IRIX 6.5 Applications 2004 May/SGI IRIX 6.5 Applications 2004 May.iso/dist/desktop_tools.idb/usr/lib/envm/iconsmith.hlp.z/iconsmith.hlp

Text File | 1998-05-04 | 4.5 KB | 206 lines

@section=help

\fBIconSmith Quick Help\fP

\fIIconSmith\fP is a graphics editor for simple two-dimensional line
drawings.  It creates plain text files that are used by the Indigo
Magic Desktop (formerly WorkSpace) and other applications to
quickly display colorful, scaling icons.
\fIThe IRIS WorkSpace Integration Guide\fP describes how to integrate
icons and applications.



\fBDraw a path or polygon:\fP
@bullet
Start the path: Click left mouse on an empty spot.
@bullet
Add an edge to the path: Hold \fBCtrl\fP and click left mouse.
@bullet
Close the path and fill it (to obtain a filled polygon):
Hold \fBCtrl\fP and double-click left mouse,
or, with Grid and Gravity Snap on (see below), click left mouse
on first point in path.

\fBSplit an edge into two:\fP
@bullet
Select a vertex of the edge (see below).
@bullet
Hold \fBCtrl\fP and click the left mouse near that edge.



\fBSelect a single vertex:\fP
@bullet
Click left mouse on the vertex.

\fBSelect several vertices within a box:\fP
@bullet
Drag with left mouse to sweep out the box.

\fBSelect a path or polygon:\fP
@bullet
Double-click on an edge or vertex with the left mouse.

\fBExtend the selection:\fP
@bullet
Hold \fBShift\fP while making selections.



\fBMove a vertex:\fP
@bullet
Drag the vertex with the left mouse down.
(To abort, drag outside the window.)

\fBMove the selection:\fP
@bullet
Drag from any selected vertex with the left mouse down.



\fBDelete the selection:\fP
@bullet
Press the backspace or the delete key.



\fBPush an object to the back (or front):\fP
@bullet
Select an object.
@bullet
Hold the right mouse in the drawing area.
@bullet
Select "Push to back" (or "Push to front").



\fBTransform:\fP
@bullet
Move the pin (blue and white cross).
@bullet
Select the transformation (scale, rotate or shear).
@bullet
Select several vertices.
@bullet
Hold the \fBAlt\fP key and drag a selected vertex with the left mouse.



\fBUndo:\fP
@bullet
Press \fBF1\fP key (up to 9 times).

\fBRedo:\fP
@bullet
Hold \fBShift\fP key and press \fBF1\fP key
(up to 9 times).



\fBPopup Menu:\fP
@bullet
Hold right mouse in drawing area.




\fBHints:\fP

Remember to hold the \fBCtrl\fP key to add lines.

Draw adjacent objects separately and move them together.

When in doubt, UNDO!

Mouse:
@bullet
Draw with the left mouse.
@bullet
Menu with the right mouse (in the drawing).
@bullet
Nothing with the middle mouse button.

Bear in mind, the Indigo Magic Desktop (and WorkSpace)
will not draw correctly any objects that extend past the
blue boundary or any concave polygons.

Import existing parts of icon drawings to reuse them.

Gravity is the key to making drawings that scale up
properly without "coming unglued." Click the left mouse on
the "Constraints" button to get the window titled "Editing
Constraints" to widen the gravity snap influence if needed.



\fBColor and Other Properties of the Icon:\fP

\fBGet color palette (window titled "Selection Properties"):\fP
Click the left mouse on the "Palette" button.

\fBColor paths and polygons:\fP
@bullet
Select at least one vertex of each object to color.
@bullet
Select the outline color.
@bullet
Select the filling color.

\fBCopy a color from the drawing:\fP
@bullet
Select a colored object.
@bullet
Select "Apply to Pen."
@bullet
Select objects to receive color.
@bullet
Select "Get from Pen."

\fBChange color for future objects\fP
@bullet
Select an outine color.
@bullet
Select a filling color.
@bullet
Select "Apply to Pen."

The filling color labelled "Icon" changes as the icon's state changes.

\fBPreview icon highlighting feedback:\fP
Move the mouse into the blue square in the lower left corner.

\fBPreview icon selection feedback:\fP
Click the left mouse inside the blue square in the lower
left corner. (Click just outside the blue square to undo.)

\fBChanging the comment on an object:\fP
@bullet
Select the object to comment (selecting several will change
the comment of each).
@bullet
Type the comment in the pink box at the top of the palette.




\fBGrids and Gravity:\fP

\fBGet the Editing Constraints panel:\fP
Click the left mouse on the "Constraints" button.

\fBThe basic idea:\fP
To aid precise placement of object, the caret (red and blue
cross) is attracted to the nearest \fIinteresting\fP object within
a specified radius.  The caret can snap to edges, vertices,
and grid points, but not intersection points.

\fBDefine grid based on drawing:\fP
@bullet
Select an edge that is the same length as the distance between
grid points desired.
@bullet
Select "Measure from Line."