Belgian Amiga Club - ADF Collection/BS1 part 60.zip/BS1 part 60/Imagemaster d4.adf/apa.lzh/mcm_hlp

Text File | 1993-08-30 | 16KB | 393 lines

\ApAssist
\: - This is the Quick Help for the compose morph panel -
\: ----------------------------------------------------------
\:   Written by David E. Patterson
\: ----------------------------------------------------------

\font topaz.font 8
\tc 1
\wr
\lj
\dd "imh_descriptor"

\index "hlp_index/index"
\toc "hlp_toc/toc"
\help "aa_help/help

\node "mcm_setcontrols"
\title "Set Controls"
\next "mcm_moveadddeledges"
\prev ""
This panel has many options for changing the transparency curves, filmstrip
resolution, ARexx script controls, and whether the morph will be a transition
or a warp morph.

\endnode

\node "mcm_moveadddeledges"
\title "Add Points/Delete Points/Move Points/Edges Selection"
\next "mcm_lock"
\prev "mcm_setcontrols"
This is a four way selector gadget that will allow you to add, delete, or
move points, and add edges to the image you are morphing.  This button is
cyclic so clicking through it four times will bring you back to the original
option.

\{ \ra \image "work:aa/clips/bullet2.pic" l 10 \cap
\{ \tc 15 \ts b Move Points \} - This option allows you to change the
position of the points in either the left window (start points) or right
window (end points).  When you click on either window the point closest to
the pointer will be selected.  This point can then be moved to the desired
position.\}

\{ \ra \image "work:aa/clips/bullet2.pic" l 10 \cap
\{ \tc 15 \ts b Add Points \} - This will add points in the left window only.
Points are placed by simply pressing the left mouse button on the location
where the point is to be located.  Once the point is placed it will also
appear in the right window.  You may also adjust the points in the right hand
window in this mode.\}

\{ \ra \image "work:aa/clips/bullet2.pic" l 10 \cap
\{ \tc 15 \ts b Delete Points \} - This will delete any point that is clicked
on in either the left (start) or right (end) windows.  Any edge that was
attached to the point will also be deleted.\}

\{ \ra \image "work:aa/clips/bullet2.pic" l 10 \cap
\{ \tc 15 \ts b Edges \} - This will add edges between points.  When this
option is selected any active point will be de-selected.  the edge is added
by clicking on the point, in either window, that will be the starting point
for the edge.  Next, click on the point that will be the end of the edge.
The edge is automatically created between these two points, and the last
point remains active.  If you wanted to continue, you would simply select the
next point to be connected and click on it.  When you have finished creating
all of your edges, click on the last point to de-select it.

You may also wish to delete an edge.  First, select one point connected to
the edge you wish to delete, and click on it.  Next, select the point at the
other end of the edge and select it.  This will delete the edge.  Remeber the
last point you clicked on is still active, so you will want to de-select this
point.\}

\endnode

\node "mcm_lock"
\title "Lock Edge"
\next "mcm_shapeadd"
\prev "mcm_moveadddeledges"
The Lock Edge control is used to control the edges of the image.  It will
lock down the edges of the image which usually provides better final results.
In some cases it may be necessary to \{ \tc 10 \ts i unselect \} this button
to produce a better morph.

\endnode

\node "mcm_shapeadd"
\title "Shape Add"
\next "mcm_drop"
\prev "mcm_lock"
\settab 35
\settab 70

The Shape Add button uses IShapes which are custom shapes used by
\{ \ts b Imagemaster R/t \} .  All of the IShapes available are completely
predefined shapes such as circles, lines, rectangles, and some special shapes.

When the Shape Add button is selected a file requester will appear and then
the shape can be choosen.  After this the shape can be sized and placed using
the left mouse button to size the shape and the right mouse button to move
the shape.  After you have selected the placement and size of the shape it
can be "dropped" by pressing the next line key.

\{ \ce \tc 15 \ts b \ts u \font topaz.font 15 Step by Step use:\}

\{
\tab (\{ \tc 10 1\} ) \tab \{ \lm 70 When in the Compose Morph panel press
the 'Shape Add' button. \}

\tab (\{ \tc 10 2\} ) \tab \{ \lm 70 Using the File Requester choose an
IShape or cancel to retain the current shape. \}

\tab (\{ \tc 10 3\} ) \tab \{ \lm 70 Using the left mouse button click
and drag the shape to the desired size over the selected feature. Holding
the right mouse button down at the same time will allow you to place the
shape in the desired area. \}

\tab (\{ \tc 10 4\} ) \tab \{ \lm 70 When the left mouse button is released
the shape will be duplicated in the right view screen.  The shapes in both
view areas has an orientation arrow on them.  Position the shape in the
right view screen over the matching feature using the left mouse button.
Both orientation arrows should be pointing the same way, because Morph is
going to use each of the corners of the shape in order. \}

\tab (\{ \tc 10 5\} ) \tab \{ \lm 70 When the left mouse button is released
this time, the morphing control points will be placed at the corners of the
shape. If the shape already covers the desired feature in both view screens
you can simply press the new line key, and the morph control points will be
set at the corners of the shape.\}
\}

\endnode

\node "mcm_drop"
\title "Drop Grid"
\next "mcm_svpnts"
\prev "mcm_shapeadd"
The Drop Grid tool works similar to the Shape Add function.  You may choose
either a rectangular area or the entire image.  If an entire image is
selected the grid will be dropped for you.  If the rectangular area is
selected it will work like an \{ \ts b IShape \} for sizing, placement, and
immediate drop capabilities.  Grids may or may not have edges, and you can
control the number of horizontal and vertical points.

\endnode

\node "mcm_svpnts"
\title "Save Points"
\next "mcm_ldpnts"
\prev "mcm_shapeadd"
This option allows you to save all the points, including edges, velocities,
and transparencies, to a file.  As with any program, you should save often to
prevent the loss of your masterpiece.

\endnode

\node "mcm_ldpnts"
\title "Load Points"
\next "mcm_delallpnts"
\prev "mcm_svpnts"
The Load Points tool gives you the option to load a previously save set of
points.  Loading points also allows you to work on detailed morphs in
sections.

For example, in some complex morphs your total number of points could reach
as many as 1000 points or more!  Due to the large number of points it is more
convenient to due the morph in sections and save each section as it is
completed, and then load all of the saved sections togeather to complete the
entire morph.

To do this, simply save each section of the morph as it is completed, and
then delete the points that you just worked on.  Since you will save all the
points you can just add each set of saved points back to the images when you
wish to do the morph.  The load points tool will allow you to add points from
as many files as necessary to complete your project.  After all the points
are added it is a good idea to save the final image with all of the points
before continuing on with the morph. By saving and loading point groups you
can eliminate some of the confusion of having many points in the view areas.

\endnode

\node "mcm_delallpnts"
\title "Delete All Points"
\next "mcm_arcvec"
\prev "mcm_ldpnts"
This tool will eliminate all the points currently in the view areas, but
Imagemaster will give you the option tosave the point group before deletion.

\endnode

\node "mcm_arcvec"
\title "Arc Vectors"
\next "mcm_setvels"
\prev "mcm_delallpnts"
This tool will allow the user to look at the control points and edges, which
define the morphing effect, in a different way.

In  compose morphing the Arc Vectors panel operates in an \{ \tc 10 \ts i
Onionskin \} mode.  This means that both images are seen at the same time.
The amount that one image shows through the other, the brightness, and
contrast of each image can be controled through the use of slide gadgets.
When the slide gadget for \{ \tc 10 \ts i \ts b show through \} is all the
way to the left the primary image will be the only one visible, and when the
slide is all the way to the right only the secondary image will be visible.
Both images will be equally visible when the slide is in the middle, or set
to 50% tranparency.  Also, you may pan and zoom each image independent of the
other.

In the Arc Vectors panel the starting points are shown as solid red boxes;
ending points are shown as hollow red boxes; and the paths between are solid
blue lines.  When the path between two points is selected the the line will
be a dashed white and blue line.

Also notice that there is also a hollow red triangle in the center of each
line.  This is a handle to move the path from a straight line to a more
complex curved shape.

\lab "back" It is also possible to demote any curve to a vector by
selecting one end of the curve and then pressing the backspace key.  If the
path is a curve you'll be asked if you would like to demote it to a vector,
and if it was a vector, you'll be asked if you wish to demote it to a point.
You will have the option to cancel in both cases.

When a path is a curve, you can select three ypes of representations to link
the triangular handle with a path;
\tab \{ \tc 10 \ts b No Bracket \} - where the triangle floats near the vector.
\tab \{ \tc 12 \ts b I Bracket \}  - where the triangle is attached by a line.
\tab \{ \tc 15 \ts b V Bracket \}  - where the triangle is attached by two lines.

You may also select all paths or just one path is visible at any one time.
If \{ \tc 10 \ts i Show Singly \} is choosen then you may reach the next and
previous path by pressing the left and right cursor keys.  This means that
you will not be able to pan left or right.  If it is necessary to pan left or
right simply turn off the \{ \tc 10 \ts i Show Singly \} option, and pan to
the desired location.  You may also use edges and can also zoom in the Arc
Vectors panel.

\endnode

\node "mcm_setvels"
\title "Set Velocity"
\next "mcm_pntvels"
\prev "mcm_arcvec"
This option allows you to work with the velocity curves.  These curves will
define the rate that any one path is traversed over the course of a series of
frames in a morph sequence.

Imagemaster provides three standard curves; \{ \tc 10 \ts i normal, early,
and late \} .  The normal preset curve is the \{ \tc 10 \ts i normal \}
curve.  You can also define new curves easily by simply drawing them in the
provided graph.

The velocity graph also has two additional lines, one at the top and one at
the bottom, these two lines show the start and stop points of the morph.  You
can also go beyond the start and end points in the creation of a new velocity
curve.  This will cause an emphasis at these times.  Each individual frame is
marked on the graph with a vertical line so each frame can be identified by
its position.

You have the ability to load and save velocity curves.  There is no need to
save the default curves because they are automaticaly saved with morph's
control points sets.  The main reason to save any velocity curve is if you
particularly like the motion produced.  With the creation of a new curve you
will be given the opportunity to name it.  This is accomplished by using the
text entry field which will appear after curve creation.

\endnode

\node "mcm_pntvels"
\title "Point Velosity"
\next "mcm_pnttrans"
\prev "mcm_setvels"
This option allows you to change the velocity of any given point.  This
option is similar to the \{ \tc 10 \ts i Set Velocity \} button, in that
there are three default curves, the ability to change the default curves,
and create new curves.  You may also cancel the option if youm change your
mind.

It is important to note that if you change the veloctiy of a point it could
cause tearing or folds in your image.  If this occurs you will have to
restore the origianl velocities to eliminate the problem.

\endnode

\node "mcm_pnttrans"
\title "Point Transparancy"
\next "mcm_swap"
\prev "mcm_pntvels"
This option allows you to select a tranparency curve for a single point from
those currently available.  You may also cancel this option if you change
your mind.

\endnode

\node "mcm_swap"
\title "Swap All"
\next "mcm_swappoint"
\prev "mcm_pnttrans"
This will exchange the entire set of start and end points.  This is used to
make the morph go in the opposite direction.

\endnode

\node "mcm_swappoint"
\title "Swap Points"
\next "mcm_lace"
\prev "mcm_swap"
This simply exchanges the entire set of start and end points.  This is used
if the primary and secondary buffers were specified backwards.

\endnode

\node "mcm_lace"
\title "Lace"
\next "mcm_showedge"
\prev "mcm_swappoint"
The morph panel can be in interlace mode independently of the similar control
in the Arc Vectors panel.

\endnode

\node "mcm_showedge"
\title "Show Edges"
\next "mcm_motioncontrol"
\prev "mcm_lace"
This allows you decide whether or not the edges are shown or not.

\endnode

\node "mcm_motioncontrol"
\title "Motion Controls"
\next "mcm_doseq"
\prev "mcm_showedge"
\settab 35
\settab 70
The Motion Controls panel contains tools to load and save motion morphs.
In order to perform a motion morph, Imagemaster requires that you:

\{ \ra \image "work:aa/clips/bullet2.pic" l 10 \cap
Completely specify the two streams of images which are tobe contained in the
morph. \}

\{ \ra \image "work:aa/clips/bullet2.pic" l 10 \cap
You must set up the points for two or more key frames. \}

\{ \ra \image "work:aa/clips/bullet2.pic" l 10 \cap
Or you can specify the transparency, velocities, and arc vectors controls.
Imagemaster will then be able to generate a motion morph in an automated
manner. \}

It is important to note that Imagemaster is able to do motion morphs from
both the \{ \tc 10 \ts i Compose \} and the \{ \tc 10 \ts i Process \} panels.
If you choose to do a motion morph from the \{ \tc 10 \ts i Compose \} panel
it is suggested you create a small RGB image,  such as a brush, that you can
load since it will not be used in the actual morph.  In this case you will
want to load this image as both the primary and secondary image.

\endnode


\node "mcm_doseq"
\title "Do a Sequence"
\next "mcm_do1frame"
\prev "mcm_motioncontrol"
The Do a Sequence controls provide you withall you need for generating a
sequence of frames.  The output can either be saved or can be done on a test
sequence only basis.  There are several etxt entry fields so that you can
customize where the output goes and the number of frames.  It is \{ \ts i
important to remeber \} that certain aspects of filmstrip generation,
such as the total number of frames, Amiga mode, dithering, palette, and size,
are not set in this panel.  Instead they are found in the \{ \tc 10 \ts i File
I/O \} and the \{ \tc 10 \ts i Display \} panels.  All ofthese factors will
contribute to the quality of your morph.


\endnode

\node "mcm_do1frame"
\title "Do 1 Frame"
\next ""
\prev "mcm_doseq"
This option allows you to select and view a single frame of the morph
sequence.  This panel gives you the option to view the morphed frame as a
buffer or as a preview.

If you select to view the morph as a buffer Imagemaster will automatically
return you to the control panel while it draws the buffer.  In order to view
the morphed images as a preview you will need to select the \{ \tc 10 \ts i
Preview \} button before pressing either the \{ \tc 10 \ts b Enter \} key or
the \{ \tc 10 \ts i Done \} button.  It is \{ \ts i important \} to note that
in a dual-image morph that only the center frame number is the 50% mix of the
two images, \{ \ts i no matter how many frames are specified \} .

\endnode