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-
- ARTIST2 (RISCOS 3 ONLY)
-
- INSTRUCTIONS / HELP
-
- NOTATION:
-
- Mouse Buttons: {S} = Select , {M} = Menu , {A} = Adjust.
- Keyboard : <X> = Press key 'X' etc.
-
-
- The screen has three main areas:-
-
- (A) The COLOURS SECTION (bottom of the screen) displaying all 256 colours.
- (B) The TOOLS BAR - to select a drawing tool.
- (C) The DRAWING AREA (with default background colour of white).
-
-
- We will deal with each of these in turn :
-
- (A) The COLOURS SECTION.
-
- When the pointer is IN the Colours Section :-
-
- 1) Click on {S} to choose a 'pure' colour (the MAIN colour).
-
- 2) Click on {A} to choose a 'dithered' partner to the MAIN
- colour ( the SECONDARY colour).
-
- 3) Click and HOLD on {M} to give a Help window on the currently
- selected tool, Colour Box or when in Text mode.
-
- 4) Press and hold <H> to give a general Help window.
-
- 5) Press <T> to enter Text mode. This will display text dialogue
- boxes and enables entry of Text onto the drawing area.
-
-
- The 'MAIN' colour is displayed with a white surrounding rectangle.
- The SECONDARY colour is displayed with a small bar on top of the
- chosen colour.
- The 'MAIN' colour always has precedence. The Colour Box
- (on the extreme RHS of the Tools Bar) always displays the current
- pure/dithered colour which is in current use by the various drawing
- tools. If a dithered colour is in use then the Colour Box displays a
- dotted line across the colour box. If a pure colour is chosen then
- no dotted line will be shown.
- With a given MAIN colour , clicking {A} on any of the remaining
- 255 different colours gives all the possible dithered colours
- corresponding to that given MAIN colour. So a total of 32,640
- different dithered colours can be chosen!
-
-
- When the pointer is IN the Colours Section (and ONLY then )
- the following keyboard keys become active :-
-
- (a) <TAB> - Clears the Drawing area ( default white background).
-
- (b) <Shift>+<Q> - Quits the program and returns to the Desktop.
-
- (c) <S> - Saves the screen to a directory PICS within !Artist+.
- A screen will be automatically saved to PICS with
- filenames PIC1,PIC2,PIC3 etc. in succesion, during each
- session. After each session they should be renamed with
- more meaningful names ,since restarting the program will
- cause the filenames to revert to PIC1,PIC2 etc again.
-
- <SHIFT>+<S> This brings up a SAVE Screen dialogue box. You will be
- prompted for the filing system you wish to use (Disc
- or RAM) and the Root Directory Catalogue will be
- displayed. A new Directory may then be chosen.
- Finally you will be asked for the filename of your picture,
- which will then be saved to the current/new Directory.
-
- (d) <L> - Loads a screen from the directory PICS. You will be
- prompted to input the required filename.
-
- <SHIFT>+<L> This brings up a LOAD Screen dialogue box.
- Follow the prompts as for above. You will be prompted
- for the filename of the picture, which will then be
- loaded onto the screen.
-
- Additions / alterations may then be made to the picture.
-
- (e) Pressing the number keys <1>,<2>,....<6> will choose different
- mouse speeds. The default value is <3>.
- <1> is the slowest and allows maximum control.
- <6> is very fast ( and should be used with care ).
-
- (f) If the POLYGON tool is currently chosen then pressing <I> will
- enable you to type in the number of sides required -
- only numbers between 3 and 99 are allowed.
-
- (g) <T> - Displays a TEXT dialogue box.
-
- Press <Y> to make font changes, or any other key to choose
- the default/current value of font type.
-
-
- Enter your text at the text-prompt, followed by <RETURN>.
- ( Just pressing <RETURN> retains the current text string )
- The dialogue box disappears and a rectangle will appear on
- the screen. This can be moved around with the mouse and
- clicking {A} increases the size of the box, while {M} will
- decrease its size.
-
- Clicking {S} on the drawing area will now enter the text
- within the box at the position of the pointer. The colour
- of the text will be the current main colour, but this can
- altered by choosing a new colour from the Colour Bar.
-
- If the pointer is on the Colour Bar then {S} will select a
- text colour (as usual) while {M} gives a Help-Text window.
- Note: Text can only be painted in one of the main colours -
- any dithered partner is ignored.
-
- Pressing <T> again brings back the font/text dialogue box,
- so that alterations or new text can be entered.
-
- Press <SPACE> to finish.
-
- Summary of the active keys during text placement:
-
- <Select> = Plot the text, or <B> = Paint the text as a Brush.
-
- ( +<Shift> =thick text, +<Alt> = thicker text )
-
- <T> = Re-enter the Font/Text dialogue box to make changes.
-
- <L> = Toggle antialiasing | <SPACE> = Abort/Finish
- |
- Global magnification = >,< or MOUSE <Adjust>,<Menu>
-
- Rotation about the Origin = <Z>,<X> or <A>,<S> for 15° increment
-
- X-Stretch = Left,right cursors | Y-Stretch = Up,down cursors
- |
- X-Shear = Keypad 1,3 | Y-Shear = Keypad 2,5
- |
- Flip about Width = <W> | Flip about Height/Depth = <D>
- |
- Reflection in Vertical = <V> | Reflection in Horizontal = <H>
- |
- Reflection in the Origin = <O> | Plot in 12 point circle = <£>
- |
- Restore default size = <R> | Clear screen = <Tab>
-
- Note:- 'Origin' means the bottom-left of the text string.
- The 'background' colour used for antialiasing is taken as
- the screen background colour at the 'Origin',which may not
- always be suitable if there are numerous colours on screen.
-
-
-
- NOTE: The following keys are always active :-
-
- <SPACE> - aborts the current action
- (except for the tools FREE and AIR ).
- <ALT> - toggles between a pointer and a full cross-hair
- cursor. The latter is useful to align various
- drawn objects (except for TEXT entry).
-
-
-
- (B) The TOOLS BAR.
-
- NOTE:- some tools have one or two parameters.
-
- When the pointer is on the Tools Bar :-
-
- (a) Click {S} to select either a tool, or the Colour Box on the
- extreme RHS.
-
- (b) For single parameter tools :
- {M} will decrement the parameter
- {A} will increment the parameter.
- For two parameter tools : (i.e ARC, POLYGON, AIR )
- {M} increments the LHS parameter / icon
- {A} increments the RHS parameter.
-
- Note:- If the POLYGON tool is currently chosen then pressing <I> on
- the keyboard will enable you to input the number of sides
- required ( from 3 to 99).
-
-
-
- (C) The DRAWING AREA.
-
- When not actually drawing you can still use {M} and {A} to
- change the parameters ,and <ALT> to toggle between a pointer and
- a full cross-hair cursor.
-
- Also, use {S}+<SHIFT> to pick up a pure colour from the drawing
- OR use {A}+<SHIFT> to pick up a dithered partner colour.
-
- While using a particular tool pressing <SPACE> will abort
- the current action ( except for the FREE and AIR tools - just
- release {S} in these cases).
-
-
- ************* Click on {S} to start using any tool. *************
-
- We shall deal with each of the drawing tools in turn :
-
- (1) JAGG.
-
- This gives a jagged "curve" between any two points. The degree of
- jaggedness is governed by the parameter.This tool is useful for drawing
- maps, trees, mountains etc. Use small steps to achieve greater control.
-
- Click {S} to start. Moving the mouse will display a dotted line to your
- 'next' point.
- Click {S} again to continue to add points - a continuous jagged curve
- will be displayed which passes through the points in succession.
- Click {A} to finish with your last point ( with an open path ),
- OR click {M} to complete a closed path ( to your initial point ).
-
- Parameter: 1 = minor variation, 6 = violent variation( use with care!)
-
-
-
- (2) PARALLELOGRAM.
-
- Click {S} to fix a start point. Moving the mouse will display a dotted
- line. {S} again (or {A}) fixes this side of the parallelogram.
- Moving the mouse now will display the possible parallelograms
- with this fixed side.
- Click {S} again to finish with an outline parallelogram,
- OR click {M} to get a colour filled parallelogram.
-
- Holding {A} down and moving the mouse will move the parallelogram
- bodily. While still holding {A} down click on {S} for outline,
- or {M} for a colour filled parallelogram. This enables copies
- of a parallelogram to be drawn in various positions.
-
-
- (3) ELLIPSE.
-
- Click {S} to start. Moving the mouse will display various sized
- ellipses. Click {S} again to finish with an outline ellipse,
- OR click {M} to finish with a colour filled ellipse.
-
- Clicking / Holding <Z>,<X> on the keyboard will rotate the
- ellipse anticlockwise / clockwise. Holding <C> down fixes
- the centre, enabling 'concentric' ellipses to be drawn.
-
- Holding {A} down will enable the ellipse to be moved bodily. Clicking
- on {S} / {M} as well will still give outline / filled
- ellipses.
-
- 'Pretty' patterns can be generated by holding down {A} and
- <Z> (or<X>) and then clicking rapidly/holding on {S} (or{M}).
-
- (4) ARC.
-
- This tool enables smooth curves (open or closed) to be drawn
- through various points.
-
- The R.H parameter adjusts the width of the curve :-
- 1 = thinest line curve,...,6 = thickest line curve (default=1)
-
- Click {S} to start. Moving the mouse will display a dotted line.
- Click {S} again to continue to add points - a smooth curve will be
- drawn continuously through the succesive points.
- Click {A} on the last point to finish with a smooth open curve,
- OR click {M} to finish with a smooth closed path (to your initial point ).
-
- Note: the first 'branch' is not finalised until the final {A} or {M}.
-
-
- (5) CIRCLE.
-
- Click {S} to start. Moving the mouse displays various sized circles,
- centered on the initial point.
- Click {S} again to finish with an outline circle,
- OR click {M} to finish with a colour filled circle.
-
- Holding <C> down enables concentric circles to be drawn.
-
- Holding {A} down will enable the circle to be moved bodily. Clicking
- on {S}/{M} as well will still give outline / filled circles.
-
-
- (6) FREE.
-
- This is a freehand drawing tool.
-
- Press the number keys <1>,...,<5> to select the
- speed/smoothness of drawing. The default value is 3.
-
- Click {S} to start, and HOLD it down while moving the mouse.
- This will generate a free-hand curve.
- The parameter determines the width of the line :-
- 1 = thinest line ,...,6 = thickest line.
-
- Holding keys <H>/<V> will force horizontal/vertical lines.
-
- ERASER: - This tool can also be used as an eraser, if the background
- colour is chosen as the current colour.
- Holding {S}+<SPACE> will display a small outline circle (for
- thickness > 3 ) which makes it easier to see with accuracy
- the area to be deleted.
-
-
- (7) LINE.
-
- This tool enables straight lines to be drawn (continuously)
- in various widths. The resulting polygonal shapes can be
- open or closed.
-
- Click {S} to start. Moving the mouse will display a dotted line.
- Click {S} again to continue to add points - a continuous path of
- straight lines through the succesive points will be displayed.
- Hold keys <H>,<V> to force horizontal / vertical lines.
- Click {A} to finish with your last point - giving an open path,
- OR click {M} to complete a closed path to your initial point.
-
- The parameter determines the width of the line :-
- 1 = thinest line,...,6 = thickest line
-
- (Note: using small steps will almost generate a smooth curve)
-
-
- (8) FILL.
-
- Click {S} to fill an area with the current colour.
-
- If the current colour is 'pure' then filling will always work,
- irrespective of the colour already present in the chosen area.
- If the current colour is a dithered one then filling will only
- work if the colour in the area is 'pure'. So to overwrite a
- dithered area you must first fill the area with a pure colour and
- THEN refill with your chosen dithered colour.
- Pressing <SPACE> 'unfills' or 'undoes' the last fill (but only if
- NO colour changes have been made in the meantime).
-
-
- (9) RECTANGLE (+COPY)
-
- Click {S} to start.
- Moving the mouse displays various rectangles, with one
- vertex at the initial point.
- Click {S} again to finish with an outline rectangle,
- OR click {M} to finish with a colour filled rectangle.
-
- Holding {A} down will enable the rectangle to be moved bodily,
- and clicking on {S}/{M} will still give outline/filled
- rectangles.
-
- Pressing <S> will force the rectangle into a square.
-
- Rotation:
- Pressing <R> ( or <Z>,<X> ) will enter rotation mode.
- Pressing <Z>,<X> will rotate the rectangle anticlockwise,clockwise.
- Use the cursor keys to expand/contract its height/width.
- (Pressing Ctrl+<Z>,<X>,cursor keys will give finer control)
-
- The number keys 0,1,2,...,8 will rotate the sprite by that
- multiple of 45 degrees anticlockwise e.g press <3> to rotate
- by 135 degrees anticlockwise. (0 and 8 have the same effect
- of returning to the original orientation)
-
- Use <,> to rapidly double/halve the dimensions of the rectangle.
- Pressing <D> will return the rectangle to its original dimensions.
- Pressing <S> will force the rectangle into a square.
-
- Press <B> to toggle on/off using your rectangle as a brush.
-
- Click {S} (or press <O>) for outline rectangles.
- Click {M} (or press <F>) for colour filled rectangles.
-
- Use <SPACE> to finish.
-
-
- COPY Mode:- to make a copy of a chosen area at a different place.
- This copy can be flipped,rescaled,rotated or used as a brush.
-
- Press <Copy> to start COPY mode on the chosen rectangular
- area ( a sprite area ). A 'beep' sound will occur.
-
- Move the area to your desired place and click {S}.
- A copy of the chosen area will be drawn,leaving the original
- area intact.This can be repeated as many times as desired.
-
- Pressing <H> will give a horizontally flipped copy, while
- pressing <V> will give a vertically flipped copy of the
- original sprite area.
-
- Use the cursor keys to adjust the width/height of the sprite.
- Use the <,> keys to rapidly double/halve the dimensions.
- Press <Z>,<X> to rotate anticlockwise/clockwise.
- ( Ctrl+<Z>,<X>,cursor keys will give finer control )
- Pressing <S> will force the rectangle into a square.
-
- Pressing <D> will return the sprite to its original dimensions.
- ( Press <O> to get outline rectangle in current foreground colour.
- Press <F> to get a colour filled rectangle. )
-
- Press <B> to toggle on/off the Brush facility.
- Holding {S} down will then draw with the sprite as a paint brush.
-
- The number keys 0,1,2,...,8 will rotate the sprite by that
- multiple of 45 degrees anticlockwise e.g press <3> to rotate
- by 135 degrees anticlockwise. (0 and 8 have the same effect
- of returning to the original orientation)
-
- Press <SPACE> (or {M}) to finish Copy mode.
-
- NOTE: width,height (and horiz,vertical) may lose their contexts
- at larger angles of rotation and adjusting these may seem to
- have the opposite effect to that required.
- To keep track of this the outline rectangle has little circles
- on the two 'top' corners. You should regard this edge as the
- 'top' edge - <H> will always flip about a line parallel to this
- 'top' edge, while <V> will always flip about a line perpendicular
- to this 'top' edge.
- If still in doubt just use the 'opposite' key(s).
-
-
-
- (10) POLYGON.
-
- Click {S} to start. Moving the mouse will display various polygons
- (or the surrounding ellipse,if the number of sides is large)
-
- The L.H icon displays the three 'styles' viz. Outline,
- Outline with spokes or just spokes.
- Click {M} to toggle through the various styles.
-
- The R.H parameter is the number of sides. When not
- drawing {A} increments the number of sides (from 3 to 9).
- Press key <I> to input your own number (from 3 to 99).
-
- Click {S} again to finish with a polygon in the chosen style,
- OR click {M} to finish with a filled polygon (irrespective of style).
-
- Holding <C> down enables concentric polygons to be drawn.
-
- Hold {A} down to move the polygon bodily. Clicking on {S}/{M} as
- well will still give the outline / filled polygons.
-
- Click or Hold <Z> / <X> to rotate anticlockwise / clockwise.
-
- Click <H> to force a regular polygon (i.e inside a circle with the
- current height). Similarly click <W> for a regular
- polygon with the current width.
-
- Note: 'Pretty' patterns can be formed , as with Ellipse.
-
-
- (11) AIR (SPRAY).
- L.H.parameter is the density of the spray. Use {M} to increment.
- A = lowest,...,E = highest.
- R.H.parameter is the radius of the spray. Use {A} to increment.
- 1 = least,...,6 = largest.
- Hold {S} down to spray with fine dots, but ONLY if the pointer
- is moving.
- {S}+<SPACE> ( or {S}+{M} or {S}+{A} ) will spray an area even if
- the pointer is NOT moving.
-
- {S}+<D> gives a spray of coarser circular dots ( D = 'Dots').
- {S}+<F> gives a spray of angular shapes ( F = 'Foliage').
- (<SPACE>,{M} or {A} as well sprays even if the pointer is stationary ).
-
-
- (12) COLOUR BOX.
-
- Clicking {S} will pick up the colour from the drawing area which
- is under the pointer.
- Clicking {A} will pick up a dithered partner from the drawing area
- ( it may be necessary to move the mouse a bit in an area
- containing a dithered colour ).
-
- At all stages the current colour (pure or dithered) is shown in the box.
-
- SPECIAL EFFECTS (only when the Colour Box is the chosen tool):-
-
- Hold {M} down to 'scratch' an area with hues of the colour under
- the pointer.
- Hold {M}+<SPACE> to paint with 'blobs' of hues of the colour under
- the pointer.