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QB64-PE/tests/qbasic_testcases/pete/pp256/pp256hlp.txt
Matthew Kilgore 9ee89d6ff4 Add QBasic tests 
These tests use a variety of sample code (with some of the larger files
removed, so they are not complete!) and verifies that they all compile
successfully.
2022-04-28 23:00:07 -04:00

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PIXELplus 256
C14 Table of Contents
General
C13H171 Using the Mouse
C13H003 Using Online Help
Image Editor
C13H167 Introduction
C13H006 Menu Commands
C13H004 Keyboard Commands
C13H064 Drawing Tools
C13H110 Palette Tools
C13H102 Colour Palette
C13H005 Screen Components
C13H067 Special Effects
C13H116 Animation Tester
Screen Designer
C13H168 Introduction
C13H118 Menu Commands
C13H117 Keyboard Commands
C13H170 Display Actions
@
PIXELplus 256
C14 Index
-A-
C13 About... command
C13H062 in Image Editor
C13H165 in Screen Designer
C13 Action menu
C13H037 in Image Editor
C13H145 in Screen Designer
C13H049 Add... command
C13H055 Add as Gradient command
C13H087 Airbrush tool
C13H157 AND command
C13H010 Append... command
C13H106 Arrow buttons
-B-
C13H092 Box tool
C13H068 BRIGHT special effect
C13H035 Brighter Shade command
C13H098 Brush Size Selector
-C-
C13H150 Centre Horizontal command
C13H151 Centre Vertical command
C13H089 Circle/Ellipse tool
C13H038 Clear command
C13H039 Clear to Colour command
C13H101 Clipboard Status Box
C13H097 Colour Sampler tool
C13 Contents command
C13H058 in Image Editor
C13H161 in Screen Designer
C13H053 Convert to Mask...
C13 Copy command
C13H022 in Image Editor
C13H132 in Screen Designer
C13H111 COPY tool
C13H054 Crop command
C13H028 Cross-hair On command
C13H096 Curve tool
C13 Cut command
C13H021 in Image Editor
C13H131 in Screen Designer
-D-
C13H069 DARK special effect
C13H036 Darker Shade command
C13H134 Delete command
C13H050 Delete... command
C13H130 Deselect All command
C13H170 Display actions
C13H064 Drawing Tool icon buttons
C13H052 Duplicate... command
-E-
C13H081 EDGE special effect
C13H103 Edit Grid
C13H143 Edit Images... command
C13 Edit menu
C13H019 in Image Editor
C13H128 in Screen Designer
C13H047 Effect:(current effect)
C13H047 command
C13H088 Eraser tool
C13 Exit command
C13H018 in Image Editor
C13H127 in Screen Designer
-F-
C13H109 File Information
C13 File menu
C13H007 in Image Editor
C13H119 in Screen Designer
C13H093 Filled Box tool
C13H090 Filled Circle/Ellipse tool
C13H045 Flip Horizontal command
C13H046 Flip Vertical command
C13H082 Flood Fill tool
C13H071 FUR special effect
-G-
C13H112 GRAD tool
C13H094 Gradient Box tool
C13H091 Gradient Circle/Ellipse tool
C13H084 Gradient Fill tool
C13H100 Gradient Status Box
C13H078 GREY special effect
C13 Grid On command
C13H030 in Image Editor
C13H139 in Screen Designer
-H-
C13 Help menu
C13H057 in Image Editor
C13H160 in Screen Designer
C13H029 Highlight On command
C13H140 Highlight Selected command
C13H075 HOLLOW special effect
-I-
C13H031 Image as Tile command
C13H107 Image Display
C13 Image menu
C13H048 in Image Editor
C13H152 in Screen Designer
C13H108 Image Selector
C13 Index command
C13H059 in Image Editor
C13H162 in Screen Designer
C13 Introduction
C13H167 to Image Editor
C13H168 to Screen Designer
-K-
C13 Keyboard command
C13H060 in Image Editor
C13H163 in Screen Designer
C13 Keyboard commands
C13H004 in Image Editor
C13H117 in Screen Designer
-L-
C13H095 Line tool
C13H013 Load Clipboard... command
C13H126 Load Images... command
C13H015 Load Palette... command
-M-
C13H141 Make Grid command
C13H158 MASK command
C13 Menu Bar
C13H006 in Image Editor
C13H118 in Screen Designer
C13H072 MIX special effect
-N-
C13 New command
C13H008 in Image Editor
C13H120 in Screen Designer
-O-
C13 Open... command
C13H009 in Image Editor
C13H121 in Screen Designer
C13H155 OR command
-P-
C13H085 Paintbrush tool
C13H102 Palette Grid
C13H110 Palette Tool buttons
C13H032 Palette Tools command
C13 Paste command
C13H023 in Image Editor
C13H133 in Screen Designer
C13H025 Paste Behind command
C13H066 Paste Brush tool
C13H086 Pixel Pointer tool
C13H137 Pointer On command
C13H017 Print Index... command
C13H154 PRESET command
C13H153 PSET command
-R-
C13H113 RESET tool
C13H051 Resize... command
C13H115 RGB Controls
C13H044 Rotate 90<39> command
-S-
C13 Save command
C13H011 in Image Editor
C13H122 in Screen Designer
C13 Save As... command
C13H012 in Image Editor
C13H123 in Screen Designer
C13 Save as DATA... command
C13H169 in Image Editor
C13H124 in Screen Designer
C13H125 Save as Screen... command
C13H014 Save Clipboard... command
C13H016 Save Palette... command
C13H114 SCAN tool
C13H065 Scissors tool
C13H005 Screen components
C13H034 Screen Designer... command
C13H041 Scroll Down command
C13H042 Scroll Left command
C13H043 Scroll Right command
C13H040 Scroll Up command
C13H129 Select All command
C13H099 Selected Colour Boxes
C13H142 Set Step... command
C13H147 Shift Down command
C13H148 Shift Left command
C13H149 Shift Right command
C13H146 Shift Up command
C13 Show All command
C13H056 in Image Editor
C13H159 in Screen Designer
C13 Show Clipboard command
C13H026 in Image Editor
C13H135 in Screen Designer
C13H144 Show Design command
C13H138 Snap to Grid command
C13H073 SOFT special effect
C13H067 Special Effects Brush tool
C13 Status Bar
C13H063 in Image Editor
C13H166 in Screen Designer
C13H104 STORE button
C13H080 SWAP special effect
C13H079 SWEEP special effect
-T-
C13H033 Test Animation... command
C13H076 TILE special effect
C13H083 Tile Fill tool
C13H070 TINT special effect
C13H024 Transparency On command
-U-
C13H020 Undo command
C13H074 UNZAG special effect
C13 Using Help command
C13H061 in Image Editor
C13H164 in Screen Designer
C13H003 Using Online Help
C13H171 Using the Mouse
-V-
C13 View menu
C13H027 in Image Editor
C13H136 in Screen Designer
-X-
C13H156 XOR command
C13H077 XOR special effect
-Z-
C13H105 Zoom buttons
@
PIXELplus 256
C14 Using Online Help
The online Help system
provides information on all
aspects of the PIXELplus 256
environment, including the
Image Editor, Animation
Tester and Screen Designer.
To get help on any feature
of PIXELplus 256, select
Contents from the Help menu,
or press F1. This will
display the online Help
Table of Contents, a
categorized list of subjects
for which help is available.
Alternatively, select Index
from the Help menu to
display an alphabetical list
of all Help topics. Next,
click on a Help item (shown
in magenta) to view help on
that subject. Also, a list
of related topics will often
be shown within the help
text; click on any of these
items to view information on
that topic.
Many subjects provide more
text than can be displayed
on a single "page" so a
scroll bar is provided (on
the right side of the Help
dialog box).
The Table of Contents and
Index can be viewed at any
time by clicking on the
appropriate button, at the
bottom of the Help dialog
box.
Click on the CANCEL button
or press ESCAPE to finish
viewing the online Help.
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Keyboard Commands
The following keyboard
commands are available while
using the Image Editor:
Press: To:
C15 F1 View online Help
C15 Table of Contents.
C15 F2 Turn the Edit Grid
C15 cross-hair cursor
C15 on/off.
C15 F3 Turn the Edit Grid
C15 image section
C15 highlight on/off.
C15 F4 Turn the pixel
C15 boundary grid
C15 on/off.
C15 SHIFT+F4 Change the pixel
C15 boundary grid
C15 colour.
C15 F5 Turn image view as
C15 tile on/off.
C15 F6 Change between
C15 Drawing Tools and
C15 Palette Tools.
C15 F7 Enter integrated
C15 Animation Tester
C15 utility.
C15 F8 Invoke Screen
C15 Designer utility.
C15 F10 Show all images.
C15 ALT+Q Cut Edit Grid
C15 image section to
C15 Clipboard.
C15 ALT+A Copy Edit Grid
C15 image section to
C15 Clipboard.
C15 ALT+Z Paste Clipboard to
C15 Edit Grid image
C15 section.
C15 ALT+U Scroll Edit Grid
C15 image section up.
C15 ALT+D Scroll Edit Grid
C15 image section
C15 down.
C15 ALT+L Scroll Edit Grid
C15 image section
C15 left.
C15 ALT+R Scroll Edit Grid
C15 image section
C15 right.
C15 ALT+C Clear Edit Grid
C15 image section.
C15 ALT+E Apply current
C15 special effect to
C15 Edit Grid image
C15 section.
C15 [ Select preceding
C15 Palette Grid
C15 colour.
C15 ] Select next
C15 Palette Grid
C15 colour.
C15 < Edit preceding
C15 image.
C15 > Edit next image.
C15 HOME Edit first image.
C15 END Edit last image.
C15 Arrows Move the Edit Grid
C15 image view one
C15 "page" in the
C15 specified
C15 direction.
C15 PAGE UP Select brighter
C15 shade of Current
C15 Colour.
C15 PAGE DOWN Select darker
C15 shade of Current
C15 Colour.
C15 TAB Swap priority of
C15 the two Selected
C15 Colour Boxes.
C15 BACKSPACE Undo latest edit
C15 to current image.
C15 SPACE Toggle view of
C15 current Drawing
C15 Tool between
C15 outline and true
C15 view (only
C15 available while
C15 pointing on the
C15 Edit Grid).
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Screen Components
There are various on-screen
objects that make up the
Image Editor user interface.
These are grouped into three
distinct areas of the
screen, in addition to the
Menu Bar and Status Bar. See
diagram below:
C15 ----------------------------
C15 | Menu Bar |
C15 ----------------------------
C15 | | | |
C15 | | | |
C15 | Tool/ | Edit | Image |
C15 |Palette| Grid |Display|
C15 | Panel | Panel | Panel |
C15 | | | |
C15 | | | |
C15 ----------------------------
C15 | Status Bar |
C15 ----------------------------
C14 Tool/Palette Panel
This area of the screen is
where all objects relating
to the Drawing Tools,
Palette Tools and colour
palette are displayed.
Note: Objects displayed in
the Tool/Palette Panel will
change to those required by
the currently selected
Drawing Tool etc. Only the
Palette Grid will remain
constantly visible.
Tool/Palette Panel objects:
C13H064 Drawing Tool Icon Buttons
C13H110 Palette Tool Buttons
C13H098 Brush Size Selector
C13H099 Selected Colour Boxes
C13H100 Gradient Status Box
C13H101 Clipboard Status Box
C13H115 RGB Controls
C13H102 Palette Grid
C14 The Edit Grid Panel
This area of the screen is
where all objects and
information relating to the
Edit Grid - as well as the
Edit Grid itself - are
displayed.
Edit Grid Panel objects:
C13H103 Edit Grid
C13H104 STORE Button
C13H105 Zoom Buttons
C13H106 Arrow Buttons
C14 The Image Display Panel
This area of the screen is
where all objects and
information relating to the
current image file and
current image is displayed.
Image Display Panel objects:
C13H107 Image Display
C13H108 Image Selector
C13H109 File Information
See also:
C13H006 Menu Bar
C13H063 Status Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Menu Bar
This is a row of menu names
running along the top of the
screen. Notice that the
current image file name is
displayed directly below it
which will be shown as
"Untitled" if it hasn't yet
been saved to disk.
Menu names:
C13H007 File
C13H019 Edit
C13H027 View
C13H037 Action
C13H048 Image
C13H057 Help
C14 Selecting a Menu Command
Using the mouse, there are
two ways to open a menu and
select a command from it:
1) Click on a menu name to
open the menu, then click on
the required menu command.
To close the menu without
choosing a command, click on
the menu name a second time
or click anywhere outside
the menu.
2) Drag down from the menu
name to highlight the
required command, then
release the mouse button. To
close the menu without
choosing a command, simply
drag off the menu (so that
no command is highlighted)
then release the mouse
button.
Note: While a menu command
is highlighted, a brief
description of that command
is given on the Status Bar.
See:
C13H063 Status Bar
C14 Command Notes:
1) Commands that have an
ellipsis (...) after them
signify that further
information must be supplied
in order for the command to
be carried out.
2) Dimmed commands are
unavailable at that time.
3) Commands that have a
check mark (<28>) to the left
of them signify that the
command is in effect.
Selecting the command again
removes the check mark and
turns the command off.
4) Some commands have key
combinations to the right of
them. At any time, pressing
the listed keys selects the
command without having to
open the menu. See:
C13H004 Keyboard Commands
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 The File Menu
Mainly contains commands to
manage the input (loading)
and output (saving) of files
between the Image Editor and
the hard disk.
File menu commands:
C13H008 New
C13H009 Open...
C13H010 Append...
C13H011 Save
C13H012 Save As...
C13H169 Save as DATA...
C13H013 Load Clipboard...
C13H014 Save Clipboard...
C13H015 Load Palette...
C13H016 Save Palette...
C13H017 Print Index...
C13H018 Exit
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 New
C12 menu command
Allows a new image file to
be created from scratch: the
current image file is
removed from memory and an
"untitled" one is created
containing a single, blank
image (100x100). The colour
palette is also reset to the
standard palette.
You will be prompted to save
the current image file if it
has been altered since it
was last saved.
See also:
C13H006 Menu Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Open...
C12 menu command
Selecting this command
allows an existing image
file to be loaded into the
Image Editor, from disk. If
the image file being opened
uses a non-standard colour
palette, it's associated
palette file is also
automatically loaded.
The "Open Image File" dialog
box is displayed containing
a "File" input box, at the
top, and a file list box
below it. Use these to
specify a file to open, as
described below.
Type a file name into the
"File" input box and then
press ENTER. If no file name
extension is specified, the
default for image files
(.PUT) is assumed.
Alternatively, a file mask
can be entered in order to
list a specific group of
files in the file list box.
The default mask (*.PUT) is
used initially to list all
files with a .PUT extension.
Simply double-clicking on a
file name listed in the file
list box is usually the
easiest way to specify a
file to open. Alternatively,
highlight a listed file name
by clicking on it, then
click on the OK button.
You can use the scroll bar
provided to look through a
list of files that's too
long to display on a single
"page".
See also:
C13H006 Menu Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Append...
C12 menu command
Allows the images contained
in another file to be added
to the end of the current
file. Note that the images
are only copied to the
current file - the file
being appended remains
unaltered.
The "Append Image File"
dialog box is displayed so
that a file can be
specified. The usual "File"
input box and file list box
are shown and are
functionally identical to
those used by the Open...
command. For full details
on how to use them, see:
C13H009 Open...
Note: If the images in the
appended file were created
using a different colour
palette to that of the
current image file, they may
appear incorrectly coloured
as it is assumed both files
use a common palette. The
current colour palette is
always retained when
appending an image file.
See also:
C13H006 Menu Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Save
C12 menu command
Use this command to write
the current image file to
disk, effectively updating
it with any changes made
since it was last saved. The
colour palette is also saved
(in a separate file) if it
differs from the standard
palette.
If the current file has not
been saved before, and so is
"untitled", you will be
asked to specify a name to
save the file under, just as
if you had selected the Save
As... command.
Tip: If you want to write a
file to disk without
overwriting the original
version, you should save it
under a different name by
using the Save As...
command. See:
C13H012 Save As...
See also:
C13H169 Save as DATA...
C13H006 Menu Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Save As...
C12 menu command
Allows the current image
file to be written to disk
under a new name, thus
keeping the original file
unaltered. The colour
palette is also saved (in a
separate file) if it differs
from the standard palette.
The "Save Image File As"
dialog box is displayed
containing a single "File
Name" input box; simply type
the new file name here, then
press ENTER. If no file name
extension is specified, the
default for image files
(.PUT) is assumed.
See also:
C13H169 Save as DATA...
C13H006 Menu Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Load Clipboard...
C12 menu command
Allows a previously saved
Clipboard image to be loaded
back onto the Clipboard,
ready for use by the various
tools and commands that use
the Clipboard image.
The "Load Clipboard" dialog
box is displayed so that a
file can be specified. The
usual "File" input box and
file list box are shown and
are functionally identical
to those used by the Open...
command. For full details on
how to use them, see:
C13H009 Open...
On the right, a preview box
lets you view an actual
image (along with the size)
when it's file name is
highlighted in the file list
box. This feature can be
disabled by unchecking the
"Preview image" option.
Doing so can speed up the
use of the file list box on
slower computer systems.
Note: Clipboard images that
were created using a
different colour palette to
the current one, may appear
incorrectly coloured.
To remove an unwanted
Clipboard image file from
disk, highlight it in the
file list box and then click
on the DELETE button. You
will be asked to confirm
your decision before the
image is actually deleted.
See also:
C13H101 Clipboard Status Box
C13H006 Menu Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Save Clipboard...
C12 menu command
Use this command to keep a
useful Clipboard image for
future use, by saving it to
disk.
The "Save Clipboard" dialog
box is displayed showing the
current Clipboard image and
a single "File Name" input
box. Type the file name
here, then press ENTER. If
no file name extension is
specified, the default for
Clipboard images (.CLP) is
assumed.
See also:
C13H006 Menu Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Load Palette...
C12 menu command
This command allows you to
load a previously saved
colour palette so that it
can be used with the current
image file.
The "Load Palette" dialog
box is displayed so that a
file can be specified. The
usual "File" input box and
file list box are shown and
are functionally identical
to those used by the Open...
command. For full details on
how to use them, see:
C13H009 Open...
Tip: Palette files that
belong to specific image
files can also be loaded and
used with the current image
file. These files have a
.APF extension and so can be
viewed in the file list box
by entering *.APF into the
"File" input box.
See also:
C13H006 Menu Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Save Palette...
C12 menu command
This command saves the
current colour palette to
disk, making it available to
use with any other image
files.
The "Save Palette" dialog
box is displayed containing
a single "File Name" input
box; simply type the file
name here, then press ENTER.
If no file name extension is
specified, the default for
palette files (.PAL) is
assumed.
Note: The extension .APF
should not be used as this
is reserved for Associated
Palette Files - colour
palettes belonging to
specific image files.
See also:
C13H006 Menu Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Print Index...
C12 menu command
If you have a printer
connected to your system (on
LPT1:), you can use this
command to print out the
current image file's image
index - this is a list of
BASIC array subscripts
specifying where each image
is stored. These values are
needed in order to display
any given image when using
the PUT(graphics) statement
in your own BASIC programs.
For further details, consult
the PIXELplus 256 User's
Manual.
The "Print Index" dialog box
is displayed so that the
required index listing can
be detailed.
C14 Print Range:
Check the "Whole File"
option to have an index
printed for all the images
in the current image file.
Checking the "Select Range"
option allows you to specify
a contiguous range of images
to print an index for. The
"First" input box is
activated so that the
initial image of the range
can be specified. Using only
this input box would print
an index for that one
specified image. However,
using the "Last" input box
lets you specify the final
image of the range.
The image denoted by the
currently active input box
is displayed in the preview
box, giving visual
confirmation that the
intended image has been
selected.
C14 Print Format:
With the "Double Spacing"
option checked, a blank line
will be placed between the
index items on the printout.
This simply gives more room
to write in comments/
descriptions and makes the
listing easier to read, but
uses more paper.
See also:
C13H006 Menu Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Exit
C12 menu command
Choose this command to leave
the PIXELplus 256 Image
Editor, and return to DOS.
You will be prompted to save
the current image file if it
has been altered since it
was last saved.
See also:
C13H006 Menu Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 The Edit Menu
Contains general editing
commands, mainly concerned
with use of the Clipboard.
Edit menu commands:
C13H020 Undo
C13H021 Cut
C13H022 Copy
C13H023 Paste
C13H024 Transparency On
C13H025 Paste Behind
C13H026 Show Clipboard
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Undo
C12 menu command
Using the Undo command
removes the latest edit made
to the current image,
allowing mistakes to be
corrected.
Note that using Undo to
remove a mistake made while
using a Drawing Tool will
remove ALL the changes made
since the tool was selected.
However, making use of the
STORE button allows you to
update the "Undo Image" at
any time. See:
C13H104 STORE Button
Tip: You can use the Undo
Eraser to selectively remove
areas of a tool's effect.
However, changes made with
the Undo Eraser cannot
themselves be undone. See:
C13H088 Undo Eraser
Tip: Using Undo repeatedly
lets you switch between both
the edited and unedited
version of an image - a
useful way of deciding
whether to keep the changes
made by a special effect
etc.
Note: Unlike Edit and Action
menu commands, the effects
of using Image menu commands
cannot be reversed by using
Undo.
See also:
C13H006 Menu Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Cut
C12 menu command
Removes the Edit Grid image
section and places it onto
the Clipboard, leaving the
Edit Grid blank.
Tip: To cut an area of image
with more accuracy, use the
Scissors tool. See:
C13H065 Scissors
See also:
C13H022 Copy
C13H006 Menu Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Copy
C12 menu command
Simply places a copy of the
Edit Grid image section onto
the Clipboard.
Tip: To copy an area of
image with more accuracy,
use the Scissors tool. See:
C13H065 Scissors
See also:
C13H021 Cut
C13H006 Menu Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Paste
C12 menu command
Places the Clipboard image
onto the Edit Grid image
section.
Note that the top, left of
the Clipboard image will be
located to the top, left of
the Edit Grid. Thus, a
Clipboard image that's wider
and/or deeper than the Edit
Grid will be cropped along
the right and/or bottom
edges. This makes the Paste
command more useful when
copying one image to another
of the same size.
Tip: To paste with more
accuracy, use the Paste
Brush tool. See:
C13H066 Paste Brush
Note: The current settings
of the Transparency On and
Paste Behind commands
dictate how the Clipboard
image will be applied to the
Edit Grid. See:
C13H024 Transparency On
C13H025 Paste Behind
See also:
C13H006 Menu Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Transparency On
C12 menu command
This command can be turned
on or off, dictating how the
Clipboard image will be used
by tools and commands that
apply it to the current
image.
When in effect, all black
(colour 0) pixels in the
Clipboard image are
considered as transparent,
allowing the corresponding
parts of the current image
to show through.
See also:
C13H025 Paste Behind
C13H006 Menu Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Paste Behind
C12 menu command
This command can be turned
on or off, dictating how the
Clipboard image will be used
by tools and commands that
apply it to the current
image.
When in effect, only black
(colour 0) pixels in the
current image will be
replaced with the
corresponding Clipboard
image pixels, giving the
impression of placing the
Clipboard behind existing
image objects.
See also:
C13H024 Transparency On
C13H006 Menu Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Show Clipboard
C12 menu command
Use this command to view the
image currently held on the
Clipboard. It's size is also
displayed.
Tip: A quick way to access
the "Show Clipboard" dialog
box is to right-click on the
image shown in the Clipboard
Status Box. See:
C13H101 Clipboard Status Box
See also:
C13H006 Menu Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 The View Menu
Mainly contains commands to
specify which features of
the Image Editor you want
displayed or made active.
View menu commands:
C13H028 Cross-hair On
C13H029 Highlight On
C13H030 Grid On
C13H031 Image as Tile
C13H032 Palette Tools
C13H033 Test Animation...
C13H034 Screen Designer...
C13H035 Brighter Shade
C13H036 Darker Shade
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Cross-hair On
C12 menu command
Enable this command to have
a cross-hair cursor
displayed while pointing on
the Edit Grid: a horizontal
and vertical line span the
Edit Grid, intersecting at
the centre of the cursor.
This is a useful aid for
aligning objects etc.
Tip: The cross-hair cursor
is particularly useful when
trying to accurately cut or
copy an area of image using
the Scissors tool. See:
C13H065 Scissors
See also:
C13H006 Menu Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Highlight On
C12 menu command
When enabled, the position
of the Edit Grid image
section (in relation to the
current image) is
highlighted on the Image
Display. This allows you to
see exactly the area of
image currently visible on
the Edit Grid.
See also:
C13H107 Image Display
C13H006 Menu Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Grid On
C12 menu command
When this command is in
effect, a pixel boundary
grid is displayed on the
Edit Grid. Each pixel is
then instantly
distinguishable from the
pixels that surround it.
As a further aid, the actual
colour of the grid can be
set to black, dark grey,
light grey or white: press
SHIFT+F4 repeatedly to cycle
through the four available
colours.
Tip: The pixel boundary grid
can be particularly useful
when doing close-up,
detailed work with the Pixel
Pointer tool. See:
C13H086 Pixel Pointer
Note: The pixel boundary
grid is not displayed when
the Edit Grid is at 1x
(actual size) zoom
magnification.
See also:
C13H006 Menu Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Image as Tile
C12 menu command
When enabled, the Image
Display area is tiled with
as many copies of the
current image as will fit,
instead of the usual single
copy. This is useful when
creating images to be used
as tiles - especially when
you want the tile to appear
seamless.
See also:
C13H006 Menu Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Palette Tools
C12 menu command
Choosing this command will
initially replace the usual
Drawing Tool icon buttons
with a set of Palette Tool
buttons. These can be used
to make various alterations
to the colours in the
current palette. For
details, see:
C13H110 Palette Tool Buttons
Select the Palette Tools
command a second time to
uncheck it and so redisplay
the Drawing Tools.
See also:
C13H099 Selected Colour Boxes
C13H006 Menu Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Test Animation...
C12 menu command
Select this command to
access the integrated
Animation Tester. For full
details, see:
C13H116 Animation Tester
See also:
C13H006 Menu Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Screen Designer...
C12 menu command
Select this command to exit
the Image Editor and invoke
the PIXELplus 256 Screen
Designer.
You will be prompted to save
the current image file if it
has been altered since it
was last saved. It will then
be loaded from within the
Screen Designer, ready to
use for designing screens.
For full details, see:
C13H168 The Screen Designer
See also:
C13H006 Menu Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Brighter Shade
C12 menu command
Searches the palette for a
colour that's a shade
brighter than the Current
Colour. If it finds such a
colour, it is made the
Current Colour.
Note: Repeated use of this
command will not necessarily
provide you with a colour an
equal shade above the one
last found. This is because
the NEAREST shade to the
Current Colour is used,
which will depend on the
colours available in the
current palette.
See also:
C13H036 Darker Shade
C13H006 Menu Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Darker Shade
C12 menu command
Searches the palette for a
colour that's a shade darker
than the Current Colour. If
it finds such a colour, it
is made the Current Colour.
Note: Repeated use of this
command will not necessarily
provide you with a colour an
equal shade below the one
last found. This is because
the NEAREST shade to the
Current Colour is used,
which will depend on the
colours available in the
current palette.
See also:
C13H035 Brighter Shade
C13H006 Menu Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 The Action Menu
Contains commands that
affect or manipulate the
Edit Grid image section.
Tip: You can make Action
menu commands affect the
entire current image by
left-clicking the Maximize
button beforehand. See:
C13H105 Zoom Buttons
Action menu commands:
C13H038 Clear
C13H039 Clear to Colour
C13H040 Scroll Up
C13H041 Scroll Down
C13H042 Scroll Left
C13H043 Scroll Right
C13H044 Rotate 90<39>
C13H045 Flip Horizontal
C13H046 Flip Vertical
C13H047 Effect:(current effect)
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Clear
C12 menu command
Simply clears the Edit Grid
image section by setting
each pixel to black (colour
0).
See also:
C13H039 Clear to Colour
C13H006 Menu Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Clear to Colour
C12 menu command
Clears the Edit Grid image
section by setting each
pixel to the Current Colour.
See also:
C13H038 Clear
C13H006 Menu Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Scroll Up
C12 menu command
Shifts the Edit Grid image
section up by one row of
pixels. Pixels that scroll
off the top wrap-around to
form the bottom row.
See also:
C13H041 Scroll Down
C13H042 Scroll Left
C13H043 Scroll Right
C13H006 Menu Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Scroll Down
C12 menu command
Shifts the Edit Grid image
section down by one row of
pixels. Pixels that scroll
off the bottom wrap-around
to form the top row.
See also:
C13H040 Scroll Up
C13H042 Scroll Left
C13H043 Scroll Right
C13H006 Menu Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Scroll Left
C12 menu command
Shifts the Edit Grid image
section left by one column
of pixels. Pixels that
scroll off the left side
wrap-around to form the
right edge.
See also:
C13H040 Scroll Up
C13H041 Scroll Down
C13H043 Scroll Right
C13H006 Menu Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Scroll Right
C12 menu command
Shifts the Edit Grid image
section right by one column
of pixels. Pixels that
scroll off the right side
wrap-around to form the left
edge.
See also:
C13H040 Scroll Up
C13H041 Scroll Down
C13H042 Scroll Left
C13H006 Menu Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Rotate 90<39>
C12 menu command
Turns the Edit Grid image
section clockwise through
90 degrees.
Note: This command will not
be available if the Edit
Grid image section is not a
square (of equal width and
depth), unless the entire
image is being rotated.
See also:
C13H006 Menu Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Flip Horizontal
C12 menu command
Flips the Edit Grid image
section, left to right,
resulting in a mirror image.
See also:
C13H046 Flip Vertical
C13H006 Menu Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Flip Vertical
C12 menu command
Flips the Edit Grid image
section upside down.
See also:
C13H045 Flip Horizontal
C13H006 Menu Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Effect:(current effect)
C12 menu command
Applies the currently
selected special effect to
the entire Edit Grid image
section.
See also:
C13H067 Special Effects Brush
C13H006 Menu Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 The Image Menu
Contains commands allowing
the manipulation of existing
images as well as the
creation of new ones.
Image menu commands:
C13H049 Add...
C13H050 Delete...
C13H051 Resize...
C13H052 Duplicate...
C13H053 Convert to Mask...
C13H054 Crop
C13H055 Add as Gradient
C13H056 Show All
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Add...
C12 menu command
Use this command to add one
or more blank images, of a
specified size, to the
current image file.
The "Add Image(s)" dialog
box is displayed so that the
required image(s) can be
detailed.
Specify the size for the new
image(s) by setting the
"Width" and "Depth" values.
An example image is
displayed in the preview
box, on the right side of
the dialog box, to show the
actual screen size the
image(s) will be.
Set "Amount" to the total
number of images you want
created.
Set "Position" to the place
in the current image file
where you wish to insert the
new image(s). By default,
this is set to place them
after all existing images.
If you alter this, the image
currently at "Position" is
displayed, giving visual
confirmation that the new
image(s) will be inserted at
the desired position.
There are three values
displayed at the bottom of
the dialog box which give
useful status information:
"Requires" shows the number
of bytes needed to create
the new image(s), using the
current settings.
"Space" shows the total
number of free bytes
currently available for
images.
"Result" shows the total
number of bytes that will be
available for images after
creating the new image(s),
using the current settings.
If this is a negative value
then there is insufficient
memory (image space) to
create the desired image(s).
See also:
C13H006 Menu Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Delete...
C12 menu command
Use this command to remove
one or more unwanted images
from the current image file.
Note: Be careful when using
this command as deleted
images cannot be retrieved
by using the Edit/Undo
command. It's a good idea to
save the current image file
before attempting any
significant deletion.
The "Delete Image(s)" dialog
box is displayed so that you
can specify the image(s) you
want deleted.
If you want to delete one
image only, simply set
"First" to the image you
want to delete. When
deleting two or more
contiguous images, set
"First" to the initial image
of the range you want
deleted.
The "Last" input box is
initially dimmed (inactive)
and should only be activated
and used when you want to
delete two or more
contiguous images, in which
case, set it to the final
image of the range to be
deleted.
The image denoted by the
currently active input box
is displayed in the preview
box, giving visual
confirmation that the
intended image has been
selected.
Note: You can't delete every
image in the current image
file. At least one image
must remain defined.
There are four values
displayed at the bottom of
the dialog box which give
useful status information:
"Count" shows the total
number of images that will
be deleted, using the
current settings.
"Reclaims" shows the number
of bytes that will be made
available for images by
deleting the specified
image(s).
"Space" shows the total
number of free bytes
currently available for
images.
"Result" shows the total
number of bytes that will be
available for images after
deleting the specified
image(s).
See also:
C13H006 Menu Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Resize...
C12 menu command
This command allows the
physical dimensions (width
and depth) of an existing
image to be reduced or
increased.
Note: Be careful when using
this command as the effect
of resizing an image cannot
be reversed by using the
Edit/Undo command. It's a
good idea to save the
current image file before
attempting any significant
resizing operation.
The "Resize Image" dialog
box is displayed so that the
image and it's new size can
be specified.
Set "Image" to the image you
want to resize. The selected
image is displayed in the
preview box, on the right of
the dialog box, giving
visual confirmation that the
correct image has been
selected.
Specify the new size for the
image by setting the "Width"
and "Depth" values. An
example of what the image
will look like is displayed
to ensure it is resized
correctly.
There are four values
displayed at the bottom of
the dialog box which give
useful status information:
"Original" shows the current
size of the selected image.
"Requires" shows the number
of bytes needed to resize
the specified image, using
the current settings. A
negative value here
indicates bytes reclaimed.
"Space" shows the total
number of free bytes
currently available for
images.
"Result" shows the total
number of bytes that will be
available for images after
the specified image has been
resized, using the current
settings. If this is a
negative value then there is
insufficient memory (image
space) to resize the
selected image to the new
size.
See also:
C13H054 Crop
C13H006 Menu Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Duplicate...
C12 menu command
Use this command to create a
new copy of one or more
existing images.
The "Duplicate Image(s)"
dialog box is displayed
so that the required
image(s) can be specified.
If you want to make a copy
of one image only, set
"First" to the image you
want to duplicate. When
duplicating two or more
contiguous images, set
"First" to the initial image
of the range you want
duplicated.
The "Last" input box is
initially dimmed (inactive)
and should only be activated
and used when you want to
duplicate two or more
contiguous images, in which
case, set it to the final
image of the range to be
duplicated.
The image denoted by the
currently active input box
is displayed in the preview
box, giving visual
confirmation that the
intended image has been
selected.
There are four values
displayed at the bottom of
the dialog box which give
useful status information:
"Count" shows the total
number of images that will
be duplicated, using the
current settings.
"Requires" shows the number
of bytes needed to create
the duplicate image(s),
using the current settings.
"Space" shows the total
number of free bytes
currently available for
images.
"Result" shows the total
number of bytes that will be
available for images after
duplicating the specified
image(s). If this is a
negative value then there is
insufficient memory (image
space) to duplicate the
selected image(s).
See also:
C13H006 Menu Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Convert to Mask...
C12 menu command
This command allows existing
images to be converted to
their equivalent masks: a
special type of image
required for displaying
images over existing screen
objects so that only the
image's exact shape is
displayed, allowing
background objects to still
be visible around it.
This is an advanced
technique which is discussed
fully in the PIXELplus 256
User's Manual.
Note: Be careful when using
this command as the effect
of converting an image
cannot be reversed by using
the Edit/Undo command. It's
a good idea to save the
current image file before
attempting any significant
conversion to masks.
The "Convert to Mask" dialog
box is displayed so that the
required image conversion
can be detailed.
C14 Mask Type:
Check the "Exact Mask"
option to have the specified
images converted to masks
that correspond to their
exact shape.
Check the "Expanded Mask"
option to have the specified
images converted to expanded
masks. Images displayed
using this type of mask will
have a black outline (one
pixel thick) around them
which helps to distinguish
them from the background
screen image. The mouse
pointer uses this technique
so that the white arrow is
always visible, even when
placed over an all-white
area of screen.
Note: Any image to be
converted to an expanded
mask must be of sufficient
size to hold the enlarged
mask shape - making sure the
actual image shape doesn't
touch any edge of the image
will ensure there's enough
room.
C14 Conversion Range:
Check the "Whole File"
option to have all the
images in the current image
file converted to their mask
equivalents. When doing so,
it is assumed you intend to
maintain two separate files:
one containing the actual
images and another
containing the corresponding
mask images. As such, you
will be prompted to save the
current image file before
the images are converted, if
it has altered since it was
last saved.
Note: After the images have
been converted, it's
important to remember to
save the current image file
(which now contains the
masks) by choosing File/Save
As..., and specify a
different name. DO NOT
select File/Save as this
will overwrite the original
image file.
To clarify the whole
process, consider this
example: if you create an
image file and save it as
SPRITES.PUT, then convert
the whole file to mask
images and save it as
SPRITES.MSK; you will now
have two files: SPRITES.PUT
containing the actual images
and SPRITES.MSK containing
the mask images.
Checking the "Select Range"
option allows you to specify
a single image or a
contiguous range of images
to convert to masks. The
"First" input box is
activated so that the
initial image of the range
can be specified. Using only
this input box lets you
convert that one specified
image. However, using the
"Last" input box lets you
specify the final image of
the range.
The image denoted by the
currently active input box
is displayed in the preview
box, giving visual
confirmation that the
intended image has been
selected.
See also:
C13H006 Menu Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Crop
C12 menu command
Allows the current image to
be cut down in size so that
only the Edit Grid image
section is retained (the
portion of image currently
visible on the Edit Grid).
Everything outside the Edit
Grid is discarded.
You will be asked to confirm
your decision before the
current image is actually
cropped.
Note: Be careful when using
this command as the effect
of cropping an image cannot
be reversed by using the
Edit/Undo command. It's a
good idea to save the
current image file before
attempting any significant
crop.
See also:
C13H051 Resize...
C13H006 Menu Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Add as Gradient
C12 menu command
An advanced feature of the
PIXELplus 256 Image Editor
is the ability to design
your own gradient styles -
used by the various Drawing
Tools that work using a
colour gradient (Gradient
Fill etc.) This is achieved
by first designing the
gradient style and then
selecting this command to
have it added to the user-
defined group of gradient
styles, which can be
accessed by clicking on the
Gradient Status Box. See:
C13H100 Gradient Status Box
The current image must
conform to the following
requirements in order for it
to be used as a valid user-
defined gradient style:
1) It must be a full-size
(100x100) image.
in size.
2) All eight colours, from 0
to 7, must be used in the
design of the gradient
style. Colours 0 and 7
should be used to represent
what will be the Current
Colour and Secondary Colour
while colours 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
and 6 represent the
intermediate colours used in
the gradient.
3) No others colours may be
used in the design of the
gradient style.
As a demonstration, open the
file DEMOGRAD.PUT to see how
a gradient style should be
designed. You can then
select Add as Gradient to
have it added to the user-
defined group of gradient
styles. You could also
produce a dithered version
of the gradient style by
applying several layers of
the MIX or FUR special
effect - depending on how
severe you want the
dithering. Evenly applying
MIX, using the Special
Effects Brush, generally
produces the most effective
results.
See also:
C13H006 Menu Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Show All
C12 menu command
Choose this command when you
want to view all the images
in the current file
together.
The "Show All" dialog box is
displayed containing all the
currently defined images (or
as many as will fit) along
with their assigned number.
Use the scroll bar provided
to view any images not able
to fit in the supplied
viewing area.
Tip: You can point and click
on an image to make it the
current image. This is
sometimes a quicker way of
moving to a specific image
in files that contain many.
See also:
C13H006 Menu Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 The Help Menu
Contains commands to view
PIXELplus 256 online Help
and program information.
Help menu commands:
C13H058 Contents
C13H059 Index
C13H060 Keyboard
C13H061 Using Help
C13H062 About...
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Contents
C12 menu command
Invokes online Help and
displays the Table of
Contents - a categorized
list of Help subjects
available.
See also:
C13H006 Menu Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Index
C12 menu command
Invokes online Help and
displays the Index - an
alphabetical list of all
Help topics available.
See also:
C13H006 Menu Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Keyboard
C12 menu command
Invokes online Help and
displays a summary of
keyboard commands available
in the Image Editor. See:
C13H004 Keyboard Commands
See also:
C13H006 Menu Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Using Help
C12 menu command
Invokes online Help and
displays information about
how to use the online Help
system itself. See:
C13H003 Using Online Help
See also:
C13H006 Menu Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 About...
C12 menu command
Displays a dialog box
containing copyright and
version information specific
to the PIXELplus 256 Image
Editor.
See also:
C13H006 Menu Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Status Bar
This is a single line of
text (running along the
bottom of the screen) used
to show relevant information
such as available keyboard
commands, mouse button
functions, Drawing Tool set
up information, menu command
descriptions etc.
Due to the limited space for
displaying information on
the Status Bar, two special
symbols are used to denote
the function of the mouse
buttons:
<20> means click the LEFT mouse
button.
<20> means click the RIGHT
mouse button.
For example, "<22>Sample" on
the Status Bar informs you
that clicking the right
mouse button will sample a
colour, when pointing on the
Edit Grid.
See also:
C13H006 Menu Bar
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Drawing Tool Icon Buttons
This block of eight icon
buttons will be displayed at
the top, left of the screen,
except when the Palette
Tools have been selected in
which case they are replaced
with the Palette Tool
buttons. See:
C13H110 Palette Tool Buttons
Note: Although there's only
enough room on-screen to
display eight Drawing Tool
icon buttons at a time,
there are in fact eighteen
different tools available:
If the required tool button
isn't currently visible,
left-click repeatedly on the
appropriate button to cycle
through any related tools
available on that button
position. For example,
successive clicks on the
Paintbrush button will
reveal and select the Pixel
Pointer tool, then the
Airbrush tool and finally
return to the Paintbrush
tool button.
Drawing Tools:
C13H065 Scissors
C13H066 Paste Brush
C13H067 Special Effects Brush
C13H082 Flood Fill
C13H083 Tile Fill
C13H084 Gradient Fill
C13H085 Paintbrush
C13H086 Pixel Pointer
C13H087 Airbrush
C13H088 Eraser
C13H089 Circle/Ellipse
C13H090 Filled Circle/Ellipse
C13H091 Gradient Circle/Ellipse
C13H092 Box
C13H093 Filled Box
C13H094 Gradient Box
C13H095 Line
C13H096 Curve
C13H097 Colour Sampler
C14 Tool Set Up
As a further enhancement,
some of the Drawing Tools
can be set up to function in
a particular way; for
example, the Eraser can be
set up to function as a
Normal Eraser, a Colour
Eraser or an Undo Eraser.
Tip: If you're unsure how
the current Drawing Tool has
been set up, simply point on
the Edit Grid and the
function of the current
Drawing Tool will be
displayed on the Status Bar.
C14 Changing a Tool's Set Up
By right-clicking on a
Drawing Tool icon button, a
"Set Up" dialog box is
displayed (if that tool has
set up options) where
various set up options can
be set. The options
available will depend on the
tool being set up - full
details are included in each
tool's Help section.
Note: Any alterations made
to a tool's set up remain in
effect until explicitly
changed. This is true even
when restarting the Image
Editor as all tool set up
information (among other
things) is maintained in the
file PP256_ED.SET.
C14 Useful Things to Remember
When using certain Drawing
Tools that require an object
to be positioned and/or
sized (Paste Brush, Line
etc.), it's possible to view
the object either as a
simple outline, or as a true
view which shows exactly
what will be produced by the
tool. You can toggle between
outline and true view by
pressing SPACE, while
pointing on the Edit Grid -
even when in the middle of
using a tool. Using the true
view can be very useful when
trying to use a tool with
absolute accuracy.
Note: You may have to stick
with using the outline view
if you are using a slower
computer system.
Many of the Drawing Tools -
such as Line, Scissors etc.
- involve setting the size
of an object before the
final effect of the tool is
produced. When using such a
tool, keep the following
points in mind:
1) The object's size is
displayed above the Edit
Grid.
2) The object's origin can
be moved by using the arrow
keys.
3) Right-click or press
ESCAPE to cancel the
operation.
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Scissors
C12 drawing tool
The main use of this tool is
to allow a rectangular area
of image to be moved from
one place to another (cut
then pasted). However, it
can also be used to set the
exact size and position of
the Edit Grid, delete
(clear) a section of image,
or to copy a specific area
of image onto the Clipboard.
C14 Set Up Options
Right-click on the Scissors
icon button to change the
Scissors set up.
The "Set Up: SCISSORS"
dialog box is displayed.
From here, altering either
the "Transparency On" or
"Paste Behind" options has
exactly the same effect as
using the Edit menu commands
of the same name and are
included here for
convenience. See:
C13H024 Transparency On
C13H025 Paste Behind
C14 How to Use
Depending on which function
you want to perform, the
Scissors tool must be used
in two or three steps:
C14 Step One
Select a rectangular area of
image by clicking on one
corner (the origin) and then
move the mouse to the
opposite corner.
Tip: It's sometimes easier
to accurately select an area
with the cross-hair cursor
on: check the View/Cross-
hair On command. See:
C13H028 Cross-hair On
C14 Step Two
Click to cut the selected
area of image onto the
Clipboard. Alternatively,
the following keyboard
commands are now available:
C - Copy area to Clipboard.
D - Delete area.
G - Set Edit Grid to area.
Note: A reminder of
available keyboard commands
is displayed on the Status
Bar.
C14 Step Three
If you have chosen to cut or
copy the selected image
section onto the Clipboard,
this is immediately made
available to paste at a new
position: using the mouse,
position it as required then
click to paste it there.
See also:
C13H021 Cut
C13H022 Copy
C13H023 Paste
C13H066 Paste Brush
C13H064 Drawing Tool Icon Buttons
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Paste Brush
C12 drawing tool
This tool enables you to
apply (paste) the Clipboard
image onto the current
image - in a number of
different ways. The way the
Clipboard image is pasted
will depend on how the Paste
Brush tool has been set up
to function.
The current Clipboard image
is shown on the Clipboard
Status Box which can be used
to perform various Clipboard
related operations. See:
C13H101 Clipboard Status Box
C14 Set Up Options
Right-click on the Paste
Brush icon button to change
the Paste Brush set up.
The "Set Up: PASTE BRUSH"
dialog box is displayed.
From here, you can specify
how you want the Paste Brush
tool to function.
Check the "Rubber Stamp"
function to use the Paste
Brush tool for accurately
pasting copies of the
Clipboard image.
Check the "Resize" function
to use the Paste Brush tool
for pasting resized copies
of the Clipboard image.
The "Horizontal Skew"
function allows you to slant
the Clipboard image
horizontally before pasting.
The "Vertical Skew" function
allows you to slant the
Clipboard image vertically
before pasting.
Altering either the
"Transparency On" or "Paste
Behind" options has exactly
the same effect as using the
Edit menu commands of the
same name and are included
here for convenience. See:
C13H024 Transparency On
C13H025 Paste Behind
C14 How to Use
The way the Paste Brush tool
must be used depends on how
it has been set up to
function. The four modes of
operation are detailed in
turn below.
C14 Rubber Stamp
Simply position the image
cursor and click to paste.
Drag the image cursor to use
the Clipboard image as a
brush for drawing.
C14 Resize
Click on one corner (the
origin) then move the mouse
to the opposite corner
before clicking a second
time to paste a resized copy
of the Clipboard image.
C14 Horizontal Skew
Position the top edge of the
image cursor then click.
Move the mouse left or right
to set the required amount
of horizontal skew, then
click to paste.
C14 Vertical Skew
Position the left edge of
the image cursor then click.
Move the mouse up or down to
set the required amount of
vertical skew, then click to
paste.
See also:
C13H023 Paste
C13H064 Drawing Tool Icon Buttons
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Special Effects Brush
C12 drawing tool
The PIXELplus 256 Image
Editor provides fourteen
powerful special effects
that can be applied to
images, or selected areas of
image, to alter their
appearance in specific ways.
Special Effects:
C13H068 BRIGHT (variable)
C13H069 DARK (variable)
C13H070 TINT (variable)
C13H071 FUR (variable)
C13H072 MIX (variable)
C13H073 SOFT
C13H074 UNZAG
C13H075 HOLLOW
C13H076 TILE
C13H077 XOR
C13H078 GREY
C13H079 SWEEP
C13H080 SWAP
C13H081 EDGE
The Special Effects Brush
allows the current special
effect to be accurately
applied to specific areas of
image.
The name of the current
special effect is displayed
on the Brush Size Selector
box. To change the brush
size, see:
C13H098 Brush Size Selector
Note: The Special Effects
Brush is only available in a
square brush shape,
regardless of the currently
selected brush shape.
C14 How to Use
Click to apply the current
special effect to the area
of image at the brush
cursor, or drag to
continuously apply the
effect.
Note: A new layer of special
effect is applied each time
the left mouse button is
pressed. Ensure the whole
area you want to affect is
visible on the Edit Grid
when you want to apply an
even layer of special
effect.
C14 Selecting a Special Effect
Employ one of the following
methods to select a new
special effect to use:
1) Click on the Brush Size
Selector box to reveal a
menu, then click on the
required special effect
name. To close the menu
without choosing a new
special effect, click on the
highlighted current special
effect name (at the top of
the menu) or click anywhere
outside the menu.
2) Drag down from the Brush
Size Selector box to
highlight the required
special effect name, then
release the mouse button. To
close the menu without
choosing a new special
effect, simply drag off the
menu (so that no effect is
highlighted) then release
the mouse button.
Note: While a special effect
name is highlighted, a brief
description of that effect
is given on the Status Bar.
C14 Variable Special Effects
Five of the special effects
are variable which means
they have an individual
"Strength" setting that
dictates how severely the
effect will work. The
variable special effects are
BRIGHT, DARK, TINT, FUR and
MIX.
C14 Changing the Strength
C14 of an Effect
Right-click on the Brush
Size Selector box to display
the "Effect Strength" dialog
box where you can specify
the current special effect's
"Strength" directly. Valid
settings range from 1 (weak)
to 100 (strong).
Note: Any alterations made
to a special effect's
"Strength" setting remain in
effect until explicitly
changed. This is true even
when restarting the Image
Editor as special effect
"Strength" settings (among
other things) are maintained
in the file PP256_ED.SET.
C14 Palette-dependent Effects
Some of the special effects
are palette-dependent,
meaning that they rely
heavily on the colours
available in the current
palette in order to produce
the desired effect; for
example, using the GREY
special effect with a
palette that contains few
shades of grey will be
unlikely to produce
satisfactory results. The
palette-dependent effects
are BRIGHT, DARK, TINT,
SOFT, UNZAG and GREY.
See the PIXELplus 256 User's
Manual for details on
improving results.
See also:
C13H047 Effect:(current effect)
C13H064 Drawing Tool Icon Buttons
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 BRIGHT
C12 special effect
The BRIGHT special effect
can be used to increase the
perceived brightness of
affected areas of image by
converting coloured pixels
to ones of a brighter shade.
Black areas of image are not
affected because it is
usually desirable to
brighten actual image
objects only, and not the
background, which is
normally black.
The current "Strength"
setting of the BRIGHT
special effect dictates the
severity of the effect
produced.
BRIGHT is a palette-
dependent special effect.
See also:
C13H067 Special Effects Brush
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 DARK
C12 special effect
The DARK special effect can
be used to make affected
areas of image appear darker
by converting coloured
pixels to ones of a darker
shade.
The current "Strength"
setting of the DARK special
effect dictates the severity
of the effect produced.
DARK is a palette-dependent
special effect.
See also:
C13H067 Special Effects Brush
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 TINT
C12 special effect
The TINT special effect
gives the appearance of
applying a tincture of
colour (the Current Colour)
to affected areas of image.
See:
C13H099 Selected Colour Boxes
This can sometimes give the
impression of overlaying
coloured glass.
The current "Strength"
setting of the TINT special
effect dictates the severity
of the effect produced.
TINT is a palette-dependent
special effect.
See also:
C13H067 Special Effects Brush
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 FUR
C12 special effect
The FUR special effect can
be used to fur up the edges
of image objects, giving
them an irregular appearance
without distorting them
beyond all recognition.
The current "Strength"
setting of the FUR special
effect dictates the severity
of the effect produced.
See also:
C13H067 Special Effects Brush
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 MIX
C12 special effect
The MIX special effect can
be used to mix up areas of
image by randomly swapping
the position of pixels. Only
pixels within the bounds of
the current brush size are
swapped when using the
Special Effects Brush -
using Action/Effect:MIX
causes pixels to be swapped
within the bounds of the
entire Edit Grid image
section, resulting in a
greater degree of
disintegration.
The current "Strength"
setting of the MIX special
effect dictates the severity
of the effect produced.
See also:
C13H067 Special Effects Brush
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 SOFT
C12 special effect
SOFT is a powerful special
effect that uses a technique
known as "anti-aliasing" to
give all edges of image
objects a softer, slightly
blurred appearance. When
used correctly, SOFT can
greatly improve the
appearance of images, giving
them an almost digitized
look. Use repeatedly to
achieve a blurred, out of
focus look.
SOFT uses total anti-
aliasing. For a milder form
of anti-aliasing, see:
C13H074 UNZAG
SOFT is a palette-dependent
special effect.
See also:
C13H067 Special Effects Brush
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 UNZAG
C12 special effect
The UNZAG special effect
uses an anti-aliasing
technique to smooth the
appearance of zigzag, jagged
edges only. Straight edges
remain unaltered resulting
in a less-blurred appearance
than the SOFT effect
produces. See:
C13H073 SOFT
UNZAG is a palette-dependent
special effect.
See also:
C13H067 Special Effects Brush
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 HOLLOW
C12 special effect
The HOLLOW special effect
can be used to hollow out
solid areas of colour,
converting them to outlines.
It can be thought of as
having the opposite effect
to the Flood Fill tool.
See also:
C13H067 Special Effects Brush
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 TILE
C12 special effect
The TILE special effect
works by tiling affected
areas of image with the
current Clipboard image.
Tiling is oriented to the
top, left corner of the
current image.
Note: The current settings
of Edit/Transparency On and
Edit/Paste Behind dictate
how the Clipboard image will
be applied. See:
C13H024 Transparency On
C13H025 Paste Behind
See also:
C13H067 Special Effects Brush
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 XOR
C12 special effect
Applying the XOR special
effect to an area of image
changes the colour of
affected pixels by
performing a logical XOR
(exclusive OR) between them
and the Current Colour. See:
C13H099 Selected Colour Boxes
Note: It's not the actual
colour of pixels (the RGB
values) but the colour
number (attribute) of pixels
that XOR operates on.
Although using the XOR
special effect can produce
some unpredictable results
(especially when applied to
multicoloured areas of
image), experimentation can
achieve some interesting
results.
Tip: Using XOR on an area of
image that was drawn using
the Current Colour will
invert the image.
See also:
C13H067 Special Effects Brush
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 GREY
C12 special effect
When applied to coloured
areas of image, the GREY
special effect simply
converts each pixel to it's
grey scale equivalent, i.e.
the affected area of image
is converted to black and
white.
GREY is a palette-dependent
special effect.
See also:
C13H067 Special Effects Brush
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 SWEEP
C12 special effect
The SWEEP special effect
works by removing or filling
in single, isolated pixels.
It can be used to tidy up
and clarify areas of image.
Tip: SWEEP can be
particularly useful for
tidying up the effects of
using the Airbrush or the
MIX special effect.
See also:
C13H067 Special Effects Brush
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 SWAP
C12 special effect
The SWAP special effect is
used to replace the
occurrence of one colour for
another: pixels matching the
Current Colour are swapped
with ones of the Secondary
Colour. See:
C13H099 Selected Colour Boxes
See also:
C13H067 Special Effects Brush
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 EDGE
C12 special effect
The EDGE special effect can
be used to add an outline
(one pixel thick) to image
objects. The outline
produced will be of the
Current Colour. See:
C13H099 Selected Colour Boxes
Tip: Using EDGE repeatedly -
changing the Current Colour
each time - can produce some
interesting effects.
See also:
C13H067 Special Effects Brush
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Flood Fill
C12 drawing tool
Use this tool to fill an
enclosed area (containing a
single colour) with a
different colour.
The colour used to fill with
will be the Current Colour,
as indicated on the Selected
Colour Boxes. See:
C13H099 Selected Colour Boxes
C14 How to Use
Simply point the small,
cross-hair cursor at the
pixel where you want filling
to start, and then click.
Note: The fill will leak
through any gap in the
enclosed area - even one of
just a single pixel. Also,
the fill tools are the only
tools that are able to
affect areas of image
outside the Edit Grid image
section.
See also:
C13H083 Tile Fill
C13H084 Gradient Fill
C13H064 Drawing Tool Icon Buttons
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Tile Fill
C12 drawing tool
Use this tool to fill an
enclosed area (containing a
single colour) with the
current Clipboard image,
used as a tile. The way the
Clipboard image is tiled
will depend on how the Tile
Fill tool has been set up to
function.
The current Clipboard image
is shown on the Clipboard
Status Box which can be used
to perform various Clipboard
related operations. See:
C13H101 Clipboard Status Box
C14 Set Up Options
Right-click on the Tile Fill
icon button to change the
Tile Fill tool set up.
The "Set Up: TILE FILL"
dialog box is displayed.
From here, you can specify
how you want the Tile Fill
tool to function.
Check the "Tile from Cursor"
function to orient the top,
left corner of the tile to
the fill point.
Checking the "Tile from
Corner" function will cause
tiling to be oriented to the
top, left corner of the
current image. This will
ensure tiles are always
aligned, regardless of where
you specify filling should
start.
Checking the "Scale to Fill
Area" function will mean a
single tile will be scaled
to fit the entire fill area.
Altering the "Transparency
On" option has exactly the
same effect as using the
Edit menu command of the
same name. See:
C13H024 Transparency On
C14 How to Use
Simply point the small,
cross-hair cursor at the
pixel where you want filling
to start, and then click.
Note: The fill will leak
through any gap in the
enclosed area - even one of
just a single pixel. Also,
the fill tools are the only
tools that are able to
affect areas of image
outside the Edit Grid image
section.
See also:
C13H082 Flood Fill
C13H084 Gradient Fill
C13H064 Drawing Tool Icon Buttons
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Gradient Fill
C12 drawing tool
Use this tool to fill an
enclosed area (containing a
single colour) with colours
that gradually blend from
one colour into another. The
colours used will be a blend
between the Current Colour
and the Secondary Colour, as
indicated on the Selected
Colour Boxes. See:
C13H099 Selected Colour Boxes
The current gradient fill
style will be used, as shown
on the Gradient Status Box.
To choose a new style, see:
C13H100 Gradient Status Box
C14 How to Use
Simply point the small,
cross-hair cursor at the
pixel where you want filling
to start, and then click.
Note: The fill will leak
through any gap in the
enclosed area - even one of
just a single pixel. Also,
the fill tools are the only
tools that are able to
affect areas of image
outside the Edit Grid image
section.
See also:
C13H082 Flood Fill
C13H083 Tile Fill
C13H064 Drawing Tool Icon Buttons
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Paintbrush
C12 drawing tool
Just like a real paintbrush,
this tool allows you paint
colour directly onto images.
The colour used will be the
Current Colour, as indicated
on the Selected Colour
Boxes. See:
C13H099 Selected Colour Boxes
The Paintbrush operates
using the current brush
shape, size and strength. To
change any of these, see:
C13H098 Brush Size Selector
C14 How to Use
Click to dab the brush, or
drag the brush cursor to
draw a continuous, freehand
line.
See also:
C13H064 Drawing Tool Icon Buttons
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Pixel Pointer
C12 drawing tool
The Pixel Pointer is a
simple yet extremely useful
tool for doing detailed,
close-up work, such as
touching-up images. It is
used to set individual
pixels to the Current
Colour, as indicated on the
Selected Colour Boxes. See:
C13H099 Selected Colour Boxes
C14 How to Use
Simply point the arrow
cursor at a pixel and click
to set it to the Current
Colour. Drag the arrow
cursor to continually set
pixels; dragging quickly
will produce a broken,
freehand line.
Tip: It can be useful to
have the pixel boundary
grid displayed when using
the Pixel Pointer tool at
higher zoom levels. See:
C13H030 Grid On
See also:
C13H097 Colour Sampler
C13H064 Drawing Tool Icon Buttons
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Airbrush
C12 drawing tool
The Airbrush can be used to
randomly apply spots of
colour in the same way a
real airbrush or aerosol can
does: colour is continually
sprayed and will result in a
build-up of colour when
directed at the same area of
image for any length of
time. The colour sprayed is
the Current Colour, as
indicated on the Selected
Colour Boxes. See:
C13H099 Selected Colour Boxes
Although the Airbrush always
sprays a circular shape -
regardless of the current
brush shape - the size of
the area affected can be
controlled by using the
Brush Size Selector in the
usual way. Also, the speed
at which colour is sprayed
can be altered by changing
the spray "Strength"
setting. For full details,
see:
C13H098 Brush Size Selector
C14 How to Use
The Airbrush continuously
applies colour at the small,
cross-hair cursor position
while the left mouse button
is held down. Consequently,
the speed at which you drag
the cursor will dictate the
density of the colour
sprayed.
See also:
C13H064 Drawing Tool Icon Buttons
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Eraser
C12 drawing tool
This tool allows unwanted
areas of image to be
accurately removed. The
actual parts of an image
that will be erased depends
on how the Eraser tool has
been set up to function.
To change the brush size,
see:
C13H098 Brush Size Selector
Note: The Eraser is only
available in a square brush
shape, regardless of the
currently selected brush
shape.
C14 Set Up Options
Right-click on the Eraser
icon button to change the
Eraser tool set up.
The "Set Up: ERASER" dialog
box is displayed. From here,
you can specify how you want
the Eraser tool to function.
Check the "Normal Eraser"
function to have the Eraser
tool remove all parts of an
image that it's applied to.
See also:
C13H065 Scissors
C13H038 Clear
Checking the "Colour Eraser"
function will cause the
Eraser tool to only remove
areas of image that match
the Current Colour, as
indicated on the Selected
Colour Boxes. See:
C13H099 Selected Colour Boxes
C13H080 SWAP
Checking the "Undo Eraser"
function allows the Eraser
tool to be used to
selectively remove the
effects of the latest edit.
For example, if while
drawing a freehand line you
accidentally slip, you can
use the Undo Eraser to
remove the mistake without
erasing the whole line,
which is what the Edit/Undo
command would do. See:
C13H020 Undo
Note: Because of the way the
Undo Eraser works, changes
made to an image with it
cannot themselves be undone.
C14 How to Use
Click to apply the Eraser at
the brush cursor position,
or drag to continuously
apply the Eraser.
See also:
C13H064 Drawing Tool Icon Buttons
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Circle/Ellipse
C12 drawing tool
Using this tool allows a
circle or ellipse to be
drawn onto the current
image.
The colour used to draw the
circle/ellipse will be the
Current Colour, as indicated
on the Selected Colour
Boxes. See:
C13H099 Selected Colour Boxes
The circle/ellipse will be
drawn using the current
brush shape, size and
strength. To change any of
these, see:
C13H098 Brush Size Selector
C14 How to Use
The Circle/Ellipse tool is
used by specifying a
rectangular area into which
the shape will be inscribed.
First, define the
rectangular area of image by
clicking on one corner (the
origin) and then move the
mouse to the opposite
corner. Next, click a second
time to draw the circle/
ellipse inside the specified
area.
See also:
C13H090 Filled Circle/Ellipse
C13H091 Gradient Circle/Ellipse
C13H064 Drawing Tool Icon Buttons
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Filled Circle/Ellipse
C12 drawing tool
Using this tool allows a
solid circle or ellipse to
be drawn onto the current
image.
The colour used to draw the
actual circle/ellipse will
be the Current Colour, as
indicated on the Selected
Colour Boxes. See:
C13H099 Selected Colour Boxes
However, the colour used to
fill the shape depends on
how the Filled Circle/
Ellipse tool has been set up
to function.
The actual circle/ellipse
will be drawn using the
current brush shape, size
and strength. To change any
of these, see:
C13H098 Brush Size Selector
C14 Set Up Options
Right-click on the Filled
Circle/Ellipse icon button
to change the Filled Circle/
Ellipse tool set up.
The "Set Up: FILLED CIRCLE/
ELLIPSE" dialog box is
displayed. From here, you
can specify how you want the
Filled Circle/Ellipse tool
to function.
Check the "Use Two Colours"
option to have the Filled
Circle/Ellipse tool draw
circles and ellipses using
two colours: the Current
Colour will be used to draw
the actual circle/ellipse
and the Secondary Colour
will be used to fill the
shape.
If the "Use Two Colours"
option is left unchecked
then the Current Colour will
be used to both draw the
actual circle/ellipse and to
fill it.
Note: Both the Filled
Circle/Ellipse and Filled
Box tools share the same
"Use Two Colours" set up
option so changing it will
affect both tools.
C14 How to Use
The Filled Circle/Ellipse
tool is used by specifying a
rectangular area into which
the shape will be inscribed.
First, define the
rectangular area of image by
clicking on one corner (the
origin) and then move the
mouse to the opposite
corner. Next, click a second
time to draw the circle/
ellipse inside the specified
area.
See also:
C13H089 Circle/Ellipse
C13H091 Gradient Circle/Ellipse
C13H064 Drawing Tool Icon Buttons
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Gradient Circle/Ellipse
C12 drawing tool
Use this tool to draw a
circle or ellipse filled
with colours that gradually
blend from one colour into
another. The colours used
will be a blend between the
Current Colour and the
Secondary Colour, as
indicated on the Selected
Colour Boxes. See:
C13H099 Selected Colour Boxes
The current gradient fill
style will be used, as shown
on the Gradient Status Box.
To choose a new style, see:
C13H100 Gradient Status Box
C14 How to Use
The Gradient Circle/Ellipse
tool is used by specifying a
rectangular area into which
the shape will be inscribed.
First, define the
rectangular area of image by
clicking on one corner (the
origin) and then move the
mouse to the opposite
corner. Next, click a second
time to draw the circle/
ellipse inside the specified
area.
See also:
C13H089 Circle/Ellipse
C13H090 Filled Circle/Ellipse
C13H064 Drawing Tool Icon Buttons
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Box
C12 drawing tool
Using this tool allows you
to draw a simple rectangle
or box shape onto the
current image.
The colour used to draw the
box will be the Current
Colour, as indicated on the
Selected Colour Boxes. See:
C13H099 Selected Colour Boxes
The box will be drawn using
the current brush shape,
size and strength. To change
any of these, see:
C13H098 Brush Size Selector
C14 How to Use
Click once to set a corner
(origin) of the box, then
move the mouse to the
opposite corner. Click a
second time to draw the box
shape.
See also:
C13H093 Filled Box
C13H094 Gradient Box
C13H064 Drawing Tool Icon Buttons
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Filled Box
C12 drawing tool
This tool is used to draw a
solid rectangle or box shape
onto the current image.
The colour used to draw the
actual box will be the
Current Colour, as indicated
on the Selected Colour
Boxes. See:
C13H099 Selected Colour Boxes
However, the colour used to
fill the shape depends on
how the Filled Box tool has
been set up to function.
The actual box will be drawn
using the current brush
shape, size and strength. To
change any of these, see:
C13H098 Brush Size Selector
C14 Set Up Options
Right-click on the Filled
Box icon button to change
the Filled Box tool set up.
The "Set Up: FILLED BOX"
dialog box is displayed.
From here, you can specify
how you want the Filled Box
tool to function.
Check the "Use Two Colours"
option to have the Filled
Box tool draw boxes using
two colours: the Current
Colour will be used to draw
the actual box and the
Secondary Colour will be
used to fill the shape.
If the "Use Two Colours"
option is left unchecked
then the Current Colour will
be used to both draw the
actual box and to fill it.
Note: Both the Filled
Circle/Ellipse and Filled
Box tools share the same
"Use Two Colours" set up
option so changing it will
affect both tools.
C14 How to Use
Click once to set a corner
(origin) of the box, then
move the mouse to the
opposite corner. Click a
second time to draw the box
shape.
See also:
C13H092 Box
C13H094 Gradient Box
C13H064 Drawing Tool Icon Buttons
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IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Gradient Box
C12 drawing tool
Use this tool to draw a
rectangle or box shape onto
the current image, filled
with colours that gradually
blend from one colour into
another. The colours used
will be a blend between the
Current Colour and the
Secondary Colour, as
indicated on the Selected
Colour Boxes. See:
C13H099 Selected Colour Boxes
The current gradient fill
style will be used, as shown
on the Gradient Status Box.
To choose a new style, see:
C13H100 Gradient Status Box
C14 How to Use
Click once to set a corner
(origin) of the box, then
move the mouse to the
opposite corner. Click a
second time to draw the box
shape.
See also:
C13H092 Box
C13H093 Filled Box
C13H064 Drawing Tool Icon Buttons
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IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Line
C12 drawing tool
The Line tool is used to
draw straight lines onto the
current image.
The colour used to draw the
line will be the Current
Colour, as indicated on the
Selected Colour Boxes. See:
C13H099 Selected Colour Boxes
The line will be drawn using
the current brush shape,
size and strength. To change
any of these, see:
C13H098 Brush Size Selector
C14 How to Use
The Line tool is used by
specifying two points
between which the line will
be drawn.
Click once to set the start
point (origin) of the line,
then move the mouse to the
end point. Click a second
time to draw the line.
See also:
C13H096 Curve
C13H064 Drawing Tool Icon Buttons
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IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Curve
C12 drawing tool
The Curve tool is used to
draw curved lines onto the
current image.
The colour used to draw the
curve will be the Current
Colour, as indicated on the
Selected Colour Boxes. See:
C13H099 Selected Colour Boxes
The curve will be drawn
using the current brush
shape, size and strength. To
change any of these, see:
C13H098 Brush Size Selector
C14 How to Use
The Curve tool is used by
specifying two points
between which the curve will
be drawn.
First, click on the start
point (the origin), then
move the mouse to the
curve's end point and click
a second time. Finally,
position the curve's apex
and click a third time to
draw the curve.
See also:
C13H095 Line
C13H064 Drawing Tool Icon Buttons
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IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Colour Sampler
C12 drawing tool
This useful tool allows you
to select colours directly
from the current image (via
the Edit Grid) instead of
having to select them from
the Palette Grid every time.
This not only saves time, it
also ensures that you select
the correct colour when the
current palette contains
several similar shades.
C14 How to Use
The Colour Sampler is such a
useful and often-used tool
that it is always available
(regardless of the currently
selected Drawing Tool) and
can be employed by using the
right mouse button: right-
click to select the colour
at the current cursor
position, or drag the small,
cross-hair cursor to point
at the desired colour. The
sampled colour is then made
the Current Colour. See:
C13H099 Selected Colour Boxes
Tip: You can tell at a
glance which colour the
Colour Sampler will select
as the colour being pointed
at will be highlighted on
the Palette Grid.
See also:
C13H103 Edit Grid
C13H102 Palette Grid
C13H064 Drawing Tool Icon Buttons
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IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Brush Size Selector
When appropriate, the Brush
Size Selector will be made
available - displayed on the
left of the screen, directly
below the Drawing Tool icon
buttons.
Clicking on the up/down
arrow buttons lets you set
the current tool's brush
size (from 1 to 8).
Next to the up/down arrow
buttons is a box that shows
the current brush and line
size, except when the
Special Effects Brush is
selected in which case the
current special effect is
displayed on it.
Left-clicking or right-
clicking on this box allows
you to change various brush
settings, depending on what
the current tool is, as
follows:
C14 Special Effects Brush
Left-click on the Brush Size
Selector box to choose a
different special effect or
right-click to alter the
current special effect's
"Strength" setting (if
available). For full
details, see:
C13H067 Special Effects Brush
C14 Airbrush
Right-click on the Brush
Size Selector box to set the
spray "Strength". This
dictates how rapidly colour
is sprayed when using the
Airbrush.
The "Spray Strength" dialog
box is displayed so that the
"Strength" can be specified
directly. Valid settings
range from 1 (slow) to 100
(fast).
Note: Any alteration made to
the spray "Strength" setting
will remain in effect until
explicitly changed. This is
true even when restarting
the Image Editor as the
spray "Strength" setting
(among other things) is
maintained in the file
PP256_ED.SET.
C14 All other tools
C14 (Paintbrush, Line etc.)
Left-click on the Brush Size
Selector box when you want
to select a different brush
shape.
The "Brush Shapes" dialog
box is displayed containing
all six available brush
shapes. Click on the
required brush shape to
highlight it, then click on
the OK button.
Alternatively, simply
double-click on the required
brush shape.
Right-click on the Brush
Size Selector box to set the
current brush "Strength".
This dictates how strongly
the brush will be applied by
all tools that use the
brush.
The "Brush Strength" dialog
box is displayed allowing
the "Strength" to be
specified directly. Valid
settings range from 1 (very
light) to 100 (opaque).
Tip: Set the brush
"Strength" to a value less
than 100 (say 50) to give
the effect of drawing with
chalk or a crayon.
Note: Any alteration made to
the brush "Strength" setting
will remain in effect until
explicitly changed. This is
true even when restarting
the Image Editor as the
brush "Strength" setting
(among other things) is
maintained in the file
PP256_ED.SET.
See also:
C13H064 Drawing Tool Icon Buttons
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IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Selected Colour Boxes
When required, a pair of
colour selection boxes are
displayed on the left of the
screen, above the Palette
Grid. They show the two
currently selected colours
along with their associated
colour number (known as the
attribute number).
The box with the arrow
pointing to it - which can
be either box - holds the
Current Colour; the other
box holds the Secondary
Colour. The Current Colour
is used by tools and
commands that work with one
colour while the Secondary
Colour is needed for tools
that operate using two
colours (Gradient Fill, SWAP
special effect etc.).
You can swap the priority of
the two selected colours by
left-clicking on the
Secondary Colour box: the
Secondary Colour becomes the
Current Colour and vice-
versa.
Tip: Press TAB to swap the
priority of the two selected
colours, on-the-fly.
Tip: Right-click on either
of the Selected Colour Boxes
to quickly change between
the Drawing Tools and the
Palette Tools. See:
C13H064 Drawing Tool Icon Buttons
C13H110 Palette Tool Buttons
See also:
C13H102 Palette Grid
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IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Gradient Status Box
Located on the left of the
screen, below the Drawing
Tool icon buttons, this
object is displayed for
tools that use a colour
gradient. It shows the
current gradient style with
colours that blend from the
Current Colour into the
Secondary Colour.
Tip: If the colours blend in
the wrong direction (e.g.
red to black instead of
black to red), simply click
on the Secondary Colour box
(or press TAB) to swap the
priority of the two selected
colours. See:
C13H099 Selected Colour Boxes
The value displayed to the
right indicates the number
of colours that will be used
in the gradient (maximum of
8). Generally speaking, the
greater the number of
colours used in the
gradient, the "smoother" the
transition between the two
selected colours will be.
Click on the Gradient Status
Box to choose a different
gradient style.
The "Gradient Styles" dialog
box is displayed so that a
gradient style can be
selected.
Check the "Standard" option
to select a gradient style
from the group of 32
standard styles that
comprise 16 normal and 16
dithered styles.
Checking the "User-defined"
option allows a gradient
style to be selected from
any that have been created
using the Image/Add as
Gradient command. See:
C13H055 Add as Gradient
Unwanted user-defined
gradient styles can be
removed by clicking on the
DELETE button. You will be
asked to confirm your
decision before the style is
actually deleted.
Click on the "Select" arrow
buttons to view the
available gradient styles in
the preview box, then click
the OK button, or press
ENTER, to select the
displayed style.
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IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Clipboard Status Box
The Clipboard Status Box is
made available to all tools
that use the Clipboard image
(except the TILE Special
Effects Brush). It appears
on the left of the screen,
directly below the Drawing
Tool icon buttons.
The left side shows the
current Clipboard image
which will be a scaled down
version if it's too big to
be displayed at full size.
Tip: Left-clicking on the
Clipboard image is a quick
way to access the "Load
Clipboard" dialog box. See:
C13H013 Load Clipboard...
Tip: Right-clicking on the
Clipboard image is a quick
way to access the "Show
Clipboard" dialog box. See:
C13H026 Show Clipboard
On the right are three
action buttons. Clicking on
these will perform the
indicated action on the
Clipboard image. They are:
FLIP-H - Flips the Clipboard
image horizontally.
FLIP-V - Flips the Clipboard
image vertically.
ROTATE - Turns the Clipboard
image clockwise through 90<39>.
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IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Palette Grid
The Palette Grid is located
at the bottom, left of the
screen. This 16x16 grid
shows the complete set
(palette) of 256 available
colours.
The Palette Grid is mainly
used for selecting colours
to use with Drawing Tools
etc: left-click or right-
click on a colour to select
it and make it the Current
Colour. This is then placed
in one of the two Selected
Colour Boxes (if visible),
depending on which mouse
button you click with -
left-click to put the colour
into the top box; right-
click to put the colour into
the bottom box. See:
C13H099 Selected Colour Boxes
The Current Colour is
highlighted on the Palette
Grid, except when pointing
on the Edit Grid in which
case the colour of the pixel
being pointed at is
highlighted. You can also
drag the highlight to select
a colour from the Palette
Grid.
Notice that pointing on the
Palette Grid changes the
mouse cursor to show the
colour number (attribute)
being pointed at (0 to 255).
See also:
C13H110 Palette Tool Buttons
C13H015 Load Palette...
C13H016 Save Palette...
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IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Edit Grid
The Edit Grid is the area
where all the main image
editing is done and,
consequently, is situated in
the centre of the screen.
This is where all the
various Drawing Tools are
used to directly edit the
current image. See:
C13H064 Drawing Tool Icon Buttons
The Edit Grid can be thought
of as a window onto the
current image that can be
set to various degrees of
magnification, making the
detailed and accurate
editing of images much
easier. See:
C13H105 Zoom Buttons
The current size of the Edit
Grid is displayed directly
above it, except when using
a Drawing Tool that involves
setting the size of an
object (Line, Scissors etc.)
in which case the size of
the object is displayed.
Notice that by just pointing
on the Edit Grid, two things
happen:
1) The position coordinates
of the mouse cursor are
displayed on the panel below
the Edit Grid. Two sets of
coordinates are shown:
"Grid" coordinates show the
current position of the
cursor relative to the top,
left corner of the Edit
Grid; "Image" coordinates
show the current position of
the cursor relative to the
top, left corner of the
current image.
2) The colour of the pixel
at the current mouse cursor
position is highlighted on
the Palette Grid, allowing
you to tell at a glance
exactly what colour any
given image pixel is. The
highlighted colour can be
made the Current Colour by
clicking the right mouse
button. See:
C13H097 Colour Sampler
C14 Using with the Palette Tools
When the Palette Tools
are selected, the function
of the Edit Grid changes to
allow colours to be selected
in the same way as using the
Palette Grid: left-click or
right-click on a pixel to
make it's colour the Current
Colour. This is then placed
in one of the two Selected
Colour Boxes, depending on
which button you click with
- left-click to put the
colour into the top box;
right-click to put the
colour into the bottom box.
See:
C13H110 Palette Tool Buttons
C13H099 Selected Colour Boxes
Notice that pointing on the
Edit Grid changes the mouse
cursor to show the colour
number (attribute) of the
pixel being pointed at (0 to
255).
@
IMAGE EDITOR
C14 STORE Button
This button is situated in
the centre section of the
screen, above the right side
of the Edit Grid. It's
specialized function is
related directly to the
Edit/Undo command. See:
C13H020 Undo
Using Edit/Undo to remove a
mistake made while using a
Drawing Tool will remove ALL
the changes made since the
tool was selected. This
isn't always desirable.
Clicking the STORE button,
after making any changes
that you're sure you want to
keep, will effectively store
a copy of the current image
(known as the "Undo Image").
Thus, any subsequent use of
Edit/Undo will return the
current image to the exact
state it was when the STORE
button was clicked. You can
click the STORE button at
any time to update the "Undo
Image".
Tip: Click the STORE button
immediately before
attempting to use a Drawing
Tool to do a fiddly or
experimental alteration to
the current image. You can
then simply select Edit/
Undo, should the alteration
be undesirable.
See also:
C13H088 Undo Eraser
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IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Zoom Buttons
This row of six buttons are
located in the centre screen
area, directly below the
Edit Grid. Comprising five
pre-set Zoom and a Maximize
button, they are used to
directly set the Edit Grid
magnification level.
Click on one of the pre-set
Zoom buttons to change the
Edit Grid magnification to
the level shown on the
button. Using a higher zoom
level generally makes doing
detailed, accurate work much
easier.
The Maximize (blue triangle)
button has two functions,
depending on which button
you click on it with: left-
click to view the entire
current image on the Edit
Grid, and at the highest
possible zoom level; right-
click to view the current
Edit Grid image section
only, at the highest
possible zoom level - this
will normally only be of
use after altering the Edit
Grid size, using the Arrow
buttons. See:
C13H106 Arrow Buttons
Note: Since using the
Maximize button causes the
highest possible zoom level
to be used, this may mean a
non-standard zoom level gets
used which will be indicated
by the fact that none of the
pre-set Zoom buttons will be
set.
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IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Arrow Buttons
A set of four Arrow buttons
are situated in the centre
area of the screen, below
the right side of the Edit
Grid. They have dual
functions, depending on
which mouse button you click
on them with: left-click to
move the Edit Grid image
view in the specified
direction - this allows you
to accurately position the
Edit Grid view within the
current image. Right-click
to alter the Edit Grid size
- the left and right arrows
alter the width of the Edit
Grid; up and down alters the
depth.
Tip: You can use the Image
Display to directly set the
Edit Grid size and position
within the current image.
See:
C13H107 Image Display
Notice that pointing on the
Arrow buttons causes the
Edit Grid image section to
be highlighted on the Image
Display. This helps clarify
the effects of using the
Arrow buttons.
See also:
C13H065 Scissors
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IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Image Display
Located at the top, right of
the main screen area, the
Image Display shows the
current image at it's true,
actual size which is also
displayed, directly above
the Image Display.
If the View/Image as Tile
command has been checked,
the Image Display area will
be tiled with as many copies
of the current image as will
fit. See:
C13H031 Image as Tile
However, only the top, left
tile is considered the
active Display Image which
is used to point and click
on in the various ways
detailed below.
The Edit Grid image section
will be highlighted when
pointing on the Image
Display or when the View/
Highlight On command has
been checked. See:
C13H029 Highlight On
The Image Display can also
be used to directly set the
Edit Grid image section:
using the right mouse
button, click or drag the
Edit Grid highlight to the
required position.
You can specify the Edit
Grid image section exactly
by defining a rectangular
area of the Image Display:
left-click on one corner
(the origin) and then move
the mouse to the opposite
corner - note that the size
of the defined area is now
displayed above the Image
Display and that you can
press the arrow keys to move
the origin. Left-click a
second time to make the
defined area the Edit Grid
image section - displayed on
the Edit Grid at the highest
possible zoom level. This
may mean a non-standard zoom
level gets used which will
be indicated by the fact
that none of the pre-set
Zoom buttons will be set.
See:
C13H105 Zoom Buttons
See also:
C13H106 Arrow Buttons
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IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Image Selector
On the right side of the
screen, directly below the
Image Display, is the Image
Selector input box.
The Image Selector shows the
current image number and can
be used to select an image
for editing: click on the
+/- buttons to move through
the available images - one
at a time. Alternatively,
click on the input box
(between the +/- buttons) to
make it active, then type
the required image number
and press ENTER.
Tip: An image can also be
selected for editing by
choosing Image/Show All and
then clicking on the
required image. This can be
a quicker way of moving to
a specific image in files
that contain many. See:
C13H056 Show All
See also:
C13H004 Keyboard Commands
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IMAGE EDITOR
C14 File Information
This panel is located in the
bottom, right corner of the
screen and simply displays
useful information about the
current image file.
The four File Information
values displayed are as
follows:
"Total" shows the total
number of images contained
in the current image file.
"Bytes" shows the size of
the current image in bytes.
"File" shows the size of the
current image file in bytes.
"Space" shows the total
number of free bytes
currently available for
images.
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IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Palette Tool Buttons
By checking the View/Palette
Tools menu command, this set
of four buttons replace the
usual Drawing Tool icon
buttons at the top, left of
the screen; below this, the
RGB controls are displayed.
Together, they comprise the
Palette Tools which can be
used to perform various
operations on the 256
available colours, providing
full control over the
current colour palette.
Palette Tools:
C13H111 COPY
C13H112 GRAD
C13H113 RESET
C13H114 SCAN
C13H115 RGB Controls
Note: The colour attributes
0 to 15 - which comprise the
top row of the Palette Grid
- are used extensively by
PIXELplus 256 itself and so
cannot be altered (i.e. have
their RGB values changed),
as this could cause the
display to become
unreadable. However, they
can be freely used in images
in the same way any of the
other 240 colours can, and
as they represent a good
range of colours anyway,
this shouldn't become too
much of a restriction. See:
C13H102 Palette Grid
When the Palette Tools are
being used, the function of
the Edit Grid changes to
allow colours to be selected
in the same way as using the
Palette Grid. See:
C13H103 Edit Grid
See also:
C13H099 Selected Colour Boxes
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IMAGE EDITOR
C14 COPY
C12 palette tool
The COPY tool can be used to
quickly duplicate an
existing colour by copying
it's RGB values to another
colour attribute.
While there's not usually
any point in having two
identical colours in the
same palette, COPY can be
useful when you want to
create a colour that's a
shade brighter or darker
than an existing colour:
after copying the colour,
you can then make the
required alterations to it
by using the RGB Controls.
See:
C13H115 RGB Controls
COPY operates on the two
selected colours by copying
the Current Colour to the
Secondary Colour, as
indicated on the Selected
Colour Boxes. See:
C13H099 Selected Colour Boxes
So, to select the two
colours involved correctly,
first select the attribute
you want to copy to by
clicking on it with either
mouse button, then select
the actual colour you want
to copy by clicking on it
with the other mouse button.
Note: While colour numbers
0 to 15 can be copied, they
cannot be copied to as they
are used extensively by
PIXELplus 256 itself.
See also:
C13H110 Palette Tool Buttons
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IMAGE EDITOR
C14 GRAD
C12 palette tool
Use this powerful tool to
automatically create a
colour gradient - a
contiguous set of attributes
whose colours gradually
blend from one colour into
another.
Tip: Creating a good
selection of colour
gradients can vastly improve
the output produced by the
various gradient Drawing
Tools. See:
C13H084 Gradient Fill
C13H091 Gradient Circle/Ellipse
C13H094 Gradient Box
This is also true of the
palette-dependent special
effects which rely heavily
on the colours available in
the current palette. See:
C13H068 BRIGHT
C13H069 DARK
C13H070 TINT
C13H073 SOFT
C13H074 UNZAG
C13H078 GREY
GRAD works by creating a
colour gradient that blends
from the Current Colour to
the Secondary Colour, as
indicated on the Selected
Colour Boxes. See:
C13H099 Selected Colour Boxes
All attributes that come
between the two selected
colours will be used as part
of the gradient. For
example, if you have
attributes 20 and 25
selected, the resulting
colour gradient will
comprise attributes 20, 21,
22, 23, 24, and 25. As such,
the more attributes that
come between the two
selected colours, the
smoother the transition from
the first colour to the last
colour will be.
Tip: Before using the GRAD
tool, it's a good idea to
make sure that it won't
affect any attributes that
are already used in existing
images (unless you
specifically want it to).
This can be achieved by
using the SCAN tool. See:
C13H114 SCAN
See also:
C13H110 Palette Tool Buttons
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IMAGE EDITOR
C14 RESET
C12 palette tool
Use the RESET tool to undo
any unwanted changes you
make to the current colour
palette. If, for example,
you use the GRAD tool to
create a colour gradient
that you then decide is
wrong or that you don't
need, using the RESET tool
will return all the affected
attributes to the colour
they were before the GRAD
tool was used.
Note: The RESET tool must be
used immediately after
making any unwanted
alterations to the current
colour palette.
See also:
C13H110 Palette Tool Buttons
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IMAGE EDITOR
C14 SCAN
C12 palette tool
Before making any changes to
the current palette, it's
often useful to know which
of the 256 available colours
(attributes) have not yet
been used in images in the
current image file. Directly
or indirectly changing the
RGB values of a colour
attribute which has already
been used will affect any
images in which that colour
attribute has been used.
The SCAN tool searches
through all the images in
the current image file and
marks the Palette Grid with
a black and white dot, any
colour attributes which have
not yet been used. See:
C13H102 Palette Grid
These colours are then free
to alter without fear of
affecting existing images.
See also:
C13H110 Palette Tool Buttons
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IMAGE EDITOR
C14 RGB Controls
C12 palette tool
Each colour in the palette
is made up from a mix of the
three primary colours - red,
green and blue (RGB). The
RGB Controls show the
individual red, green and
blue values that make up the
Current Colour, as indicated
on the Selected Colour
Boxes. See:
C13H099 Selected Colour Boxes
These values can be altered
by clicking on the
appropriate +/- button.
Valid settings range from 0
to 63.
A brightness control
(represented by a small sun
symbol) is also provided
which can be used to simply
increase or decrease all
three RGB values together,
which gives the appearance
of altering the brightness
of the affected colour.
Note: Trying to increase the
brightness of a colour when
any of the RGB values are at
their maximum (63), or
trying to decrease the
brightness when any of the
RGB values are at their
minimum (0), will have no
effect. This is because all
three RGB values must be
able to change by the same
amount in order to maintain
the integrity of the actual
colour.
Tip: Before using the RGB
Controls, it's a good idea
to make sure that it won't
affect an attribute that's
already used in existing
images (unless you
specifically want it to).
This can be achieved by
using the SCAN tool. See:
C13H114 SCAN
See also:
C13H110 Palette Tool Buttons
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IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Animation Tester
The Animation Tester is a
simple utility that's
integrated into the Image
Editor so that, when
creating images to be used
as frames of animation, they
can be viewed in sequence to
test that the desired effect
of animation is being
achieved.
C14 Using the Animation Tester
When using the Image Editor,
you can enter the integrated
Animation Tester by choosing
View/Test Animation..., or
by pressing F7.
The screen is cleared and
the "Test Animation" dialog
box is displayed. From here,
you can detail the animation
sequence that you want to
view.
Specify the frames (images)
to be used in the animation
sequence by setting "First"
to the initial image of the
animation sequence, and
"Last" to the final image of
the animation sequence. Note
that this defines a
contiguous range of images
so, for example, setting
"First" to 1 and "Last" to 4
will mean the animation will
display images in the order
1, 2, 3, 4. The specified
sequence will then be
repeated continuously when
the animation is played.
When using the +/- buttons
to set the "First" or "Last"
values (or when either input
box is active), the denoted
image is displayed in the
preview box, on the right
side of the dialog box,
giving visual confirmation
that the correct image has
been selected. The size of
the displayed image is also
shown and can be used to
check the size of images -
normally, every image in the
animation should be the same
size to ensure the animation
will run properly.
Set "Repeat" to the number
of times you want each image
to be displayed before
moving on to the next in the
sequence.
The speed of the animation
can be controlled by setting
"Delay" to the number of
"delay periods" to wait
between each frame update.
Note: This "delay period"
involves synchronizing the
frame update with the
monitor in order to achieve
smooth, flicker-free
animation. However, in
certain situations, flicker
may still occur or the
animation may only be
partially displayed or even
not visible at all. This is
because your computer can't
update each frame of the
animation quickly enough to
keep up with the monitor
synchronization. Problems
will only usually occur if
you have a slow computer
system and are trying to
animate large images at
high speed. Increasing the
"Delay" or reducing the size
of images will usually help
alleviate any problems. For
further details, consult the
PIXELplus 256 User's Manual
where the topic of animation
is covered extensively.
Set "Advance" to the number
of pixels you want the
animation to move around the
screen by, in the specified
direction (see below). Set
this to 0 to show a static
animation (one that stays
still and doesn't move
around) in the centre of the
screen.
At the bottom of the dialog
box is a set of four check
boxes under the heading
"Direction:". Simply check
one of these to have the
animation move in the
indicated manner. They are:
"Left to Right" moves the
animation across the screen,
from left to right.
"Right to Left" moves the
animation across the screen,
from right to left.
"Top to Bottom" moves the
animation down the screen.
"Bottom to Top" moves the
animation up the screen.
Click on the PLAY button to
clear the screen and play
the animation as currently
set up. When you have
finished viewing the
animation, click a mouse
button or press any key to
stop the animation and
return to the "Test
Animation" dialog box.
Clicking on the HELP button
is simply a quick way to
view this Help information
again.
Click on the EXIT button to
return to the Image Editor.
@
SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 Keyboard Commands
The following keyboard
commands are available while
using the Screen Designer:
Press: To:
C15 F1 View online Help
C15 Table of Contents.
C15 F2 Turn the mouse
C15 arrow cursor
C15 on/off.
C15 F3 Turn alignment
C15 grid snapping
C15 on/off.
C15 F4 Turn the alignment
C15 grid on/off.
C15 F5 Turn selected item
C15 highlights on/off.
C15 F6 Make new alignment
C15 grid.
C15 SHIFT+F6 Set alignment grid
C15 to the current
C15 Mouse Image
C15 position & size.
C15 F7 Set the step rate
C15 used by PAGE UP
C15 and PAGE DOWN.
C15 F8 Invoke the Image
C15 Editor to edit the
C15 currently loaded
C15 image file.
C15 F9 Show current
C15 screen design.
C15 F10 Show all images.
C15 ALT+Q Cut selected items
C15 to the Clipboard.
C15 ALT+A Copy selected
C15 items to the
C15 Clipboard.
C15 ALT+Z Paste Clipboard
C15 items into the
C15 current screen
C15 design.
C15 ALT+U Shift selected
C15 items up.
C15 ALT+D Shift selected
C15 items down.
C15 ALT+L Shift selected
C15 items left.
C15 ALT+R Shift selected
C15 items right.
C15 ALT+C Delete (clear) all
C15 selected items.
C15 ALT+S Select all design
C15 items.
C15 ALT+W Deselect all
C15 design items.
C15 ALT+"-" Delete all design
C15 items that precede
C15 the current design
C15 item.
C15 ALT+"+" Delete all design
C15 items that succeed
C15 the current design
C15 item.
C15 < Select preceding
C15 image as Mouse
C15 Image.
C15 > Select next image
C15 as Mouse Image.
C15 1 Select PSET
C15 display action.
C15 2 Select PRESET
C15 display action.
C15 3 Select OR display
C15 action.
C15 4 Select XOR display
C15 action.
C15 5 Select AND display
C15 action.
C15 6 Select MASK
C15 display action.
C15 Up Select/Deselect
C15 current item then
C15 move to next
C15 design item.
C15 Down Select/Deselect
C15 current item then
C15 move to preceding
C15 design item.
C15 Left Move to preceding
C15 design item.
C15 Right Move to next
C15 design item.
C15 PAGE UP Step forwards
C15 through design
C15 items.
C15 PAGE DOWN Step backwards
C15 through design
C15 items.
C15 HOME Move to beginning
C15 of design.
C15 END Move to end of
C15 design.
C15 INSERT Select/Deselect
C15 current design
C15 item.
C15 BACKSPACE Delete current
C15 design item.
C15 SPACE Show (flash)
C15 current design
C15 item.
C15 ENTER/ Turn the Menu Bar
C15 ESCAPE on/off.
@
SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 Menu Bar
This is a row of menu names
running along the top of the
screen.
Note: Due to the nature of
the Screen Designer (i.e.
the entire screen area must
be available to place design
items on), the Menu Bar and
Status Bar are not
permanently displayed and
can be turned on and off by
clicking the right mouse
button, or by pressing ENTER
or ESCAPE.
When the Menu Bar is
showing, notice that the
current screen design file
name is displayed directly
below it which will be shown
as "Untitled" if it hasn't
yet been saved to disk. The
total number of design items
contained in the current
screen design is also
displayed here.
Menu names:
C13H119 File
C13H128 Edit
C13H136 View
C13H145 Action
C13H152 Image
C13H160 Help
C14 Selecting a Menu Command
Using the mouse, there are
two ways to open a menu and
select a command from it:
1) Click on a menu name to
open the menu, then click on
the required menu command.
To close the menu without
choosing a command, click on
the menu name a second time
or click anywhere outside
the menu.
2) Drag down from the menu
name to highlight the
required command, then
release the mouse button. To
close the menu without
choosing a command, simply
drag off the menu (so that
no command is highlighted)
then release the mouse
button.
Note: While a menu command
is highlighted, a brief
description of that command
is given on the Status Bar.
See:
C13H166 Status Bar
C14 Command Notes:
1) Commands that have an
ellipsis (...) after them
signify that further
information must be supplied
in order for the command to
be carried out.
2) Dimmed commands are
unavailable at that time.
3) Commands that have a
check mark (<28>) to the left
of them signify that the
command is in effect.
Selecting the command again
removes the check mark and
turns the command off.
4) Some commands have key
combinations to the right of
them. At any time, pressing
the listed keys selects the
command without having to
open the menu. See:
C13H117 Keyboard Commands
@
SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 The File Menu
Mainly contains commands to
manage the input (loading)
and output (saving) of files
between the Screen Designer
and the hard disk.
File menu commands:
C13H120 New
C13H121 Open...
C13H122 Save
C13H123 Save As...
C13H124 Save as DATA...
C13H125 Save as Screen...
C13H126 Load Images...
C13H127 Exit
@
SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 New
C12 menu command
Allows a new screen design
to be created from scratch:
the current screen design
file is removed from memory
and an "untitled" one is
created containing no items.
You will be prompted to save
the current screen design
file if it has been altered
since it was last saved.
If you want to create your
new screen design using a
different set of images to
those currently loaded, you
can do so by choosing the
Load Images... command. See:
C13H126 Load Images...
See also:
C13H118 Menu Bar
@
SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 Open...
C12 menu command
Selecting this command
allows an existing screen
design file to be loaded
into the Screen Designer,
from disk.
Note: The screen design file
to be opened must be
compatible with the
currently loaded image file.
For details, see:
C13H168 Introduction
To open a screen design file
that uses a different image
file, select New and then
the Load Images... command
beforehand. See:
C13H120 New
C13H126 Load Images...
The "Open Screen Design"
dialog box is displayed
containing a "File" input
box, at the top, and a file
list box below it. Use these
to specify a file to open,
as described below.
Type a file name into the
"File" input box and then
press ENTER. If no file name
extension is specified, the
default for screen design
files (.DES) is assumed.
Alternatively, a file mask
can be entered in order to
list a specific group of
files in the file list box.
The default mask (*.DES) is
used initially to list all
files with a .DES extension.
Simply double-clicking on a
file name listed in the file
list box is usually the
easiest way to specify a
file to open. Alternatively,
highlight a listed file name
by clicking on it, then
click on the OK button.
You can use the scroll bar
provided to look through a
list of files that's too
long to display on a single
"page".
See also:
C13H118 Menu Bar
@
SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 Save
C12 menu command
Use this command to write
the current screen design
file to disk, effectively
updating it with any changes
made since it was last
saved.
If the current file has not
been saved before, and so is
"untitled", you will be
asked to specify a name to
save the file under, just as
if you had selected the Save
As... command.
Tip: If you want to write a
file to disk without
overwriting the original
version, you should save it
under a different name by
using the Save As...
command. See:
C13H123 Save As...
See also:
C13H124 Save as DATA...
C13H125 Save as Screen...
C13H118 Menu Bar
@
SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 Save As...
C12 menu command
Allows the current screen
design file to be written to
disk under a new name, thus
keeping the original file
unaltered.
The "Save Design As" dialog
box is displayed containing
a single "File Name" input
box; simply type the new
file name here, then press
ENTER. If no file name
extension is specified, the
default for screen design
files (.DES) is assumed.
See also:
C13H124 Save as DATA...
C13H125 Save as Screen...
C13H118 Menu Bar
@
SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 Save as DATA...
C12 menu command
This command creates an
ASCII text file containing a
set of BASIC DATA statements
that describe the current
screen design.
This type of DATA file can
then be used to incorporate
the screen design directly
into your own BASIC
programs. See the PIXELplus
256 User's Manual for full
details.
The "Save Design As DATA"
dialog box is displayed
containing a single "File
Name" input box; simply type
the file name here, then
press ENTER. If no file name
extension is specified, the
default for BASIC DATA files
(.BAS) is assumed.
Note: DATA files cannot be
loaded into the Screen
Designer for further
editing. To save the current
screen design in a format
that can be opened by the
Screen Designer, use the
Save command. See:
C13H122 Save
See also:
C13H125 Save as Screen...
C13H118 Menu Bar
@
SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 Save as Screen...
C12 menu command
Use this command to take a
snapshot of the current
screen design - a memory
image file (BLOAD format)
that contains a pixel-for-
pixel copy of the current
screen design image.
This type of screen design
file can then be loaded
directly back to the screen
from within your own BASIC
programs. See the PIXELplus
256 User's Manual for full
details.
The "Save Design As Screen"
dialog box is displayed
containing a single "File
Name" input box; simply type
the file name here, then
press ENTER. If no file name
extension is specified, the
default for screen image
files (.IMG) is assumed.
Note: Screen image files
cannot be loaded into the
Screen Designer for further
editing. To save the current
screen design in a format
that can be opened by the
Screen Designer, use the
Save command. See:
C13H122 Save
See also:
C13H124 Save as DATA...
C13H118 Menu Bar
@
SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 Load Images...
C12 menu command
This command allows you to
load a different image file
(created with the Image
Editor) to use with the
current screen design.
Note: The image file to be
loaded must be compatible
with the current screen
design. For details, see:
C13H168 Introduction
If you want to use a
different image file to
create a new screen design
from scratch, select the New
command beforehand. See:
C13H120 New
The "Load Images" dialog box
is displayed so that a file
can be specified. The usual
"File" input box and file
list box are shown and are
functionally identical to
those used by the Open...
command. For full details on
how to use them, see:
C13H121 Open...
Tip: You can find out the
name of the currently loaded
image file and view all the
images it contains by
choosing the Image/Show All
command. See:
C13H159 Show All
See also:
C13H118 Menu Bar
@
SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 Exit
C12 menu command
Choose this command to leave
the PIXELplus 256 Screen
Designer, and return to DOS.
You will be prompted to save
the current screen design if
it has been altered since it
was last saved.
See also:
C13H118 Menu Bar
@
SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 The Edit Menu
Contains general editing
commands, mainly concerned
with use of the Clipboard
and selected design items.
Edit menu commands:
C13H129 Select All
C13H130 Deselect All
C13H131 Cut
C13H132 Copy
C13H133 Paste
C13H134 Delete
C13H135 Show Clipboard
@
SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 Select All
C12 menu command
Choose this command to
simply select every item in
the current screen design.
This ensures every item will
be affected by any
subsequent commands that
operate on selected items,
such as those in the Edit
and Action menus. See:
C13H128 Edit Menu
C13H145 Action Menu
See also:
C13H130 Deselect All
C13H140 Highlight Selected
C13H118 Menu Bar
@
SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 Deselect All
C12 menu command
Use this command to ensure
no items in the current
screen design are selected.
You can then be sure that
any subsequently selected
items will be the only ones
that will be affected by
commands that operate on
selected items, such as
those in the Edit and Action
menus. See:
C13H128 Edit Menu
C13H145 Action Menu
See also:
C13H129 Select All
C13H140 Highlight Selected
C13H118 Menu Bar
@
SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 Cut
C12 menu command
This command simply removes
all selected items in the
current screen design and
places them onto the
Clipboard.
Tip: Any design items you
cut from the current screen
design will be preserved on
the Clipboard, even if you
then open a different screen
design file. See:
C13H121 Open...
This means you can cut
design items from one screen
design and then paste them
into another. See:
C13H133 Paste
However, if you use File/
Load Images... to load a
different image file, the
Clipboard will be cleared if
it is not compatible with
the new images. See:
C13H126 Load Images...
C13H168 Introduction
See also:
C13H132 Copy
C13H118 Menu Bar
@
SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 Copy
C12 menu command
Simply places a copy of all
selected items onto the
Clipboard. This Clipboard
design can then be pasted
to one or more new positions
in the current screen
design.
Tip: Any design items you
copy from the current screen
design will be preserved on
the Clipboard, even if you
then open a different screen
design file. See:
C13H121 Open...
This means you can copy
design items from one screen
design and then paste them
into another. See:
C13H133 Paste
However, if you use File/
Load Images... to load a
different image file, the
Clipboard will be cleared if
it is not compatible with
the new images. See:
C13H126 Load Images...
C13H168 Introduction
See also:
C13H131 Cut
C13H118 Menu Bar
@
SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 Paste
C12 menu command
This command inserts the
Clipboard design into the
current screen design. The
pasted Clipboard items are
inserted at the current
position in the screen
design, directly after the
current item. Also, the
newly pasted items are
automatically made the only
selected items in the
current screen design; this
makes them instantly
available for manipulation
using the Action menu
commands etc. See:
C13H145 Action Menu
See also:
C13H118 Menu Bar
@
SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 Delete
C12 menu command
This command simply removes
(clears) every selected item
from the current screen
design.
See also:
C13H118 Menu Bar
@
SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 Show Clipboard
C12 menu command
Use this command when you
want to see exactly what's
currently held on the
Clipboard.
The screen is cleared and
the current Clipboard screen
design is displayed. Click a
mouse button or press a key
when you have finished
viewing the Clipboard
design.
See also:
C13H118 Menu Bar
@
SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 The View Menu
Mainly contains commands to
specify which features of
the Screen Designer you want
displayed or made active.
View menu commands:
C13H137 Pointer On
C13H138 Snap to Grid
C13H139 Grid On
C13H140 Highlight Selected
C13H141 Make Grid
C13H142 Set Step...
C13H143 Edit Images...
C13H144 Show Design
@
SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 Pointer On
C12 menu command
Enable this command to make
the arrow mouse pointer
visible while editing a
screen design. This will be
displayed in addition to the
Mouse Image.
See also:
C13H118 Menu Bar
@
SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 Snap to Grid
C12 menu command
Enabling this command forces
the Mouse Image to use the
alignment grid: the top,
left corner of the Mouse
Image is automatically
located (snapped) to the
top, left corner of the
nearest grid square. This
makes it much easier to
place design items in
alignment.
Note: The status of the
Snap to Grid command also
dictates the degree at which
the Action/Shift commands
operate. For details, see:
C13H146 Shift Up
C13H147 Shift Down
C13H148 Shift Left
C13H149 Shift Right
See also:
C13H141 Make Grid
C13H139 Grid On
C13H118 Menu Bar
@
SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 Grid On
C12 menu command
When this command is in
effect, the alignment grid
is made visible. Note that
the Mouse Image will only
snap to the grid when the
Snap to Grid command has
been checked. See:
C13H138 Snap to Grid
Note: When visible, the
alignment grid may affect
the appearance of some items
in the current design. Use
the Show Design command or
turn the alignment grid off
to view the true design.
See:
C13H144 Show Design
See also:
C13H118 Menu Bar
@
SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 Highlight Selected
C12 menu command
This command should normally
remain turned on (checked)
as it causes selected items
to be highlighted with a
dotted, black and white
outline. This is needed to
distinguish any selected
items from non-selected
items. However, the
highlights can be turned off
if they get in the way of
any operation you are trying
to perform.
See also:
C13H118 Menu Bar
@
SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 Make Grid
C12 menu command
Select this command to
define a new alignment grid
by specifying a rectangular
area of screen to use as a
single grid cell. Click on
one corner (the origin) of
the cell, then move the
mouse to the opposite
corner - note that the size
of the defined area is now
displayed at the top of the
screen and that you can
press the arrow keys to move
the origin. Click a second
time to set the grid cell;
all other grid cells are
then oriented around this.
The Snap to Grid command is
automatically enabled after
successfully defining a new
alignment grid. See:
C13H138 Snap to Grid
Tip: Alternatively, you can
directly set the alignment
grid to the current Mouse
Image position and size by
pressing SHIFT+F6.
See also:
C13H139 Grid On
C13H118 Menu Bar
@
SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 Set Step...
C12 menu command
Choose this command when you
want to alter the number of
design items to step through
when pressing the PAGE UP
and PAGE DOWN keys. See:
C13H117 Keyboard Commands
The "Set Step" dialog box is
displayed so that a new
"Step Rate" value can be
specified directly. It is
sometimes desirable to
increase the "Step Rate"
when working with a screen
design that contains a great
many items.
Note: Any alteration made to
the "Step Rate" setting will
remain in effect until
explicitly changed. This is
true even when restarting
the Screen Designer as the
"Step Rate" setting (among
other things) is maintained
in the file PP256_SD.SET.
See also:
C13H118 Menu Bar
@
SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 Edit Images...
C12 menu command
Select this command to exit
the Screen Designer and
invoke the PIXELplus 256
Image Editor.
You will be prompted to save
the current screen design if
it has been altered since it
was last saved. The
currently loaded image file
is automatically opened
within the image Editor,
ready for editing. For full
details, see:
C13H167 The Image Editor
See also:
C13H118 Menu Bar
@
SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 Show Design
C12 menu command
Choose this command when you
want to view the current
screen design without the
hindrance of selected item
highlights, the alignment
grid, the Mouse Image etc.
The screen is cleared and
the current screen design is
displayed. Click a mouse
button or press a key when
you have finished viewing
the current screen design.
See also:
C13H118 Menu Bar
@
SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 The Action Menu
Contains commands that
manipulate selected screen
design items only.
Tip: You can make Action
menu commands affect the
entire current screen design
by selecting Edit/Select All
beforehand. See:
C13H129 Select All
Action menu commands:
C13H146 Shift Up
C13H147 Shift Down
C13H148 Shift Left
C13H149 Shift Right
C13H150 Centre Horizontal
C13H151 Centre Vertical
@
SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 Shift Up
C12 menu command
Moves all selected design
items up by one pixel,
unless the View/Snap to Grid
command is enabled in which
case the items are shifted
up by the depth of one
alignment grid cell. See:
C13H138 Snap to Grid
See also:
C13H147 Shift Down
C13H148 Shift Left
C13H149 Shift Right
C13H118 Menu Bar
@
SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 Shift Down
C12 menu command
Moves all selected design
items down by one pixel,
unless the View/Snap to Grid
command is enabled in which
case the items are shifted
down by the depth of one
alignment grid cell. See:
C13H138 Snap to Grid
See also:
C13H146 Shift Up
C13H148 Shift Left
C13H149 Shift Right
C13H118 Menu Bar
@
SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 Shift Left
C12 menu command
Moves all selected design
items left by one pixel,
unless the View/Snap to Grid
command is enabled in which
case the items are shifted
left by the width of one
alignment grid cell. See:
C13H138 Snap to Grid
See also:
C13H146 Shift Up
C13H147 Shift Down
C13H149 Shift Right
C13H118 Menu Bar
@
SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 Shift Right
C12 menu command
Moves all selected design
items right by one pixel,
unless the View/Snap to Grid
command is enabled in which
case the items are shifted
right by the width of one
alignment grid cell. See:
C13H138 Snap to Grid
See also:
C13H146 Shift Up
C13H147 Shift Down
C13H148 Shift Left
C13H118 Menu Bar
@
SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 Centre Horizontal
C12 menu command
Using this command treats
all selected design items as
a single unit which is then
centred horizontally on the
screen.
See also:
C13H151 Centre Vertical
C13H118 Menu Bar
@
SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 Centre Vertical
C12 menu command
Using this command treats
all selected design items as
a single unit which is then
centred vertically on the
screen.
See also:
C13H150 Centre Horizontal
C13H118 Menu Bar
@
SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 The Image Menu
Contains commands to set the
current display action and
view the images in the
currently loaded image file.
Image menu commands:
C13H153 PSET
C13H154 PRESET
C13H155 OR
C13H156 XOR
C13H157 AND
C13H158 MASK
C13H159 Show All
@
SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 PSET
C12 menu command
Sets PSET as the current
display action which is used
when placing new design
items onto the screen. See
C13H170 Display Actions
See also:
C13H117 Keyboard Commands
C13H118 Menu Bar
@
SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 PRESET
C12 menu command
Sets PRESET as the current
display action which is used
when placing new design
items onto the screen. See:
C13H170 Display Actions
See also:
C13H117 Keyboard Commands
C13H118 Menu Bar
@
SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 OR
C12 menu command
Sets OR as the current
display action which is used
when placing new design
items onto the screen. See:
C13H170 Display Actions
See also:
C13H117 Keyboard Commands
C13H118 Menu Bar
@
SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 XOR
C12 menu command
Sets XOR as the current
display action which is used
when placing new design
items onto the screen. See:
C13H170 Display Actions
See also:
C13H117 Keyboard Commands
C13H118 Menu Bar
@
SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 AND
C12 menu command
Sets AND as the current
display action which is used
when placing new design
items onto the screen. See:
C13H170 Display Actions
See also:
C13H117 Keyboard Commands
C13H118 Menu Bar
@
SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 MASK
C12 menu command
Sets MASK as the current
display action which is used
when placing new design
items onto the screen. See:
C13H170 Display Actions
See also:
C13H117 Keyboard Commands
C13H118 Menu Bar
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SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 Show All
C12 menu command
Choose this command when you
want to view all the images
in the currently loaded
image file together.
The "Show All" dialog box is
displayed with the name of
the currently loaded image
file shown at the top. All
the images contained in the
file (or as many as will
fit) are displayed along
with their assigned number.
Use the scroll bar provided
to view any images not able
to fit in the supplied
viewing area.
Tip: You can point and click
on an image to make it the
current Mouse Image. This is
sometimes a quicker way of
selecting a specific image
when the currently loaded
file contains many.
See also:
C13H118 Menu Bar
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SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 The Help Menu
Contains commands to view
PIXELplus 256 online Help
and program information.
Help menu commands:
C13H161 Contents
C13H162 Index
C13H163 Keyboard
C13H164 Using Help
C13H165 About...
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SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 Contents
C12 menu command
Invokes online Help and
displays the Table of
Contents - a categorized
list of Help subjects
available.
See also:
C13H118 Menu Bar
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SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 Index
C12 menu command
Invokes online Help and
displays the Index - an
alphabetical list of all
Help topics available.
See also:
C13H118 Menu Bar
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SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 Keyboard
C12 menu command
Invokes online Help and
displays a summary of
keyboard commands available
in the Screen Designer. See:
C13H117 Keyboard Commands
See also:
C13H118 Menu Bar
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SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 Using Help
C12 menu command
Invokes online Help and
displays information about
how to use the online Help
system itself. See:
C13H003 Using Online Help
See also:
C13H118 Menu Bar
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SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 About...
C12 menu command
Displays a dialog box
containing copyright and
version information specific
to the PIXELplus 256 Screen
Designer.
See also:
C13H118 Menu Bar
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SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 Status Bar
This is a single line of
text (running along the
bottom of the screen) used
to show relevant information
such as available keyboard
commands, mouse button
functions, menu command
descriptions etc.
Note: The Status Bar is only
visible when the Menu Bar or
a dialog box is displayed.
For details, see:
C13H118 Menu Bar
Due to the limited space for
displaying information on
the Status Bar, two special
symbols are used to denote
the function of the mouse
buttons:
<20> means click the LEFT mouse
button.
<20> means click the RIGHT
mouse button.
For example, "<22>Select image"
on the Status Bar informs
you that you can click the
left mouse button to select
an image, when using the
Image/Show All command.
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IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Introduction
The PIXELplus 256 Image
Editor makes it easy to
create professional quality
bitmapped graphics in 256
colours, such as sprites,
icons, character sets,
animations etc. These can
then be used in your own
BASIC programs that use the
popular 320x200 VGA screen
mode (SCREEN 13).
Using the Image Editor is
made simple due to it's
friendly user interface:
C13H171 Full Mouse Control
C13H005 Graphical User Interface
C13H006 Pull-down Menus
C13H004 Simple Keyboard Commands
The many powerful tools and
features available make
creating quality graphics
easy:
C13H064 18 Flexible Drawing Tools
C13H067 14 Special Effects
C13H110 Colour Palette Tools
C13H116 Animation Tester
C14 Getting Started
When you first use the
Image Editor, you are
automatically supplied with
an untitled image file
containing a single, blank
image. If necessary, this
100x100 image can then be
resized by selecting the
Image/Resize... command.
See:
C13H051 Resize...
You can now start designing
your first image by clicking
on a Drawing Tool icon
button - located at the top,
left corner of the screen -
and then use the selected
tool on the Edit Grid, in
the centre of the screen. If
necessary, the magnification
of the Edit Grid can be
changed to a more manageable
level by clicking on the
Zoom buttons, situated
directly below the Edit
Grid. For details, See:
C13H064 Drawing Tool Icon Buttons
C13H103 Edit Grid
C13H105 Zoom Buttons
Tip: Clicking repeatedly on
some Drawing Tool icon
buttons will cause other
related tools to become
available.
You can choose the colours
you want to use by selecting
them from the Palette Grid,
located at the bottom, left
corner of the screen. See:
C13H102 Palette Grid
Colours can also be altered
by using the Palette Tools:
simply select View/Palette
Tools to have the Drawing
Tools replaced with the
Palette Tools. See:
C13H110 Palette Tool Buttons
Continue designing your
image in this way, as well
as utilizing the various
menu and keyboard commands
available. See:
C13H006 Menu Commands
C13H004 Keyboard Commands
To create additional images,
choose Image/Add... to
create one or more new,
blank images, or choose
Image/Duplicate... to make a
copy of one or more existing
images. See:
C13H049 Add...
C13H052 Duplicate...
When ready, your file of
images can be saved to disk
and incorporated into your
own BASIC programs, in a
number of different ways.
Consult the PIXELplus 256
User's Manual for full Image
Editor details.
@
SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 Introduction
The PIXELplus 256 Screen
Designer makes it easy to
compose screen layouts -
game levels, title screens
etc. - using images created
with the Image Editor. This
saves you having to work out
the actual screen
coordinates of where you
want each and every design
item (image) displayed.
Using the Screen Designer is
made simple due to it's
friendly user interface:
C13H171 Full Mouse Control
C13H118 Pull-down Menus
C13H117 Simple Keyboard Commands
C14 Getting Started
Before you can start
designing a screen layout,
you must first load the
images you want to use. If
you invoked the Screen
Designer from within the
Image Editor (by selecting
View/Screen Designer...),
then the image file you had
open in the Image Editor is
automatically loaded,
otherwise you will be
presented with the "Load
Images" dialog box, where
you can specify the image
file that you want to use.
For details, see:
C13H126 Load Images...
Next, choose Image/Show All
to view all the available
images, then point and click
on the image you want to
start designing with. See:
C13H159 Show All
The selected image (known as
the Mouse Image) can then be
positioned anywhere on the
screen by moving the mouse
and clicking it in place -
images you add to your
design are referred to as
design items. You can also
choose a display action to
use when adding items to
your design by selecting one
from the Image menu. See:
C13H152 Image Menu
C13H170 Display Actions
Tip: You can press the < and
> keys to select a different
Mouse Image, on-the-fly.
Keys 1 through 6 can be used
to select a different
display action.
Notice that the Menu Bar
(and Status Bar) is removed
to give access to the entire
screen. Items can only be
added to your design when
the Menu Bar is not showing.
Simply, click the right
mouse button to show/hide
the Menu Bar.
Continue to build-up your
screen design in this way
as well as utilizing the
various menu and keyboard
commands available. See:
C13H118 Menu Commands
C13H117 Keyboard Commands
You can move backwards and
forwards through the
"string" of screen design
items by pressing the left
and right arrow keys, or by
pressing PAGE UP and PAGE
DOWN to step quickly through
the design items. This
allows you to insert new
items or access existing
items that you want to
affect in some way - delete,
shift etc.
When ready, your screen
design can be saved to disk
and incorporated into your
own BASIC programs, in a
number of different ways.
Consult the PIXELplus 256
User's Manual for full
Screen Designer details.
C14 File Association and
C14 Compatibility
When saving a screen design
to disk, it's important to
realize that no link or
association is maintained
between the screen design
file and the image file that
was used to design it. This
gives you the freedom to
load and use any image file
with any compatible screen
design file. For an image
file and screen design file
to be compatible, they must
comply to the two following
criteria:
1) The image file must at
least contain the same
number of images as used in
the screen design, e.g. if
the highest image number
used in the screen design is
10 then the image file used
must contain at least 10
images - a screen design
can't display an image that
doesn't exist.
2) Each and every design
item (image) in the screen
design must be fully
displayable without going
off the edge of the screen.
Note: Given the above points
on compatibility, it's
advised that you do not make
any significant alterations
to any image file that you
have used to create a screen
design with, as this could
cause the image file to
become incompatible. In
particular, deleting or
resizing one or more images
in such a file could cause
problems.
Tip: A simple way to
remember which image file
was used to create a screen
design is to give the screen
design file the same base
name as the image file, when
you save it to disk. For
example, if you create a
design using the
GAMEOVER.PUT image file,
save the screen design file
as GAMEOVER.DES.
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IMAGE EDITOR
C14 Save as DATA...
C12 menu command
This command creates an
ASCII text file containing a
set of BASIC DATA statements
that describe the images in
the current file. A further
set of palette DATA
statements are also included
if the current image file
uses a non-standard colour
palette.
This type of DATA file can
then be used to incorporate
the images directly into
your own BASIC programs. See
the PIXELplus 256 User's
Manual for full details.
The "Save Image File As
DATA" dialog box is
displayed containing a
single "File Name" input
box; simply type the file
name here, then press ENTER.
If no file name extension is
specified, the default for
BASIC DATA files (.BAS) is
assumed.
Note: DATA files cannot be
loaded into the Image Editor
for further editing. To save
the current image file in a
format that can be opened by
the Image Editor, see:
C13H011 Save
See also:
C13H006 Menu Bar
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SCREEN DESIGNER
C14 Display Actions
In your own BASIC programs,
each design item (image)
will be displayed on the
screen using the
PUT(graphics) statement
which displays an image
using one of five display
actions - PSET, PRESET, OR,
XOR, AND. Consequently, the
Screen Designer itself
allows you to select a
display action to use when
placing design items on the
screen. See:
C13H152 Image Menu
A sixth option (MASK) is
also provided which isn't a
true display action but can
be used in the Screen
Designer to cause design
items to be placed on-screen
using an additional mask
image.
There now follows a complete
description of the six
display actions that can be
used when placing design
items on the screen in the
Screen Designer.
C14 PSET
Causes a design item to be
placed on the screen so that
it completely overwrites any
existing image.
C14 PRESET
Causes a design item to be
logically inverted before
being placed on the screen,
overwriting any existing
image.
The colour number
(attribute) of each pixel in
the image is logically
inverted which results in a
different colour number
being used when displaying
the pixel. For example:
Original colour number
of image pixel:
C15 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 = 15
Result: colour number
of displayed pixel:
C15 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 = 240
C14 OR
A logical OR operation is
performed between the design
item and the existing screen
image.
The colour number
(attribute) of each pixel in
the image is ORed with the
corresponding screen pixel;
the resulting value is the
colour number used to
display the pixel. For
example:
Colour number of
image pixel:
C15 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 = 170
OR
Colour number of
corresponding screen pixel:
C15 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 = 240
Result: colour number
of displayed pixel:
C15 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 = 250
C14 XOR
A logical XOR (exclusive OR)
operation is performed
between the design item and
the existing screen image.
The colour number
(attribute) of each pixel in
the image is XORed with the
corresponding screen pixel;
the resulting value is the
colour number used to
display the pixel. For
example:
Colour number of
image pixel:
C15 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 = 170
XOR
Colour number of
corresponding screen pixel:
C15 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 = 240
Result: colour number
of displayed pixel:
C15 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 = 90
C14 AND
A logical AND operation is
performed between the design
item and the existing screen
image.
The colour number
(attribute) of each pixel in
the image is ANDed with the
corresponding screen pixel;
the resulting value is the
colour number used to
display the pixel. For
example:
Colour number of
image pixel:
C15 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 = 170
AND
Colour number of
corresponding screen pixel:
C15 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 = 240
Result: colour number
of displayed pixel:
C15 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 = 160
C14 MASK
This is a special display
action which causes a design
item to be placed on the
screen so that only the
item's exact shape is
displayed, allowing the
background image to still be
visible around it. In order
to achieve this, an
additional mask image is
required: the image coming
directly after the Mouse
Image (in the currently
loaded image file) is
assumed to be the
corresponding mask image -
created using the Image
Editor's Convert to Mask...
command. For details, see:
C13H053 Convert to Mask...
For example, if you have
image number 10 selected as
the current Mouse Image,
then image number 11 is
assumed to be the
corresponding mask image.
When using the MASK display
action, the mask image is
first placed on the screen
using the AND display
action, then the actual
Mouse Image is placed on
top, using the OR display
action.
Note: Placing design items
using the MASK display
action actually causes two
items to be placed at a
time. Using MASK simply
makes it easier to place
design items using a mask
image - the same effect
could be achieved by first
placing the mask image using
the AND display action, and
then placing the actual
image on top of it using the
OR display action.
The use of mask images and
the masking technique is
discussed fully in the
PIXELplus 256 User's Manual.
@
PIXELplus 256
C14 Using the Mouse
PIXELplus 256 requires the
use of a mouse pointing
device and makes extensive
use of both the left and
right mouse buttons. This
makes using PIXELplus 256
easier and more intuitive
than using just the
keyboard. Terms used to
describe how to use the
mouse are detailed below:
C14 Left-click (or just click)
Quickly press and release
the left mouse button.
The term "click" on its own
also refers to clicking
using the left mouse button,
e.g. "Click on the OK
button" means point and
click on the OK button,
using the left mouse button.
C14 Right-click
Quickly press and release
the right mouse button.
C14 Double-click
Press and release the left
mouse button twice in rapid
succession.
The term "double-click"
always refers to using the
left mouse button as no
operation in PIXELplus 256
requires you to double-click
using the right mouse
button.
C14 Drag
Press and hold down the
mouse button while moving
the mouse.
Different dragging
operations will require
either the left or right
mouse button to be used. The
left mouse button should be
used for dragging when no
button is specified, e.g.
"Drag down from the menu
name".
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