This section covers aspects of using the Edit window that are common with editing
images or placing draw objects on the canvas.
The canvas area (the middle 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
and a popup list.
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. In this case, the color is yellow. The 'talking balloon' has
been selected in the canvas where you see the yellow circles - these are grab handles
that let you adjust the size of the 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 and 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.
Changing the Background Color
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 three controls.
A popup list lets you select either automatically size canvas to
fit object (as shown) or a preset size. The checkbox when checked will fill that canvas
with the color selected in the colorwell. Uncheck this box if you want a transparent
background.
ImageWell Xtra Paid Upgrade
An extra feature in the paid upgrade is the ability to select a gradient for the
background. Click the gradient selection button to select one of the patterns - a second
color well is displayed to change the gradient color.
Changing the Canvas Size
The canvas automatically grows to fit the image and all of the draw objects. ImageWell
provides some preset canvas sizes you can use to override this automatic sizing. These
presets are handy if you are using ImageWell to make a quick set of presentation slides.
To set ImageWell to one of these presets, use the popup list located just above the color
well.
Object Grab Handles
Whenever an 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.
Some objects will have additional diamond-
shaped grab handles. These handles are used to
change the shape of the object or to rotate the
object.
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. The bullseye grab handle 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
Object Layering
Objects in ImageWell can overlap. In the image below, the green square is on top of the
blue oval which is on top of the red diamond. 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 add some draw objects to your canvas - Click here