, as the bump map is remapped to the 3D surface.

Invert bump map Reverses the bump map selection by reflecting the originally unfilled part off the surface.

Preview shape Click to select a preview shape and the background color of the preview area - click Background Color to open the Ulead Color Picker for choosing a solid color to fill the background with; click Checkerboard to fill the background with a black-and-white checkerboard. Select Show Highlight Point to display the point where light is most visible.

Lights Adjusts the direction of lights shone on the object. Select which light to adjust by clicking on it. The maximum number of lights is 4. Click the Light tab to adjust the number of lights.

Preview window Displays the selected effects applied to the preview shape.

Add Saves the attributes to the EasyPalette. You can select to save partial or all attributes.

Gallery Displays thumbnails from the Material Gallery. Select a thumbnail to apply its settings in the Material dialog box.

Preview Displays a preview of the selected parameters on the object.

  Enhancing 3D objects

  3D Effects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


The image that is reflected off the surface is not a true mirror image, but is more similar to a texture map. To apply a true mirror image reflection, first open the image you want to be reflected and select the Transform Tool.    Click Rotate & Flip  [image]  on the Attribute Toolbar and select Flip horizontally. Save the image, select the Path  [image]  or Text  [image]  Tool and click Options on the Attributes Toolbar to open the Material dialog box again.


Use a light solid color for your 3D object base color – white is best.

Try to closely match the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the image and 3D object. PhotoImpact resizes the image to fit the object.

To create a metallic reflection, use a very high ambient value in the Light tab and select Metal in the Shading tab. A good fill color to try is R=255, G=200, B=80.


Material dialog box - Reflection tab
  Color/Texture	  Transparency
  Bevel	  Shadow
  Border/Depth	  Light
  Bump	  Shading
  Reflection

Reflection map Reflects a previously created image off the surface of the object.

Density Adjusts the transparency level of the reflected image.

Preview shape Click to select a preview shape and the background color of the preview area - click Background Color to open the Ulead Color Picker for choosing a solid color to fill the background with; click Checkerboard to fill the background with a black-and-white checkerboard. Select Show Highlight Point to display the point where light is most visible.

Lights Adjusts the direction of lights shone on the object. Select which light to adjust by clicking on it. The maximum number of lights is 4. Click the Light tab to adjust the number of lights.

Preview window Displays the selected effects applied to the preview shape.

Add Saves the attributes to the EasyPalette. You can select to save partial or all attributes.

Gallery Displays thumbnails from the Material library. Select a thumbnail to apply its settings in the Material dialog box.

Preview Minimizes the Material dialog box and displays a preview of the selected parameters on the object.

  Enhancing 3D objects

  3D Effects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Material dialog box - Transparency tab
  Color/Texture	  Transparency
  Bevel	  Shadow
  Border/Depth	  Light
  Bump	  Shading
  Reflection

Transparency Select a higher value to make the object more transparent.

Minimum transparency Due to the nature of 3D objects, some areas will be more transparent than others. Set a minimum level of transparency to control this factor. This value must be less than the Transparency value.

Preview shape Click to select a preview shape and the background color of the preview area - click Background Color to open the Ulead Color Picker for choosing a solid color to fill the background with; click Checkerboard to fill the background with a black-and-white checkerboard. Select Show Highlight Point to display the point where light is most visible.

Lights Adjusts the direction of lights shone on the object. Select which light to adjust by clicking on it. The maximum number of lights is 4. Click the Light tab to adjust the number of lights.

Preview window Displays the selected effects applied to the preview shape.

Add Saves the attributes to the EasyPalette. You can select to save partial or all attributes.

Gallery Displays thumbnails from the Material Gallery. Select a thumbnail to apply its settings in the Material dialog box.

Preview Displays a preview of the selected parameters on the object.

  Enhancing 3D objects

  3D Effects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Material dialog box - Shadow tab
  Color/Texture	  Transparency
  Bevel	  Shadow
  Border/Depth	  Light
  Bump	  Shading
  Reflection

Shadow Adds a shadow to the object. Click Options to open the Shadow dialog box, where you can further adjust the properties of the shadow.

Render backface Reflects the light source from the back face of a transparent object with a 3D bevel.

Preview shape Click to select a preview shape and the background color of the preview area - click Background Color to open the Ulead Color Picker for choosing a solid color to fill the background with; click Checkerboard to fill the background with a black-and-white checkerboard. Select Show Highlight Point to display the point where light is most visible.

Lights Adjusts the direction of lights shone on the object. Select which light to adjust by clicking on it. The maximum number of lights is 4. Click the Light tab to adjust the number of lights.

Preview window Displays the selected effects applied to the preview shape.

Add Saves the attributes to the EasyPalette. You can select to save partial or all attributes.

Gallery Displays thumbnails from the Material Gallery. Select a thumbnail to apply its settings in the Material dialog box.

Preview Displays a preview of the selected parameters on the object.

  Enhancing 3D objects

  3D Effects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


If you plan to use the image as a transparent object, try to match the background color of the image with the color of the intended background.


Material dialog box - Light tab
  Color/Texture	  Transparency
  Bevel	  Shadow
  Border/Depth	  Light
  Bump	  Shading
  Reflection

Lights Enter a number or use the spin boxes to add and remove lights. The maximum number of lights is 4.

Light type

Direct Shines a direct beam of constant light on the object.

Spot Shines diffused light of variable strength on the object. The further the light is from the object, the weaker it will be.

Ambient Select the intensity of the ambient light. The higher the value, the more intense the ambient light.

Preview shape Click to select a preview shape and the background color of the preview area - click Background Color to open the Ulead Color Picker for choosing a solid color to fill the background with; click Checkerboard to fill the background with a black-and-white checkerboard. Select Show Highlight Point to display the point where light is most visible.

Lights Adjusts the direction of lights shone on the object. Select which light to adjust by clicking on it. The maximum number of lights is 4. Click the Light tab to adjust the number of lights.

Preview window Displays the selected effects applied to the preview shape.

Add Saves the attributes to the EasyPalette. You can select to save partial or all attributes.

Gallery Displays thumbnails from the Material Gallery. Select a thumbnail to apply its settings in the Material dialog box.

Preview Displays a preview of the selected parameters on the object.

  Enhancing 3D objects

  3D Effects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Ambient light provides background illumination to an object. Its color model assumes that light hits each point of the object with the same color and level of intensity.


Material dialog box - Shading tab
  Color/Texture	  Transparency
  Bevel	  Shadow
  Border/Depth	  Light
  Bump	  Shading
  Reflection

Phong Reflects a shiny light and makes the surface appear glossy.

Metallic Reflects a diffused light and makes the surface appear matte or dull. Select a type of metallic shading to adjust the effect.

Shininess Adjusts the level of shininess. The higher the value, the less surface area that has a shiny reflection.

Strength Adjusts the shininess to determine the intensity or brightness of the light shone on the object surface.

Specular Click on the color preview to select the color that will be reflected back from the surface of the object.

Ambient Click on the color preview to select the color to fall on the areas of the object that are in shadow from the specular light.

Preview shape Click to select a preview shape and the background color of the preview area - click Background Color to open the Ulead Color Picker for choosing a solid color to fill the background with; click Checkerboard to fill the background with a black-and-white checkerboard. Select Show Highlight Point to display the point where light is most visible.

Lights Adjusts the direction of lights shone on the object. Select which light to adjust by clicking on it. The maximum number of lights is 4. Click the Light tab to adjust the number of lights.

Preview window Displays the selected effects applied to the preview shape.

Add Saves the attributes to the EasyPalette. You can select to save partial or all attributes.

Gallery Displays thumbnails from the Material Gallery. Select a thumbnail to apply its settings in the Material dialog box.

Preview Displays a preview of the selected parameters on the object.

  Enhancing 3D objects

  3D Effects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Specular and Ambient are only available when the Phong shading model is selected. Remember that these colors are also affected by the number of lights used, so you may want to keep only one light on when choosing Specular and Ambient colors.


Add To EasyPalette dialog box

Saves the current dialog box settings to the EasyPalette for future use.

Preview window Shows the image that will appear in the EasyPalette.

Sample name Enter a name for this filter setting that will remind you of what it does or when to use it.

Gallery / Library Select the Gallery or Library you want to save the attributes in.

Tab group Select a tab group within the Gallery or Library.

Recently used Displays the most recently used Galleries and Libraries.

  EasyPalette basics

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Menu Layout dialog box - EasyPalette

Select display options for EasyPalette menus.

Menu layout Click and drag items to change their position on the menu.

Add submenu Adds a new submenu command.

Add separator Adds a separation line above the selected menu item.

Delete Deletes a selected item. Only custom menu items can be deleted.

Rename Renames the selected item. Only custom menu items can be deleted.

Test Click to preview the new layout of the menu.

Removes a menu command from the submenu above it.

Adds a menu command to the submenu above it.

  EasyPalette basics

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


New Submenu dialog box - EasyPalette

Enter the name of the new submenu.

  EasyPalette basics

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Properties dialog box - EasyPalette

Displays information about the selected Gallery or Object Library.

  EasyPalette basics

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Find dialog box - EasyPalette

Find Enter the character string you want to search for.

Search scope Select all groups to search all tab groups within the current gallery. Select Current group to search only the current group of the selected gallery.

Direction Select to search up or down through the EasyPalette groups.

Match case Select to distinguish between upper and lower case characters.

  EasyPalette basics

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Resize EasyPalette dialog box

Show thumbnails Select a display method for thumbnails.

One row Resizes the EasyPalette to display one row of thumbnails at a time. A vertical scrollbar appears if there is more than one row of thumbnails.

One column Displays all thumbnails in a column. A vertical scrollbar appears if there are too many thumbnails to fit in the EasyPalette window.

By Select a custom display.

  EasyPalette basics

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Import Object Library / Gallery dialog box - EasyPalette

Imports a previously saved Object Library.

Look in Find the desired folder.

View the contents of the next higher folder in your system.

Creates a new folder.

Lists names.

Lists names with statistics.

File name Identify the file(s) selected for saving, opening, or loading.

Import method

Open as new Object Library / Gallery Creates another, separate Object Library or Gallery within the EasyPalette.

Merge file with the active Object Library / Gallery Adds the contents of the imported Object Library with the existing Library. Select a merge method from the drop-down list.

Merge group by group If groups in the current Library or Gallery with the same name as imported groups already exist, thumbnails are added. If the group doesn’t exist, a new one is created.

Copy to current group Adds the imported Object Library or Gallery to the current group.

  EasyPalette basics

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Export Gallery dialog box - EasyPalette
Export Object Library / Gallery dialog box – EasyPalette

Exports all or part of a Gallery to a new file.

Save in Find the desired folder.

View the contents of the next higher folder in your system.

Creates a new folder.

Lists names.

Lists names with statistics.

File name Identify the file(s) selected for saving, opening, or loading.

Export method

All thumbnails of current group Exports the entire contents of a group.

Selected thumbnails of current group Exports only the selected thumbnails. Select multiple contiguous thumbnails by pressing Shift as you click each thumbnail. To select thumbnails randomly, press Ctrl as you click each thumbnail.

  EasyPalette basics

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Create Object Library dialog box - EasyPalette
Create Object Library / Gallery dialog box

Name Enter the name of the new Object Library or Gallery.

Folder Select the location to save the new Object Library or Gallery. Click Browse  [image]  to view other folders and files.

File name Displays the location and file name of the new Object Library or Gallery.

Groups Displays the groups that will be included with the new Object Library or Gallery.

Add/Remove Opens the Group Management dialog box. From here you can add, remove and rename groups.

  EasyPalette basics

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Viewing Options dialog box - EasyPalette
EasyPalette Options dialog box

General

Show caption Displays the name of each thumbnail.

Show frame Displays a frame around each thumbnail.

Show Tooltips Shows tooltips displaying a thumbnail name when you move your mouse over it.

Change gallery after tool change Select to automatically switch to the corresponding gallery after selecting a specific tool.

Layer Manager

Automatically assign group name Select this option if you want PhotoImpact to automatically group objects without asking for a group name.

Scroll Layer Manager with selected objects Select if you want PhotoImpact to automatically scroll up or down to the selected object as you click it, making it visible on-screen in the Layer Manager. This is useful when you have many objects in your image.

  EasyPalette basics

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


With frame	Without frame


Group Management dialog box
Group Management dialog box – EasyPalette

Tab group name Lists the group names under the current Object Library / Gallery.

New Creates a new group.

Remove Deletes a group.

Rename Opens a dialog box and allows you to change the name of the selected tab.

Up / Down Moves the selected group up or down one level.

  EasyPalette basics

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Description dialog box - EasyPalette

Caption Enter a brief description for the thumbnail. If you have selected Show caption in the EasyPalette Options dialog box, this will be displayed below the thumbnail.

Menu command Displays the location of the effect on the menu. If the Object Library is selected, the Object type is displayed (only displayed for galleries).

Object type Describes what the object is made up of - multiple objects, or selections (only displayed for libraries).

Tab group Displays which tab group the effect is located in the EasyPalette.

  EasyPalette basics

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Task Manager dialog box - Quick Command Panel

Tasks Displays a list of tasks.

Comment Enter a brief description about the task.

New Opens a dialog box for creating a new task. You can add a series of commands and actions and group them as a single task.

Edit Adds or removes commands and actions from the selected task.

Rename Enter a new name for the selected task.

Delete Deletes the selected task.

Import Imports a previously saved Quick Command Panel task.

Export Saves the selected Quick Command Panel task.

  Quick Command Panel

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Edit Task dialog box - Quick Command Panel

Menu Displays a drop-down list of PhotoImpact’s Menu commands. The menu list displays all the commands available in the selected menu.

Add Adds the selected menu command to the task.

Break Inserts a separator between commands.

Remove Deletes the selected command from the task.

Remove all Deletes all commands from the task.

Up / Down Moves the selected command up or down one level.

Task Displays the caption of the task.

Item information

Alias Enter a label for the command. PhotoImpact uses the menu command location by default.

Use preset properties Select to use the default settings for the command. Click Properties to open the dialog box for the command. Adjust the dialog box settings and click OK.

  Quick Command Panel

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Batch Task dialog box - Quick Command Panel

Applies a task to image files in a selected folder. This command will overwrite your original files, so select a different destination folder if you want to retain the original files.

Task Select a task from the drop-down list.

Source Specify here which image files you want to apply the task to.

Folder Select the location of the folder containing the files you want to apply the task to. Click Browse to view other files and folders.

Type Select All Formats to apply the task to all image files, or choose a particular format from the drop-down list to apply the task only to images of that format.

Include all subfolders Select this option if you want to apply the task to files within the subfolders of the specified folder.

Destination Specify here what to do with the newly created images.

Open to workspace Creates the new images in the workspace. This option does not save the new images.

Save and close Overwrites the original files in their source folder with the newly adjusted images and automatically closes the files.

Save to this folder and close Select the destination folder for the adjusted files. Click Browse to view other files and folders.

Disable Open/Save related commands Select to disable the File: Open and File: Save commands. This option is only available when the selected task contains either or both.

Show message when error occurs Displays messages when errors occur while applying the task.

  Quick Command Panel

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Create Seamless Tile dialog box

Merge size PhotoImpact calculates and displays the best merge values. Enter a higher value to increase the overlap between image tiles.

Merge ratio Adjusts the level of edge blending between tiles. A higher value blends the edges more and creates a smoother look.

Tiled preview Displays a full screen preview of the tiled background.

  Creating backgrounds

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Post-processing Wizard dialog box

The Post-processing Wizard takes you through all the steps to perfect your image. To apply a process, click the relevant button in the dialog box. Click Next to skip a step.

  Using Guided Workflow Tools

  Enhancing

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Straighten dialog box

Preview window Displays the current image. Click and drag control points to adjust the angle of the image. The thumbnail preview updates to display the adjusted image.

Zooms in on the image.

Zooms out on the image.

View the image at its actual size.

Fits the image in the preview window.

Angle Enter a rotation value. A negative value rotates the image counterclockwise, a positive value rotates clockwise.

Thumbnail Choose a portion of the active image to show in the dialog box preview window.

Control line Select the point of reference for straightening the image.

Reset Clears all straightening adjustments made to the image.

  Using the Post-processing Wizard

  Enhancing

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Crop dialog box

Preview window Displays a preview of the image. Drag on the image to select the cropped portion.

Zooms in on the image.

Zooms out on the image.

View the image at its actual size.

Fits the image in the preview window.

Crops the image to the selection area.

Reset Clears all cropping adjustments made to the image.

Preview Displays the cropped image in the active window.

  Using the Post-processing Wizard

  Enhancing

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Brightness dialog box

Quick samples Displays the current image with various adjustments to the brightness level. Click a thumbnail to apply it to the image preview.

Real-time preview Updates the image in the active window as you adjust the brightness level.

Preview Displays how changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

Thumbnail Choose a portion of the active image to show in the dialog box preview window.

Advanced Opens a more advanced dialog box that lets you fine-tune the brightness and contrast of the image.

  Using the Post-processing Wizard

  Enhancing

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Check Ulead Web Site dialog box

Yes Launches your default web browser and loads the Ulead Web Site.

Do not show this message next time Hides the dialog box the next time you start PhotoImpact.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Color Table dialog box

Load Loads a previously saved color table. Colors are replaced by index number, for example, the first color in the new table replaces the first color in the old table. Select Convert color if you want PhotoImpact to automatically convert the colors of your current image based on the new color table.

Save Saves an edited color table.

Edit Opens the Edit dialog box, where you can change colors on the table.

Compact Removes all unused and duplicated entries on the table.

Delete Removes a color cell from the table.

Expand Adds cells at the end of the table to represent unused entries. The maximum number of cells available depends on the data type of your image. For example, if your image has a 256 indexed color data type the maximum number of entries is 256.

Sort by Sorts the color table by the Red, Green, Blue, Hue, Saturation or Brightness channel.

Add Adds the color table to the EasyPalette.

  Changing indexed image colors

  Enhancing

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


This can result in severe color distortion of your image.


Editing dialog box
Edit dialog box

Color squares Double click a square to change its color. The Cell color dialog box opens offering you color choices.

Load Choose a previously saved color palette.

Save Saves the current palette for future use with other images.

Add Adds the settings for this dialog box to the EasyPalette.

Index Displays the square assignment for the color under the mouse pointer.

Color values Displays the RGB and HSB values for the color square under the mouse pointer.

  Changing indexed image colors

  Enhancing

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Confirm Delete Temporary File dialog box

Click OK to delete all temporary files created from the File: Send command in previous sessions of PhotoImpact. If you click Cancel and often send image files from PhotoImpact you should regularly check the Temp folder on your hard disk and delete unwanted files.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Delete Sent Mail dialog box

Do not show this message next time Hides this window the next time you start PhotoImpact.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Add Shadow / Object Shadow Designer dialog box
Shadow dialog box

Color Click the color square to choose a color for the shadow.

Direction Select the direction for the shadow to fall.

X and Y offset Set the offset in pixels for the shadow.

Tilt angle Adjust the angle of inclination of the shadow.

Perspective Adjust the perspective of an image to make the object appear as if it has depth or distance. This is only available in floor shadow option.

Transparency Set a low value to have a darker shadow and a high value to allow more of the base image to show through the shadow.

Shadow size Select the size of the shadow in relation to the size of the image or selection. For example, a value of 100 creates a shadow the same size as the image, a value of 200 creates a shadow twice the size of the image.

Soft edge Set a higher value to blend the shadow more smoothly into the background. Make sure that the width does not exceed the width or height of the object group.

Preview Displays how changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


As the value increases, the blend starts closer to the center of the selection. Higher values cause more of the selection to fade into the background.


Frame & Shadow dialog box - 2D Frame / 3D Frame
Frame & Shadow dialog box
  Frame	  Shadow
  2D Frame / 3D Frame
  Edge Frame Gallery
  Magic Frame
  Classic Frame

Width Select the width of the frame.

Direction Select Outward to place the inner edges of the frame on the outer edges of the image. Select Inward to place the outer edges of the frame on the outer edges of the image.

Color Click one of the color previews to select the frame color.

Canvas color Select the color of the background canvas.

Shape Click a thumbnail to select a new inner or outer shape from the Object Library.

Thumbnails Click a thumbnail in the list to apply the predefined frame.

Preview window Displays the image or selection area with the selected frame applied. Click and drag the handles on the display to adjust the width and position of the inner shape.

Add Saves the custom frame to the EasyPalette.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Frame & Shadow dialog box - Edge Frame Gallery
Frame & Shadow dialog box
  Frame	  Shadow
  2D Frame / 3D Frame
  Edge Frame Gallery
  Magic Frame
  Classic Frame

Photo edge Select to add a border on the edge of the image.

Color Click one of the color previews to select the frame color.

Canvas color Select the color of the background canvas. This color will only be displayed in the preview if you have selected to add a shadow in the Shadow tab section of this dialog box.

Shape Click a thumbnail in the list to apply the predefined frame.

Preview window Displays the image or selection area with the selected frame applied.

Add Saves the custom frame to the EasyPalette.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Magic Frame - Tear
Frame & Shadow dialog box
  Frame	  Shadow
  2D Frame / 3D Frame
  Edge Frame Gallery
  Magic Frame
  Classic Frame

  Tear	  Hole	  Stroke

  Ripple	  Fire	  Glassy

  Stamp	  Emboss	  Texture

  Neon	  Seal	  Sobel

  Bristle	  Charcoal

Creates a torn edge frame on the image.

Outer edge / Inner edge Select the width of the frame on the inner and outer edges of the image.

Border Select to add a solid or gradient border to the inner edge of the frame.

Preset Click a thumbnail in the list to apply the predefined frame.

Effect Click the drop-down list to select a frame effect.

Options

Jump points Adjusts the roughness of the tear. The lower the value, the rougher the edges.

Diffuse Adjusts the softness of the edges. A higher value creates a softer edge.

Preview window Displays the image or selection area with the selected frame applied.

Add Saves the custom frame to the EasyPalette.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Magic Frame - Hole
Frame & Shadow dialog box
  Frame	  Shadow
  2D Frame / 3D Frame
  Edge Frame Gallery
  Magic Frame
  Classic Frame

  Tear	  Hole	  Stroke

  Ripple	  Fire	  Glassy

  Stamp	  Emboss	  Texture

  Neon	  Seal	  Sobel

  Bristle	  Charcoal

Repetitively applies a selected image to the edges of the frame.

Outer edge / Inner edge Select the width of the frame on the inner and outer edges of the image.

Border Select to add a solid or gradient border to the inner edge of the frame.

Preset Click a thumbnail in the list to apply the predefined frame.

Effect Click the drop-down list to select a frame effect.

Options

Size Zooms in or out on the shape. A value of 100% displays the shape at a 1:1 ratio.

Variation Creates an irregular edge. Enter a higher value to increase the irregularity.

Shape Changes the mask applied. Click to choose a different mask.

Invert Reverses the pattern shape.

Preview window Displays the image or selection area with the selected frame applied.

Add Saves the custom frame to the EasyPalette.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Magic Frame - Stroke
Frame & Shadow dialog box
  Frame	  Shadow
  2D Frame / 3D Frame
  Edge Frame Gallery
  Magic Frame
  Classic Frame

  Tear	  Hole	  Stroke

  Ripple	  Fire	  Glassy

  Stamp	  Emboss	  Texture

  Neon	  Seal	  Sobel

  Bristle	  Charcoal

Creates a frame by drawing short brush strokes around the edges of the image.

Outer edge / Inner edge Select the width of the frame on the inner and outer edges of the image.

Border Select to add a solid or gradient border to the inner edge of the frame.

Preset Click a thumbnail in the list to apply the predefined frame.

Effect Click the drop-down list to select a frame effect.

Options

Stroke no. Determines the number of strokes used to create the frame.

Stroke width Adjusts the width of each stroke. A higher value uses a wider brush stroke.

Stroke length Adjusts the length of each stroke. Enter a lower value to use shorter strokes.

Preview window Displays the image or selection area with the selected frame applied.

Add Saves the custom frame to the EasyPalette.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Magic Frame - Ripple
Frame & Shadow dialog box
  Frame	  Shadow
  2D Frame / 3D Frame
  Edge Frame Gallery
  Magic Frame
  Classic Frame

  Tear	  Hole	  Stroke

  Ripple	  Fire	  Glassy

  Stamp	  Emboss	  Texture

  Neon	  Seal	  Sobel

  Bristle	  Charcoal

Creates a soft edge frame with a rippled effect.

Outer edge / Inner edge Select the width of the frame on the inner and outer edges of the image.

Border Select to add a solid or gradient border to the inner edge of the frame.

Preset Click a thumbnail in the list to apply the predefined frame.

Effect Click the drop-down list to select a frame effect.

Options

Roughness Adjusts how diffuse the edges of the frame are.

Strength Adjusts the number of “waves” in the ripple.

Preview window Displays the image or selection area with the selected frame applied.

Add Saves the custom frame to the EasyPalette.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Magic Frame - Fire
Frame & Shadow dialog box
  Frame	  Shadow
  2D Frame / 3D Frame
  Edge Frame Gallery
  Magic Frame
  Classic Frame

  Tear	  Hole	  Stroke

  Ripple	  Fire	  Glassy

  Stamp	  Emboss	  Texture

  Neon	  Seal	  Sobel

  Bristle	  Charcoal

Creates a border made up of flames to the edges of the image.

Outer edge / Inner edge Select the width of the frame on the inner and outer edges of the image.

Border Select to add a solid or gradient border to the inner edge of the frame.

Preset Click a thumbnail in the list to apply the predefined frame.

Effect Click the drop-down list to select a frame effect.

Options

Strength Adjust the flame strength. A greater value produces larger flames.

Inside color Select the innermost color of flames.

Middle color Select the middle color of flames.

Outside color Select the outermost color of flames.

Preview window Displays the image or selection area with the selected frame applied.

Add Saves the custom frame to the EasyPalette.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Magic Frame - Glassy
Frame & Shadow dialog box
  Frame	  Shadow
  2D Frame / 3D Frame
  Edge Frame Gallery
  Magic Frame
  Classic Frame

  Tear	  Hole	  Stroke

  Ripple	  Fire	  Glassy

  Stamp	  Emboss	  Texture

  Neon	  Seal	  Sobel

  Bristle	  Charcoal

Creates a peak-valley style variation on the edges of the selection or image to produce light and dark areas.

Outer edge / Inner edge Select the width of the frame on the inner and outer edges of the image.

Border Select to add a solid or gradient border to the inner edge of the frame.

Preset Click a thumbnail in the list to apply the predefined frame.

Effect Click the drop-down list to select a frame effect.

Options

Reflection Adjusts the number of peaks and valleys.

Fuzziness Adjusts the soft edge of the frame. A higher value creates a softer edge.

Preview window Displays the image or selection area with the selected frame applied.

Add Saves the custom frame to the EasyPalette.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Magic Frame - Stamp
Frame & Shadow dialog box
  Frame	  Shadow
  2D Frame / 3D Frame
  Edge Frame Gallery
  Magic Frame
  Classic Frame

  Tear	  Hole	  Stroke

  Ripple	  Fire	  Glassy

  Stamp	  Emboss	  Texture

  Neon	  Seal	  Sobel

  Bristle	  Charcoal

Creates a pattern around the edges of your image with a selected shape.

Outer edge / Inner edge Select the width of the frame on the inner and outer edges of the image.

Border Select to add a solid or gradient border to the inner edge of the frame.

Preset Click a thumbnail in the list to apply the predefined frame.

Effect Click the drop-down list to select a frame effect.

Options

Size Zooms in or out on the selected shape. A value of 100% displays the shape at a ratio of 1:1

Amount Determines the number of shapes used to create the frame.

Shape Changes the mask applied. Click to choose another mask.

Invert Reverses the pattern of the selected shape.

Variation Adjusts the level variety in the distribution of shapes.

Preview window Displays the image or selection area with the selected frame applied.

Add Saves the custom frame to the EasyPalette.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Magic Frame - Emboss
Frame & Shadow dialog box
  Frame	  Shadow
  2D Frame / 3D Frame
  Edge Frame Gallery
  Magic Frame
  Classic Frame

  Tear	  Hole	  Stroke

  Ripple	  Fire	  Glassy

  Stamp	  Emboss	  Texture

  Neon	  Seal	  Sobel

  Bristle	  Charcoal

Raises and embosses the edge of your image.

Outer edge / Inner edge Select the width of the frame on the inner and outer edges of the image.

Border Select to add a solid or gradient border to the inner edge of the frame.

Preset Click a thumbnail in the list to apply the predefined frame.

Effect Click the drop-down list to select a frame effect.

Options

Strength Adjusts the variation between edges.

Direction Adjusts, in degrees, the light direction.

Amount Increases or decreases the depth of the bevel edges.

Preview window Displays the image or selection area with the selected frame applied.

Add Saves the custom frame to the EasyPalette.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Magic Frame - Texture
Frame & Shadow dialog box
  Frame	  Shadow
  2D Frame / 3D Frame
  Edge Frame Gallery
  Magic Frame
  Classic Frame

  Tear	  Hole	  Stroke

  Ripple	  Fire	  Glassy

  Stamp	  Emboss	  Texture

  Neon	  Seal	  Sobel

  Bristle	  Charcoal

Applies a selected shape with a soft edge to your image.

Outer edge / Inner edge Select the width of the frame on the inner and outer edges of the image.

Border Select to add a solid or gradient border to the inner edge of the frame.

Preset Click a thumbnail in the list to apply the predefined frame.

Effect Click the drop-down list to select a frame effect.

Options

Fuzziness Adjusts the soft edge of the shape.

Size Zooms in or out on the shape. A value of 100 displays the shape at a 1:1 ratio.

Shape Changes the mask applied. Click to choose another mask.

Preview window Displays the image or selection area with the selected frame applied.

Add Saves the custom frame to the EasyPalette.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Magic Frame - Neon
Frame & Shadow dialog box
  Frame	  Shadow
  2D Frame / 3D Frame
  Edge Frame Gallery
  Magic Frame
  Classic Frame

  Tear	  Hole	  Stroke

  Ripple	  Fire	  Glassy

  Stamp	  Emboss	  Texture

  Neon	  Seal	  Sobel

  Bristle	  Charcoal

Applies a neon glowing frame. For best results, make sure Border is selected.

Outer edge / Inner edge Select the width of the frame on the inner and outer edges of the image.

Border Select to add a solid or gradient border to the inner edge of the frame.

Preset Click a thumbnail in the list to apply the predefined frame.

Effect Click the drop-down list to select a frame effect.

Options

Inside Adds a neon glow to the inner edges of the selection or object.

Outside Adds a neon glow to the outer edges of the selection or object.

Both Adds a neon glow to both sides of the selection or object.

Preview window Displays the image or selection area with the selected frame applied.

Add Saves the custom frame to the EasyPalette.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Magic Frame - Seal
Frame & Shadow dialog box
  Frame	  Shadow
  2D Frame / 3D Frame
  Edge Frame Gallery
  Magic Frame
  Classic Frame

  Tear	  Hole	  Stroke

  Ripple	  Fire	  Glassy

  Stamp	  Emboss	  Texture

  Neon	  Seal	  Sobel

  Bristle	  Charcoal

Applies a waxy seal to the edges of your image. For best results, make sure Border is selected.

Outer edge / Inner edge Select the width of the frame on the inner and outer edges of the image.

Border Select to add a solid or gradient border to the inner edge of the frame.

Preset Click a thumbnail in the list to apply the predefined frame.

Effect Click the drop-down list to select a frame effect.

Options

Pressure Determines the amount of pressure used when the seal is applied.

Preview window Displays the image or selection area with the selected frame applied.

Add Saves the custom frame to the EasyPalette.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Magic Frame - Sobel
Frame & Shadow dialog box
  Frame	  Shadow
  2D Frame / 3D Frame
  Edge Frame Gallery
  Magic Frame
  Classic Frame

  Tear	  Hole	  Stroke

  Ripple	  Fire	  Glassy

  Stamp	  Emboss	  Texture

  Neon	  Seal	  Sobel

  Bristle	  Charcoal

Adds noise to the edges of an image and uses a Sobel model to find the edges of each noise particle.

Outer edge / Inner edge Select the width of the frame on the inner and outer edges of the image.

Border Select to add a solid or gradient border to the inner edge of the frame.

Preset Click a thumbnail in the list to apply the predefined frame.

Effect Click the drop-down list to select a frame effect.

Options

Noise Increases or decreases the amount of noise.

Smudge Softly smudges the interior of the frame

Smudge size Increases or decreases the width of the smudge.

Smudge no. Selects the number of times the border is smudged.

Preview window Displays the image or selection area with the selected frame applied.

Add Saves the custom frame to the EasyPalette.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Magic Frame - Bristle
Frame & Shadow dialog box
  Frame	  Shadow
  2D Frame / 3D Frame
  Edge Frame Gallery
  Magic Frame
  Classic Frame

  Tear	  Hole	  Stroke

  Ripple	  Fire	  Glassy

  Stamp	  Emboss	  Texture

  Neon	  Seal	  Sobel

  Bristle	  Charcoal

Applies an effect similar to using the Paint Bristle Tool

Outer edge / Inner edge Select the width of the frame on the inner and outer edges of the image.

Border Select to add a solid or gradient border to the inner edge of the frame.

Preset Click a thumbnail in the list to apply the predefined frame.

Effect Click the drop-down list to select a frame effect.

Options

Density Adjusts the proximity of bristles.

Randomness Adjusts the variation between brush strokes.

Smudge Blends the edges of the bristle strokes.

Smudge size Increases or decreases the width of the smudge.

Smudge no. Selects the number of times the border is smudged.

Preview window Displays the image or selection area with the selected frame applied.

Add Saves the custom frame to the EasyPalette.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Magic Frame - Charcoal
Frame & Shadow dialog box
  Frame	  Shadow
  2D Frame / 3D Frame
  Edge Frame Gallery
  Magic Frame
  Classic Frame

  Tear	  Hole	  Stroke

  Ripple	  Fire	  Glassy

  Stamp	  Emboss	  Texture

  Neon	  Seal	  Sobel

  Bristle	  Charcoal

Applies a soft charcoal-drawn frame to your image, similar to using the Paint Charcoal Tool.

Outer edge / Inner edge Select the width of the frame on the inner and outer edges of the image.

Border Select to add a solid or gradient border to the inner edge of the frame.

Preset Click a thumbnail in the list to apply the predefined frame.

Effect Click the drop-down list to select a frame effect.

Options

Density Adjusts the proximity of charcoal particles.

Pressure Increases or decreases the weight of the charcoal.

Smudge Blends the edges of the charcoal.

Smudge size Increases or decreases the strength of the smudge.

Smudge no. Selects the number of times the border is smudged.

Preview window Displays the image or selection area with the selected frame applied.

Add Saves the custom frame to the EasyPalette.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Frame & Shadow dialog box - Classic Frame
Frame & Shadow dialog box
  Frame	  Shadow
  2D Frame / 3D Frame
  Edge Frame Gallery
  Magic Frame
  Classic Frame

Click a thumbnail to apply it to your image.

Preview window Displays the image or selection area with the selected frame applied.

Add Saves the custom frame to the EasyPalette.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Frame & Shadow dialog box - Shadow tab
Frame & Shadow dialog box
  Frame	  Shadow
  2D Frame / 3D Frame
  Edge Frame Gallery
  Magic Frame
  Classic Frame

Color Click the color square to choose a color for the shadow.

Direction Select the direction for the shadow to fall.

X and Y offset Set how far the shadow appears from the image.

Tilt angle Adjust the angle of inclination of the shadow.

Perspective Adjust the perspective of an image to make the object appear as if it has depth or distance. This is only available in floor shadow option.

Transparency Set a low value to have a darker shadow and a high value to allow more of the base image to show through the shadow.

Shadow size Select the size of the shadow in relation to the image. A value of 50 creates a shadow that is half the size of the image, a value of 200 creates a shadow twice the size of the image.

Soft edge Set a higher value to blend the shadow more smoothly into the background.

Canvas Adds extra “canvas” or pixels to the edges of the image. This is useful for adding a pasteboard area around your image.

Color Select the color of the new canvas area.

Lock Increases the amount of canvas proportionately on all four sides.

Size Select the amount of canvas to add to each side of the image.

Preview window Displays how changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

Add Saves the custom settings to the EasyPalette.

  Creating shadows

  Shadow dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Tone Map dialog box - Highlight Midtone Shadow
Tone Map dialog box
  Map	  Highlight Midtone Shadow

Redistributes the color distribution in an image to take advantage of the full range of available colors. This versatile function enables you to adjust color imbalances; add, emphasize, or remove shadows; improve contrast; and enrich images.

Thumbnail Choose a portion of the active image to show in the dialog box preview window.

Histogram The gray graph shows the current distribution of colors in the image. The line shows how colors will be mapped to the image after clicking OK where the horizontal axis represents the current image color values and the vertical axis represents the final ones. A straight line running diagonally from the bottom left to the top right means no change.

Auto Automatically adjusts the Highlight and Shadow settings to use the full range of colors possible for the selected channel.

Add Adds the settings for this dialog box to the EasyPalette.

Highlight Remaps colors in the image starting with dark colors. Increasing the setting makes images lighter, reducing makes them darker.

Midtone Remaps colors in the image concentrating on the "in-between" colors. If the histogram curves up, the image gets brighter. If the histogram curves down, the image gets darker.

Shadow Remaps colors in the image starting with dark colors. Increasing the setting makes images lighter, reducing makes them darker.

Histogram scale factor If the peaks of the histogram are not clear, change this setting to show a more definitive graph.

Channel Choose a color channel to remap colors to. Choosing Master affects all channels simultaneously. You may adjust the master and each color channel independently.

Real-time preview Instantly shows changes in the actual image. Even though they appear in the image, the change is not applied until you click OK.

Preview Displays how changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

  Using the true color spectrum most effectively

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Tone Map dialog box - Map
Tone Map dialog box
  Map	  Highlight Midtone Shadow

Redistributes the color distribution in an image to take advantage of the full range of available colors. This versatile function enables you to adjust color imbalances; add, emphasize, or remove shadows; improve contrast; and enrich images.

Thumbnail Choose a portion of the active image to show in the dialog box preview window.

Histogram Drag the line to remap the color distribution according to your needs. The gray graph shows the current distribution of colors in the image. The line shows how colors will be mapped to the image after clicking OK where the horizontal axis represents the current image color values and the vertical axis represents the final ones. A straight line running diagonally from the bottom left to the top right means no change.

Smooth Smoothes the mapping curve after you create a freehand map. This may make the change to the image more natural.

Add Add the settings for this dialog box to a gallery.

Channel Choose which channel to edit. Master mainly affects brightness and contrast. The other channels affect specific colors.

Show control points Adds handles to the mapping curve. This may make it easier for you to reassign color values.

Accumulatively Check to have each change you make to the mapping curve add on to previous changes.

Enhancement Choose from a list of predefined mapping curves or functions.

Load Use a previously saved map file to remap the colors.

Save Saves the current map settings to a file for future use in another image.

Real-time preview Instantly shows changes in the actual image. Even though they appear in the image, the change is not applied until you click OK.

Preview Displays how changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

  Using the true color spectrum most effectively

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Preview dialog box

Shows how PhotoImpact will change the image if you accept the current filter settings. The Preview Options window appears at the lower right corner offering these options:

OK Accept the change and continue editing.

Cancel Don't apply this filter to the image and return to editing.

Undo / Redo Compare before and after affects on the image.

Continue Return to the filter dialog box to adjust the settings more.

  Applying filters & effects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Style dialog box - Predefined
Style dialog box
  Predefined	  Custom

Choose from a list of preset tints to create a specific mood for the image. If the image is not an object, it becomes one after applying the style.

Thumbnail Choose a portion of the active image to show in the dialog box preview window.

Add Adds the style to the EasyPalette.

Choose a style Select a style from the tab groups by scrolling through the choices and clicking on the one you want.

Depending on which style you have selected, use the following controls to adjust it:

Level Adjusts the strength of the effect. A higher value applies a stronger effect.

Color Depending on the style selected, choose the style color, source and destination color or filter color.

Color range Adjusts the hue range of the source color.

Density Adjusts the color density of the filter.

Preview Displays how changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

  Thumbnail dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Style dialog box - Custom
Style dialog box
  Predefined	  Custom

Choose from a list of preset tints to create a specific mood for the image. If the image is not an object, it becomes one after applying the style.

Apply a unique tint to an image based upon the characteristics of another image.

Thumbnail Choose a portion of the active image to show in the dialog box preview window.

Reference image Shows a thumbnail of the image the styler bases the changes on.

Load Click to select an image to show in the Reference Image frame above.

Add Add the settings for this dialog box to a gallery.

Model Check the option that identifies the features of the reference image you want to apply to the current image.

Preview Click to see how the changes will affect the actual image before applying them.


Color Balance dialog box - Smart
Color Balance dialog box
  Smart	  Preset

Allows you to choose a color in an image as the basis for neutral tones.

Preview image Click on an area in the image containing the color you wish to change to a neutral tone.

Zoom in Increases the magnification in the preview window so you can choose the color more accurately.

Zoom out Reduces the magnification in the preview window so you can see more of the image.

Actual size Resizes the image so that it appears at its regular size.

Fit in window Resizes the image to the largest size that will entirely fit in the preview window.

Thumbnail Choose a portion of the active image to show in the dialog box preview window.

Corrected color Displays the color selected from the image.

Desired color Choose the color for changing the corrected color based on its color values.

Add Adds the style to the EasyPalette.

Real-time preview Select to instantly show changes in the actual image. Even though they appear in the image, the change is not applied until you click OK.

Preview Displays how changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

  Thumbnail dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Color Balance dialog box - Preset
Color Balance dialog box
  Smart 	  Preset

Allows you to visually shift the prevalent tints in an image.

Preview images The center image shows the current settings for the image. Clicking one of the others adjusts the settings, and places an image with those settings in the center.

Thumbnail Choose a portion of the active image to show in the dialog box preview window.

Thumbnail variation Control how much of a change clicking on an outside preview window has on the image.

Reset Returns all dialog box settings to the conditions they were in when the dialog box opened.

Add Adds the settings to the EasyPalette.

Real-time preview Select to instantly show changes in the actual image. Even though they appear in the image, the change is not applied until you click OK.

Preview Displays how changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

  Thumbnail dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Auto-process dialog box

Automatically fixes common problems with images. Click each desired fix to add it to the sequence bar. If you want to change the order, drag the fix to the proper place. To remove a fix from the sequence bar, drag it out or click on its button again.

The Auto-process dialog box offers these fixes:

Straighten Keys on a well-defined straight line to use as the basis for rotating the image to make it horizontal or vertical.

Crop Removes white space from the edges of the image.

Remove moiré Smoothes out undesired patterns due to dithering.

Despeckle Cleans the image if it seems to have randomly distributed dots in it.

Focus Sharpens the image.

Hue & Saturation Controls the balance and intensity of color in the image.

Brightness & Contrast Makes dark images lighter and light images darker, and enhances the contrast in the image.

The dialog box has these buttons:

Preview Displays how changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

Reset Clears the sequence bar.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


The origin, (where the horizontal and vertical lines meet), represents a pixel value of 0. The top and right edges each represent pixel values of 256. For grayscale, or the master channel, this means the line goes from lightest to darkest. For colors, this means the colors shift from the complimentary color to the actual color.


Shift Image dialog box

Change the upper left corner of the image so that it starts somewhere within the current image. This is useful if you wish to tile the image and wish the tiling to start from a place other than the top left corner.

 Preview window Shows a thumbnail view of the pattern you are creating.

Horizontal and vertical offset Enter how far to shift the image in pixels.

  Creating backgrounds

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Remember to keep images intended for tiling on web pages small. As a rule, the maximum total size for a 16-color GIF should be about 10,000 pixels. For a JPEG, about 40,000.


Space Evenly dialog box

Separate selected objects from each other by the same distance.

Direction Click Horizontally to arrange objects evenly across the image from left to right. Click Vertically to arrange from top to bottom.

Space Click Even to anchor the two objects at either end and fit all other selected objects between them. Click Fixed to anchor only the top left object and space to the left or right depending on the direction choice. If you select Fixed, enter the distance in pixels between objects.

Test Displays how the objects will look when you apply the settings.

Reset Moves the objects back to their original position before testing and go back to the default settings.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Zero (0) represents starting at the left horizontal position. Increasing the value rotates the starting point clockwise.


The Cell size and Density settings determine the total tile size for a repeating pattern. As a rule, the maximum number of pixels you should use for an image intended for a background is 10,000 for GIFs and 40,000 for JPEGs.


Send dialog box

Smart sending Optimizes the image you want to send.

File name Enter a file name for the image. Unless you specify a folder, PhotoImpact saves the file in your Windows Temp folder.

Click OK to launch your default e-mail application. The current file will be selected as an attachment.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Fill dialog box - Color Tab
  Color	  Texture
  Gradient	  Image

Fills the selected image or mask with a solid color of your choice:

Color Fills the selection with this color. To change the color, click to display the Ulead Color Picker. Right-click to choose other color pickers.

RGB For more precise color selection, enter individual red, green and blue color values.

Frequently used color Displays common fill colors for you to choose from.

Merge Determine which color characteristics of the fill you want to apply.

Transparency Set a higher value to make the fill more transparent. This allows the underlying image to show through more clearly.

Preview Displays how changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

Add Adds the settings to the EasyPalette.

Sample Displays a preview of the current fill source, not the result after applying fill to your image.

  Gradient fills

  Fill Tool

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Magic Texture dialog box

Select a texture to add to the image.

Sample tiles The center tile shows the currently selected texture. Click a bordering tile to shift the texture accordingly. Repeat this action until you find the texture you want.

Random Changes the center tile to another randomly selected texture.

Add Adds the settings for this dialog box to the EasyPalette.

  Fill Gallery

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Texture Library dialog box

Thumbnail previews Select a thumbnail to apply to your selection or object.

Gallery Select a gallery.

Tab group Select a Tab Group from the selected Gallery.

  Fill Gallery

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Material Gallery dialog box

Thumbnail previews Select a thumbnail to apply to your selection or object.

Gallery Selects a gallery.

Tab group Selects a Tab Group from the selected Gallery.

  Material dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Preferences dialog box - PhotoImpact
Preferences dialog box
  PhotoImpact	  System
  Plug-ins	  Associate
  Guidelines & Grid	  Save
  Painting Tools	  Display

The PhotoImpact Category enables and disables PhotoImpact features affecting overall program performance.

Measurement unit Select how to determine new image sizes and display them in the workspace.

Enable undo Enables the Undo command in the Edit menu. Then enter the number of commands PhotoImpact should retain for undoing.

Number of recently opened files Specify the maximum number of files to show at the bottom of the File Menu.

Generation quality Choose Best for PhotoImpact to calculate changes to images when applying certain transform tools or image filters and effects. Choose Fair for fastest operation.

Highlight inactive selections and objects Displays borders around selections and objects even when they are not active. This may help you to find objects more easily and keep track of your image better.

Display a confirmation message when saving Select to have PhotoImpact warn you when saving images where data may be lost during the save.

Display quick samples Check if you want quick visual advice for applying an effect or filter instead of directly setting the options. Leave unchecked to directly open the filter/effect dialog box for fine control over the settings. Note: You may still access the filter/effect dialog boxes from the visual selection box.

Check Ulead’s Web site Select to display the Check Ulead Web Site dialog box when you begin using PhotoImpact, then select the frequency to check the Web site.

Include OLE information when copying to the clipboard Enables embedding of the clipboard contents as an OLE object from PhotoImpact using the standard Paste command in your source application.

Mask mode Select a color to paint over the image when Mask Mode is selected. Specify also a transparency level for the underlying image to show through the mask color.

  Setting PhotoImpact defaults

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


If this option is cleared, you would have to use a Paste Special command (or similar, depending on the destination application) and select to paste the PhotoImpact OLE object. While selecting this option makes inserting OLE objects more straightforward, it can also be a little slower.


Preferences dialog box - Plug-ins
Preferences dialog box
  PhotoImpact	  System
  Plug-ins	  Associate
  Guidelines & Grid	  Save
  Painting Tools	  Display

Select file locations for plug-ins. Enter the folder location or click Browse  [image]  to search for folders.

  Setting PhotoImpact defaults

  Adding third party plug-ins

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Preferences dialog box - Memory
Preferences dialog box
  PhotoImpact	  System
  Plug-ins	  Associate
  Guidelines & Grid	  Save
  Painting Tools	  Display

Optimize how Windows manages system memory while running Ulead programs.

Temp folders Choose folders for storing temporary files while running Ulead programs. (Windows automatically determines the first folder.)

Hard disk Select the drive you wish to assign a temp folder to.

Limit hard disk usage to: Select this and specify a value to have Ulead programs manage disk usage while running. This might be useful for preserving disk space for other files.

Limit RAM usage to: Select this and specify a value to have Ulead programs manage system memory while running. This might be useful if you run several different programs at once.

  Setting PhotoImpact defaults

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Preferences dialog box - Display
Preferences dialog box
  PhotoImpact	  System
  Plug-ins	  Associate
  Guidelines & Grid	  Save
  Painting Tools	  Display

Control how Ulead programs display graphics.

HiColor dithering Select this if your display mode is High Color and you want True Color images to look their best on screen.

View images with a common palette Select this if you are working in 256-color mode and want to open grayscale and color images at the same time or if you want to compare 256-color images with each other.

Ignore background quality Devotes most system resources to viewing the active image. When selected, inactive images may appear discolored.

Monitor gamma Corrects your display for manufacturers' differences and the environment. When selected, set the gamma value so that the calibration square appears to be a single color.

  Setting PhotoImpact defaults

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


When setting the gamma value, increase your distance from the monitor to about six feet (2 m) to make the pattern in the upper rectangle less apparent.


Preferences dialog box - Associate
Preferences dialog box
  PhotoImpact	  System
  Plug-ins	  Associate
  Guidelines & Grid	  Save
  Painting Tools	  Display

Choose the file formats to associate with PhotoImpact. This enables you to open PhotoImpact directly from Windows Explorer or other Windows resources by clicking on an associated file.

  Setting PhotoImpact defaults

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Acquire dialog box

Basic Launches your selected scanner so you can begin acquiring the image immediately, using default settings.

Advanced Opens the Acquire Image dialog box, where you can define advanced settings for the image you want to acquire. These options include selecting to email or fax the image, selecting a calibration scheme or launching the Post-processing wizard once you have finished acquiring the image.

  Setting PhotoImpact defaults

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Acquire Image dialog box - Destination
Acquire Image dialog box
  Slicing	  Calibration
  Destination	  Post-processing

New image Opens the image in a new window.

File Automatically saves the image as a file. Click File Name to assign a name and location.

Printer Prints out the image immediately after scanning. Click Setup to configure the printer.

Fax / Mail Sends the image in an e-mail message. Click Setup to configure the mail handler accordingly.

Acquire Launches your selected scanner so you can begin scanning.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


This option is only available if Microsoft Exchange is installed.


Acquire Image dialog box - Calibration
Acquire Image dialog box
  Slicing	  Calibration
  Destination	  Post-processing

Apply calibration scheme Check to enable the calibration settings.

Scheme Choose a scheme from the drop-down list.

Add Select a tone map created and saved in the Map tab of the Adjust Tone Map dialog box to add to the list.

Delete Remove a scheme from the list.

Acquire Launches your selected scanner so you can begin scanning.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Acquire Image dialog box - Post-processing
Acquire Image dialog box
  Slicing	  Calibration
  Destination	  Post-processing

Type

Wizard Opens the Post-processing Wizard after scanning the image.

Manual Select which corrections you want to apply after scanning the image.

Auto PhotoImpact scans the image and automatically adjusts it.

Straighten Corrects the image if it appears slanted by using predominant horizontal or vertical lines in the image as references.

Crop Removes apparently unnecessary space from the outer edges of the image.

Focus Sharpens blurry areas and softens sharp areas.

Brightness Automatically adjusts the image to use the full range of available colors.

Hue and Saturation Automatically adjusts the balance and intensity of color in an image.

Despeckle Automatically cleans the image if it seems to have randomly distributed dots in it.

Magic frame Adds a border, shadow, and background to the scanned image. Click Attributes to determine the characteristics.

Acquire Launches your selected scanner so you can begin scanning.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


This option is only available in the Auto and Manual method. If selected in Manual mode, the Hue & Saturation dialog box will be displayed.


This option is only available in the Auto and Manual method.


Stitch dialog box

Stitch with Select the image to append to the current one.

Overlap area transparency Makes the image selected in the Select with option transparent where it overlaps. This may be useful for helping you find the best place to stitch. Set a higher value to allow more of the current image to show through areas covered by the selected image.

Manually Allows you to stitch images based upon reference points you place in each image. In general, selecting Auto fine-tune produces best results.

Note: You may also drag the selected image to its desired location.

Auto stitch Select to have PhotoImpact determine the best stitch possible. (PhotoImpact compares images finding the areas of greatest similarity and stitches along those edges.) Set an overlap range to define the general region in the selected image where the original can be joined. Set the horizontal or vertical tolerance to determine how far PhotoImpact can shift the image to find the best match.

Test Click to preview the results in the working area before accepting.

Switch directions (left / right) Place the images side by side or switch the left image with the right.

Switch directions (top / bottom) Place the images one over the other or switch the top image with the bottom.

Deskew buttons Click horizontal  [image]  to correct any misalignment for the stitched images horizontally, Click vertical  [image]  to align them vertically.

Zoom in Zoom in to obtain a clearer view of a small portion of the stitched images.

Zoom out Zoom out to gain a better view of all of both images.

Actual view Change the view so that both images appear at their actual sizes.

Fit in window Scale both images so that they both appear in the working area at the largest possible magnification.

Work area Position the two images by dragging them where you want.

  Joining two images

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


The Stitch command can only be used with two images that are True Color.


Dimensions dialog box

Resizes an image based upon the number of pixels it contains. Changing image size with this dialog box alters data. Making images smaller results in lost information and smaller file sizes. Making them bigger adds therefore increasing the file size.

Active image Shows the current image size.

New image Choose the desired size for the image.

Apply to

Base image Resamples only the base image.

Selected object Resamples selected objects in the image but leaves the base image untouched.

Image & Objects Resamples both the base image and all objects in the image.

Preview Shows how the image will appear on a printed page or display screen.

Current printer Shows the currently selected printing device for outputting images.

Printer Changes or configures the printing device.

Memory used Displays required memory for the new image.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Keep aspect ratio Maintains the horizontal and vertical proportions for the image when resizing.

Unit Percent changes the size in proportion to the original; Pixels allows you to specify the exact size for the image in pixels.


Resolution dialog box

Changes the size of an image by adjusting the size and distance between the centers of the pixels. Unlike resampling, changing the resolution always affects the entire image and no image data changes so the file size remains the same.

Current resolution Displays the current resolution for the image.

New resolution Choose a new resolution for the image. You can quickly change the image to match your current display or printer settings by checking their respective options. Or enter a custom size in the User defined text box.

Current printer Identifies the currently selected printer for printing from PhotoImpact.

Preview Shows how the image will appear on a printed page or display screen.

Printer Click to change or configure the printing device.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


HTML Image Assistant dialog box - Body tab
HTML Assistant dialog box
  Body 	  Img

Select Body tag attributes for your HTML documents.

Background Select a color and/or previously saved file to use as your background. Click the color preview to open the Windows Color Picker. Click Browse to select an image file.

Tag View and edit the HTML code.

Sample homepage preview Displays a preview of the selected background color and/or tiled background image and text colors.

Text color Select colors for links and body text. If a text style is cleared, default settings will be used.

To Clipboard Copy the information in the Tag box to the clipboard. You can then paste the clipboard contents into your HTML document.

  Creating body tags

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


HTML Image Assistant dialog box - Img tab
HTML Assistant dialog box
  Body 	  Img

Select attributes for an image.

File name Enter the image file name or click Browse to search for an image.

Source Displays information about the selected image, such as dimensions, compression and data type.

Tag View and edit the HTML code.

Low res Creates a low resolution copy of the selected image. Options available include changing the dimensions and data type of the image. This will reduce the overall size of the file and therefore reducing loading time on your web page.

Destination Select attributes for the final image.

Dimensions Set dimensions for the image.

Border Adds a border around the image and sets its width to the selected number of pixels. The border color is black.

Alignment Sets the alignment of the image in relation to surrounding text.

Hor space Adds a margin around the horizontal edges of the image.

Ver space Adds a margin around the vertical edges of the image.

Alt Enter alternative text to be displayed if the user has selected not to view images.

To Clipboard Copy the information in the Tag box to the clipboard. You can then paste the clipboard contents into your HTML document.

  Creating image tags

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Border dialog box

Increases the selection area by a selected width.

Border width Select the thickness of the border.

Direction

Both Adds a border of equal width (half the border width value) to both the inner and outer edges of the selection area.

Inward Adds a border within the boundaries of the selection area.

Outward Adds a border to the outer edges of the selection area.

Shape

Box Increases the selection area size while retaining the “hard” corners of the selection area.

Circle Rounds the corners of the selection area. This is similar to applying the Selection: Soften command to a selection area.

Soft edge Blends the edges of the selection area with the surrounding image.

Preview Click to see how the current settings affect the selection before accepting them.

  Creating a border on a selection

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Similar dialog box

Color similarity Set the range of similar pixel values to add. Higher values include more colors in the selection.

Expand from current selection Select to include all pixels in the current image that meet the similarity settings. Clear to limit expanding the selection to only those pixels already in contact with selected ones.

Soft edge Set a higher value to have the border blend more smoothly into the background. Make sure the setting does not exceed the width or height of the entire area enclosed by the border.

Preview Click to see how the current settings affect the selection before accepting them.

  Selecting by color

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Object Properties dialog box - General tab
Object Properties dialog box
  General	  Position and Size
  Text or Path

Allows you to review and change the characteristics of the selected object.

Name Change the name of the object so that you can easily identify it.

Merge Determine which composite characteristics of the object you want to apply to the base image.

Transparency Set a higher value to make the object more transparent. This allows other images below the object to show through more clearly.

More Click this button for more transparency settings.

Soft edge Set a higher value to blend the object more smoothly with the background. Make sure that the width does not exceed the width or height of the selection.

Show Check to keep the object visible in the image. Clear to hide the object. When hidden, the PhotoImpact erases the object when merging.

URL Assign a URL address to the object to use it as an image map for linking to a web page. Click the button at the right to select an image map shape.

Preview Click to see how the changes will affect the actual object before applying them.

  Creating an object

  Blending images

  Defining image map tags

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Do not apply Soft Edge until the object is in its final position and the base image surrounding the object is not expected to change.


Determines how PhotoImpact blends colors with the underlying image. The options you have for blending images depends on the color model of your image and the selected tool and dialog box.


Object Transparency dialog box

Transparency Set a higher value to make the object more transparent. This allows other images below the object to show through more clearly.

Transparent color Select to limit the transparency of the object to a single or range of colors. Right-click on the color square to access the color picking tools for selecting the base color.

Similarity If Transparent color is selected, set a range of similar colors to make transparent.


Brightness & Contrast dialog box

Makes an image lighter or darker and allows you to make parts of it stand out or blend in more.

Preview images The center image shows the current settings for the image. Clicking one of the others adjusts the settings, and places an image with those settings in the center.

Real-time preview Instantly displays changes in the actual image. The change is not actually applied until you click OK.

Thumbnail Choose a portion of the active image to show in the dialog box preview window.

Brightness Choose higher values to produce a brighter image.

Contrast Choose higher values to make the midtone colors stand out more.

Gamma Shifts the midtone colors in the image without affecting those at the extreme ends of the color spectrum.

Thumbnail variation Control how much of a change clicking on an outside preview window has on the image.

Channel Specify which color channel to adjust.

Add Adds the settings to the EasyPalette.

Reset Returns all dialog box settings to the conditions they were in when the dialog box opened.

Preview Displays how changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

  Editing by eye

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Darkest colors (black, pure red, and pure cyan, for example) and lightest colors (white) are unaffected by adjusting the gamma. Midtones, (grays, pinks and oranges, for example) will shift.


Hue & Saturation dialog box

Controls the balance and intensity of color in an image.

Hue Shift the hue value of each pixel in an image by the amount specified. For example, a yellow pixel will become blue if you set the hue to 180.

Saturation add or remove color to an image. Fully reducing saturation results in a grayscale image; fully increasing makes the color very rich.

Thumbnail Choose a portion of the active image to show in the dialog box preview window.

Add Adds the settings to the EasyPalette.

Preview Displays how changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

  Editing by eye

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Adjust Focus dialog box
Focus dialog box

Adjusts the focus of an image.

Auto adjust Check to have PhotoImpact choose the best focus setting for the image.

Blur - Sharpen Set a higher value to make borders and edges stand out. Set a low value to soften edges and make edges blend into each other.

Preview Displays how changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

Thumbnail Choose a portion of the active image to show in the dialog box preview window.

Add Adds the settings to the EasyPalette.

  Editing by eye

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Adjust Level dialog box
Level dialog box

Changes the number of divisions for the color channels in the image. Usually this means reducing the total number of colors used in the image and creates a poster-like result.

Level Set how many divisions of colors to allow for the selected channel. The fewer divisions, the fewer total colors.

Channel Specify which color channel to adjust.

Real-time preview Check to instantly show changes in the actual image. Even though they appear in the image, the change is not applied until you click OK.

Preview Displays how changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

Thumbnail Choose a portion of the active image to show in the dialog box preview window.

Add Adds the settings to the EasyPalette.

  Editing by eye

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Quick Samples dialog box

Select the thumbnail showing the desired result. If none of the thumbnails offer the results you want, click the Options button to open the associated effect dialog box where you may fine tune the settings.

If you do not wish to use the Quick Sample dialog box to apply effects, check the Don't show these quick samples next time. You can re-enable the dialog box in the PhotoImpact Category of the Preferences dialog box.

  Setting PhotoImpact defaults

  Editing by eye

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Gradient Fill dialog box

Allows you to choose the starting and ending colors to fill a path object with and how the gradient should progress.

Fill type Click the button that illustrates the desired direction for the fill.

Fill color

Two color Applies a gradient fill between 2 selected colors. Click the color squares to select the start and end colors for the fill. Click Transpose  [image]  to switch the start and end colors.

Ramp Select which color ramp to use: RGB (Red, Green, Blue) or HSB (Hue, Saturation, Brightness).

Multiple colors Applies a gradient fills between multiple colors. Click its color box to adjust the palette ramp colors and direction.

  Gradient fills

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Your object is not converted to grayscale but retains its original colors. The lightest color in the gradient is more transparent that the darkest.


The fourth gradient style is unique in that its border width can be adjusted. The border width effects how the gradient is displayed. In the examples below, the image on the left has a border width of 20 pixels, the image on the right has a border of 10 pixels.

Allows you to choose the starting and ending colors to fill a path object with and how the gradient should progress.

Fill type Click the button that illustrates the desired direction for the fill.

Fill method

Two color Applies a gradient fill between 2 selected colors. Click the color squares to select the start and end colors for the fill. Click Transpose  (bmp)  to switch the start and end colors.

Use ramp control Applies a gradient fills between multiple colors. Click Edit palette to adjust the palette ramp colors and direction.

Edit Palette Adjusts colors and their position on the palette ramp.

  Gradient fills

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Select Custom Shape dialog box

Choose from a selection of predefined shapes for drawing a path or import custom vector-based illustration files. To open this dialog box, click Shape: Custom Shape on the Path Tool Attribute Toolbar.

Thumbnails Displays a selection of predefined custom shapes. Click a shape to draw in PhotoImpact.

Gallery Select a Gallery from the Object Library.

Tab Group Select a tab from within the selected Gallery.

Import Select an *.AI illustration file to import.

  Importing path objects

  Path Tool

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Eyedropper dialog box

Preview Displays the current image. Click on the image to select a new foreground color.

Zooms in on the image.

Zooms out on the image.

Displays the image at its actual size.

Zooms in or out to fit the image into the window.

RGB Displays the values for red, green and blue.

Hexadecimal Displays the hexadecimal code for the selected color.

Color preview The right box displays the color. The left box displays the color where the eyedropper is currently located.

  Eyedropper

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Add PhotoShop Plug-in Thumbnail dialog box
Add Photoshop Plug-in Thumbnails dialog box

Displays all selected Photoshop plug-ins. Click Add to include thumbnails in the EasyPalette.

  Setting PhotoImpact defaults

  Preferences dialog box - Plug-ins category

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Combine From CMYK dialog box

Select which file should be used for each channel. You can create some unusual effects by selecting the same file for more than one channel. For example, selecting the Cyan file for both the Cyan and Magenta channels replaces all the Cyan in the image with Magenta.

If you have enabled color management, the following options are available:

Separation Profile Displays the profile selected in the Color Management dialog box.

Rendering Intent

Perceptual Expands or compresses the gamut of the image to fill the gamut of the destination device.

Relative Colorimetric Converts colors that fall outside the gamut of the destination device to the nearest possible color that can be rendered in the destination device’s gamut. This includes white, which means that paper white may not necessarily be "true" white (255,255,255 RGB values).

Saturation Matches the level of saturation of colors on your monitor profile to that of colors on the destination device. This may be at the expense of hue and brightness.

Absolute Colorimetric Converts colors that fall outside the gamut of the destination device to the nearest possible color that can be rendered in the destination device’s gamut. White is preserved so that the white on your monitor matches paper white.

  Converting images

  Enabling Color Management

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Title dialog box

Enter a caption to print with the image. (It tells PhotoImpact to print the file name.)

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Choose Color From Palette dialog box

Select a canvas color from the palette.

Color squares Click a color square to change its color. The Cell color dialog box opens offering you color choices.

Use color most close to Enter the RGB values of the desired color. If this color is not in the selected palette, PhotoImpact chooses the color closest to it.

Color values Displays the RGB and HSB values for the color square under the mouse pointer.

Index Displays the square assignment for the color under the mouse pointer.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Low Resolution dialog box

Data type Select the data type of the image. Click Options to choose palette options for the selected data type. While this can reduce the file size of your image, it is best to check that the image still displays correctly with the selected palette.

Dimensions

Keep aspect ratio Select to maintain the original height and width proportions.

Height / Width Enter the new height and width dimensions for the low res image.

Unit Select the measurement unit to work in: Percent or Pixels.

File information Displays the name, location and size of the selected file.

Save Click to save the low res image as a new file.

Options Displays the related dialog box if you have changed the data type of the image.


Send Mail dialog box

Subject Enter text to be included in the Subject of the message.

Message Enter a brief message to accompany the image.

Click OK to select a mail profile.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


This help file contains topics about selected dialog boxes in your PhotoImpact package. You can access these topics through those dialog boxes or by navigating through a main help file associated with one of the PhotoImpact programs.


Turnpage dialog box

Curls up a corner of an image like you're turning a page.

Sample source & control points Displays the currently selected image, the slant angle controls, and the page turning rate control.

Type Select the shape of the curl to apply.

Mode Select the appearance of the curled portion.

Background color Displays the current background color. Click to change the background color.

Corner Select which corner to curl up.

Angle Click on the red dot (or the + / - ) to define the page curl size. (A smaller angle produces a bigger curl size.)

Lighting direction Click and drag the lighting direction control point to define the shadow effect of the curled portion.

Preview Click to see how the changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

Add Adds the custom settings to the EasyPalette.


Select the shape for the curl.

  Results in a cylindrical curl.

  Results in a conical curl.


Select the appearance of the curled portion.

  Opaque Shows an non-transparent curl.

  Reverse Shows a reflection of the image in the curl.

  Transparent Shows the image through the curl.


Magic Gradient dialog box

Fills an image with specially designed gradients.

Ring palette window Displays the ring palette containing the set and order of colors used in the current magic gradient effect. (The order of the colors starts from the left middle part of the ring which is at 0 degrees and makes a 360 degree turn.)

Edit Click to create your own ring palette.

Reflect control button Reverses the order of the second set of ring palette colors (per two groups) applied in the magic gradient effect.

Hue shift control Adjusts the hue in the ring palette without changing the saturation and brightness. Click and drag the index in the color hue bar or enter the desired hue value.

Ring control Rotates the color ring changing the first color of the set. Enter the degree of turn.

Repeat number Define the number of times to repeat the ring palette in the pattern.

Mode Select a pattern to use in the effect. (For some modes, move the pointer to the sample set window and if the pointer changes to a hand shape, you can move the center point of the gradient. Click and drag to the desired center point position.)

Slope Allows you to specify the pattern's direction. Click and drag the red dot to the determine the selected mode's degree of turn.

Frequency Allows you specify the number of times to apply the pattern in the magic gradient effect. Click and drag the pointer to the desired number of patterns.

Amplitude Allows you to specify the length and width of the pattern. Click and drag the pointer to the desired ripple or wavy effect.

Preview Click to see how the changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

Add Adds the custom gradient and settings to the EasyPalette.


Light dialog box

Creates a focused or diffused beam on an image.

Sample source & control points window Displays the currently selected image and the light control points. Click on the left for more information.

Exposure control bar Displays the current exposure value. Drag the red pointer to define the exposure value. (Lower values result in less pronounced effects.)

Ambient brightness control bar Displays the current ambient brightness value. Drag the red pointer to define the ambient brightness value. (Lower values produce darker images.)

Ambient brightness color option Displays the current ambient brightness color. Click to change the ambient color.

Light brightness control bar Displays the current light brightness value. Drag the red pointer to define the light brightness value. (Lower values result in less effect of the selected light color on images.)

Light brightness color option Displays the current source light color. Click to change the source light's color.

Light distance, elevation, & spread control window Displays the distance and elevation control point and the light source spread control points. Click below for more information.

Preview Click to see how the changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

Add Click to add the settings for this dialog box to the EasyPalette.


Kaleidoscope dialog box

Thumbnail Click and drag the control points to resize and rotate the position of the reflection in the image.

Preview window Displays a preview of the effect.

Samples Click a thumbnail to apply the effect to the image.

Preview Minimizes the dialog box and displays the effect on the actual image before applying it.

Add Adds the custom effect and settings to the EasyPalette.


Type dialog box - Gradient

Applies a gradient fill mask to the selection or object.

Preview window Displays a preview of the selection area with the effect attributes applied.

Effect Click a thumbnail to select a predefined effect.

Parameters

Linear Fills the selection with gradually changing colors starting from the top to bottom.

Rectangular Fills the selection with gradually changing colors starting from the center and extending outward to the corners of a rectangular shape.

Circular Fills the object with gradually changing colors starting from the center and extending outward to the corners of a circular shape.

Color range Select the start and end levels of gradient fill mask.

Fill color Select to fill the mask with the selected color. Clear to retain image data.

Preview Minimizes the dialog box and displays the effect on the actual image before applying it.

Add Adds the custom effect and settings to the EasyPalette.


Type dialog box - Hole

Fills the selection or object mask with a duplicated grayscale pattern.

Preview window Displays a preview of the selection area with the effect attributes applied.

Effect Click a thumbnail to select a predefined effect.

Parameters

Shape Displays the selected mask shape. Click to select another mask shape.

Size Zooms in or out on the mask shape. A value of 100% displays the pattern at a 1:1 ratio.

Variation A higher value distributes the pattern more randomly. A lower value applies less variation and creates a grid from the shapes.

Invert Reverses the pattern shape.

Fill color Select to fill the image with the selected color. Clear to retain image data.

Preview Minimizes the dialog box and displays the effect on the actual image before applying it.

Add Adds the custom effect and settings to the EasyPalette.


The image file must be in bitmap (*.bmp) format.


Type dialog box - Glass

Creates a peak-valley style variation on the edge of the object or selection to produce light and dark areas.

Preview window Displays a preview of the selection area with the effect attributes applied.

Effect Click a thumbnail to select a predefined effect.

Parameters

Reflection Select the number of peaks and valleys.

Fuzziness Adjusts the softness of the edges of the glass frame.

Color Select the color of the glass.

Preview Minimizes the dialog box and displays the effect on the actual image before applying it.

Add Adds the custom effect and settings to the EasyPalette.


Type dialog box - Metal

Creates a peak-valley style variation on the object or selection to produce light and dark areas.

Preview window Displays a preview of the selection area with the effect attributes applied.

Effect Click a thumbnail to select a predefined effect.

Parameters

Reflection Select the number of peaks and valleys.

Fuzziness Adjusts the softness of the edges of the metal frame.

Preview Minimizes the dialog box and displays the effect on the actual image before applying it.

Add Adds the custom effect and settings to the EasyPalette.


Type dialog box - Emboss

Embosses the selection or object from the base image.

Preview window Displays a preview of the selection area with the effect attributes applied.

Effect Click a thumbnail to select a predefined effect.

Parameters

Thickness Adjusts the strength of the bevel edge.

Amount Adjusts the contrast between the bevel edge and the base image.

Light direction Adjusts the direction, in degrees, of light.

Bevel shape Select the emboss edge style.

Preview Minimizes the dialog box and displays the effect on the actual image before applying it.

Add Adds the custom effect and settings to the EasyPalette.


Type dialog box - Emboss (Outline)

Embosses the outline of the selection or object.

Preview window Displays a preview of the selection area with the effect attributes applied.

Effect Click a thumbnail to select a predefined effect.

Parameters

Thickness Adjusts the strength of the bevel edge.

Amount Adjusts the contrast between the bevel edge and the base image.

Light direction Adjusts the direction, in degrees, of light.

Preview Minimizes the dialog box and displays the effect on the actual image before applying it.

Add Adds the custom effect and settings to the EasyPalette.


Type dialog box - Emboss (Texture)

Embosses the entire selection or object using a selected texture image.

Preview window Displays a preview of the selection area with the effect attributes applied.

Effect Click a thumbnail to select a predefined effect.

Parameters

Texture image Displays the texture applied to the selection. Click to select another texture.

Size Adjusts the size of each texture tile. A lower value creates a smaller tile.

Transparency Adjusts the intensity of the texture by displaying more or less of the selection area through the tile. A higher value makes the tile more transparent.

Amount Adjusts the level of difference between the edges of the texture.

Preview Minimizes the dialog box and displays the effect on the actual image before applying it.

Add Adds the custom effect and settings to the EasyPalette.


Type dialog box - Concrete

Applies a rough border to the edges of the selection area.

Preview window Displays a preview of the selection area with the effect attributes applied.

Effect Click a thumbnail to select a predefined effect.

Parameters

Roughness A higher value creates a wider, more diffuse edge.

Light direction Adjusts the direction, in degrees, of light.

Color Select the color of the light source.

Preview Minimizes the dialog box and displays the effect on the actual image before applying it.

Add Adds the custom effect and settings to the EasyPalette.


Type dialog box - Sand

Applies a rough texture to the surface of the selection area.

Preview window Displays a preview of the selection area with the effect attributes applied.

Effect Click a thumbnail to select a predefined effect.

Parameters

Roughness A higher value creates a more diffuse surface.

Light direction Adjusts the direction, in degrees, of light.

Preview Minimizes the dialog box and displays the effect on the actual image before applying it.

Add Adds the custom effect and settings to the EasyPalette.


Type dialog box - Lighting

Shines a light on the surface of the selected area or object. You can also apply a bump map with it.

Preview window Displays a preview of the selection area with the effect attributes applied.

Effect Click a thumbnail to select a predefined effect.

Parameters

Elevation Adjusts the height of the light in relation to the Z axis.

Light direction Adjusts the direction of light in relation to the X and Y axes.

Light color Select the color of the light source.

Object color Select a color to tint the selection area with.

Bump map Applies a texture to the selection area.

Preview Minimizes the dialog box and displays the effect on the actual image before applying it.

Add Adds the custom effect and settings to the EasyPalette.


Type dialog box - Fire

Applies an effect as if the edges of the selected area or object are burning.

Preview window Displays a preview of the selection area with the effect attributes applied.

Effect Click a thumbnail to select a predefined effect.

Parameters

Inside color Select the innermost color of flames.

Middle color Select the middle color of flames.

Outside color Select the outermost color of flames.

Strength Adjust the flame strength. A greater value produces higher flames.

Preview Minimizes the dialog box and displays the effect on the actual image before applying it.

Add Adds the custom effect and settings to the EasyPalette.


Type dialog box - Snow

Applies an effect as if the selected area or object is like a melting block of ice.

Preview window Displays a preview of the selection area with the effect attributes applied.

Effect Click a thumbnail to select a predefined effect.

Parameters

Inside color Select the innermost color of snow.

Middle color Select the middle color of snow.

Outside color Select the outermost color of snow.

Strength Adjusts the gravitational strength.

Preview Minimizes the dialog box and displays the effect on the actual image before applying it.

Add Adds the custom effect and settings to the EasyPalette.


Type dialog box - Neon

Creates a neon light effect around the edge of the selection or object.

Preview window Displays a preview of the selection area with the effect attributes applied.

Effect Click a thumbnail to select a predefined effect.

Parameters

Color Select the neon color.

Inside Adds a neon glow to the inner edges of the selection or object.

Outside Adds a neon glow to the outer edges of the selection or object.

Both Adds a neon glow to both sides the selection or object.

Width Adjusts the width of the neon glow.

Preview Minimizes the dialog box and displays the effect on the actual image before applying it.

Add Adds the custom effect and settings to the EasyPalette.


Type dialog box - Seal

Applies a waxy seal effect to the selection or object.

Preview window Displays a preview of the selection area with the effect attributes applied.

Effect Click a thumbnail to select a predefined effect.

Parameters

Pressure Adjusts the strength of the seal when pressed.

Color Select the seal color.

Preview Minimizes the dialog box and displays the effect on the actual image before applying it.

Add Adds the custom effect and settings to the EasyPalette.


Transform dialog box

Preview window Depending on the Transformation template that is currently selected, you can either paint the selected area or object on this window or the window will simply display the preview of the applied effect.

Storyboard Displays effects applied that have been inserted into the storyboard. Click a thumbnail to view the effect in the preview window. Once you have finished transforming your image, you can create an animation from the contents of the storyboard.

Transformation template Displays the different types of transformation you can use to apply on a selected area or object. Click the thumbnail of the effect you want to apply.

Transformation control Depending on the selected Transformation template, you will find the following some of the following attributes that you can set:

Range Enter a higher value to increase the area transformed by the effect.

Level Enter a higher value to increase the intensity of the effect.

Space Enter a higher value to increase the distance between the center of each brush stroke.

Effect Enter a negative value to squeeze the top or left of the image, and a positive value to squeeze the bottom or right of the image.

Reset Restores the image to its original state.

Insert Adds the current transformation to the Storyboard.

Delete Deletes the selected transformation effect from the Storyboard.

Delete all Deletes all transformation effects from the Storyboard.

Animation Creates an animation from the effects in the Storyboard.

  Sample effects


Original	Example 1	Example 2


This control is only available for the Horizontal and Vertical Squeeze transformations.


Animation dialog box

Animates and interpolates the thumbnails from the Storyboard.

GIF animation Opens Ulead GIF Animator, displaying the animation over the selected number of frames.

Sequence images Saves each frame of the animation as a separate bitmap file.

Frames Select the number of frames to play the animation over. The more frames, the more gradual the animation.


The number of frames must be between 2 and 900.


Particle dialog box- Bubble

 Preview window Displays a preview of the selection area with the particle attributes applied.

Effect Click a thumbnail to apply the effect to the image.

Effect control

Density Determines the number of bubbles.

Size Sets the upper limit for bubble size.

Variance Controls the range of variability in size.

Reflection Adjusts how strongly light is reflected from the bubble.

Particle parameters

Ambience Controls the ambient light.

Border Sets the color of the edge or border.

Body Sets the color of the inside or body.

Spot Sets the strength of the spot light.

Direction Controls the angle from which the light eminates.

Elevation Adjusts the height of the light in relation to the Z axis.

Wireframe Displays each particle in wireframe mode on the Preview Window. This is useful if you want to view all particles’ positions without waiting for rendering.

Select All Selects all particles on the Preview Window. You can then adjust parameters for all particles simultaneously. You can also adjust individual bubbles by clicking on the preview window.

Order Adjust the layer position of each particle by clicking  [image]  [image]  [image]  [image] .This works the same way as the Order command on the Attribute Toolbar of the Pick Tool.

Random Resets all particle positions, size and other parameters.

Preview Click to minimize the dialog box and see how the effect will look on the actual image before applying it.

Add Adds the custom effect and settings to the EasyPalette.


To deselect a particle, press Ctrl and click the particle or click on the background image.


Particle dialog box - Firefly

 Preview window Displays a preview of the selection area with the particle attributes applied.

Effect Click a thumbnail to apply the effect to the image.

Effect control

Density Determines the number of fireflies.

Size Sets the upper limit for firefly size.

Variance Controls the range of variability in size.

Particle parameters

Opacity Controls the transparency of the center of selected fireflies.

Softness Conrols how fuzzy the edge of of the firefly appears.

Wireframe Displays each particle in wireframe mode on the Preview Window. This is useful if you want to view all particles’ positions without waiting for rendering.

Select All Selects all particles on the Preview Window. You can then adjust parameters for all particles simultaneously. When this is unselected, individual fireflies can be selected by clicking on the image in the preview window.

Order Adjust the layer position of each particle by clicking  [image]  [image]  [image]  [image] .This works the same way as the Order command on the Attribute Toolbar of the Pick Tool.

Random Resets all particle positions, size and other parameters.

Preview Click to minimize the dialog box and see how the effect will look on the actual image before applying it.

Add Adds the custom effect and settings to the EasyPalette.


Particle dialog box - Rain

 Preview window Displays a preview of the selection area with the particle attributes applied.

Effect Click a thumbnail to apply the effect to the image.

Effect control

Density Adjusts the number of rain drops.

Length Sets the length of the streaks of rain.

Width Sets the width of the streaks of rain.

Variance Controls how much the rain drops vary from one another.

Particle parameters

Body Determines the color of the rain and its weight on the image.

Opacity Set how much of the image you can see through the rain.

Bkgrd blur Controls how much the background image is blurred by the rain.

Random Resets all particle positions, size and other parameters.

Preview Click to minimize the dialog box and see how the effect will look on the actual image before applying it.

Add Adds the custom effect and settings to the EasyPalette.


Particle dialog box - Snow

 Preview window Displays a preview of the selection area with the particle attributes applied.

Effect Click a thumbnail to apply the effect to the image.

Effect control

Density Determines the number of snow flakes.

Size Sets the upper limit for snow flake size.

Variance Controls the range of variability in flake size.

Particle parameters

Body Determines the color of the snow flake and its weight on the image.

Opacity Set how much of the image you can see through the snow.

Random Resets all particle positions, size and other parameters.

Preview Click to minimize the dialog box and see how the effect will look on the actual image before applying it.

Add Adds the custom effect and settings to the EasyPalette.


Particle dialog box - Cloud

 Preview window Displays a preview of the selection area with the particle attributes applied.

Effect Click a thumbnail to apply the effect to the image.

Effect control

Density Determines the number of clouds.

Size Sets the upper limit the size of the individual clouds.

Variance Controls the range of variability in size.

Particle parameters

Opacity Controls the transparency of the clouds.

X scale Conrols horizontal smoothness. Lower values yield a more broken image.

Y scale Conrols vertical smoothness. Lower values yield a more broken image.

Frequency Sets the number of breaks or graininess. Higher values yield smaller but more numberous breaks, while lower values produce large smooth clouds.

Wireframe Displays each particle in wireframe mode on the Preview Window. This is useful for distinguishing individual clouds.

Select All Selects all particles on the Preview Window. You can then adjust parameters for all clouds simultaneously. You can also adjust individual clouds.

Order Adjust the layer position of each particle by clicking  [image]  [image]  [image]  [image] .This works the same way as the Order command on the Attribute Toolbar of the Pick Tool.

Random Resets all particle positions, size and other parameters.

Preview Click to minimize the dialog box and see how the effect will look on the actual image before applying it.

Add Adds the custom effect and settings to the EasyPalette.


Particle dialog box - Smoke

 Preview window Displays a preview of the selection area with the particle attributes applied.

Effect Click a thumbnail to apply the effect to the image.

Effect control

Density Determines the amount of smoke.

Size Sets the upper limit the size of the smoke.

Variance Controls the range of variability in size.

Particle parameters

Opacity Controls the transparency of the smoke.

X scale Conrols horizontal smoothness. Lower values yield a more broken image.

Y scale Conrols vertical smoothness. Lower values yield a more broken image.

Frequency Sets the number of breaks or graininess. Higher values yield smaller but more numberous breaks, while low values produce large smooth smoke clouds.

Wireframe Displays each particle in wireframe mode on the Preview Window. This is useful if you want to distinguish individual sections of smoke.

Select All Selects all particles on the Preview Window. You can then adjust parameters for all particles simultaneously.

Order Adjust the layer position of each particle by clicking  [image]  [image]  [image]  [image] .This works the same way as the Order command on the Attribute Toolbar of the Pick Tool.

Random Resets all particle positions, size and other parameters.

Preview Click to minimize the dialog box and see how the effect will look on the actual image before applying it.

Add Adds the custom effect and settings to the EasyPalette.


Particle dialog box - Fire

 Preview window Displays a preview of the selection area with the particle attributes applied.

Effect Click a thumbnail to apply the effect to the image.

Effect control

Density Determines the amount of fire.

Size Sets the upper limit for the size of individual fires.

Variance Controls the range of variability in size.

Particle parameters

Opacity Sets the opacity or transparency. 100 is completely opaque.

X scale Conrols horizontal smoothness. Lower values yield a more broken image.

Y scale Conrols verticle smoothness. Lower values yield a more broken image.

Frequency Sets the number of breaks or graininess. Higher values yield smaller but more numberous breaks, while lower values produce large smooth fires.

Wireframe Displays each particle in wireframe mode on the Preview Window. This is useful in distinguishing individual fires within the image.

Select All Selects all particles on the Preview Window. You can then adjust parameters for all particles simultaneously. When uselected, individual particles can be modified.

Order Adjust the layer position of each particle by clicking  [image]  [image]  [image]  [image] .This works the same way as the Order command on the Attribute Toolbar of the Pick Tool.

Random Resets all particle positions, size and other parameters.

Preview Click to minimize the dialog box and see how the effect will look on the actual image before applying it.

Add Adds the custom effect and settings to the EasyPalette.


Particle dialog box - Star

 Preview window Displays a preview of the selection area with the particle attributes applied.

Effect Click a thumbnail to apply the effect to the image.

Effect control

Density Determines the number of stars.

Size Sets the upper limit for star size.

Variance Controls the range of variability in size and direction.

Star spikes Adjusts the numbers of spikes (diffraction rays) which eminate from the star.

Particle parameters

Sun size Adjusts the size and color of the central sun.

Halo size Adjusts the size and color of the outer halo.

Star size Adjusts the size and color of the rays.

Star ratio Adjusts the relative size of the rays to each other.

Direction Adjusts the direction of the rays.

Opacity Adjust the opacity or transparency of the entire star. This can be used to control the brightness of the star.

Wireframe Displays each particle in wireframe mode on the Preview Window. This is useful if you want to view all particles’ positions without waiting for rendering.

Select All Selects all particles on the Preview Window. You can then adjust parameters for all particles simultaneously.

Order Adjust the layer position of each particle by clicking  [image]  [image]  [image]  or  [image]. This works the same way as the Order command on the Attribute Toolbar of the Pick Tool.

Random Resets all particle positions, size and other parameters.

Preview Click to minimize the dialog box and see how the effect will look on the actual image before applying it.

Add Adds the custom effect and settings to the EasyPalette.


Artist Texture dialog box

Creates custom textures on different gradients. Create morphing animations using the Storyboard feature.

Palette ramp

Ring palette window Displays the ring palette containing the set and order of colors used in the current magic gradient effect. (The order of the colors start from the left middle part of the ring which is at 0 degrees and makes a 360 degree turn.)

Edit Click to create your own ring palette.

Reflect control button Reverses the order of the second set of ring palette colors (per two groups) applied in the magic gradient effect.

Hue shift control Adjusts the hue in the ring palette without changing the saturation and brightness. Click and drag the index in the color hue bar or enter the desired hue value.

Ring control Rotates the color ring changing the first color of the set. Enter the degree of turn.

Repeat number Define the number of times to repeat the ring palette in the pattern.

Pattern template Click a thumbnail to apply it to the selection.

Pattern samples Displays the resulting effect of adding the new Pattern template.

Preview Click to see how the changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

Add Adds the settings to the EasyPalette for later use.

Undo Undoes the last action.

Reset Returns the thumbnails in the Pattern samples display to their original state.

Advanced / Normal Toggles between Advanced and Normal display mode.

Delete Deletes the selected thumbnail from the Storyboard.

Delete All Deletes all thumbnails from the Storyboard and resets the thumbnails in the Pattern Samples to their original state.

Insert Inserts a selected thumbnail in the Pattern Samples into the Storyboard.

Deselect Clears the current selection on the Storyboard. The Pattern Samples display the results of the latest script.

Storyboard Preserves the selected thumbnails as an animation script.

Animation Creates an animation in GIF Animator or saves separate bitmap files from the textures in the Storyboard.

  Sample effects


The Storyboard must contain at least 2 thumbnails to enable Animation.


Example 1	Example 2	Example 3


Warp dialog box
Creative Warp dialog box

Distorts an image by mirroring and segmenting it. Create unique backgrounds with this dialog box, or build a series of thumbnails in the Storyboard and create a morphing animation in Ulead GIF Animator.

Original preview Displays a thumbnail of the original image or selection.

Preview window Displays a thumbnail preview with the selected effect applied.

Pattern templates Displays thumbnails of effects to apply to the image or selection.

Storyboard Preserves the selected thumbnails as an animation script. Drag and drop or double-click thumbnails from the Preview window to add to the Storyboard.

Preview Click to see how the changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

Add Adds the settings of the selected Pattern template to the EasyPalette for later use.

Undo Undoes the last action.

Reset Returns the thumbnails in the Pattern samples display to their original state.

Advanced / Normal Toggles between Advanced and Normal display mode.

Delete Deletes the selected thumbnail from the Storyboard.

Delete All Deletes all thumbnails from the Storyboard and resets the thumbnails in the Preview window to their original state.

Insert Inserts the thumbnail displayed in the Preview window into the Storyboard.

Deselect Clears the current selection on the Storyboard. The Preview window displays the results of the latest script.

Animation Creates a morphing animation in Ulead GIF Animator or saves separate bitmap files from the textures in the Storyboard.

  Sample effects


Original	Example 1	Example 2


Painting dialog box

Applies a painting style and pattern to the image. You can also select to add a colored tint with the painting style.

Preview window Displays a preview of the image with the selected painting effect and its attributes applied.

Paint templates Displays predefined painting effects to apply. Click to preview the effect on your image.

Default Displays the default image as a thumbnail in the Paint templates window.

Try Displays your image as a thumbnail in the Paint templates window.

Fine control

Fineness Adjusts the size of brush strokes.

Opacity Adjusts the transparency of the painting effect.

Density Adjusts the amount of brush strokes.

Angle Rotates the stroke angle of the selected brush.

Variation A higher value increases the irregularity between paint strokes.

Stroke color Selects a new foreground or paint color.

Background Selects a new background color.

Overlay by color key Selects a color from the Paint template that will be transparent. This function is not available with all pattern templates; select Paint template number 48 to try this function out. Click the Color preview to select the transparent color.

Tiling Produces a seamlessly tiling cell. Use the result for designing a background.

Non-clipped Discards the strokes that exceed the source image boundary.

Apply Applies the selected attributes to the thumbnail preview.

Pattern Displays patterns you can apply to the painting style.

Load Imports a previously saved bitmap image. The pattern will be added to the Pattern window. Right-click on a loaded pattern to display a list of all previously loaded patterns. The maximum number of patterns saved in the list is 7.

Preview Click to minimize the dialog box and see how the effect will look on the actual image before applying it.

Add Adds the custom effect and settings to the EasyPalette.


The best size for a pattern is less than 300 x 300 pixels.


Palette Ramp Editor dialog box

Contains pre-defined ring palettes and allows you to edit or design ring palettes.

Palette ramp Displays the currently selected ring palette and its order control points.

Hue shift control Adjusts the hue in the ring palette without changing the saturation and brightness. Click and drag the index in the color hue bar or enter the desired hue value.

Ring Rotates the color ring affecting the start and the end color. Enter the degree of turn.

Add Inserts a newly defined ring palette to the library.

Palette library Contains the pre-defined ring palettes. Click to select a ring palette to display in the ring palette window.

Pattern samples Displays the selected palette on the pattern samples. (Not displayed in all dialog boxes.)


Allows you to reorder, change, add or delete colors from the selected ring palette.

To edit the ring’s color order, click and drag the control point of the color around the ring to the desired position.

To change/delete a color on the ring, right-click on the control point and select Change color or Delete.

To add a color to the ring, click on the area of the ring you wish to add a color to. This opens the Windows color picker. Select a color and click OK to add it to the ring.


This command is only available if the image is in True Color mode.


Frame

Adds a frame to the image. Choose from frame styles such as Paper tear, Neon, Fire, Glass and Sobel.


Charcoal dialog box

Displays an image with a charcoal-drawn look.

Balance Set a higher balance to add more charcoal to the image.

Stroke length Set a long stroke length for longer charcoal lines

Level Controls the opacity of the charcoal. Select a high level to produce a stronger effect.

Preview Click to see how the changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

Thumbnail Choose a portion of the active image to show in the dialog box preview window.

Add Adds the settings to the EasyPalette.


Colored Pen dialog box

Softens an image to simulate the appearance of colored pens.

Level Controls the opacity of the effect. Select a high level to produce a stronger effect.

Preview Click to see how the changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

Thumbnail Choose a portion of the active image to show in the dialog box preview window.

Add Adds the settings to the EasyPalette.


Oil Paint dialog box

Enriches the colors in an image to simulate the appearance of an oil painting.

Stroke detail Set a higher stroke detail to increase the size of the brush strokes.

Level Controls the opacity of the effect. Select a high level to produce a stronger effect.

Preview Click to see how the changes will affect the actual image before applying them.

Thumbnail Choose a portion of the active image to show in the dialog box preview window.

Add Adds the settings to the EasyPalette.


Ulead Color Picker dialog box
  Color	  Grayscale

Choose colors visually from a color palette. If the current image is an indexed-color image, the color picker dialog box is the same as the Color Table dialog box except you cannot load or save a palette.

First color tab Shows a color spectrum with a slider for adjusting hue. Click anywhere in the color field to define a custom color. The color slider at right then displays the range of color levels available for the selected component. Drag the slider or enter a value in the Hue field at the bottom to adjust its hue.

Second color tab Shows a color matrix with a slider for adjusting brightness. Click anywhere in the matrix to select a custom color. The color slider at right then displays the range of color levels available for the selected component. Drag the slider or enter a value in the Brightness field at the bottom to adjust its brightness.

Other color tabs Shows 88 color blocks, each containing related colors. Click on the color block you want and then fine tune it manually by changing the RGB values.

Red value Enter a new value for the red channel here.

Green value Enter a new value for the green channel here.

Blue value Enter a new value for the blue channel here.

Hue value Enter a new value for the hue model here.

Saturation value Enter a new value for the saturation model here.

Brightness value Enter a new value for the brightness model here.

Hex Displays the Hex value of the currently selected color. This is beneficial as you can use the Hex value in other applications.

New / Current block The right side shows the original color under the mouse pointer. The left side shows the color defined by the red, green, and blue value boxes.


Plug-ins

Displays a list of Adobe Photoshop plug-ins installed.


PhotoImpact Plug-ins

PhotoImpact includes plug-in effects for enhancing your images, plus the Ulead Color Picker, which offers better control for choosing colors to use. Access the Ulead Color Picker by right-clicking on a color box in dialog boxes, or on the Attribute Toolbar of certain tools.

The plug-in effects in PhotoImpact include:

Charcoal Displays an image with a charcoal-drawn look.

Colored Pen Softens an image to simulate the look of colored pens.

Oil Paint Enriches the colors in an image to simulate the appearance of an oil painting.

Magic Gradient Fills an image with specially designed gradients.

Kaleidoscope Generates a pattern based on the placement of a reflection in the image.

Turnpage Curls up a corner of an image, like you’re turning a page.

Light Creates a focused or diffused beam on an image.

Artist Texture Creates a custom texture based on a gradient by combining various textures.

Creative Warp Distorts an image by mirroring and segmenting it.

Painting Applies painting effects such as Watercolor, Oil Paint and Crayon to an image. You can also apply textures and add a colored tint to the image and create seamlessly tiling backgrounds.

Particle Applies natural effects such as bubbles, firefly, rain, snow, clouds, smoke, fire and stars.

Remove Red Eye Removes red from a selected area of the image. While this effect is primarily used to remove the “red eye” effect created by camera flashes, you can also use it to decrease the level of red in any other part of the image.

Transform Applies brush effects such as Smudge, Pinch, Punch, Sphere, Ripple, Stone, Mirror, Whirlpool, Diffuse and global effects such as Horizontal and Vertical squeeze.

Type Effect Applies predefined effects such as Gradient, Hole, Glass, Metal, Emboss, Concrete, Sand, Lighting, Fire, Snow, Neon and Seal. These effects can be applied only when there is a selection or object.

Other plug-ins If you add any compatible third-party plug-ins (such as Kai’s Power Tools), they will also appear in the All submenu and at the bottom of the Effect menu.


Remove Red Eye dialog box

Removes red from a selected area of the image. While this effect is primarily used to remove the “red eye” effect created by camera flashes, you can also use it to decrease the level of red in any other part of the image.

Select area for filtering Select to remove red from a portion of the image. If this option is cleared, PhotoImpact creates a circular mask within the boundaries of the image and adjusts all red pixels within that mask.

Select to remove red from one  [image]  or two eyes  [image]  . Click and drag the circles that appear on the sample image to adjust the position.

Eye size Set a higher value for a larger eye size

Red tolerance Select a higher value to adjust a wider range of red will be affected.

Effect level A higher value adjusts a wider range effect level to set the level of adjustment to the red pixels

Original eye color Click to select the color you want to change.

Ideal eye color Click to select the color that you want to replace the original color with.

Preview Click to see how the changes will affect the actual image before applying them.


In some effects, you can select one or more particles that you can move to another location and adjust the attributes. You can do this by moving your mouse over the Preview window. When the pointer changes to a 4-headed arrow, you can select the particles that you want to move or adjust their attributes. Notes to remember:

Ctrl or Shift key Click with your mouse if you want to select more than one particle.

Select All Select this option to move or adjust the attributes of all the particles on the Preview window.

To deselect Press Ctrl and click on a selected particle to deselect it, or click on the background image.

Adjusting attributes All changes are applied to selected particles.


Particle dialog boxes

Click a particle system to learn more about the contents of its dialog box.

  Bubbles	  Rain

  Cloud	  Smoke

  Fire	  Snow

  Firefly	  Star


Type dialog boxes

Click a type effect to learn more about the contents of its dialog box.

  Concrete	  Hole

  Emboss	  Lighting

  Emboss (Outline)	  Metal

  Emboss (Texture)	  Neon

  Fire	  Sand

  Glass	  Seal

  Gradient	  Snow


This help file contains topics about selected dialog boxes in your PhotoImpact package. You can access these topics through those dialog boxes or by navigating through a main help file associated with one of the PhotoImpact programs.


Button Designer (Rectangular) dialog box

Create 3D buttons quickly with the Button Designer.

Style Click a style that most closely illustrates the type of button you wish to create.

Direction Select Outward to expand the size of the image to create the button. Select Inward to constrain the size of the button to the current image or selection dimensions.

Options Determines the size, color, and other attributes for the button border.

Mirror Synchronizes all the top and left edges, and the right and bottom edges as you adjust the bevel width.

Mirror All Synchronizes all four edges as you adjust the bevel width.

Width Set the width of the selected edge.

Transparency Set how much of the base image should show through the button border.

Colors / Controls Depending on the type of button, choose the colors to use for button borders or adjust other color attributes.

Preview window Shows an example of how your button will look. If the image is larger than the preview window, PhotoImpact automatically resizes it to fit. Otherwise the image appears at its actual size.

Quick samples Choose from preset button settings to create a button with a single click. You can always fine tune the settings if you wish.

Add Adds the custom button and settings to the EasyPalette.

  Creating buttons: Rectangular

  Creating buttons: Irregularly shaped


Any Shape Button Designer dialog box - Basic
Any Shape Button Designer dialog box
  Basic	  Light	  Warping
  Bevel	  Shadow

Thumbnail window Displays the selected object or selection area. Click and drag the control points to adjust the light direction.

Preview window Displays the button with the selected attributes applied.

Light angle Enter a value (in degrees) for the direction of light. You can also adjust the lighting by dragging the control point on the thumbnail window.

Light elevation Click and drag the red control point or enter a value to adjust the position of the light on the z axis. A value of 90 positions the light directly above the button.

Bevel size Adjusts the width of the bevel. A higher value will produce a wider bevel.

Bevel smoothness Adjusts the angle of the bevel in relation to the face of the button. A higher value will create a rounded bevel, and a lower value a chiseled bevel.

Pressed Inverts the Light angle to make the button look as if it has been pressed or selected.

Outer Adds the bevel to the outer edge of the selection area. The bevel uses the base image or background color.

Preview Select Apply on image and click Preview to see how the texture will look.

Add Adds the custom button and settings to the EasyPalette.

  Creating buttons: Rectangular

  Creating buttons: Irregularly shaped


Background Designer dialog box

Allows you to create unique patterns for backgrounds on web pages or other presentation materials.

Generate a new tile Creates a new image containing one tile of the new texture. You can then save this image for your background. Always select this when designing a texture for a web page.

Apply to Image Applies the texture to the currently active image.

Cell Size Determine how big the base tile for the pattern tile will be.

Preview Window Shows a thumbnail view of the pattern you are creating.

Schema Choose a type of texture to apply to your image.

Preset gallery Displays preset groups of patterns for each Schema selected.

Background type Choose a pattern to set the tone for how the texture is created.

Palette ramp Displays the range of colors to include in the pattern.

Edit Palette Click to change or remove colors from the palette ramp. You can also chose from a series of other predefined ramps.

Frequency Adjusts the sharpness of the pattern edges.

Density Determine the number of tiles to use to create a complete tile.

Amplitude Adjusts the level of contrast between light and dark areas.

Darken or Lighten A positive value lightens the pattern, a negative value darkens it. Select zero to retain the original brightness.

Preview Select Apply on image and click Preview to see how the texture will look.

Add Adds the custom settings to the EasyPalette.


Trace dialog box ;
Trace dialog box

Creates a vector based object from the selection or object. When this dialog box closes, the Path tool  [image]  becomes the active tool and the current object has a four-point bounding box.

Show path only Select to show only the vector path in the right hand preview window.

Tolerance Set a low value to trace the selection most accurately.

Jump Point Set a low value to create smoother curves. Set a higher value to save time but obtain curves composed of straighter line segments.

Threshold Set the luminance value for deciding which pixels to include in the trace. All pixels with values below this setting are included.


Background Designer

Allows you to create unique textured backgrounds ideally suited for use as backgrounds for web pages.

  Background Designer dialog box


Button Designer

Select from the submenu to quickly create regular or irregular 3-dimensional buttons. You may use any True Color or grayscale image or selection as a source for the button's face.

  Creating buttons: Rectangular

  Creating buttons: Irregularly shaped

  Button Designer (Rectangle) dialog box

  Button Designer (Any Shape) dialog box


Grid and Partition
Grid & Partition

Segments your image into a grid of objects. This is useful if you are creating a navigation image for your web site and want to split the main image up into smaller navigation images. This command can only be used on True Color images.


Grid and Partition dialog box
Grid & Partition dialog box

Creates several objects from an image. This is useful if you are using a large image as a navigational device on your web page and want to create several smaller images for each navigation image. This command can only be used on True Color images.

Row / Column Select the number of rows and columns to create a grid from.

Grid line Enter the width of the grid line separating each cell.

Color Select the border and grid line color.

Draw border line Draws a border around the perimeter of the image in the selected color.

Convert cells to objects Converts the cells in the grid to objects. The objects are initially locked in position. Click Object: Properties (Position and Size tab) and clear Lock.


Image Slicer

Divides a large image into several small ones, making it easier to see a preview of the graphic as it downloads. Image Slicer outputs the HTML table code which you can send directly to your Web site.

  Image Slicer dialog box

  Slicing an image


Slicing an image

1.	Click Web: Image Slicer.

2.	Slice your image into the desired number of portions.

To slice it evenly, click [image] and enter the number of rows and columns that you want your image to be cut into.

To delete an entire line, click [image] and click a specific line that you want to remove. However, if you want to remove only a particular segment or the line in a specific cell, hold the Ctrl key down while clicking.

To add a line(s), click [image] and drag your mouse on your workspace to draw additional line(s).

To clear all lines, click [image].

3.	Enter the URL address of the site where you want your sliced image to appear.

4.	Enter the target and Alt text for your image.

5.	Choose a file format to save your image as. (Also see "file formats"). Click the Optimizer Options [image] to save your image in Image Optimizer. This further reduces the file size, thereby diminishing download time on the Web.

6.	Click Save As to save your image as well as the slicing information in HTML format. PhotoImpact also saves all the image cells as individual files depending on the image file format you specify.


Image Slicer dialog box

Status information Displays the active cell information and current mouse position relative to the upper left corner of the workspace.

Line color Opens the Ulead Color Picker to let you select a color for your lines.

Working area Shows the source image as your background. This is where you can specify how your image will be sliced.

Tool options Use these tools to define sliced cells in the working area.

Cell properties for current selection Defines the properties of the currently selected cell.

URL Type the location for the Web page where you want your sliced image to appear.

Target Specifies the target frame for the URL to be opened.

Alt text Type the alternate text that appears if the image doesn't load or if you have all images disabled in your Web browser.

Optimizer Specify settings for Image Optimizer to optimize your sliced images. Select an image file format to save your image to as well as its corresponding preset settings to use. Click the Optimizer Options button to launch the Image Optimizer module.

Cells Displays all the sliced cells.


Tool Options

Use these tools to define sliced cells on your workspace. Click below to learn more about each item.

Viewing Options	Cell Attributes

Slice Mode	Import / Export Table Data

 Erase all sliced lines Clears the workspace by removing all rows and columns, thus allowing you to create new slices.

 Quick preview of compressed data Allows you to see a preview of your image after compression before putting it up on your Web site.


Viewing Options

Allows you to change the magnification for the image on your working area.

Zoom in Increases the magnification on your image.

Zoom out Reduces the magnification on your image.

Show actual size Resizes the image to 1x (100 %) magnification.

Fit in window Resizes the current image to the largest magnification that will completely fit in a window.

Center in window Places the center of the current image in the middle of the working area. If Fit in window is previously selected, clicking Center in window does not change the view.


Slice Mode

Pick mode Makes the entire line active, allowing you to move it around the workspace. Clicking a line while holding the Ctrl key down only selects a particular segment of a cell.

Add sliced line mode Allows you to "draw" a new portion(s) by dragging your mouse on the workspace.

Erase sliced line mode Deletes an entire line(s) across your image. But clicking a line while holding the Ctrl key down only removes a particular segment of a cell.

Slice evenly Allows you to divide your image in even proportion.


Cell Attributes

Allows you to copy the attributes or properties of a cell to another or to all.

Copy cell attributes Copies the attributes or properties of a selected cell to the clipboard.

Paste cell attributes Places the contents of the clipboard to the currently selected cell.

Paste cell attributes to all Places the contents of the clipboard to all cells.

Copy HTML sliced table codes to clipboard Copies the HTML table code of your sliced image to the clipboard, allowing you to edit them manually or use them in other HTML files.


Import / Export Table Data

Import table data Opens the Import Sliced Table File dialog box for acquiring a previously saved table data in the *.USS format and using it in your current image.

Export table data Opens the Export Sliced Table File dialog box for saving the table data of your current image to a folder you specify.


Image Map Assistant

Allows you to create hyperlink "hotspots" on your images. Simply select an area or areas of your image, then type in the URL of the link. The Image Map outputs the HTML code that you can send directly to your Web site.

  Image Map Assistant dialog box

  Defining image map tags


Image Map Assistant dialog box

Before creating an image map for your Web page, make sure that there is at least one active selection or object.

Working area Displays the entire active image with your marked selection area. Click a selection to change its image map settings.

Viewing options Allows you to change the magnification for the image on your working area.

Copy/Paste options
Copies and places URL, target and Alt string to the clipboard.

Copy HTML  [image]  Copies the HTML codes to the clipboard.

Object name Lists the names given to selected areas and objects. Select each name one at a time to specify mapping properties. (Object names can be changed in the Object Properties dialog box.)

Object properties for current selection Displays the properties of the currently selected object. (The URL and auto-detect type can also be set in the Object Properties dialog box.)

URL Type the location for the Web page that you want to link to the map tag.

Target Specifies the target frame for the URL to be opened.

Alt text Type the alternate text that appears if the image doesn't load or if you have all images disabled in your Web browser.

Type
Specify the type of shape you will create in the image map and its coordinates. Choose from Auto-detect, Rectangle, Circle, and Polygon.

HTML codes Displays and allows you to edit the <AREA> tag codes for current selection.

Optimizer Select a file format to save the final image as and its options. Click the Image Optimizer button to open the Image Optimizer dialog box for optimizing your image in order to reduce file size and minimize loading time.

Export Click to save the image map as an HTML or image file.

Browser Preview Click to see a preview of the final image in your Web browser before actually putting it up on the Web.

  Defining image map tags


Java Rollover Assistant

Allows you to design Java rollover buttons for your Web page. All you need is a series of objects or images to create a button, which Java Rollover Assistant automatically exports in HTML format.

  Java Rollover Assistant dialog box

  Enabling Java Rollover Assistant


Java Rollover Assistant dialog box

Default Select an object from the list to make it the default image on your button.

Mouse Over Select an object to make it appear when you move your mouse over the button.

Mouse Down Select an object to make it appear when you click the button.

X and Y Offset X-offset defines the number of pixels away from the original object that the default button lies on the horizontal plane, while Y-offset defines how it lies on the vertical plane.

URL Type the location for the Web page where you want your Java Rollover button to be linked to.

Target Specifies the target frame for the URL to be opened.

Alt text Type the alternate text that appears if the image doesn't load or if you have all images disabled in your Web browser.

Preview Allows you to see a preview of your button before you actually put it up on the Web.

Background Displays the current color for your background. Click to open the Ulead Color Picker for changing the color.

Optimizer Select to specify which file format you want to save your image as. This prompts Image Optimizer to save your images with the highest possible quality at the lowest possible file size.

Click the Image Optimizer button to open its dialog box for configuring the settings for the selected file format.

Export Saves all your button images along with an HTML file to a folder using the specified settings.

Browser Preview Allows you to see how your button appears on the Web by opening your default browser.


Enabling Java Rollover Assistant

Before creating a Java Rollover button, make sure you have at least three objects for your changing buttons.

To enable Java Rollover Assistant:

1.	Click Web: Java Rollover Assistant.

2.	Select an object or image for your default button, your mouse over, and for your mouse down buttons.

3.	Enter a value on the X and Y Offset box. X-offset defines the number of pixels away from the original object that the default button lies on the horizontal plane, while Y-offset defines how it lies on the vertical plane.

4.	Specify a location for the Web page where you want your button to appear, as well as the target frame and the alternate text that appears if the image doesn't load or if you have all images disabled in your Web browser.

5.	Select a color for your preview background. The color should be the background color of your Web page so you'll know how your button actually looks on your site.

6.	Choose a file format to save your image as. Then click Options. This opens the Image Optimizer dialog box for optimizing your image based on the settings you specify. Image Optimizer then saves your images with the highest possible quality at the lowest possible file size.

7.	Click Browser Preview to see how your button actually looks on your Web site by opening your default browser.

8.	If you're satisfied with the way your button looks on the page, click Export. This saves all your finished button images and an HTML file to a folder based on the specified settings.


Image To Optimize dialog box

Select whether to save the base image along with all the objects merged together or just the base image or the currently selected objects before opening the Image Optimizer dialog box.


Preferences dialog box - Painting Tools
Preferences dialog box
  PhotoImpact	  System
  Plug-Ins	  Associate
  Guidelines & Grid	  Save
  Painting tools	  Display

Choose the type of cursor to use with different tools in the Tool Panel.

Painting cursor Provides cursor selections for the retouch, paint and clone tools.

Normal Shows a different cursor for each tool.

Crosshair Always shows a crosshair as the cursor.

Precise shape Shows the brush shape (as selected in the Attribute Toolbar or Brush Panel) as the cursor.

Other cursor Provides cursor selections for other tools in the Tool Panel.

Normal Shows a different cursor for each tool.

Crosshair Always shows a crosshair as the cursor.

Tablet Changes the pen characteristics of your tablet.

Stroke smoothness Choose Best for smoother painting.

Pressure fineness Choose Best for a finer look.

  Setting PhotoImpact defaults

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Calculation dialog box

Opens a new image as a result of merging different image files of the same size.

Foreground Choose from the drop-down list an image that you want to merge with another image. This becomes the floating layer while the other acts as the base image.

Mask Select to apply a grayscale mask to your foreground image.

Background Choose from the drop-down list an image that you want to merge with your foreground image.

Thumbnail preview Displays images that you want to merge together. The preview area at the far right shows the result of the combination as it updates accordingly.

Channel Choose which color channel of the image you want to use to merge with that of the other image. Choosing Master affects all channels simultaneously. Choosing a specific color channel uses only the selected channel in blending with the other file.

Operation Determines which color characteristics of the image you want to apply to the base image or how PhotoImpact blends colors with the underlying image.


You can either merge two different images of the same size or merge two similar images using different color channels. You can also enhance the effect by enabling mask.


Shadow

Opens the Shadow dialog box for adding shadow to your object. PhotoImpact automatically groups your object and its shadow together but if you want to separate the shadow from your object, click Object: Split Shadow.

  Shadow dialog box

  Creating objects

  Creating frames and shadows

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Acquire Image dialog box - Slicing
Acquire Image dialog box
  Slicing	  Calibration
  Destination	  Post-processing

Enable slicing Select to enable the program's slicing option. This is particularly useful when you have multiple images scanned.

Background color of scanner Select Black or White if the inside cover of your scanner lid is black or white. Select Auto-detect to let PhotoImpact identify its color. It's best to choose a specific color (either black or white).

Number of images Gives you the option of scanning the entire image or just the sliced images. You may also specify the number of slices you want.

Include complete image Select to scan both the entire image and the sliced images. If left cleared, only sliced images will be scanned.

Tolerance Enter a value to determine the quality of your scanned image. The lower the value, the higher the quality will be.


Lighting dialog box - Lens flare Advanced
  Basic	  Advanced

The Lens Flare Effect adds a glowing flare to an image. This effect looks very much like the flare you see from the sun when you try to stare at it. Click the Advanced tab to customize more settings for the effect. Use the Key Frame Control to produce animated effects.

Preview Window Shows a preview of the image or selection area with the effect attributes applied.

Effect Click a thumbnail to apply a lighting effect to the image.

Circular Select to ensure that flares always appear in a circular shape. Leave it cleared if you want to change the shape of the flares.

Shutter Alters the shape of the flares.

Star spikes Sets the number of rays emanating from the glowing light. A high number adds more light rays.

Variance Adds length variety to the light rays. A high number produces different lengths, while a low number gives more consistent lengths.

Extra strength Adjusts the intensity of the effect. A high number stretches the reaching point of the effect.

Key frame control Allows you to create an animation clip. The various controls here allow you to change the effect's behaviour at each and every frame of the clip.

Ambient Light Color Click the color box to change the color tone of your image.

Ambient Light Strength By default, your image is made to look dimmer in order for the effect to "stand out". Enter a higher number or move the slider to make the image look brighter.

Elements Lists the effects to be applied to your image. Click the + button to add an effect to the list and click - to remove an effect. Click the up and down arrow buttons to scroll through this effect list.

Preview Click to see a larger preview of the effect on the image.

Add Click to add your effect settings to the EasyPalette.

Save Click to save the image with the effect as animation gif or sequence bmp files.

  Creating animated lighting effects

  Using key frames


Lighting dialog box - Flashlight

The Flashlight Effect makes the image looks as if a flashlight is directed on it. The Basic tab settings change the overall look of the effect. Use the Key Frame Control to produce animated effects.

Preview Window Shows a preview of the image or selection area with the effect attributes applied.

Effect Click a thumbnail to apply a lighting effect to the image.

Brightness Adjusts the brightness of the flashlight.

Softness Adjusts the lighting mood. A high value gives a softer light.

Spread angle Sets the angle by which the light source spreads out.

Distance Sets the distance of the light source from the projected object.

Elevation Adjusts the range of illumination while changing the angle of the light source.

Skew angle Changes the direction where the light source comes from.

Center color This is the central light color. Click the color box to change this color.

Outer Color This is the color that surrounds the light. Click the color box to change this color.

Reset Click to place the effect back in its default position. Changed settings will not be affected.

Key frame control Allows you to create an animation clip. The various controls here allow you to change the effect's behaviour at each and every frame of the clip.

Ambient Light Color Click the color box to change the color tone of your image.

Ambient Light Strength By default, your image is made to look dimmer in order for the effect to "stand out". Enter a higher number or move the slider to make the image look brighter.

Elements Lists the effects to be applied to your image. Click the + button to add an effect to the list and click - to remove an effect. Click the up and down arrow buttons to scroll through this effect list.

Preview Click to see a larger preview of the effect on the image.

Add Click to add your effect settings to the EasyPalette.

Save Click to save the image with the effect as animation gif or sequence bmp files.

  Creating animated lighting effects

  Using key frames


Lighting dialog box - Laser Advanced
  Basic	  Advanced

This effect adds a laser beam to the image. Click the Advanced tab to customize more settings for the effect. Use the Key Frame Control to produce animated effects.

Preview Window Shows a preview of the image or selection area with the effect attributes applied.

Effect Click a thumbnail to apply a lighting effect to the image.

Fade out Adjusts the source of the linear laser beam. A high value makes the laser's light source vanish. This option is only available if you are in the Linear mode (selected from the Basic tab).

Zoom in Magnifies or reduces the size of the spiral laser beam. A high value makes it look larger.

Frequency Sets the number of winds in the spiral laser beam.

Amplitude Sets how far the spiral beam spreads out. For the linear laser beam, this setting changes its thickness.

Head position Adjusts the position of the spiral laser beam tip and the glow of the linear laser beam.

Key frame control Allows you to create an animation clip. The various controls here allow you to change the effect's behaviour at each and every frame of the clip.

Ambient Light Color Click the color box to change the color tone of your image.

Ambient Light Strength By default, your image is made to look dimmer in order for the effect to "stand out". Enter a higher number or move the slider to make the image look brighter.

Elements Lists the effects to be applied to your image. Click the + button to add an effect to the list and click - to remove an effect. Click the up and down arrow buttons to scroll through this effect list.

Preview Click to see a larger preview of the effect on the image.

Add Click to add your effect settings to the EasyPalette.

Save Click to save the image with the effect as animation gif or sequence bmp files.

  Creating animated lighting effects

  Using key frames


Ulead On The Web

Launches your default Web browser and loads Ulead's Web site.


PhotoImpact Homepage

Launches your default Web browser and loads the PhotoImpact page on the Ulead Web site.


Ulead Homepage

Launches your default Web browser and loads Ulead’s Homepage.


Ulead Technical Support
Technical Support

Launches your default Web browser and loads the Technical Support section of Ulead’s web site.


Preview

Shows how PhotoImpact will change the image if you accept the current filter settings. The Preview Options window appears at the lower right corner offering these options:

OK Accept the change and continue editing.

Cancel Don't apply this filter to the image and return to editing.

Undo / Redo Compare before and after affects on the image.

Continue Return to the filter dialog box to adjust the settings more.


Mode

New Creates a new selection area.

Add Adds to the current selection area (pressing A while selecting also adds to the selection area).

Subtract Subtract from the current selection area (pressing S while selecting also subtracts from the selection area).


Shape

Select a basic selection shape from the drop-down list.


Fixed size

Select fixed size and enter a size in pixels to constrain the selection area to the entered size.


Soft edge

Feathers the edges of the selection area. This effect is not noticeable until the selection area has been filled with a color gradient fill or texture. Selecting a soft edge also rounds the edges of a square or rectangular selection.


Snap to edges

Makes selecting tricky areas easier by selecting adjacent pixels of similar color to those you have selected with the Lasso Tool.

For example, select this option if you need to select a dark image from a light background.


Sensitivity

Enter the sensitivity level for the Snap to edges function. A value of 10 is the most sensitive, 1 is the least sensitive.


Select by

Line Selects colors in the image similar to those you drag the mouse over.

Area Selects colors similar to those created in a selection area with the Magic Wand.


Search connected pixels

Selects only pixels adjacent to the selection range.


Toggle selection mode

Toggles the path between a Selection area and a Path.


Shape

Select a predefined or custom shape from the drop-down list.


Shape

Select a predefined shape from the drop-down list.


Mode

Draw a new path Creates a new path.

Edit existing path Allows you to edit nodes and handles of an existing path.


Even-Odd fill

Select to alternate between filling closed shapes and leaving them empty in a path object with intersecting lines.

  Example


Even-Odd fill selected	Even-Odd fill cleared


Free edit

Select to change the angle of the two line segments meeting at the control point you want to modify. This is useful if you want to convert a curve to an angle. Clearing Free edit will retain the angle and preserve the smooth edges of the path.


Shape

Select the shape and size of the brush.


Mode

Add Adds to the mask. Select this if you want to paint over erased areas of the mask.

Subtract Removes areas of the mask, this is similar to using Eraser mode with a Paint Tool.


Mask color

Click to open the Ulead Color Picker and select a new mask color. The default color is red.


Soft edge

Adds a soft edge to the brush. The higher the value the more blended the edges.


Font & Size

Determines which font and what size to apply.


Style

Select style options such as Bold, Italic, Underline, and arrange text alignment. You can smooth jagged edges by selecting Anti-aliasing or move your text to a vertical position by selecting Vertical. Once you have added text to your image, you can also use this menu to add a shadow and subsequently separates a shadow from your text.

Galleries Opens a submenu of galleries where you can find an array of preset styles to apply to your text.

  Material Gallery

  Deform Gallery

  Wrap Gallery


Color

Select a color. You can choose to apply a solid color, Gradient, Magic Texture or Natural Texture fill.

  Gradient Fill dialog box

  Magic Texture dialog box

  Texture Library dialog box


Mode

Select a text or object mode from the drop-down list. To further adjust the attributes of the 2D or 3D modes, click Style (for Text Tool) or Options (for Path Tool) on the Attribute Toolbar.

Note: Depending on the selected tool, some of the options may not be available.

2D Object Text or object is flat and has no bevel.

  3D Round Applies a rounded 3D bevel to the text or object.

  3D Chisel Applies a chiseled 3D bevel to the text or object.

  3D Trim Applies a 3D bevel vertically on the text or object. This means that only horizontal edges will have a 3D effect.

  3D Pipe Creates a cylindrical outline bevel around the edges of the text or object.

  3D Custom Applies one of the preset custom bevels to the text or object.

Horizontal Deform Text or object is converted to a path object. When in this mode, you can distort your text or object by adjusting the handle on the horizontal plane.

Vertical Deform Text or object is converted to a path object. When in this mode, y ou can distort your text object by adjusting the handle on the vertical plane.

Selection Converts the text to a selection area. This is useful if you want to create a mask.

Continue Draw Allows you to draw multiple path objects without rendering. This is useful if you want to create a path within a path, such as doughnut. The paths are then automatically grouped together.


Border

Adjusts the width of the bevel edge. If you have selected 2D Object, Horizontal/Vertical Deformation or Selection mode, the Border option is not available.

Note: Set the maximum border width equal to the border width in the Material dialog box to reduce rendering time. When adjusting the border or depth, temporarily remove any reflection map to speed up rendering.


Depth

Adjusts the angle of the bevel. The lower the value, the flatter the bevel. Set a negative value to invert the bevel (use this method to make a button look pressed).


Light

Repositions the light currently selected in the Material dialog box on the text or object. Click Light and move your mouse around the image to set the light direction. Once you are happy with the position of the light, click on the image.

  Material dialog box - Light tab


Freely transform

  Freely resizes the image. The Status Bar displays the new width and height of the object. Press Shift to retain the original proportions of the object.

  Slants the horizontal or vertical edges of the image, while retaining parallel lines.

  Freely distorts the shape of an image.

  Adjusts the perspective of an image to make the image or object appear as if it has depth or distance.

  Redefines the horizontal plane. Once you have adjusted the plane, double click the handles to rotate the image.

  Redefines the vertical plane. Once you have adjusted the plane, double click the handles to rotate the image.

  Freely rotates the image. The angle of rotation is displayed on the Status Bar.

Accesses the virtual 3D trackball.    Use this tool to rotate the image along the X, Y or Z axes. Double-click inside the trackball to toggle between resize and 3D transform mode. Once you have used the 3D transform tool, you can only convert text to 2D Object, Horizontal/Vertical Deformation or Selection mode.

  Explanation of 3D trackball functions


What is the 3D virtual trackball?

The virtual trackball simulates the mechanics of a physical 3D trackball that can freely rotate about any arbitrary axis in 3 dimensional space. On screen, the user can imagine viewing an object encased in a glass sphere. Rotation is then a matter of rolling the sphere, and therefore the object, with the mouse cursor. Up, down, left and right movement at the center of the circle is equivalent to rolling the imaginary sphere at its apex and produces rotation about the X axis and Y axis respectively. Movement along (or completely outside) the edge of the circle is equivalent to rolling the sphere at the edge and produces rotation about the Z axis. The amount of rotation is adjusted so that a full sweep of the mouse across the circle rotates the object 180 degrees about the corresponding axis of the x-y plane; a full circle around the outside rotates the object 360 degrees about the z axis.


Rotate by degree

Rotates the image by a set value. Enter the rotation value and click  [image]  to rotate clockwise, or click  [image]  to rotate counterclockwise.


Quick Palette

Displays the palette of currently assigned brush colors. The color block with the border is the currently selected brush color, and its RGB and Hue, Saturation and Brightness values are displayed. Click a square to change its color, or click on the current image to add that color to the selection of brush colors.


Zoom level

Adjusts the current magnification on the image. Drag the slider to increase or decrease the magnification.


View

Actual View Increases or decreases the magnification on the image to display it at its actual size.

Fit in Window Resizes the window so it is exactly the right size to completely display the image at its current magnification. This option is only available if the entire image can fit in a window at its current magnification.


Fill color

Displays the current fill color. Click to select another color.


Similarity

Determines the range of colors to be included. For example, if you have selected the color similarity to 32, and click on a pixel with a value of 128, 0, 128 (dark magenta), all pixels with values in the range of 96, 0, 96 to 160, 32, 160 will be included. PhotoImpact discards values below 0 or above 255.


Transparency

Determines how much of the underlying image should show through the fill. A setting of zero makes the fill solid, while a setting of 99 is the same as making the fill completely clear.


Merge

Determines how PhotoImpact merges the paint color with the underlying colors. The options you have for merging colors depends on the data type of your image and the current tool or dialog box.


Anti-aliasing

Smoothes the edges so they do not look pixelated.


Fill method

Two-color Creates a gradient fill between two colors.

Multiple-color Creates a gradient fill between multiple colors. Click the Fill colors to adjust the palette ramp of the gradient.


Fill colors

Displays the colors to be used in the fill.

Single Color Click the color preview to select a new fill color.

Two Colors Click the color previews to select new start and end colors. Click  [image]  to switch the order of colors in the gradient.

Multiple Colors Click the color preview to select a new palette ramp.


Color ramp

Determines how the colors change in a gradient fill.

RGB Follows the colors found in a straight line connecting the start and end colors in the RGB cube.

HSB Clockwise Follows the colors found in a continuous arc going clockwise around the HSB cone from the start to end color.

HSB Counterclockwise Follows the colors found in a continuous arc going counterclockwise around the HSB cone from the end to start color.


Selection Tool Options

Compare by RGB Creates a selection area by comparing colors based on the RGB domain of the image. This option is only available with the Magic Wand Tool.

Compare by HSB Creates a selection area by comparing colors based on the HSB domain of the image. This option is only available with the Magic Wand Tool.

Draw from center Creates a selection area starting at the center and moving outwards. This option is only available with the Standard Selection Tool.

Preserve Base Image Leaves the base image unchanged when moving a selection. Clear to replace the space vacated by the selection with the current background color.

Anti-aliasing Smoothes out the edges of a moved object or selection.

Move Selection Marquee Moves the selection shape without any image data.


Material

Opens the Material dialog box, where you can select bevel, transparency, lighting, bump map, reflection map, and color options.

  Material dialog box


Paint / Clone Tool Options

Freehand Allows you to paint freely on the image.

Straight Line Paints in a series of lines. Press Shift to constrain lines to angles of 0, 45, 90, 135, 180, 225, 270 and 315 degrees.

Connected Lines Paints in a series of connected lines. Double click when you are finished to close the shape.

Object Clone Tool only:

Randomly Paints objects onto the image in a random order.

Sequentially Paints objects onto the image in the same order as layers.

Stamp Paints an object where you click.

Trail Paints a continuous sequence of objects over the image as you move your mouse.


Add

Saves your custom settings for the selected tool to the EasyPalette. To use these settings later, double-click on the thumbnail in the EasyPalette or click and drag it onto the current image.

  EasyPalette


Color

Displays the current foreground color. Click to select a new color.


Preset

Displays a list of the preset brushes and effects located in the EasyPalette. Click a preset brush or effect to apply it.


Tablet

Displays options for pressure-sensitive tablets. This is only available if you have a pressure-sensitive tablet installed. Further options for the Tablet can be set in the Advanced tab of the Brush Panel.

None The tablet responds as if you were using a mouse.

Size Less pressure on the tablet decreases brush size.

Transparency Less pressure on the tablet increases transparency.

Size/Transparency Combines both size and transparency options.


Transparency

Select the transparency for the paint. A higher value makes the paint more transparent, showing more of the base image.


Eraser

Toggles the Paint Tool to erase mode, removing paint previously applied to the image.


Level

Select the strength of the effect. A higher value produces a stronger effect.


Current palette

Displays all the colors available in the selected palette. Click a color to select it as the foreground color. Right-click a color to select it as the background color. If your image is a true color image, click  [image]  for a condensed palette.


Switch palette mode

Switches the palette from displaying the full color spectrum to color blocks that group similar colors for easy selection. This option is only available if you have a true color image.


Background color

Displays the current background color. Click to select a new color.


Foreground color

Displays the current foreground color. Click to select a new color.


Quick color controls

Adjusts the colors, brightness and contrast on the image in a similar way to adjusting the colors on your television.


Measurement unit

Changes the measurement unit set in the Preferences dialog box. Click to select a new measurement unit or click File: Preferences.


Data type

Displays the data type of the current image. Click to select a new data type.


Object order

Moves the object up one level.

Moves the object down one level.

Moves the object to the highest level.

Moves the object to the lowest level.


Transparency

Select the transparency for the selected object. A higher value makes the object more transparent, showing more of the base image.


Soft edge

Softens the edges of the object, blending them with the base image. A higher value makes the soft edge larger.


Edit Text

Opens the Text Entry dialog box, where you can change the contents of the text.

  Adding text


Edit

Existing path Adjust an existing path by moving nodes and or handles.

New path Create a new path.

Shape Select a preset shape from the list. Select Custom Shape and drag on the current image to a insert the custom path. Clear a selected shape to create an 8-noded rectangular bounding path around the path object.

Select custom shape Imports the path attributes of an *.AI file.

Shadow Adds a shadow to the object. This is not available if you are in Path or Selection mode.

Options If you have added a shadow, this option is available. It opens the Add Shadow dialog box where you can set shadow properties.

Anti-aliasing Select to smooth jagged edges of a moved path.

  Add Shadow dialog box


Maximum border width is disabled when you create a path using a predefined shape.


Options

Randomly Paints objects onto the image in a random order.

Sequentially Paints objects onto the image in the same order as layers.

Stamp Paints an object where you click.

Trail Paints a continuous sequence of objects over the image as you move your mouse.


Open

Opens a file to clone onto the current image from.


Adding third party plug-ins

1.	Install the plug-ins according to their documentation. Make sure you note the name and path for the folder where you install them.

2.	Click File: Preferences.

3.	Select Plug-Ins from the PhotoImpact category and enter the folder with your new plug-ins. Click Browse  [image]  to search for the folder.

4.	This procedure will modify your ULEAD32.INI file, which can be found in your default Windows folder.

  Example

  If you can't find ULEAD32.INI

  Preferences dialog box – Plug-ins tab

  General

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


If you can't find ULEAD32.INI in your Windows folder:

1.	From your Windows Explorer, click View: Options.

2.	From the Options dialog box, clear “Hide MS-DOS file extension for file types that are registered” to display the .INI extension.

3.	Click OK.


Cropping an image

To crop means to remove any excess areas of an image that you do not want to display or have no interest in retaining. PhotoImpact deletes all objects outside of the new image when cropping.

Manually

1.	Select the area on the base image you want to keep.

2.	Click Edit: Crop [Ctrl+R].

Automatically

Click Format: Auto Process - Crop. PhotoImpact finds unneeded white space around the image and removes it.

  General

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


When converting indexed-color images to JPEG, it is better to crop borders to avoid unnecessary emphasis on unimportant parts of the image because of how the JPEG compression scheme works.


Setting PhotoImpact defaults

1.	Click File: Preferences.

2.	Click the PhotoImpact category.

3.	Choose the settings you want for determining the behavior of PhotoImpact.

4.	Click OK.

  Arranging the workspace

  Adding third party plug-ins

  Placing the toolbars

  Preferences dialog box

  General

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Resizing images

Without changing data or file size

Click Format: Resolution and set a new resolution for the image. Higher resolution makes the image smaller when printed; lower makes it bigger.

Resizing with the mouse

1.	Select an object or create a selection.

2.	Select the Transform tool,  [image]  and click resize.

3.	Drag the control points to the desired size. (Press the Shift key to preserve the relationship between length and width.)

Scaling up or down

1.	Select an image or object.

2.	Click Format: Dimensions.

3.	In the new image group, enter the new size for the image. (Select Keep aspect ratio to preserve the relationship between length and width.)

4.	Choose whether to change the dimensions of the Base image, Selected object or both the Image & object(s). Then click OK.

  Converting images

  Transforming images

  Transforming

  Transform Tool

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Zooming in or out

Tool

1.	Select the Zoom tool  [image]  and click on the image where you want to zoom in or press the Shift key as you click to zoom out.

2.	Right-click to change the magnification to actual size (100%).

3.	For a quick zoom in on an area, drag the mouse over the area you want to see. PhotoImpact automatically changes to the highest magnification possible that will fit the area.

Menu

1.	Click View: Zoom In or Zoom Out. You may also  directly select the desired magnification from the list.

2.	[+] and [-] keys increase or reduce the magnification sequentially.

  Finding part of an image

  Zoom Tool

  General

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Copying
  Copying	  Duplicating

Copy a selected portion within the current image.

1.	Select the portion of the image you want to copy.

2.	Click Edit: Copy

3.	Open the program you want to copy the image to and follow its procedures for inserting data from the clipboard.

or

Press Ctrl as you drag and drop.

  Using the Clipboard

  Creating objects

  General

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Copying - Duplicating
Copying
  Copy	  Duplicating

Click Edit: Duplicate to copy and paste the entire image with or without objects into a new window.

Base Image With Objects Opens a new window with both the base image and all unmerged objects.

Base Image With Objects Merged Opens a new window with the base image and merged objects.

Base Image Only Opens a new window with only the base image.

  Using the Clipboard

  Creating objects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Placing the toolbars

Docked Drag a toolbar or panel to the top, bottom, left, or right edges of the workspace.

Floating Drag a toolbar or panel to where you want it on your desktop. Floating items may be placed outside the workspace.

  Arranging the workspace

  General

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Transforming images

All the tools for resizing, reshaping and rotating images are on the Attribute Toolbar. To use these tools:

1.	Select the object or a selection mask that you want to transform. (If there is no selection, the transformation will be applied to the base image.)

2.	Select the Transform Tool  [image]  on the Tool panel.

3	Select the tool you want to use. Depending on the tool, the effect may be immediate or you may need to perform additional actions to complete the task.

  Rotating

  Reshaping images

  Deforming images

  Transform Tool

  Transforming

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


  Instant rotating and flipping

  Straightening images

  Rotating with the mouse

  Rotating by degree


Instant rotating and flipping

Select the object you wish to flip or rotate and click Edit: Rotate & Flip. A submenu with these choices shows:

Rotate Left 90º

Rotate Right 90º

Rotate 180º

Flip Horizontally

Flip Vertically

Use Transform Tool

Choose the desired command.

  Straightening images

  Rotating with the mouse

  Rotating by degree

  Transform Tool

  Transforming

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


If nothing is selected, PhotoImpact rotates or flips the base image.

These commands are also available from the Rotate & Flip menu in the Attribute Toolbar of the Transform tool.


Straightening images

This is a particularly useful way to straighten an image that was improperly aligned when scanned.

1.	Select the image object or selection to rotate. If nothing is selected, PhotoImpact rotates the base image.

2.	Select the Transform tool.

3.	Select the Rotate Horizontal  [image]  or Rotate Vertical  [image]  tool.

4.	Drag the control points on the line that appears in the image so that the line identifies a section you want to be horizontal or vertical. (An easy way to do this is to drag the control points and place the line at the horizontal or vertical edge of the image or object.)

5.	Double-click on either control point to accept the setting.

  Instant rotating and flipping

  Rotating with the mouse

  Rotating by degree

  Transform Tool

  Transforming

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Rotating with the mouse

1.	Select the image object or selection to rotate.

2.	Select the Transform tool.

3.	Select the Rotate Freely tool.

4.	Drag the control points to the desired rotation.

5.	You may move the rotation center marked with a  [image]  by mouse to rotate the object around the center.

6.	Click  [image]  to move the rotation center back to the center of the object.

  Instant rotating and flipping

  Straightening an image

  Rotating by degree

  Transform Tool

  Transforming

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Rotating by degree

1.	Select the image or object to rotate. If nothing is selected, PhotoImpact rotates the base image, resizing the image if necessary.

2.	Select the Transform tool.

3.	Enter the desired rotation in degrees and select the Rotate Clockwise  [image]  or Rotate Counterclockwise  [image]  button.

  Instant rotating and flipping

  Straightening an image

  Rotating with the mouse

  Transform Tool

  Transforming

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Rectangular & elliptical selections

1.	Select the Standard Selection Tool  [image]  in the Tool panel.

2.	Select the desired shape for the selection from the Shape drop-down list.

3.	Drag the mouse over the area you want to select.

Turn a selection into an object by moving it, applying a filter or effect to it, or selecting Convert to Object from the Selection menu.

To add to an existing selection, press A as you select. To remove part of a selection, press S as you define the section to remove. (You may also click the Add or Subtract Mode button.)

  Freehand selections

  Selecting by color

  Precision selecting

  Creating a border on a selection

  Selection Tool

  Selections

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Freehand selections - Lasso Tool
Freehand selections
  Lasso Tool	  Bezier Curve Tool

1.	Select the Lasso Tool  [image]  on the Tool panel.

2.	Drag the mouse around the edge of the area you wish to select

   - and / or -

click and release the mouse button at different points for a series of connected straight line segments.

3.	Double-click to complete the selection.

Turn a selection into an object by moving it, applying a filter or effect to it, or selecting Convert to Object from the Selection menu.

To add to an existing selection, press A as you select. To remove part of a selection, press S as you define the section to remove. (You may also click the Add or Subtract Mode button.)

  Rectangular and elliptical selections

  Selecting by color

  Precision selecting

  Creating a border on a selection

  Selection Tool

  Selections

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Freehand selections - Bezier Tool
Freehand selections
  Lasso Tool	  Bezier Tool

The Bezier Tool can be used to make precise and smooth selections.

1.	Click the Bezier Tool  [image]  on the Tool panel.

2.	Select a basic shape such as a square or circle from the Shape list on the Attribute toolbar. Select Free Path to create a custom shape.

3.	Create a selection area. Click and drag the cursor to draw curves. Click and release to draw a line. Double click to finish.

4.	Select Edit Existing Path if you wish to modify the path further.

5.	Click Toggle selection mode  [image]  to change the path to a selection area.

6.	Now that the path is a selection, you can convert it to an object, make a mask, or fill it with a gradient or natural texture.

  Selection Tool

  Selections

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Selecting by color

1.	Select the Magic Wand tool in the Tool panel.

2.	Set the color similarity to determine the range of colors to select relative to the reference color.

3.	Select Line to select all colors similar to those you drag the mouse over or select Area to select all similar colors inside the selection area, based on the similarity value on the Attribute Toolbar.

4.	Select Search connected pixels on the Attribute Toolbar to only select the similar pixels adjacent to your original selection. If this option is cleared all pixels of a similar color within the image will be selected.

5.	Click on or drag over the base image to select reference colors and a starting area.

6.	To expand the selection to include all pixels in the image matching the selection criteria, right click on the image and select Similar.

7.	In the Similar dialog box, set the range of similar colors to add to the selection. (If you only want other pixels of the same colors as those selected, set the value to 0.)

8.	To include pixels not physically connected to currently selected ones, clear Expand from current selection.

9.	Click OK.

Turn a selection into an object by moving it, applying a filter or effect to it, or click Edit: Selection - Convert to Object.

To add to an existing selection, press A as you select. To remove part of a selection, press S as you define the section to remove. (You may also click the Add or Subtract Mode button.)

  Rectangular and elliptical selections

  Freehand selections

  Precision selecting

  Creating a border on a selection

  Selection Tool

  Selections

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Creating a grayscale mask

1.	If the image you want to make into a mask is not already a grayscale image, convert it.

2.	Click the Object Libraries button in the EasyPalette and open any library. Right-click anywhere on the thumbnail pane and select Store Image as Selection from the pop-up menu.

3.	Select the part of the image you want for a mask and drag it to the EasyPalette.

4.	In the Add to EasyPalette dialog box, enter a name for the mask and select the Gallery/Library and the Tab group.

5.	To use your mask, simply drag it onto your image. The target image does not have to be grayscale.

Note: Grayscale masks can be used to create a number of interesting effects since transparency is based on the darkness of individual pixels.

  Converting images

  Color fills

  EasyPalette

  Selections

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Moving a selection

1.	Choose one of the selection tools  [image]  [image]  [image]  and create a selection area.

2.	Click anywhere inside the selection and drag it to a new location.

Drag the object to an empty spot in the workspace to create a new image.

Drag it to any of the Object Libraries to save it for use in multiple images.

Click Options  [image]  on the Attribute Toolbar and check Preserve Base Image, [F5] , to move a selection without affecting the base image. (Objects can always be moved without affecting the base image.)

To move the selection area without any image data, click the Pick Tool  [image]  on the Tool Panel or click  [image]  and select Move Selection Marquee. The base image is unaffected by the move.

  Selection Tool

  Selections

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Blending images

Painting

Many of the painting tools have a Soft Edge setting that allows you to smoothly blend newly drawn shapes into the base image. The higher the value (in pixels) , the larger the blending area.

Objects

1.	Right click on the object and select Properties.

2.	In the Object Properties dialog box, set a Soft edge value. The higher the value, the larger the soft edge area.

3.	Click OK.

  Creating smooth edges for blending

  Object Properties dialog box

  Deforming images

  Objects

  Selections

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Creating smooth edges for blending

These features enable you to smoothly blend an object into the base image:

Anti-alias Smoothes curves so they do not appear jagged.

Soft Edge Fades the edges of the object gradually so that it blends into the background more smoothly.

Blur Tool Blends adjacent pixels to make the colors more similar and make edges less apparent.

Smudge Tool Smears the image making borders less clear.

Clone Tool When cloning onto an image, adjust the soft edge value on the Attribute Toolbar to blend the cloned area with the base image.

  Blending images

  Merging objects to the base image

  Selection Tool

  Blur Tool

  Smudge Tool

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


When creating an image that will be used on a web page with a background image or color, remember to make the background color of your image the same or similar to the web page when blending the edges of your image.


Creating a border on a selection

Use the Border command to enlarge your existing selection area.

1.	Use any of the selection tools to create a selection.

2.	Right click on the selection and select Border.

3.	In the Border dialog box, set the border width and click OK.

4.	Fill, paint, or add an effect to the new selection to create an object.

  Color fills

  Applying filters and effects

  Painting

  Border dialog box

  Selections

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Creating frames and shadows

You can place the base image, selection area or object within a frame to make it stand out and draw more attention to it.

1.	Select the base image, object or choose one of the selection tools  [image]  [image]  [image]  to create a selection area.

2.	Click Format: Frame & Shadow, or click Frame & Shadow  [image]  on the Standard Toolbar.

3.	Click the Frame tab and select a frame style from the pull-down menu. The preview window updates to display your selection.

4.	If you select 2D and 3D frame styles, you can click and drag on the preview window to adjust the position of your frame.

5. 	Adjust the width, color and shape options of the frame.

6.	Click the Shadow tab to add a shadow beneath the frame and adjust its position.

7.	Click Add to save the frame style to the EasyPalette.

8.	Click OK.

  Frame & Shadow dialog box

  Selections

  Objects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Object Library basics

Use the Object Library in the EasyPalette to store objects and selections that you want to use in other images. This makes them instantly available for multiple uses. Create new tab groups to organize the objects and make them easier to find.

Menu

Click Object Library Manager and select Menu Layout from the submenu. This opens the Menu Layout dialog box where you can create, delete, rename, and add object groups, obtain information, determine the default behavior for adding objects, and set other attributes.

Tab Groups

Right-click a tab group under a specific library and select Group Management. This opens the Group Management dialog box where you can create, delete, rename, and arrange the order of your tab groups within an object library.

Types of Objects

PhotoImpact separates objects into three types: text, image and path based. Text objects have font and size properties, image objects can include many complex features, like grayscale masks and path objects are simply an outline or shape. 3D bevels and shadows can quickly be applied to text and path objects by clicking Edit  [image]  on the Attribute Toolbar. Not all objects can be manipulated in the same way.

Networks

Click  [image]  and select Object Library Manager to open a submenu of options. Select Import to load Object Libraries from other connected machines into your own Object Library.

Remember, others can import your objects as well. Protect your Libraries by making them read-only. Click  [image]  and select Object Library Manager – Read-Only.

  Adding objects to the Object Library

  Adding selections to the Object Library

  Placing objects from the Object Library into images

  EasyPalette

  Objects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Adding objects to the Object Library

There are many simple ways to add an image to the Object Library:

You can drag an object from an image into the EasyPalette. Make sure Store Image is selected in the Thumbnail menu commands  [image]  on the tool panel.

or

Select Copy to Object Library from the Object menu.

  Adding selections to the Object Library

  Placing objects from the Object Library into images

  Adding selections to the Object Library

  EasyPalette

  Objects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Adding selections to the Object Library

Drag a selection from an image to the EasyPalette. PhotoImpact adds a transparent mask matching the size and shape of the object. Make sure Store Selection is selected in the Thumbnail menu commands  [image] .

If you press M as you drag a selection to the EasyPalette, it does not matter whether Store Selection is selected or not.

To create a selection from a grayscale image, select Store Image as Selection from the Thumbnail menu  [image]  and drag the image to the Object Library.

To add the attribute settings (but not the selection itself) of the current selection to a specified gallery, click Add  [image]  on the Attribute Toolbar.

  Adding images to the Object Library

  Placing objects from the Object Library into images

  EasyPalette

  Objects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Placing objects from the Object Library into images

Drag an item from any of the object libraries to the image you want to insert it into. Right-click on the object once and select Properties to change its transparency, soft edge and other properties. You can also right-click a thumbnail from an object library and select Copy Object to Image.

If you drag an object to an empty spot in the workspace, PhotoImpact creates a new image with that object. This is a convenient way to edit objects in the library. You will then need to add the object to the Library again (as it won't be updated until you do so) or save it as a new object.

  Adding images to the Object Library

  Adding selections to the Object Library

  Object Library

  Objects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Managing objects

PhotoImpact has five resources for managing objects:

Object buttons

The Pick Tool  [image]  includes four buttons on the Attribute Toolbar to make switching object layers easier. Objects on higher numbered layers appear behind lower numbered layers.

Brings the selected object to the top layer.

Brings the selected object up one layer.

Sends the selected object down one layer.

Sends the selected object to the lowest layer above the base image.

Object Menu

From the Object menu, you can group, duplicate, modify, delete, and merge objects.

Layer Manager

The Layer Manager in the EasyPalette panel shows thumbnails of all objects in the current image. If you are having trouble finding an object in your image, click on it in the Layer Manager. Besides the commands in the Object menu, the Layer Manager menu contains two more for arranging objects: Sort by Depth and Sort by Name. Sort by Depth allows you to drag thumbnails around within the Layer Manager to change their depth or layer in the image.

Object Library

The Object Library keeps an independent collection of objects. By storing objects there, they become available for multiple images.

Merging

Since PhotoImpact is an object based image editing tool, it is important to understand object merging. This process combines objects with each other and with the background image. Most file formats do not support Ulead objects, and if you save your image in any of these formats, object information will be lost. To retain object information and continue editing, you need to save your images as .UFO files.

  Object Library basics

  Creating objects

  Hiding & showing objects

  Pick Tool

  EasyPalette

  Layer Manager

  Objects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Grouping & ungrouping objects

Grouping

1.	Press Ctrl as you click on each object you want to group.

  Right-click on any selected object and select Group.

Ungrouping

1.	Select any object in the group you want to break apart.

2.	Right-click on any object and select Ungroup.

  Creating objects

  Moving objects

  Objects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


When you add a shadow to an object, the shadow automatically becomes part of the object. This means you have to use Split Shadow to split them up to make the shadow an object of its own.


Moving objects

Changing the location

1.	Choose any selection tool.

2.	In the base image or Layer Manager, click on the object you want to move.

3.	Drag the object to its new location.

4.	You can also use the Pick Tool  [image]  to select an object.

Dragging the object off of your image and onto the workspace will create a new image based on the object. The object may also be added to other images or opened in the workspace by dragging and dropping.

or

1.	Right-click on the object and select Properties.

2.	Click the Position & Size tab.

3.	Enter new Left and Top values in the Position spin boxes.

Changing the layer

1.	Select the Pick tool.

2.	In the base image or in the Layer Manager, click on the object you want to move.

3.	Click  [image] to put the object on the top layer.

Click  [image] to move the object up one layer.

Click  [image] to move the object down one layer.

Click  [image] to put the object on the lowest layer above the base image.

  Creating objects

  Managing objects

  Hiding & showing objects

  Objects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Finding objects

1.	Select the image in which you want to search for objects.

2.	Open the EasyPalette and select the Layer Manager.

3.	Right-click anywhere in the Layer Manager and choose one of the sort commands.

4.	Scroll through the object thumbnails to find the desired object.

5.	Alternatively, click View menu commands  [image]  on the toobar and select Find.

  Managing objects

  Moving Objects

  Hiding & showing objects

  EasyPalette

  Objects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Hiding & showing objects

Select the object you want to hide or show. (Hidden objects can only be selected from the Layer Manager.)

2.	Right-click on the object and select Properties.

3.	To hide an object in the image, clear Show. To make it visible, select Show.

  Managing objects

  Creating objects

  Objects

  Layer Manager

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


The thumbnails in the Layer Manager have a small "eye" icon in the upper right corner. The eye is open if the object is visible and closed if the object is hidden.


Editing objects

1.	Select the object or group you want to edit.

2.	Right-click on the object and select Properties.

3.	Set the transparency level for the object and how the transparency should be determined. A high transparency setting allows more of the base image or any underlying objects to show through. Alternately, you can select the color or colors (by selecting the Similarity) you would like to appear transparent.

4.	Adjust the blending of the edge in pixels.

5.	Make sure Preview is selected so you can see changes applied to your image as you work.

6.	Click OK.

  Merging objects to the base image

  Creating smooth edges for blending

  Blending images

  Object Properties dialog box

  Objects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Merging objects to the base image

1.	Select the object you want to apply to the base image.

Right-click on the object and select Merge. To apply all objects in the image at one time, select Merge All.

  Creating smooth edges for blending

  Blending images

  Object Properties dialog box

  Objects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Once an object has been merged, it is no longer an object. If any soft edge or transparency features were used prior to merging, reselecting the objects may be very difficult.


Applying filters and effects

EasyPalette

Drag the desired effect, filter, or texture from a gallery in the EasyPalette to the image.

or

Double-click on the desired effect, filter, or texture in the EasyPalette.

Menu Commands - Automatic

1.	Select the image that you want to modify with an effect or filter.

2.	From the Format or Effect menu, select the desired command.

3.	Choose the thumbnail that most closely approximates what you want and click Preview or double-click the thumbnail to select it.

4.	If none of the thumbnails look right, click Options and continue at step 3 of the Custom Setting procedure below.

Notes:
The Display quick samples option in the PhotoImpact Category of the Preferences dialog box must be checked to apply filters and effects visually.

Some effects and filters may not offer quick samples.

Menu Commands – Manual

1.	Select the image to apply an effect or filter to.

2.	From the Format or Effect menu, select the desired command.

3.	Adjust the settings so that the preview image appears the way you want.

4.	Click Preview.

5.	Click OK to accept the settings, Continue to return to the dialog box and adjust them some more, Undo and Redo to toggle before and after views, or Cancel to return to editing without applying the filter.

  Editing by eye

  Stylizing your images

  Basing one image on another

  Importing filters and effects

  Enhancing

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Automatic fixes

1.	Click Format: Auto-process.

2.	If you want to perform a single fix, select the one you want from the submenu and you're finished.

3.	If you want to perform several fixes, select Batch.

4.	Click the fixes you want to apply. The sequence that they are performed in appears along the bottom of the dialog box.

5.	To change the sequence, drag the button at the bottom of the dialog box to the desired spot in the order.

6.	To remove an item from the sequence, click it again.

7.	Click Preview to check the results on the actual image before applying them.

8.	Click OK to accept the settings. PhotoImpact will process your image.

  Auto-process dialog box

  Enhancing

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Stylizing your images

1.	Open the EasyPalette and select the Style Gallery.

2.	Find the feeling you want to create and drag it to the image.

Note: You can also apply styles from the Style dialog box by clicking Format: Style.

  Editing by eye

  Basing one image on another

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Fixing the color balance

1.	Select the part of the image you want to correct.

2.	Click Format: Color Balance or click Color Balance  [image]  on the Standard Toolbar. [Ctrl+L]

3.	Click the Smart tab to choose a color that should be a neutral gray, pure white, or pure black. Click the Preset tab to shift the colors of the image to a desired shade.

If you choose the Smart Tab, click in the preview image or enter a color value for the neutral shade. (Look at the RGB values below the preview window. Neutral grays have the same value for each component, like (R: 51, G: 51, B: 51)

If you choose the Preset tab, click on the thumbnail that shows the desired shift. You may repeat this action to emphasize the effect.

4.	Click OK.

Note: For finer control of the color balance click Format: Tone Map.

  Adjusting color on-screen

  Using the true color spectrum most effectively

  Color  Balance dialog box

  Enhancing

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Using the true color spectrum most effectively

1.	Select the image you want to correct.

2.	Click Format: Tone Map.  [F8]

3.	Select the Highlight Midtone Shadow tab.

4.	Adjust the graph so that the curve best represents the most prevalent colors or shades in the image. Adjusting the master channel affects brightness. Adjusting the other channels affects colors related to the selected color and its compliment.

5.	Select Real-time preview to see the effects of your changes.

6.	Click OK.

Note: For quick fixes, or visual feedback on your changes, click Format: Color Balance.

  Adjusting color on-screen

  Fixing the color balance

  Enhancing

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Replacing the base image

1.	Click File: Place - As The Base Image.

Select the desired image and click OK.

  Deleting data

  Painting

  Objects

  Selections

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Replacing the current base image with one of a different size changes the image size accordingly. If the new image is smaller, objects may be repositioned. If the new image is a different data type or of a different resolution, PhotoImpact changes it to match that of the original.


Changing data types
Converting images
  Changing data types	  Converting from CMYK
  Converting to CMYK

1.	To preserve the original image and create a new one when you convert data types, click Format: Data Type – Create a New Image, or click on the Status Bar  [image]  and select Create a New Image. If you wish to overwrite the original, clear this command.

2.	Click Format: Data Type.

3.	Choose the desired data type from the submenu.

Depending on the original and final data types, a dialog box may open offering choices for fine-tuning the conversion. Set the desired conversion options and click OK.

  Status Bar

  General

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Use Image Optimizer (in the Web menu) to optimize your GIF, JPG, or PNG images. You can do this after converting your images to the new format, or you can use Image Optimizer to make the conversion itself.


Converting to CMYK
Converting images
  Changing data types	  Converting from CMYK
  Converting to CMYK

1.	Select the image to convert.

2.	Click Format: Data Type - Split to CMYK.

3.	PhotoImpact creates four new grayscale images; one for each color channel. Save each to a grayscale format, making sure you can recall which color channel each represents. The default file names will have a final letter amended; C,M,Y or K corresponding to the channels cyan, magenta, yellow or black.

  Status Bar

  General

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Converting from CMYK
Converting images
  Changing data types 	  Converting from CMYK
  Converting to CMYK

1.	Make sure you have four compatible images to combine open in the PhotoImpact workspace.

2.	Select one of the four grayscale images.

3.	Click Format: Data Type - Combine from CMYK.

4.	In the Combine from CMYK dialog box, select an image for each color channel from those available in the workspace.

5.	Click OK.

  Combine from CMYK dialog box

  Status Bar

  General

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Basing one image on another

1.	Click Format: Style.

2.	Select the Custom tab.

3.	Click Load and select the reference image.

4.	Select a model as the basis for changing the image.

Intensity Changes the brightness of the image to be more like the reference.

Saturation Changes the richness of the colors to be more like the reference.

Chrominance Tints the image according to the more prevalent colors in the reference.

5.	Click OK.

  Enhancing

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Editing by eye

Several tools and commands have dialog boxes that offer thumbnail images to help you decide how to apply a change. To apply a change based on a thumbnail, just click the desired thumbnail and click OK.

Special cases

Effects have a Quick Samples dialog box that appears before their associated dialog boxes. If you decide you want finer control, click Options to access the dialog box with all the controls. If you do not wish to use the Quick Samples dialog box, select Don't show these quick samples next time, or clear Display quick samples in the PhotoImpact Category of the Preferences dialog box.

Some commands such as Brightness and Contrast offer cumulative changes. Clicking on a thumbnail applies that change and allows you to continuously add changes until you close the dialog box.

  Applying filters and effects

  Quick Samples dialog box

  Preferences dialog box – PhotoImpact Tab

  Enhancing

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Modifying the EasyPalette

Saving effect settings

Several Effect and Format command dialog boxes have an Add button that allows you to save favorite settings in the EasyPalette:

1.	In the command dialog box, click Thumbnail to customize the thumbnail image for the effect.

2.	Return to the original dialog box and click Add.

3.	Enter a name for the effect and click OK.

PhotoImpact automatically chooses a group in the Gallery, but you can place the effect anywhere you like.

Tools settings

Click Add on the Attribute Toolbar and enter a name for the tool setting.

  EasyPalette basics

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Some commands, such as Tone Map, do not allow you to use a thumbnail image. Rather they use the graph or other command attributes to create a unique visual reminder for their settings.


Deleting data

Delete key

Pressing delete on a selection removes data from the base image, filling it with the current background color. If the object is on an image, the underlying image will be visible.

Delete command

Right-click on the object and select Delete.

Erasing

There are three methods to erase data from an image:

Erasing Paint

Select the Paint Tool  [image]  and from the Attribute Toolbar, select Erase. Click and drag on the image to erase paint previously applied. If you have not painted on the image previously, this will have no effect on the base image.

Erasing the Base Image

In order to clear or erase the contents of the base image, you effectively need to paint over it. Select a Paint Tool and paint color and paint over the base image.

Erasing a selected color

Select the Magic Wand Tool  [image]  and adjust the similarity settings if necessary. Click on the image to select similar colors. You can now either use the bucket tool to fill the selection area with another solid color or select the Paint Tool and paint various colors in the selection area.

  Replacing the base image

  Paint Tool

  General

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Color fills - Flat
Color fills
  Flat fills	  Gradient fills

1.	Choose the Bucket Fill tool.

2.	Right-click on the color square to select the fill color.

3.	Select a Merge method to determine how to apply the fill color.

4.	Set the Similarity to determine which regions to fill.

5.	Click on an object, selection, or region where you want to start the fill.

or

1.	Click Edit: Fill.  [Ctrl + F]

2.	Select a color or texture and click OK.

  Fill Tool

  Painting & Cloning

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Color fills - Gradient
Color fills
  Flat fills	  Gradient fills

1.	Choose any of the Gradient Fill tools.  ,  [image],

2.	Right-click on the beginning and ending color squares to select the fill colors.

3.	Select a Merge method to determine how the fill color is applied.

4.	Click on an object, selection, or region where you want to start the fill and drag to where you want the ending color to be reached. Eligible areas beyond these points will be filled with the start or end colors.

  Fill Tool

  Painting & Cloning

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Joining two images

1.	Make sure both images you want to join are grayscale or RGB true color images and open in the PhotoImpact workspace.

2.	Select one of the images to join.

3.	Click Edit: Stitch.

4.	Select the other image for stitching.

5.	Drag the images so that they are in the right order.

6.	Select the Manually option and select Auto fine-tune.

7.	Press Shift and click on a reference point in the original image.

8.	Press Shift and click on a point in the other image that is close to the point you clicked on in step 7.

9.	Click OK.

  Stitch dialog box

  General

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Changing indexed image colors

Changing individual colors

1.	Click Format: Color Table.

2.	In the Color Table dialog box, double-click the color square showing the color you want to change.

3.	In the Color Picker dialog box select the desired color and click OK.

4.	When the color table is as you want it, click OK to return to the image.

Changing the entire palette

1.	Click Format: Color Table.

2.	In the Color Table dialog box click Load to replace the existing color palette with a previously saved one.

  Adjusting color on-screen

 Using the true color spectrum most effectively

  Color Table dialog box

  Enhancing

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Adjusting color on-screen

Adjust the brightness, contrast, and color balance in images similar to the way you do with many modern television sets with the dynamic color controls.

Adjusts the contrast.

Adjusts the brightness.

Adjusts the Red, Green and Blue channels.

  Using the true color spectrum most effectively

  Color Palette

  Enhancing

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Zooming in on part of an image

Click on the Global Viewer.

2.	Drag the Global Viewer frame to where you want to focus.

  Zooming in or out

  Zoom Tool

  Global Viewer

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


The Global Viewer is only available when horizontal and/or vertical scroll bars appear in the active window.


Precision selecting

Creating a selection area using the Mask Mode feature is useful when the area you want to select is of an irregular shape or has jagged edges.

1.	Create a rough selection area using any of the selection tools.

2.	Enable Mask by either clicking Edit: Mask Mode or clicking the Mask Mode button on the Status bar.

3.	A tinted mask covers the image except where a selection exists.

4.	If the current color of the mask is too close to the image colors, go to File: Preferences and change the Mask color by clicking the color square. Clicking the color square opens the Ulead Color Picker. Right-click to choose from other color pickers.

5.	Select a painting tool to draw over the image. This adds to your current selection.

6.	When you have completed the selection, click the Mask Mode button on the Status bar.

Note: PhotoImpact disables most menu commands while in the Mask mode. They become available as soon as you select another tool.

  Rectangular and elliptical selections

  Freehand selections

  Selecting by color

  Creating a border on a selection

  Selections

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Transforming text

1.	Select the Text Tool.

2.	Select the text object you want to curve.

3.	In the Attribute Toolbar, select Horizontal Deform or Vertical Deform from the Mode drop-down list.

4.	Drag the control points until you obtain the shape you want.

5.	Select the Object or Selection from the Mode drop-down list to add the curved text to the image.

Note: If you apply any effect to a text object, the text loses its text properties and becomes a regular object.

  Deforming images

  Adding text

  Tracing an image

  Drawing an object with a path

  Transforming

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Adding text

1.	Select the Text Tool.

2.	Click where you want to add the text.

3.	Enter the desired text in the Text Entry box. To create a paragraph return, press Ctrl + Enter.

4.	Click Update to preview your text before adding it to your image. Click Cancel to clear the text from the image and OK to add it.

5.	Select a font size and style from the Attribute Toolbar.

6.	Click Style and select Vertical to create text that reads from top to bottom.

7.	Click the color square to choose a color picker and change the text color.

8.	Click OK.

Note: To edit existing text, select the Text Tool and double-click on the text object you want to change, or select the Text Tool, right-click and select Edit Text.

  Deforming images

  Transforming text

  Creating 3D text & path objects

  Tracing an image

  Drawing an object with a path

  Working with text

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Creating objects - From a selection
Creating objects
  From a selection	  Using the Path Tool
  Independently	  Text objects

Right-click on a selection and select Convert to Object.

or

Move a selection to a new location.

or

Apply an effect, filter, or transformation to a selection.

  Painting objects to other images

  Merging objects to the base image

  Object Library basics

  Tracing an image

  Objects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Simply moving a selection (dragging) will convert the selection into an object and place it in the Layer Manager.


Creating objects - Independently
Creating objects
  From a selection	  Using the Path Tool
  Independently	  Text objects

Click File: Place - As an Object and select an image to insert in the current image as an object. (The selected image must be smaller than the current one.)

or

Use the Object Clone tool to paint objects into an image.

  Objects

  Object Clone Tool

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Creating objects - Using the Path Tool
Creating objects
  From a selection 	  Using the Path Tool
  Independently	  Text objects

1.	Select one of the first three Path tools from the Tool Panel depending on the nature of path you want to create:

  Lets you create solid-filled vector objects.

  Lets you create outlines or close-curved, hollowed vector graphics.

  Lets you create vector graphics of lines and arrows.

A fourth tool, Path Edit tool  [image] , is only used for editing existing paths and, therefore, cannot be used to create new ones.

2.	The Attribute Toolbar shows different controls and options depending on which path tool has been selected.

3.	From the toolbar, click Shape to select a standard drawing shape for your path. This is the shape you will automatically create once you click and drag your mouse on your image. Select Custom Shape to either choose from a collection of predefined shapes for drawing your path or import custom vector-based illustration files.

4.	Click and drag your mouse to draw a path shape.

5.	Double-click to close the path shape.

6.	Select a color, specify the settings and choose a 3D mode for advanced 3D effects.

7.	To edit the shape or add points, select the Path Edit Tool  [image]  from the Tool Panel and click your mouse on any edge of the path.

  Advanced Path tool techniques

  Deforming images

  Tracing an image

  Path Tool

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Creating objects - Text objects
Creating objects
  From a selection 	  Using the Path Tool
  Independently	  Text objects

1.	Select the Text Tool.

2.	Enter your text in the Text Entry dialog box.

3.	Click Update to preview the text on your image.

4.	Click Style in the Attribute Toolbar and select Vertical to change the text direction from top to bottom.

5.	Click OK once you are happy with your text. The text is now a text object, and can be deformed using the Path Edit Tool.

Note: If you make any changes to a text object when the Text Tool is not selected, the text loses its text properties and becomes a regular object.

  Objects

  Text Tool

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Deforming images

1.	Create a path object using the Path Draw Tool  [image] .

2.	Select the Path Edit Tool  [image]  to be able to modify the existing path.

3.	Select the path you want to curve. The cursor loses its tail when it is over an eligible path.

4.	Drag the control points until you obtain the shape you want. Click the Add or Delete button in the Attribute Toolbar to add or remove control points from the path. Alternatively, you can click anywhere on your path while holding the Shift key down to add or holding the Ctrl key down to delete a control point.

5.	Click Toggle on the Attribute Toolbar to switch the curved image back from path mode.

  Painting text

  Creating a path object

  Material dialog box – Color/Texture tab

  Path Tool

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


EasyPalette basics

Click EasyPalette on the Standard Toolbar.

Alternately, click View: Toolbars and Panels. Select EasyPalette to display it.

Each gallery or library has tab groups to classify their contents.

Click Show/Hide tree view button to toggle between displaying a tree view of all galleries or libraries and displaying only the thumbnails within each gallery or library.

Create your own collection of images, objects, or effects by adding items to My Gallery.

Dragging items from galleries onto an image or double-clicking their thumbnails applies that item's settings to the current selection, object(s), or base image.

Click the Try button on the EasyPalette toolbar to replace the default thumbnail images with your currently active image. This allows you to see how your image will appear with various effects.

Depending on the data type, some items in the EasyPalette may not be available for all images.

  Managing objects

  Object Library basics

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Painting

1.	Select a Paint tool.

2.	Set the brush shape, size, and other characteristics from the Attribute Toolbar.

3.	Choose a painting color from the Color panel. Right-click on a color square to change its current color.

4.	Drag the mouse over the base image where you want to paint.

5.	Click Eraser on the Attribute Toolbar or click Eraser Mode on the Brush Panel to remove paint applied to the image.

  Cloning

  Painting an effect

  Painting objects to other images

  Paint Tool

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Cloning

Cloning is a method of copying one part of an image to another part, or part of a completely separate image to a different image. Different clone tools allow you to 'paint' the copied image with many different styles of brushes. You may clone from one image to another, from objects to the base image, between objects, and from the base image to objects.

1.	Select the Clone tool.    There are a number of different brushes to choose from.

2.	Press the Shift key and click on the image or object which you want to clone. A flashing crosshair will appear to mark the region you are about to clone.

3.	Click and drag the mouse on the area where you want to clone the image. Depending on the cloning tool you have chosen, the image will gradually appear. You can set the size and transparency of the brush to modify this effect.

  Painting

  Painting an effect

  Painting objects to other images

  Clone Tool

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Painting an effect

1.	Click  [image]  to display the EasyPalette.

2.	Select the Painting Effect Gallery and double-click a thumbnail to apply it to your image. The related Paint Tool will be selected.

3.	Drag your mouse on the image to apply the effect.

  Cloning

  Painting objects to other images

  Clone Tool

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Painting objects to other images

1.	Select the Object Clone tool.

2.	Click Open and select a PhotoImpact UFO file that contains objects you want to paint to another image. (You may also select an image without objects to paint it as an object into another image. PhotoImpact uses the base image as the object.)

3.	 Set the transparency (0-99).

4.	From the Options menu, select Stamp to place an object from the file selected in step one where you click according to the level it occupies in that file. Each click places a new object.

5.	Select Trail and click and drag the mouse to clone multiple copies of the object. If Randomly is checked on the Options menu, the object will be copied irregularly. Check Sequentially to achieve a more regular look.

  Painting

  Painting an effect

  Painting & Cloning

  Object Clone Tool

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Changing modes

Quickly arrange the workspace to suit your editing needs by switching modes. From the Standard toolbar, click Layout  [image]  and choose the desired mode or screen components.

Basic Mode Only shows the Standard toolbar. All the essential tools for refining images are in the Standard toolbar.

Intermediate Mode Adds the Tool panel and Attribute Toolbar to the workspace. You can complete most editing tasks in this mode, but may lack some fine tuning ease.

Advanced Mode Shows all PhotoImpact items. This allows you to control color, filters, and special effects with greater ease.

Click View: Toolbars & Panels to select workspace items individually and control ToolTips.

  Placing the toolbars

  Arranging the workspace

  Toolbars & Panels dialog box

  Workspace

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Any black pixels in the selection are opaque. White pixels are clear. Grays are partially transparent according to how close to white or black their values are.


In the RGB color model, a neutral color is one that has the same R, G, and B values. Look below the preview window for the current RGB values in the image and click when the mouse is over a color (pixel) you want to be perfectly neutral.


The Preset tab shifts the colors in the image according to the HSB cone. The thumbnail immediately to the right of the reference thumbnail shifts the image towards red. Going clockwise, the other key colors are magenta (lower right corner), blue (lower left corner), cyan (across from red), green (top left corner), and yellow (top right corner). By progressively clicking on the squares, you can shift the colors to the desired hue.


For example, if you installed Kai's Power Tools in your system at C:\KPT, here is what you would add to the end of your ULEAD32.INI

[PLUG IN]

PLUGINDIR1 = C:\KPT


Set your default background color to closely match the dominant color of your background image.


Good web designers always include an Alt tag attribute for viewing in web browsers that are set not to display images.


Creating body tags

Create the HTML code for your body tag statements at one time without worrying about mistakes using the HTML Assistant. A preview screen in the dialog box shows how your page will look without requiring you to use your web browser to view it.

1.	Click Web: HTML Assistant.

Click the color square to select the default background for your page.

3.	Click Browse to select a background image.

4.	If you want to use standard colors for your text, clear the selection boxes for the associated type style.

5.	Click To Clipboard to copy the Tag information to the clipboard so you can paste it in your HTML document.

  Creating image tags

  Creating low resolution bitmaps for your images

  HTML Assistant dialog box

  Web imaging

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Creating image tags

Easily create image tags with the HTML Assistant command in the Web Menu.

1.	Click Web: HTML Assistant.

2.	Click the Image tab.

3.	Click Browse to load a source image into the dialog box.

In the Destination group, set any web page constraints for displaying the image.

5.	Click Low Res to create a Low Resolution, optimized image, and its Tag.

6.	Set the low resolution options as desired.

7.	Click Save and save as a GIF or PNG image.

8.	Click OK to return to the HTML Assistant dialog box.

9.	Click To Clipboard to copy the Tag information to the clipboard so you can paste it in your HTML document.

  Creating body tags

  Creating low resolution bitmaps for your images

  Creating web efficient images

  HTML Assistant dialog box

  Web imaging

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Creating low resolution previews for your images

Give your visitors a quick glimpse of your images by loading a low resolution image before the high resolution image loads. This gives the appearance of your page downloading faster. It also offers your visitors a way to quickly decide whether to wait for the image to fully develop.

1.	Select the image you want a low resolution copy of and save it.

2.	Click Web: HTML Assistant and click the Image tab.

3.	Click Low Res.

4.	Select a data type and physical size for the image and click Save.

5.	Click To Clipboard to copy the Image tag for the full resolution and its low resolution counterpart to the clipboard.

6.	Switch to the HTML document for this image and paste the clipboard contents into it.

  Creating body tags

  Creating image tags

  Creating web efficient images

  HTML Assistant dialog box

  Web imaging

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Changing the desktop wallpaper
Streamlining your work
  Changing the desktop wallpaper
  Using the clipboard
  Recovering from mistakes
  Dragging and Dropping
  Repeating actions on multiple images

1.	Click Format: Windows Wallpaper.

2.	Select Tile to fill the desktop with repeated copies of the image. Select Center to place one copy in the middle of the screen. (Windows uses the last saved copy of the selected image for the wallpaper.)

  General

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Recovering from mistakes
Streamlining your work
  Changing the desktop wallpaper
  Using the clipboard
  Recovering from mistakes
  Dragging and Dropping
  Repeating actions on multiple images

  Undoing

Click Edit: Undo Before and select the last step you want to recover. A good shortcut key to remember is Ctrl-Z.(The number of undo steps you can perform depends on the PhotoImpact preferences settings.)

  Redoing

Click Edit: Redo To to reapply commands you undid with Undo Before. Use Ctrl-Y as a shortcut key.

Starting over

If you want to undo more than what appears in the Undo Before list, or can't remember where you went astray, click File: Restore. This effectively closes and reopens the current image discarding all objects and changes made since the last save.

  Setting PhotoImpact’s defaults

  General

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Using the clipboard
Streamlining your work
  Changing the desktop wallpaper
  Using the clipboard
  Recovering from mistakes
  Dragging & Dropping
  Repeating actions on multiple images

Besides the standard clipboard features available in all Windows programs, here are some other unique aspects to using the clipboard with PhotoImpact:

Pasting PhotoImpact offers five ways of pasting the clipboard contents. In all cases, once pasted, the clipboard data becomes an object.

As Objects Inserts the clipboard data into the selected image at the top left corner as a floating object.

Into Selection If a selection exists in the image, the clipboard data goes inside it. You can drag the data to the desired position in the selection. Once placed, the selection becomes an object.

Fit Into Selection Automatically resizes the clipboard data to exactly fit the selection. The selection becomes an object.

Under Pointer Places the center of the clipboard data into the image where you click your left mouse button.

As a New Image Creates a new image with the clipboard data as an object. (If the clipboard is irregularly shaped, PhotoImpact "squares off" the dimensions.)

Clipboard Submenu Behaves similar to the Windows Clipboard Viewer except it only accepts image data.

  General

  Copying

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Dragging & Dropping
Streamlining your work
  Changing the desktop wallpaper
  Using the clipboard
  Recovering from mistakes
  Dragging & Dropping
  Repeating actions on multiple images

Use drag and drop to enhance the speed and ease of editing:

From one place to another

Drag objects from images or the Object Library to the PhotoImpact workspace or another image. The object moves to the new destination. To preserve the object in its original place when dragging to another, press the Ctrl key as you drag.

Tile Fill

Press T as you drag and drop an object to an image. PhotoImpact tile fills the target image with the object.

Selection Marquee

Press M as you drag and drop an object to an image. PhotoImpact will create a selection area that is identical to the object or selection that you drag and drop, without actually copying the image itself.

EasyPalette Effects and Textures

Drag an effect or texture from the EasyPalette to an image to apply it to the image.

  General

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


The object inserted into your image is a copy. The original remains in the Object Library. To delete it, right-click the thumbnail and select Delete.


Tile Fill and Selection Marquee will not function if you have multiple objects selected. If you have more than one object selected, holding the T or M key down while dragging moves the objects to the new destination instead of moving just a copy of the objects.


Repeating actions on multiple images
Streamlining your work
  Changing the desktop wallpaper
  Using the clipboard
  Recovering from mistakes
  Dragging and Dropping
  Repeating actions on multiple images

1.	Click Window: Batch Manager.

2.	Select the command you want to repeat.

3.	Drag the mouse or use the Ctrl and Shift keys with your mouse to select files from the Files List.

4.	Click OK.

Note: Choosing Close Quickly closes all selected files without saving.

Or

1.	Select the image you want to repeat the command on.

2.	Click Edit: Repeat, or press Ctrl+T.

  General

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Using the Brush Panel

Use the Brush Panel to create custom brushes for painting, cloning and retouching.

1.	Select the Paint  [image]  Clone  [image]  or Retouch  [image]  tool from the Tool Panel.

2.	Display the Brush Panel by right-clicking on any toolbar or click View: Toolbars and Panels and select Brush Panel.

3.	Adjust settings on each of the tabs:

Shape  Adjust the size, shape and bristle style. Click Erase to remove paint previously applied (only available when the Paint Tool is selected).

Options  Select how the paint will be applied to different colors in the image by selecting an apply method. Adjust the transparency.

Color  Select to paint in a single or multiple color and adjust the hue, saturation and brightness.

Texture  Select a preset texture or load a previously saved image to apply as texture to your image.

Advanced If you are using a pressure-sensitive device (such as WinTab), adjust transparency and pressure options.

4.	To save a custom brush, click Add  [image]  on the Attribute Toolbar. This saves the brush to the EasyPalette. To use it later, drag and drop or double-click the brush.

  General

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Creating path objects

Convert an object or selection to a path to create unique text and irregularly shaped objects.

1.	Create a selection area and convert it to an object or select the Text Tool  [image]  and enter text.

2.	Click Object: Convert Object Type - From Image to Path (if you have created an object) or From Text to Path (if you have created text).

3.	Select the Path Edit Tool  [image]  to modify your path.

4.	Click on the object to display the path lines. The mouse pointer then becomes a hand. Click the hand on a line in the path to display control points (or nodes) around the perimeter of the path.

Click and drag on control points and lines to distort the object or text shape.

  Creating objects

  Path Tool

  Objects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Create unique text by clicking on individual letters and dragging their control points. This will convert the text to a path object, which means you will not be able to adjust text properties such as font, color and size.


Creating web efficient images

Optimize your images to reduce loading time.

Using Image Optimizer

Click Web: Image Optimizer. Select JPG, GIF or PNG file format, and select compression settings. The Preview window updates to display the compressed image.

Optimized Color Palettes

Create an optimized 256 or 16 color palette to reduce the file size, and therefore loading time of your images. An optimized palette contains only the colors in the image (up to 256 or 16, depending on the data type of your image.) Any colors from the Standard Palette that are not in the image are discarded and replaced with another color. An optimized palette is particularly effective if you have an image with many shades of the same color.

Grid and Partition

Creating a grid is useful if you are using a navigation image for your web site and want to split the main image up into smaller navigation images. Each image will load separately, which tends to create the illusion for the user that images are loading faster. This command can only be used on True Color images.

  Color Table dialog box

  Grid & Partition dialog box

  Color Palette

  Web imaging

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Preparing images for animation

Before switching to Ulead GIF Animator to create your animated GIF, follow these steps to streamline the process.

Resize all your images to a similar size.

GIF images are limited to a 256 color palette (either optimized or standard). Convert all your images to a single palette:

1.	Open all the images to be included in the animation.

2. 	Click Window: Batch Manager.

3. 	In the Batch Manager dialog box, select all the images for the animation and select Format from the Category menu.

4. 	From the Operation menu, click Convert to Indexed 256 color or Convert to Optimized indexed 256 color.

5.	Click OK to convert the selected images to 256 color mode.

  Creating web efficient images

  Batch Manager dialog box

  Web imaging

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Adding workspace to an image

1.	Click Edit: Expand.

2.	Set the amount of your border in number of pixels. Select  [image]  to automatically equalize all of the borders.

3.	Choose a color to expand.

4.	Click OK to finish.

  Expand dialog box

  General

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Using Guided Workflow Tools

When you are in a hurry, PhotoImpact has a unique feature to make obtaining and enhancing your images quick. The Guided Workflow Tools on the Standard toolbar guides you through all the essential steps for acquiring and enhancing an image:

Imports an image from any printed source.

Opens the Post-processing Wizard, where you can straighten and crop your image, adjust the focus, brightness and color balance, remove any red eye effect, and apply a frame.

Balances the colors.

Makes the image more vivid.

Opens the EasyPalette and applies special effects or filters to the image.

Adds a frame and shadow.

  Post-processing Wizard dialog box

  Color Balance dialog box

  Brightness & Contrast dialog box

  EasyPalette

  Frame & Shadow dialog box

  Enhancing

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Creating shadows: Basic
Creating shadows
  Basic	  Simple Halo

On the base image

1.	Click Format: Frame & Shadow, or click Frame & Shadow  [image]  on the Standard Toolbar.

2.	Click the Shadow tab in the dialog box and select the color, direction, size and soft edge.

3.	Choose a color and size for the canvas.

4.	Click Add to save the shadow style to the EasyPalette.

5.	Click OK.

PhotoImpact resizes the base image to include the added items.

On an image or text/path object

You may only add a shadow to an object (not to a selection):

1.	Right-click on the object and select Shadow.

2.	Choose a color and direction for the shadow.

3.	Increase the x offset to increase the horizontal distance between the object and shadow.

4.	Increase the y offset to increase the vertical distance between the object and shadow.

5.	Enter a Shadow size value. A higher value creates a larger shadow, giving the illusion that the light source is closer to the object.

6.	Select and adjust Soft Edge to give your shadow a more diffuse edge. Use the transparency setting to allow more or less of your background to show through.

7.	Select Preview to view the results in the image window as you adjust the properties of the shadow.

8.	Click OK.

PhotoImpact adds a shadow to the object. Right-click on the object and select Split Shadow to separate the shadow from the object.

  Grouping & ungrouping objects

  Shadow dialog box

  Frame & Shadow dialog box

  Enhancing

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Creating shadows: Diffused halo
Creating shadows
  Basic	  Simple Halo

1.	Select the area on the image that you want to add a halo shadow to and right-click. Select Convert to object.

2.	Click Format: Frame & Shadow.

3.	In the Frame & Shadow dialog box, select a color.

4.	Adjust Soft Edge. The higher the value, the more diffuse the edges.

5.	Click OK when you are happy with the effect.

  Frame & Shadow dialog box

  Enhancing

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Creating backgrounds: Custom Magic
Creating backgrounds
  Custom Magic	  Seamlessly Tiled

The Background designer in the Web menu allows you to create an almost unlimited number of unique textures for use as backgrounds.

1.	Open or create a True Color 72 dpi image that is at least 320 x 240 pixels in size. (This is your testing image.)

2.	Click the Text tool and add four 2D text objects to your image.

3.	Format the fonts as follows:

Make the first one the same color as your standard text.

The second should be the color of new links.

The third should be the color of visited links.

The last should be the color of active links.

4.	Click Web: Background Designer. Select Generate a new tile and enter the Cell size for your image.

5.	Select a Scheme and Background Type combination that creates the kind of effect you are looking for. You can get a good idea of the results from the preview window.

6.	Choose the basic colors for your background by clicking Edit and then shifting the hue.

7.	Click OK to create the new background image.

8.	When you think the background is ready for your web page, right click on it and select All. Right click again and select Convert To Object.

9.	Press T and drag the new image to the image you created in step one to see how text will look over the background.

10.	If you are happy with the background, delete the text objects you created in step two then from the Web menu, select Image Optimizer to optimize the image and save it as a JPEG file.

  Adding text

  Web imaging

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Creating backgrounds: Seamlessly Tiled
Creating backgrounds
  Custom Magic	  Seamlessly Tiled

Create professional backgrounds for your web pages with the Create Seamless Tile command.

1.	Select the Standard Selection tool  [image]  and create a rectangular selection area.

2.	Click Web: Create Seamless Tile.

3.	PhotoImpact calculates the best merge values for the tile. These values determine the amount of overlap between images that will provide the most seamless-looking background image.

4.	Click Tiled Preview to view a full screen display of the tiled background. Press Esc to return to the dialog box.

5.	Adjust the merge values and repeat step 4 until you are satisfied with the image.

6.	Click OK to create a new image containing a single piece of the tileable background.

  Creating body tags

  Create Seamless Tile dialog box

  Selection Tool

  Web imaging

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Placing & spacing objects

You can automatically arrange objects in an image based on a single object or on the two outer objects:

Single Object

1.	Select the object you want to place closest to the top left corner of the image and place it where you want it.

2.	Select all objects you wish to rearrange.

Click the align buttons on the Attribute Toolbar or click Object: Align. From the submenu, choose how to align the objects.

4.	Click Object: Space Evenly.

5.	Select Fixed and enter a value in pixels to separate each object by.

Select which direction you want to arrange the objects in and click OK.

Outer Edges

1.	Select the object you want to place closest to the top or left corner of the image and place it where you want it.

2.	Select and place the object to be closest to the lower or right corner.

3.	Select all objects you wish to rearrange.

Click the align buttons on the Attribute Toolbar or click Object: Align Objects. From the submenu, choose how to align the objects.

5.	Click Object: Space Evenly.

6.	Select the direction you want to arrange the objects in, and Even, then click OK.

  Creating objects

  Web imaging

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


  Align the left side of the object to the left edge of the base image.

  Align the right side of the object to the right edge of the base image.

  Align the top of the object to the top edge of the base image.

  Align the bottom of the object to the bottom edge of the base image.

  Center the object along its horizontal axis.

  Center the object along its vertical axis.

  Center the object both vertically and horizontally.


  Align the left sides of all selected objects.

  Align the right sides of all selected objects.

  Align the top sides of all selected objects.

  Align the bottom sides of all selected objects.

  Center all selected objects along their horizontal axes.

  Center all selected objects along their vertical axes.

  Center all selected objects both vertically and horizontally.


Assign a negative value for the number of pixels to adjust the distance between the objects. For path objects, a zero value gives each object a distance of 5 pixels from each other.


Arranging the Workspace

Hiding undesired components

Click View: Toolbars and Panels. Clear any selected boxes to remove the undesired items from the workspace. (You can also click Layout  [image]  or right click on any toolbar or panel to bring up a quick menu for showing and hiding screen components.)

EasyPalette

Click Window: Tile With EasyPalette and select the icon representing your preferred working arrangement.

PhotoImpact Album

Click Window: Tile With Album and select where you wish Album to appear in relation to PhotoImpact.

Maximizing the workspace

Click View: Remove Menu Bar. If there are menu commands you want to keep handy, customize the Quick Command Panel window to include them. Press Escape key to restore the menu.

Ruler

Click View: Ruler to show or hide the ruler.

  Toolbars & Panels dialog box

  Workspace

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


You may also click View: Full Screen, but some menu commands are disabled and you must first undock any toolbars and panels if you want them to be available.


Modifying Effects

1.	Open the EasyPalette and select any of the galleries.

2.	Right-click a thumbnail.

3.	From the drop-down list, click Modify Properties and Apply to change an effect’s settings and add it to an active image or Properties if you only want to modify the effect. Make sure Read-only (For sharing) option is cleared in the Gallery Manager submenu before you click Properties. Otherwise, any changes you made will not be saved.

4.	Click Add to save the modified effect to a Gallery. Click OK to apply these changes to the currently active image or object.

Notes: Galleries and Libraries in the EasyPalette are Read-only to prevent replacing thumbnail images and effect settings. If you want to create your own effects, save them to My Gallery in the EasyPalette.

  Applying filters and effects

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Fine tuning EasyPalette effects
Fine-tuning EasyPalette effects

Some effects in the EasyPalette can be adjusted using the Variations command.

1.	Open the EasyPalette.

2.	Select a thumbnail.

3.	Click  [image]  .

4.	A number of thumbnails will be displayed showing the filter as applied to the image or object with varying levels of intensity.

5.	Click the thumbnails to adjust the effect.

6.	Click OK once you are happy with the new effect.

  Applying filters and effects

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Using your images as examples in the EasyPalette

1.	Open the EasyPalette.

2.	Click  [image]  and select a gallery.

3.	Click  [image] . Specify how you would like your images to appear with the various effects: This changes the thumbnails for the group to the active object, image or selection.

Selected Thumbnails Replaces only the selected thumbnails with your current image.

Visible Thumbnails Replaces only the thumbnails that are currently visible on your screen with your current image.

All Thumbnails Replaces all the thumbnails with your current image.

4.	To reset the original thumbnail examples, click [image]  and select Reset All Thumbnails.

  Applying filters and effects

  EasyPalette

  Workspace

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Path Tool - Advanced Options
Advanced Path tool techniques

Editing

1.	Select the Path Edit Tool  [image]  and a previously created path object.

2.	Click on the object to display the path. Move the arrow pointer to a line on the path. When the pointer turns into a hand, click again. Nodes will then appear on the path.

3.	Click on one of the nodes on the path and drag it to a new location.

Changing modes

1.	Select the Path Tool  [image]  and a previously created path object.

2.	Click Mode on the Attribute Toolbar and select one of the 3D options. Your outline will be filled with a 3D color, and will have depth. Select Continue Draw if you want to create a path within a path without rendering, for instance, a doughnut. The Continue Draw option is only available in Path Draw Tool.

3.	Click the Color box on the Attribute Toolbar and select a fill.

4.	Click Options  [image]  on the Attribute Toolbar to adjust other properties.

  Path Tool

  Selections

  3D Objects & Effects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Importing Filters and Effects into the EasyPalette

PhotoImpact Effects and Filters can be easily imported to expand your possibilities.

1.	Open the EasyPalette.

2.	Click Galleries: Gallery Manager -  Import.

3.	Select any .SMP file for importing.

4.	Click Open.

  Modifying effects

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Gradients - Gradient Gallery
Gradients
  Fill Gallery	  Magic Gradient
  Gradient fill

If you are working with a text object, applying a gradient from the Fill Gallery in the EasyPalette will convert it to an image object. This means that you cannot apply a 3D bevel to the object.

1.	Open the EasyPalette  [image]  and click  [image]  to display a hierarchy of galleries for easy viewing.

2.	Click Galleries  [image]  from the drop-down list and select Gradient from the Fill Gallery. If you are not in the tree view mode, select the Gradient tab from the Fill Gallery.

3.	Drag one of the sample gradients to fill an area. All the samples can be modified by right-clicking on the thumbnail and selecting Properties.

  EasyPalette

  Painting & Cloning

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Gradients - Gradient fill
Gradients
  Fill Gallery	  Magic Gradient
  Gradient fill

1.	Select the Text  [image]  or Path  [image]  Tools and create a path or add text to your image.

2.	Click the Color box on the Attribute Toolbar and select Gradient fill.

3.	Select Two Color to create a gradient fill with 2 colors, or select Multiple colors to create a gradient with assorted colors.

4.	If you select Multiple colors, click its color box to adjust the colors in the palette ramp.

  EasyPalette

  Painting & Cloning

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Gradients - Magic Gradient
Gradients
  Fill Gallery	  Magic Gradient
  Gradient fill

1.	Click Effect: Magic - Magic Gradient.

2.	In the Magic Gradient dialog box, select a Mode. The Preview window updates to display the selected mode.

3.	Click Edit to modify the palette ramp colors and change the angle by adjusting the slope.

  EasyPalette

  Painting & Cloning

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Using the Gradient Ramp

The Gradient Ramp gives you more control over the colors in your gradient.

1.	Click Effect: Magic - Magic Gradient.

2.	Click Edit.

3.	Select a gradient thumbnail from the samples.

4.	Click on the Hue Shift bar or enter a value to adjust the colors. This is probably the most creative and powerful aspect of the Ramp.

5.	Click and drag the color control points to vary the rate of change around the wheel.

6.	Set the degree of rotation for the ring (up to 359°).

  Gradient fills

  Fill Gallery

  Enhancing

  Working with text

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Converting Objects

PhotoImpact is an object-based image editor and uses three types of objects: image, path, and text. Different objects have different attributes, so it is important to learn how to use and convert different object types.

Image Objects Created when you use the Convert to Object command in the Selection menu. You can rotate, resize and filll with gradients, solid colors, texture and natural fills.

Path Objects Created with either the Path or Bezier Curve Tool. Once created, you can adjust nodes on the path to distort the path. 3D bevels can be applied, along with bump and reflection maps, gradient and solid fills.

Text Objects Created with the Text tool. Fonts and font sizes can be applied. The text can be filled with solid, gradient and texture fills. You can also create 3D text by selecting a 3D bevel from the Mode drop-down list on the Attribute Toolbar.

1.	Select the object or selection you want to convert.

2.	Click Object: Convert Object Type.

 Select the type of conversion you want to perform.

From text to image Once you convert text to an image, you will not be able to adjust text attributes such as font, color and size.

From path to image Once a path has been converted to an image, you cannot select 3D modes.

From text to path Convert text to a path to distort individual characters in a text string.

From image to path Convert an image to a path to distort its shape. If you have an irregularly shaped image (such as one created with the Lasso Tool) converting it to a path will create an 8-noded rectangular path outline around the object. This command is most useful for applying 3D effects to an image object.

Reset Text/Path Object Updates the vector data of a transformed object, based on the new position of the object.

Reset Image Transform Applies the transformation matrix or deform settings to the original vector data to update it. This option is most beneficial when applying multiple transformation to a single image.

4.	Merging objects of all types converts them to one image.

  Creating objects

  Objects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Tracing an image

The Trace commands create vector objects by tracing high contrast edges in an image. Once traced, you can use the Path tool to curve them. This is useful if you want to create 3D objects from complex shapes.

1.	Select the image you want to trace and crop it to the area to be traced.

2.	Click Edit: Trace - Image to trace all high contrast edges in your image.

3.	Adjust the Tolerance, Threshold and Jump Point values until the preview window displays the path you want.

4.	Click OK to return to the workspace.

5.	Select the Path Tool and adjust the new vector path.

  Trace dialog box

  Path Tool

  Objects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


You cannot convert image or path objects to text objects.


Importing path objects

PhotoImpact supports *.AI path objects, which means you can import custom vector paths in the *.AI format and modify them within PhotoImpact.

1.	Select the Path Tool  [image].

2.	From the Shape drop-down list on the Attribute Toolbar, select Custom Shape.

You can either select a thumbnail from the Custom Shape dialog box or click Import to choose one of your own *.AI files.

4.	Click OK.

5.	To edit the shape or add points, select the Path Edit Tool from the Tool Panel and click your mouse on any edge of the path.

  Select Custom Shape dialog box

  Path Tool

  Objects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Any hexadecimal data contained in the *.AI file is discarded.

If the original *.AI file contains open paths, the resulting path object may produce a different result, as PhotoImpact's render engine assumes all paths are closed.

If the *.AI file contains multiple colors, they will be discarded. Only a single default color will be displayed on path objects.


Rotation on the x axis Click and drag in the left or right areas of the circle.

Rotation on the y axis Click and drag in the upper or lower areas of the circle.

Rotation on the z axis Click and drag anywhere outside the circle.

You can also simultaneously rotate around two axes, for example, click and drag outside the circle, on the right area to rotate along the x and z axes.


Reshaping images

1.	Select or create an object for reshaping.

2.	Select the Transform tool  [image] on the Tool Panel.

3.	Select the desired Reshaping tool from the Attribute Toolbar. These tools are available:

Resize Enlarges or shrinks the object.

Slant Moves the left and right or top and bottom edges equally.

Distort Moves a single control point independently of any others.

Perspective Moves two adjacent control points equally towards or away from each other.

3D Rotates the object around the X, Y and Z axes to alter perspective.

  Rotating

  Deforming images

  Transform Tool

  Transforming

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Direct Shines a direct beam of constant light on the object.

Spot Shines diffused light of variable strength on the object. The further the light is from the object, the weaker it will be.


Creating 3D text - 3D Bevel
Creating 3D text & path objects

1.	Select any of the first three Path Tools  [image]  [image]  [image] or Text Tool  [image] and create a new path or add text to your image.

2.	Click Color on the Attribute Toolbar and select the object color.

3.	Click Mode on the Attribute Toolbar and select a 3D mode. Alternatively, click Material to open the Material dialog box. Use this dialog box to select the 3D mode, add a shadow, bump map, reflection map and adjust the transparency of the object.

  Material dialog box

  3D Objects & Effects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Using the 3D Virtual Trackball

Once you have created a path or text object, use the 3D Virtual Trackball to create perspective and depth. If you have an image object and want to use this tool, click Object: Convert Object Type - Image to Path.

1.	Select the Transform Tool.

2.	Click the 3D Virtual Trackball  [image].

A circle surrounds your object. The circle represents the virtual trackball. The object and projection centers are marked by a small square. Click and drag to rotate the plane in any direction.

Double click within the 3D circle to switch from adjusting the object center to adjusting the projection center. Adjust the size of the inner box to change the viewing angle. Adjust the size of the outer box to change the distance between the object center and the projection center.

  Creating text & path objects

  Converting objects

  Transform Tool

  3D Objects & Effects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


The diagram illustrates the function of each component of the 3D Virtual Trackball.


Applying 3D effects to transformed objects

When using objects you should be aware of two key restrictions:

The 3D Virtual Trackball can only be used with 2D Text/Path objects. To use the Virtual Trackball with a Path or Text object:

1.	Create your Path or Text object.

2.	Select any of the first three Path Tools [image] [image] [image]  from the Tool Panel.

3.	On the Attribute Toolbar, change the Mode to 2D or Selection.

4.	Select the Transform Tool  [image]  and apply the 3D Transformation.

To use the Virtual Trackball with an Image object:

1.	Create your image object.

2.	Click Object: Convert Object Type - From Image to Path.

3.	Select the Transform Tool  [image]  and apply the 3D Transformation.

Once you have applied a 3D transformation with the Virtual Trackball to Text or Path objects 3D effects (such as a 3D round or chisel bevel) cannot be applied unless the object type is converted:

1.	Once you have finished transforming your object, click Object: Convert Object Type.

2.	Select Reset Text/Path Object to reset the vector data. The text then becomes a path object, which means that you will not be able to adjust the font, color and text size.

3.	Select the Path Tool  [image].

4.	Click Mode on the Attribute Toolbar and select a 3D bevel mode.

  Path Tool

  3D Objects & Effects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Using the Material dialog box to apply 3D effects

The Material dialog box is your toolkit for creating custom 3D objects.

1.	Create a path or text object with any of the first three Path Tools [image] [image] [image]  or Text Tool  [image].

2.	Click Material on the Attribute Toolbar to open the Material dialog box:

Color/Texture tab Select a solid, gradient or texture fill for your object. Click File to apply a previously saved image file as the fill.

Bevel tab Select the bevel style for your object.

Border/Depth tab Adjust the width of the selected bevel.

Bump tab Add a bump map to create texture on your 3D object. For truly realistic results, select Use bump map as reflection.

Reflection tab Reflects a selected image file off the 3D object. Use this to create a metallic effect.

Transparency tab Adjust the transparency of the object.

Shadow tab Adds a drop-shadow to the object.

Light tab Adjust the position of lights. Click a light above the Preview and drag on the Preview to adjust the light position.

Shading tab Select the shading model to use. Phong creates a more matte shade on the object, Metal is shinier.

  Material dialog box

  3D Objects & Effects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Tutorial 1 - Creating transparent text
Tutorial 1 – Creating transparent text

	1. Create a new image, and fill it with the color you want the outline of your text to be. We used a pale yellow (R=250, G=233, B=145). 2. Select the Text Tool  [image]  and enter your text.  3. On the Attribute Toolbar, change the text to a Selection using the mode pull-down menu. 4. With the text still selected, right-click on the workspace and select Border, or click Selection – Border. In this example our settings were: Border value = 1; Direction = Inward; Shape = box; Soft edge = 0. This creates a border around your text that is the same color as the background color.  5. Click Effect: Creative - Type and select the Neon tool. 6. Change the border color so it is the same as the background color. 7. In the Parameters group, select Inside and set the frame width to 3.  8. Once you are satisfied with the effect, click OK. 9. Drag the text onto the original image.


Tutorial 2 - Designing a logo
Tutorial 2 – Designing a logo

	1. The globe was selected from an original photograph, using the Shape Selection Tool  [image]  with a fixed circle width selected. 2. Create a new image  [image]  approximately 300 x 250 pixels with a white background color. 3. Drag and drop the selection area to the new image. This converts the selection to an object. 4. Right click on the object and select Properties. Add a soft edge to the globe – we used a value of 4 – to blend the edges of the globe into the background a little.

5.	Select the Text Tool  [image]  and enter your text. The font in the example is Impact, sized at 40 pts for the main text and 20 pts for the smaller text. A space was entered between the characters of the smaller text to give it an expanded effect.

On the Attribute Toolbar, click Mode and select Horizontal or Vertical Deform. An 8-noded path (called an envelope) will surround the text. When you move your mouse over a node, the cursor will change to a cross. Click and drag the two center nodes on the top and bottom and drag them outwards to distort the envelope of the text.

7.	To adjust the shape of individual characters, select the Path Edit Tool  [image]  and start distorting your path. You can add or delete control points to give you more control over the shape. Use Convert path to curve segment  [image]  to make a simple line into a curve.

8.	Once you are happy with the text shape, convert it back to 2D or 3D mode from the Mode pull-down menu.

9.	Click Material on the Attribute Toolbar. In the Material dialog box, click the Shadow tab and select Shadow. We used a surround shadow for this example.

10.	Position the text over the globe and save your logo.


If you adjust the path of individual characters, all text attributes will be lost, which means you won’t be able to adjust the font size, style and color.


Tutorial 3 - Creating transparent images for the Web
Tutorial 3 – Creating transparent images for the Web

	In this example, we wanted to create transparent areas of from a composition image of 3 photographs. The problem faced was that the photos we were using originally had a white background, and each photograph had a white frame around it. We wanted the background to be transparent, but not the white frames. To overcome this problem, we created a mask on the image. Click the image on the left to view the finished result. 1. Select the area of your image that you want to be non-transparent. Convert it to an object by right-clicking on it and selecting Convert to object. All parts of the image outside of the object created will become transparent.
2.	Click Object: Export Object. In the Export Object dialog box, select File in the Export to option; then click Selection Only. Click OK to save the object as a new file.

3.	Click Web: Image Optimizer to open the Ulead Image Optimizer dialog box.

4.	To save as a GIF file, click the GIF button to open the GIF Options dialog box.

5.	Image Optimizer processes one object at a time. The first object to be processed will be the first one you have created, and continues on with the other selected objects after finishing each object. Click the Mask Options tab in the dialog box and select Import Mask. Select the file you saved in step 2. This will appear over your original image as a mask.

6.	If necessary, increase the similarity value of the object to include a wider range of colors in the transparent area. If your image has a shadow, as ours did, select “Enable background blending using background settings” to blend the shadow with the background.

7.	If you already have a saved image that you want your GIF file to be placed over, click Background and select User selected image. Click the Browse button to search through your files.

8.	You may need to adjust the position of the transparent image on the background. Enter an X and Y value in the Tile offset to define the image's X- and Y-offset. This shifts the image a number of pixels based on the entered value. Negative values move the image left and down while positive values move the image right and up.

9.	This process also optimizes your file so it loads faster. Click the GIF Options tab to select palette options. Once you are happy with the image, click Save As to save the image as a GIF file.

10.	Use the normal <IMG SRC> tag in your HTML document to include the image in your web site.


New

Opens an empty window in the workspace for creating a new image.

[Ctrl+N]

  New dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Restore

Returns the image to the way it was when it was last saved. This is essentially the same as closing the image and then reopening it without saving. (This command cannot be undone.)

  Recovering from mistakes


Place

Shows a submenu for opening image files to place in the current image:

As The Base Image Replaces the current base image with the selected file. If the new image has a different dimension, PhotoImpact resizes the base accordingly. If the selected image is a different data type or resolution, PhotoImpact converts the image before adding it.

As An Object Places an object of the image into the current project. If the selected image is a different data type or resolution, PhotoImpact converts the image before adding it. If the image contains a transparent background, that area will be transparent in the new object.

  Replacing the base image

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Print

Sends the active image to the currently selected printer for output.

[Ctrl+P]

  Print dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Print Preview

Allows you to see approximately how the image will appear on a page after printing.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Print Preview Mode

Print Prints the image.

Setup Choose a different printer or configure the current one.

Resize Resizes the image. After pressing this button, drag the control points until the image reaches the desired size on the page.

Copies Set how many copies to print.

Start From Assign the location of the top left corner of the image on the page.

Title Assign a title to print with the image. ("&f" tells PhotoImpact to use the file name.)

Options Shows a menu with commands for placing and sizing the image.

View Shows a menu with commands for examining the image.

Close Click to return to the PhotoImpact workspace without printing.

Note: You can also position the image on a page by dragging it to the desired location.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Preferences

Allows you to set default settings for working on images in PhotoImpact and optimizing performance.

[F6]

  Setting PhotoImpact defaults

  Adding third-party plug-ins

  Using Guidelines & Grids

  Calibrating the display

  Managing memory

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Update

Updates changes made to an image opened in the PhotoImpact workspace from another program (such as Microsoft Word). This is only available when the image is a PhotoImpact OLE object.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Send

Allows you to write and send electronic mail messages from your e-mail system and attach images to the messages.

For Outlook Express:

1.	Click Tools: Options.

2.	Select General page in the Options dialog box.

3.	Select Make Outlook Express my default e-mail program.

4.	Select Make Outlook Express my Simple MAPI client.

5.	Close Outlook Express.

For Netscape Messenger:

1.	Click Edit: Preferences.

2.	Select Mail server under Mail & Groups in the Category list.

3.	Click More Options.

4.	Select Use Netscape Messenger from MAPI-based applications in the More Mail Server Preferences dialog box.

5.	Close Netscape Messenger.

For Eudora:

1.	Click Tools: Options.

2.	Select MAPI in the Category list.

3.	Select Always under Use Eudora MAPI server.

4.	Close Eudora.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Save

Allows you to save your work as a new or existing image or Ulead (UFO) file. Saving as a UFO file preserves all objects in the image. Saving in any other format discards any objects not yet merged.

Save Saves the file with its existing name and format. If the file has no name the Save As dialog box opens so you can assign one.

[Ctrl+S]

Save As Opens the Save As dialog box where you can assign a name, format, and location.

Save Copy As Replaces the Save As command if the current image was opened from another program. This allows you to create a new file from a PhotoImpact OLE object.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Undo Before / Redo To

Undo Before Displays a submenu of up to the last 99 actions you performed that can be reversed. PhotoImpact reverses all actions above and including the one you choose.

Undoes your last action

[Ctrl+Z]

Redo To Displays a submenu of all actions you have undone. PhotoImpact re-applies all actions above and including the one you choose.

Reapplies your last undo.

[Ctrl+Y]

Note: You can set the number of steps in the Preferences dialog box.

  Recovering from mistakes

  Setting PhotoImpact defaults

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Clear Undo History
Clear Undo/Redo History

Removes all actions currently in the Undo and Redo submenus.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Cut

Removes the selected area or object and places it on the clipboard.

Cutting a selection PhotoImpact fills the selection with the current background color.

Cutting an object Removes the object from the image leaving the base unchanged.

Nothing selected Removes the base image, replacing it with the background color.

[Ctrl+X]

  Using the clipboard

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Copy

Copies the selected area or object to the clipboard without removing it from the active window.

[Ctrl+C]

  Copying

  Using the clipboard

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Paste

Shows a submenu offering options for how to paste clipboard data into an image.

Note: PhotoImpact always creates an object out of the pasted information.

As Objects Places the image in the top left corner of the active window. You can then drag it to the desired location.

[Ctrl+V]

Into Selection Places the image into the current selection. You can drag the image within the selection to the desired location.

Fit Into Selection Resamples the image to fill the current selection.

Under Pointer Places the top left corner of the image where you click the mouse.

As A New Image Creates a new window containing the image.

  Using the clipboard

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Clear

Permanently removes the selected area or object from the active window. (If you delete a selection, PhotoImpact fills the space with the background color.) Use this command to delete information without affecting the contents of the clipboard.

Note: If nothing is selected, PhotoImpact replaces the base image with the current background color.

[Del]

  Deleting data

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Clipboard

Displays a submenu for working directly with clipboard data.

Load Allows you to open a file directly into the clipboard without displaying it.

Save Allows you to save the current clipboard data as a file.

Display Opens a new window showing the clipboard data. Click anywhere to close the window.

  Using the clipboard

  Copying

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Crop

Trims all unselected areas from the image and resizes it accordingly. If you are cropping an object, PhotoImpact first merges the object to the base and then crops it.

Note: You cannot crop grouped objects.

[Ctrl+R]

  Cropping an image


Fill

Fills the selected area with a color, texture or clipboard data.

[Ctrl+F]

  Filling images with color

  Color fills

  Gradient fills

  Fill dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Paint On Edges

Paints around the edges of a selection. You must have a selection or an object selected before you can use this command. The edges of the selection or object will be painted using the current Paint Tool settings.

  Rectangular and elliptical selections

  Freehand selections

  Selecting by color

  Precision selecting

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Duplicate - Edit Menu
Duplicate

Shows a submenu for creating a new image consisting of elements in the current image:

Base Image With Objects Copies the image and its objects to a new image.

[Ctrl+D]

Base Image With Objects Merged Copies the base image and its objects to a new image and then merges the objects to the base.

Base Image Only Copies the current base image without its objects.

  Duplicating

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Duplicate - Object submenu
Duplicate

Creates a copy of the selected object onto the current image.


Stitch

Allows you to create a new image by connecting two images together.

  Joining two images

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Color Table

Allows you to change the colors in the color table for indexed 16- and 256-color images.

  Changing colors

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Trace Commands
Trace

The Trace commands create vector objects by tracing high contrast edges in an image. Once traced, you can use the path tool to curve them:

Selection Marquee Traces a shape according to the edges of the marquee.

Image Traces a shape based upon the luminosity values of the pixels in the image. The darker pixels are contained and the lighter excluded.

  Deforming images

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Rotate & Flip

Shows a submenu for changing the orientation of an image. If an object has been transformed with the 3D Tool, you cannot rotate or flip it.

Rotate Left 90 Turns the image counterclockwise by 90º.

Rotate Right 90 Turns the image clockwise by 90º.

Rotate 180 Turns the image upside down.

Flip Horizontally Creates a mirror image using the horizontal axis as the reference.

Flip Vertically Creates a mirror image using the horizontal axis as the reference.

Use Transform Tool Selects the Transform tool (and shows its toolbar) so you can choose other methods for changing image orientation. (Only shown from the Edit menu.)

  Instant rotating and flipping

  Transforming

  Transform Tool

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Select

Accesses a submenu for creating and changing selection areas without the mouse. Some things you can do include selecting or deselecting the entire image, switching the selected and unselected parts of an image, using an existing selection as the basis for a new one, and softening edges of a selection area.

  Rectangular and elliptical selections

  Freehand selections

  Selection Tool

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Object

Accesses a submenu for working with objects. Some of the things you can do include adding shadows to objects, changing the shadow's properties, grouping objects together or breaking groups apart, and merging objects to the base image.

  Creating an object

  Object Properties dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Remove Menu Bar

Hides the title and menu bars from the workspace. All currently displayed toolbars and panels remain visible. The menus remain available by using the keyboard. (For example, press Alt-O to access the Format menu.)

  Arranging the Workspace

  Toolbars & Panels dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Toolbars & Panels

Allows you to customize which features PhotoImpact shows to help you work more efficiently. Click to show or hide a specific toolbar or panel. To go back to the default settings, click Reset to Default. This displays all the basic toolbars and panels for you to work on.

Note: You may also access most of the options in the Toolbars & Panels dialog box from a submenu by clicking Layout  [image]  on the Standard Toolbar or select Customize from the Toolbars & Panels submenu.

  Toolbars & Panels dialog box

  Arranging the Workspace

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Ruler

When selected, displays a ruler along the top and left sides of the current image as a reference to determine image size or align objects.

Note: You may also show the ruler or switch between inches, cm, and pixels by clicking Ruler  [image]  in the Status bar.

  Arranging the Workspace

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Tile With Album

Opens or resizes the PhotoImpact Album and PhotoImpact workspaces to fill the desktop more efficiently A submenu offers these choices:

Tile Album to the left of PhotoImpact.

Tile Album to the right of PhotoImpact.

Tile Album above PhotoImpact.

Tile Album below PhotoImpact.

  Arranging the Workspace

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Tile With EasyPalette

Rearranges the workspace showing only the current image and the EasyPalette. Choose from these options:

Place the EasyPalette on the left and the image on the right.

Place the EasyPalette on the right and the image on the left.

Place the EasyPalette above the image.

Place the EasyPalette below the image.

  Arranging the Workspace

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Show / Hide EasyPalette

Click to toggle between showing and hiding the EasyPalette.

  Arranging the Workspace

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Sort
Sort - EasyPalette

The sort commands arrange objects in the Layer Manager according to your preferences:

Sort By Depth Places the object that is on top in the top left corner of the Layer Manager and arranges the rest according to their layers across and down the Layer Manager.

Sort By Name Sorts layers numerically and alphabetically by name.

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Find / Find Next - EasyPalette

Find Opens the Find dialog box, where you can enter search criteria to find a selected thumbnail in the Layer Manager or current Gallery or Library.

Find Next Finds the next thumbnail that matches the selected criteria.

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Object Library Manager - EasyPalette

Displays a submenu where you can create, delete, import and export Object Libraries.

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


View Options
View Menu - EasyPalette

Select an ideal viewing size for the EasyPalette thumbnails.

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Viewing Options
Viewing Options - EasyPalette

Select options such as thumbnail size. Select to display frames, captions and tooltips for each thumbnail. It also opens the EasyPalette Options dialog box for configuring some EasyPalette settings. Click the drop-down list to select a thumbnail size.

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Layout

Select a display mode from the 3 preset modes:

Basic Displays the Standard Toolbar and Status Bar.

Intermediate Displays the Standard Toolbar, Status Bar, Attribute Toolbar, Tool Panel, Color Palette and EasyPalette.

Advanced Displays the Standard Toolbar, Status Bar, Attribute Toolbar, Tool Panel, Color Palette, EasyPalette, Quick Command Panel and Brush Panel.

or

Select or clear individual Toolbars and Panels from the list to create a custom layout.

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Gallery Manager - EasyPalette

Displays a submenu where you can add, delete, import, export Galleries and reorganize the Gallery menu.

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Create - EasyPalette

Creates a new Gallery or Object Library. Select the folder location of the new gallery and create tab groups. To edit the tab groups later, right-click a tab in the Gallery or Object Library and select Tab Group Management.

  Create Object Library / Gallery dialog box

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Cut - EasyPalette

Removes the selected thumbnail and places it on the clipboard.

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Copy - EasyPalette

Copies the selected thumbnail to the clipboard.

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Paste - EasyPalette

Pastes the thumbnail contents of the clipboard.

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Delete Thumbnail - EasyPalette

Deletes the selected Thumbnail from the Gallery or Object Library. This command cannot be undone.

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Delete - EasyPalette

Deletes the selected Gallery or Object Library. This command cannot be undone, and only custom Galleries or Object Libraries can be deleted.

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Import - EasyPalette

Imports a previously created Gallery or Object Library. The Gallery or Object Library can either be merged with the currently selected Gallery / Library or imported as a separate Gallery / Library.

  Import Object Library / Gallery dialog box

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Export - EasyPalette

Exports the selected Gallery or Object Library. You can choose to export the entire Gallery or Library or export only the selected thumbnails.

  Export Object Library / Gallery dialog box

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Detach - EasyPalette

Removes a Gallery or Object Library from the EasyPalette. Only a custom Gallery or Object Library can be detached. To use the Gallery again later, click Gallery Manager: Import. To use the Object Library again later, click Object Library Manager: Import.

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Read-only - EasyPalette

Selected Makes the selected Gallery or Object Library Read-only. This is useful if you intend to share the Gallery over a network and don’t want other users adding or deleting thumbnails.

Cleared Allows other users to edit the Gallery or Object Library.

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Menu layout - EasyPalette

Opens a dialog box where you can reorganize the menu for each Gallery or Object Library. Options include adding separators to form "groups" of Galleries / Libraries, and reordering the menu list.

  Menu Layout dialog box

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Properties - EasyPalette

Displays information about the selected Gallery or Object Library, such as the name and a list of the Tab Groups within it.

  Properties dialog box

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Thumbnail Properties - EasyPalette
Properties - EasyPalette

Displays the dialog box related to the selected thumbnail.

  Properties dialog box

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Description - EasyPalette

Displays the caption, menu location and tab group of the selected thumbnail.

  Properties dialog box

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Apply - EasyPalette

Automatically applies the selected filter, gradient or effect.

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Modify Properties And Apply - EasyPalette

Opens the dialog box related to the filter, gradient or effect so you can adjust its properties before applying.

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Tab Group Management - EasyPalette

Opens a dialog box where you can change the names of the tabs within the selected Library or Gallery.

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Select Tab Group - EasyPalette

Right-click on a tab to select which Tab Group to display.

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Add PhotoShop Plug-in Thumbnails - EasyPalette

Allows you to add Photoshop plug-in effects you have installed in your computer. You can access this command by right-clicking a gallery from the tree view in the EasyPalette.

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Add Natural Texture Thumbnails - EasyPalette

Allows you to add your own image file to the EasyPalette. You can access this command by right-clicking a gallery from the tree view in the EasyPalette.

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Reset Thumbnails - EasyPalette
Reset All Thumbnails - EasyPalette

If you have selected to display your image as the thumbnail preview, this command resets the thumbnails to the default image.

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Copy Object To Image - EasyPalette

Copies the selected thumbnail to the current image as an object. Copy multiple images by pressing Shift or Ctrl when you select a thumbnail.

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Store Image - EasyPalette

Places the actual image data into the Object Library.

  Adding objects to the Object Library

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Store Selection - EasyPalette

Places a selection area the same shape and size as the object in the Object Library.

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Store Image As Selection - EasyPalette

Creates a selection from the image data with the gray value of each pixel determining the transparency. This command is only available for a grayscale object (white pixels are completely transparent; black opaque).

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Drag & Drop In PhotoImpact Only - EasyPalette

Selected Allows you to drag objects from the Object Library to the PhotoImpact workspace. This makes dragging from the Object Library to PhotoImpact faster.

Cleared Allows you to drag objects from the Object Library to any other program that supports drag-and-drop and the current data type. This makes dragging from the Object Library more versatile.

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


This command is not available with all Galleries.


Variations - EasyPalette

Opens the dialog box related to the selected effect. This allows you to adjust the attributes of the effect. This command is not available for all Galleries and Libraries.

  Fine-tuning EasyPalette effects

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Thumbnails - EasyPalette

Displays all available thumbnails in the Tab Group. Double-click or drag and drop a thumbnail onto your image to apply it.

  Modifying the EasyPalette

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Thumbnail Menu - EasyPalette

Displays a submenu that contains commands such as cut, copy, paste and delete. You can also view information about thumbnails.

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Tab Groups - EasyPalette

Displays all the available tabs in the selected Gallery or Library. To add a new tab, right-click on a tab and select Tab Group Management.

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Resize - EasyPalette
Resize EasyPalette

The resize command is useful if you have adjusted the display size of thumbnails in the EasyPalette.

Resize Select a custom display.

Resize to one row Displays thumbnails in rows. If the EasyPalette contains more thumbnails than fit in one row, a horizontal scrollbar appears.

Resize to one column Displays the thumbnails in a single column.

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Post To Web

Opens the Web Publishing Wizard, which takes you step by step through the process to post an image created in PhotoImpact to a selected web site.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Scanner

Accesses a submenu where you can select the source of your scanner.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Digital Camera

Accesses a submenu where you can select the source of your digital camera.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Repeat

Repeats the previous command applied.

[Ctrl+T]

  Repeating actions on multiple images

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Expand

Expands the canvas area of the current window by a selected number of pixels. This increases the size of the image and is useful if you want to create a "pasteboard" around the main image.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Expand / Shrink

Increases or decreases the size of the current selection area.

  Expand / Shrink dialog box

  Rectangular and elliptical selections

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Import Object

Replaces the selected object with an imported object from an open or previously saved image.

  Creating objects

  Import Object dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Export Object

Exports the selected object to an untitled image in the workspace or a file.

  Creating objects

  Export Object dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Convert Object Type

Changes the properties of the selected object.

Text To Image Changes a text object to an image.

Path To Image Changes a path object to an image. Convert a path to an image once you have completed adjusting its nodes.

Text To Path Changes a text object to a path. This lets you adjust the path of individual characters and distort their shape to create a unique text style. Once the path is converted, you cannot change text attributes again.

Image To Path Changes an object to a path. This adds a rectangle frame to the image.

Reset Text/Path Object Applies the transformation matrix or deform envelope data of your text or path object to the original vector data to update it.

Reset Image Transform Applies the transformation matrix or deform settings of an image to the original vector data to update it. This restores the transformation handles to the original position before applying the next transformation, making it easier to distort an image.

  Converting objects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Converting text to an image or path type will result in the loss of text attributes. This means you will not be able to adjust the font, color and text size.


Browser Preview

Simulates Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator and displays the current image in indexed-256 color mode. PhotoImpact displays the image at full screen, to change back to normal mode press any key or mouse button.

This command does not change the actual palette of the image, it only imitates an optimized palette.

[Ctrl+E]

  Creating web efficient images

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Maximize At Actual View

Maximizes the current window and zooms in or out on the image to fit it in the window.

[Ctrl+M]

  Zooming in or out

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Not all commands are available if the current image is in Grayscale or Black & White mode.


Post-processing Wizard

Opens the Post-processing Wizard dialog box, which takes you step by step through the process of refining your image by straightening, cropping and adjusting the color balance, brightness and contrast.

Straighten Re-aligns the image.

Crop Removes excess areas of solid color from the perimeter of the image.

Focus Sharpens or blurs the image.

Brightness Lightens any dark areas and darkens light areas.

Color Balance Analyzes all the colors in an image and then balances them so they appear more equalized.

Remove Red Eye Removes red from a selected area of the image.

Magic Frame Adds a frame and/or shadow to the image.

  Straighten dialog box

  Crop dialog box

  Focus dialog box

  Brightness dialog box

  Color Balance dialog box

  Remove Red Eye dialog box

  Frame & Shadow dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Creative

Accesses a submenu for applying the following effects:

Lighting Applies cool lighting effects to your images in the form of lightning, spotlight, halo, fireworks, and laser, among others.

Artist Texture Create unique textures and effects for backgrounds or buttons. Textures can also be converted into animated GIFs, using Ulead GIF Animator 2.0.

Creative Warp Distorts an image or selection by applying a mirrored texture. Textures can also be converted into animated GIFs, using Ulead GIF Animator 2.0.

Painting Applies different textures that can make your image appear as if it has been painted on canvas, with water colors or oil paints.

Particle Applies natural effects such as bubbles, rain, snow and clouds.

Transform Applies effects such as pinch, punch, whirlpool and diffuse.

Type Applies natural and other effects such as metal, snow, fire, glass, metal and emboss.

  Artist Texture dialog box

  Creative Warp dialog box

  Painting dialog box

  Type dialog box

  Transform dialog box

  Particle dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


This command is only available if the image is in True Color mode.


Create Seamless Tile

Creates a new image from the current selection area that can be used as a seamlessly tiling background. This command is only available if you have a rectangular shaped selection area. If the selection has been converted to an object this command is not available.

  Creating a background

  Create Seamless Tile dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Frame & Shadow
Frame & Shadow / Frame Designer

Allows you to add a frame, shadow, and background to the image. You can also use this command to make an image bigger changing existing base image data.

  Creating frames

  Creating shadows

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Color Picker Menu

Ulead Color Picker Opens the Ulead Color Picker dialog box offering colors and special options for choosing a color.

Windows Color Picker Opens the standard Windows color palette for choosing a color.

Eyedropper Opens the Use Eyedropper dialog box so you can select a color from the current image.

Foreground / Background Color Reminds you of the current settings and allows you to quickly choose them.

Swap Foreground / Background Color Switches the foreground and background color settings.

Reset Restores the color squares to their default colors.

Quick Pick Squares Choose from a selection of 32 popular colors.

Gradient Fill Specify the starting and ending colors for a gradient fill in a 3D object.

Magic Texture Fill Choose a texture to fill a 3D object.

Natural texture Fill Applies a texture from the Natural Texture tab group.

Note: Gradient, Magic Texture and Natural Texture fill only appear when you click the Color Square in the Path or Text Attribute Toolbar or Options dialog box.

  Eyedropper

  Color Palette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Mode

2D Object Fills the object and adds a path object to the Layer Manager.

Path Creates an outline of the text that you can reshape with the Path or Text Tool.

Selection Creates a selection area of the text.

3D Styles Creates a 3D Object filling it with the selected color, gradient, or texture. Selecting a 3D style enables the Border, Depth, Light, and Options tools on the Attribute Toolbar.

Note: As long as you don't merge a text object to the base image or edit it using the Path Tool, you may come back to edit it as text.


Batch Manager

Allows you to select several open images and apply the same command to all of them. This saves you the trouble of activating each image individually and repeating a command.

  Repeating actions on multiple images

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


All

Opens a submenu showing all filters and effects that are available. If plug-ins are installed they also appear in the submenu.

  Applying filters and effects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Blur & Sharpen

Shows a submenu offering filters that blur or sharpen images.

  Applying filters and effects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Average

Softens the image by comparing all pixels in the selected area and changing their values to make them more similar.

  Applying filters and effects

  Average dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Blur

Makes an image appear out of focus.

  Applying filters and effects

  Blur dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Emphasize Edges

Increases the contrast between adjacent pixels in the image. This makes edges or borders appear more distinct.

  Applying filters and effects

  Emphasize Edges

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Find Edges

Finds sections in the image where adjacent pixels are very different and creates outlines in those areas.

  Applying filters and effects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Gaussian Blur

Blurs an image based upon the number of pixels containing similar values.

  Applying filters and effects

  Gaussian Blur dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Sharpen

Makes an image area appear more crisp.

  Applying filters and effects

  Sharpen dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Unsharp Mask

Sharpens the image by subtracting a value for a determined by the average pixel values in a specified cell size from each pixel in that cell.

  Applying filters and effects

  Unsharp Mask dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Noise

Shows a submenu offering filters that add or remove patterns from images.

  Applying filters and effects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Camera Lens

Shows a submenu offering filters similar to those produced by special camera lenses.

  Applying filters and effects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


2D

Shows a submenu offering filters that distort images in two dimensions.

  Applying filters and effects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


3D

Shows a submenu offering filters that appear to distort images in three dimensions.

  Applying filters and effects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Natural Painting

Shows a submenu offering filters that produce effects as if images were hand drawn or painted.

  Applying filters and effects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Special

Shows a submenu offering miscellaneous filters.

  Applying filters and effects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Add Noise

Produces a speckled effect in the image.

  Applying filters and effects

  Add Noise dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Despeckle

"Cleans" the image if it seems to have randomly distributed dots in it.

  Applying filters and effects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Remove Moiré

Smoothes the image if it contains patterns due to dithering or scanning from printed material such as newspapers or magazines.

  Applying filters and effects


Cool
Cool / Warm

Cool applies a blue or cyan tint to the image.

Warm applies a red or yellow tint to the image.

  Applying filters and effects

  Cool / Warm dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Facet

Creates an effect of viewing the image through cut glass.

  Applying filters and effects

  Facet dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Mosaic

Breaks the image into tiles and uses the average color value for the pixels in each tile for all pixels in that tile.

  Applying filters and effects

  Mosaic dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Motion Blur

Makes the image appear out of focus due to camera or subject motion.

  Applying filters and effects

  Motion Blur dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Fat
Fat / Thin

Fat stretches the center of the image towards the left and right edges, squeezing the outer area.

Thin stretches the left and right edges of the image towards the middle, squeezing the inner area.

  Applying filters and effects

  Fat / Thin dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Remove Red Eye

Removes red from a selected area of the image. While this effect is primarily used to remove the “red eye” effect created by camera flashes, you can also use it to decrease the level of red in any other part of the image.

  Applying filters and effects

  Remove Red Eye dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Ripple

Produces an effect so that the image appears to be under a stream of water.

  Applying filters and effects

  Ripple dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Whirlpool

Swirls the image into a whirlpool pattern

  Applying filters and effects

  Whirlpool dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Pinch / Punch

Pinch squeezes the corners of the image towards the center.

Punch expands the center of the image towards the corners.

  Applying filters and effects

  Punch / Pinch dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Sphere

Produces an effect as if the image were placed upon the surface of a sphere.

  Applying filters and effects

  Sphere dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Watercolor

Makes the image appear as if it were painted using watercolors.

  Applying filters and effects

  Watercolor dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Emboss

Makes the image appear as if it were stamped or imprinted on a solid surface.

  Applying filters and effects

  Emboss dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Puzzle

Breaks the image into tiles with borders. Each tile is repositioned to make the image appear like an unsolved slide-puzzle. (PhotoImpact uses the current background color for the borders.)

  Applying filters and effects

  Puzzle dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Tile

Breaks the image into square tiles with background colored borders. You may choose to separate the squares,  creating an appearance of the image breaking apart.

  Applying filters and effects

  Tile dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Wind / Blast / Stagger

These three filter commands produce a wind-blown effect.

Wind creates an effect similar to that of a strong wind blowing the image. Wind trails gradually fade away.

Blast creates an effect of a stronger wind. Wind trails do not fade away.

Stagger distorts the image horizontally, shifting pixels alternately to the right or left. This is similar to the effect of viewing something through rising heat waves.

  Applying filters and effects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Warping

Places a grid over the image allowing you to create custom and localized distortions on parts of an image leaving other areas unchanged.

  Applying filters and effects

  Warping dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Custom Filter

Allows you to create your own unique filters that work by adjusting pixel values relative to neighboring pixels. Examples of the types of filters you can create are blur and sharpen. The Custom Filter dialog box offers you hints on how to get started designing the filter you want.

  Applying filters and effects

  Custom Filter dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Custom Effect

Allows you to create your own unique effects that work by adjusting pixel positions. Examples of the types of effects you can create are Sphere and Ripple. The Custom Effect dialog box offers you hints on how to get started designing the effect you want.

Warps and distorts an image by changing the relative position of pixels.

  Applying filters and effects

  Custom Effect dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Video

Corrects the colors in the image so that they are within the acceptable range for displaying on standard video or television screens.

Adjust For NTSC This is the standard for the United States.

Adjust For PAL This is the standard for much of Europe and the Commonwealth.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Windows Wallpaper

Shows a submenu where you may choose to tile or center the current image as the standard Windows wallpaper for your system.

Tile places duplicate copies of the image side-by-side until the entire desktop is filled.

Center places the image in the center of the windows desktop.

  Changing the desktop wallpaper

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Auto-process

Shows a submenu allowing you to automatically adjust the brightness, contrast, and focus of an image, or crop or straighten it based on current characteristics.

The last submenu command, Batch, accesses the Auto-process dialog box where you may combine the above adjustments plus two more, (Remove Moiré and Despeckle) into one step.

Brightness & Contrast  [F9]

  Automatic fixes

  Auto-process dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Batch

Opens the Auto-process dialog box for specifying which of seven automatic adjustments to make to an image. How these adjustments affect the outcome depends in part on the order in which you select them. The adjustments offered in the Auto Adjust dialog box are:

  Straighten	  Focus

  Crop	  Hue & Saturation

  Remove Moiré	  Brightness & Contrast

  Despeckle

  Automatic fixes

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Color Balance

Takes all the colors in an image and then balances them so they appear more equalized. The Color Balance dialog box has two tabs for correcting the color balance:

Manual Allows you to shift the balance according to thumbnail images.

Smart Allows you to select a neutral gray feature in the image and balances all other colors on the basis of that selection.

[Ctrl+L]

  Fixing the color balance

  Color Balance dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Style

Allows you to select a custom mood for your image by adding a tint or replacing the tint of a selected color with another.

  Style dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Brightness & Contrast

Allows you to fine tune the brightness and contrast in an image. The Brightness and Contrast dialog box offers visual and slider controls for fine tuning the image to perfection.

[Ctrl+B]

  Brightness & Contrast dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Hue & Saturation

Allows you to adjust shift the colors in an image. Changing the hue affects color. Changing the saturation makes the colors more intense or washed out.

  Hue & Saturation dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Focus

Allows you to make the image appear sharper or more blurry.

[F7]

  Focus dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Tone Map

Allows you to adjust the colors in an image based on the current distribution of colors in the image.

Highlight / Midtone / Shadow Expand or compress the range of colors in the image.

Map Create a custom shift in the color distribution. For example, you may want to map all the lighter and darker colors in the image to light shades, and map the mid-tones to dark shades to create a unique effect.

[F8]

  Using the true color spectrum most effectively

  Tone Map dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Invert - Image
Invert

Changes the image to display each pixel's complimentary color. This is similar to what you might see when looking at a photograph negative.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Level

Allows you to change the number of color divisions for the image. This may be useful for trying to create a Pop-Art like appearance from a true color image.

  Level dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Dimensions

Resizes an image by changing the total number of pixels.

Note: Resizing using this command changes image information. When reducing size, data is discarded and the file shrinks in size. When enlarging, new information is added and the file size increases. Another way of changing image size that does not change data or file size is the Resolution command.

[Ctrl+G]

  Resizing images

  Dimensions dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Resolution

Changes the physical size of an image. Increasing resolution makes the image smaller; reducing makes it larger.

Note: Changing the resolution does not affect file size.

  Resizing images

  Resolution dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Data Type

Shows a submenu for changing the selected image to a different data type. Depending on the current image format, you may convert to any of the following data types:

  Black and White	  Indexed 256-Color

  Grayscale	  True color

  Indexed 16-Color	  CMYK

  Converting images

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Black & White

Converts the selected image to black and white.

  Converting images

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Grayscale

  Grayscale (8 bit)

Converts the image to 8 bit grayscale, discarding all color information.

  Grayscale (16 bit)

Converts the image to 16 bit grayscale. Once you have converted an image to grayscale, editing is limited to use of the Eyedropper, Transform, and Zoom tools.

  Converting images

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Indexed 16-Color

Converts the selected image to indexed 16-Color. Selecting "Optimized Indexed 16-Color" bypasses the Convert to 16-Color dialog box, automatically selecting an optimized palette with diffusion dithering.

  Converting images

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Indexed 256-Color

Converts the selected image to indexed 256-Color.

Optimized Indexed 256-Color Bypasses the Convert to 256-Color dialog box, automatically selecting an optimized palette with diffusion dithering.

WWW Browser Optimized Bypasses the Convert to 256-Color dialog box, automatically selecting the standard 6-6-6 palette with diffusion dithering.

  Converting images

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


RGB True Color
True Color

True Color (24 bit)

Converts the image to 24 bit True Color.

True Color (48 bit)

Converts the image to 48 bit True Color. Once the image has been converted to 48 bit True Color, editing is limited to use of the Eyedropper, Transform, and Zoom tools.

  Converting images

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Create A New Image

Creates a new window containing a new image from the converted one. When cleared, the converted image replaces the original.

  Duplicating

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Split To CMYK

Creates four grayscale images from the current image, one for each channel in the CMYK color model. This is useful for preparing completed images for post-process printing. To distinguish images, PhotoImpact names each new image with the original image name and adds a code identifying which color channel it represents.

Note: This command is only available when the selected image is an True color image.

  Converting to CMYK

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Combine From CMYK

Combines four grayscale images, one for each CMYK color channel, to create a True Color Image.

  Converting from CMYK

  Combine From CMYK dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Select Base Image

Deselects all objects and selections and selects the Base Image.

[Space]

  Rectangular & elliptical selections

  Creating objects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Select Previous Selection

Re-selects the previous selection area after you have selected an object on the image.

  Rectangular & elliptical selections

  Creating objects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


None

Deselects all selected areas in the image.

  Rectangular & elliptical selections

  Creating objects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


All

Selects the entire image.

[Ctrl+A]

  Rectangular & elliptical selections

  Creating objects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Invert - Selection
Invert

Selects all unselected areas while deselecting all selected areas in the image.

  Rectangular & elliptical selections

  Creating objects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Border

Creates a border around the current selected area and makes it the new selected area.

  Creating objects

  Creating a border

  Border dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Similar

Selects other pixels whose values fall within a range of those already selected. Depending on the Similar dialog box settings, this can extend to the entire image or only adjacent pixels.

  Creating objects

  Selecting by color

  Similar dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Soften

Gradually fades the edges around a selection enabling it to blend more smoothly with the background.

  Blending images

  Soften dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Convert To Object

Creates a new object from the current selection.

  Rectangular & elliptical selections

  Creating objects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Import Selection

Allows you to use a grayscale image as the basis for creating a selected area. As the shades of gray in the mask approach black, the mask becomes less transparent.

  Rectangular & elliptical selections

  Creating objects

  Creating a grayscale mask

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Export Selection

Saves a selection as a grayscale image for use as a mask.

  Rectangular & elliptical selections

  Creating objects

  Creating a grayscale mask

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Copy Selection To Object Library

Creates a grayscale mask from the current selection and copies it to the Object Library.

  Creating a grayscale mask

  EasyPalette

  Creating a grayscale mask

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Copy To Object Library

Copies the selected object and adds it to the Object Library.

  Creating a grayscale mask

  EasyPalette

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Delete - Object
Delete

Removes the selected object from the image.

[Del]

  Creating objects

  Deleting data

  Managing objects basics

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Group

Combines all selected objects so that they behave as a single one. That way you can move them or apply the same command to all of them at one time.

  Creating objects

  Grouping and ungrouping objects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Ungroup

Separates a previously grouped set of objects back into individual objects.

  Creating objects

  Grouping and ungrouping objects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Merge

Merge makes the selected object part of the base image.

Merge All makes all objects in the image part of the base image.

  Creating objects

  Merging objects to the base image

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Revert

Returns the object to the condition it was in when you first created it.

  Creating objects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Properties - Object
Properties

Opens the Object Properties dialog box for reviewing and changing the properties for the selected object such as name, transparency, and soft edge as well as hiding the object to prevent it from appearing in the image.

  Object Properties dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Add A View

Opens and links a new window of the active image at the highest magnification that will fit in the current workspace. Any changes made in one window are shown simultaneously in both. This is useful for working at high magnifications on an image and simultaneously seeing the overall results without requiring you to switch windows. You may add up to eight views of the same image.

[Ctrl+I]

  Zooming in or out

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Magic

If Ulead Magic plug-ins are installed, this command opens a submenu listing them for you to choose.

To install Ulead plug-ins, click File: Preferences and select the Plug-ins category. Enter the path of the Ulead plug-ins folder or click Browse  [image]  to search for the folder.

  Preferences dialog box – Plug-Ins category

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


HTML Image Assistant
HTML Assistant

Opens the Ulead HTML Assistant, which helps you to quickly generate HTML code for the <BODY> and <IMG SRC> tags in your web pages. Once you have selected attributes for your background color or image, click To Clipboard to copy the HTML code. Switch to your HTML author and simply paste in the code.

  Creating body tags

  Creating image tags

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Helper Program

Specify the location of the application you want to use as to create image maps. Map This! is included with PhotoImpact and is selected as the default program.

  Defining image map tags

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Shift Image

Shifts the image so that the top left corner starts somewhere in the middle of the image. This is useful when you want to use a logo or image as a tiled background but do not want the logo to appear as if it starts from the upper left corner of your web page.

  Shift Image dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Space Evenly

Distributes space horizontally or vertically between the selected objects.

  Space Evenly dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Align Objects

Aligns the top, bottom, left or right sides or the horizontal or vertical centers of the selected objects.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Tasks - Quick Command Panel

Displays the list of all existing tasks in the Quick Command Panel. Select a task to view the commands it utilizes. To change the name of the selected task, click Task menu commands - Task Manager and click Rename.

  Quick Command Panel

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Options - Quick Command Panel
Task menu commands - Quick Command Panel

Includes basic commands such as creating, editing, renaming and recording tasks.

  Quick Command Panel

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Task Manager - Quick Command Panel

Create a new task, edit or rename an existing task, and import or export tasks in the Quick Command Panel.

  Quick Command Panel

  Edit Tasks dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Edit Task - Quick Command Panel

Edits a selected task. This command allows you to add, delete and re-order commands for a selected task.

  Quick Command Panel

  Edit dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Record - Quick Command Panel

Records a new Task. Once you have completed all the commands for the new Task, click Stop.

  Quick Command Panel

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Play - Quick Command Panel

Plays the selected Task. This applies all the components of the task to the selection or object.

[Alt+P]

  Quick Command Panel

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Stop - Quick Command Panel

Stops recording or playing a Task.

  Quick Command Panel

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Batch Task - Quick Command Panel

Applies a command to all image files in a selected folder.

  Quick Command Panel

  Batch Task dialog box

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Custom - Quick Command Panel

Displays all commands in the selected task. To set the number of commands displayed, click Task menu commands - Edit task. There, you can add, remove, or change the order of the tasks. If a command has the Dialog Box button  [image]  beside it, the related dialog box will be opened when you play that task. To clear this option, select the button once more until you see  [image]  or right-click and select Use Preset Properties.

  Task menu commands - Quick Command Panel

  Quick Command Panel

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Cache – Quick Command Panel

Displays a list of the most recently used commands. You may lock a command to keep in the Cache tab.

  Quick Command Panel

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Import/Export

Shows a submenu containing plug-in modules for adding other file formats and opening or saving methods, such as importing and/or exporting *.RAW files.

  Adding third party plug-ins

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Combine As Single Object

Creates a single object from all currently selected objects. This is similar to the Group command except that combined objects can only be split if the Undo command is available.

  Creating objects

  Grouping & ungrouping objects

  Managing objects

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Print Preview Options & View Menus
Print Preview

Options Menu

Fit To Page Resize and reposition the image to horizontally or vertically fill the page.

Center Horizontally Center the image from left to right on the page.

Center Vertically Center the image top to bottom on the page.

Print Preview View Menu

Shows a submenu for controlling how the print preview window appears.

Actual View Resize the preview to the largest size that will fit the window.

Zoom In Take a closer look at the image.

Zoom Out View more of the page.

Ruler Show a ruler at the top and left edges of the page. (The ruler does not print out.)

  Print Preview Mode

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Troubleshooting

Provides help and tips for acquiring images from a scanner or digital camera.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Global Viewer

Accesses the Global Viewer which helps you focus on a particular area when the image is larger than its window.

  Zooming in or out

  Global Viewer

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Options - Path submenu

Some of these options are only available if there is more than one path selected.

Group path Groups the selected paths so you can apply attributes to multiple paths at one time.

Ungroup path Ungroups a selected group.

Delete Deletes the selected path or path segment.

Duplicate Duplicates the selected path.

Align left Docks the selected paths to the left.

Align center Aligns the selected paths with the center of the horizontal axis.

Align right Docks the selected paths to the right.

Align top Docks the selected paths to the top.

Align middle Aligns the selected paths with the center of the vertical axis.

Align bottom Docks the selected paths to the bottom.

Distribute horizontally Arranges the paths so they are spread out symmetrically on the horizontal axis.

Distribute Vertically Arranges the paths so they are spread out symmetrically on the vertically axis.

  Bezier Curve Tool

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Measurement Unit

Select the measurement unit for PhotoImpact’s ruler. You can also select the measurement unit in the Preferences dialog box [F6].

  Workspace

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Microsoft Office 97 Compatible

Ulead PhotoImpact is a Microsoft Office 97 Compatible product, which means that many of its basic features including toolbars, menus, and accelerator keys are similar to those used by Microsoft Office. If you are already using Office or an Office 97 Compatible product, then many of the tasks you have learned to complete in Office can be completed in a similar manner in PhotoImpact. Ulead Systems and Microsoft hope these similarities will make it easier to use our products together with other Microsoft Office Compatible products.

Look for the Microsoft Office 97 Compatible logo when purchasing software. For more information about the Microsoft Office Compatible 97 program, and for a complete listing of Microsoft Office 97 Compatible products, in the United States call Microsoft Customer Service at 1-800-426-9400 or visit  Microsoft's web site.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


PhotoImpact and Office 97 Compatible Features

PhotoImpact has toolbars similar to those found in Microsoft Office 97. The Standard toolbar contains commands common to other Office programs such as New, Open, and Print. For example, to print an open image from PhotoImpact quickly, just click print  [image]  .

You can customize the toolbars and workspace to your needs. Drag the toolbars from their docked positions to make them floating, of move them from the top to the bottom of the workspace. You can also switch between large and small icons and turn color on or off in the toolbars.

PhotoImpact fully supports Microsoft Office 97 OLE procedures. You can drag files from PhotoImpact to any Microsoft Compatible program for instant linking and embedding. Once inserted you can edit in-place by double-clicking on the image.

Discover any button's or other feature's function by simply pointing to it with the mouse. This will activate the ToolTip that displays the tool's name.

PhotoImpact now also supports the IntelliMouse Pointing Device for many proceedures like panning, scrolling and zooming.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Dragging and Dropping between PhotoImpact and Office 97 programs

1.	Create or edit an image in PhotoImpact.

2.	Open an Office 97 Compatible program.

3.	Resize both program workspaces so they are both visible.

4.	Create a selection of the part of the image you wish to place in the Office 97 Compatible program and drag and drop it into the program.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Using PhotoImpact inside Office 97 programs

PhotoImpact allows you to edit images any time right inside your Office 97 Compatible program.

1.	Double-click on an image in an Office 97 Compatible program that has a link to PhotoImpact. The PhotoImpact toolbars and panels join the Office 97 Compatible program's workspace.

2.	Edit the image according to your needs.

3.	When you finish editing, click anywhere outside the image in the main document to return to the Office Compatible program.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Launching PhotoImpact from within Office 97 programs

You can edit an image embedded into an Office 97 program in PhotoImpact quickly and easily.

1.	In the Office document, right click on the object and select PhotoImpact Object: Open. The object opens in the PhotoImpact workspace for you to edit.

2.	When you finish editing, Click File: Update. If you wish to save the modified image as a file, select Save Copy As and assign a format and name to the image in the Save Copy As dialog box.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Using PhotoImpact with the IntelliMouse pointing device

PhotoImpact takes full advantage of the IntelliMouse pointing device.

Rotating the mouse wheel This will allow you to quickly scroll your image up and down.

Ctrl + IntelliMouse wheel Rotate the wheel forward while holding the Ctrl key to zoom in or rotate the wheel back to zoom out.

Panning A small icon will appear marking where you have just clicked. If you move the mouse away from your starting point, you can pan around your image in any direction. The further your cursor is from your starting point, the faster the panning. Holding down the IntelliMouse wheel produces similar results.

Auto Panning Hold down the IntelliMouse wheel to automatically pan around your image.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact


Layer Manager - EasyPalette

Displays all objects in your current image. If you are having trouble finding an object in your image, simply click one in the Layer Manager. You can drag thumbnails around within the Layer Manager to change their depth or layer in the image.


EasyPalette Galleries / Libraries

Displays the heirarchy of galleries and libraries in the EasyPalette. Click the Show/Hide tree view button on the EasyPalette toolbar to toggle between showing the tree view and displaying only the thumbnails within a gallery or library.

  Welcome to PhotoImpact

  EasyPalette


Help

Click the Help button [image] and click an item of interest. Another way of accessing Help is by placing the mouse over an item and click F1. Alternately, you can click Help: Ulead PhotoImpact Help to access the Help topics.


Remove Red Eye Retouch Tool
Retouch Tool

  Remove Red Eye

  Using the Brush Panel


Remove Scratch Retouch Tool
Retouch Tool

  Remove Scratch

  Using the Brush Panel


Remove Noise Retouch Tool
Retouch Tool

  Remove Noise

  Using the Brush Panel


Color Transform Pen Retouch Tool
Retouch Tool

  Color Transform Pen

  Using the Brush Panel


Remove Red Eye Retouch Tool
Retouch Tool

  Remove Red Eye

  Using the Brush Panel


Remove Scratch Retouch Tool
Retouch Tool

  Remove Scratch

  Using the Brush Panel


Remove Noise Retouch Tool
Retouch Tool

  Remove Noise

  Using the Brush Panel


Color Transform Pen Retouch Tool
Retouch Tool

  Color Transform Pen

  Using the Brush Panel


Lighting dialog boxes

Click a lighting effect to learn more about the contents of its dialog box.

  Lightning	  Spotlight

  Firework	  Flashlight

  Lens flare	  Meteor

  Light bulb	  Comet

  Halo	  Laser


Quick Command Panel - Cache tab
Quick Command Panel

The Quick Command Panel allows you to place all the commands you use the most in one location for quick access. Click below to learn more about each item


Texture options

Choose a preset texture from the drop-down list to paint or clone over the base image or selection area. Select User-defined to open an image file of your choice.


Load texture

Click to select an image file to use as the texture for painting or cloning.


Texture preview

Displays a thumbnail of the image file that you have selected for your texture.


Paintbrush painting tool texture options
Paint Tool

  Paintbrush

  Using the Brush Panel


Airbrush painting tool texture options
Paint Tool

  Airbrush

  Using the Brush Panel


Crayon painting tool texture options
Paint Tool

  Crayon

  Using the Brush Panel


Charcoal painting tool texture options
Paint Tool

  Charcoal

  Using the Brush Panel


Chalk painting tool texture options
Paint Tool

  Chalk

  Using the Brush Panel


Pencil painting tool texture options
Paint Tool

  Pencil

  Using the Brush Panel


Marker painting tool texture options
Paint Tool

  Marker

  Using the Brush Panel


Oil paint tool texture options
Paint Tool

  Oil Paint

  Using the Brush Panel


Bristle painting tool texture options
Paint Tool

  Bristle

  Using the Brush Panel


Paintbrush clone tool texture options
Clone Tool

  Paintbrush

  Using the Brush Panel


Airbrush clone tool texture options
Clone Tool

  Airbrush

  Using the Brush Panel


Crayon clone tool texture options
Clone Tool

  Crayon

  Using the Brush Panel


Charcoal clone tool texture options
Clone Tool

  Charcoal

  Using the Brush Panel


Chalk clone tool texture options
Clone Tool

  Chalk

  Using the Brush Panel


Pencil clone tool texture options
Clone Tool

  Pencil

  Using the Brush Panel


Marker clone tool texture options
Clone Tool

  Marker

  Using the Brush Panel


Oil paint clone tool texture options
Clone Tool

  Oil Paint

  Using the Brush Panel


Bristle clone tool texture options
Clone Tool

  Bristle

  Using the Brush Panel


Preserve Base Image

Leaves the base image unchanged when moving a selection. Clear to replace the space vacated by the selection with the current background color.


Converting a path segment to a curve

There is more to creating path objects than just drawing a series of lines. Once you have a simple path object, it is easy to make any line in your path into a curve.

To create a curve within a path object:

1.	Click the Path Edit Tool.

2.	Make sure Pick Point is selected in the Edit Point attribute on the Attribute Toolbar.

3.	Select an existing path. All the nodes or control points (in red) then appear, allowing you to easily drag anywhere on your workspace.

4.	Select a line segment that you want to make into a curve. The active line becomes red.

5.	In the Convert line attribute, select  [image]  to be able to make your line a curve. If it is disabled, click  [image]  first, then  [image] .

6.	Click either end of the line segment you have selected. Two smaller nodes then appear within the selected line segment.

7.	Click and drag the nodes or control points to make the line a curve. Drag the handles right next to the control points to adjust the curve.

8.	If you make any mistakes while adjusting the curve and want to reset it, click anywhere on the curve and click [image]  to restore to the original settings.

9.	Repeat steps 3 to 7 until you are satisfied with the curve you have created.


Show Detail Information

Toggles between showing and hiding information such as size and resolution of each object.


Galleries

Galleries Choose a gallery for applying preset styles to your path.

Material Contains preset color, reflection, bump, material and shading styles.

Deform Contains preset effects for changing the perspective (angle) of text.

Wrap Contains preset shapes and formations you can apply to your text.

  Material Gallery

  Deform Gallery

  Wrap Gallery


EasyPalette

The EasyPalette contains visual aids to help you edit images quickly. Select the desired gallery or palette from the drop-down list at the top to make a wide range of textures, special effects, preset filters, and object managing tools instantly available. You can also save your own custom filters and effects in the EasyPalette for later use. Then, taking advantage of the galleries and palettes is a simple drag-and-drop operation.
For more information about each palette, click the palette icons below.

  Galleries
  Libraries
  Layer Manager


EasyPalette - Filter Gallery
Filter Gallery

The Filter Gallery offers a visual alternative to choosing effects available from the Effect menu. It separates them into tabs that correspond with the submenus the filters belong to in the Effect menu. Additionally, the All tab shows all effects at once.

  EasyPalette Basics


EasyPalette - Style Gallery
Style Gallery

The Style Gallery contains a variety of preset filters to change the mood of an image. These filters were designed to enable you to make quick enhancements without requiring careful thought about the mechanics of image processing.

  EasyPalette Basics


EasyPalette - Brush Gallery
Brush Gallery

The Brush Gallery contains predefined settings for the Paint, Retouch and Clone Tools which you can directly apply to your images.

  EasyPalette Basics


EasyPalette - Particle Gallery
Particle Gallery

The Particle Gallery provides sparkling objects like bubbles, stars and fireballs which can give life to dull images. It also contains climatic effects such as rain, fog and snow which you can apply to your images.

  EasyPalette Basics


EasyPalette - FIll Gallery
Fill Gallery

The Fill Gallery contains preset gradients and spectacular textures you may want to use as backgrounds in your images or to fill a selection.

  EasyPalette Basics


EasyPalette - Button Gallery
Button Gallery

The Button Gallery contains a collection of rectangular and irregularly shaped buttons you can include in your Web page. Use the Web: Button Designer command to create your own button designs and add to this gallery.

  EasyPalette Basics


EasyPalette - Frame Gallery
Frame Gallery

The Frame Gallery contains frame styles you can apply to your images. All the Frame styles in this Gallery can be created using the Format: Frame & Shadow or Web: Frame Designer commands.

  EasyPalette Basics


EasyPalette - Material Gallery
Material Gallery

The Material Gallery contains preset color, reflection, bump, material and shading styles. These styles can also be created by clicking Options  [image]  on the Attribute Toolbar when any of the Path Tools is selected (except Path Edit Tool) or the Style button, also on the Attribute Toolbar, when Text Tool is selected.

  EasyPalette Basics


EasyPalette - Layer Manager
Layer Manager

The Layer Manager keeps track of all the objects in the active image showing thumbnails of each. You may rearrange the objects to display them by level, name, or groups.

  EasyPalette Basics


EasyPalette - Shape Library
Shape Library

The Shape Library contains a collection of objects that you can drag and drop into your image. Convert the objects to 3D by switching to the Path Tool and selecting a 3D mode from the Attribute Toolbar.

  EasyPalette Basics


EasyPalette - Path Library
Path Library

The Path Library contains a collection of path-based objects that you can adjust using the Path Edit Tool.

  EasyPalette Basics


EasyPalette - Image Library
Image Library

The Image Library contains a collection of objects you may want to use in several different images.

  EasyPalette Basics


EasyPalette - Web Library
Web Library

The Web Library contains a collection of banners, bullets, arrows, buttons, and more, grouped in different style categories, that you can use on your Web pages.

  EasyPalette Basics


Don't use buttons or icons that are protected by a copyright. If you are unsure whether it is legal to use an image created by someone else, don't use it.


You can create ellipses, diamonds, rectangular, and rounded rectangles using this command.


Bevel is usually the best.


  Fill Gallery

  Filter Gallery

  Style Gallery

  Painting Gallery

  Brush Gallery

  Particle Gallery

  Lighting Gallery

  Material Gallery

  Deform Gallery

  Wrap Gallery

  Type Gallery

  Button Gallery

  Frame Gallery

  My Gallery


  Image Library

  Mask Library

  Shape Library

  Outline Library

  Path Library

  Web Library

  My Library


EasyPalette - Wrap Gallery
Wrap Gallery

The Wrap Gallery contains a wide selection of shapes and formations you can apply to the text or path that goes with your image. These styles can also be created by clicking Options  [image]  on the Attribute Toolbar when Path Drawing Tool is selected or the Style button, also on the Attribute Toolbar, when Text Tool is selected.

  EasyPalette Basics


EasyPalette - Deform Gallery
Deform Gallery

The Deform Gallery provides effects for changing the perspective (angle) of text or a path. These styles can also be created by clicking Options  [image]  on the Attribute Toolbar when Path Drawing Tool is selected or the Style button, also on the Attribute Toolbar, when Text Tool is selected.

  EasyPalette Basics


EasyPalette - Type Gallery
Type Gallery

The Type Gallery offers a visual alternative to choosing effects available from the Effect menu. It contains special text effects which are far more powerful than the Text and Path tools. You can apply glass-like or metallic effects and add snow, holes, neon glows, or sand.

  EasyPalette Basics


EasyPalette - Lighting Gallery
Lighting Gallery

The Lighting Gallery offers a visual alternative to choosing effects available from the Effect menu. It contains different forms of light such as spotlight, fireworks, laser, lightning, and more, which you can add to an image. You can change the light object's properties like color, brightness and its position on the image by selecting Lighting from the Effect: Creative submenu.

  EasyPalette Basics


EasyPalette - Painting Gallery
Painting Gallery

The Painting Gallery offers a visual alternative to choosing effects available from the Effect menu. It contains preset brush strokes which you can simply apply to your image and give it a professional, artistic look. To create your own painting effects, select Painting from the Effect: Creative submenu.

  EasyPalette Basics


EasyPalette - Mask Library
Mask Library

The Mask Library contains a collection of masks that you can drag into your image. Masks are particularly useful when you want to apply effects to certain areas on the image.

  EasyPalette Basics


EasyPalette - Outline Library
Outline Library

The Oultine Library contains a collection of path-based outlines that you can adjust using the Path Edit Tool.

  EasyPalette Basics


EasyPalette - My Gallery
My Gallery

My Gallery is an empty gallery that allows you to store your own collection of tool attributes for later use. Whenever you want to save your settings to the EasyPalette, simply click the Add button on the Attribute Toolbar. The Add to EasyPalette dialog box opens, automatically storing your settings to My Gallery. Alternately, you can simply drag it to the EasyPalette.

  EasyPalette Basics


EasyPalette - My Library
My Library

My Library is an empty library that allows you to store your own collection of images, objects and paths for later use. Whenever you want to save your settings to the EasyPalette, simply click the Add button on the Attribute Toolbar. The Add to EasyPalette dialog box opens, automatically storing your image to My Library. Alternatively, you can simply drag it to the EasyPalette.

  EasyPalette Basics


This help file contains topics about selected dialog boxes in your PhotoImpact package. You can access these topics through those dialog boxes or by navigating through a main help file associated with one of the PhotoImpact programs.


Insert Thumbnails into Album dialog box

Places thumbnails of newly saved image files into an existing album.

Album Choose the album to insert the thumbnail into from the drop-down list.

Thumbnail Information Displays the filename and description information for the thumbnail.

New Album Creates a new album to hold the thumbnail.

Description Adds a description for the thumbnail.

Apply To All Applies the same description to all thumbnails.


Thumbnail Description dialog box

Enter a description for the thumbnail being inserted into an album. This description is displayed when you click View: Photo Properties – Album Info.


New Album dialog box - General
New Album dialog box
  General	  Fields
  Advanced

Determines the name location, and size characteristics for a new album.

Title Enter the title for the album.

Create album file in folder Initially displays the current folder. Enter the desired folder or click Browse.

Browse Click to search for other folders.

Thumbnails Enter the size, compression, and color for the thumbnails in the new album.

Description Displays default image description. Enter new description, add new fields, or use the default.


New Album dialog box - Advanced
New Album dialog box
  General	  Fields
  Advanced

Determines sharing and folder monitoring behavior for a new album.

Folder Enter the folder for monitoring.

Browse Click to search for other folders.

File types Enter the file format to monitor or select from the file formats drop-down list.

File formats list Select the file format to monitor.

Enable folder monitoring Check to monitor defined folder.

Password Enter a password for access security.

Verify Enter the password again for verification.


New Album dialog box - Fields
New Album dialog box
  General	  Fields
  Advanced

Assigns fields for thumbnails in the album.

Field name Enter the field name to add or modify.

Field type Select the data types for each thumbnail. Add/modify/delete from the user-defined list.

Add Click to add new field name to the fields list.

Change Click to change the selected field name's current field type.

Remove Click to remove field name from the fields list.

Total fields Displays the total number of fields in the album.

Fields list Displays the field names and their field types in the album.


Certain field types can be modified provided that the field name is not a computer default field by clicking on the Edit button.


Options dialog box - Calibration
Options dialog box
  Calibration	  Postscript	  Halftone

Redistributes the color distribution in the image to correct for the printer's idiosyncrasies.

Use printer's default Check to have the printer determine how to print colors and shades. This disables all other options in the dialog box.

Map Drag the curve to remap the color distribution according to your needs. The horizontal axis represents the current image color values and the vertical axis represents the final values. The line shows the equivalent new value for each existing one.

Channel Choose which channel to edit. Master mainly affects brightness and contrast. The other channels affect specific colors.

Show control points Check to add handles to the mapping curve. This may make it easier for you to reassign color values.

Accumulatively Check to have each change you make to the mapping curve add on to previous changes.

Smooth Check to smooth the mapping curve after you create a freehand map. This may make the change to the image more natural.

Load Use a previously saved map file to remap the colors.

Save Saves the current map settings to a file for future use in another image.

Apply enhancement Choose from a list of pre-defined mapping curves or functions.


Options dialog box - Postscript
Options dialog box
  Calibration	  Postscript	  Halftone

If you are printing to a Postscript printer, you can select the following options:

Use Postscript Level 2 features Select to take advantage of Postscript 2 quality and compression features.

Best quality Select to print at the best possible quality.

Compress bitmap Select to compress the data being printed to conserve disk space.

Default Click to use PhotoImpact’s default settings.

Compress Select the type and level of compression.

Type Select a compression scheme.

Level Select the level of compression. A lower value will compress the image more, resulting in a higher loss of detail.


Options dialog box - Halftone
Options dialog box
  Calibration	  Postscript	  Halftone

If you are printing to a printer that does not support PostScript features, you can select the following options to configure the printer to print halftone images.

Use printer's default Check to have the printer determine how to print colors and shades.  This disables all other options in the dialog box.

Shape Choose a desired shape for each pixel in the image.

Optimized screen Correct range of colors in the image for the best printout.

Frequency Set the desired distance between the centers of each halftone dot.

Angle Set the angle for printing the dots.

Default Click to reset all the custom settings to the printer defaults.


Convert to Black & White dialog box

Define the image characteristics for capturing or converting to black and white images.

Resolution

Choose the desired resolution from the preset choices or define your own. When choosing a resolution, consider what you will use the image for. If displaying on-screen, do not exceed the maximum resolution of the display. For printing, use the printer's resolution.

Halftone Screen:

Shape Choose a dithering option or a halftone screen shape. Here are some guidelines to help you decide which to choose:

None No dithering or patterns are used for the image. All lighter colored pixels are changed to white and all darker ones to black.

Dispersed and Diffusion Surrounding pixels are considered when determining whether to apply a black or white pixel. These options usually produce the best results.

Frequency Choose a higher frequency for smaller dots. As the frequency increases, the pattern becomes less noticeable.

Angle Choose the relationship of one pattern to the next. 0 degrees means the patterns are arranged horizontally across the image.


When you choose a shape, the Frequency and Angle settings become available.


Convert to Indexed 16 Color dialog box

Palette Select a palette type to apply.

Standard Applies the standard Windows 16 color palette.

Optimized Applies an optimized palette to the image. This often provides a better looking image, especially if your image has many shades of the same color. Colors not present in the image are not represented in the optimized palette.

Color Weight Select to reserve entries in the palette for Black & White, or 8 primary colors (Red, Green, Blue, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black & White). The remaining entries will be filled by dominant colors in the image.

From file Uses a previously saved palette (*.PAL) file. Click Load to select a palette.

Dither Select a dithering method. Dithering reduces the effect of sharp edges between pixels of differing colors by adding noise to an image.

None Choose None when the image is composed almost entirely of large single-colored areas.

Pattern Select Pattern if choosing None results in blotchy images and Dither results in too much "noise". The Pattern result may offer a pleasing alternative.

Diffusion Choose Diffusion when the image has multi-colored patterns, shading, and other fine points. While you can't avoid losing some detail, this usually produces the most pleasing results.


Convert to Indexed 256 Color dialog box

The Convert to Indexed 256-Color dialog box offers options for creating Indexed 256-color images. Depending on the format of the source, it may contain some or all of the following items:

Palette Specify the colors to include in a new image.

Standard Choose standard to use the default 256-color palette shared by most windows programs. This is most useful when you plan to use multiple images in the same program and you want them all to appear consistently.

3-3-2 bits Choose 3-3-2 Bits to assign a unique color to every spot in the color palette. This offers the widest range of colors, but may introduce some inconsistencies when displayed by programs that do not recognize the unique palette.

6-7-6 levels Choose 6-7-6 Levels to fill 252 assignments in the color palette. This is more than the number of assigned colors in the standard palette, but may introduce some inconsistencies when displayed by programs that do not recognize the unique palette.

Optimized Choose optimized to have PhotoImpact use the 256 most needed colors in the image it creates. This usually results in a much more accurate reproduction, but can cause compatibility and consistency problems with other programs.

Color Weight Select Even to have balanced colors in the image. If you choose a particular color, red for example, it will be the most predominant color in the image.

Max number of colors Limit the number of colors to include in the palette here. This can be useful if you wish to add your own custom colors to the palette after the image is created without affecting any existing pixels in the image.

From file Use a previously saved 256-color palette as the basis for the new image. Click Load to search your system for the desired palette.

Dither Choose a dithering option to create the most accurate reproduction. The best choice depends on the source material.

None Choose None when the image is composed almost entirely of large single-colored areas.

Pattern Select Pattern if choosing None results in blotchy images and Dither results in too much "noise". The Pattern result may offer a pleasing alternative.

Diffusion Choose Diffusion when the image has multi-colored patterns, shading, and other fine points. While you can't avoid losing some detail, this usually produces the most pleasing results.


Black & White to Grayscale dialog box

Determine how many shades of gray to use when converting a black and white image to grayscale.

Cell size For line-art images, where contrast and distinct lines are important, choose 1. For photos or other images where you wish to introduce finer shading, choose higher settings.

Scale down Reduce the physical size of the image according to this setting. This may be useful for minimizing a "mosaic-like" effect that often results from conversions using large cell sizes.


Edit Keyword dialog box
Edit Keywords dialog box

Allows you to add, change, or remove items in the items list.

Total items Displays the total number of items defined in the Keyword field types.

New item Enter the new item to add to the current list.

Items list Displays the items defined in the selected field type. Click on an item to change or remove it.

Add Adds the new item to the items list.

Change Changes the selected item in the list with the newly defined item.

Remove Deletes the selected item from the items list.

Remove all Deletes all items from the items list.

Load Loads previously saved items from other files.

Save Saves the current items list for future use.


Edit List dialog box

Allows you to add, change, or remove items in the items list.

Total items Displays the total number of items defined in the List field types.

New item Enter the new item to add to the current list.

Items list Displays the items defined in the selected field type. Click on an item to change or remove it.

Add Creates an entry in the list.

Change Replaces the name of the selected list with the new list name entered.

Remove All Deletes all list names.

Load Imports a previously saved list.

Save Saves the list as a text file for future use.


Album Properties dialog box - General Tab
Album Properties dialog box
  General	  Advanced
  Fields	  More

Album title Enter or edit the name of the album.

Thumbnails Allows you to set display options for thumbnails. Choices here do not affect the actual source images.

Size Displays the size of thumbnails. Use the drop-down list in the Status bar of Album to change the thumbnail size.

Compression Sets the compression scheme of thumbnails. Choose JPEG to save on disk space. Since JPEG compression is lossey, you may notice some degradation in quality. To improve on this, choose lossless.

Color Sets the number of colors for thumbnails. Select Same as Original for thumbnails to be displayed with the same colors as the source images. Other color options display thumbnails in lesser colors and saves more on disk space.

Description Enter a description that tells about what the selected album contains.


File monitoring immediately updates your album when you add or delete an image file from the selected folder.


Marks allow you to tag thumbnails to easily identify your files within an album.


Album Properties dialog box - Fields tab
Album Properties dialog box
  General	  Advanced
  Fields	  More

Displays the number of fields within the album and their names. You can add, edit and remove  fields in Album.


Album Properties dialog box - File tab
Album Properties dialog box
  General	  Advanced
  Fields	  More

Folder monitoring Determines sharing and folder monitoring behavior for the selected album.

Folder Enter the folder for monitoring.

Browse Click to search for other folders.

File types Enter the file format to monitor or select from the file formats drop-down list.

File formats list Select the file format to monitor.

Enable folder monitoring Check to monitor defined folder.

Password Allows you to specify a password of up to 22 characters to prevent the selected album from being modified by unauthorized users.

New Enter a password for access security.

Verify Enter the password again for verification.


Album Properties dialog box - More Tab
Album Properties dialog box
  General	  Advanced
  Fields	  More

File attributes Displays information about an album including name, size and date last modified.

No of records Displays the number of items in an album.

Mark file Displays the mark file associated with the selected album.


True Color 48-bit to 24-bit dialog box

Dither Select a dithering method. Dithering reduces the effect of sharp edges between pixels of differing colors by adding noise to an image.

None Choose None when the image is composed almost entirely of large single-colored areas.

Pattern Select Pattern if choosing None results in blotchy images and Dither results in too much "noise". The Pattern result may offer a pleasing alternative.

Diffusion Choose Diffusion when the image has multi-colored patterns, shading, and other fine points. While you can't avoid losing some detail, this usually produces the most pleasing results.


Print dialog box

Determine how images appear when printed.

Printer Identifies the currently selected printer.

Copies Set how many copies to print.

Scale to fit the page Check to resize the image to fill the page according to the printer's horizontal or vertical margins.

Center image horizontally Print the image with equal amounts of white space on the left and right.

Center image vertically Print the image with equal amounts of white space above and below it.

Title Enter a caption to print with the image. "&f" tells PhotoImpact to use the file name as the caption.

Preview Click to switch to preview mode. In preview mode you can get a rough idea of how the printout will look before printing.

Options Click to customize the color map and dithering characteristics for the printer.

Printer Click to access the Windows Print Setup dialog box.


Visual Open dialog box

File directory Displays a heirarchy of folders on your disk drive. Click a folder to display its contents in the right pane. Click the plus or minus sign to show or hide all the folders within a folder.

Thumbnail preview Displays thumbnails of recognized image file types. Click a thumbnail to open the file in PhotoImpact. The file name is automatically updated every time you click a thumbnail.

File name Identify the file(s) selected for opening.

Files of type Select a particular file format for opening.

Open as read-only Protects an image from changes. Any changes you made after opening a file as read-only will not be saved.

File information Shows the data type, size, resolution, and other file statistics.

Open Opens the file with the name, file type, and location you specified.

Cancel Closes the dialog box without saving any changes you made.


Customize - Associate
Customize dialog box - Associate

Displays a list of all custom-made file extension you have created along with their default file formats. Click Add or Edit to enter or modify an entry. Click Delete to remove a file extension from the list.


Add / Edit
Add / Edit dialog box

Type a file extension of your choice or modify your entry in the Custom extension box. Select a default extension that will be equivalent to your entered file extension as displayed in the Customize dialog box.


Defining image map tags

Image maps allow you to create links to web pages by creating hotspots on an image, path or text object. You can select a single object or make multiple selections at a time and customize the hotspots for each one of them.

1. 	Switch back to PhotoImpact and select the image(s), path(s) or text object(s) you want to map. To map specific areas in an image, use the Standard Selection  [image]  or Lasso Tool,  [image]  to create the selection areas you want.

2.	Click Web: Image Map Assistant.

3.	Click a selection in the image window of the Image Map Assistant dialog box or select its name from the Object name drop-down list to specify mapping properties for it. (A default object name is given to each image, selection area, path or text object.)

4. 	Enter the URL for the selected area or object in the URL text box, the target frame, and the alternate text that would appear if the image doesn't load or if you have all images disabled in your Web browser.

5. 	Click [image] to copy the Tag information to the clipboard so you can paste it in your HTML document.

 Repeat these steps for each selected area or object you wish to make as a hotspot.

  Image Map Assistant dialog box


For best results work from the top left region across and down the image, making sure that none of the mapped regions overlap.


Creating animated lighting effects

After adding any of the lighting effects to your image, you can bring it to life and make a cool animation out of it. Creating animation is made possible with the help of the Key Frame Control in the Lighting dialog box.

To put it simply, you can come up with an animated series of lighting effects by creating various paths using the control bar. This gives you full control over your animation path.

  Using key frames


Using key frames

Each key frame that you add to the control bar assigns new properties to the effect you apply to your image. You need to specify attributes for the starting frame as well as for any others that you added to the sequence.

1.	Type in the Total Frames box the desired number of frames that you want for your entire animation. Frames decide the duration and quality of animations.

2.	Define your starting frame by dragging the upper slider to the far left or enter the number "1" on the Frames box.

3.	Specify the attributes of your Lighting effect for that specific frame.

4.	Add a key frame along the animation path by dragging the same slider to where you would like to apply a key frame. Alternatively, type a frame number in the Frames box.

5.	Click [image]. A key frame is placed on the key frame bar (lower slider).

6.	To remove a key frame, click [image].

7.	Repeat steps 3 to 6 add or remove more key frames.

8.	Click [image] to see a preview of your animation.

Note: To go back to a specific key frame to modify its attributes, simply click the pointer on the key frame bar (lower slider). A blue diamond represents an active key frame, while gray the inactive.


Click to move back to the previous frame.


Click to move to the next frame.


Click to jump to the previous key frame.


Click to jump to the next key frame.


This is the Preview slider. Drag the pointer to forward or reverse a sequence frame by frame.


Displays all available key frames. A blue diamond represents an active key frame, while gray the inactive. To assign a new one, simply drag it to an area where you want to apply a key frame. Then click  [image] .


Click to add a key frame to your key frame bar, allowing you to specify the attributes for the selected frame.


Click to remove a key frame from the key frame bar.


Click to reverse the effect of your animation. This flips the key frames around so that they are now positioned from the last frame to the starting frame instead of the other way around.

Note: This button is enabled only when there are key frames in the animated clip.


Click to play the animation forward and then backward every time you hit Play. If left cleared, it plays the animation and then jumps from the last frame to the starting frame, repeating another cycle.


Click to see a preview of your animation.


Click to stop playback.


Displays which frame your are currently in. Entering a value jumps to that frame, allowing you to see and modify its attributes. The value should not exceed the number of frames you specify in the Total Frames box.


Displays the total number of frames for your entire animation. Keep in mind that the higher the value, the larger the file size of the animation will be.


Save As dialog box
Save As

This dialog box allows you to decide the names, locations, and characteristics for files when saving them.

Save in Find the desired folder.

View the contents of the next higher folder in your system.

Create a new folder.

List names.

List names with statistics.

File name Identify the file(s) selected for saving.

Save as type Select a particular file format for saving to. Choose *.GIF to save the file as an animation. Choose *.BMP to save it as a series of images.

GIF animation options Specify the settings for your animated lighting effects.

Colors Enter the maximum number of colors to use for the color palette.

Frame delay time Defines how long the image layer is displayed during animation.

Infinite loop Enter the number of times you want the animated GIF to cycle before it stops at the last frame. Select "Infinite loop" to loop the animation indefinitely.

Transparent background Select if you want the empty spaces between images to be transparent when the animation is played in a web browser.

Dither Select to allow GIF Animator to compensate for colors not found in the palette. It then simulates missing colors by mixing combinations of existing colors in the area that the original color occupied.

Interlace Select to set interlacing on the image layer. Interlacing allows the image to gradually 'fade-in' as it downloads.

  Creating animated lighting effects

  Using key frames