DP Tool Club 31/CDASC_31_1996_juillet_aout.iso/vrac_os2/tspec030.zip/TSPECTRA.INF

OS/2 Help File | 1995-12-12 | 44KB | 1,125 lines

ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Overview ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

TrueSpectra is an application designed for image processing and page layout.
It uses an advanced object-based render engine, and user interface.
TrueSpectra features:

o   Bitmap support for BMP, GIF, TGA (Targa), TIF, PCX, JPG, Kodak PhotoCD
    (PCD) and more.

o   Saves in either an editable device independent (.GDO) or resolution
    dependent output (Bitmap) format.

o   Good performance in lower memory situations.

o   Totally object oriented user interface, with direct manipulation and
    context-sensitive menus.

If you encounter problems, look at the troubleshooting section.  You will find
more about configuration problems there.

For more information on contacting TrueSpectra Inc, look at the about information.

See also Basic Operations, Objects, and Using Keys, Troubleshooting, Using the Mouse.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2. Basic Operations ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

To use TrueSpectra, there are a few basic things to understand.  When
TrueSpectra is started, the screen should contain only a white rectangular
workspace or canvas, with a thin frame in a thick border, and at the bottom of
the screen you will see the Access Bar.  If you click the right mouse button
over the canvas, then a context menu will appear.  From this menu you can
choose any of the following options:

o   About TrueSpectra

o   Zoom Origin

o   Zoom Out 200%

o   Zoom Back

    o   File

    New Project

    Load Project

    Save Project

    Save Rendered

    Overlay Object

o   Print

Understanding these menu options and the access bar in combination with an
understanding of how to distribute a project to others is all you really need
to master TrueSpectra.

When nothing is selected, the access bar contains general information on output settings:

o   Credits

o   Page Layout Format

o   Output Resolution

o   Output Pixel Size

o   and Additional Settings

For more advanced operations look at help on objects.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.1. About TrueSpectra ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

TrueSpectra Inc. can be reached at:

TrueSpectra Inc,

20 Holly Street, Suite 206

Toronto, Ontario

Canada  M4S 3B1

For technical questions, please email [e-mail] or FAX to [phone].
If critical, phone us at [phone].

See also the troubleshooting section before calling or writing.

See also General Information.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.2. File Operations ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

In TrueSpectra, a page layout can be saved, loaded, or printed.  Each project
contains one page, and the project can be exported into a bitmap using Save
Rendered.  If a project needs to be saved and then worked on later, then use
the Save Project.  That project can be loaded later using Load Project.  To
clear the workspace you need to start a New Project.  When your project looks
perfect, you'll want to either Distribute it, or Print it.

See also Basic Operations.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.2.1. New Project ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This menu option on the popup menu simply clears the page, and starts with a
new workspace.

See also File Operations.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.2.2. Loading Projects ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Projects are saved into files which have the extensions .GDO or .ORC.  An .ORC
file is an "object archive", and can be overlayed on top of an existing
project.  A .GDO contains an entire layout.  A layout consists of a whole
collection of objects, and all of the information needed to draw them.  Bitmaps
are stored seperately, to see more information on moving .GDO files see
Distributing Projects.

Included with TrueSpectra are several projects, which contain hints on how to
make the best use of the abilities of TrueSpectra.  Take the time to look at
each of these projects.

See also File Operations.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.2.3. Saving Projects ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The best way to save your work is in a .GDO file.  This format saves all of the
objects on the screen, so that the next time you want to make a change to the
project you still have complete control.

Note:  When a .GDO file is created, it replaces the previous one without prompting.

Warning: The bitmaps in your page layout are not saved inside the .GDO but
instead contain the file path to the bitmaps.  If you delete those bitmaps,
then the project will not load the objects which use those bitmaps but instead
will say that there are "Corrupt" objects.  See also Distributing Projects.

See also File Operations.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.2.4. Save Rendered ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

When a project needs to be loaded into another application, the best way to do
it is with a rendered save.  To accomplish this you will need to set the Output
Pixel Size to an appropriate amount.  Then select the Rendered Save menu
option.  When asked for a file name, the extension will determine what format
to use.  For work where you are concered about storage space, we recommend you
use .JPG (or JPEG) which gives the highest compression, but will reduce
quality.  On the otherhand .BMP, .TIF or .TGA are often good alternatives,
since at least one of those should be accepted by most other programs.  When
you choose a filename, and give a particular extension it will save in that
format.  For instance MYFILE.BMP will be saved in the OS/2 Bitmap format, and
MYFILE.TIF will save as a Tagged Image File Format

Here is a more complete list of the formats presently supported by TrueSpectra:

.JPG or .JPEG- Joint Photographic Experts Group images format.

.BMP       - OS/2 or Windows Bitmap.

.TIF       - Tagged Image File Format.

.TGA       - Truevision Targa.

.LBM       - Amiga ILBM Interleaved Bitmap.

.PCX       - ZSoft Publisher's Paintbrush Format.

.PPM       - Portable Pixmap (binary type P6).

.VID       - YUV12C M-Motion Video Frame Buffer.

See also File Operations.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.2.5. Distributing Projects ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

When a project is saved into a .GDO file, the file will contain pointers to the
file path of the bitmaps which are included.  When a project is loaded,
TrueSpectra checks both the original path, and the current directory for the
bitmaps.  If they aren't found in either place, then the program complains that
there are corrupt objects in the file.  When distributing a project it is
important that the bitmaps are included in the distribution.

See also File Operations.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.3. Printing Projects ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

When your masterpiece is ready, simply select Print from the popup menu.  Your
project will be printed with all of your current Output Settings.

There are several options which you should consider when printing.  These
include settings like dithering, antialiasing and depixelizing mentioned in the
section Additional Settings.  Also, look at the Output Resolution.

The output memory required will vary depending on the printer you use.  Black
and white printers tend to require the least amount of memory.  A good rule of
thumb is to try and keep at least 10 megabytes of free swap space available
when printing.

See also File Operations.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.4. Controlling the View Zoom ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

There are several methods which you can use to control the Zoom View.

Zoom Origin- Show the page at a fixed location.

Zoom In    - Draw a rectangle, then zoom in on that area.

Zoom Out 200% - Reveal more of the surrounding area.

Zoom Back  - Zooms to allow you to see all of the objects in the project.

To Zoom In, press and hold mouse button 1, and drag out a rectangle which
includes the area to zoom on, then choose the menu option Zoom In.

Also it is possible to grab one of the outer corners to Zoom In.

See Also Basic Operation.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.4.1. Zoom Origin ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This menu option sets the zoom view to the default one.

See also Controlling the Zoom View.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.4.2. Zoom In ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

To Zoom In, drag out a rectangle by pressing and holding mouse button 1, from
the first corner to the opposite corner.  When you release mouse button 1,
click mouse button 2, to bring up a context menu.  Choose Zoom In.  The new
zoom will include everything you included in your rectangle.  Also if your
rectangle was taller or wider, then the new rectangle will change orientation.

An alternate way to accomplish the same thing, is to move to one of the corners
of the white canvas, and when the pointer changes to a resizing arrow, drag
using mouse button 2, until the new rectangle is the size you want.

See also Controlling the View Zoom.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.4.3. Zoom Out 200% ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Use this menu option to reveal a little bit more of your workspace.

See also Controlling the View Zoom.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.4.4. Zoom Back ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This menu option changes the zoom to include all of the objects in your
project.  This option is good for accessing your overall design.

See also Controlling the View Zoom.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.5. Understanding the Access Bar ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

At the bottom of the TrueSpectra window is a bar which contains status
information about the currently selected object, or if no object is selected,
then it contains general output settings.

The context sensitive access bar in combination with direct manipulation,
context-sensitive popup menus and keyboard shortcuts is the total user interface.

When a button on the access bar is pressed, a dialog appears.  These dialogs
are more formally known as PPDs (Push-Pin Dialogs).  If the same button that
launched a PPD is pressed again, then the PPD disappears.  However, when
another button in the same group of buttons on the access bar is pressed, the
first PPD disappears and a new one appears.  There can be several groups of
buttons on the access bar, allowing for multiple PPDs.

PPDs automatically close themselves when an object is de-selected but to add
more flexibility, any PPD can be grabbed and dragged by pressing and holding
mouse button 2, tearing it from the access bar.  Floating PPDs remain active
and linked to their respective objects even when other objects are selected and
highlighted.  Note that a hide button at the top right corner of any floating
PPD may be pressed at any time to clear it from the screen.

See also General Information, Basic Operations.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.5.1. Output Settings ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

These settings control how the overall page looks.  Most of the settings have
to do with the output device and resolution, which can be either the printer or
a rendered bitmap.

The output settings are:

Credits    - actually not a setting, but information on the production staff.

Page Layout Format- Choose any preset page size, or click custom, and use one
           of the following.

Output Resolution- Choose the page size in Inches and DPI.

Output Pixel Size- Choose the output size in pixels.

Additional Settings- Choose quality settings before sending output.

See also Understanding the Access Bar.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.5.1.1. Credits ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The credits thank the many contributors to this product.

See Output Settings.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.5.1.2. Page Layout Format ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

When making a layout, it is important to choose the output format ahead of
time.  This is important because the aspect ratio dictates the shape of your
layout.  Use these short cuts, or use either the Output Resolution or Output
Pixel Size with a custom setting.

See also Output Settings


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.5.1.3. Output Resolution ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This dialog contains entry fields for the height and width of the output area
in inches.  This is important for printer output.  Also the number of Dots Per
Inch (DPI) entry field.  If you compare the values in this dialog with the
values in the Output Pixel Size dialog, you will soon see how they are related.

See also Output Settings.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.5.1.4. Output Pixel Size ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Enter values here to control the resolution of the Rendered Save.  This is
useful for creating background bitmaps.

See also Output Resolution and Output Settings.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.5.1.5. Additional Settings ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

There are 4 major settings on this dialog.  They are:

Copies     - The number of copies to print.

Antialias  - Improves the smoothness of text, but slows rendering.

           Note:  When printing to a black and white printer (like a laser
           printer), quality can be reduced by turning on antialiasing.

Depixelize - Improves the smoothness of bitmaps, but slows rendering.

Dither     - On 256 or fewer colour cards improves the quality of the images,
           but slows screen updates.

See also Output Settings.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3. Objects, Objects Everywhere ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Every element in a design using TrueSpectra is a live object.  Objects within
the TrueSpectra environment are composed of "Regions" and "Tools".
Simplistically, a Region defines the target for a Tool.  For example, a heart
shaped Region might be filled by a solid colour Tool with the colour blue
resulting in an object appearing as a blue heart.  Other types of Regions
include text, artistic masks, and ultimately user defined and translucency
masks.  Tools include contrast and brightness, emboss, bitmaps, and colour
fades.  Since any Region can be joined with any Tool to form an object it
quickly becomes apparent that a considerable diversity of objects is possible.
Further, all objects can be manipulated in many ways including rotation,
resizing and shearing or combined into compound objects.  Any object can also
be converted into any other object.

TrueSpectra objects do not simply pile up on top of each other or show
translucently through each other as do "layers" in conventional graphics
packages.  Objects interact with one another.  For example, an object formed by
the combination of a text Region modified by the caption "hello" and an emboss
Tool, would emboss contents of objects below but only those clipped to the
letters of the word "hello".  Similarly, an object which used an oval shaped
Region and a contrast and brightness Tool would be able to selectively lighten
or darken an oval area of objects below it - all at any desired resoultion.

Using direct manipulation, an object can be sized, moved or rotated.  If you
load a sample project, and click with mouse button 1 over an object (such as a
rectangle, a piece of text, a star, etc.), then the object will be selected,
and the access bar will change to reflect the status of the object.  Each
object is layered on top of some objects and is under other objects.  To select
a deeper object, either use the context menu (click mouse button 2), the
keyboard shortcut, or click again with mouse button 1 to cycle through objects.

To fully understand the power of objects you need to master creating and
changing them, look at:

o   Creating Objects

o   Direct Manipulation

o   Standard Object Settings

o   Regions

o   and Tools

See also Basic Operation and General Information.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.1. Creating Objects ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

To create an object simply drag out a rectangle.  Press and hold mouse button
1, and move the mouse until you have the shape you want, then release the mouse
button.  Now click mouse button 2 to bring up the context menu and select the
type of object you wish to create.  The options are:

Rectangle Region- Solid rectange with the default tool.

Ellipse Region- Circle or streched circle with the default tool.

Shape Region- Star, heart or triangle shape with the default tool.  With
           enhanced versions of TrueSpectra these shapes are user definable.

Headline Text- Text which is scaled to fit the box, with the default tool.

Block Text - Text which is formatted for a certain number of characters per
           line, with the default tool.

Load Object- Allows you to embed a .ORC file in the document see Loading Projects.

Load Bitmap- Loads a new bitmap into the project, uses the rectangle region and
           the bitmap tool.

Group      - Makes a number of objects behave as one.

See also Direct Manipulation, Understanding the Access Bar, and Objects.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.2. Direct Manipulation ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Direct manipulation means that an object is changed using the mouse, without
the overhead of additional dialogs or typing.  It can be a powerful ally in
rapidly creating a design.  TrueSpectra supports a variety of direct
manipulation options for changing objects, they are:

o   Sizing Objects

o   Moving Objects

o   Rotating Objects

See also Objects, Standard Object Settings


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.2.1. Sizing Objects ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

To resize an object, first select the object (See Objects).  When the object is
selected, there are three ways to size it:

1.  Move the cursor just outside the border where it changes into a resize
    pointer, and press and hold mouse button 1, and drag the mouse until the
    desired size is reached, then release the mouse button.

2.  Click mouse button 2 and bring up the context menu, and select resize
    object.  Drag the mouse until the desired  size is reached, then click
    either mouse button.

3.  Use the keyboard shortcut for resize, and follow the directions for choice 2.

Note:  In the present version, the cancel operation using either both mouse
buttons or the ESCAPE key moves back to the last position previewed.

Note:  Some objects have a fixed aspect ratio.  This is a setting which can be
controlled by changing the Object Restrictions.

See also Direct Manipulation.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.2.2. Rotating Objects ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

To rotate an object, first select the object (See Objects).  When the object is
selected, there are three ways to rotate it:

1.  Move the cursor just outside the border where it changes into a resize
    pointer, and press and hold mouse button 2, and drag the mouse until the
    desired angle is reached, then release the mouse button.

2.  Click mouse button 2 and bring up the context menu, and select rotate
    object.  Drag the mouse until the desired angle is reached, then click
    either mouse button.

3.  Use the keyboard shortcut for rotate, and follow the directions for choice 2.

Note:  In the present version, the cancel operation using either both mouse
buttons or the ESCAPE key moves back to the last position previewed.

See also Direct Manipulation.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.2.3. Moving Objects ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

To move an object, first select the object (See Objects).  When the object is
selected, there are three ways to move it:

1.  Move the cursor over the object where it changes into a move pointer
    (normally a four-headed arrow), and press and hold mouse button 2, and drag
    the mouse until the desired location is reached, then release mouse button 2.

2.  Click mouse button 2 and bring up the context menu, and select move object.
    Drag the mouse until the desired location is reached, then click either
    mouse button.

3.  Use the keyboard shortcut for move, and follow the directions for choice 2.

Note:  In the present version, the cancel operation using either both mouse
buttons or the ESCAPE key moves back to the last position previewed.

See also Direct Manipulation.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.3. Standard Object Settings ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Every object has some standard settings.  These are:

o   Object Name

o   Object Position

o   Object Angle and Skew

o   Object Restrictions

o   and Object Translucency

Also all objects other than group objects contain both a region and a tool.

Group objects contain an additional setting which brings up a dialog with a
list of objects which can be altered there.

See also Objects, Understanding the Access Bar.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.3.1. Object Name ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Every object can be given a meaningful name.  This is the most useful if the
object is later placed in a group, and then you need to select the object from
the group dialog to edit it.  To change the name, simply click on the name
field and change it from the default of "Unknown" to whatever name helps you
the most.

See also Standard Object Settings, Objects.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.3.2. Object Position ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Every object has a position.  The position is stored as a "floating point"
number, or in other words a decimal number.  There are two ways to change the
position and size of an object.

o   Enter numbers directly into the Object Position dialog.

o   Use Direct Manipulation.

See also Standard Object Settings, Objects.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.3.3. Object Angle and Skew ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Every object has an angle and skew. The angle is a rotation in degrees, and the
skew the amount of slant in the horizontial direction. The angle and skew is
stored as a "floating point" number, or in other words a decimal number.  There
are two ways to change the position and size of an object.

o   Enter numbers directly into the Object Position dialog.

o   Use Direct Manipulation.

See also Standard Object Settings, Objects.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.3.4. Object Restrictions ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The object restrictions dialog controls whether the object can be distorted
when it is resized or not.  For bitmaps this is normally set to fixed, but
other objects normally have the setting to free.

See also Standard Object Settings, Objects.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.3.5. Object Translucency ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Every object can have its translucency set to any value between opaque (or
solid), and transparent (invisible).  The values in between control the amount
that shows through.  To change the translucency move the slider, or use the
arrows to change the value.

See also Standard Object Settings, Objects.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.4. Regions ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

A region defines the basic shape of the object, which is then drawn using the
object's tool.

This version of TrueSpectra includes the following regions:

o   Rectangle Region

o   Ellipse Region

o   Shape Region

o   Headline Text Region

o   Block Text Region

See also Standard Object Settings, Objects.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.4.1. Rectangle ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This region is a simple rectangle.

See also Regions, Standard Object Settings, Objects.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.4.2. Ellipse ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This shape is a circle or stretched circle.

See also Regions, Standard Object Settings, Objects.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.4.3. Shape ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This is a variety of possible shapes.  In this version you are restricted to a
five pointed star, a triangle, and a heart shape.  An upgraded version will
include support for user defined shapes.

For help on selecting a shape look at:

o   Choosing Shapes

See also Regions, Standard Object Settings, Objects.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.4.3.1. Choosing Shapes ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

To change the selected shape, simply click on the name of the desired shape in
the Shape Selection dialog.

See also Shapes, Regions, Standard Object Settings, Objects.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.4.4. Headline Text ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Headline Text creates region defined by the shape of a text string which is
scaled to fill the rectangle defining the object.  There are several things
which can be controlled with headline text:

o   Formatting including justification and linespacing

o   Entry of the actual text

o   Which font to use

Compare with Block Text.

See also Regions, Standard Object Settings, Objects.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.4.4.1. Headline Text Format ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

There are two format settings for headline text.  They are:

Justification- which alligns multiline text on the left, right, centered or
           both the left and right (full).

Line Spacing- Factor of distance between lines.  For example 1.2 means leave
           20% more space between lines than the height of the font.

See also Headline Text, Regions, Standard Object Settings, Objects.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.4.4.2. Text Entry ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

To change the text use normal editing conventions, including cursor key, and
SHIFT+DEL to copy and SHIFT+INS to paste.

As you type the text is reformatted to show what your changes look like.

To force a line break hit the return key, then continue typing on the new line.

See also Headline Text, Regions, Standard Object Settings, Objects.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.4.4.3. Text Font Selection ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

To see the text with a different font, use this dialog to select the new font.

See also Headline Text, Regions, Standard Object Settings, Objects.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.4.5. Block Text ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Block Text creates text which is scaled to fill the object box, for a given
number of columns of text.  There are several things which can be controlled
with headline text:

o   Formatting including justification and linespacing and number of columns

o   Entry of the actual text

o   Which font to use

Compare with Headline Text.

See also Regions, Standard Object Settings, Objects.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.4.5.1. Block Text Format ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

There are three format settings for block text.  They are:

Justification- which alligns multiline text on the left, right, centered or
           both the left and right (full).

Line Spacing- Factor of distance between lines.  For example 1.2 means leave
           20% more space between lines than the height of the font.

Columns    - The number of columns of characters to place in one line.  This
           number uses the average width of a character.

See also Block Text, Regions, Standard Object Settings, Objects.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.4.5.2. Text Entry ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

To change the text use normal editing conventions, including cursor key, and
SHIFT+DEL to copy and SHIFT+INS to paste.

As you type the text is reformatted to show what your changes look like.

To force a line break hit the return key, then continue typing on the new line.

See also Block Text, Regions, Standard Object Settings, Objects.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.4.5.3. Text Font Selection ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

To see the text with a different font, use this dialog to select the new font.

See also Block Text, Regions, Standard Object Settings, Objects.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.5. Tools ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

By combining a tool and a region in an object you can create the result you
want.  A tool defines how the object appears.  The possible tools in this
release are:

o   Bitmap

o   Colour Fade

o   Contrast & Brightness with colour correction

o   Emboss

o   Grayscale

o   Solid Colour

o   Wave

See also Standard Object Settings, Objects.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.5.1. Bitmap ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

A bitmap is the default tool for most objects.  There are several ways to
control the appearance of a bitmap tool:

o   Tile/Depixelize

o   Change the Active Bitmap Area

o   Select the Source Bitmap

Note:  When the number of objects which refer to a given bitmap is reduced to
zero, the bitmap is removed from the project.

Bitmaps can be loaded in the following formats:

.JPG or .JPEG- Joint Photographic Experts Group images format.

.PCD       - Kodak PhotoCD image pack, when MultiMedia support is installed
           (the default with Warp).

.BMP       - OS/2 or Windows Bitmap.

.GIF       - CompuServe's Graphics Interchange Format.

.TIF       - Tagged Image File Format.

.TGA       - Truevision Targa.

.LBM       - Amiga ILBM Interleaved Bitmap.

.PCX       - ZSoft Publisher's Paintbrush Format.

.PPM       - Portable Pixmap (binary type P6).

.PGM       - Portable Graymap (binary type P5).

.VID       - YUV12C M-Motion Video Frame Buffer.

.XBM       - X Windows Bitmap.

See also Tools, Standard Object Settings, Objects.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.5.1.1. Tile/Depixelize ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

A bitmap may be tiled into a region by entering a desired number of times to
tile the image across and down through the region.

Turn on the depixelize to force the render engine to dynamically rescale a
bitmap to the resolution of the display or printer.  Generally, to enhance
performance, it is not adviseable to depixelize until a project is complete.

See also Bitmap, Tools, Standard Object Settings, Objects.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.5.1.2. Active Bitmap Area ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The active bitmap area dialog allows you to either draw out a rectangle
representing the displayed area of a bitmap, or using the numbers around the
edges representing the upper, lower, left and right boundries.

Note:  When Fixed Aspect Ratio is turned on in the Object Restrictions dialog,
the rectangle has a fixed aspect ratio.  To drag out an arbitrary shape, close
the Active Area dialog, change the Object Restrictions, and reopen the Active
Bitmap Area dialog.

See also Bitmap, Tools, Standard Object Settings, Objects.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.5.1.3. Source Bitmap Selection ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Select the bitmap which you wish to change to.  Please see the note in Bitmap
regarding keeping bitmaps from disappearing.

Note:  When you change bitmaps, the new bitmap will sometimes be distorted.  To
fix the problem, change the Fixed Aspect Ratio setting to None on the Object
Restrictions dialog.  Then resize the object.  Then change the Fixed Aspect
Ratio setting to fixed.  Then open a new Active Bitmap Area dialog and draw
aout a clip rectangle.  The result will not be distorted.

See also Tools, Standard Object Settings, Objects.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.5.2. Colour Fade ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This tool allows you to select a different colour for each corner of a region.
To specify the colours use the:

o   Corner Colour Selector

See also Tools, Standard Object Settings, Objects.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.5.2.1. Corner Colour Selection ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The four buttons on the right specify which corner of an upright rectangle.
Click on one of the grid of colours ln the left, and watch the change.

See also Colour Fade, Tools, Standard Object Settings, Objects.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.5.3. Contrast & Brightness Tool ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Contrast and Brightness tool allows you to alter whatever is underneath it.
To use it with a bitmap, simply select the bitmap.  Choose Duplicate on the
popup object menu (which you get by clicking mouse button 2), and then change
the tool to Contrast & Brightness.

o   Look at the Colour Curve

o   Change the Contrast and Brightness

o   Or alter the Colour Channels

See also Tools, Standard Object Settings, Objects.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.5.3.1. Colour Curve ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Draw freehand on this control, or watch the effect of the other controls.  It
is also possible to select a specific colour channel and draw its curve
independently of the others.  Simply select the desired curve by clicking on
its corresponding colour button below the curves and then drawing in the graph
area above.

See also Tools, Standard Object Settings, Objects.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.5.3.2. Contrast & Brightness ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The two sliders affect the overall contrast and brightness in a non-linear way.
Watch the interaction on the colour curve.

See also Tools, Standard Object Settings, Objects.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.5.3.3. Colour Channel ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Move the red green and blue sliders to increase or decrease the values.  Watch
the interaction on the Colour Curve.

See also Tools, Standard Object Settings, Objects.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.5.4. Emboss ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

This effect gives a chisled marble look to whatever is underneath it.  When it
is rotated it looks like the lighting is from a different angle.

For help on selecting an emboss colour look at:

o   Colour Palette

See also Tools, Standard Object Settings, Objects.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.5.5. Grayscale ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The grayscale tool converts whatever is behind it to a black & white format.

It has no controls.  Use this in combination with a contrast & brightness tool
for a "yellowed" picture effect.

See also Tools, Standard Object Settings, Objects.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.5.6. Solid Colour ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Select the colour palette colour which you want.

See also Tools, Standard Object Settings, Objects.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.5.6.1. Colour Palette ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

In this version the colour palette is restricted to only 24 colours.

See also Tools, Standard Object Settings, Objects.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.5.7. Wave ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Wave distorts whatever is underneath it.

o   Change the Wave Settings to control the distortion.

See also Tools, Standard Object Settings, Objects.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.5.7.1. Wave Settings ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The frequency is the number of waves.

The amplitude is the amount of distortion that the wave affects.

See also Tools, Standard Object Settings, Objects.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4. Using the Mouse ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

To use the mouse, you need to understand the direct manipulation abilities of TrueSpectra.

Note:  When the documentation mentions mouse button 1, it refers to the left
mouse button on most systems, and when it refers to mouse button 2, it refers
to the right mouse button.  On some systems the mouse buttons are reversed, and
the popup menu appears when you click the left and not right mouse button.
This program does not make use of a middle mouse button.

See also:

o   Making dialogs disappear

o   What happens when the mouse is over an object, over a border, over a frame
    edge, and over a frame corner.

See also General Information, Basic Operations.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.1. Making Dialogs Disappear ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Double click mouse button 2 on a blank area of the Access Bar.  This will cause
all opened dialogs to close.

See also General Information, Basic Operations, or Using the Mouse.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.2. Mouse Over Drawing Area ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

When the mouse is over an object, you can:

o   Move the object

o   Select a deeper object using a mouse button 1 click

o   Show the context menu using a button 2 click

See also General Information, Basic Operations, or Using the Mouse.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.3. Mouse Over Object Border ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

When the mouse is over an object border, you can:

o   Resize the object

o   Rotate the object

See also General Information, Basic Operations, or Using the Mouse.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.4. Mouse Over Frame Edge ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

You can pan the view using either mouse button.

See also General Information, Basic Operations, or Using the Mouse.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.5. Mouse Over Frame Corner ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

You can pan the view or resize the view by holding either mouse button.

See also General Information, Basic Operations, or Using the Mouse.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5. Using Keys ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The keyboard short cuts appear in the context menus.

Ctrl+B     - Push the selected object to the back.  See also Objects.

Ctrl+D     - Copy or duplicate the selected object.  See also Objects.

Ctrl+F     - Move the selected object to the front.  See also Objects.

Ctrl+K     - Move the selected object one object deeper.  See also Objects.

Ctrl+L     - Load in a bitmap into a drawn out rectangle.  See also Creating
           Objects, Bitmaps.

Ctrl+M     - Move the selected object. See also Move Object.

Ctrl+O     - Open a project.  See also Load Project.

Ctrl+R     - Save a bitmap of the project at a particular resolution.  Many
           bitmap formats are supported.  See also Save Rendered.

Ctrl+S     - Save a project into a .GDO file. See also Save Project.

Ctrl+T     - Rotate the selected object.  See also Rotate Object.

Ctrl+W     - Move the selected object up one in the stack of objects.  See also Objects.

Ctrl+Z     - Size an object.  See also Size Object.

Ctrl+Del   - Delete the selected object.  See also Objects.

Tab        - Select the next object in the list of objects.  See also Objects.

F1         - Online help.

F3         - Quit TrueSpectra.

F5         - Print the project.  See also Printing Projects.

F7         - Zoom back to show all object in the project. See also Zoom Back.

F8         - Zoom in on the drawn rectangle.  See also Zoom In.

F12        - Create a rectangle region.  See also Rectangles, Objects.

See also General Information, Basic Operations, and Objects.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6. Troubleshooting ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Here are some known problems and incompatibilities:

o   TrueSpectra is incompatible with some graphics video drivers, symptoms of
    which are:  a screen which doesn't clear when the application starts, text
    doesn't appear, or loading a project causes the program to exit.  If you
    are on the Internet you may be able to download a free update.

o   If a dialog appears at startup stating that SHAPES.IFF was not found then
    the star, heart and triangle shapes will not be available.  To fix this
    problem, copy the file SHAPES.IFF from the install directory into the
    "current directory."

o   If a dialog appears stating that TSPECTRA.BMP was not found then when
    loading sample projects, some objects will appear to be corrupt.  To fix
    the problem, copy the TSPECTRA.BMP from the install directory to the
    "current directory".

o   When text is rotated to exactly 180 degrees, the text may disappear.  Use a
    slightly different angle.

See also General Information, Basic Operations,