Ide/Resource Editor/Graphics Editor
Graphics Editor Window
When the Graphics Editor is started to edit an image, the Graphics Editor window will appear on the screen:
The Graphics Editor window is divided into several areas. Each area is responsible for a definite function or combines a number of tools, which are associated by purpose.
Areas of the Graphics Editor Window
Graphics Editor Title Bar
The title bar of the Graphics Editor window serves to display information about the type of the image (icon, cursor or bitmap), the image size in pixels, the number of colors which are available for use, and the name of the file which is opened for the current image.
For example, the title bar ProjectIcon.ico Size 32*32 Colors:16 says that:
- the type of current image is an icon;
- the size of the current image is 32*32 pixels;
- 16 colors may be used in the image;
- the name of the file, which is opened for current image, is ProjectIcon.ico.
Graphic Field
The Graphic Field is situated in the middle of the Graphics Editor window.
The Graphic Field lets you see and edit the current image in expanded mode. The Graphic Field consists of small cells, where each cell corresponds to one pixel on the actual size image. The number of cells in each horizontal row and the number of cells in each vertical column give the image size, which is displayed in the title bar of the Graphics Editor window. It is possible to turn on and off a grid in the Graphic field.
Image Screen
To the right of the Graphic Field in the Graphics Editor window you can see the Image Screen, painted in background color. In the middle of Image Screen you can see the current image in actual size on the selected background color. By changing the background color you can see how your current image will look in various surroundings.
Icon
Under the [#Graphic_Field Graphic Field], you can see the Icon drop-down list:
You can choose, which of the icon images in the current file to load into the editor.
Move Toolbar
(Moving, Rotating and Flipping an Image)
To the right of the Graphic Field, under the Image Screen, you can see the Image Move toolbar:
By clicking the appropriate button you can move, rotate or flip the current image.
| Button | Button Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
|
Shift Left |
Moves the image one column to the left. The left edge column crosses the left borderline of the Graphic Field and returns to the Graphic Field as the right edge column |
|
Shift Right |
Moves the image one pixel column to the right. The right edge column crosses the right borderline of the Graphic Field and returns to the Graphic Field as the left edge column |
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Shift Up |
Moves the image one pixel row up. The top row crosses the upper borderline of the Graphic Field and returns to the Graphic Field as the bottom row |
|
Shift Down |
Moves the image one pixel row down. The bottom row crosses the bottom borderline of the Graphic Field and returns to the Graphic Field as the top row |
|
Rotate Left |
Rotates the image 90 degrees counter-clockwise around its center |
|
Rotate Right |
Rotates the image 90 degrees clockwise around its center |
|
Flip Horizontal |
Flips the image around the vertical axis |
|
Flip Vertical |
Flips the image around the horizontal axis |
Notice that the Resource | Move menu contains the same commands as the Image Move toolbar.
Color Palette
At the top of the Graphics Editor window you can see the Color Palette.
The Color Palette lets you choose colors for the drawing operations:
- [GE_Using_Tools_and_Colors.htm#Setting_the_Draw_and_Edit_Colors Setting the Draw and Edit Colors]
- [GE_Using_Tools_and_Colors.htm#Setting_the_Background_Color Setting the Background Color]
- [GE_Using_Tools_and_Colors.htm#Setting_the_Inverse__to_Background__Color Setting the Inverse (to Background) Color]
Color Modes Toolbar
Under the [#Image_Screen Image Screen] you can see the Color Modes tool box:
The Color Modes tool box is used to set:
- [GE_Using_Tools_and_Colors.htm#Setting_the_Draw_and_Edit_Colors Draw and Edit colors]
- [GE_Using_Tools_and_Colors.htm#Setting_the_Background_Color Background color]
- [GE_Using_Tools_and_Colors.htm#Setting_the_Inverse__to_Background__Color Inverse (to Background) color]
Draw and Edit Toolbar
(Using Draw and Edit Tools)
To the left of the Graphic Field of the Graphics Editor window you can see the Draw and Edit Toolbar. It contains the main tools for drawing and editing:
The Graphics Editor provides a number of tools to make creating your image easy. The tools can be activated either from the Resource | Tools menu or from the Draw and Edit toolbar.
Draw and Edit Tools
By clicking any of the buttons in the Draw and Edit toolbar you can select the required draw or edit tool. Here are short descriptions of them:
| Button | Button Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
|
Pen | The Pen tool can be used to color an individual pixel on the Graphic Field or to make a free-hand drawing. |
|
Brush | The Brush tool works the same as Pen tool, except that the Brush tool leaves a larger mark than the Pen. The style of the Brush can be changed by selecting among the Small, Big, and Star in the Brush Style list button (in the right bottom corner of the Graphics Editor window). |
|
Eraser | To erase a fragment of the image (the same as painting it with the Screen Color), you can use the Eraser Tool in the toolbar. The size of the Eraser can be changed by selecting among the Small and Big in the Eraser Style list button (in the right bottom corner of the Graphics Editor window) |
|
Color Eraser | The Erase Color tool will erase cells of the selected color without changing other colors. |
|
Fill Contour | The fastest way to color an area, which has an enclosed boundary, is to use the Fill Contour tool. Move the cursor into the area to be colored and click the mouse button. The interior of the bounded region will be colored. |
|
Mirror | [#Mirror_Style_Dialog Set Mirror Style] menu command in the Task window menu. |
|
Line | Selecting this button enables you to draw a line between any two points in the image. |
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Draw Rectangle | Click this button if you need a rectangle. Size the Rectangle by drawing it out with the left button held down, then release. |
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Draw Ellipse | Choose this tool if you need to draw a circle or an ellipse. Size the circle or ellipse by drawing it out with the left button held down, then release. |
|
Enter Text | Click this button to insert some text in your image. Move the cursor to the position on the Graphic Field where you want to start the text and click the mouse button. You will see a text cursor, which shows you the height of the letters and digits, and the starting point for the current line of text. When you type some text, it will be drawn in the currently selected color, with the currently selected font. To select the desired font settings press Ctrl+F. While the text is still selected, it is possible to move the starting point clicking in the new position. |
|
Mark Area | To mark a rectangular fragment of the image on the Graphic Field to be cut, copied or moved, click the Mark Area tool. Then move the cursor to the Graphic Field cell, which you want to be one corner of a marked rectangular area, and press and hold the mouse button. Release the mouse when the rectangle is of the appropriate size and you will see a sub-region of the image marked accordingly. You can move the marked region to another part of the Graphic Field by means of "drag and drop". Move the cursor into the marked region and press and hold the mouse button. Then, keeping the mouse button depressed, drag the marked fragment to the place of your choice and release the mouse button. Now the marked region is fixed in its new place. If you want to copy the marked region to another place, do as described under move, but hold down the Ctrl key, while pressing the mouse button in the marked region. When a region is marked:
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|
Paste & Scale in Rectangle | |
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Clear Graphic Field | To clear the Graphic Field, click the Clear button. The white color is used for bitmaps and transparent color is used for icons and cursors. |
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Change a Selected Color | With this button you can change all pixels that have a given color into another color. The two colors should first be set for the Color and Alt-Color selections. Note Any pixels, which were colored in background color or in "inverse" color by [#Inverse_Colors Inverse] tool, will keep their original colors. |
|
Inverse Colors | This button can be used to invert all colors on the image. In this case, any pixels, which were colored in background color or in inverse to background color, will retain their existing colors. |
|
Grid | This button can be used to turn on and off a grid in the Graphic Field |
Mirror Style Dialog
The Mirror Style dialog is activated by the Resource | Set Mirror Style menu command in the Task window menu:
The Mirror Style dialog is used to choose the appropriate axes of symmetry for the Mirror tool.
The Mirror tool File:I26.png sets the points that are the reflections of the cursor trail point relative to the different axes of symmetry.
When you place the mouse cursor onto some point inside an edited image and click the left mouse button, then we say that you set the cursor trail point.
Using the Mirror tool, you can (by one click) set up to 8 reflections of the specified cursor trail point. A reflection point will be painted to each checked ON type of reflections. They are:
Main -> Trial
When checked ON, then paints the clicked cursor trail point.
Main -> Reverse
When checked ON, then paints the point opposite to the clicked cursor trail point.
Reflect -> Horizontal
When checked ON, then paints the point, which is the horizontal reflection of the clicked cursor trail point.
Reflect -> Vertical
When checked ON, then paints the point, which is the vertical reflection of the clicked cursor trail point.
Orthogonal -> Left
When checked ON, then paints the point, which is 90 degrees left rotation of the clicked cursor trail point.
Orthogonal -> Right
When checked ON, then paints the point, which is 90 degrees right rotation of the clicked cursor trail point.
Reflect Diagonal -> Left
When checked ON, then paints the point, which is the reflection of the clicked cursor trail point relative to the diagonal line drawn from the left upper corner to the right lower corner of the image.
Reflect Diagonal -> Right
When checked ON, then paints the point, which is the reflection of the clicked cursor trail point relative to the diagonal line drawn from the right upper corner to the left lower corner of the image.