Press F1 while browsing through the menu to get the detailed description of a command.
Click the Help button and then on any area of interest to get its detailed description.
Use File: Visual Open to display thumbnail images of files in a folder and visually select the ones you want to open.
Use File: Batch Convert to convert a folder of images to any file format or any data type.
Use File: Capture to capture any area on your screen.
Use Edit: Fill to fill an area with a solid color, gradient color, texture or an image file.
Use Edit: Fadeout to easily change the mask of an active object or selection.
Switch to Mask mode to change an object or selection mask. You can either use Edit: Mask Mode command, or click the Mask mode button on the Status bar.
Use Format: Histogram to view the color distribution of your image.
Use Format: Equalize to adjust images that are too dark.
Use Object: Shadow to create any kind of shadow effect. The shadow changes accordingly with the object's shape. If you want to change the object's shape independently of the shadow, use Object: Split Shadow command.
To create sophisticated shadow, you can use Object: Shadow to create a regular shadow, then use Object: Split Shadow to separate the shadow from the object. The shadow then becomes an individual image, allowing you to edit as you would any object.
To group multiple objects together, select with the Shift or Ctrl key the objects to make them active and use Object: Group. You can even group multiple groups together.
Use Object: Ungroup to remove the group relation between grouped objects.
Use Object: Show Marquee to display or hide the marquee (or the dotted lines) on selected objects. Alternatively, you can press Q.
Use Object: Arrange to change the level order of an object relative to other objects in the workspace.
Use Object: Align to modify the alignment of multiple objects.
Use Web: Component Designer to quickly create images for the Web. There are over 800 pre-designed samples that you can choose from.
To create an image map, define each spot as an object, and then use Object: Properties to enter the URL for each spot. Select these objects and use Web: Image Map Assistant to output the HTML document.
Use Web: Image Slicer to divide an image into any arbitrary pieces. You can even fine-tune the output setting of each cell.
In the Web: Image Slicer dialog box, use the Ctrl key and Eraser to remove a line segment.
To output an object image to be used on a Web page, right-click on the object and select Image Optimizer.
Now you can visually see what the output JPEG, GIF or PNG file look like. Simply save the file to JPEG, GIF or PNG format. In the Save As dialog box, select 'Invoke Options dialog box' option.
You can save an RGB True Color image directly as a GIF file. To do so, simply select File: Preferences\System\Save option and make sure that 'List all file formats' is selected. PhotoImpact will automatically convert the image to Indexed-Color for you.
To create a Java Rollover effect, first create three buttons as objects or group of objects. Then, select all of them and use Web: Java Rollover Assistant command.
Use Object: Properties to modify an object's attributes easily. You can double-click on any object to invoke this command. Alternatively, you can press Ctrl+Shift+Enter.
Use Object: Properties command to move the object to a specific position.
There are several ways to change the size of an object. You can use Transform Tool, Object: Properties command, or Format: Dimensions command.
To add Photoshop plug-ins to PhotoImpact, use File: Preferences\Plug-ins and specify the appropriate Plug-ins folder. You only need to add the top-level plug-ins folder and PhotoImpact will search the entire folder for you.
Use Guidelines && Grid to position the objects more precisely. Use View: Guidelines && Grid command.
Press Ctrl+T to repeat your last command.
Open two images then use Edit: Stitch to combine two images.
You can scan multiple pictures, PhotoImpact will automatically slice them for you.
You can create extraordinary frames from Format: Frame && Shadow.
You can increase the intensity of a lighting effect element by pressing the Add button in the Lighting dialog box.
You can move the position of a lighting effect by dragging the object's center.
You can also make an animation out of the lighting effect.
Do you know that there is a complete shortcut key table in the PhotoImpact Help content?
You can connect directly to Ulead Web site by selecting it from the Help menu.
You can get an up-to-date information about PhotoImpact by selecting the 'Check Ulead's Web site at start' in the Preferences dialog box.
You can also add your own tips here by adding them to the tip files under your Tips folder.
You can share your comments to the Ulead News Group comp.graphics.apps.ulead.
To view grouped objects as a single thumbnail, select 'Hide group members' option on the Layer Manager toolbar.
Select 'Show Detail Information' from the Layer Manager's View menu commands drop-down menu to display details about each object layer.
Select 'Show/Hide list view' from the Layer Manager toolbar to toggle between thumbnail display and layered display.
Use the EasyPalette Layer Manager to manage objects within an image. To change the visible status of an object, simply click on the eye icon on an object's thumbnail to make the object active.
If you want to lock the position of an object, you may do so from the EasyPalette Layer Manager. Simply click on the lock icon on an object's thumbnail.
Drag a thumbnail in the EasyPalette Layer Manager to easily change an object's order or level.
You can assign different names to your objects for better management. To change an object's name, click on the name field of an object in the EasyPalette Layer Manager.
Click the Object Libraries button in the EasyPalette to switch to the Object Library mode, where you can find several pre-designed objects. Simply drag a thumbnail image to an active window or to your workspace.
Object Library can be arranged according to groups. To switch to a particular group, click the arrow button next to the Object Library button in the EasyPalette and select the specific library you want.
Right-click on any Gallery thumbnail. You will find more features that PhotoImpact can offer.
Click the Galleries button in the EasyPalette to switch to the Gallery mode. Here, you will find an array of pre-designed effects. To use them, simply double-click a thumbnail or drag it to an active window or workspace.
Use the treeview form in the EasyPalette Gallery mode or Object Library mode for better management. You'll see the heirarchy of galleries and effects in the left pane. Make sure the Show/hide treeview button on the EasyPalette toolbar is selected.
If you want to store the settings of your effects for later use, simply press the Add button on the Attribute toolbar to add it to the EasyPalette. You can use the same settings any time you want by dragging the thumbnail to an active window or the workspace.
If you want to store any object for later use, simply drag the object to the EasyPalette Object Library window. Alternatively, you can use Object: Copy To Object Library command.
To add a texture to the EasyPalette, right-click on the gallery group in the EasyPalette treeview and select the Add Natural Texture Thumbnails from the resulting pop-up menu.
To add an PhotoShop plug-in to the EasyPalette, right-click on the gallery group in the EasyPalette treeview and select the Add PhotoShop Plug-in Thumbnails from the resulting pop-up menu.
To add any conversion command to the EasyPalette, right-click on the gallery group in the EasyPalette treeview and select the Add Commands Thumbnails from the resulting pop-up menu.
Organize your Gallery by using the Gallery Manager command. Click the arrow button next to the Gallery button in the EasyPalette toolbar to find this command.
Organize your Object Library by using Object Library Manager command. Click the arrow button next to the Object Library button in the EasyPalette toolbar to find this command.
You can drag an object from one document to another.
You can drag an object to your workspace to create a new document.
Press the CTRL key while dragging an object to create a duplicate.
To tile fill an image with an object, simply hold the T-key down while dragging the object to the document.
To apply an object's mask as your document's selection, simply hold the M-key down while dragging the object to the document.
Keep all frequently used commands in the Quick Command Panel Cache tab.
You can lock the command in the Quick Command Panel Cache tab.
You can delete all the commands in the Quick Command Panel Cache tab. Right-click to show the pop-up menu where you can delete the commands.
You can drag a command in the Quick Command Panel Task tab to change its order.
You can add or delete a command in the Quick Command Panel Task tab by clearing the Include/Exclude box.
You can clear the Use preset properties box in the Quick Command Panel Task tab.
You can create or record a special task in the Quick Command Panel.
To minimize the Quick Command Panel window, click the minimize button on the upper right hand corner of the panel.
You can apply a task to all the image files within a selected folder through the Quick Command Panel Batch task.
You can share your task with others by exporting the task from the Quick Command Panel Task Manager.
Press the Ctrl key while in Pick or Selection tool to add an object to selected state.
Press the Shift key while in Pick or Selection tool to remove an object from selected state.
To add another area to current selection, simply press A while selecting.
To remove an area from current selection, simply press S while selecting.
To crop an area, simply use a Selection tool to select the area and click the Crop button. Alternatively, you can press Ctrl+R.
Press the arrow keys to move an active object pixel by pixel.
Press the Shift key to make a selection while retaining its proportion.
Press the Shift key to move objects horizontally or vertically.
To move the marquee, select 'Move selection marquee' from the Options menu on the Attribute toolbar of a Selection tool.
Select 'Snap to edges' option while in Lasso tool to visually see the selection boundary as you drag your mouse over the image.
Drag from document outside in Selection tool to select intersecting region. You can also drag the selection tool to outside document to achieve a different effect.
Move the rotation center icon to change the way an object is rotated.
Press the Shift key while resizing an object to keep its aspect ratio.
Press Z-key at any time to switch to Zoom tool.
To change the display ratio, simply select any pre-defined ratio from the Standard toolbar or enter the ratio directly.
Press C-key at any time to switch to Eyedropper tool.
Drag an area while in Eyedropper to sample current foreground color.
Click within a document while in the Eyedropper tool to change the current foreground color. Right-click to change the background color.
Click within a document while in the Zoom tool to zoom in.
Press the + key at any time to zoom in an image. Press the - key to zoom out.
Drag the Zoom tool to view the dragged area in full window.
Right-click while in Zoom tool to restore the image to actual view.
Click the Global view icon, located on the lower right hand corner of the View window, to quickly display any region of the image.
Press G-key at any time to invoke the Global view window.
Right-click any toolbar to show or hide toolbar.
Click the 'Restore last display ratio' button on the Attribute toolbar to toggle between current zoom ratio and last zoom ratio.
Select Adjust window option in the Zoom tool's Attribute toolbar to resize the view window automatically whenever zoom ratio changes.
Double-click on retouching, cloning, or painting tool icon to display the Brush panel.
You can visually see the brush shape when using painting, retouching or cloning tool. To do so, use File: Preferences\Painting tools option and select 'Precise shape'.
Select Cross hair cursor to let you see the underlying image more clearly when painting. To do so, use File: Preferences\Painting tools option and select 'Crosshair'.
Click the 'Swap F/B color' icon in the Color palette to quickly interchange the foreground and background colors.
When you see a color cell, simply right-click on it. You will find out how easy it is to change its color. Alternatively, you can double-click on it to display the Color Picker immediately.
Click the +/- icon in the Color palette to quickly adjust image color.
Press the ` key to see a pop-up display of the Tool Panel where you can easily switch to any tool by clicking one or using the arrow keys.
Press Tab to show or hide all toolbars and panels.
Press the Shift key while in Gradient Fill tool to limit the direction to multiples of 45 degrees.
Use the Retouch tool/Color transform pen to shift to a set of colors.
You can adjust an existing path in Horizontal Deform/Vertical Deform Mode.
You can create outline objects by using the Outline Drawing tool.
You can change the line style from the Attribute Toolbar of the Path tool for all outline and line objects.
You can apply deform effect to text/path objects by dragging a thumbnail from the EasyPalette.
