Pressing the Edit button at the bottom of the ImageWell window opens the new Edit Window mode. In addition to all of the editing capabilities, this edit window can be resized and also features a full size Preview mode. This section provides a general overview of using the Edit window. Specific editing features are covered in the sections that follow.
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The top toolbar features the Edit Mode Selector, the Crop and Select buttons, and a Draw Object Selector. The middle section contains the Canvas area for editing or previewing your image. The bottom portion of the Window has a context sensitive user interface that changes depending on which mode you are in (Edit or Preview) and which draw object is selected.
When in Edit mode, the bottom portion of the interface contains the features for adding shapes, borders, background colors, and drop shadows to your image and draw objects. There is also an opacity slider for adjusting the transparency of images and draw objects, plus an option for setting the canvas background color or transparency, as well as the handy flip and rotate buttons.
When in Preview mode, the bottom portion of the interface contains the watermarking features, which should already be familiar (the same controls as contained under the Watermark tab on the main window). The top of the window contains the Send button, your Locations list, the Random Filename Generator, and the file type setting. Move your mouse over the top left corner of the canvas area to reveal the sizing palette. This palette reveals all the same controls for sizing and sending images that have been described in the previous sections.
All of the user interface elements are contained within this window, so there are no floating palettes or inspector screens to annoy and get in your way. With the Preview mode available from within the Edit window, you can edit and preview your images without having to go back and forth between the main ImageWell window. Simply Edit, then Preview, and click Send.
To return to the smaller ImageWell window, press the small ImageWell button in the top left corner.
The Edit mode window features some handy tools that will aid in editing images and placing draw objects on the canvas.
The canvas area (the middle section of the Edit window) features rulers at the top and left side that are measured in pixels as a rough guide for you. The bottom and right side have scroll bars so you can scroll to a different portion of the image (if the image is larger than the canvas area).
At the bottom right corner, there are two controls: a color well (the yellow box) and a popup list (default is set to 100%).
The Yellow Box
The color well in the bottom right corner of the canvas lets you select the color of the grab handles and guidelines. ImageWell's default will have the color well set to yellow. Click on your image to make the grab handles appear - these are the yellow circles that you see and let you adjust the size of your image or draw object. Clicking the color well in the bottom right of the canvas, lets you select a different color for these grab handles.
100% More or Less
The popup list in the bottom corner of the canvas area lets you set the zoom factor of the canvas area. You can zoom in or out, displaying more or less of the image in the canvas area. Note: this only zooms the canvas view - it doesn't actually resize the image.
When no image or draw object is selected the bottom portion of the Edit window reveals the controls to change the canvas background color. The interface is simple and stark, showing only two options: a checkbox and a color well.
When the checkbox is checked, the canvas will be filled with the color selected in the color well. To change the background color, click on the color well and select a new color. If you want a transparent background, then uncheck the box.
ImageWell Version 3.5: Gradient Background Fills
Version 3.5 adds the ability to select a gradient for the background. If you have Version 3.5, you will see a third option on the bottom of the interface: a gradient selection button to the right of the background color well. Click this button to select one of the patterns - a second color well will appear so you can change the second color used in the gradient (as well as the first color).
Whenever your image or object is selected on the canvas, grab handles will appear. These grab handles (the yellow circles) are used to resize the object. Click on the grab handle and drag your mouse to size the object.
Your image and some of the objects will also have additional diamond-shaped grab handles. These handles are used to change the shape of the draw object or to rotate the object or image. Click on the diamond grab handle and move your mouse to rotate the image. Add one of the star objects to your canvas and click the diamond handle that shows up beside the tiny scale. Move the handle up and down to change the shape.
To move the object, click the inside of the object and drag the mouse. The 'Bullseye' grab handle can be used to move the object as well - this is useful for moving the object when it is behind another object and grabbing the inside of the object is not possible.
Handy Keyboard Controls and Modifiers
• hold down the Shift key to restrain the draw object to be square
• hold down the Option key to resize the object while keeping the center point at a fixed location
• the cursor movement keys can be used to move the object
• hold down the Shift key while rotating the object, to rotate it in 15 degree increments
Objects in ImageWell can overlap. You can layer objects with other objects and layer them with your image as well. To change the order of the layering, control-click or right click on any of the objects. A menu will appear allowing you to bring the object forward or send it back.
The layering controls are also available from the ImageWell main menu under the Tools menu.
Now it's time to learn about editing and adding draw objects to your image - Click here.
Editing Images the ImageWell Way