User Guide Ulead Systems, Inc.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE First edition for Ulead ® PhotoImpact® XL, August 2003. © 1992 – 2003 Ulead Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or storing in a retrieval system, or translated into any language in any form without the express written permission of Ulead Systems, Inc.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents CH. 1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................. 9 What would you like to do? ...................................................................................................... 10 Installation ................................................................................................................................ 11 First-time PhotoImpact users ................................................................
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Saving images ....................................................................................................................................... 46 AutoSave ............................................................................................................................................... 47 Printing images ......................................................................................................................................
TABLE OF CONTENTS Painting Texture menu ........................................................................................................................... 95 Using the Paint as Object mode ............................................................................................................ 95 Using the Edit Active Objects Only mode .............................................................................................. 96 Using the Color Panel ........................................
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Copying and moving an object between images ................................................................................ 132 Duplicating an object ........................................................................................................................... 132 Deleting an object ................................................................................................................................ 132 Spacing and aligning objects .........................
TABLE OF CONTENTS Transparency Tab ...................................................................................................................... 181 Shadow Tab ................................................................................................................................ 181 Light Tab .................................................................................................................................... 181 Shading Tab ..................................................
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE CH. 8 ALL FOR THE WEB .......................................................................... 227 Images for the Web ................................................................................................................ 228 Opening an image/UFO file from a Web page ........................................................................ 228 Opening a Web page as a single image ..................................................................................
1 INTRODUCTION Welcome to Ulead PhotoImpact XL, the software that delivers total image editing for the PC. Easily manage and enhance digital photos, create stunning graphics and produce high-impact Web pages for recreational or business use. Professional-looking photos are easy to make using one-click auto correction commands. Add pizzazz with loads of filters, special effects and professional raster, vector, and 3D tools.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE What would you like to do? With PhotoImpact, you can quickly familiarize yourself with all the features through a variety of sources. Tip of the Day and tutorials guide you along the basics of the program, while Help topics can clue you in on the finer points of the features. The following list should help you determine which method is best suited to your needs.
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION I am a Microsoft Office user and want to work closely with those programs Microsoft Office users can get straight to work with Album. Refer to the manual in PDF format on the PhotoImpact CD. It will show you how you can use Album together with Windows to link and embed image files into Office documents. You can also discover how to use the powerful features in Album to manage and organize image files. Installation PhotoImpact XL is very easy to install.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Reinstalling programs Aside from PhotoImpact, Setup also installs other programs which include PhotoImpact Album, GIF Animator, and Photo Explorer into your computer. If you uninstalled any of these programs, you can run Setup again to reinstall them. To install the other programs: 1 Insert the PhotoImpact CD into your CD-ROM drive. 2 When the Setup screen appears, select Modify. This automatically reinstalls the other programs.
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION Photo Explorer • Double-click any image file associated with the Photo Explorer program (associated files use the Photo Explorer icon). • Photo Explorer is installed in a separate program folder. Click Start: Programs – Ulead Photo Explorer submenu to run the program. Overview of the programs The following is a brief overview of the programs in PhotoImpact: PhotoImpact PhotoImpact is an all-in-one image editing solution for photo enhancement, graphic design and Web design.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Comprehensive Web page creation Offers an integrated program that allows you to create entire Web pages, from images, backgrounds, rollovers, buttons, text, animation, and more, without the hassle of coding. Because Web pages are saved in the object-based UFO file format, you can update and edit Web page content any time. • Web page output capability generates HTML code and attaches image references instantly.
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION • • Special effects and animations Including particle and wild pattern effects, can be applied to objects, selections and whole images. Animation Studio Features realistic and vibrant animated effects with specific key frame controls for both photos and 3D objects, to liven up your Web pages. Productivity functions Let you work with a number of image files simultaneously for maximum speed and ease.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Album Album is a powerful tool for multimedia file management. Not only can you organize and catalog your files visually through thumbnails, but you can create your own database that you can edit and update. Album also provides convenient tools for sharing your images over the Internet. Its features include: • User defined fields Give you the power to organize large collections of images with a searchable database through fields or categories you can specify.
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION GIF Animator Ulead GIF Animator is a powerful tool for creating high impact animation for Web pages, presentations, and multimedia titles. Composing, editing, and applying special effects can all be done in GIF Animator. The program also gives you total control over optimization, making animations compact and Web-ready while retaining excellent image quality.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE • • • View and organize media Browse large collections of image and video files. Organize and work with Zip files as easily as normal folders. Enhance images Choose from crop, color balance, red eye removal, brightness and contrast, focus, and more. Use photography filters like lens distortion correction and sepia tones. Record and add sound annotations to your images. Batch convert images to preferred file formats and resolutions.
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION • • • • • • Enhanced High Dynamic Range gives a photo a super-realistic quality by combining different copies of photos and uses the different exposure levels to extend its “perceivable tonal range”. Even shots taken without a tripod can be used with this feature. Its Image Registration function automatically maps locations of different shots and aligns them to get a perfectly merged photo.
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2 THE PHOTOIMPACT WORKSPACE This chapter explains the concepts behind PhotoImpact's user interface, beginning with a walkthrough of the workspace and its various components, followed by detailed descriptions of the various panels and toolbars. This chapter then concludes with assorted tips and tricks on how to personalize your PhotoImpact workspace settings. In Chapter 2 you will learn: Introduction to the workspace .......................................................................................
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Introduction to the workspace PhotoImpact opens with a typical program window (as shown below). As you get familiar with the different tools illustrated in this page and the next, you’ll find that they are quite easy to use. Page references are also provided for most of the different functions allowing you to go directly to the topic of interest for more information. The illustration below helps you quickly locate the different features.
CHAPTER 2: THE PHOTOIMPACT WORKSPACE 23 Standard Toolbar Zoom In/ Zoom Out Ulead Homepage Help Undo Redo Acquire from Scanner Acquire from Digital Camera Post-processing Wizard New Image New Web Page Open Save Paste Copy Cut Preview in Browser Print Preview Print Multiple Print Layout Capture High Dynamic Range Highlight Midtone Shadow Brightness & Contrast Color Balance Auto Level ExpressFix Tool Panel Pick Tool [K,W] - page 115 Selection Tool [M] - page 115 Path Tool [D] - page 161 Crop Tool/ Persp
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE PhotoImpact panels PhotoImpact provides you with an assortment of management tools to make working inside the program easy and convenient. Drag and drop effects or filters from the EasyPalette right into the workspace, view files inside folders as thumbnails before opening them with the Browse Manager or recall the steps you have done in the Quick Command Panel. Learn more about what these and other management tools can offer in the succeeding sections.
CHAPTER 2: THE PHOTOIMPACT WORKSPACE Notes: • To select multiple objects in the Layer Manager, press [Ctrl] or [Shift] as you click objects. To select all objects, press [Ctrl+Shift+A]. • Transparency and object merging options, both useful tools for changing an object’s display qualities, are readily accessible on the Shortcut Bar. Thumbnail menu commands contain a number of practical tools used for manipulating objects.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE The Browse Manager Browse for image files on your computer or local network with the Browse Manager. Image files can be identified more easily in the Browse Manager as they are displayed as thumbnails. Open files by double-clicking a thumbnail or by dragging the files to the workspace. Click Recent Files to view the documents you have recently opened in the workspace. Double-click the thumbnail to open or to make active the file in the workspace.
CHAPTER 2: THE PHOTOIMPACT WORKSPACE Using the EasyPalette The EasyPalette provides you a location where you can store different items such as tools, settings, effect presets, templates and many more for quick access. Also, the easiest and most convenient method for applying special effects and filters is to drag them from the EasyPalette directly onto an image, selection area, or object. Items in the EasyPalette are separated into various galleries and libraries.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE To apply an item from the EasyPalette: 1 Select View: Toolbars & Panels EasyPalette or click the EasyPalette icon in the Panel Manager. 2 Click Galleries for special effects, paint tools, fill tools, and so on. Click Object Libraries for object or path presets. 3 Click “+” / “-” or double-click each gallery and library to display and hide details. 4 Select an effect from the available galleries and double-click it or drag and drop it on the document to apply.
CHAPTER 2: THE PHOTOIMPACT WORKSPACE Importing and exporting galleries Use Import, Export, and Package to share preset galleries and libraries with friends and colleagues. From the Gallery Manager or Object Library Manager submenu, select any of the following commands: • Import Allows you to load any gallery files (*.SMP) or object library files (*.UOL) into the EasyPalette. • Export Saves the active gallery/library as another file in a specified folder.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Modifying and adding Gallery thumbnails You might find it convenient to modify your collection of customized tools and special effects directly on the EasyPalette. By clicking Thumbnail menu commands, you can choose to modify thumbnail effects and add new effects, including Adobe Photoshop plug-in effects and image fills. You can also add a variety of commands for image adjustment and conversion by selecting Add Command Thumbnails.
CHAPTER 2: THE PHOTOIMPACT WORKSPACE • All Thumbnails Changes all the thumbnails in the currently selected gallery with that of the active image. • Use Image as Thumbnails Uses a specific area of the active image as a thumbnail in the selected gallery. • Reset All Thumbnails Brings the thumbnails back to their original preset. EasyPalette Pop-up The EasyPalette Pop-up provides you with an alternative location to access your preferred Galleries and Libraries, and it is completely customizable.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Using the Quick Command Panel With the Quick Command Panel (QCP), PhotoImpact provides a fast way to access commonly used commands, to retrace or redo steps you have done, as well as an easy way to record a series of steps (known as macros) that you can apply to your image or file thus saving precious time for more productive activities. In addition to customizing commands, you can also efficiently organize a series of tasks to perform while working on your images.
CHAPTER 2: THE PHOTOIMPACT WORKSPACE To record a quick command: 1 In the Task Tab, click Task menu commands and select New. 2 Enter a name for the sequence of actions that you want to record, then click Record. 3 Begin applying a series of menu commands to your image. For instance, you can first apply some effects from the Effect menu, and then you can retouch the image with the Format menu commands. These will be automatically recorded in the QCP.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Notes: • Right-click a cached command in the Cache Tab and select Add to Task List on the pop-up menu to add the command to the currently selected task. Click Task menu commands and select Task Manager on the pop-up menu to organize and edit tasks in a set. Click Batch Task to apply a command to all image files in a selected folder. • For more on using the Quick Command Panel and macros, check the Online Help.
CHAPTER 2: THE PHOTOIMPACT WORKSPACE Personalizing the workspace Before moving on, select File: Preferences or press [F6] to set various options specific to PhotoImpact. This enables you to customize the way your program works and to move around your workspace with ease. The Category section in the Preferences dialog box contains all the different aspects that determine a program’s performance, displayed in a tree view style.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE To customize the Standard Toolbar: 1 Select File: Preferences. On the submenu, select Customize Standard Toolbar. 2 In the dialog box that appears, the list box on the left displays buttons that you can add to the toolbar, and the list box on the right displays the buttons that currently exist on the toolbar. To add a button, select the button on the left, then select its position on the right (note that the button will appear above the item that you select on the right).
CHAPTER 2: THE PHOTOIMPACT WORKSPACE A CMS has 3 key functions: • Maps color gamuts between selected devices. • Matches colors in different color models (for example, RGB to CMYK). • Provides an accurate display of colors on screen. Note: PhotoImpact includes Microsoft’s “Image Color Matching” 2.0 (ICM 2.0), a color management technology producing consistent color results. ICM 2.0 is available if you use Windows 98, Windows 2000, or Windows XP.
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3 GETTING STARTED Mastering PhotoImpact requires you to learn certain basic commands and operations. The first part of this chapter provides instructions on the fundamentals such as creating new images or opening existing ones. It also teaches you the finer points of printing documents, whether singularly or in multiple or poster mode. The latter half of this chapter takes on advanced concepts like working with multiple files, importing/exporting images, and working with and combining parts of an image.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Using the clipboard ....................................................................................................... 57 Recovering from mistakes ............................................................................................ 60 Cropping an image ....................................................................................................... 61 Perspective Crop ..............................................................................................
CHAPTER 3: GETTING STARTED Basic concepts Familiarizing yourself with PhotoImpact’s basic procedures will help you learn more about the program and how to maximize its capabilities. This section was written to help you master fundamentals such as creating new images and opening existing ones. It also contains a brief discussion on how to acquire images from other sources, such as the World Wide Web, or from WIA and TWAIN peripherals such as digital cameras and scanners.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE • • Same as image in clipboard Opens a new image with the exact same size as the image in the clipboard. User-defined Lets you customize the size. Once you specify a size, you can click Reverse to switch the width and height, or click Userdefined to add the dimensions as a preset for easy access. For lessons on how to customize a new page’s dimensions, please refer to the procedure below.
CHAPTER 3: GETTING STARTED Opening image files There are several ways to open your image files: • Click Open on the Standard Toolbar. • Select File: Open [Ctrl+O]. • Double-click an associated image file name from Windows Explorer. • Select File: Visual Open [Shift+O] to select files represented by thumbnail images. For details on how to use Visual Open, please refer to the next section. • Select File: Recent Files and choose a recently used file from the list.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Using the Browse Manager to open files Aside from Visual Open, the Browse Manager also allows you to identify and open image files more easily since they are displayed as thumbnails. To open files using the Browse Manager: 1 Make sure that the Browse Manager icon is clicked on the AccessPanel Toolbar. 2 Click Recent Files to view the image files you have recently opened in the workspace. The number of files displayed can be set in the Preferences dialog box [F6].
CHAPTER 3: GETTING STARTED To select the default image source: 1 Select File: Scanner - Select Source or File: Digital Camera - Select Source. A list of TWAIN devices appears. Select a device as the image data source. Note: If you only have one TWAIN device connected, that device automatically becomes the TWAIN source. 2 Click Device Type to specify the type of input device and then click OK. 3 In the Select Source dialog box, click the appropriate driver and then click Select.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE If you select post-processing, then the Acquire Image dialog box appears. After making the desired settings, click Acquire. The driver for that device appears. Follow the directions for that device. Notes: • Make sure your TWAIN device is properly installed in your computer before acquiring. • For more information on specific imaging options, see the image device manufacturer’s documentation.
CHAPTER 3: GETTING STARTED 3 Enter the name for saving in File name. A file extension is not needed. 4 Click Save. Note: Select Effect: Digimarc - Embed Watermark to include a digital watermark into your images before saving them. This allows you to imperceptibly embed data (such as copyright and owner information) and protect your images from unauthorized use. Register first and acquire a Digimarc ID before you try to embed digital watermarks into your images.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE • Click Apply enhancement and choose an enhancement command to correct one or more of your printer’s problems, or manually adjust the calibration curve. 4 In the Halftone Tab, clear Use printer’s default to manually adjust the frequency and angle that will determine how your printer interprets each pixel to print. 5 Click OK. Using Print Preview Every now and then, you would want to see how your image looks like before actually printing it.
CHAPTER 3: GETTING STARTED 5 Under Layout, specify settings of the image for printing. You can assign the paper’s orientation, provide an image title, automatically resize it to fit the page, and center it horizontally and vertically. 6 Specify number of copies to print in Copies. 7 Click Print if you want to print, or click Close to return to the normal editing mode. Notes: • Select the appropriate alignment settings in the Options Panel to reposition the document.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE To print multiple images: 1 With an image open in the workspace, select File: More Print Function - Print Multiple. 2 Select a printer from Printer name. Change printer settings by clicking Printer Properties. 3 Click Paper layout to select a preset layout from the list. Then select paper orientation. Then, click Next. 4 Select whether to use the images found in the workspace, or add more images using a different source folder. Then, click Next.
CHAPTER 3: GETTING STARTED Print Poster Printing large-scale copies of your PhotoImpact projects is now much easier to do using Print Poster. This feature prints a large image or project onto multiple pieces of paper which can be joined together to create a single poster. To use Print Poster: 1 With an image in the workspace, select File: More Print Functions - Print Poster. 2 Select a printer from Printer name. Change printer settings by clicking Printer Properties.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Sending images through the Internet There are a number of ways to send images via the Internet or post them to a Web site, all of which are located in File: Export. • Post to Web If you have Microsoft’s Web Publishing Wizard installed. For details, see page 268. • Post to iMira You can share photos with friends and family, make e-cards and much more in Ulead’s photo-sharing Web site.
CHAPTER 3: GETTING STARTED Acquiring images from the Internet Nowadays, working with images directly from the Internet is becoming increasingly important. For Web designers and Webmasters, having direct access to images on a Web site makes it easier to modify and update them. On a recreational level, many people download images from the Internet for personal use.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE 5 Click to select a desired image, then click Open. Notes: • If you selected an image from a Web page in your local computer and you want to find its original, non-optimized file, click Locate to automatically search the current folder, or click Browse to search the folder manually. • Only image files can be opened by this method. Viewing images When you open an image in PhotoImpact, the pixels of the image are “mapped” onto your screen pixels.
CHAPTER 3: GETTING STARTED • Click the area under your mouse pointer to zoom in. • Right-click to zoom out. You can also press [Shift] and click. • Drag along the area you want to zoom in. A marquee appears. Releasing the mouse button zooms in that area defined by the marquee. • Drag the Zoom ratio slider on the Attribute Toolbar. Note: Set the window to automatically fit the new zoom ratio by selecting Adjust window on the Attribute Toolbar for the Zoom Tool.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Using the Global Viewer The Global Viewer lets you easily navigate around in an image after you've zoomed in on it. To reposition the viewer: 1 Click the box that appears at the intersection of the scroll bars in the lower right corner of an image window. This only appears when an image is magnified to a size that is larger than its window. Alternatively, press [G] on the keyboard. A thumbnail of the entire image appears.
CHAPTER 3: GETTING STARTED Using the clipboard The clipboard acts as a temporary storage for different types of data, such as images, text, or sound. However, it only holds data one at a time. Whenever new information is placed in the clipboard, the previous data is automatically overwritten, regardless of where the new data came from.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE To paste image data into a selection area: 1 Select an area on the image where you want to paste the clipboard image into. 2 Select Edit: Paste - Into Selection. The clipboard image appears inside the selection and remains attached to your mouse. Note: Press [Esc] to undo (before you have finished the pasting operation). The contents in the clipboard are not removed. 3 Move your mouse around to position the clipboard image in the desired selection area.
CHAPTER 3: GETTING STARTED Pasting images as new images Select Paste: As New Image to paste a selection in its own image window. Alternatively, you can drag an object from an existing image to the workspace. This is useful when you want to save an object or selection area as its own image, or when you have copied an image from another program and want to place it in its own window.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE 3 Right-click the image and select Merge from the resulting pop-up menu. Notes: • If Preserve Base Image is cleared, you can still duplicate an image by pressing [Ctrl] as you drag the selected image to an empty workspace. • To copy part of an image, use any Selection tool to choose any part you want to duplicate and drag it to an empty workspace. Recovering from mistakes PhotoImpact keeps track of actions and commands used in editing images.
CHAPTER 3: GETTING STARTED Cropping an image Cropping trims the edges of an image and removes unwanted areas. To crop an image, select the area you wish to retain and select Edit: Crop [Ctrl+R]. Crop references crop dimensions, even if there are multiple objects in a document, or if the crop area covers only part of a selection. To have better control on the crop dimensions, use the Crop Tool in the Tool Panel instead.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE 4 To determine where the crop will be applied, click Options on the Attribute Toolbar. You can choose between cropping Selection & All Objects, Active Selection/Object(s), or Entire Image. 5 Click Crop or press [Enter]. Notes: • To reset the crop bounding box or cancel the crop action, press [Esc]. • To reposition the bounding box, move your mouse within the bounding box. When the pointer changes to a 4-directional arrow, drag selection to the desired position.
CHAPTER 3: GETTING STARTED Resizing an image You can resize an entire image in two ways. The method that you choose depends on the desired quality and the target destination for the image. Changing resolution Resolution determines the physical size of an image by defining the size of its constituent pixels. This method changes the number of pixels that appear per unit area.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Changing dimensions by resampling When you open images, their size on screen is determined by your screen resolution and the number of pixels the images contain. Image Size allows you to adjust the number of pixels in an image. As resampling changes the image’s number of pixels, the file size is modified correspondingly. Use Resample when: • Changing the size of an image as it is displayed on screen.
CHAPTER 3: GETTING STARTED Making a screen capture PhotoImpact Capture can take screen shots of any images on your screen, including the PhotoImpact program window, just like a real world camera. You can specify capture options in order to save you editing time. To start capturing an image: 1 Select File: Capture - Setup. 2 Set the default options for capturing. • Source Determines what and where to take the screen shot in your monitor screen. • Destination Specifies where to send the captured image(s).
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Note: If you chose to capture a Selected area, you will have to define an area by clicking the mouse on the starting point of the selection and then drag it to enclose the area in a rectangle. To capture a selected area: 1 Select File: Capture - Setup. 2 Under the Source options, choose Selected area. You can also modify other capture options, if necessary. 3 Click Capture Now to close the dialog box. 4 Locate the area that you want to capture.
CHAPTER 3: GETTING STARTED To capture a selected object: 1 Select File: Capture - Setup. 2 Under the Source options, choose Selected object. 3 Click Capture Now to close the dialog box. 4 Take the screen shot by pressing the Hotkey specified in Activation. The program then “divides” the active window into separate objects for each button, menu, or workspace. The mouse pointer changes from an arrow icon into a circle with crosshairs inside it.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE To process images with Batch Manager: 1 From the AccessPanel, click Document Manager. You’ll find all open documents displayed as thumbnails. 2 From the list of open documents, select the ones where you want the operation applied. You can select multiple documents by holding [Shift] while clicking. 3 Click the arrow beside Batch Manager. This displays the pull-down menu listing all available commands. 4 Select the command you want to apply, then click OK.
CHAPTER 3: GETTING STARTED Import/Export RAW is a useful file format for transferring files between applications and computer platforms. It supports CMYK, RGB, and Grayscale data types with alpha channels and multichannel, Lab, indexed-color, and duotone files without alpha channel. It is designed to save image data in undocumented formats like those created by scientific applications. You can import/export RAW data into PhotoImpact and convert it into images that you can modify.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE To export an image into SVG: 1 Select File: Export – SVG Export. 2 Select the folder where you want to save the image in Save in. Enter the name for saving in File name. 3 Click Options to specify the output and compression settings for the image. 4 Click Save. An example of an SVG image as viewed through a Web browser. Like HTML text, SVG text can also be highlighted and copied. At right, the same image magnified four times.
CHAPTER 3: GETTING STARTED To partially open a file: 1 Select File: Open [Ctrl+O]. Select Partial load and then click the files to open. (Select files with [Shift] to select a range of files or [Ctrl] to randomly select multiple files.) 2 Click Open. The image is divided into grids. Selecting Grid divides the image into equal parts. Enter values for the number of grid columns and rows. Note: To select a custom area to load, clear Grid.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE • Select Auto fine-tune to help the images snap into the correct relative position when manually stitching photos. • Set the transparency of the floating image to aid manual stitching and to define how images are combined in the overlap area. Notes: • You can only join images that share the same data type and are either Grayscale or True Color. • Stitch only works with base images; objects cannot be stitched.
CHAPTER 3: GETTING STARTED Manual stitching The manual stitching option joins images in unusual ways to create interesting special effects, such as creating a mirrored effect by placing the same image against itself or a flipped version of itself. To stitch two images manually: 1 Follow steps 1 through 4 of automatic image stitching (see previous page). 2 Drag the floating image until you are satisfied with its position. 3 Click OK.
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4 IMAGE EDITING Having learned the fundamental components and commands of PhotoImpact in the previous chapter, get ready to learn advanced techniques in editing images. Learn how to make quick fixes to digital camera photos using the ExpressFix feature. Know more about the various tools for color and lighting correction, including color cast removal, the use of image brightness and contrast, hue and saturation values, exposure levels, and noise and other image imperfections.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Automatically enhancing an image The Auto-process commands are used for automatic and intelligent control over image appearance. It automates the format process and lets PhotoImpact estimate and apply changes needed to enhance images accordingly. The commands under Auto-process include the following: • Level Adjusts the image’s tone map to meet the full tonal spectrum. • Contrast Adjusts the Brightness of the image, and retains the original Hue and Saturation setting.
CHAPTER 4: IMAGE EDITING To use Auto-process - Batch: 1 Select Format: Auto-process - Batch [Ctrl+F9]. 2 Click the Auto-process option(s) you want to apply. 3 To remove an option, click its button again or drag it off the queue at the bottom of the dialog box. 4 Click OK to apply the Auto-process option(s) to the image. Note: Most of the options in the Auto-process dialog box can be accessed independently by selecting their respective commands on the Format: Auto-process submenu.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE • Beautify Skin Retouches skin areas by removing blemishes, softening its tone, and changing its color. Click to select a step and make adjustments. While in a particular step, click Do not apply if no enhancement is needed. 3 Under Presets, click a thumbnail to apply a quick fix. 4 For finer adjustments, click Custom.
CHAPTER 4: IMAGE EDITING • • Skin tone Click in the Before view to select a skin tone. Then under Skin softening settings, adjust skin tone to the desired Level. Complexion Under Style, select a type of complexion and adjust the Level of application. Before applying Beautify Skin 8 When you are satisfied with all the enhancements, click OK. Note: Click Reset All to restore all options to their default values.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE • Color Adjustment Fine-tunes your image's colors by adjusting levels between Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow and Red, Green, and Blue color properties. • Color Cast Corrects the unwanted color cast that different lighting conditions could give your pictures. • Hue & Saturation Allows you to adjust the hue and saturation properties of an image. Adjusting the hue affects color. Adjusting the saturation either intensifies or washes out colors.
CHAPTER 4: IMAGE EDITING To adjust an image using Level: 1 Select Format: Level. 2 Adjust entire color distribution through Input Level. The left anchor controls the distribution of black, the right controls white, while the middle adjusts the gamma. 3 Use Output levels to adjust the color range. 4 Click Stretch to locate the black and white points in the luminosity distribution by clipping the range. Use the histogram data to further adjust the image. You can change the clipping range by clicking Options.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE To adjust the brightness and contrast in an image: 1 Select Format: Brightness & Contrast [Ctrl+B]. 2 Click a thumbnail. The center thumbnail is replaced accordingly. Use the sliders for finer control of the adjustments. Note: Clear Real-time preview to improve the speed in which the thumbnails are redrawn after each selection. 3 Click Add to place the adjustments in the EasyPalette for later use. 4 Click OK to apply the adjustments to your image.
CHAPTER 4: IMAGE EDITING To remove color cast: 1 Select Format: Color Cast. 2 Make sure Color Picker under the preview window is pressed. 3 Pick a color on the source image that should be the neutral tone (an area that should be pure white, gray or black but is not, because of the color cast). The cursor changes to a color picker shape when it moves over the source image. 4 After selecting a color, a control point appears on the color wheel.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE To adjust hue and saturation in an image: 1 Select Format: Hue & Saturation [Ctrl+E]. 2 Select the Dual View Tab to be able to view the before and after image when you adjust the settings. 3 In the Method option, select the reference for adjusting the image colors. Master adjusts all the colors in the image based on those contained in the image. Range blocks only the sections of the color bar where editing is applied.
CHAPTER 4: IMAGE EDITING To adjust Highlight, Midtone, and Shadow in an image: 1 Select Format: Highlight Midtone Shadow [Ctrl+Shift+H]. 2 Select the Dual View Tab to be able to view the before and after image when you adjust the settings. Note: To simultaneously apply the new settings to the image in the workspace, select Preview. If, however, the image is extremely large, this will slow down performance because of the resampling process. 3 Select which color channel you want to adjust.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE High Dynamic Range Dynamic range is the range of light that can be captured in an image, from the darkest shadows to the brightest highlight. Digital camera sensors (or film in traditional cameras), unlike the human eye, can only capture a limited dynamic range when photographing in extreme light conditions or dark environments.
CHAPTER 4: IMAGE EDITING • Mount your camera on a tripod and set your camera to aperture priority to shoot photos at a fixed aperture with varying shutter speeds. • Take at least three shots (five shots or more is recommended) of the same scene with different exposures. • To capture large exposure differences when taking fewer shots (such as three to five shots), set the exposure in increments of at least +/- 1.0 Exposure Value.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Note: PhotoImpact includes preset camera curve profiles for some digital camera models. If there is a camera curve profile available for your camera, you can directly use it for your images. Optimizing images Once you have saved a camera curve profile for your camera, you can always use it to optimize single shots taken with the same camera to create greater tonal depth.
CHAPTER 4: IMAGE EDITING 6 Click the Compose button to create the camera response curve and then the HDR image. The program then automatically brings you to the Optimization tab. 7 The Optimization tab displays an optimized image based on the HDR composition. Adjust Coarse contrast to enhance the overall contrast of the image, or for finer tuning of details, individually adjust Highlight, Midtone, and Shadow. Note: Click View HDR Image to view the HDR composition.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Using the Retouch Tools The Retouch Tools are not strictly painting tools in the sense that they do not “paint” over an image with a selected color. Instead, they are used to enhance areas of an image by adjusting existing color pixels. To select a tool, click the lower right corner of the Retouch Tool in the Tool Panel; a drawer of retouching tools opens and you can select the type of tool you want to use.
CHAPTER 4: IMAGE EDITING The Color Retouch Tools There are two very useful Retouch Tools for colorizing images, these are: • Color Transform Pen Alters the appearance of an image by changing the original color to another color. You can adjust the Hue and Saturation values but the luminance (lightness of a color) is retained. The result is vivid and more realistic than the Color Replacement Pen. • Colorize Pen Applies a tint or shade to an image of uniform hue.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE To specify the attributes of a Retouch Tool, open the Brush Panel. The attributes for each Retouch Tool are displayed in three tabs: Shape, Options (settings available vary according to the type of Retouch Tool), and Advanced. The attributes for these tabs are identical to those for Paint Tools. The Burn and Dodge Tools The Burn and Dodge Retouch Tools let you darken or lighten areas of an image with careful precision.
CHAPTER 4: IMAGE EDITING 6 To add soil below the fence, select Oil Paint then select the Light Stroke preset. Click the color square and select light brown. Start painting below the fence. 7 To draw the bark of the tree, use the Chalk Tool and select the Gritty chalk preset. Change the Color to dark brown then set the Brush head and Transparency to define the size of the brush and how strong the paint is applied at each stroke.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE • Soft edge Determines how much the color blends along the edges of an image. Values range from 0% (no blending) to 100% (completely softens the edge and blends with the underlying image). • Texture Allows you to set a painting texture for the selected Paint Tool (except Drop Water, Particle, and Color Replacement Pen).
CHAPTER 4: IMAGE EDITING Painting Texture menu The Painting Texture menu gives you an option to use surface patterns when using either the Paint or Clone Tools. When using the Paint Tools, the stroke produced will have the pattern of the selected texture. When using the Clone Tools, the cloned image’s surface will have a pattern identical to the selected texture. To use the Painting Texture menu: 1 Select a Paint or Clone Tool in the Tool Panel.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Using the Edit Active Objects Only mode Edit Active Objects Only mode allows you to edit an object(s) that is overlapped by other objects without the need to reposition them. To use the Edit Active Objects Only mode: 1 Select the object(s) to edit from the stack. Note: If the object(s) is not an image object, convert it first to an image object through Object: Convert Object Type. Object selected (moon) 2 Select Edit: Edit Active Objects Only.
CHAPTER 4: IMAGE EDITING Using the Color Panel The Color Panel is a centralized color manager that sets and organizes colors for the various tools used throughout PhotoImpact, including Paint, Fill, Text and Path Tools. It lets you apply predefined colors for your project easily. You can access the Color Panel by selecting View: Toolbars & Panels Color Panel or click Color Panel in the Panel Manager.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE • Hexadecimal value Enter the color’s hexadecimal value in the Hex Box. Right-click this field to open the Copy for Web menu. • Spectrum Bar Left-click to select the the foreground color, and right-click to select the background. Click the + sign beside the color box to add the selected color to the Swatch Palette in the Swatches Tab.
CHAPTER 4: IMAGE EDITING spectrum, right-click the control point of the color for editing/removal. You can also delete a color by dragging its control point off the tab. Click [+] beside the color box to add the defined gradient color to the Gradients tab. Swatches Tab The Swatches Tab displays a color palette where you can select colors for your tools. Select a color by simply clicking a color in the Swatch Palette and selecting whether to use it as foreground or background color for your current tool.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE To add a color to the Swatch Palette: 1 Select Add New Swatch in the pop-up menu or click Add Swatch. 2 In the Add New Swatch dialog box, click the color box to open the Ulead Color Picker dialog box and select the color that you want to add. Alternatively, you can also enter the color’s RGB and HSB in the respective boxes. 3 Type in a name in the Name Box for the new swatch color then click OK. Note: You can also add a new swatch from the Color Tab. For details, see page 98.
CHAPTER 4: IMAGE EDITING To add a gradient to the Gradient Palette: 1 Select Add New Gradient on the pop-up menu then select the type of gradient you want to add (either Two Colors or Multiple Colors). Alternatively, you can click Add Gradient. 2 In the resulting dialog box, set up the colors you want for your gradient color. 3 Type in a name in the Name Box for the new gradient color.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE The maximum number of cells available depends on the data type of your image. Note: Access the Online help to learn the function of the other buttons. 3 Click OK. Using the Fill Tools The Fill Tools in the Tool Panel provide access to the Bucket, Linear Gradient, Rectangular Gradient, Elliptical Gradient, and Texture Fill Tools. The Bucket Fill Tool is useful for quickly replacing solid color, such as white to black.
CHAPTER 4: IMAGE EDITING 103 Choosing a fill method In PhotoImpact, when applying a Gradient Fill on your image you can choose between two methods: Two Color or Multiple Color. All three Gradient Fill Tools (Linear, Rectangular and Elliptical) share the same attributes on the Attribute Toolbar. • The Two Color method applies a Gradient Fill to an image based on any two colors specified in the Fill colors color squares.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE To apply a Multiple Color gradient fill on an image: 1 Click Fill in the Tool Panel and select any of the three gradient fill tools. Change the Fill method to MultipleColor gradient fill. 2 Click the Fill colors color square. The Palette Ramp Editor dialog box opens with the palette library displaying thumbnails of color rings. 3 Select a color ring on the thumbnail displayed. Right-click a specific control point to adjust the color of the ring and select Change Color. Click OK.
CHAPTER 4: IMAGE EDITING To use the Texture Fill Tool: 1 Select an object or make a selection area where you will apply the texture fill. 2 Apply Texture Fill by either choosing Texture Fill Tool in the Tool Panel or by pressing [Ctrl] + [F]. 3 Choose a Texture Fill pattern from the available presets: Photo, Natural and Magic. You can also select a texture from the resulting drop-down menu of the preset group you have chosen.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Using Delete and drag-and-drop to fill • Fill an image or selection area with your default background color without having to open the Fill dialog box. Simply choose the background color as your fill color, and then press [Delete]. Set your Background color through the Background color square in the Tool Panel or in the Color Panel. Click or right-click the color square to select your background color.
CHAPTER 4: IMAGE EDITING 107 Examples of Magic and Natural Textures available in PhotoImpact Using the Tool Panel color tools The Foreground and Background color squares have been integrated into the Tool Panel. The Foreground color is used when you are painting, using the Bucket Fill Tool, and using the Paint on Edges function. The Background color is used to replace a cut portion of an image.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Selecting colors from the Color Picker pop-up menu The Color Picker pop-up menu, displayed when you right-click a color square to select your color, allows you to choose and replace colors from a range of methods applicable to different situations. Using the Ulead Color Picker The Ulead Color Picker command opens a dialog box showing a continuous color spectrum. The color spectrum displays hue or color and luminance or the amount of brightness.
CHAPTER 4: IMAGE EDITING Hue Tab (with Web Safe mode selected) Brightness Tab (with Web Safe mode selected) Web Palette Tab 109 Web Safe option The Ulead Color Picker gives you a few convenient ways to work with Web Safe colors: • Select the Web Safe option at the bottom right of the dialog box while viewing colors in any tab. • Click the Web Palette Tab (third from the left) to display the 216-color Web Safe Palette.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE 16-color Indexed palette 256-color Indexed palette As each color is in its own cell, you can change it to affect the color composition of an image. For example, you can change all occurrences of white by simply changing the white color cell. To change a color, double-click the cell to open the Ulead Color Picker dialog box and choose a new color. Clicking OK replaces the old color with the new one and returns you to the Color Table dialog box.
CHAPTER 4: IMAGE EDITING To use the Clone Tool: 1 Click a Clone Tool in the Tool Panel and adjust the attributes for that tool. 2 Press [Shift] and click your mouse once over the area you want to clone (a crosshair mark appears). 3 Drag your mouse over the area where you want the clone area to appear. The size and shape of the area painted are determined by the current tool’s size and shape settings. Note: Use the Brush Panel to adjust Clone Tool brush attributes.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE
5 SELECTIONS & OBJECTS This chapter deals with the methods of working with selections and objects. It introduces the basic concepts of creating selections from images and applying attribute changes without affecting areas outside the selection. Get to know more about the different kinds of selection tools, such as the Lasso Tool and the Magic Wand Tool. You’ll also learn about independent floating graphics called objects, as well as how to create and edit them.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Creating a border around a selection ........................................................................ 122 Using Color Range ..................................................................................................... 123 Adding to or subtracting from a selection .................................................................. 124 Expanding a selection area ........................................................................................
CHAPTER 5: SELECTIONS & OBJECTS 115 Working with selections When no area has been selected in an image, any command that you apply affects the entire image. To restrict the command to a certain area of an image, you need to create a selection area. Click the Selection Tool in the Tool Panel to choose various selection tools. These tools will be discussed in the following section.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Note: If you want to create a selection area based on precise dimensions, select Fixed size and then enter the desired width and height. The original image and that image with a selection area Lasso Tool – selecting irregularly shaped areas The Lasso Tool lets you select an area of any shape. It is especially useful for selecting irregularly shaped areas, such as a person’s head, and other objects.
CHAPTER 5: SELECTIONS & OBJECTS 3 Click to mark the starting point and double-click to end the selection line or area. The selection line, instead of the usual dotted line, becomes a line path with a number of control points. 4 You can edit your selection by dragging the control points to a new location. You can also add new control points by clicking anywhere within the line paths.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE 4 Select Search connected pixels to find connected or unconnected pixels with similar colors. Leaving it cleared will automatically select similar pixels within the entire image. 5 Click your image to select the reference color to create a selection area. Notes: • If there are any objects or selection areas made by other Selection Tools, the Magic Wand will include parts of the objects or selection areas that are similar as well.
CHAPTER 5: SELECTIONS & OBJECTS 119 Mask Mode Masking is a process where changes are applied to a selected area of an image, while the rest of the image is “masked” or protected from those changes. Masking an image provides a flexible, more creative way of making selections, where you can apply any combination of Text, Path, Paint, and Fill Tools, as well as various degrees of transparency to unmasked selections to transform them into complex selections.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE To use Mask Mode: 1 Open an image in the workspace. 2 Select Edit: Mask Mode [Ctrl+K] or click Mask Mode in the Tool Panel. By default, a semitransparent white layer appears, covering the entire image. This means that you are now working in a Grayscale mask mode. Note: You can always make a selection area first, then click Mask Mode. This is useful if the image is large and you only want to mask a small portion of it.
CHAPTER 5: SELECTIONS & OBJECTS 6 You can either convert the selection to an object and paste it into another image, or you can edit the marquee further by returning to Mask Mode or using a Selection Tool. Note: After you have created a selection using Mask Mode, you can save the selection as mask and use it later as a mask for other images. See page 26.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Creating smooth-edged selection areas Choose Anti-aliasing from the Options menu to smooth out selection area edges. It is especially helpful in keeping curved selections smooth. However, since Anti-aliasing modifies the edges of selection areas, the extent of the selection area may change. Softening a selection edge Click Selection: Soften (or right-click and select Soften) to make the edge of a selection area appear diffused, creating a “halo-like” effect.
CHAPTER 5: SELECTIONS & OBJECTS 123 From left to right: the original selection, the selection with a border, and the border with a fill color Using Color Range Color Range is a useful method of selecting areas with similar color properties. While the Magic wand selects all pixels that fall within the specified color range, Color Range creates a gradient selection mask based on a pixel’s color similarity to the specified colors. In making a selection, Color Range uses two sampling methods.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE along with the chosen color. A higher value means a higher threshold, thus more colors are selected. 5 To select additional colors, click the Add color sample. Conversely, click Remove color sample to take away any excess colors from the color range. The After View shows the image with all selected colors highlighted. 6 Click OK. The color/s you selected should now be surrounded by a selection border.
CHAPTER 5: SELECTIONS & OBJECTS • Click Selection: Expand/Shrink (or right-click and select Expand/Shrink). All sides are expanded by equal values. • Click the Transform Tool in the Tool Panel to reshape and resize the selection area by dragging on the control handles. 125 Using the Selection Manager The Selection Manager is a useful tool for saving your frequently-used selections in the AccessPanel for repeated use. For more on the Selection Manager, please see page 26.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE • Each object thumbnail has the following icons: Eye Shows or hides an object (you can also open the Object Properties dialog box and select or clear Show). Lock Locks or unlocks the object to its position. Object type Identifies whether it is an image, text, path, Web object, or a group of objects. Z-merge Shows whether an object has undergone Z-merge or not. Sorting objects You can use Sort to arrange the objects’ thumbnails in the Layer Manager.
CHAPTER 5: SELECTIONS & OBJECTS Notes: • You can also regroup grouped objects up to 16 times and increase the group level each time by 1. • To ungroup objects, select Ungroup from Thumbnail menu commands (or right-click a thumbnail). • Ungrouping decreases the group level by one. • Click Show/Hide Group Member to toggle between showing and hiding grouped objects. If hidden, the thumbnail of the grouped object becomes one.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Setting an object’s properties Setting Object Properties lets you further specify the attributes of image, text and path objects as well as Web component objects. Different options are available, depending on what type of object it is.
CHAPTER 5: SELECTIONS & OBJECTS 129 To use the Object Paint Eraser, simply make adjustments to the brush on the Attribute Toolbar, then begin painting on the area of the object that you want to remove. For more on adjusting brush attributes, see page 143. To use the Object Magic Eraser, set the Similarity of the colors that you want to select from the object, then click the desired color in the object. The selected color will become transparent.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Using Defringe Irregularly-selected objects may sometimes include some unwanted areas inadvertently selected along with the object. This happens often, especially when using the Lasso tool. You can remove these unwanted pixels by using Defringe. It removes edge pixels from selections and blends the remaining edges with the background for a seamless merge effect. To apply Defringe on an object: 1 With a document open and an object active, click Object: Defringe.
CHAPTER 5: SELECTIONS & OBJECTS 131 Adding a shadow to an object You can introduce depth to an image by applying a shadow to an object or a group of objects. To add a shadow, select Object: Shadow (or right-click an object and select Shadow). Here you can control the direction, length, transparency, edge blending, and color of the shadow. Adding shadow to an object Separating a shadow from its object Separating a shadow and making it as a separate object from its original image is easy.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Copying and moving an object between images You have the option of moving objects between images if you want. It is quite useful when you have created an object in one image and want to use it in another image. To do this, drag the object from the source image onto the destination image. Duplicating an object You can duplicate any object or group of objects that you have created.
CHAPTER 5: SELECTIONS & OBJECTS 133 To space objects evenly: 1 Click the Pick Tool in the Tool Panel and select the objects you want for spacing. 2 Select Object: Align - Space Evenly. 3 Select the direction to space the objects either Horizontally or Vertically. 4 Under Space, select Even or Fixed. Enter a value in Pixels when selecting fixed. 5 Click OK. Using object libraries You can store images and selections conveniently using Object Libraries. Click Object Libraries in the EasyPalette.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE To store an object: 1 Click Thumbnail menu commands (or right-click a thumbnail) and select Store Image. 2 Drag an object from an image to the Object Library window of the EasyPalette. Or select Object: Copy To Object Library. 3 Enter a name for the object and click OK. To store a selection: 1 Click Thumbnail menu commands (or right-click a thumbnail ) and select Store Selection. 2 Drag a selection from an image to an Object Library.
CHAPTER 5: SELECTIONS & OBJECTS 4 To use your mask, drag the saved mask to the desired image. A selection marquee appears. 5 Make any needed adjustment to the selection using the Transform Tool. Then, using the Selection Tool, drag the selection area out of the image to form a new image document in the workspace. To save the entire image to the Object Library: 1 Select Selection: All (or right-click an image and select All). 2 Drag it to the Object Library. 3 Enter a name for the whole image and click OK.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE To store an image as a selection and apply its mask to another image: 1 Prepare a Grayscale image of the image that you want to use as a selection. If the original image is in color, select Format: Data Type Grayscale (8-bit). 2 Open the Object Library in the EasyPalette. Click Thumbnail menu commands, and select Store Image as Selection. 3 Select the entire image, or just a portion of the image, to use as the selection mask.
CHAPTER 5: SELECTIONS & OBJECTS • • 137 When you drag an object back to its original image or another image of equal size, the object is placed in its original position. Each image element is repositioned automatically. This is especially helpful when you want to: • Preserve the position of image elements in an image whose background needs to be modified. • Preserve the position of stationery objects across all sequences in image and animation sequences.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE To use the Measure Tool: 1 In the Tool Panel, click the bottom arrow of the Eyedropper and select the Measure Tool. 2 Define the Measure Handle by clicking a starting point anywhere in the image then dragging the mouse to the ending point of what you want to measure. When the mouse button is released, the Measure Handle will appear together with the Baseline, which by default, is shown. You can hide this by clicking Baseline on the Attribute Toolbar.
CHAPTER 5: SELECTIONS & OBJECTS • Choose to rotate an object or selection using right angles (90 left, 90 right, and 180) or flip it horizontally or vertically. • Click Rotate by degree to rotate images using a specified angle and direction (clockwise or counterclockwise). • Click Copy rotate to rotate an image while leaving a copy of the image in its previous position. • Click Selection to apply Transform effects to a selection area instead of the entire image or object.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Rotating Rotating vertically Changing Perspective 3D Transformation Rotating images With the available buttons on the Attribute Toolbar, you can rotate an image, text or path object by a specified number of degrees or freely move the object around its center. You can also easily straighten crooked images and even rotate them in 3D space. To rotate an object freely: 1 Select Rotate Freely under Transform on the Attribute Toolbar.
CHAPTER 5: SELECTIONS & OBJECTS Straightening images Rotate Using a Horizontal line and Rotate Using a Vertical line are useful when you have an image which is not quite straight. This is often the case with scanned images. To horizontally straighten an image: 1 Select Rotate Using a Horizontal line under Transform on the Attribute Toolbar. 2 Drag a control point to one end of a strong horizontal feature, such as the edge of the image.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE 3 Select Rotate in Virtual 3D under Transform on the Attribute Toolbar. The 3D Virtual Track Ball appears with a focal point at its center called the Object Center (also the Projection Center). 4 Drag on the object to rotate it in 3D space. Moving the Object Center relocates its object handle, thus moving the entire image but retaining the Projection Center in its original position.
CHAPTER 5: SELECTIONS & OBJECTS 143 Working with Object Eraser Tools With Object Eraser Tools, PhotoImpact allows you to directly and easily erase parts of an object to become transparent or semi-transparent, much as if you were to work in Mask Mode, but without the additional steps. These tools let you create interesting layering effects (if your image in the document contains several objects), or you can also use them to fine-tune objects that you’ve created with the help of Mask Mode.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Using the Stamp Tool The Stamp Tool allows you to paint objects from an image file into an image as stamped objects, or as a continuous stream of painted objects such as trees in a forest. To use the Stamp Tool: 1 Click the Stamp Tool in the Tool Panel. 2 On the Attribute Toolbar, click the Stamp thumbnail to display stamp object choices, and click the desired object. 3 Enter the Transparency value to determine how translucent objects are against the background.
6 WORKING WITH TEXT AND PATHS With PhotoImpact, creating and editing text and path objects are quick, easy, and effortless. This chapter covers the various methods of working with vector-based objects such as adding text to images, creating complex 2D and 3D shapes, using the Z-merge Tool to combine 3D paths, and working with the Path Drawing Tool to create custom shapes. This chapter finishes with a section on special effects exclusive to path and text objects. In Chapter 6 you will learn: Adding text ..
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE PhotoImpact makes it possible for you to convert image objects and selection area marquees into paths. Paths are different from raster images, and are similar to vectors. A path is composed of lines, curves, or a combination of both, which are connected to one another by control points (nodes). You can use paths to draw shapes and create colorful 2D or 3D objects.
CHAPTER 6: WORKING WITH TEXT AND PATHS Text Panel The Text Panel encompasses the comprehensive range of functions, properties and effects that can be applied to your text objects. You can show and hide the Text Panel by clicking Panel on the Attribute Toolbar. Style Style defines the font and character style for the text. • • • • • • Color, Font, Size These are standard font options that can be applied to individual letters, words or the whole text block.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE When Automatic line spacing is selected, Line spacing can take a negative value. When it is negative, as the value approaches the negative equivalent of the font size, the lines will all merge to the same baseline. Decreasing the value past this point will not affect the text block further. Note: If you are using Windows 2000 and you have different languages installed, you can type in text in a selected language.
CHAPTER 6: WORKING WITH TEXT AND PATHS A text block that has been split, reformatted and rearranged Gallery Gallery Access various galleries directly from this panel, including the Shadow dialog box. Options Options Features an option that allows you to start typing a new text object over an existing one while avoiding selecting the existing one. This also controls the smoothness of the characters. Notes: • Select Keep original text to preserve a copy of the original text block.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Saving text objects Save text objects the same way as you would save image and path objects. There are two ways to save text objects: • Save to EasyPalette You can save each text object to My Library in the EasyPalette for easier access. Simply drag your text object into the My Library folder and enter a name for the object. (See page 27 for details).
CHAPTER 6: WORKING WITH TEXT AND PATHS Text with Shadow 3D Text with Bevel 3D Text with more advanced 3D properties (with light and shading properties applied) 151
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Horizontal Deform Vertical Deform Editing text as a path object You can make extreme and slick changes to individual letters in PhotoImpact by converting your text into a path object. Each letter in the text will be converted to a closed path, which you can easily reshape using the Path Edit Tool. Take note, however, that paths cannot be converted back into text. Text properties are lost and the text’s contents and settings can no longer be modified.
CHAPTER 6: WORKING WITH TEXT AND PATHS 153 6 Change to the Path Drawing Tool. In Mode, select a 3D option to give the path object a 3D look. Click Material to apply more 3D effects to the path object. Note: See pages 172 to 175 for more information on editing path objects. Result Wrap effects Wrap effects bend objects in unique formations by aligning them to the path of a shape. Ready-to-use wrap effects are provided in the EasyPalette which can be directly applied to text and path objects.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Applying wrap effects from the EasyPalette Just as in previous PhotoImpact versions, preset wrap effects are found in the Wrap Gallery of the EasyPalette. To apply a wrap effect from the EasyPalette: 1 Create a text or path object. 2 Click Galleries in the EasyPalette, then double-click Wrap Gallery. The Wrap Gallery allows you to apply Bend Text, Text Wrap, and Path Wrap effects to both text and path objects. Text Wrap 3 Drag or double-click a thumbnail to apply the effect.
CHAPTER 6: WORKING WITH TEXT AND PATHS Notes: • Outline path objects as well as line and arrow path objects cannot be wrapped over a path. • Objects can wrap on any type of path object. Modifying wrap effects PhotoImpact allows you to change the way an object wraps. You can wrap a single object only, or create many duplicates of it and wrap them on a path. You can also deform the objects and make them smoothly follow the shape of their path.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE 5 Select Advanced style options to further adjust the objects. • Fit text position to path Places text strings so that the base of each character is parallel to the path. • Distort text to fit path If Fit text position to path is also selected, this will deform each character to fit into its allocated space evenly. If it is not selected, the characters will be displayed in perspective, and use even-odd fill methods on overlapping adjacent characters.
CHAPTER 6: WORKING WITH TEXT AND PATHS 157 Aside from modifying wrap properties, you can also adjust the path of a wrapped object. Use the Path Edit Tool to reshape the path. Below is an example on how to edit the path of a wrapped object. (See page 172 for details). To edit the path on which objects wrap: 1 Select the wrapped text or path object. 2 Click the Path Edit Tool then click Toggle to switch between Path mode and Object mode, or click the path object.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE 4 Specify the extent of curvature in Amount. At 50% (default), text bends downwards in a semicircle. 100% bends the text in a full circle. To bend text upwards, choose a negative setting. 5 Give the Start height a different value from End height for a perspective effect. Entering negative values for both options will turn the text upside down. Type in 100 for both the start and end heights to reset the text back to its original orientation and size.
CHAPTER 6: WORKING WITH TEXT AND PATHS • 159 Outline Only available for Outline and Line and Arrow Path Tools. Controls the width and style of the outline, and the direction and type of arrowhead, if applicable. • Shape Provides options for rounded rectangles; whether resizing is calculated on the ratio of the radius to the rectangle’s length, or a fixed radius. Also provides Freehand drawing options (see page 177 for more details).
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE • Edit: Trace - Image traces a shape based upon the luminosity values of the pixels in the image, retaining darker pixels and excluding lighter pixels. This command accurately converts a portion of an image into a path object when that part has high contrasting colors over the rest of the image. You can also use this command in cases where the area is easily distinguished from the background image, such as with text on an image.
CHAPTER 6: WORKING WITH TEXT AND PATHS Creating paths The Path Tool provides four tools for you to create path objects and edit their shapes. To draw closed paths, use the Path Drawing Tool or Path Outline Drawing Tool. Use the Line and Arrow Tool to draw open paths. When you select one of these tools, the Attribute Toolbar changes to give you the drawing options for that tool.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE When drawing objects with the Path Drawing Tool, use the various options in the Attribute Toolbar and the Path Panel (see page 158 for details) to select shapes, fill objects with color, and add lighting and 3D effects. Add tool attributes to EasyPalette Shape Edit path Color Object mode Display Material dialog box Show/hide Path Panel To create a solid-filled path object: 1 Click the Path Tool then select the Path Drawing Tool. 2 Select a Shape.
CHAPTER 6: WORKING WITH TEXT AND PATHS 5 To apply preset effects from the EasyPalette, click Material then click Gallery. 6 If you have a 3D object, click Panel on the Attribute Toolbar to display the Path Panel. Set its 3D properties by adjusting Border (bevel width), Depth (bevel angle) and Light direction. To apply more 3D effects, click More. Note: Click Add on the Attribute Toolbar to save path tool attributes to My Gallery in the EasyPalette for future use.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE 3 Drawing the final path 4 Final path object Drawing multiple paths in Continue Draw Mode The Outline Drawing Tool The Outline Drawing Tool draws similar shapes as the Path Drawing Tool, except that it creates hollowed objects. Use this tool to create a path object with a hole at the center, for instance, a rectangular frame or a doughnut.
CHAPTER 6: WORKING WITH TEXT AND PATHS 165 The Attribute Toolbar options of the Outline Drawing Tool are the same as that of the Path Drawing Tool, but the Outline Drawing Tool has additional settings for defining outline width and style in the Path Panel. Outline shape Material options Add tool attributes to EasyPalette Color Object mode To create an outline path: 1 Click the Path Tool and select the Outline Drawing Tool. 2 Click Shape, then select an outline shape.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE 7 Select Anti-aliasing in the Options Tab on the Path Panel to smooth edges or curves. Select a gallery from the Gallery Tab to apply preset 3D effects from the EasyPalette’s Material Gallery. 8 If you have a 3D outline object, adjust its Border (bevel width), Depth (bevel angle) and Light direction in the 3D Tab on the Path Panel. To make it transparent and apply other 3D properties, click More.
CHAPTER 6: WORKING WITH TEXT AND PATHS 3 Draw the path: • Straight path Click at a starting point and drag your mouse in the intended direction of the path. Click again to end the path. • Curve or irregularly-shaped path Click at several points to gradually form the shape of the path. Double-click to complete the path. Note: For more information on drawing curves and irregularlyshaped paths, see next section. 4 Set the line Width and Style in the Outline Tab on the Attribute Panel.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE 4 Position the cursor where you want the first segment to end, then click. 1 5 Move the cursor around. Notice that the segment smoothly bends into a curve using the node as a reference point. 2 3 6 Continue clicking and moving your mouse until you have created the desired shape. The path automatically curves based on the position of the nodes. 7 Double-click to complete the path. Note: Right-click at any time to abort drawing.
CHAPTER 6: WORKING WITH TEXT AND PATHS To draw a curve segment, click and drag in one direction at the starting position, then click and drag in the opposite direction at the end position of the segment. (See illustration). 169 2 1 3 To draw an “S” curve segment, click and drag your mouse in the same directions when starting and ending the segment. (See illustration). 4 Continue clicking and moving the cursor around until you have created the desired shape. 5 Double-click to complete the path.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Importing Adobe Illustrator files You can import vector graphics created in Adobe Illustrator into PhotoImpact. You can directly use them as path objects or further edit them. To import Adobe Illustrator files: 1 Click the Path Tool, then select the Path Drawing Tool or Outline Drawing Tool. 2 Select Custom Shape. The Custom Shape dialog box opens, displaying preset objects. 3 Click Import. The Input AI file dialog box opens. 4 Select an AI file to import and click Open.
CHAPTER 6: WORKING WITH TEXT AND PATHS • • • When Even-Odd Fill is selected, the fill only occupies alternate areas created by overlapping path(s). This option is ideal when you have an irregularly-shaped object which folds over onto itself or a complex object containing multiple shapes inside, and you want to keep overlapping areas free of paint. For instance, you can easily create a pattern with alternating fills. The unfilled areas will show the base image.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Editing paths After drawing a path object, you might need to further modify its shape until it looks exactly the way you want it. You can also enhance a path object by changing its properties and applying 3D effects. (See page 178 for details). Deforming the path shape When any of the drawing tools (Path Drawing Tool, Outline Drawing Tool or Line and Arrow Tool) is selected, you can easily distort the path horizontally or vertically.
CHAPTER 6: WORKING WITH TEXT AND PATHS Toggle between object and path edit modes Add tool attributes to My Gallery in the EasyPalette Edit point buttons: Pick point Add point Delete point 173 Convert line buttons: Convert to curve Switch to the corresponding drawing tool Convert to line Edit mode buttons: Free edit Non-free edit Duplicate, Delete, Align, and Group/Ungroup paths (only used for editing multiple-path objects that were drawn using Path Drawing Tool’s Continue Draw Mode) To edit a path
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Notes: • Two control handles appear on a node when the segments at the left and right side of the node are both curves. • Curve segments have handles that you can drag for editing. Line segments do not. • • Free edit Free edit Moves one control handle at a time and reshapes a curve without affecting other path segments. Non-free edit Moves both control handles simultaneously and reshapes the curves between a node and its adjacent nodes.
CHAPTER 6: WORKING WITH TEXT AND PATHS Note: These commands are applicable only for multiple paths created using the Path Drawing Tool’s Continue Draw Mode. For more information, see page 163. Grouping and ungrouping paths If you created a complex path object containing multiple paths, it is advisable that you group them into one or more groups of paths. Group related paths together when you want to fix their position in place while you continue to edit other portions of your path object.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Note: Free Path is ideal for drawing curves and irregularly-shaped paths. It draws paths exactly the same way as the Bezier/Polygon tool. Follow the same procedure in “To draw a path with the Bezier/Polygon tool” on page 168 to draw a free path. 3 To edit the path(s) you have just drawn, select Edit existing path on the Attribute Toolbar.
CHAPTER 6: WORKING WITH TEXT AND PATHS 177 To make the path into a selection: • Click Toggle in the Bezier Curve Tool’s Attribute toolbar. This button lets you switch between path and selection modes. Note: The Bezier Curve Tool can be used to edit paths created with Path tools. While a Path tool is selected, set the path’s Mode to Selection. Then, select the Bezier Curve Tool and click Toggle to switch to path edit mode and edit the path.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Notes: • To make the shape approximate as closely as possible to your original tracing, maximize the Accuracy setting in the Shape Tab of the Path Panel. This setting can only be adjusted for the most recently created Freehand path object. • To abort while drawing, click the right mouse button. Drag the mouse across the document 4 Change the color of your object by clicking Color on the Attribute Toolbar. 5 Click Mode.
CHAPTER 6: WORKING WITH TEXT AND PATHS 179 The figure below shows an example of a path object drawn using the Path Drawing Tool, then further enhanced by applying 3D properties.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Bevel Tab Lets you define the 3D edge of an object with a variety of preset styles. The size of the bevel edge is determined by the Border/Depth settings. None (2D Object) 3D Chisel 3D Round 3D Trim 3D Pipe 3D Custom Modes Border/Depth Tab Allows you to define the relative ‘thickness’ of a 3D object, both in height (Depth) and beveled edge (Border).
CHAPTER 6: WORKING WITH TEXT AND PATHS Reflection Tab Projects an image reflection onto the object’s surface. This differs from the Color/Texture Tab which simply fills an object with an image. With reflection image (Reflection Tab) With texture image (Color/Texture Tab) Transparency Tab Lets you set whether or not you can see through the object, and if so, to what degree. Shadow Tab Adds a drop-shadow to your object.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Shading Tab The Shading Tab allows you to define whether the material reflects light like metal or like plastic. Plastic, or ‘Phong’, refers to a glossy shading scheme. While ‘Metallic’ refers to a diffused light. Tip: PhotoImpact provides several image files in the Material folder which you can add as textures, reflections, and bump maps to your objects.
CHAPTER 6: WORKING WITH TEXT AND PATHS 183 5 Click the Transparency Tab. Select Transparency then set it to at least 75% to mimic the appearance of glass. Set the minimum transparency to 35% for the object’s edges. 6 Click the Shadow Tab and select the Render backface option. 7 Click OK. 3D rounded rectangle with transparency 1 Draw a Rounded rectangle, then edit the shape to form a glass jar. 2 Set the object Mode to 3D Round.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE 3 Click Bump map, then locate the file you want to use as a bump map and click Open. 4 Enter the Density of the bump, where 100% is the maximum and 0% is the minimum. 5 If the 3D path object has texture, select Displacement mapping to give the object a more realistic appearance. Change the X and Y values to adjust the texture’s displacement over the bump map.
CHAPTER 6: WORKING WITH TEXT AND PATHS To assign a z-value to an object: 1 Select an object or group of objects to elevate. 2 Select the Z-Merge Tool in the Tool Panel. 3 Select Z-Merge. 4 Assign a value to the elevation of the object or objects using the Z-Elevation slider. Note: Any object with a z-value will appear to be positioned higher in the stack than an object without a zvalue, even if the object without a zvalue is positioned higher in the Layer Manager.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Figure A: This shows two objects in a document viewed normally (from above). Each has been assigned its own z-value. Figure A: Normal view of a document Figure B: We now view the document from the side. The pyramid has a z-value of -10 and the UFO has a z-value of 10. The difference in z-values is therefore 20. When both objects are selected, the Z-Merge Elevation slider box will display -10 (the z-value of the lowest z-value object).
CHAPTER 6: WORKING WITH TEXT AND PATHS Special effects for text and path objects In addition to the plethora of effects available in the Effect menu and EasyPalette, Text and path objects’ appearance can be further modified in detail or enhanced using the Material dialog box. Unlike simple selections and regular image objects, text and path objects have attribute settings that can be independently adjusted and saved to the EasyPalette for future use.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE
7 SPECIAL EFFECTS Adding life to plain-looking images is made easy with the various special effects, filters, animation, and plug-ins that PhotoImpact offers. Bring depth to your images with texture effects, add movement to stationary objects with animation effects, and create dreamy images with particle effects. This version of PhotoImpact categorizes effects into related groups, so you can easily locate and apply effects to your work.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Special effects and filters PhotoImpact provides you with a wide range of effects and filters to apply to your images and/or object layers. These filters are now grouped according to their functionality, so that each related special effect and filter is conveniently placed with other filters with similar effects. To apply effects and filters, you can: • Drag and drop any preset thumbnail from the EasyPalette to an image, selection area or object.
CHAPTER 7: SPECIAL EFFECTS 191 Applying effects and filters to an image The most convenient way to apply effects and filters is to drag and drop thumbnails from the EasyPalette to an image, selection area or object. To apply an effect or filter: 1 Select View: Toolbars & Panels EasyPalette. 2 In the EasyPalette, click Galleries then select the desired Gallery from the tree view. 3 Click and drag the thumbnail of the effect or filter you want to apply to the image, active selection, or object.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Note: Some effects automatically display the two-view control dialog box, while for other effects, you will need to click Options in the initial Quick Samples dialog box to display it. Dual View dialog boxes still allow you to view results at full size before applying them. They also give you the option of adding effects to the EasyPalette, as well as invoking a zoom dialog box that zooms in on a portion of the image, while applying the effect, giving you a close-up preview.
CHAPTER 7: SPECIAL EFFECTS 4 Select a radius setting in Unblurred Area radius. There is a red dotted circle shown around the focus in the Preview - Before window. This circle delineates the barrier between the surrounding blur and the center blur. 5 Specify a value for Inward blur. This also displays a scalable red circle on the image, concentric within the first one. The value specified here controls the size of the area between the circles, and the degree of blur in this area.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE To apply Motion Blur: 1 Select Filter: Blur -Motion Blur. 2 Choose a motion type to apply. 3 Set the Moving Offset by entering a value. The higher the value, the farther the motion from the object. 4 In Angle, set the motion angle, to give the movement its direction. Note: When applying Motion Blur to a selection area or object, selecting Expand outside object enables Motion Blur to extend beyond the active selection. 5 Click OK.
CHAPTER 7: SPECIAL EFFECTS 4 To adjust Spherical distortion, set the distortion center by dragging the O icon over the preview image. Use the slider to set the vertical and horizontal degree of distortion. Adjusting the sliders left makes the image concave, while going toward the right makes it convex. 5 For Trapezoidal distortion, set the center by dragging the X icon instead. Again, you can use the sliders to set the vertical and horizontal distortion.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Beautify Skin effect Beautify Skin is an effect which enhances the quality of skin in a photo. Elegantly simple to use, it removes blemishes from skin, substituting healthy, clear skin in the place of discolorations and unsightly spots. This effect can be applied to the whole image or to a selection. To use the Beautify Skin effect: 1 Select Effect: Photographic - Beautify Skin. 2 Use the eyedropper tool and click to select a suitable skin tone from the original image.
CHAPTER 7: SPECIAL EFFECTS 2 Specify the Filter Setting by entering the number of Spikes, and values for Variance. Determine the effect’s generated density by setting the Luminosity Threshold. 3 Choose between using a Standard Filter or PL (polarized light) Filter. PL filters simulate the use of two lenses while Standard uses one. Specify a value in Rotate (if you chose PL) to simulate the rotation of the lenses against each other. 4 Set the star points’ spikes by adjusting the Spikes setting.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE 4 Since this effect will displace some areas within the image, set the method by which these undefined areas will be treated. Choosing Wrap Around enfolds the image by connecting one end with the other. Repeat Edge Pixels extends the colors of the pixels along the image’s edge in the direction specified. Set to Color fills the undefined area with a color that you specify, 5 Click OK.
CHAPTER 7: SPECIAL EFFECTS 2 Select Effect: Photographic – Diffraction Filter. 3 In the Dual View tab, the before and after views show the applied effects in real time. Use the zoom buttons to adjust the viewing size of your image and see the effects more clearly. 4 From the Filter type list, select the type of formation for the diffraction effect. If Starburst or Circular is the selected filter type, specify the pairs of Streaks.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Multivision Filter Multivision Filter simulates the effect of a camera’s multi-image filter, which creates reproductions of a subject. To create Multivision Filter effects: 1 Select Effect: Photographic – Multivision Filter. 2 In the Dual View tab, the before and after views show the applied effects in real time. Use the zoom buttons to adjust the viewing size of your image and see the effects more clearly.
CHAPTER 7: SPECIAL EFFECTS Sunlight effect Use the Sunlight effect to brighten up a neutral scene by simulating the effect of bright sunlight on the image. To apply Sunlight to an image: 1 Select Effect: Photographic – Sunlight. 2 In the Dual View tab, if image correction is needed, apply a preprocessing filter before applying the Sunlight effect to the image. Enhancement filters include: • Gradual luminance (ND) Corrects the light distribution of an image by adjusting the highlights.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Note: With Gradual luminance, Blue sky, and Combination of above filters, adjust the transition point and direction of application. A red line appears on the source image, identifying the transition point between dark and light areas of the image. Drag the dot on the red line to the desired transition point on the source image. To rotate the angle or direction of application, adjust the Directon dial.
CHAPTER 7: SPECIAL EFFECTS a preset color or select the desired color in the Ulead Color Picker. 5 To increase moon size, increase the Radius. To give the moon a spherical shape and threedimensional look, lower the Flatness value. 6 To specify the intensity of light emanating from the moon, adjust Brightness. To make the crater-like areas more visible, lower the Softness value. You can also specify Halo.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Creating special effects PhotoImpact lets you create special effects to exactly suit your imaging requirements. A variety of effects ranging from two-dimensional effects and distortions, lighting effects and texturing effects, to three-dimensional effects and custom filters make anything possible with PhotoImpact. Warp with Grid Warp with Grid is a method of bending or curving an image using a grid (or mesh) based pattern.
CHAPTER 7: SPECIAL EFFECTS Tips: • For a larger size view of the warping effect, click Preview. • To start over from scratch, click Reset. 5 Click OK. Note: Warp effects can only be applied to True Color and Grayscale images. Custom filter Custom Filter command in the Effect menu allows you to create your own filters (specifically, it regenerates a pixel value based on the original value and surrounding pixels) using a 5 x 5 pixel matrix.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE 4 Click Test to see a preview. Click Add to save to the EasyPalette, or Save to save settings to a Custom Filter File (CFL) for future use. 5 Click OK. Custom effect Custom Effect distorts the pixel positions in an image by changing their x and y coordinates. In this effect, distortion of pixels applies to the entire image. To create a custom effect: 1 Select Effect: Distort - Custom Effect.
CHAPTER 7: SPECIAL EFFECTS Paint on Edges The Paint on Edges command in the Effect menu allows you to easily, quickly, and accurately apply paint along the edges of a selection area or an active object. To paint on edges: 1 Create a selection area using one of the Selection Tools or select an object or objects. (To apply the effect on the entire image, right-click the image and select All). 2 Select the Paint Tool, and toggle the Brush Panel on the Attribute Toolbar.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE DeInterlace A common problem among video captures is the inadvertent capture of two or more frames in one image, resulting in the presence of ungainly lines throughout. DeInterlace solves this problem by eliminating one overlying frame and smoothing out the remainder. To adjust a captured image using DeInterlace: 1 Select Effect: Video - DeInterlace. 2 Choose between retaining the Odd field or the Even field. 3 Select the Fill using method.
CHAPTER 7: SPECIAL EFFECTS 209 Animation effects Creating animations to place on your Web pages doesn't have to be difficult. Some of the more popular effects in PhotoImpact have integrated animation dialog boxes to assist you in creating them. There are two types of animation creation sections available in Effect dialog boxes.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Key frame marker Frame slide controller Select previous frame Select previous key frame Select next frame Select next key frame Assign as key frame Cancel as key frame Reverse key frame Auto Reverse Loop Play animation Stop animation Total number of frames Current frame number By default, animations have 10 frames, of which the first and last frames are key frames. The number of frames can be adjusted at any time using the Total frames slider bar.
CHAPTER 7: SPECIAL EFFECTS To use frame-based animation dialog boxes: 1 Select Effect: Creative then choose from Animation Studio, Particle Effect, or Type Effect. You can also choose Effect: Illumination - Creative Lighting, or Effect: Material Effect Crystal & Glass or Effect: Material Effect - Texture Filter. Alternatively, select an animation preset from the Animation Gallery in the EasyPalette. 2 Specify the total number of frames in your animation in the Key frame control panel.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Storyboard-based animations The layout of Storyboard-based animation dialog boxes differs from effect to effect. However, they each have two sections in common: an effect Template section and a Storyboard section. The purpose of the Storyboard is to display a modifiable sequence of applied effects. Each template effect is applied to the previous slide of the animation, which is viewable in the storyboard section.
CHAPTER 7: SPECIAL EFFECTS 6 Click OK to close the dialog box and apply the current frame position's effect settings to the image. Note: In most Transform effects, you can move your mouse over the preview window and paint over the image to manually adjust the effect. Saving animations An animation or a sequence of transformations can be saved to a file format that best suits your final target destination.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Artist Texture The Artist Texture effect allows you to create wild, psychedelic patterns and semi-random animations using Palette ramps. It works in conjunction with GIF Animator when creating animations and lets you generate single image layers that can be applied to both selection areas and objects. To create an Artist Texture: 1 Select Effect: Material Effect - Artist Texture. 2 Click Edit to customize the Palette ramp or change to an entirely new one.
CHAPTER 7: SPECIAL EFFECTS Texture Filter Artists express themselves using different types of drawing or painting media and surfaces. PhotoImpact gives you these creative options with Texture Filter. There are several textures that you can use depending on your desired image effect. · Creased Paper Simulates the appearance of your image when printed on paper then crumpled. · Glass Converts your image’s surface into glass. · Embossed Adds a relief of different particles such as water drops and bubbles.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Creative Warp Creative Warp lets you create a kaleidoscopic effect, but rather than having an output of just a single frame, you can create an animation or an image sequence by using multiple kaleidoscopic effects simultaneously. To create a Creative Warp effect: 1 Select Effect: Artistic - Creative Warp. 2 Select a Pattern template. 3 Click Advanced to expand the dialog box and display the storyboard at the bottom.
CHAPTER 7: SPECIAL EFFECTS To use the Crystal & Glass effect: 1 Click Effect: Material Effect - Crystal & Glass. 2 Select a Crystal template from the Effect Panel. Note: By default, Keep aspect ratio will be selected. This constrains the crystal’s maximum size to the shorter dimension of the image or selection. 3 Adjust the dimensions and proportions of the crystal with the Width and Height variables in the Model Tab. Note: Attributes vary from template to template.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Lighting Lighting effects allow you to simulate natural phenomena to produce fantastic animations for Web pages. Each Lighting effect has its own attributes that can be customized individually. You can apply this effect to an image, selection area or active object. To apply a Lighting effect: 1 Select Effect: Illumination - Creative Lighting. 2 Select a lighting preset from the Effect gallery. 3 Select a frame in the animation in the Key frame control panel.
CHAPTER 7: SPECIAL EFFECTS 219 8 Click Save to create an animation file first. After saving, the Effect dialog box stays open so you can continue modifying th effects settings. 9 Click OK then choose whether to apply the current frame settings to the image or save to an animation file before creating a new object. Light bulb Enhance Lighting Light and camera flash are two factors that affect image quality, as they control the amount of light in a given photograph.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE To apply Diffuse Glow Effect 1 Select Effect: Photographic - Diffuse Glow. 2 Specify the area and extent of brightness adjustment in Threshold and Degree of glow parameters. 3 Set the noise level by adjusting Graininess. 4 Click OK to apply the effect. Painting The Painting effect is extremely useful for creating special effects such as Impressionist style paint strokes over an image, as well as, special canvas and paint texture effects.
CHAPTER 7: SPECIAL EFFECTS Particle and Animated Particle Particle effects add the realism of fire, smoke, snow, and other natural effects to your images. Each effect has its own self-contained set of attributes which can be individually customized. The Particle Gallery in the EasyPalette also provides preset particle effects that can be directly applied to images. PhotoImpact now allows you to create animations based on Particle effects.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE 5 Define other attributes in the Particle parameters panel. The available attributes vary depending on the effect. 6 Specify duration, sequence, and other behavior using the Key frame controls. 7 To loop your animation, click Repeat. This cycles your particle animation so that it appears continuous. 8 Click OK and select Save Animation File and Create New Object. 9 Save the file by assigning a name and specifying a location.
CHAPTER 7: SPECIAL EFFECTS 4 Click OK to apply transformation to your image. Click Save to save the transformation as an *.GIF animation or an *.BMP image sequence file. Tips: • You can exclude areas in your image from the transformation effect. The Solid Colors panel defines regions that would not be included in transforming the image. • Change the position of Storyboard thumbnails by dragging them and dropping them in front of, or after other thumbnails.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Kaleidoscope effect Kaleidoscope allows you to create fragmented, mirrored, refracted, and repeated patterns of a segment of your image, creating an effect similar to a view of that segment through a kaleidoscope. To apply a Kaleidoscope effect: 1 Select Effect: Artistic - Kaleidoscope. A sample of the current image or selection based on a preset is displayed. 2 Select a Kaleidoscope preset from the gallery.
CHAPTER 7: SPECIAL EFFECTS • Ambience brightness The general light over the whole image. Click or right-click the color box to specify its color. • Light color and brightness The color of the light focus can be selected from the color box. Use the sliders to set the intensity. • Light angle Drag the light angle nodes (or set the Skew, Spread, Distance, and Elevation settings manually). 225 2 Click OK.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE 6 Drag the little red square to adjust the Slope dial (or click the + or –) which will adjust the position of the gradient. Note: The available attributes below the Mode list depend on the Mode selected. 7 Click OK. Creating a Turnpage effect The Turnpage effect gives your image the appearance of curling up from the corner as if it were a piece of paper or a page in a book. With this effect, you can ‘turn’ an image at any degree from any corner.
8 ALL FOR THE WEB Not only is PhotoImpact the complete image-editing package, it is also a dynamic and creative Web design tool embraced by both professional and novice Web developers. This chapter explores the Web capabilities of the program, covering everything from creating basic Web pages, enhancing images, designing components, applying script effects, to assembling the entire site from scratch.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE In this chapter we begin with exploring the basics of creating elements for your Web page: from rollover buttons to banners, icons, background, and linked multimedia files. We then describe how these separate elements are combined to create a complete Web page: optimizing and exporting your images, putting text on your pages, saving your Web pages and outputting them as HTML, then finally posting them to the World Wide Web.
CHAPTER 8: ALL FOR THE WEB 4 After editing, select from the options below: • If the opened original file is an image file, select File: Save for Web - Update Image in Web Page. • If the opened original file is a UFO file, save the UFO file then select File: Save for Web - As HTML (Skip steps 5 and 6). 5 Select the image to replace in the Preview window. Click Preview to see how the revised image looks on the Web page.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Creating a Web background image In addition to selecting a Web page background from the Web Properties dialog box, you can also create your own backgrounds by designing and tiling an image. When creating a background image for your Web page, keep in mind the word readability. No matter how cool your design is, if your text isn’t legible because the background is distracting or too busy, then it is counterproductive.
CHAPTER 8: ALL FOR THE WEB 231 Note: Click Edit to open the Palette Ramp Editor. This modifies the color gradient for the texture. 5 Adjust the Frequency, Density, Amplitude, and Darken or Lighten to customize the variable appearance of the tile. 6 Click OK. Note: Press [Ctrl+F5] to hide the base image and display the background in the document as needed, except when you are creating a background as a new image file.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Background before shifting Background after shifting Creating a seamlessly tiled background When tiling an image selection as a Web page background, you can create a tile that is “seamless”, or one that tiles in a way giving the appearance of a single texture. So, distinctions between tiles become invisible. These tiles are not only eye-catching but less distracting when reading the Web contents.
CHAPTER 8: ALL FOR THE WEB Displayed preview window when no seamless effect is applied Displayed preview result when a seamless effect is applied Button Designer Most graphics-oriented Web sites contain graphic navigational interfaces, usually in the form of buttons. These buttons are very useful for creating easy to understand and interesting navigational aids.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE • The third option allows a different width value for each side. 6 Set transparency and colors for each side of the button as needed (available options depending on previous settings). 7 Click OK. To create an irregularly shaped button: 1 Create a selection or an object of an irregular shape on an image. For example, you can use the Path Drawing Tool in the Tool panel, or the Shape Library in the EasyPalette. 2 Select Web: Button Designer – Any Shape.
CHAPTER 8: ALL FOR THE WEB Objects in Web pages that have Slicing disabled will combine with the background, effectively turning all elements into a single image file when displayed by a browser. The Slice Tool can be accessed directly on the Tool Panel. When selected, it displays a selection of tools on the Attribute Toolbar. By default, selecting the Slice Tool will generate one cell that encompasses the entire image. Selecting Auto Slice will automatically generate cells that snap around objects.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Note: After selecting Slice Around Object, slice lines will extend across the page and may slice other objects. In this case, apply this function to all objects that require protecting. 3 Click the image to place the slice line, drag the mouse in the intended direction of the line or rectangle, then release the mouse button. A line separating cells will be displayed.
CHAPTER 8: ALL FOR THE WEB 237 Image Map Tool An image map is an area on a Web page to which hyperlinks are assigned, or “mapped”. Clicking an image map allows users to access linked targets, and can also launch Script Effects. (See page 253 for details). Two kinds of image maps can be created with PhotoImpact: object-based image maps and manually created image maps.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Creating manual image maps The Image Map Tool [Shift + F8] offers a more versatile way of creating hyperlinks. It allows you to demarcate complex areas on your image then assign hyperlink properties to these areas without the need to first convert them to objects. These areas are image maps. Image Map Attribute Toolbar To create an image map manually: 1 Click the Image Map Tool [Shift + F8] in the Tool Panel.
CHAPTER 8: ALL FOR THE WEB Optimizing file sizes and quality for the Web Once you’ve created the images for your Web page, whether they are backgrounds or navigational elements, you can save them in a Web-optimized format such as the two most common Web formats: GIF and JPEG, or a newer format named PNG. PhotoImpact offers a user-friendly GIF, JPEG and PNG Image Optimizer to save your images with the highest possible quality at the lowest possible file sizes.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Whenever the optimization settings are changed, both the original file size as well as estimated download time and the optimized ones are displayed above the preview windows. This gives you quick reference to judge the desired file size and download time. Note: Use the Zoom in mode, and move the mouse over the images in the preview windows to a specific location. This provides a closer look at the image quality.
CHAPTER 8: ALL FOR THE WEB • Standard Optimized Creates the smallest possible file using a nonprogressive compression technique. 3 Drag the slider or enter a value in Quality, or use Compress by Size to compress the image to a specific file size or ratio. Higher compression levels lead to lower image quality. 4 Click Matte on the Mask Options Tab to select a background color. The matte color will also fill the transparent pixel area if the image already has a mask, or you select one from Mask.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE 4 Click Matte (depicted as an arrow) in the Mask Options Tab to select a background color. The matte color will also fill the transparent pixel area if the image already has a mask, or you select one from Mask. Notes: • Although making a background transparent means that it will not show on a Web page, try to crop the image (using Crop) as close as possible to reduce the file size. • Using Compress by Size compresses the image to a specific file size or ratio.
CHAPTER 8: ALL FOR THE WEB 243 Optimizing an image as a PNG PNG Image Optimizer saves image files in a PNG format. This file format offers 24-bit images and supports gamma information and transparency. An advantage to PNG (over JPEG and a lesser extent GIF) is that it uses a lossless compression method while supporting True Color images. To optimize an image as a PNG: 1 Select Web: Image Optimizer. If objects have been selected, select an optimization method. (See page 239 for details).
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Testing your files with different settings The Batch dialog box in Image Optimizer allows you to try out different color and compression settings on the JPEG, GIF, and PNG files before these files are actually saved. Here, you can quickly experiment with the variables that affect these image file formats the most. The Batch dialog boxes for both GIF and PNG test the number of colors, while the Batch dialog box for JPEG tests the extent of compression.
CHAPTER 8: ALL FOR THE WEB 245 Objects for the Web In addition to the background, a Web page comprises objects such as images, hyperlinks, text and so on. You can create these using PhotoImpact’s versatile Web tools and its WYSIWYG interface, where all objects you see in a document remain in the same position when viewed on its exported Web page. Objects on a Web page All kinds of objects created in PhotoImpact can be placed on a Web page.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE 3 A placeholder with the file type’s icon will be displayed to represent the multimedia file. 4 If the object is not a JPEG or GIF file, you will need to resize it. By default, the Transform Tool is auto-enabled, allowing you to resize the object from the Attribute Toolbar by entering in the exact height and width of the object. Resized Java Applet object placeholder.
CHAPTER 8: ALL FOR THE WEB 247 To edit and manually update a multimedia object: 1 Right-click the object’s placeholder then select Edit Linked (multimedia type) Object. This opens the multimedia file in the application with which it is associated. Edit the file as required. 2 To update the Web page, save the source image. Select the linked object then select Object: Web Object Attributes - Refresh Link.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE 3 Select a background color for the pane in which the text appears. Clearing the Background option makes the background transparent. 4 Select a Text color, then enter the text in the text entry box. After the body of text, add a blank row to ensure all HTML text can be properly displayed in browsers using different text size. Note: HTML text characters can now have individual color and size settings. 5 Highlight the word or section of text to be a hyperlink.
CHAPTER 8: ALL FOR THE WEB To convert an HTML text object to an image object: 1 Select the HTML text object to be converted. 2 Select Web: Web Attributes - Convert HTML Text to Image. Component objects Making buttons, banners, and other objects for your Web page is one of the fun parts of Web creation. PhotoImpact offers you a vast range of possibilities for creating these fascinating objects through Component Designer.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE In Component Designer, components consist of a graphic, or a graphic with text. The following procedure illustrates the steps for using the Component Designer to create any of the components listed above. To create a component object: 1 Select Web: Component Designer. The Component Designer Wizard will appear. 2 Click the plus (+) sign beside the component object type you want to create. This will expand its subfolder to display a template type list.
CHAPTER 8: ALL FOR THE WEB • 251 As Component Object (in PhotoImpact) Keeps objects intact for further editing in Component Designer. 7 Click Back to create more Web components, or click Close. Rollover button This is a special button whose appearance (such as color, graphic, or shape) changes, using up to three separate images. The transition depends on the mouse action in three states: normal (no mouse action), mouseover (cursor moving over the image), and mousedown (clicking the image).
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE • Mouseover/Mousedown button offset Adjusts the position of these two states based on the X (horizontal) and the Y (vertical) axes. 5 Specify a URL and related options in the Hyperlink Tab. This accesses a Web site after Mousedown takes effect. 6 Click other tabs and layers to modify them as needed. Notes: • Depending on the selected rollover button, available layers and their names may vary.
CHAPTER 8: ALL FOR THE WEB 253 Script effects Harness the power of JavaScript to create dynamic elements in your Web pages with PhotoImpact’s Script Effects. With Image Map Script Effects, you can effortlessly create pop-up menus, status bar messages and swap images, while Slice Tool Script Effects creates not just these, but also an impressive range of text effects. PhotoImpact does all the hard work of creating the code. Note: Some browsers may not support all Script Effects.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE To get started with Script Effects: 1 Select either Slice Tool or Image Map Tool on the Tool Panel. 2 Select the Slice cell or image map which will trigger the Script Effect. 3 Select the Script Effects Tab on the Slice Panel or the Image Map Panel. There are two options: • Triggered by page This will start the Script Effect when the page is loaded in the browser window. • Triggered by cell This will start the Script Effect when cell-specific events take place.
CHAPTER 8: ALL FOR THE WEB 3 Click Add. The entered information will be displayed in the window below, and will still be displayed in the fields. Add item Delete item Update item details 4 Select font face, size and style. 5 Specify the coordinates within the slice of the start position of the top left corner of the pop-up menu. An irregularly shaped image map will calculate the start position from the top left corner of a hypothetical bounding rectangle around the image map.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE To create a Status Bar Script Effect : 1 Select the cell or image map that will trigger the Script Effect , then open the Status Bar dialog box. 2 Select an event which will start the Status Bar effect. 3 Select Display effect on event: (event type) . It is possible to select more than one event type that will start the effect. Clicking the down-arrow beside Event will display a check beside all events that will start the effect.
CHAPTER 8: ALL FOR THE WEB 4 Select the cell where the effect will be displayed in Cell to display swap effect. 5 Click Browse for file to select an image to swap into the cell. 6 Click OK. To create a Vertical Scroll Effect: 1 Select the cell that will trigger the Script Effect, then open the Vertical Scroll dialog box. 2 Select whether an image or HTML text will be scrolling up through the cell. 3 For a text scroller, enter information in Text and select a font face and size for each text string.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE To create HTML Text Script Effects: 1 Select a cell with HTML text that will host the Script Effect, then select a Text effect dialog box. 2 For Rollover Text effect: • Select an event type that will trigger the effect from Event. • Select Display effect on (event type) event. More than one event type can be selected. Event will display a check beside all events that will start an effect. Effects for each event can be customized.
CHAPTER 8: ALL FOR THE WEB 259 Advanced rollover button In addition to the rollover button presets in Component Designer, PhotoImpact maximizes your creative potential with tools for developing unique rollover buttons (objects) from scratch. Once created, the rollover object will be placed onto your current PhotoImpact document directly. To edit it later, right-click the rollover then select Edit Rollover Object.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Web Slide Show Web slide shows are a popular way of presenting images. However, creating them usually requires intensive coding and programming knowledge. With PhotoImpact, you can now incorporate slide shows into your Web pages without worrying much about the tediousness task of coding. A single web page can hold multiple slide shows. Like script effects, you can specify the event that precedes each show.
CHAPTER 8: ALL FOR THE WEB 7 In the Options Tab, set how long each image will be displayed by specifying the number of seconds in Duration. You can also set other general slideshow properties, add mouse click behaviors, and set thumbnail attributes in this tab. 8 Click OK. Web pages A Web page is a hypermedia document coded with Hypertext Markup Language (HTML).
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Structure of a Web page Just what exactly is a Web page? Creating one is simple in PhotoImpact because you are spared the pain of having to code everything manually. However, because HTML code is involved, creating Web pages is not as straightforward as creating images. The following illustration will show you how a browser interprets and analyzes a Web page. It looks like neatly organized graphics and text that you could create in text and graphics editing programs.
CHAPTER 8: ALL FOR THE WEB Creating a new Web page When creating a Web page, start out in one of two ways: • Create a blank document already set up with basic Web properties. • Create a blank document first, and then set up a more extensive range of its properties before designing the layout of the page. To create a basic Web page: 1 Select File: New - New Web Page. • Title The title of the page which will appear on the title bar of the browser window.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE General Tab Title Text entered here will appear in the title bar of the browser window. Author, Keywords & Description Used for search engines only. Information entered in these fields will not affect the content of the Web page. Favorites icon Allows you to select an icon to be displayed in the address bar of Internet Explorer, and as an icon when the page is added to Favorites.
CHAPTER 8: ALL FOR THE WEB Image File Tab Optimizer setting Specifies default file formats for images in your Web pages. Files will be optimized then saved in the specified format. File naming pattern Customizes the system for assigning default names to image files. Also provides the option of making file names comply with Macintosh and Unix standards.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE HTML Tab Formatting Determines the appearance of HTML tags and attributes in the code. Generate relative URL for reference Makes the code in each page reference the location of external files relative to its own position in the site. This makes the whole site easily transportable to a Web server. It is highly advisable to keep this option selected. Conform to XHTML specification Outputs the code in XHTML (Extensible Hyper Text Markup Language).
CHAPTER 8: ALL FOR THE WEB Previewing in a browser Whether the current Web page or image is completed or still in progress, you can always preview it as an entire Web page in a browser of your choice. In the File: Preview in Browser submenu, by default, Internet Explorer is already listed for quick access. You can customize it with the following commands: • Edit Browser List To add and remove browsers from the list as needed.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Posting to the Web You can export a PhotoImpact current document to an HTML document or an image file through the Internet. These commands are under the File: Export submenu. • Post to Web Sends it to a remote Web server. This requires Microsoft Web Publishing Wizard to be installed on your computer. • Post to iMira Sends images to the iMira free image-sharing Web site. • Send Allows you to send it to whomever on the Internet through email.
CHAPTER 8: ALL FOR THE WEB Post to iMira using Drop Spot Images can be posted directly to the iMira free Web site where you can share your images on the Internet. You can post your data on the site, with the opportunity to collect points and increase the amount of storage you can have. If you do not already have an account with iMira, you can sign up while posting data for the first time. To post an image to iMira: 1 Select File: Export - Post to iMira.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE 3 A dialog box will prompt you to select whether you wish to send the file as a Web page or as an image file, and to name the file. Click OK. 4 A new e-mail message will be displayed with the image or Web page already attached. After the e-mail is sent, you will be returned to PhotoImpact. Tutorial: Putting a Web page together So the next thing you’ll want to know is, how do I put together all the things I want to form a Web page? PhotoImpact gives you these options.
CHAPTER 8: ALL FOR THE WEB 271 4 When you have the Web page the way you want it, select File: Save to save it in the UFO file format. This preserves all objects as well as all HTML attributes, so that you can edit it at a later time. 5 Finally, select File: Save for Web - As HTML. This outputs the Web page as an HTML file (HTM or HTML) along with its associated image files. By default, the images are stored in a subfolder labelled “images”, within the folder where the HTML file is saved .
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Image management with Album PhotoImpact Album is the most convenient and efficient application for managing and viewing media files on your system. Media files listed and organized through Album can be viewed as thumbnails, categorized, cataloged, sorted, updated, and archived. Build a database of information for your files, create HTML slide shows, create custom albums on CD, conduct complex Boolean searches and view all the details of your files at a glance.
Comparison FOR PREVIOUS PHOTOIMPACT USERS If you have previous PhotoImpact versions, be sure to see the next page. It provides a comparison table of major feature changes, helping you migrate to PhotoImpact XL instantly.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Comparison Table (major changes only) Previous PhotoImpact versions PhotoImpact XL 1 The AccessPanel has 3 subpanels: Layer, Document and Browse Managers. 1 AccessPanel now has 4 subpanels, including the Selection Manager. 2 Previous Color Panel supported image objects only. Paint and Fill modes exist. 2 Improved Color Panel features now allow Text or Path object color fill. 3 The Lasso Tool cannot be edited after setting points.
FOR PREVIOUS PHOTOIMPACT USERS 275 Previous PhotoImpact versions PhotoImpact XL 7 Level allows you to change the color divisions for each image. 7 Level allows you to adjust the image’s histogram, or distribution of whites, grays, and blacks. 8 The Album/Package function packages the album file and it reference files to the same folder in your PC’s hard disk. 8 You can now burn albums directly to CD or DVD by using Package to CD/DVD.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE
Shortcuts SHORTCUTS While working in PhotoImpact, using shortcuts on your keyboard can greatly increase your efficiency.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE File Menu Command Shortcuts New New Web page Open Visual Open Close Save Save as Save for Web - As HTML Preview in Browser (the order depends on the installed browser) Scanner Digital Camera Capture - Setup Capture - Start Start capturing and Activation Print Preview Print Multiple Print Preferences Exit Ctrl + N Shift + A Ctrl + O Shift + O Ctrl + W Ctrl + S Ctrl + Shift+ S Ctrl + Alt + S Ctrl + Alt + ( 0-9) F7 F8 Ctrl + Shift + E Ctrl + Shift + C F11/F12/Ctrl + F11/Ctrl + F
SHORTCUTS Clear/Delete Crop Duplicate - Base Image with Objects Fill Fadeout Edit Active Objects Only Enables/Disables Mask Mode Del Ctrl + R Ctrl + D Ctrl + F Ctrl + H Shift + Z Ctrl + K View Menu Command Shortcuts Add a View Actual View Maximize at Actual View Zoom in Zoom out Fit in Window Full Screen Base Image Show Marquee Show Box Around Objects Photo Properties View in different sizes Show/Hide Color Panel Show/Hide EasyPalette Show/Hide Quick Command Panel Show/Hide AccessPanel Ruler Slice Line
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Format Menu Command Shortcuts Auto-process: Enhance Auto-process: Batch Brightness & Contrast Color Balance Hue & Saturation Focus Tone Map Highlight Midtone Shadow Post-processing Wizard Image Size Expand Canvas Frame & Shadow Shift + C Ctrl + F9 Ctrl + B Ctrl + L Ctrl + E Ctrl + Shift+ F Ctrl + Shift+ T Ctrl + Shift + H F9 Ctrl + G Shift + N Shift + F Selection Menu Command Shortcuts Toggle Selection Select None Select All Convert to Object Preserve Base Image Copy Selec
SHORTCUTS Merge All Delete Selects All Objects Deselect All Objects Edit Object (Text/Path/HTML Text/Link/Component) Wrap: Properties Group Ungroup Arrange - Bring Forward Arrange - Send Backward Arrange - Bring to Front Arrange - Send to Back Shadow Properties Ctrl + Shift+ M Del Ctrl + Shift+ A Enter Shift + E Shift + W Ctrl + Alt + G Ctrl + Alt + U Alt + Up Alt + Down Ctrl + Alt + Up Ctrl + Alt + Down Shift + S Ctrl + Shift+ Enter Effect Menu Command Shortcuts Paint on Edges Shift + P Web Menu Com
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Image Optimizer F4 Window Menu Command Arranges all open windows diagonally in the workspace from left to right and top to bottom Evenly distributes all open windows vertically in the workspace Batch Manager Shortcuts Shift + F5 Shift + F4 Shift + F6 Help Menu Command Shortcuts Starts the Ulead PhotoImpact Online help Activates the Context Sensitive Help, and then allows you to click an item in question F1 Shift + F1 Miscellaneous Command Shortcuts Move selection marq
SHORTCUTS Show the Material dialog box Scroll image vertically Scroll image horizontally Deletes the selected thumbnail from the EasyPalette Moves the object up/down one pixel to the left/right.
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Fill Tool Zoom Tool Eyedropper Tool / Measure Tool Display quick Tool Panel Slice Tool Image Map Tool Switch to the Eyedropper Tool Switch to the Pick Tool Switch to the Zoom Tool Display Tools submenu Toggles between Painting and Erase mode when in the Painting Tool To tile fill an image with an object, hold down [L] while dragging the object to the document Add selection in selection tool Subtract selection in selection tool Extract only the mask from an object F / Y ~ I U C
Index INDEX
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Symbols B 2D object 162 3D properties 178 smoother surface 182 3D object 162 3D transformation 141 Background color 107 Background Designer 230 Baseline 155 Basic Concepts 41 Batch Convert 68 Batch Manager 67 Batch test 244 Beautify Skin effect 196 Bevel Material dialog box 180 Bezier Curve Tool 175 Bezier/Polygon Tool 167 Blink Text Script Effect 258 Blur 190 Border creating a border around selection areas 122 Border, Material dialog box 180 Brightness & Contrast 79 Browse M
INDEX CMYK files 43 Color Adjustment 80 Color Balance 79 Preset 79 Smart 79 Color balance 82 Color Cast 80, 83 Color correction 79 Color Management 36 Color palettes loading 110 saving 110 Color Panel 97 color tab 97 color table tab 101 gradients tab 100 swatch tab 99 Color picker 108 Color on Screen 109 Web safe 109 Color Range 123 Color Replacement 80 Color Replacement Pen 92 Color Tab 97 Color table 109 Color Table Tab 101 Color Tools 107 Color Transform Pen 91 Colorize Pen 91 Colors background 107 fore
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Digital camera 44 Distort 190 Distort text 156 Dither 213 Document Manager 25 Dodge Tool 92 Drop Spot 269 Duplicating base image only 59 base image with objects merged 59 images 59 objects 132 E EasyPalette 27 Crop 61 customizing 29 exporting galleries 29 importing galleries 29 object libraries 28 Edge Preserving Blur 207 Edit existing path 176 Edit Objects Mode 96 Edit point 174 Effects and Filters applying 191 customizing 191 Embed Watermark 47 Emboss Texture 215 Enhance 76 E
INDEX Tone Map 80 Frame delay time 213 Free edit 174 Free Path 176 Freehand Drawing Tool 177 G Galleries 191 Gallery packaging into folder 29 GIF batch test 244 GIF Image Optimizer 242 optimizing images 241 transparency 242 GIF animation saving 213 Glass 215 Global Viewer 56 Gradients Tab 100 setting a gradient color 98 Grouping 126 Show/Hide group member 127 Grouping and ungrouping paths 175 H Hide 215 High Dynamic Range 86 Highlight Midtone Shadow 80, 85 Highlight Text Script Effect 258 Histogram 80 Hi
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Key frames 209 L Lasso Tool 116 adding 124 editing selections 116 subtracting 124 Layer Manager 24 changing layer order 127 Show/Hide listview 125 Lens Distortion effect 194 Level 79, 81 Library packaging into folder 29 Light 181 Light effect 224 Lighting 218 Line and Arrow Tool 161, 166 Loading color palettes 110 Loop 210 M Magic Gradient effect 225 Magic Wand Tool adding 124 subtracting 124 Mask Mode 119 Match Background Color 130 Material 190 Material dialog box bevel 180 b
INDEX copying 57 cutting 57 deleting 132 duplicating 132 grouping & ungrouping 126 moving 132 properties 126 selecting multiple 115 sorting 126 spacing evenly 132 working with 144 Online Documentation installing 19 Opaque 226 Open from Web image 53 Web page as image 53 Outline Drawing Tool 161, 164 color 165 shape 165 style 165 width 165 Outline path 165 P Package galleries and libraries 29 Paint as Object Mode 95 Paint on Edges 207 Painting effect 220 Painting Gallery 220 Painting Texture 94, 95 Painting
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Q Quick Command Panel 32 using the History Tab 34 Quick EasyPalette adding galleries/libraries 31 R Rainbow Text Script Effect 258 RAW data Import/Export 69 Read Watermark 43 Real-time preview 82 Recover 60 Redo 60 Reinstalling programs 12 Resample an image 64 Resize dimensions 63 resolution 63 Retrieving images 136 Rollover button 251 Rollover Text Script Effect 258 Rotate in Virtual 3D 141 Rotating images 140 S Saving color palettes 110 to object libraries 133 tool’s attribu
INDEX Sorting objects 126 Space Evenly 132 Special effects 190, 204 Artistic 190 Blur 190 Creative 190 Digimarc 190 Distort 190 Illumination 190 Material 190 Noise 190 Photographic 190 Sharpen 190 Video 190 Special Type Effect 223 Spline Tool 167 Stamp Tool 144 Star Filters 196 Status Bar Script Effect 255 Stitching images 71 automatic 72 manual 73 Stone 215 Straighten 76 Straightening images 141 Style 79 Sunlight effect 201 Swap Image Script Effect 256 Swatch Tab 99 T Text Panel 147 3D 148 Gallery 149 Op
PHOTOIMPACT USER GUIDE Vertical Deform 172 Vertical Scroll Script Effect 257 Video 190 Viewing adding views 55 full screen 56 global viewer 56 Virtual 3D button 142 Web page background Background Designer 230 image 230 properties 264 shift 231 tile 230, 232 Web Properties 263 Web Slide Show 260 WIA acquiring images from WIA devices 46 Workspace 22 Wrap Bend 157 Wrap effects creating your own 154 modifying 155 W Z Warped image 216 Warping 204 Watermark 43, 47 Web objects 245 HTML text 247 Web page
