Copyright: Animation Shop 1.0


Dummy Topics


Contents


Page Setup


Page Setup Image


Print


File Information Dialog Box


Before You Begin

Window:	Main


TOPIC: Overview


Overview
Before You Begin

Overview

Animation Shop is a powerful new image animation program that creates animations of one or multiple graphics images and offers many effects and transitions to choose from to enhance your animations.  Advanced wizards help you quickly create graphic animations, and an Optimization Wizard ensures consistent colors and efficient Web downloads.  Changes to animations can be made quickly and effectively using the drag-and-drop and propagate paste features.  Animation Shop provides full support for many image file formats in creating animations.  Files can be saved as Graphical Interchange Format files (.gif) or Animation Shop Animation files (.mng).

Exiting Animation Shop

You exit Animation Shop like most Windows programs. You can:

Choose Exit from the File menu.

Click the Animation Shop window’s Close button.

Double-click the Animation Shop window’s control icon.

Choose Exit from the Control menu.

Press <Alt>+<F4>.

Animation Shop will close all of its open windows.


TOPIC: Using this Help File


Using this Help File
Before You Begin

Using this Help File

For general information on using Windows Help, click here.

For a description of various ways to access the Animation Shop Help, click here.  Animation Shop Help has a few special hypertext features:

Tab Jumps

Each topic has a row of tabs across the top, like this one. Each set of tabs groups related topics. You can access a topic by clicking on its tab. If the current tab set is linked to another tab set, you can jump to the linked set by clicking on the link indicator.

Hypertext Formatting

In the standard Windows Help File format, all hypertext is green. Topic jumps have a solid underline, and pop-ups have a dashed underline. In Animation Shop Help:

Topic jumps are red.

Pop-ups are blue.

Hypertext is not underlined.


TOPIC: Getting Around


Getting Around
Before You Begin

Getting Around

Main Window

The Animation Shop window is your workspace, and it contains the tools you will use to create, edit, and print animations.  When you first open Animation Shop, some of the palettes may not be visible or may be in different locations.  The toolbars and palettes can be moved around the screen, hidden, and displayed as needed.

The Animation Shop window contains eight regions. Each region has specific uses and functions.

Positioning the Main Window


TOPIC: Technical Support


Technical Support
Before You Begin

Technical Support

This help file and the Animation Shop User's Guide are designed to address the majority of user's questions.

Getting More Help

If the above-mentioned sources fail to address your question or problem, you can:

Contact one of the distributors listed in the README.TXT file that is included with Animation Shop.

Contact Jasc Software, Inc.


Using this Help File
Before You Begin

Other Ways of Getting Online Help

Using the Help Tool

To get help with a specific Animation Shop feature, do the following:

1	Click the Help button on the toolbar.  The cursor will change to your system’s Help Select Cursor.

2	Click the item that you’re interested in.  Animation Shop will open the help file to the appropriate topic.

<F1> Button

You can also get help with a specific feature by placing the cursor over the feature and pressing <F1>.  For example, to get help with a toolbar button, place the cursor over the button, then press <F1>.

Tool Tips and Status Bar

To see the name of a button on the toolbar or a feature on a palette, place your cursor over it and a pop-up hint will appear.  A short description of the feature also appears in the Status bar.

Help Buttons in Dialog Boxes

Some of Animation Shop’s dialog boxes contain Help buttons.  When you click a dialog box’s Help button, Animation Shop will open the help file to the appropriate topic.

Online Help

Choose Help Topics from the Help menu to access the contents, index, and keyword search of the online help.

Jasc Software Website

If you have Internet access, you can reach the Jasc Software website by choosing Jasc Online from the Help menu.  By clicking on Jasc Software Website, your Internet browser will be activated, a connection to the Internet established, and the Jasc Software website will be displayed.  Here you’ll find tips and tricks, program updates, and other interesting information.  If your Internet service provider doesn’t integrate into your computer’s operating system, you can reach the Jasc Software website at www.jasc.com.


Animation Shop Main Window

Window:	More


TOPIC: Titlebar


Titlebar
Main Window

Title bar

The Title bar displays the program control icon, the application name and active animation title, and the standard Windows buttons.

Control Icon

At the left end of the Titlebar is the Control Icon, which you use to access the Control menu (see following section). Double-clicking on the Control Icon closes Animation Shop.

Control Menu

You open the Control menu by clicking on the Control Icon. You can use the Control menu to position the Main Window or to exit Animation Shop.

Window Buttons

The window buttons appear at the right end of the Titlebar. You use the buttons to position the Main Window or to exit Animation Shop.


TOPIC: Menubar


Menubar
Main Window

Menubar

The Menu bar displays the menu headings.  Which menus are available depends on whether there is an open animation.  The commands you will use most frequently are also displayed on the toolbar and palettes.

Menus that are not currently available are temporarily removed from the Menu bar. When no images are open, only the File, View, and Help menus are visible.

Using the Menus

1	You open a menu by clicking on it, or by pressing <Alt> plus the letter that is underlined in the menu's title. For example, to open the File menu, you press <Alt> + <F>.

2	You choose a menu selection by clicking on it, by pressing its underlined letter, or by using the cursor keys to highlight it and then pressing <Enter>. Menu selections that appear in grey are not currently available.


TOPIC: Workspace


Workspace
Main Window

Animation Area

This is the area of the Animation Shop window where you work with animations.  When you open a file or create a new file, Animation Shop opens a new frames view or play view window within the Animation Area.

Frames View Window

When you open an animation file, a Frames View window is opened in which you can make changes to your animation.

Play View Window

The Play View window is opened when you click the View Animation button or choose Animation from the View menu.


TOPIC: Status Bar


Status Bar
Main Window

Status Bar

When visible, the Status bar appears at the bottom of the Animation Shop window.  It displays information about animations, features, and procedures.  It also indicates the progress as Animation Shop opens animations or renders frames.  The right side of the status bar contains animation information, such as size and colors and the number of frames in the animation.  If no animation is opened, the animation information section of the Status bar will say "No files open."


TOPIC: Toolbar


Toolbar
Main Window

Toolbar

The toolbar consists of nineteen different command buttons that access some of the frequently-used commands in the menus.  If a command is unavailable, its button appears greyed out. Using a Toolbar button couldn't be easier − just click it.

Toolbar buttons that are not currently available appear greyed out.


TOPIC: Tool Palette


Tool Palette
Main Window

Tool Palette

The first time you start Animation Shop, the Tool palette appears just below the Toolbar. The Tool palette contains the following tools:

Zoom Tool

Dropper Tool

Painting and Drawing Tools


TOPIC: Style Bar


Style Bar
Main Window

Style Bar

You use the Style Bar to set parameters for the Tool palette's active tool. The options on the Style bar will vary depending on the tool that is selected in the Tool palette.

The Zoom drop down box is almost always available in the Style bar for you to set the magnification level.  Click an option in the drop down box to select it.  The option "1:8," for example, will display your animation at one-eighth its normal size; conversely, the option "8:1" will display your animation at eight times its normal size.

Working with Selections

Painting and Drawing


TOPIC: Color Palette


Color Palette
Main Window

Color Palette

The Color Palette contains color selection tools and displays color information.


Animation Shop Main Window

Window:	How To


TOPIC: Maximize, Minimize, and Restore


Maximize, Minimize, and Restore
Positioning the Main Window

Maximize, Minimize, and Restore

You can maximize, minimize, or restore the Main Window using the window buttons.

Double-clicking on the text display section of the Titlebar switches the Main Window between its maximized and normal states.


TOPIC: Moving the Main Window


Moving the Main Window
Positioning the Main Window

Moving the Main Window

To move the Main Window to a different location:

1	Point the cursor at the text display section of the Titlebar.

2	Press and hold the primary mouse button.

3	Drag the window by moving the mouse.

4	Release the mouse button.


TOPIC: Resizing the Main Window


Resizing the Main Window
Positioning the Main Window

Resizing the Main Window

To change the size of the Main Window:

1	Point at a side or corner of the window. The cursor will change to a double-headed arrow. Grabbing a corner moves two sides at once.

2	Press and hold the primary mouse button.

3	Resize the window by moving the mouse.

4	Release the mouse button.


 Tool Windows

Window:	How To


TOPIC: Displaying a Tool Window


Displaying a Tool Window
Using Bars and Palettes

Viewing and Hiding Bars and Palettes

From the View Menu

To display or hide a bar or palette, do the following:

1	Click the View menu.  A drop-down box appears with the bars and palettes that you can display.

2	Click the items you want Animation Shop to display.  The items with checks will be displayed.  The items without checks will be hidden.

From the Toolbar

To display or hide a bar or palette, click its button on the toolbar.


TOPIC: Moving a Tool Window


Moving a Tool Window
Using Bars and Palettes

Moving Bars and Palettes

The Tool Windows can be placed anywhere on the screen. To move a Tool Window:

1	Point the cursor at the text area of the window's titlebar or at the tool window's main panel. Do not point at the control icon or one of the window's buttons.

2	Press and hold the primary mouse button.

3	Drag the window by moving the mouse.

4	Release the mouse button.


TOPIC: Docking a Tool Window


Docking a Tool Window
Using Bars and Palettes

Docking and Undocking Bars and Palettes

The toolbar, Style bar, and the Color and Tool palettes can be docked at the edges

of the Animation Shop window or be undocked and allowed to "float" anywhere on the window.  A docked bar or palette becomes part of the border around the workspace.  When you open Animation Shop for the first time, the bars and palettes are docked at their default positions.

To dock a palette or bar, do one of the following:

Drag it by any area not occupied by a button to an edge of the window.

Double-click any area not occupied by a button.

To undock a palette or bar, do one of the following:

Drag it by an area not occupied by a button away from the edge of the window.

Double-click any area not occupied by a button.


Window:	How To


TOPIC: Contacting Jasc, Inc.


Contacting JASC, Inc.
Contacting Jasc Software, Inc.

Via	At
Internet	techsup@jasc.com
Web Site	http://www.jasc.com
BBS	(612) 930-3516
Telephone	(612) 930-9171
Fax	(612) 930-9172
Mail	Jasc Software, Inc. 11011 Smetana Road Minnetonka, MN  55343   USA


Running Paint Shop Pro
Before You Begin

Running Paint Shop Pro

If you have Paint Shop Pro installed on your computer, you can start it from within Animation Shop.  Choose the File menu, and click Run Paint Shop Pro.  Paint Shop Pro will be started in a separate window.


Format-Specific Dialog Boxes

Window:	More


TOPIC: Overview


Overview
Using the Format-Specific Dialog Boxes

Overview

Two file formats may require additional input before being opened by Animation Shop:

Meta / Vector

Photo-CD


TOPIC: Using the Meta Picture Import Dialog Box


Using the Meta Picture Import Dialog Box
Using the Format-Specific Dialog Boxes

Using the Meta Picture Import Dialog Box

You use the Meta Picture Import Dialog Box to set the size for a file or clipboard image that is in a metafile or vector format. Animation Shop will present the dialog box if:

You are opening a file and the "Ask for size" option in the WMF file preferences is selected.

You are pasting metafile or vector data from the clipboard.

Changing the Image's Size and/or Scale

You change the size and/or scale of the image by entering new values in the Width and Height Text Boxes.

Opening the Image

Click on the OK Button. Animation Shop will open the image using the selected dimensions.

Default Import Size

For help changing the default WMF import size, see WMF Preferences.


TOPIC: Using the PCD Size Dialog Box


Using the PCD Size Dialog Box
Using the Format-Specific Dialog Boxes

Using the PCD Size Dialog Box

Kodak Photo-CD files contain multiple sizes of a single image. The default PCD size option determines which size will be read when a PCD file is opened.

If the option labeled "Ask when opening each file" is selected, Animation Shop will present the PCD Size Dialog Box each time you open a PCD file. To select a size option from the dialog box:

1	Click on the desired size.

2	Click on the OK Button.


 Window:	More2


TOPIC: Changing the Image's Size And/or Scale


Changing the Image's Size And/or Scale
Changing the Size and/or Scale:

You change the size and/or scale of the image by entering new values in the Width and Height Text Boxes. To access a text box, click in it, or press <Tab> until its text is highlighted.

Maintaining the Aspect Ratio

If you change the width last, the aspect ratio (width/height) will be preserved. When the image is resized, its proportions will be maintained. The height will be determined by the new width and the aspect ratio.

Changing the Aspect Ratio

If you change the height last, the aspect ratio (width/height) will be abandoned. When the image is resized, its proportions will be determined by the new measurements.


Getting Around

Window:	Graphics


Main Window


Image Files

Window:	Graphics


File Information Dialog Box


 Supported Raster Image Formats

Window:	Raster


Supported Raster Image Formats

• = Animation Shop can open files	· = Animation Shop can save files

Format	Sub-Format / Description	Source/Standard	Bits-Per-Pixel and Color Type
			1	4	8 Grey	8 Color	16	24	32
BMP	RGB encoded	OS/2
BMP	RGB encoded	Microsoft Windows
BMP	RLE encoded	Microsoft Windows
CLP	Bitmap	Windows Clipboard
CLP	Device Independent Bitmap	Windows Clipboard
CT	Continuous Tone CMYK	SciTex
CT	Continuous Tone CMY	SciTex
CUT		Dr. Halo
DIB	RGB encoded	OS/2
DIB	RGB encoded	Microsoft Windows
DIB	RLE encoded	Microsoft Windows
EPS	Image only	Adobe
FPX	Compressed	Kodak Flash Pix
FPX	Uncompressed	Kodak Flash Pix
GIF	Ver. 87a (interlaced)	CompuServe
GIF	Ver. 87a (non-interlaced)	CompuServe
GIF	Ver. 89a (interlaced)	CompuServe
GIF	Ver. 89a (non-interlaced)	CompuServe
IFF	Compressed	Electronic Arts
IFF	Uncompressed	Electronic Arts
IMG	Old Style	GEM Paint
IMG	New Style	GEM Paint
JIF	Huffman compressed	Joint Photo. Expert Group
JPG	Huffman compressed	Joint Photo. Expert Group
JPG	Progressive	Joint Photo. Expert Group
KDC		Kodak Digital Camera
LBM	Compressed	Deluxe Paint
LBM	Uncompressed	Deluxe Paint
MAC	With header	MacPaint
MAC	Without header	MacPaint
MSP	New version	Microsoft Paint
MSP	Old version	Microsoft Paint
PBM	Portable Bitmap	UNIX
PCD		Kodak Photo CD
PCT	Macintosh PICT format	Apple
PCX	Version 0	ZSoft Paintbrush
PCX	Ver. 2 (with palette info.)	ZSoft Paintbrush
PCX	Ver. 3 (without palette info.)	ZSoft Paintbrush
PCX	Version 5	ZSoft Paintbrush
PGM	Portable Graymap	UNIX
PIC		Pictor/PC Paint
PNG	Portable Network Graphics
PPM	Portable Pixelmap	UNIX
PSD	RGB or indexed	Photoshop
PSP	Run Length Encoding	Jasc Paint Shop Pro
PSP	LZ77 Compression	Jasc Paint Shop Pro
PSP	Uncompressed	Jasc Paint Shop Pro
RAS	Type 1 (Modern Style)	Sun Microsystems
RAW	Un-encoded pixel data
RLE	CompuServe	CompuServe
RLE	Windows	Microsoft Windows
SCT	Continuous Tone CMYK	SciTex
SCT	Continuous Tone CMY	SciTex
TGA	No compression	Truevision
TGA	Compressed	Truevision
TIFF	Huffman compressed	Aldus Corporation
TIFF	No compression	Aldus Corporation
TIFF	Pack bits compressed	Aldus Corporation
TIFF	LZW compressed	Aldus Corporation
TIFF	Fax Group 3 compressed	Aldus Corporation
TIFF	Fax Group 4 compressed	Aldus Corporation
WPG	Version 5.0	WordPerfect
WPG	Version 5.1	WordPerfect
WPG	Version 6.0	WordPerfect


Page Setup

Window:	Steps2


TOPIC: Step 1: Access the Page Setup Dialog Box


Step 1: Access the Page Setup Dialog Box
Page Setup

Step 1: Access the Page Setup Dialog Box

The page setup settings determine the paper source, and control how images are arranged on a printed page. You change the page setup from the Page Setup dialog box.

You can access the dialog box by:

Selecting "Page Setup" from the File Menu.

Clicking on the Setup Button in the Image Print Preview Window.


TOPIC: Step 2: Select the Printer


Step 2: Select the Printer
Page Setup

Step 2: Select the Printer

Click on the Printer Button. Animation Shop will open the Select Printer Dialog Box.

Use the drop down box to choose the printer.

To set printer-specific options, click on the Properties Button.


TOPIC: Step 3: Select the Paper Size and Source


Step 3: Select the Paper Size and Source
Page Setup

Step 3: Select the Paper Size and Source

You select the paper size and source from the drop down boxes in the Paper Group Box.

For some printers, one or both of the drop down boxes may be unavailable.


TOPIC: Step 4: Set the Page Orientation


Step 4: Set the Page Orientation
Page Setup

Step 4: Set the Page Orientation

There are two page orientations, portrait and landscape.

Printing in portrait orientation places the top of the image against one of the page's narrow sides.

Printing in landscape orientation places the top of the image against one of the page's wide sides.

To select an orientation, click on its text or option button in the Orientation Group Box.


TOPIC: Step 5: Select the Image Settings (Images Only)


Step 5: Select the Image Settings (Images Only)
Page Setup

Step 5: Select the Image Settings (Images Only)

The settings in this step are only available from the image version of the Page Setup Dialog Box.

Checkbox Options

There are three checkbox options in the Options Group Box.

To maintain the image's current proportions (width/height), fill the checkbox labeled "Maintain aspect ratio".

To expand the image so that it will fill the printed page, mark the checkbox labeled "Use full page".

To center the image on the page, mark the checkbox labeled "Center on page".

Image Size

If you turn the "Use full page" option off, you can specify the printed image's width and height by entering values in the Image Size Group Box.

Maintaining the Aspect Ratio

If you turn the "Maintain aspect ratio" option on, and you want to resize the printed image, enter a new value in one of the image size text boxes, then press <Enter>. Animation Shop will calculate the remaining dimension.


TOPIC: Step 6: Set the Margins


Step 6: Set the Margins
Page Setup

Step 6: Set the Margins

You can specify the page's margins by entering values in the Margins Group Box. To set margins for images, turn off the "Center on page" option.


TOPIC: Step 7: Select the OK Button


Step 7: Select the OK Button
Page Setup

Step 7: Select the OK Button

Click on the OK Button. Animation Shop will close the Page Setup Dialog Box and save the new settings.


About


	Animation Shop Help Copyright © 1998 Jasc Software, Inc. techsup@jasc.com
	Preparered by: Software Documentation Consultants agroe@compuserve.com


Add Link


Add Link

The desired topic is currently unavailable. An active link will be added later.


Glossary


Graphical Interchange Format (GIF)

Originally used by the Compuserve Information Service as a format for displaying graphics online, gif files offer a great deal of flexibility.  A gif file can consist of a single still image or multiple images compiled to form an animated gif file.

A series of images in an animated gif file can be used like frames in a movie, and can be modified in a gif editor, like Animation Shop.  Used in webpages on the Internet, self-contained gif files are downloaded once and played from the user’s disk cache, making download times much quicker and offering eye-catching special effects unavailable with other graphics file formats.

When you look at .gif files in the Open dialog box or Windows Explorer, you cannot distinguish a single-image .gif file from an animated .gif file without opening it.  You may want to start a practice of saving your animated .gif files in a special location, such as the “ANIMS” folder that was created on your hard disk when you installed Animation Shop, to help avoid confusion.


Animation Shop Animation (MNG)

In addition to animated gif files, Animation Shop supports another format called MNG, which is an animation format that supports 24 bit-per-pixel animations.


Primary Mouse Button

On a two-button mouse, the primary button is the one that you use more often. For most users, it's the left button.

If you're left-handed, your buttons may be reversed, in which case the primary button would be on the right.


Secondary Mouse Button

On a two-button mouse, the secondary button is the one that you use less often. For most users, it's the right button.

If you're left-handed, your buttons may be reversed, in which case the secondary button would be on the left.


Pixel

Raster image formats break an image into a grid of small, equally-sized pieces, called "pixels". The image is stored by setting each pixel to a specific color.


Help Windows

There are two types of help windows: the main window and secondary windows. In this help file:

The main help window contains menus and is titled "Paint Shop Pro Help".

The secondary windows do not contain menus, and have titles like "More Information" and "How To".


TWAIN Standard

To enable communication between imaging hardware and software, five companies (Aldus, Caere, Eastman Kodak, Logitech, and Hewlett Packard) developed what is now an industry-wide compatibility standard known as TWAIN. TWAIN allows Data Sources (a scanner, a digital camera, etc.) to communicate with Host Applications (an image-editing or page layout program).


Active Colors

There are two active colors, the foreground color and the background color. You use the active colors with a wide variety of tools and functions.


Standard Controls


Window Buttons

Minimize		Reduces window to an icon
Maximize		Enlarges window to fill the screen
Restore		Returns window to its last non-minimized, non-maximized position
Close		Closes the window


Up One Level Button


Create New Folder Button


New Folder Item


Scrollbar Slider Button


Checkbox Options

A checkbox option is on when its checkbox is marked. You turn the option on and off by clicking on its label or the checkbox.


Spin Controls

You use a spin control to set a value. You can type a number into the text area, or you can use the arrow buttons.

To increase or decrease the number by one, click on the appropriate button. To scroll to a higher or lower number:

1	Point at the appropriate arrow button.

2	Press and hold the primary mouse button. The number will start to increase or decrease.

3	When the number reaches the value you want, release the mouse button.


Slider Controls

You use a slider control to set a position or value.

	1 Point the cursor at the slider button.  2 Press and hold the primary mouse button.  3 Drag the slider button by moving the mouse. 4 Release the mouse button.


Drop Down Boxes

Closed:
Open:

You use a drop down box to select a setting from a list of options.

1	Click on the drop down box to open it.

2	Click on the item that you want to select. If the list is too long to fit in the box, use the scrollbar to scroll through it.


Scrollbars

You use a scrollbar to set a position.

	1 Point the cursor at the slider button.  2 Press and hold the primary mouse button.  3 Drag the slider button by moving the mouse. 4 Release the mouse button. You can also change the position by:  Clicking on the arrow buttons at each end of the scrollbar.  Clicking between the slider button and an arrow button.


Basic Image Editing.doc


Undo Button


Cut Button


Copy Button


Paste Button


Before You Begin.doc


Link Indicators

A link indicator is a little wedge that appears at the end of a tab set. The wedge indicates that there is a linked set in the relevant direction. You can jump to the linked set by clicking on the indicator.


Main Window Titlebar


Main Window Control Icon


Main Window Control Menu


Menubar


Status Bar


Toolbar

Displaying the Tool Bar


Toolbar with No Animations Open


Tool Palette

Displaying the Tool Palette


Color Palette

Displaying the Color Palette


Style Bar (Example)

Displaying the Style Bar


Magnify Button


Zoom Drop-Down Box


Normal Viewing Button


Frames View Window


Play View Window


View Animation Button


Creating Image Files.doc


New Animation Dialog Box


New Button


Not Enough Memory Prompt


Width and Height Spin Controls


Background Color Drop Down Box


Image Type Drop Down Box


Memory Required Text Display


File Format Preferences.doc


File Preferences Dialog Box


PCD Preferences Page


WMF Preferences Page


Format-Specific Dialog Boxes.doc


Meta Picture Import Dialog Box


PCD Size Dialog Box


Managing Image Files.doc


Save Button


Save File Prompt


File Delete Prompt


File Revert Prompt


Print Dialog Box


Print Button


Printer Drop Down Box


Print to File Checkbox

A checkbox option is on when its checkbox is filled in. You turn the option on and off by clicking on its label or the checkbox.


Number of Copies Spin Control


Print to File Dialog Box


Image Print Preview Window


Save As Dialog Box


Save in Drop Down Box


File Type Drop Down Box


Filename In Use Prompt


Optimize Output Dialog Box


Animation Quality vs. Size Dialog Box


Customize Optimization Settings Dialog Box


Colors Tab: Optimization Settings


Optimization Tab: Optimization Settings


Optimization Progress Dialog Box


Optimization Results Dialog Box


Opening Image Files.doc


Open Dialog Box


Animation Shop Image File Icon


Open Button


Look in Drop Down Box


Contents List Box


File Type Drop Down Box


Image Information Group Box


Modifying a Frame’s Image

Window:	Main


TOPIC: Painting and Drawing Overview


Painting and Drawing Overview
Modifying a Frame

Painting and Drawing Overview

The Tool palette contains seven buttons for performing various actions.  You activate a tool by clicking its button; the cursor will change to the appropriate tool icon. When no tools are active, the arrow button is highlighted, meaning the cursor will retain its arrow icon.

Paintbrush

Eraser

Fill Tool

Text Tool

Dropper

Many of the painting and drawing tool's color effects are only apparent at high color depths. If some of the paint tools seem to do little or nothing, please confirm that your video display and the image you are editing both show 16 million colors.


TOPIC: Paintbrush


Paintbrush
Modifying a Frame

Paintbrush

You use the Brush tool to paint or draw freehand.  When you move the cursor over an animation frame with the Brush tool selected, the cursor changes to a brush.

Setting the Paintbrush Options

Painting with the Paintbrush

Drawing Lines with the Paintbrush


 TOPIC: Eraser


Eraser
Modifying a Frame

Eraser

The Eraser tool replaces pixels in a frame’s image with the canvas color of the animation.  When you move the cursor over an animation frame with the Eraser tool selected, the cursor changes to a pencil eraser.

Setting the Eraser Options

Painting with the Eraser

Drawing Lines with the Eraser


TOPIC: Fill Tool


Fill Tool
Modifying a Frame

Fill Tool

You use the Flood Fill tool to fill an area of an animation frame with a color.  When you move the cursor over an animation frame with the Flood Fill tool selected, the cursor changes to a paint can.  You can customize the Flood Fill tool with several different options on the Style bar.


TOPIC: Text Tool


Text Tool
Modifying a Frame

Text Tool

You use the Text tool to add text to an image. The Text tool works a little differently than the other painting and drawing tools. The options are not presented on the Style Bar, but in a separate dialog box.

Step-by-Step Instructions


Paintbrush

Window:	More


TOPIC: Setting the Paintbrush Options


Setting the Paintbrush Options
Paintbrush

Setting the Brush Width

You set the width of the Brush’s stroke in the Style bar.

1	Activate the Brush tool by clicking its button on the Tool palette. If the Style Bar is visible, it will display the Brush tool's style controls.

2	If the Style Bar isn't visible, display it now.

3	Use the Width edit box to set the Brush’s size in pixels.


TOPIC: Painting with the Paintbrush


Painting with the Paintbrush
 Paintbrush

Painting with the Paintbrush

1	Activate the Brush tool by clicking the Brush tool button in the Tool palette.

2	Select the colors you want to paint with.

3	Position the cursor where you want to start painting.

4	Press and hold the primary mouse button to paint with the foreground color.  Press and hold secondary mouse button to paint with the background color.

5	Apply color to the frame’s image by moving the mouse.

6	When you’re done painting, release the mouse button.


TOPIC: Drawing Lines with the Paintbrush


Drawing Lines with the Paintbrush
 Paintbrush

Drawing Lines with the Paintbrush

1	Activate the Brush tool by clicking the Brush tool button in the Tool palette.

2	Select the colors you want to paint with.

3	Position the cursor where you want to start drawing lines.

4	Click and release the primary mouse button to begin drawing a line with the foreground color.  Click and release secondary mouse button to begin drawing a line with the background color.

5	Press and hold the <Shift> key.

6	Position the cursor where you want to end the first line segment.

7	Click with the appropriate mouse button (see step 4 above).

8	Continue adding line segments by clicking with either mouse button.  When you’re done, release the <Shift> key.


Eraser

Window:	More


TOPIC: Setting the Eraser Options


Setting the Eraser Options
Eraser

Setting the Eraser Options

You set the width of the Eraser in the Style bar.

1	Activate the Eraser tool by clicking the Eraser button in the Tool palette. If the Style Bar is visible, it will display the Eraser's style controls.

2	If the Style Bar isn't visible, display it now.

3	Use the Width edit box to set the Eraser’s size in pixels.


TOPIC: Painting with the Eraser


Painting with the Eraser
Eraser

Painting with the Eraser

1	Activate the Eraser tool by clicking the Eraser button in the Tool palette. If the Style Bar is visible, it will display the Eraser's style controls.

2	Place the cursor where you want to start erasing.

3	Press and hold the primary mouse button.

4	Move the cursor to erase.

5	When you’re done, release the mouse button.  The pixels you moved the cursor over will change to the animation’s canvas color.

You can also erase straight lines with the eraser just as you paint lines with the brush.


TOPIC: Drawing Lines with the Eraser


Drawing Lines with the Eraser
Eraser

Drawing Lines with the Eraser

1	Activate the Eraser tool by clicking the Eraser button in the Tool palette.

2	Position the cursor where you want to start drawing lines.

3	Click and release the primary mouse button to begin erasing a line with the foreground color.

4	Press and hold the <Shift> key.

5	Position the cursor where you want to end the first line segment.

6	Click with the appropriate mouse button (see step 3 above).

7	Continue erasing line segments by clicking with the mouse button.  When you’re done, release the <Shift> key.


Fill Tool

Window:	More


TOPIC: Setting the Standard Options


Setting the Standard Options
Fill Tool

Setting the Flood Fill Options

Match Mode Drop Down Box

Use the Match Mode drop down box to select a method for determining which pixels of the animation frame to fill.  The RGB Value, Hue, and Brightness modes overwrite pixels that match the corresponding value of the selected pixel.  The None mode overwrites all the pixels in the frame, essentially recoloring the entire frame.

Tolerance Edit Box

Use the Tolerance edit box to set the flood fill tolerance.  This setting determines how close the color of a pixel must be to the color of the selected pixel in order to be overwritten.  The edit box uses a scale of 0 to 200, with 0 being no tolerance (only pixels with a perfect match will be filled), and 200 being total tolerance (all pixels will be filled).

To Canvas Color Check Box

The To Canvas Color check box sets which colors will be used to overwrite pixels when the Flood Fill tool is used.

When the check box is not selected, the active colors will be used (see the section "Selecting the Active Colors" earlier in this chapter for information on active colors).

When the check box is selected, the animation’s canvas color will be used to overwrite pixels.  If the animation canvas is set to transparent, overwritten pixels will appear transparent.


TOPIC: Using the Fill Tool


Using the Fill Tool
 Fill Tool

Using the Fill Tool

1	Select the colors that you want to fill with.

2	If you want to fill within a specific area, select it now. Animation Shop will only apply color within the selection.

3	If the Tool palette isn't visible, display it now.

4	Click the Fill button in the Tool palette.

5	Position the cursor where you want to fill.

6	Click with the:

Primary mouse button to fill with the foreground color.

Secondary mouse button to fill with the background color.


Text Tool

Window:	More


TOPIC: Using the Text Tool: Steps 1 to 5


Using the Text Tool: Steps 1 to 5
 Text Tool

Using the Text Tool: Steps 1 to 5

1	The text can be created in the foreground color, or as an empty selection. If you want the text to appear as a color, select the one you want to use now.

2	Click the Text button in the Tool palette.

3	Click the image where you want the text to appear. Animation Shop will open the Add Text dialog box.

4	There are three font properties: Name (typeface), Style, and Size. Set each property by clicking on an entry in the appropriate list box. Use the scrollbars to move through the lists.

5	Set the three text effect checkbox options:

Effect	Result
Strikeout	Places a line through the text.
Underline	Places a line under the text.
Anti-alias	Softens jagged character edges by using shades of the text's color. Only available for 256 color grey scale and for color depths greater than 256.


TOPIC: Using the Text Tool: Steps 6 to 9


Using the Text Tool: Steps 6 to 9
 Text Tool

Using the Text Tool: Steps 6 to 8

6	Click an alignment option in the Alignment group box.

7	Type the text you want to add into the large text box labeled "Enter Text Here". You access the text by clicking in it or by pressing <Alt> + <E>.

8	Click the OK button. Animation Shop will close the dialog box and add the text to the image. The text will be selected. You can move the text by dragging its selection.


TOPIC: Selecting the Active Colors


Selecting the Active Colors
Modifying a Frame

Using the Color Palette

Animation Shop specifies two active colors, the foreground color and the background color, to be used in conjunction with the drawing and painting tools.  These colors are associated with the buttons on your mouse as you use the tools on the Tool palette.

The foreground color is associated with your primary mouse button, and the background color with the secondary button.  For example, if black is your foreground color and white is your background color, and your primary mouse button is the left one, when you click the left button with the Brush tool on an image, you will paint an area black.  If you click with your right mouse button, you will paint an area white.

Select the active colors by:

Using the Color Palette's Select Color Panel

Using the Color Palette's Active Colors Panel

Using the Dropper Tool


Using the Select Color Panel
Selecting the Active Colors

Using the Select Color Panel

To select an active color using the Select Color Panel on the Color Palette:

1	Point the cursor at the Select Color panel.  The cursor will change to an eyedropper and the Current Color panel will display the color under the cursor and its RGB values.

2	Point the eyedropper at the color you want to select.

3	Click with the primary mouse button to select the foreground color. Click with the secondary mouse button to select the background color.

The appropriate color area in the Active Colors Panel will change to the closest color in the active image's palette.


TOPIC: Using the Active Colors Panel


Using the Active Colors Panel
Selecting the Active Colors

Using the Active Colors Panel

To select an active color from the available colors, click the foreground color or the background color in the Active Colors panel Active Colors Panel.  Animation Shop will open the Color dialog box.  The color you choose in the Color dialog box will be updated in the Active Colors panel.

Switching the Active Colors

To exchange the active colors, so that the foreground color is set to the background color and vice-versa, click the Color Switcher in the Active Colors Panel.


TOPIC: Using the Dropper Tool


Using the Dropper Tool
Selecting the Active Colors

Using the Dropper Tool

You use the Dropper tool to set the foreground color or background color by clicking on part of an image.

1	Select the Dropper tool from the Tool palette.

2	When you move the Dropper tool’s cursor over an image in a frame view, it changes into an eyedropper.  Point the Dropper’s tip at the color you want to select.  The Current Color panel on the Color palette will display the color’s RGB values.

3	Click with the primary mouse button to select the foreground color. Click with the secondary mouse button to select the background color.


Using the Color Dialog Box
Modifying a Frame

Selecting a Color Dialog Box

Animation Shop provides two color dialog boxes from which you can select a color from your system's entire color spectrum:

Jasc Color Dialog Box.

Windows Color Dialog Box.

You select which dialog box you wish to use from the General Program Preferences dialog box.


Using the Color Dialog Box
Using Color Dialog Boxes

Using the Jasc Color Dialog Box

In a 24 bit image (one with 16 million colors), clicking the foreground or background color box opens the Jasc Color dialog box, where you can select a color from your system’s entire color spectrum.

Click the foreground color box to select a new foreground color.

Cick the background color box to select a new background color.

Selecting from the Basic Colors

There are forty-eight basic colors that are preset and cannot be modified. The first column displays the three primary additive and three primary subtractive colors. The last column displays six lightness levels (grey levels). In between are the additive and subtractive primaries at increasing lightness levels from left to right.

To select a basic color:

1	Click the color’s square in the upper-left corner of the dialog box. The selected color, its RGB and HSL values, and its HTML code appear in the Current Color panel.

2	Click the OK button. The dialog box closes and the new color appears in the appropriate box of the Active Color panel.

Selecting from the Color Wheel

Selecting a color from the Color wheel is a two step process:

1	Select a hue from the Color wheel.

2	Adjust the hue’s saturation and lightness in the Saturation/Lightness box.

Selecting the Hue

Click the Color Wheel or drag the selection ring to select a hue. As the dropper moves around the wheel, the values in the Current Color panel update. This panel displays the RGB and HSL values, the color, and its HTML number. The HTML number appears a text format that you can copy and paste directly into your HTML code.

Adjusting the Saturation/Lightness

Adjust the saturation and lightness of the hue using the Saturation/Lightness box inside the Color wheel.

To adjust the selected hue:

1	Click anywhere in the Saturation/Lightness box or drag the selection ring to change the saturation and lightness:

The saturation increases as you move from the left to the right.

The lightness increases as you move from the top to the bottom.

2	The selected color, its RGB and HSL values, and its HTML code (in the Current Color panel) update as you move the Dropper.

3	Click the OK button. The dialog box closes and the new color appears in the appropriate box of the Active Color panel.

Selecting from the Image

To select a color from the image while the Color dialog box is open, move the dropper over the square in the middle of the color wheel and click. The selected color, its RGB and HSL values, and its HTML code appear in the Current Color panel.

Creating a Custom Color

There are sixteen custom color squares that you can fill with colors of your choice. Fill an empty square or replace a Custom Color square with a new color.

To select a custom color:

1	Right-click the Color Wheel, the Saturation/Lightness box, the Current Color box, the Old Color box, or a Basic color.

2	Do either of the following:

Drag the cursor to any Custom Color square and release the mouse button.

Click the Add Custom button.

3	Click the OK button. The dialog box closes and the new color appears in the appropriate box of the Active Color panel.


Using the Color Dialog Box
Using Color Dialog Boxes

Using the Windows Color Dialog Box

You use the Windows Color dialog box to select a color from your system's entire color spectrum.

Basic Colors

Custom Colors

Full Spectrum Colors


TOPIC: Basic Colors


Basic Colors
Using the Windows Color Dialog Box

Basic Colors

There are forty-eight basic colors that are preset and cannot be modified. To select a basic color:

1	Click the color's square in the upper-left corner of the Color dialog box.

2	Click the OK button.


TOPIC: Custom Colors


Custom Colors
Using the Windows Color Dialog Box

Custom Colors

There are sixteen custom colors. To select a custom color:

1	Click the color's square in the lower-left corner of the dialog box.

2	Click the OK button.

Changing a Custom Color

You change a custom color by highlighting it, selecting a full spectrum color, then selecting the Add to Custom Colors button.

1	Click the custom color's square in the lower-left corner of the Color dialog box.

2	Select a full spectrum color.

3	Click the Add to Custom Colors button.


TOPIC: Full Spectrum Colors


Full Spectrum Colors
Using the Color Dialog Box

Full Spectrum Colors

1	If only the basic colors and custom colors sections of the Color dialog box are currently visible, click the Define Custom Colors button. Animation Shop will expand the Color dialog box to include the full spectrum color definition controls.

2	There are two controls for selecting a color with the mouse:

The Crosshair Control sets the hue and saturation.

The Pointer Control sets the lightness.

The controls affect the contents of the Color/Solid Display Box. You can move the Crosshair Control or the Pointer Control by dragging them to a new location, or you can just click where you want the control to go.

3	The hue in the Color side of the Color/Solid Display Box is the setting that is used by Animation Shop. If the two differ and you prefer the hue that appears in the Solid side, double-click it. The Color side will be adjusted to match the Solid side.


TOPIC: Working with Palettes


Color Functions.doc


Select the Area to Modify

The Color Functions will work on a selection if the image's color depth is greater than 256 colors, or if the image is 256 color grey scale. With lower color depths, the Color Functions affect the entire image.

To modify part of an image, select it now.

To modify the entire image, make sure that there is no selection. Choose "Select None" from the Selections Menu.


 General Program Preferences.doc


Animation Shop Preferences Dialog Box


File Associations Preferences Dialog Box


Undo Preferences


Frame View Preferences


Animation Player Preferences


Miscellaneous Preferences


Transparency Preferences


Layered Files Preferences


Color Palette Preferences


Modifying an Animation.doc


Insert Frames from Files Dialog Box


Insert Empty Frames Dialog Box


Paste as New Frames Button


Paste Into Selected Frames Button


Duplicate Button


Delete Button


Resize Animation Dialog Box


Frame Properties Dialog Box


Animation Properties Dialog Box


View Frames Button


View Animations Button


Page Setup.doc


Page Setup Dialog Box


Select Printer Dialog Box


Paper Group Box


Page Orientations

Portrait	Landscape


Options Group Box


Image Size Group Box


Margins Group Box


Painting and Drawing.doc


Paintbrush Button


Add Text Dialog Box


Fill Button


Fill Tool Style Bar


Paintbrush Style Bar


Brush Shape

The brush shape is the shape of the area at the cursor to which color is applied.


Opacity Setting

The opacity setting determines how opaque or transparent the tool's effect will be. The scale is 1 to 100:

A setting of 1 creates a nearly transparent effect. The applied color will barely appear.

A setting of 100 creates a completely opaque effect. The applied color will completely overwrite the existing colors.


Eraser Button


Eraser Style Bar


Text Button


Working with Colors.doc


Windows Color Dialog Box


Jasc Color Dialog Box


Crosshair and Pointer Controls


Active Color Panel


Dropper Button


Filename In Use Prompt


Dithering

Dithering means to intermingle pixels of two or more colors to simulate a color that is not available.

Error Diffusion Dithering


Working with Folders.doc


Select Folder Dialog Box


Wizard


Animation Wizard Button


View Animation Button


View Frame Button


Dimension Wizard Page


Canvas Wizard Page


Position Wizard Page


Properties Wizard Page


Frame Wizard Page


Finish Wizard Page


Transitions


Add Image Transition Dialog Box


Add Text Transition Dialog Box


Opening Image Files

Window:	Main


TOPIC: Opening Image Files Overview


Opening Image Files Overview
Opening Files

Opening Files Overview

You can open either single images or animated .gif files in Animation Shop.  A single image is any graphics file formats supported by Animation Shop.  When an image is opened in Animation Shop, a new animation is created.

NOTE:  Although this new animation is created, it will not be permanently saved as a file until you save it to your hard disk.

When looking at your .gif files in the Open dialog box or Windows Explorer, you cannot distinguish whether it is a single image .gif file or an animated .gif file without opening it in Animation Shop.

You can open single image and animation files:

Using the Open dialog box

Using the Most-Recently Used list

Using My Computer or the Windows Explorer

Using Drag-and-Drop

Using the Run Dialog Box


TOPIC: Using the Open Dialog Box


Using the Open Dialog Box
Opening Files

Using the Open Dialog Box

The Open dialog box is a standard Windows File Open dialog box with a few special features.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Viewing Image Information

The Image Information group box displays basic image data for the selected file. To see more information, click the Details button. Animation Shop will open the File Information dialog box.


TOPIC: Using the Most-Recently Used List


Using the Most-Recently Used List
Opening Files

Using the Most-Recently Used List

The Most-Recently Used List contains the names of the files that have been opened most recently by Animation Shop. The list appears at the bottom of the File menu, just above the "Exit" selection.

If you have just installed Animation shop, the list will be empty.

You select a file from the list by clicking on it. One of two things will happen:

Animation Shop will open the file in a Frames View window in the animation area.

If you choose a metafile or import format file, Animation Shop may open a format-specific dialog box requesting additional information.


TOPIC: Using My Computer or the Windows Explorer


Using My Computer or the Windows Explorer
Opening Files

Using My Computer or the Windows Explorer

If the file’s extension is associated with Animation Shop, you can open the file by double-clicking on it.  Associated file types use the Animation Shop image file icon.  When you double-click the file, one of two things will happen:

Animation Shop will open the file in a Frames View window in the animation area.

If you selected a meta or vector file, a Photo-CD file, or a RAW file, Animation shop may open a format-specific dialog box requesting additional information.


TOPIC: Using Drag-and-Drop


Using Drag-and-Drop
Opening Files

Using Drag-and-Drop

You can open image files by "dragging" them from My Computer or the Windows Explorer and "dropping" them on any of the following:

The Animation Shop Window

Animation Shop's executable file (ANIM.EXE)

A shortcut to Animation Shop's executable file

Step-by-Step

The steps shown here walk you through dragging-and-dropping files to the Main Window. The process for dragging-and-dropping to ANIM.EXE or a shortcut is essentially the same.

Step-by-Step Instructions


TOPIC: Using the Run Dialog Box


Using the Run Dialog Box
Opening Files

Using the Run Dialog Box

You can add filenames to the command line after the Animation Shop executable filename in Windows' Run dialog box. One of two things will happen:

Animation Shop will open the file in a Frames View window in the animation area.

If you selected a meta or vector file, a Photo-CD file, or a RAW file, Animation shop may open a format-specific dialog box requesting additional information.


Using the Open Dialog Box

Window:	Steps


TOPIC: Step 1: Access the Open Dialog Box


Step 1: Access the Open Dialog Box
Using the Open Dialog Box

Step 1: Access the Open Dialog Box

There are two ways to access the Open dialog box:

You can select "Open" from the File menu.

You can click the Open button in the Toolbar.


TOPIC: Step 2: Select the File's Folder


Step 2: Select the File's Folder
Using the Open Dialog Box

Step 2: Select the File's Folder

You select a folder using the following controls:

Look In Drop Down Box

Up One Level Button

Contents List Box


TOPIC: Step 3: Select the File Type


Step 3: Select the File Type
Using the Open Dialog Box

Step 3: Select the File Type

You select the file type from the File Type drop down box.

1	Click the drop down box. Animation Shop will open it.

2	Click the file type that you want to select. If the file type isn't visible, use the scrollbar to move through the list.


TOPIC: Step 4: Select the File


Step 4: Select the File
Using the Open Dialog Box

Step 4: Select the File

Click the file that you want to select in the Contents List Box. If the file list is too long to fit in the box, use the scrollbars to move through it.


TOPIC: Step 5: Check the File Information (Optional)


Step 5: Check the File Information (Optional)
Using the Open Dialog Box

Step 5: Check the File Information (Optional)

The Image Information group box displays basic image data for the selected file. To see more information:

1	Click the Details button, which is enabled if you have selected a non-.gif image file. Depending on the file type you have selected, varying information will be displayed in the File Information dialog box.

2	When you're done reviewing the information, click the OK button.


TOPIC: Step 6: Select the Open Button


Step 6: Select the Open Button
Using the Open Dialog Box

Step 6: Select the Open Button

To open the file, click the Open button. One of two things will happen:

Animation Shop will open the file in a Frames View window in the animation area.

If you selected a meta or vector file, a Photo-CD file, or a RAW file, Animation shop may open a format-specific dialog box requesting additional information.


Using Drag-and-Drop

Window:	Steps


TOPIC: Step 1: Position the Windows


Step 1: Position the Windows
Using Drag-and-Drop

Step 1: Position the Windows

Position the My Computer or Windows Explorer window and the Animation shop Main Window so that you can see them both.

The My Computer or Windows Explorer window should be "on top" since you will use it to "grab" the file.

Only a small part of the Animation shop Main Window − in fact, just the Titlebar − needs to be visible.


TOPIC: Step 2: Find the File


Step 2: Find the File
Using Drag-and-Drop

Step 2: Find the File

Find the file in My Computer or the Windows Explorer. For further assistance, see the application's documentation.


TOPIC: Step 3: Grab the File


Step 3: Grab the File
Using Drag-and-Drop

Step 3: Grab the File

1	Point at the file with your mouse.

2	Press and hold the primary mouse button.


TOPIC: Step 4: Drag the File


Step 4: Drag the File
Using Drag-and-Drop

Step 4: Drag the File

Drag the file to the Animation shop Main Window by moving your mouse.


TOPIC: Step 5: Drop the File


Step 5: Drop the File
Using Drag-and-Drop

Step 5: Drop the File

You drop the file by releasing the mouse button. The Animation shop Main Window will move to the foreground, and if Animation shop recognizes the file format, one of two things will happen:

Animation shop will open the file in a Frames View window.

If you selected a meta or vector file, a Photo-CD file, or a RAW file, Animation shop may open a format-specific dialog box requesting additional information.


Open / Load Dialog Boxes:	Selecting a Folder

Window:	How To


TOPIC: Look in Drop Down Box


Look in Drop Down Box
Selecting a Folder:

Look in Drop Down Box

Up One Level Button

Contents List Box

The Look In Drop Down Box lists the currently selected folder and any folders above it, including the Windows system folders (Desktop, My Computer, etc.). To select a folder:

1	Click on the drop down box to open it.

2	Click on the folder that you want to select. If the folder isn't visible, use the scrollbar to move through the list.


TOPIC: Up One Level Button


Up One Level Button
Selecting a Folder:

Look in Drop Down Box

Up One Level Button

Contents List Box

Clicking on the Up One Level Button takes you to the folder that directly contains the current folder. For example, if the current folder is C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM, clicking on the button will take you to C:\WINDOWS.


TOPIC: Contents List Box


Contents List Box
Selecting a Folder:

Look in Drop Down Box

Up One Level Button

Contents List Box

The Contents List Box displays the contents of the folder that is currently selected in the Look In Drop Down Box. To select a folder:

1	Click on the folder that you want to select. If the folder isn't visible, use the scrollbar to move through the list.

2	Click on the Open Button. Animation shop will update the Look In Drop Down Box and the Contents List Box.


Save Dialog Boxes:	Selecting a Folder

Window:	How To


TOPIC: Save in Drop Down Box


Save in Drop Down Box
Selecting a Folder:

Save In Drop Down Box

Up One Level Button

Contents List Box

The Save In Drop Down Box lists the currently selected folder and any folders above it, including the Windows system folders (Desktop, My Computer, etc.). To select a folder:

1	Click on the drop down box to open it.

2	Click on the folder that you want to select. If the folder isn't visible, use the scrollbar to move through the list.


TOPIC: Up One Level Button


Up One Level Button
Selecting a Folder:

Save In Drop Down Box

Up One Level Button

Contents List Box

Clicking on the Up One Level Button takes you to the folder that directly contains the current folder. For example, if the current folder is C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM, clicking on the button will take you to C:\WINDOWS.


TOPIC: Contents List Box


Contents List Box
Selecting a Folder:

Save In Drop Down Box

Up One Level Button

Contents List Box

The Contents List Box displays the contents of the folder that is currently selected in the Save In Drop Down Box. To select a folder:

1	Click on the folder that you want to select. If the folder isn't visible, use the scrollbar to move through the list.

2	Click on the Save Button. Animation shop will update the Save In Drop Down Box and the Contents List Box.


Save Dialog Boxes:	Creating a Folder

Window:	How To


TOPIC: Creating a New Folder


Creating a New Folder

To add a folder to the currently-selected folder:

1	Click on the Create New Folder Button. Animation shop will add a "new folder" item to the Contents List Box.

2	Type a name for the new folder. You can edit the name as you would any other text.

3	Press <Enter>. Animation shop will create the new folder, add it to the Contents List Box, and highlight it.

4	Press <Enter> again. Animation shop will open the new folder.


Select Folder Dlg:	Selecting a Folder

Window:	Steps2


TOPIC: Step 1: Select the Folder


Step 1: Select the Folder
Selecting a Folder

Step 1: Select the Folder

You use the Select Folder Dialog Box to choose a folder for a function or feature. You select a folder using the following controls:

Look In Drop Down Box

Up One Level Button

Contents List Box


TOPIC: Step 2: Choose the Select Button


Step 2: Choose the Select Button
Selecting a Folder

Step 2: Choose the Select Button

Click on the Select Button. Animation shop will return to the function that called the Select Folder Dialog Box.


Select Folder Dlg:	Creating a Folder

Window:	Steps2


TOPIC: Step 1: Select the Parent Folder


Step 1: Select the Parent Folder
Creating a Folder

Step 1: Select the Parent Folder

You use the Select Folder Dialog Box to create a folder for use by the Browser or by the Batch Conversion Utility. Use the following controls to select the folder that will contain the new folder:

Look In Drop Down Box

Up One Level Button

Contents List Box


TOPIC: Step 2: Create the New Folder


Step 2: Create the New Folder
Creating a Folder

Step 2: Create the New Folder

1	Click on the Create New Folder Button. Animation shop will add a "new folder" item to the Contents List Box.

2	Type a name for the new folder. You can edit the name as you would any other text.

3	Press <Enter>. Animation shop will create the new folder, add it to the Contents List Box, and highlight it.

4	Press <Enter> again. Animation shop will open the new folder.


TOPIC: Step 3: Choose the Select Button


Step 3: Choose the Select Button
Creating a Folder

Step 3: Choose the Select Button

Click on the Select Button. Animation shop will return to the function that called the Select Folder Dialog Box.


File Format Preferences

Window:	Main


TOPIC: File Format Preferences Overview


File Format Preferences Overview
File Format Preferences

File Format Preferences Overview

You can set format preferences for a number of file types. The settings that you select become the new defaults for files saved to that file type.

1	Select "Preferences" from the File menu, then select "File Format Preferences" from the submenu. Animation Shop will open the File Preferences Dialog Box.

2	Click the dialog box tab for the file type preferences that you want to set.


 TOPIC: PCD Preferences


PCD Preferences
File Format Preferences

PCD Preferences

You set the PCD file preferences from the PCD Preferences Page of the File Preferences Dialog Box.

Kodak Photo-CD files contain multiple sizes of a single image. The PCD size preference option determines which size will be read when a PCD file is opened. If you select "Ask when loading each file", Animation Shop will present the PCD Size Dialog Box each time you open a Kodak Photo-CD file. You select a size option by clicking on it.


 TOPIC: WMF Preferences


WMF Preferences
File Format Preferences

WMF Preferences

You set the WMF file preferences from the WMF Preferences Page of the File Preferences Dialog Box.

There are two ways that Animation Shop can open metafiles. You select one of these options by clicking on it.

Ask for size and options each time a file is opened

Animation Shop can prompt you for the size and other settings each time it opens a metafile. If you select this option, Animation Shop will present the Meta Picture Import Dialog Box whenever it reads metafile data.

Use file header information when available

Animation Shop can try to use the available file header information. If you select this option, Animation Shop will attempt to read the header information. If it cannot, or no header information exists, it will use the default size.

Default File Size

If you select to use file header information, you need to set the default size for files without a header. Use the spin controls to set the dimensions.


General Program Preferences

Window:	Main


TOPIC: General Program Preferences Overview


General Program Preferences Overview
General Program Preferences

General Program Preferences Overview

The general program preferences are the settings you want Animation Shop to use in displaying and working with your animation.

You change most of Animation Shop's configuration settings from the Animation Shop Preferences dialog box. To access the dialog box:

1	Select "Preferences" from the File menu.

2	Select "General Program Preferences" from the Preferences Submenu.

The options in the Animation Shop Preferences dialog box are grouped under seven tabs. You access a group of options by clicking its tab.


TOPIC: Undo Preferences


Undo Preferences
General Program Preferences

Undo Preferences

The Undo command removes an image's last set of unsaved changes.  Because the Undo function can drain a lot of your computer’s resources, you can set the Undo Preferences to determine whether the function should be enabled, the amount of memory allocated in using the function, and the number of undo steps to be retained by your computer.


TOPIC: Frame View Preferences


Frame View Preferences
General Program Preferences

Frame View Preferences

Use the Frame View Preferences to set the colors you want Animation Shop to use as a border around your animation and to indicate what frames you have selected.  The Selected frames color surrounds every selected frame, whether it is one frame or a series of frames.  The Current selection color appears above and below the most recently selected frame.  You can change these color settings by clicking the Change buttons and using the Color dialog box that appears.

Selecting the check box at the bottom of the tab prompts Animation Shop to display the frame number and delay time information below each in the Frames View window.


TOPIC: Animation Player Preferences


Animation Player Preferences
General Program Preferences

Animation Player Preferences

Selecting the check box in the Animation Player Preferences prompts Animation Shop to display the "Frame __ of __" count in the Play View window.


TOPIC:Transparency Preferences


Transparency Preferences
General Program Preferences

Transparency Preferences

The Transparency Preferences lets you configure how Animation Shop will display any transparent areas of your animation.  The default is a medium-sized grey and white tiled pattern.

Select the size of tiles from the Grid Size drop down box.  You can specify different colors for the tiles using those available in the Scheme drop down box, or you can choose your own by choosing Custom from the Scheme drop down box and double-clicking the Color 1 and Color 2 color boxes.  This will present the Color dialog box for you to choose a new color.


TOPIC: Layered Files Preferences


Layered Files Preferences
General Program Preferences

Layered Files Preferences

The Layered Files tab lets you indicate how files with multiple layers should be loaded into an animation.  You can either merge all layers into a single frame, or create a new frame for each layer.


TOPIC: Miscellaneous Preferences


Miscellaneous Preferences
General Program Preferences

Miscellaneous Preferences

When you exit Animation Shop with data on the Windows clipboard, you will be prompted whether you want to leave it on the clipboard for another application or not.  Selecting the check box on the Miscellaneous Preferences tab suppresses this prompt and the data is left on the clipboard.


Color Palette Preferences
General Program Preferences

Color Palette Preferences

Animation Shop uses the Color dialog box (picker) supplied with Paint Shop Pro 5.  If you would prefer to use the standard Windows Color dialog box, select the check box in the Color Palette Preferences tab.

Decimal and hexadecimal numbering systems are two different ways to express the value of a color.  A color value of #FF55DD in hexadecimal means a red value of FF (hexadecimal) or 255 (decimal), a green value of 55 (hex) or 85 (decimal), and a blue value of DD (hex) or 221 (decimal).  Select the radio button on the Color palette tab for the numbering system you are more comfortable with.  These values will be used on the Color palette.


Managing Image Files

Window:	Main


TOPIC: Managing Image Files Overview


Managing Image Files Overview
Managing Image Files

Managing Image Files Overview

You can use Animation Shop to perform the following image file management tasks:

Creating a File

Duplicating a File

Saving a File

Reverting to the Saved File

Closing Files

Optimizing a File

Printing a File

Deleting a File


TOPIC: Creating a New Animation


Creating a New Animation
Managing Image Files

Creating a New Animation

Creating a new animation is easy with Animation Shop.

1	Choose New from the File menu or click the New Animation button on the toolbar.  Animation Shop opens the Create New Animated GIF dialog box.

2	Set the width and height of the frames in the new animation in the Width and Height edit boxes.

3	Choose either a transparent or a colored canvas for the animation.  If you choose the Opaque radio button, the Set Canvas Color button will be enabled and the Color dialog box will open where you can choose a different color if you want.

When you are finished, click the OK button.  A new animation will be created with one frame of the size and with the canvas you have selected.


TOPIC: Duplicating a File


Duplicating an Animation
Managing Image Files

Duplicating an Animation

Animation Shop offers the ability to copy an animation using the Duplicate operation.  The animation you are copying does not need to have been saved.

1	Open the animation you want to copy so it is displayed in a a Frames View window.

2	Choose Duplicate from the Windows menu.  Animation Shop opens another Frames View window with a copy of the original animation.


TOPIC: Saving a File


Saving a File
Managing Image Files

Saving a File

Animation Shop allows you to save your animations in two formats, either as a .gif file (Graphics Interchange Format), or as a .mng (Animation Shop Animation), which is an animation format that supports 24 bit-per-pixel animations. Animation Shop also offers an optimization process that is initiated whenever you save an animation file.  To save changes to the active animation file, you can:

Choose "Save" from the File menu.

Click the Save button in the Toolbar.

If you are saving a new file, Animation Shop will open the Save As dialog box.

Step-by-Step Instructions

You can also save an individual frame in a variety of graphic formats.  With a frame selected, choose Save from the File menu.  Animation Shop will open the Save As dialog box, and offer additional choices in the File Type drop down box.  If the file type that you selected supports format options, the Options button will become available. Click it to obtain additional dialog boxes to set file preferences.


TOPIC: Reverting to the Saved File


Reverting to the Saved File
Managing Image Files

Reverting to the Saved File

To abandon all changes made to a file since it was last saved, choose Revert from the File menu. You will be prompted to confirm your decision.

To abandon all of your changes and revert to the saved file, click the Yes button.

To keep your changes, click the No button.

 You can only revert to a saved animation.  If you open an image as a single-frame animation, it cannot be reverted until saved.


TOPIC: Closing Files


Closing Files
Managing Image Files

Closing Files

To close a file, choose Close from the File menu, or click the Windows Close button.  If you have edited the file and haven’t saved it, you will be prompted to confirm your decision.  Do one of the following:

Click the Yes button to save the file and close it.

Click the No button to close the file without saving it, abandoning all your changes.

Click the Cancel button to leave the file open without saving it.

Closing All Files

To close all open files, choose Close All from the Window menu. The Window Close All option determines whether you will be prompted to save any new or edited files.


 TOPIC: Optimizing a File


Optimizing a File
Managing Image Files

Optimizing a File

Animation Shop offers an optimization process that lets you determine the level of image quality of your animation versus the output size of the file.  This process is initiated whenever you save a new animation file or save an edited file.  You can also initiate optimization without actually saving the file by choosing Optimization Wizard from the File menu.

You will be given a series of wizard pages to respond to.  As you finish with each wizard page, click the Next button to move to the next page.  You may move forward or backward at any point in the process by clicking the Back and Next buttons at the bottom of the pages.

Step-by-Step Instructions


TOPIC: Printing a File


Printing a File
Managing Image Files

Printing a File

There are two ways to print your animation.  You can print multiple frames on a page or one full-size image on each page.  Choose Print from the File menu and then choose either Animations or Frames from the submenu that appears.  The Print dialog box that appears is the same for both animations and frames. You can preview a file before printing it.

Step-by-Step Instructions


 TOPIC: Deleting a File


Deleting a File
Managing Image Files

Deleting a File

To delete an animation file:

1	Open or select the file.

2	Choose Delete from the File menu. You will be prompted to confirm your decision.

3	To delete the file, click the Yes button. To leave the file intact, click the No button.

 You will only be prompted to confirm deletion if your Windows options are set up to do this. You can set this option by right-clicking the Recycle Bin in Windows and choosing Properties. For more information on using Windows, see your Windows documentation.


Save As Dialog Box

Window:	Steps


TOPIC: Step 1: Select or Create the File's Folder


Step 1: Select or Create the File's Folder
Using the Save As Dialog Box

Step 1: Select or Create the File's Folder

Selecting a Folder

You select a folder using the following controls:

Save In Drop Down Box

Up One Level Button

Contents List Box

Creating a Folder

1	Select the folder that will contain the new folder. See the section above.

2	Click the Create New Folder Button.


TOPIC: Step 2: Select the File Type


Step 2: Select the File Type
Using the Save As Dialog Box

Step 2: Select the File Type

Choose to save your file either as a .gif or a .mng file in the Save As Type drop down box.

1	Click the drop down box to open it.

2	Click the file type that you want to select. If the file type isn't visible, use the scrollbar to move through the list.


 TOPIC: Step 3: Enter the Filename


Step 3: Enter the Filename
Using the Save As Dialog Box

Step 3: Enter the Filename

Type a name for the file in the File Name text box..  You may also leave the name assigned by Animation Shop.  You do not need to type the file extension—Animation Shop will add it automatically depending on what is selected in the File Type drop down box.  If you want a different extension than the one supplied, place the filename in quotes (i.e., "Animation3.FRD").

1	Double-click in the text box.

2	Type the filename.


TOPIC: Step 4: Select the Save Button


Step 4: Select the Save Button
Using the Save As Dialog Box

Step 4: Select the Save Button

Click the Save button. One of two things will happen:

Animation Shop will save the image file and close the Save As dialog box.

You will be asked if you want to overwrite an existing file.

Click the Yes button to overwrite it.

Click the No button to leave the file intact and return to the Save As dialog box.


TOPIC: Step 5: Optimize the File


Step 5: Select the Save Button
Using the Save As Dialog Box

Step 5: Optimize the File

When the Save As dialog box closes, the optimization process is initiated and a series of optimization wizard pages will appear.  Respond to each of the wizard pages by clicking Next to complete this process.


File Optimization

Window:	Steps


TOPIC: Step 1:


Step 1: Select the Output Type
Optimizing a File

Step 1: Select  the Output Type

The Optimized Output dialog box will provide the following choices:

Clicking the appropriate radio button, either "Animated GIF File" or "Animation Shop Animation (MNG) file" will determine the file type

Clicking the "Replace the current animation with the optimized version" radio button will overwrite the current animation in your computer’s memory with the optimized version.

Clicking the "Create a new animation from the optimized animation" radio button will create a new animation in your computer’s memory that has not yet been saved.


TOPIC: Step 2:


Step 2: Select Animation Quality
Optimizing a File

Step 2: Select Animation Quality

When a file is optimized, you can choose whether to preserve the quality of the images in your animation and consequently save a larger file, or sacrifice some image quality for a smaller file size.  Animation Shop offers you four levels of optimization, indicated on the slider button in the Animation Quality Versus Output Size dialog box.  As you move the slider button, you will see the optimization setting details change with each level. Select the "Use these settings when saving unoptimized files" check box to skip the optimization interface and have Animation Shop automatically optimize with the current settings during each save.

You can change the optimization details by clicking the Customize button.  The Customize Optimization Settings dialog box will appear, with two settings tabs available: Colors and Optimization.

In the Colors tab, indicate how many colors you want available in your animation by choosing an option from the Number of Colors drop down box.  Animation Shop tells you how many colors your animation is currently using just to the right of the drop down box.

In the "Create palette by" area of the dialog box, choose the color palette Animation Shop should use when optimizing your animation.  Indicate the color reduction method Animation Shop should use in the "Reduce colors by" area of the dialog box.

In the Optimization tab, you can:

Control the size of your animation file by checking the "Remove Non-Visible Animation Elements" check box.

Select the "Write Minimal Frames" check box prompts Animation Shop to compare each frame to the previous frame and, if possible, write a smaller frame containing only the pixels that have changed.  This optimization is the default in all quality levels.

Select the "Map Identical Pixels To Transparent" check box to make use of the transparent color for better compression.  It is the default in all quality levels.

Select the "Allow per frame palettes" check box allows the optimizer to decide if a color palette should be written for one or more individual frames in the animation.  Choosing this check box will increase the size of the file, but may also increase the image quality.


 TOPIC: Step 3:


Step 3: Monitor Optimization Progess
Optimizing a File

Step 3: Monitor Optimization Progress

The Optimization Progress screen monitors Animation Shop’s progress in optimizing your file.  When the process is finished, you will be prompted to click the Next button.


TOPIC: Step 4


Step 4: View the Results
Optimizing a File

Step 4: View the Results

The Optimization Results screen provides useful information about your file if you are planning to incorporate it on a World Wide Web page.  The Current File area displays information about your animation as of your last save.  The Optimized File area shows you the download times for your animation file from a server to a user’s computer at various modem speeds.

Click the Finish button when you are ready to proceed.  Your file will be modified per your optimized settings and the Optimization Wizard will close.


 Printing a File

Window:	Steps


TOPIC: Step 1: Check the Page Setup


Step 1: Check the Page Setup
Printing a File

Step 1: Check the Page Setup

The page setup settings determine the paper source and the image's placement on the page.


TOPIC: Step 2: Access the Print Dialog Box


Step 2: Access the Print Dialog Box
Printing a File

Step 2: Access the Print Dialog Box

There are two ways to access the Print dialog box:

You can choose Print from the File menu.

You can click the Print button in the Toolbar.


TOPIC: Step 3: Select the Printer


Step 3: Select the Printer
Printing a File

Step 3: Select the Printer

You select the printer from the Printer drop down box. The drop down box lists all of the output devices that are available to your system. For example, in addition to the available printers, it will also include any fax software that is installed on your computer.

1	Click the drop down box to open it.

2	Click the printer that you want to select. If the list is too long to fit in the box, use the scrollbar to move through it.


TOPIC: Step 4: Set the Printer Properties (Optional)


Step 4: Set the Printer Properties (Optional)
Printing a File

Step 4: Set the Printer Properties (Optional)

If you want to change the selected printer's properties, click the Properties button. Animation Shop will open the properties dialog box for the selected printer. For help using the dialog box, try pressing <F1>.


TOPIC: Step 5: Set the Print to File Checkbox


Step 5: Set the Print to File Checkbox
Printing a File

Step 5: Set the Print to File Checkbox

The Print to File Checkbox determines if the output is sent to the selected printer or to a printer file. If you want to:

Send the output to the selected printer, make sure that the checkbox is empty.

Send the output to a print file, mark the checkbox. You will be prompted for the filename later.


TOPIC: Step 6: Enter the Number of Copies


Step 6: Enter the Number of Copies
Printing a File

Step 6: Enter the Number of Copies

If your printer supports multiple copies, then you can print more than one copy of a file at a time. If your printer does not support multiple copies, the Number of Copies Spin Control will be greyed out.

You can type the number of copies into the spin control, or you can use the arrow buttons to set the value.

To scroll to a higher or lower value, point at the appropriate button and press and hold the primary mouse button.


TOPIC: Step 7: Select the OK Button


Step 7: Select the OK Button
Printing a File

Step 7: Choose the OK Button

When you're ready to print, click the OK button. One of two things will happen, depending on the setting of the Print to File Checkbox:

If the option is off, the Animation Shop will send the image to the printer.

If the option is on, Animation Shop will open the Print to File dialog box. For more help, press <F1>.


Previewing a Printed File

Window:	More


TOPIC: Previewing a Printed File


Previewing a Printed File

To view the active image as it will appear when printed, choose Print Preview from the File menu. Animation Shop will open the Image Print Preview Window.

Printing the Image

The Print button closes the Image Print Preview Window and opens the Print dialog box. See Step 3 of "Printing a File".

Changing the Page Setup

The Setup button closes the Image Print Preview Window and opens the Page Setup dialog box. When you close the Page Setup dialog box, Animation Shop will return to the Image Print Preview Window.

Changing the Magnification

The Zoom In and Zoom Out buttons magnify and reduce the image. You can also change the magnification by clicking on the image.

Closing the Window

The Close button closes the Image Print Preview Window.


Modifying an Animation

Window:	Main


TOPIC: Overview


Overview
Modifying an Animation

Overview

Animation Shop allows you to modify an animation in several ways, such as by adding, removing, and relocating frames.  You can also viw animations at various magnification levels.  Click the tab topics in this help screen to learn more about the various modification capabilities.


TOPIC: Magnification


Magnification
Modifying an Animation

Changing the Magnification

You can view animations at several different magnification levels in Animation Shop.  Click any of the following selections from the View menu to change the zoom level of your animation.

"Zoom / 8" displays the frames at one-eighth their actual size.

"Zoom / 4" displays the frames at one-quarter their actual size.

"Zoom / 2" displays the frames at one-half their actual size.

"Zoom x 2" displays the frames at twice their actual size.

"Zoom x 4" displays the frames at four times their actual size.

"Zoom x 8" displays the frames at eight times their actual size.

"Actual Size" displays the frames at their actual size.

You can also use any of the following methods to increase and decrease the magnification.

Use the <+> and <-> keys on the numeric keypad.

Use the Zoom drop down box in the Style bar.

Use the Magnify tool on the Tool Palette.

The current magnification of an animation is indicated by the numbers in brackets in the Title bar of the active window.


TOPIC: Moving Around


Moving Around
Modifying an Animation

Moving Around an Animation

In animations that consist of many frames, you can move around easily by clicking Go To Frame in the Edit menu.  You can also right-click anywhere outside a frame in the animation and choose Go To Frame from the menu that appears.  In the Go To Frame dialog box that opens, type a frame number in the edit box.  Animation Shop will move you through the animation to the specified frame without selecting it.


Undo
Modifying an Animation

Using Undo

As you modify your animation, you may occasionally want to remove a change you just made.  You can use the Undo function by choosing it from the Edit menu, or by either clicking the Undo toolbar button or by using the keyboard shortcut <Ctrl> + Z. This function returns your animation to its state prior to your last operation.  Animation Shop cannot undo operations that were written to your computer’s disk, such as saving a file, changing a filename or file type, etc.

Depending on the settings on the Undo tab of the General Program Preferences dialog box, you are limited only by your computer’s available memory.


Emptying the Clipboard
Modifying an Animation

Emptying the Clipboard

When you use the Cut and Copy functions, the data you have copied or cut is placed on the Windows clipboard -- a specific area of your computer’s memory -- so it is available for pasting at a later time.  If the amount of data is very large, it can consume a lot of your computer’s memory and cause your programs to run slowly.  You can remove data from the clipboard by choosing Empty Clipboard from the Edit menu, and consequently free up memory.

When you exit Animation Shop with data on the clipboard, you will be prompted whether you want to leave it on the clipboard for another application or not.  This prompt can be suppressed on the Miscellaneous tab of the General Program Preferences dialog box.


Selecting Frames
Modifying an Animation

Selecting Frames

In order to make changes to the frames in your animation, you must select them.  You can select a single frame or multiple frames.

Selecting One Frame

Simply click the frame in the animation.  Depending on the colors selected in the Frame View Preferences, the selected frame will be surrounded by a colored border (the default is blue) with additional lines (the default is red) above and below the frame.

Selecting Multiple Frames

Hold down <Shift> and click as many frames as you like to either the right or the left (one direction only) of the first frame you selected.

Hold down <Shift> and press the left or right arrow keys to select as many frames as you like.

Hold down <Shift> and click the first and last frames in a series that you would like to select.

To select all the frames in an animation, choose Select All from the Edit menu.

Depending on the colors selected in the Frame View Preferences, the selected frames will be surrounded by a colored border (the default is blue) with additional lines (the default is red) above and below the frame selected last.

Removing a Selection

You can remove the last frame from a multiple selection by holding down the <Shift> key and clicking on the preceding frame.  You can remove multiple frames in the same manner.

To deselect all frames, either choose Select None from the Edit menu or click any non-frame area of the window.


Working Frames
Modifying an Animation

Working with Frames

After creating your animation, you may need to add, remove, or reposition the animation’s frames.  You can accomplish this in several ways.

Adding Frames From a File

To insert a new image from your hard drive, floppy disk, or CD-ROM:

1	Choose Insert Frames from the Edit menu, and then choose From File from the submenu that appears.  You can also right-click any frame in the animation, choose Add from the menu that appears, and then choose From File.  Animation Shop opens the Insert Frames from Files dialog box.

2	Click the Add File button.  Animation Shop opens the Open dialog box.

3	Select the file for your animation. To select multiple images at once from the Open dialog box, hold the <Ctrl> key while clicking filenames.  You can also select consecutive files by holding <Shift> and clicking on the first and last filenames in your selection.  If your image files are located in more than one folder, you will need to reenter the Open dialog box for each folder.

4	Delete any images by clicking on the filename to select it and then clicking the Remove File button.

5	Reorder any of the new images by selecting one or more image files and clicking on the Move Up and Move Down buttons.

6	Indicate where the new image will appear in your animation and the delay time assigned to it by using the "Insert before" and "Delay time" edit boxes in the "Placement of new frames" area.

7	If you have added an image with a different aspect ratio (width-to-height ratio) and/or size than the animation, the bottom portion of the dialog box will assist you in placing these images in their frames.

Selecting the "Upper left corner" radio button will align all images with aspect ratios and/or sizes different than the first image in the upper left corner of their respective frames.

Selecting the "Centered" radio button will center all images in their frames.  If the dimensions of an image are smaller than the first image, there will be "space" around the outside of the image.

Selecting the "Canvas color" radio button uses the default canvas color to fill in around the smaller-sized image.

Selecting the "Preceding frame’s contents" radio button fills in the "space" around the smaller image with the contents of the previous frame.

If the new image is of a different size than the rest of the animation, you can click the "Scale frames to fit" check box and the new image will be resized while maintaining the aspect ratio.

8	Click the OK button.  Animation Shop will insert the new image or images into your animation.

Adding, Copying, and Moving Frames

Animation Shop allows you to add, move, or copy frames from within the same animation or from different animations using two different techniques:  cut/copy-and-paste and drag-and-drop.  To move frames, use the cut function, and to copy frames, use copy.  The drag-and-drop method copies and moves frames.

Cut/Copy-and-Paste

The cut/copy-and-paste method is the same whether you are cutting/copying one or several frames.

1	Open the animation you would like to cut/copy from.

2	Select the desired frame(s) to be cut/copied.

3	Place the contents of the frame(s) on the Windows clipboard by choosing Cut or Copy from the Edit menu or by clicking the Cut or Copy buttons on the toolbar.

4	If you are pasting to a different animation, open the animation you are pasting to.

5	Select the frame you want to paste your new frame(s) in front of or into.  If you are pasting multiple frames, you will only be allowed to paste in front of a frame.

6	To paste new frames, choose Paste from the Edit menu and choose As New Frames from the submenu that appears.   You can also simply click the Paste As New Frames button on the toolbar.

The new frame(s) will be pasted on your animation.  They contain the frame properties of the source frame(s).

If you are pasting only one frame and want to merge it with another, choose Paste from the File menu and then choose Into Selected Frame from the submenu that appears.  You can also simply click the Paste Into Selected Frame button on the toolbar.  The clipboard image will be combined into the selected frame.

Drag-and-Drop

This method allows you to copy or move one or more frames at a time.

1	Open the animation you are copying from.  If you are copying/moving to a different, animation, open the one you are copying or moving to and position the animation windows so both are visible.

2	Select the frame(s) to be dragged.

3	Drag the frame(s) to the location you are copying/moving to. To copy (not move) your frame(s), press the <Ctrl> key before you begin to drag the frame(s) and continue holding until the frames are moved.  As the mouse is moved over frame borders, the cursor icon turns to an image of three sheets of paper.  This indicates that dragged frames will be pasted as new frames. As the mouse is moved over frame images, a single-sheet cursor appears, indicating that dragged frames will be pasted into frames.  An image of the source frame is painted on the destination frame to allow positioning.

4	Drop the frames in the destination location.  The dragged frame(s) will be inserted in the animation.  If you are pasting new frames, they contain the frame properties of the source frame(s).  If you are pasting into frames, dragged frame images are combined into destination frames until all dragged frames are pasted, or the end of the animation is reached.

 If the <Shift> key is pressed when dropping a frame on another frame’s image area, Animation Shop will decide where to paste the dragged frame.  The dragged frame is "snapped" to the nearest corner or mid-point of the destination frame’s border, or to the center of the destination frame, depending on where the source frame is dropped.

Paste Order of Frames

The manner in which you drag source frames will affect how they are pasted.  The frames in a selection will be pasted in the following order:

1	The frame that was clicked on to begin the drag (starting frame).

2	Any remaining frames to the right of the starting frame in left-to-right order.

3	Any remaining frames to the left of the starting frame in left-to-right order.

Propagate Paste

Propagate paste allows you to copy/move one or more source frames onto the image area of other frames during a drag-and-drop operation.  The Propagate Paste button on the Animation Shop toolbar is a toggle button, meaning that while it is depressed, you are in propagate paste mode until you toggle it off.  You can also activate the propagate paste function by choosing Propagate Paste from the Edit menu.

Using the drag-and-drop method for copying/moving frames described above, click the Propagate Paste button before you drag the source frame(s).  The selection of source frame(s) is pasted repeatedly until one of the following happens:

You have pasted the source frame(s) before a destination selection and the start of the selection is reached.

You have pasted onto a destination selection and the end of the selection is reached.

The end of the animation is reached.


Duplicating Frames
Modifying an Animation

Duplicating Frames

You can quickly duplicate a frame or series of frames using the Duplicate operation.

1	Select the frame or frames you want to duplicate.

2	Choose Duplicate from the Edit menu or click the Duplicate button on the toolbar.  You can also right-click a frame and choose Duplicate from the menu that appears.

3	Animation Shop pastes a copy of the selected frames immediately after the selection.


Inserting Frames
Modifying an Animation

Inserting Empty Frames

To insert one or more blank frames into an animation, choose Insert Frames from the Edit menu and then choose Empty from the submenu that appears.  You can also right-click any of the frames in the animation and choose Add from the menu that appears and then choose Empty Frames from the submenu.  Animation Shop opens the Insert Empty Frames dialog box.

1	Set the number of blank frames you want to insert in the animation using the "Number of frames" edit box.

2	Indicate the frame in front of which you will insert the empty frames in the "Insert before frame" edit box.

3	Set the delay time property of the blank frames in the "Frame delay time" edit box.

4	Indicate the contents of the empty frame by using the "Contents of new frames" box.

Choosing the "Blank to canvas color" radio button fills the new frame with the canvas color of the animation.

Choosing the "Carry forward contents of preceding frame" radio button copies the contents of the preceding frame in the animation into the new frame.

5	Click the OK button.  Animation Shop will insert the new frames into your animation.


Reversing Frames
Modifying an Animation

Reversing Frames

Animation Shop allows you to reverse the order of all the frames in your animation or a selection of consecutive frames.

1	Select all the frames in your animation or any number of frames in a series.

2	Choose Reverse Frames from the Edit menu. Animation Shop reverses the order of the selected frames.


Flipping Frames
Modifying an Animation

Flipping Frames

You can flip one or more frames in an animation at a time.  The Flip operation reverses the frame vertically so that what was the top becomes the bottom, and vice-versa.  To flip one or more frames, do the following:

1	Select the frame or frames you want to flip.

2	Choose Flip from the Edit menu.


Mirroring Frames
Modifying an Animation

Mirroring Frames

The Mirror command reverses a frame or frames horizontally so that what was the left side becomes the right side, and vice-versa. To reverse one or more frames using the mirror operation, do the following:

1	Select the frame or frames you want to mirror.

2	Choose Mirror from the Edit menu.


Resizing Frames
Modifying an Animation

Resizing Animation Frames

The dimensions of the frames in an animation are set when you initially create the animation.  You can resize the frames in the Resize Animation dialog box using custom width and height settings or custom aspect ratio settings.  Both are described below.

1	Choose Resize Animation from the Edit menu.  The Resize Animation dialog boxopens.

2	Make your selections in the dialog box.

3	Click the OK button when you are finished.  Animation Shop will resize all the frames in your animation.

To Set Custom Width and Height Settings

1	Choose whether to resize the animation’s dimensions using pixels, a percentage of the original size, or a measured dimension in inches or centimeters.  Click the radio button in the appropriate area of the dialog box to enable its edit boxes.

2	Uncheck the "Maintain aspect ratio" check box if it is checked.

3	Use the Height and Width edit boxes to enter the new dimensions.  Note that the Actual/Print Size area of the dialog box allows you to define the resolution as well.

4	Choose a method from the Resize Type drop down box.

Bilinear Resample interpolates between two adjacent pixels to resize the animation, and is best used when you are decreasing the size of your animation.

Bicubic Resample interpolates between two adjacent pixels to resize the animation, and is best used when you are increasing the size of your animation.

Pixel Resize duplicates or eliminates pixels as needed to create new animations.

Smart Size method will choose between bilinear and bicubic resampling as the best method to resize the animation.

To Set Custom Aspect Ratio Settings

The aspect ratio is the relationship between the image’s two dimensions expressed as width divided by height.

1	Choose whether to resize the animation’s dimensions using pixels, a percentage of the original size, or a measured dimension in inches or centimeters.  Click the radio button in the appropriate area of the dialog box to enable its edit boxes.

2	Check the "Maintain aspect ratio" check box.

3	The Aspect Ratio text box will display the image's current aspect ratio. If you want to change the ratio, double-click in the text box, then type the new ratio.

4	Enter the setting for the dimension that you want to change. For example, if you want to set the width and let the height be determined by the aspect ratio, double-click in one of the Width edit boxes and type the new width. The remaining edit box will update when you either (a) exit the current field, or (b) click the OK button.

5	Choose a method from the Resize Type drop down box.


Deleting Frames
Modifying an Animation

Deleting Frames

There are two methods for removing frames from an animation.  The "cut" method places a copy of the selection on the Windows clipboard and the "delete" method simply removes the selection from the animation.

Select the frame or frames you want to delete and do one of the following:

Choose Cut from the Edit menu or click the Cut button on the toolbar or type <Ctrl> + <X>.

Choose Delete from the Edit menu or click the Delete button on the toolbar.

Press the <Delete> key.


Changing Frame Properties
Modifying an Animation

Changing Frame Properties

Frame properties can be set individually for each frame in an animation or for the entire animation.

1	Select one, several, or all the frames in your animation.

2	Choose Properties from the Edit menu and Frame Properties from the submenu that appears.  You can also right-click the selected frame or frames and choose Properties from the menu that appears.  Animation Shop opens the Frame Properties dialog box.

3	Indicate the new delay time for the selected frame in the "Display time" edit box.

4	Click the Comments tab and type in any comments specific to the selected frame.  These are embedded text entries that are typically used for author and copyright information and can only be viewed in a GIF editor.

5	Click the OK button.  The frame properties are updated by Animation Shop.


Changing Animation Properties
Modifying an Animation

Changing Animation Properties

Changes made to animation properties affect the entire animation.  Choose Properties from the Edit menu and Animation Properties from the submenu that appears.  You can also right-click the animation outside of any frames and choose Properties from the menu that appears.  Animation Shop opens the Animation Properties dialog box.

You set the looping animation property from the Looping Tab of the Animation Properties dialog box.

Choosing the "Repeat the animation indefinitely" radio button will continuously cycle your animation.

Choosing the "Play it __ times" radio button allows you to set how many times the animation will be played.

On the Comments tab you can type in any comments about the animation.  These are embedded text entries that are typically used for author and copyright information and can only be viewed in a GIF editor.

The Canvas Color tab allows you to set the canvas for the entire animation.

NOTE:  The canvas color of a frame or an animation is not the same as the background color of an image.  All frame images are loaded into Animation Shop as rectangular shapes, regardless of the shape of their image’s content.  This rectangular image background cannot be changed in Animation Shop unless you modify the image itself using the Color and Tool Palettes.  The canvas color you can set in Animation Shop is visible only when an image does not completely fill a frame or a frame is blank to the colored canvas.

Choosing the Transparent radio button will allow any images behind your animation to show through in the background.  The default setting for indicating a transparent canvas in Animation Shop is a grey and white tiled pattern.

Choosing the Opaque radio button allows you to choose a color for the canvas of your animation.  The canvas color shows only if there is any portion of a frame that its image does not fill.

To choose a canvas color other than the default shown in the Canvas Color tab, click the Set Canvas Color button.  Animation Shop will open the Color dialog box.

Click the OK button.  The animation properties are updated by Animation Shop.


Viewing an Animation
Modifying an Animation

Viewing Your Animation

To see what your animation looks like in action, choose Animation from the View menu or click the View Animation button.  The Play View window will appear and the animation will play.

When the Play View window is open, but not the Frame View window, choose Frames from the View menu or click the View Frames button to bring the Frame View window back.

To close the Play View window, single-click the Windows Close button or double-click the Control icon.  You can also choose Close from the File menu, which will close both the Play View window and the Frames View window.

NOTE:  The View Animation and the View Frames buttons toggle back and forth, depending on which one is active


Adding Transitions

Window:	Main


TOPIC: Transitions Overview


Transitions Overview
Adding Transitions

Overview

Animation Shop allows you to add two types of transitions:

Image Transitions

Text Transitions


Adding Image Transitions
Image Transitions

Adding Image Transitions

Image transitions, as the name implies, move you from one image to another using a visual transformation.  Transitions are created by rendering and adding frames to an animation.  There are many different effects you can create using the various transitions offered by Animation Shop.  Some transitions work best between two dissimilar images, and some work better with similar images.  Some work only with single images. To add a transition to your animation, follow the steps below.

1	Open an animation.

2	Select the frame in the animation to which you want to apply the transition. This is called the  "source" frame.

3	You can open the Add Image Transition dialog box by choosing Image Transitions from the Effects menu or by right-clicking the selected frame and choosing Image Transition from the menu that appears.

4	Define your transition using the options in the Add Image Transition dialog box, which has two regions:

Start, Transition, and End

Define Transition

5	When you have finished defining your transition, click the OK button.

List of Image Transitions


Adding Image Transitions
Image Transitions

Start With, End With, and Transition

The Add Image Transition dialog box displays the selected frame of your animation in the Start With area and sometimes the next frame in your animation in the End With area, depending on the transition.  To view what the transition will look like, click the Show Preview check box and the animated transition will display in the Transition area.  If this check box is not checked, nothing will be displayed in the Transition area.

If you right-click in the Start With or End With areas, a menu appears, listing options to change the appearance of the frame.

Choose an option by clicking it. If your selection is different than the frame you originally chose in the animation, a new frame of the type you have selected will be inserted in the animation.


Adding Image Transitions
Image Transitions

Defining Transitions

The Define Transition area of the Add Image Transition dialog box contains several tools to help you define your transition.  To obtain a brief description of the transition type, place the mouse pointer over the transition name or the preview window.

Transition Length and Frames per Second Slide Indicators

When you add an image transition to your animation, Animation Shop renders additional frames in the animation to create your transition.  You set the total length of time it takes for your transition to move to the end frame and the number of frames used per second by moving the Transition Length and Frames per second slide indicators.  The settings you choose will determine the number of additional frames rendered in your animation.  Animation Shop tells you how many frames will be added just below the Frames per second slide indicator.

 The longer the transition time and the more frames per second, the larger your animation file will become.

Depending on the size of the graphics images you are using, Animation Shop may take a few moments to render the new frames.  Each time you choose a different transition or customize it, Animation Shop will re-render the transition frames.

Transition Drop Down Box

The Transition drop down box lists the available transitions.  Click any transition to choose it.  To display a brief description of the transition, place the mouse pointer over the transition name in the drop down box or the preview window.

Customize Button

If customization of the transition you choose is allowed, the Customize button will be enabled; if it is not, the button will be greyed out.


Adding Image Transitions
Image Transitions

List of Image Transitions

Click any of the following image transitions for a description of that transition.

Blinds	Rotate
Clock	Rotate Colors
Compress	ShakyCam
Curtains	Shear
Double-Split	Slats
Explode	Spin
Fade	Spiral
Fade to Grey	Split
Gaussian Blur	Stretch
Mosaic	Twist
Motion Blur	Wave
Pinch	Wipe
Pixelate	Zoom
Posterize


Blinds

The Blinds transition will change the source frame into the subsequent frame as if it is being swept or wiped across multiple rows or columns simultaneously.  This transition works best between two dissimilar frames.

The Blinds Transition customization dialog box allows you to set the number of blinds that will wipe across the screen and whether the blinds should appear horizontally or vertically.


Clock

The Clock transition will sweep the image of the second frame radially over the source frame much like the hand of a clock sweeping around the dial.

In the Clock Transition customization dialog box, you can set the "hand of the clock" to sweep clockwise or counter-clockwise using the Clock Motion radio buttons.


Compress

The Compress transition will compress an image toward the center of the frame in one direction, either horizontally or vertically.  An effective use of this transition would be to use an animation with only one image that has a transparent canvas, setting the animation looping property to repeat only once.  When the Compress transition is added, it would appear as if the image had compressed and disappeared.

In the Compress Transition customization dialog box, you can set the compression direction to horizontal or vertical and whether the background of the transition is the canvas color or a custom color.


Curtains

The Curtains transition splits the source frame and slides the halves off the screen as if curtains were opening or closing, revealing the subsequent frame.

The Curtains Transition customization dialog box allows you to set whether the curtains open or close horizontally or vertically.


Dissolve

The Dissolve transition replaces pixels in the source frame with pixels from the subsequent frame until the subsequent frame is completely in place.  This is a good transition between frames containing images, but less than ideal for a transition between solid and transparent frames.  You cannot customize the Dissolve transition.


Double-Split

The Double-Split transition slides quarters of the source frame off the frame diagonally, revealing the subsequent frame.  You cannot customize the Double-Split transition.


Explode

The Explode transition scatters the pixels of the source frame in random directions.

In the Explode Transition customization dialog box, you can set whether the background of the transition is the canvas color or a custom color.  You can also set the speed of the exploding pixels.


Fade

The Fade transition smoothly blends the colors of the pixels in the source frame to the color of the pixels in the subsequent frame until the second frame is completely visible.  This is a good transition between two frames with images, but less than ideal for transitions between solid and transparent frames.  It tends to produce larger file sizes because of the large number of colors required.  You cannot customize the Fade transition.


Fade to Grey

The Fade to Grey transition smoothly converts the source image in the source frame to greyscale.  You cannot customize the Fade to Grey transition.


Gaussian Blur

The Gaussian Blur transition applies a blur to the source frame in increasing amounts until the maximum amount you have defined is reached.

In the Gaussian Blur Transition customization dialog box, the Blur radius edit box allows you to set how "blurry" the source frame will become.


Mosaic

The Mosaic transition replaces tiled sections of the source frame with the subsequent frame in a random pattern.

In the Mosaic Transition customization dialog box, set the number of tiles that will be replaced by the Mosaic transition.


Motion Blur

The Motion Blur transition blurs the image in the source frame in increasing amounts until the maximum amount you have set is reached.  The image also appears to jostle around as it blurs.

In the Motion Blur Transition customization dialog box, indicate the direction of the blur by setting a value in the Blur angle edit box or by clicking on the circle to move the radius bar.  The Blur radius edit box allows you to set how "blurry" the source frame will become.


Pinch

The Pinch transition compresses the source frame’s image toward the center of the frame.  The center of the image will be compressed more than the edges, appearing as if the image were being pinched.

In the Pinch Transition Customization dialog box, you can set whether the image is pinched horizontally or vertically, and if the background of the transition is the canvas color or a custom color.


Pixelate

The Pixelate transition increases the apparent size of the source frame’s pixels and averages their colors together.  You cannot customize the Pixelate transition.


Posterize

The Posterize transition transforms the color range of the source frame’s image to solid blocks of color, making it look more like a "poster."

In the Posterize Transition customization dialog box, set the number of levels to posterize your image.


Rotate

The Rotate transition spins the source frame’s image in a clockwise direction around the center of its frame.


Rotate Colors

The Rotate Colors transition alters the colors of the source frame around the color wheel.  For example, red will change to yellow, which will change to green, which will change to blue, and then back to red.  If you have different colors in your image, each colored object will rotate independently of the other colored objects.  For example, an image of a man with a red tie and a green shirt will rotate to a man with a yellow tie and a blue shirt, and then to a man with a green tie and a red shirt.  You cannot customize the Rotate Colors transition.


ShakyCam

The ShakyCam transition causes the source frame to appear as if it had been filmed by a shaking camera.

In the ShakyCam Transition customization dialog box, you can click any of the Save Method radio buttons to emphasize that color in the frame’s image; for example, choosing Darkest will cause the darker lines in a frame to be thicker and darker, choosing Most Green will cause the green colors in the image to be more pronounced.  You set the degree of shakiness of the frame with the Shakiness edit box.


Shear

The Shear transition moves the pixels of the source frame to the degree you specify to create a warped image.  You can also set whether the parts of the image that move off the frame as it is warped wrap to the other side of the frame or not.

In the Shear Transition customization dialog box, the Shear Distance edit box sets the degree of slant of the shear in pixels.  You can set whether the transition shears horizontally or vertically.  Clicking the "Shear Wrapping, Wrapped" check box will make any parts of the image that are "sheared off" appear on the opposite side of the frame.  If "Shear Wrapping" is not checked, the Canvas Color section is enabled and you can choose to have a transparent or colored canvas appear where the image has been sheared.


Slats

The Slats transition will change the source frame into the subsequent frame as if slats were being opened to reveal the frame underneath.  This transition works best between two dissimilar frames.

In the Slats Transition Customization dialog box, you can set the number of slats that will wipe across the screen.  You can also choose the slat orientation and movement direction.


Spin

The Spin transition twists the source frame as if on a central axis, flipping it over and revealing the subsequent frame as if it were on the backside of the source frame.

In the Spin Transition customization dialog box, you set the horizontal or vertical twist direction and the canvas color.


Spiral

The Spiral transition rotates the pixels of the source frame by an amount which increases as the distance from the center of the image decreases, causing a spiraling effect on the image.

In the Spiral Transition customization dialog box, the Maximum Angle edit box sets the degree to which the image will spiral.  Indicate if the background of the transition is the canvas color or a custom color with the Fill Unused Pixels radio buttons.


Split

The Split transition slides sections of one frame onto or off another.  This can be an interesting transition when used with images that are similar, but works very well with dissimilar images, too.

In the Split Transition Customization dialog box, the Number of Splits edit box indicates how many sections the frames are divided into.  Set the orientation of the sections with the Split Orientation radio buttons.  The Split Movement section creates different effects, depending on your selection.  Checking the Slide First Frame check box slides the sections of the source frame off the frame to reveal the second frame.  Checking Slide Last Frame slides the sections of the second frame onto the source frame.  Checking both check boxes slides one section of the source frame off and a section of the second frame on from different directions.


Stretch

The Stretch transition stretches the source frame by an amount you specify in a horizontal and/or vertical direction.

In the Stretch Transition customization dialog box, use the Horizontal and Vertical Stretch edit boxes to set the percentage the image should be stretched.


Twist

The Twist transition switches between two frames by appearing to twist the source frame over, revealing the subsequent frame on the back of the source frame.

In the Twist Transition customization dialog box, you can set the direction of the twist and the canvas color of the transition.


Wave

The Wave transition distorts the source frame as if it were wavering, somewhat like bad television reception.

In the Wave Transition customization dialog box, the Wave Orientation radio buttons sets whether the waves appear to be horizontal or vertical.  Set the amplitude (height) and wavelength (width) of the waves using the Wave Properties edit boxes.


Wipe

The Wipe transition slides one frame onto or off another.  This is a good transition between two dissimilar frames.

In the Wipe Transition customization dialog box, the Wipe Movement section creates different effects, depending on your selection.  Checking the Slide First Frame check box slides the source frame off the frame to reveal the second frame.  Checking the Slide Last Frame slides the second frame onto the source frame.  Checking both check boxes slides both frames in the same direction.  The Wipe Direction sections sets the direction of the wipe.  Clicking the Horizontal radio button offers Left to Right and Right to Left movement options, and clicking the Vertical radio button offers Top to Bottom and Bottom to Top options.


Zoom

The Zoom transition changes one frame to another by zooming in or out with the subsequent frame.

In the Zoom Transition customization dialog box, the Zoom In radio button makes the second frame appear to be getting larger on top of the source frame.  The Zoom Out radio button makes the source frame appear to be zooming away to reveal the second frame.  The Zoom Scaling check box determines whether the zoom is of the entire frame (scaled) or if the frame is gradually revealed (not scaled).


Adding Text Transitions
Text Transitions

Adding Text Transitions

The various text transitions offered by Animation Shop add text to an animation and apply interesting visual effects to the text.  Text transitions can be added to an animation that already contains one or more graphics images, or to empty frames.  Animation Shop creates text transitions by rendering and adding frames to an animation.  Experiment with the text transitions to find one that works best for your animation.  To add a transition to your animation, follow the steps below.

 Do not confuse the text added to your animation by a text transition with the text you add using the Text tool.  You cannot modify text added using the Text tool with a text transition.

1	Open an existing animation, or create one with a blank frame.

2	Select the frame in the animation to which you want to apply the transition. This is called the "source" frame.

3	You can open the Add Text Transition dialog box by choosing Text Transitions from the Effects menu or by right-clicking the selected frame and choosing Text Transition from the menu that appears.

4	Define your transition using the options in the Add Text Transition dialog box, which has two regions:

Start, Transition, and End

Define Transition

5	When you have finished defining your transition, click the OK button.

List of Text Transitions


Adding Text Transitions
Text Transitions

Start With, End With, and Transition

The Add Text Transition dialog box displays the selected frame of your animation in the Start With area.  To view what the transition will look like, click the Show Preview check box and the animated transition will display in the Transition area.  If this check box is not checked, nothing will be displayed in the Transition area.  The End With area is not used in defining text transitions.

If you right-click in the Start With area, a menu appears. You can choose any of these options to change the appearance of the frame.  If your selection is different than the frame you originally chose in the animation, a new frame of the type you have  selected will be inserted in the animation.


Adding Text Transitions
Text Transitions

Defining Text Transitions

Define Text

Type the text you want to appear in the animation in the text box.  Modify the font and color using the Font and Color buttons.

Define Transition

The Define Transition section contains several tools to help you define your transition.

Transition Length and Frames per Second slide indicators:  When you add a text transition to your animation, Animation Shop renders additional frames in the animation to create your transition.  You set the total length of time you want the transition to last and the number of frames used per second by moving the Transition Length and Frames per second slide indicators.  The settings you choose will determine the number of additional frames rendered in your animation.  Animation Shop tells you how many frames will be added just below the Frames per second slide indicator.

 The longer the transition time and the more frames per second, the larger your animation file will become.

Depending on the size of the graphics images you are using, Animation Shop may take a few moments to render the new frames.  Each time you choose a different transition or customize it, Animation Shop will re-render the transition frames.

The Transition drop down box lists the available transitions.  Click any transition to choose it.

The Customize button will be enabled if customization of the selected transition is allowed; if it is not, the button will be greyed out.


Adding Text Transitions
TextTransitions

List of Text Transitions

Click any of the following text transitions for a description of that transition.

Backlight

Bouncing

Drop Shadow

Flag

Highlight

Marqueé


Backlight

The Backlight transition appears to move a light source behind the inserted text, shining light rays through the text.  Using the Backlight Transition customization dialog box, you can modify this transition in many ways to create different effects.  This transition works best with an empty frame or a very simple image.

Text Position

Use the Center Text check box or the Text Left and Text Top edit boxes to set the position of the text in the frame.  Uncheck the check box to enable the edit boxes.  You set values in the edit boxes to indicate how far from the left and the top of the frame you want the text positioned.

Rendering Options

The Number Steps edit box indicates how smoothly the light source moves behind the text.  The greater the number of steps, the smoother the movement.  Setting the Air Absorptivity varies how far the light rays penetrate the surrounding "air."  A higher number creates a shorter ray.

Light Properties

The Light Intensity lets you control the intensity, or brightness, of the rays.  You can change the color of the rays in the Color dialog box by clicking the Set Light Color button. Use the Flare Width edit box to vary the size of the light source.

Light Movement

This area of the dialog box controls the movement of the light source.  The Light Start and Light End positions at "X" control how the light moves across the horizontal axis.  The Light Start and Light End positions at "Y" control how the light moves across the vertical axis.  Lower values place the light source to the left and top, and higher values place the source to the right and bottom.


Bouncing

The Bouncing transition moves the inserted text across the frame, altering direction each time the bounding rectangle of the text reaches a side of the frame.

In the Bouncing Transition customization dialog box, the Vertical Speed and Horizontal Speed slide indicators adjust the speed of the text as it moves, and subsequently bounces, across the frame.  These settings combined with the time you have indicated on the Transition Length slide indicator in the Add Text Transition dialog box determine how many times the text will bounce in the animation.

Click one of the radio buttons in the Initial Text Position box to indicate the position from where the text should begin moving.  Checking "Always use contrasting color for text" will override your text color selection if necessary, depending on the canvas color you have chosen.


Drop Shadow

The Drop Shadow transition appears as if a light source were moving across the front of the inserted text, causing a shadow in the shape of the text behind it. The Drop Shadow Transition customization dialog box provides several options for modifying this transition.

Text Position

Use the Center Text check box or the Text Left and Text Top edit boxes to set the position of the text in the frame.  Uncheck  the check box to enable the edit boxes.  You set values in the edit boxes to indicate how far from the left and the top of the frame you want the text positioned.

Light Properties

The Shadow Size edit box indicates the size of the shadow as a percentage of the original.  The Shadow Intensity edit box lets you control the intensity, or darkness, of the shadow.

Light Movement

This area of the dialog box controls the movement of the light source.  The Light Start and Light End positions at "X" control how the light moves across the horizontal axis.  The Light Start and Light End positions at "Y" control how the light moves across the vertical axis.  Lower values place the light source to the left and top, and higher values place the source to the right and bottom.


Flag

The Flag transition distorts the inserted text as if it were on a fluttering flag. The Flag Transition customization dialog box provides several options for modifying this transition.

Text Position

Use the Center Text check box or the Text Left and Text Top edit boxes to set the position of the text in the frame.  Uncheck the check box to enable the edit boxes.  You set values in the edit boxes to indicate how far from the left and the top of the frame you want the text positioned.

Wave Properties

Set the angle of the wave in the Wave angle edit box.  A higher value creates a more ripply effect.  The value in the Wavelength edit box indicates how wide the wavelength of the fluttering will be.  A lower value creates smaller waves, and therefore makes the text appear to be fluttering more. Changing the value in the Wave Height edit box varies the height of the wave.  A lower value creates less movement


Highlight

The Highlight transition lights the inserted text as if a light source were moving across it. The Highlight Transition customization dialog box provides several options for modifying this transition.

Text Position

Use the Center Text check box or the Text Left and Text Top edit boxes to set the position of the text in the frame.  Uncheck the check box to enable the edit boxes.  You set values in the edit boxes to indicate how far from the left and the top of the frame you want the text positioned.

Light Properties

You can change the color of the light source in the Color dialog box by clicking the Set Light Color button. Use the Flare Width edit box to vary the size of the light source.

Light Movement

This area of the dialog box controls the movement of the light source.  The Light Start and Light End positions at "X" control how the light moves across the horizontal axis.  The Light Start and Light End positions at "Y" control how the light moves across the vertical axis.  Lower values place the light source to the left and top, and higher values place the source to the right and bottom.


Marqueé

The Marqueé transition slides the inserted text across the frame from right to left.  You can vary the speed of the movement by adjusting the Transition Length slide indicator in the Add Text Transition dialog box.  You cannot customize the Marqueé transition.


Animation Wizard

Window:	Main


TOPIC: Wizard Overview


Wizard Overview
Using the Animation Wizard

Overview

Animation Shop’s Animation Wizard is a helpful tool that lets you create animations quickly and easily.

Starting the Wizard


Start the Wizard
Using the Animation Wizard

Start the Wizard

Choose Animation Wizard from the File menu or click the Animation Wizard button.  Animation Shop will open a series of wizard pages that will prompt you in creating an animation.  As you finish with each dialog box, click the Next button to move to the next box.  You may move forward or backward at any point in the Wizard by clicking the Back and Next buttons at the bottom of the Wizard dialog boxes.

Next Step


Setting the Frame Size
Using the Animation Wizard

Set the Size of the Animation Frames

The first wizard page that appears asks you to set the dimensions of the animation frames.

Choosing the "Same size as the first image frame" radio button matches the size of all subsequent frames in the animation to the size of the first frame without changing the aspect ratio (width-to-height ratio).

Choosing the "As defined here:" radio button enables the Width and Height edit boxes for you to set the exact dimensions of the frames in the animation.  Dimensions are measured in pixels.

Next Step


Setting the Background Color
Using the Animation Wizard

Set the Canvas Color

Depending on how you will use your animation, you may or may not want to include a colored canvas.  The Canvas wizard page offers the following options:

Choosing the Transparent radio button will allow any images behind your animation to show through in the canvas.  The default setting for indicating a transparent canvas in Animation Shop is a grey and white tiled pattern.

Choosing the Opaque radio button allows you to choose a color for the canvas of your animation.  The canvas will be as large as the dimensions you set in the previous Wizard dialog box.

To choose a canvas color other than the default shown in the Wizard dialog box, click the Set Canvas Color button.  Animation Shop will open the Color dialog box.

Next Step


Positioning the Frames
Using the Animation Wizard

Position the Frames

If you have included images of different aspect ratios (width-to-height ratios) and sizes, the Position wizard page will assist you in placing these images in their frames.  You have two options.

Choosing the "Upper left corner of the frame" radio button will align all images with aspect ratios different than the first image in the upper left corner of their respective frames.

Choosing the "Centered in the frame" radio button will center all images in their frames.

If the dimensions of an image are smaller than the first image, "space" around the outside of the image can be filled in one of two ways.

Choosing the "With the canvas color" radio button uses the default canvas color to fill in around the smaller-sized image.

Choosing the "With the preceding frame’s contents" radio button fills in the "space" around the smaller image with the contents of the previous frame.

Checking the "Scale frames to fit" check box resizes the image to fill the frame, while maintaining the aspect ratio of the image.

Next Step


Setting the Animation Properties
Using the Animation Wizard

Set the Animation Properties

You set the looping and delay animation properties in this Properties wizard page.

Choosing the "Yes, repeat the animation indefinitely" radio button will continuously cycle your animation until you stop it.

Choosing the "Repeat it __ times" radio button allows you to set how many times the animation will be repeated.

NOTE:	Not all browsers currently support this feature.

You indicate the delay time for each frame in the delay time edit box.  All frames in the animation will be set to the same delay time.  These values can be changed later when you are editing your animation.

Next Step


Adding Images
Using the Animation Wizard

Add Your Images

You must include at least one image to create an animation in the Animation Wizard.  The Frame wizard page allows you to do so.

1	Click the Add Image button.  The Animation Wizard opens the Open dialog box.

2	Choose the file(s) for your animation. To select multiple images at once from the Open dialog box, hold the Ctrl key while clicking on filenames.  You can also select consecutive files by holding Shift and clicking on the first and last filenames in your selection.  If your image files are located in more than one folder, you will need to reenter the Open wizard page for each folder.

3	Delete any images by clicking on the filename to select it and then clicking the Delete Image button.

4	Reorder any of the images by selecting one or more image files and clicking on the Move Up and Move Down buttons.

5	Click the Next button when you are done adding images.

Next Step


Finish
Using the Animation Wizard

Finish

In the final wizard page, click the Finish button and the Animation Wizard will generate your animation and open it in a Frames View window in the animation area.

Next Step


Viewing the Animation
Using the Animation Wizard

View Your Animation

To see what your animation looks like in action, choose Animation from the View menu or click the View Animation button.  The Play View window will appear and the animation will play.

When the Play View window is open, but not the Frame View window, choose Frames from the View menu or click the View Frame button to bring the Frame View window back.

To close the Play View window, single-click the Windows Close button or double-click the Control icon.  You can also choose Close from the File menu, which will close both the Play View window and the Frames Viewfile window.


File Association Preferences

Window:	Main


TOPIC: File Association Preferences Overview


File Association Preferences Overview
File Associations Preferences

File Associations Preferences Overview

The Associations Preferences dialog box allows you to select the file types that will be associated with Animation Shop.  When Animation Shop is first installed, you will automatically be asked to select file types for association.  The selected file types may be changed at any time using the Associations dialog box.

The left side of the dialog box lists the various file types.  Click the check boxes for each file type you want to be associated with Animation Shop.  The right side of the dialog box provides keys to quickly select all or none of the file types, as well as the unused file types.  To select all file types, click the Select All button.  To select any file types that have not been selected by other applications, click the Select Unused button.  If you do not wish to have any file types associated with Animation Shop, click the Select None button.  The Extensions button allows you to define additional file extensions for the format.  When you are done making selections, click the OK button.


Computers and Colors

Window:	Info


TOPIC: Color Definition Methods


Color Definition Methods
Computers and Colors

Color Definition Methods

There are several methods for defining the projected colors that appear on a computer monitor. The two most common methods (which are also the methods used by Animation Shop's functions and dialog boxes) are red, green, and blue and hue, saturation, and lightness. The following table outlines the Color dialog box RGB and HSL settings for the standard white light color spectrum.

Color	RGB Settings	HSL Settings
	Red	Green	Blue	Hue	Sat	Lum
Red	255	0	0	0	240	120
Orange	255	128	0	20	240	120
Yellow	255	255	0	40	240	120
Green	0	255	0	80	240	120
Azure	0	255	255	120	240	120
Indigo	0	0	255	160	240	120
Violet	255	0	255	200	240	120
Red, Green, and Blue (RGB)

The most popular method for defining a projected color is as a combination of red, green, and blue. For example, pure red is defined by red = 100%, green = 0%, and blue = 0%. Pure black has red, green, and blue values of 0%, and pure white has red, green, and blue values of 100%.

Hue, Saturation, and Lightness (HSL)

A projected color can be defined by the three components of hue, saturation, and lightness:

Hue describes the color's shade or tint. It is measured on a circular spectrum running from red to green to blue and returning to red.

Saturation describes the hue's purity. A color with a saturation of 100% is bright and vivid, and a color with a saturation of 0% is a shade of grey.

Lightness describes the color's brightness. A color with lightness of 100% is always pure white, and a color with lightness of 0% is always pure black.


 TOPIC: Error Diffusion Dithering


Error Diffusion Dithering
Computers and Colors

Error Diffusion Dithering

Dithering is a technique for simulating colors that are missing from an image file's palette. The missing colors are simulated by intermingling pixels of two or more palette colors. If the unavailable color differs too greatly from the colors in the image's palette, dithering will produce a grainy or mottled appearance.

Error diffusion dithering is a popular dithering method. The "error" in the title refers to the cumulative difference between the actual values of pixels in the image and their "true" values if they were all set to their correct colors. By reducing this error, error diffusion dithering produces image quality that is superior to that achieved by non-error adjusted dithering.

The process starts at the first pixel in the image (the upper left corner). The algorithm finds the color in the palette that is nearest to the color of the pixel. It then compares the two colors' numerical values, saves the difference as the initial error, and applies the color from the palette to the pixel.

The process then proceeds to the second pixel. It finds this pixel's nearest color, and calculates the sum of the color and the error value from the last pixel. It sets the pixel to the color that is nearest to this sum. Any difference between the applied color and the sum becomes the new error value.

When the process reaches the third pixel, it repeats the procedure that was used to set the color for the second pixel. The algorithm cycles through the image's remaining pixels in the same manner. The error value is abandoned at the end of each row.

Reduce Color Bleeding Option

As you may have suspected, error diffusion dithering causes colors to bleed from left to right. This is because the algorithm, and therefore the error value, travels in this direction. Color bleed is most noticeable in images with hard vertical edges, because the edges are softened by the traveling color.

Animation Shop functions that use error diffusion dithering include a Reduce Color Bleeding Option. This option lessens the left-to-right color bleed by applying a fractional coefficient to the error value. By reducing the error value, less color information is carried from one pixel to the next.


File Formats

Window:	Main


TOPIC: File Formats Overview


File Formats Overview
File Formats

File Formats Overview

Animation Shop directly supports 46 different image file formats, and 3 animation formats:

34 raster image formats

12 meta and vector image formats

3 animation formats


TOPIC: Raster Image Formats


Raster Image Formats
File Formats

Raster Image Formats

A raster format breaks an image into a grid of equally-sized pieces, called pixels, and records color information for each pixel. The number of colors that the file can contain is determined by the bits-per-pixel: the more information that is recorded for each pixel, the more shades and hues that the file can contain.

Color Depth

Planar Formats

Supported Formats


TOPIC: Meta and Vector Image Formats


Meta and Vector Image Formats
File Formats

Meta and Vector Image Formats

Meta and vector image formats can both contain vector data. Vector data is a collection of geometric shapes that combine to make an image, recorded as mathematical formulas. Vector data cannot reproduce photo-realistic images, but for other types of images it has two advantages over raster data: it is scaleable without distortion (the "jaggies" that come with re-sizing a bitmap), and it produces smaller files.

Animation Shop can read vector data, but it cannot write vector data. When you view a vector image from Animation Shop, what you are seeing is a raster image based on the vector data. Animation Shop can write to some metafile formats, but the resulting files contain raster data only.

Meta Formats

Vector Formats

Supported Formats


TOPIC: Animation Files


Animation Files
File Formats

Animation Files

The following table lists the animation formats supported by Animation Shop, the type of support provided (read, write, or both), and the format’s bits-per-pixel levels.

Animation Formats

• = Animation Shop can open files of this specification

• = Animation Shop can save files to this specification

Format	Source/Standard		1	4	8 (clr)	16	24	32
AVI	Microsoft
GIF	Compuserve
MNG


File Save Options
File Formats

Format Save Options

When saving files in the following formats, the Options button will be accessible. Click it to open the Save Options dialog box and select the options.

You can set format options for the following image formats:

BMP	PGM
DIB	PNG
EPS	PPM
FPX	PSP
GIF	RAW
IFF	RLE
JPG	SCT
LBM	TIF
MAC	TGA
PBM	WPG
PCX


Raster Image Formats

Window:


TOPIC: Color Depth


Color Depth
Raster Image Formats

Color Depth

Most raster formats support more than one level of bits-per-pixel, and therefore more than one level of color. The following table lists all of the bits-per-pixel ratios in the raster formats that Animation Shop supports, and shows the corresponding maximum number of colors.

Bits-Per-Pixel	Maximum Number of Colors
1	2
4	16
8	256
16	32,768 or 65,536 (depends on format)
24	16,777,216
32	16,777,216


TOPIC: Planar Formats


Planar Formats
Raster Image Formats

Planar Formats

Most raster formats record color information on pixel-by-pixel basis, but some formats use color planes. Each color plane contains all of the pixel information for a single color. Color planes are also called color channels. Formats that use color planes are called planar formats.

The bits-per-pixel are determined by the bits-per-plane times the number of planes. If the resulting number is not a power of two (expressible as 2x, where x is an integer), then the bits-per-pixel are "promoted" to the next- highest power of two. For example, if there are two bits-per-plane and three planes, the bits-per-pixel are promoted to eight: 2 x 3 = 6, and 22 < 6 < 23.


TOPIC: Supported Formats


Supported Formats
Raster Image Formats

Supported Formats

The following table lists the raster image formats that are supported by Animation Shop, the type of support that is provided (read, write, or both), and the format's bits-per-pixel levels.

In order to view this table correctly, you must have the Wingdings True Type Font installed on your system.

Supported Raster Image Formats


Meta and Vector Image Formats

Window:


TOPIC: Meta Formats


Meta Formats
Meta and Vector Image Formats

Meta Formats

Meta formats explicitly allow more than just vector data. For example, a typical Windows metafile might contain a bitmap, vector information, and text, with the bitmap constituting the majority of the image, and the vector and text data providing annotation.


TOPIC: Vector Formats


Vector Formats
Meta and Vector Image Formats

Vector Formats

In the strictest definition, a vector format can only contain vector information. In common practice, many formats that are considered to be vector allow the user to include non-vector data, such as raster images or text.


TOPIC: Supported Formats


Supported Formats
Meta and Vector Image Formats

Supported Formats

The following table lists the ten meta and vector formats that are supported by Animation Shop.

In order to view this table correctly, you must have the Wingdings True Type Font installed on your system.

Format	Source/Standard	Open/Save
CDR	CorelDRAW!
CGM	Computer Graphics Metafile
CMX	Corel Clipart
DRW	Micrografx Draw
DXF	Autodesk
EMF	Windows Enhanced Metafile
GEM	Ventura/GEM
HGL	Hewlett-Packard Graphics Language
PCT	Apple
PIC	Lotus Development Corp.
WMF	Microsoft Windows Metafile
WPG	WordPerfect
• 	Can open files of this format

• 	Can save files to this format, the files contain raster data only.