This guide contains step-by-step instructions that show you how to use the Graphics Editor to create, annotate and modify graphics. It also includes information on how to format a graphic for printing, preview a graphic outside the Graphics Editor, and extract text for modification (usually for translation).

Revision/Update Information: No Updates for Version 3.2

Software Version: Graphics Editor Version 3.2

The information in this document is subject to change without notice and should not be construed as a commitment by Touch Technologies, Inc. Touch Technologies, Inc. assumes no responsibility for any errors that may appear in this document.

The software described in this document is furnished under a license and may be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of such license.

No responsibility is assumed for the use or reliability of software on equipment that is not supplied by Digital Equipment Corporation or its affiliated companies.

Restricted Rights: Use, duplication, or disclosure by the U.S. Government is subject to restrictions as set forth in subparagraph (c) (1) (ii) of the Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software clause at DFARS 252.227-7013.

Copyright ©1995, 1997 Touch Technologies, Inc.

All Rights Reserved

The following are trademarks of Touch Technologies, Inc., and may be used only to describe products of Touch Technologies, Inc.:

DYNAMIC TAPE ACCELERATOR	INTOUCH 4GL
INTOUCH INSA	DYNAMIC LOAD BALANCER PLUS
REMOTE DEVICE FACILITY

The following are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation:

Bookreader, DDIF, DEC, DECwindows, Digital, LN03, VAX, VMS, OpenVMS, and the DIGITAL logo.

The following are third-party trademarks:

PostScript is a registered trademark of Adobe Systems, Inc.,
Motif is a registered trademark of Open Software Foundation, Inc.,
Helvetica and Times are registered trademarks of Linotype AG.

Contents

Index

Purpose of this Guide

This guide is a task-oriented document. It explains the most common Graphics Editor tasks, and leads you step by step in the creation and modification of a graphic.

Who Should Use this Guide

This guide is for new users who want to learn how to use the Graphics Editor and for experienced users who need reference information. The guide is intended for users who are using the DECwindows Motif user interface. You do not need to be familiar with graphics concepts and terminology; this guide teaches you the necessary fundamentals.

Experienced users can also refer to the online help for reference information.

Structure of this Guide

This guide is organized as follows:

Chapter 1 describes the basic information you need to get started with the Graphics Editor.

Chapter 2 explains how to create a graphic.

Chapter 3 explains how to edit a graphic.

Chapter 4 describes what images are, how to display them, how to use the Screen Capture option to capture screen images, and how to crop images.

Appendix A explains how to use the Graphics Editor command line utilities.

Appendix B summarizes all the Graphics Editor options and menu items.

Appendix C explains how to create characters using the symbol font and composite characters.

For More Information

For more information about the Graphics Editor, see the Graphics Editor Online Help. Chapter 1 explains how to access online help.

For information on how to use a DECwindows workstation, see the VMS DECwindows User's Guide.

Conventions

This guide uses the following conventions:

Convention	Meaning
MB1,MB2,MB3	MB1 indicates the left mouse button, MB2 indicates the middle mouse button, and MB3 indicates the right mouse button. (The buttons can be redefined by the user.)
Alt	The Alt key is labeled as the Compose Character key on some keyboards.
Ctrl/x	A sequence such as Ctrl/x indicates that you must hold down the key labeled Ctrl while you press another key or a pointing device button. Used to indicate a keyboard equivalent.
Compose x x	A sequence such as Compose x x indicates that you must press the Compose Character key followed by the other two keys. This sequence is used to indicate a keyboard equivalent.
click	The term click, when used with a mouse button, means you press and release the button.
[Return]	A key name enclosed in a box indicates that you press a key on a keyboard.

The DECdocument Graphics Editor is an application that lets you create and edit illustrations. The Graphics Editor is object-oriented, which means that you create a graphic from objects, such as lines and circles, rather than editing pixels as you would using a paint program.

With the Graphics Editor, you can do the following tasks:

• Create object shapes (circles, rectangles, arcs, lines, pie segments, and polygons) and images
• Add text in various type fonts and sizes
• Import text from an external ASCII file
• Edit objects, and move, copy, scale, and rotate them
• Add color and fill patterns to the objects
• Open multiple drawing windows and move or copy elements from one drawing to another
• Create output files, such as Bookreader, sixel, DDIF, Xbitmap, and Encapsulated PostScript files
• Access the Artwork Gallery, a collection of graphics created by Digital using the Graphics Editor

The following list describes some of the characteristics unique to the DECdocument Graphics Editor:

• When creating and editing graphics, Graphics Editor uses all three mouse buttons to speed up the process.
• When you use a mouse button, you click the button (press and release), rather than hold it down while you do an operation such as draw a line. You click the button again when you finish an operation.
• When you are working on an illustration, you do not have to change modes to draw, edit, or enter text.
• When you create an illustration, you have the option of using the default parameters (line weight, color, and so on), or you may change the default parameters to your own user-defined parameters. In this way, you can produce a final drawing without first producing a rough or draft.

The best way to learn about the Graphics Editor is to use it. The exercises in Chapters 2 through 4 give you hands-on experience with the Graphics Editor by leading you through the creation and modification of a graphic. The exercises explain the most common options.

It will take you approximately three hours to complete all the exercises.

You must have a workstation running VMS DECwindows and know how to use DECwindows to do the exercises. If you need information on using DECwindows, see the VMS DECwindows User's Guide.

1.3 Invoking the Graphics Editor

1. Set your default directory to the directory where you want to store your graphics files. For example:

   $ SET DEFAULT DISK:[USER.directory-name]

2. If you are trying to invoke the Graphics Editor from a process on a system other than your workstation, enter the following command:

   $ SET DISPLAY/CREATE/NODE=your-workstation-node

   
   This command specifies that all DECwindows applications be displayed on your workstation screen.¹

3. Enter the following command to invoke the Graphics Editor:

   $ DOCUMENT/GRAPHICS [filename]

The file name is optional. If you specify a file name, you can specify an existing graphics file or a new file. The file extension (.gra) is optional.

If you do not specify a file name, the Graphics Editor assigns the name geMeta.gra to your graphic. You can change the file name later using the Save As ... menu item on the File menu.

1.4 Closing a Graphics Editor File

To close a file:

1. Choose Close from the File menu. Figure 1-1 shows the Close dialog box.
   

   Figure 1-1 Close Dialog Box

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2. Choose one of the following options:
   • Yes to save the changes you made to the file. Your graphic is saved under the file name listed in the drawing window title bar.
   • No to close the file without saving any changes to the file.
   • Cancel to cancel the Close operation without closing the file.

   Choose New Window from the Control menu on the Control Panel window to open a new drawing window.

   1.5 Exiting the Graphics Editor

   To exit from the Graphics Editor at any time:
   1. Choose Exit from the Control menu. Figure 1-2 shows the dialog box.
      

      Figure 1-2 Close Dialog Box

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   2. Choose one of the following options:
      • Yes to save the changes you made to the drawing or drawings and exit. Each drawing window moves to the front, and you are asked if you want to save it. Your graphics are saved under the file name listed in the drawing window title bar.
      • No to exit without saving any changes to any drawings.
      • Cancel to cancel the Exit operation without exiting.

      1.6 Reinvoking the Graphics Editor

      To reinvoke the Graphics Editor, enter the following command:

      $ DOCUMENT/GRAPHICS filename

      The file name is the name of the file you were editing. The Graphics Editor is restarted, and the file you were editing is displayed in the drawing window.

      1.7 Checkpoint Files

      During each Graphics Editor session, the Graphics Editor automatically creates a checkpoint file (RCKP_filename) of the graphic you are editing. The checkpoint is updated by default every 15 modifications you make to the graphic. You can change the checkpointing frequency or turn off checkpointing by choosing Checkpointing from the Settings ... submenu of the Options menu on the Control Panel window.

      1.8 Graphics Editor Windows and Menus

      After you invoke the Graphics Editor, the following three windows are displayed:
      • Drawing
      • Control Panel
      • Hints

      You can resize each window separately and move it to other locations on the screen.

      1.9 Drawing Window

      The Drawing window includes a menu bar and a drawing area that you use to create and display graphics. The title bar of the Drawing window displays the file name for the graphic you are editing. Figure 1-3 shows the menus on the Drawing window menu bar. Table 1-1 summarizes the functions of these menus.

      Figure 1-3 Drawing Window Menus

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      Table 1-1 Drawing Window Pull-Down Menus

      Menu	Use To
      File	Display (import) a file or image, format a graphics file for printing and Bookreader display, save a file or image, and exit the Graphics Editor.
      Edit	Perform a specified action on all objects in the window.
      View	Refresh the screen, view the crop region on a graphic, digitize (capture) images on the screen, zoom in on a part of a graphic, and reposition a graphic within the Drawing window.
      Help	Display overview help and glossary definitions.

      Chapters 2 through 4 explain many of the menu items on the drawing window. For an explanation of menu items not covered in those chapters, see Appendix B or the Graphics Editor help. For information on help, see Section 1.11.

      1.10 Control Panel Window

      Use the Control Panel window to create and edit objects. Figure 1-4 shows the sections of the Control Panel. Table 1-2 describes each section.

      Figure 1-4 Control Panel Sections

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      Table 1-2 Control Panel Sections

      Control Panel Section	Function
      Status area	Shows the current font and unit base.
      Object icons and creation options	Used to create objects and control their creation.
      Editing operations	Used to edit objects after you create them.
      Constraints	Used with the creation or editing options to modify the operation, such as to restrict it to a horizontal movement.
      Settings	Used with the editing options to control editing.

      The Control Panel window contains three pull-down menus: Control, Attributes, and Options. Figure 1-5 shows the menus on the control panel menu bar. Table 1-3 describes each of the menus.

      Figure 1-5 Control Panel Menus

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      Table 1-3 Control Panel Pull-Down Menus

      Menu	Use To:
      Control	Open a new or alternate drawing window and to exit the Graphics Editor.
      Attributes	Specify text, object, and page attributes.
      Options	Display a grid, display the Hints window, specify a new color map, change settings and units, and save settings and units.

      For most of the Control Panel window, you can also use keyboard equivalents to change the options, constraints, and settings. Note the underlined letters on each of the menus and the menu options on your screen. These are the letters you use to choose the menus and the menu options you want if you are using keyboard equivalents. The Drawing window must have focus for any keystrokes from the keyboard to work.

      To use keyboard equivalents:

      1. Depending on your keyboard type, do one of the following:
         • LK201 keyboard, press Compose Character and the space bar simultaneously.
         • LK401 keyboard, press the Alt function key.
      2. Press the letter of the menu.
      3. Press the letter of the option.

         When you use keyboard equivalents, the Control Panel changes to reflect the new selection whether the panel is visible or not. For example, if you enlarge the Drawing window and it hides the Control Panel, you can use keyboard equivalents to change options on the Control Panel without moving to the Control Panel.

         1.11 Hints and Other Help

         There are four kinds of help available on the Graphics Editor:
         • Hints
         • Context-sensitive help
         • Conceptual help
         • Command-line help for VMS

         The technique for displaying each type of help is described in the following sections.

         1.11.1 Hints Window

         The Hints window indicates what actions you can perform based on the creation icon and editing option that is active. The Hints window is available on the Options menu of the Control Panel window.

         The Graphics Editor automatically updates the hints each time you perform an action. If the hints do not fit completely within the default Hints window, use the Resize button to widen the window.

         1.11.2 Context-Sensitive Help

         Context-sensitive help is available on menus, menu items, Control Panel selections, pop-up menus, and most dialog boxes.

         To display context-sensitive help:

         1. Point to an item.
         2. Press and hold the Help key.
         3. Click MB1. The Help window appears.
         4. Release the Help key.

         1.11.3 Conceptual Help

         Conceptual Help displays information and help in the following areas:

         • Context-Sensitive Help---Explains context-sensitive help
         • Overview---describes Graphics Editor application software
         • Index---Lists the topics discussed in help
         • Tasks---Explains common tasks and functions
         • Glossary---Defines the most commonly used expressions and operators
         • Using Help---Help on help
         • Changes for this Release---Describes new features and enhancements for this release
         • Product Information--Briefly describes Graphics Editor product information such as where to send comments, how to get documentation, and trademark information about the Graphics Editor, and a glossary of graphic terms

         Figure 1-6 shows the Help menu.

         Figure 1-6 Conceptual Help Menu

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         1.11.4 Command-Line Help for VMS Systems

         Command-line help is available for the following Graphics Editor commands:
         • DOCUMENT/GRAPHICS[=EDIT]
         • DOCUMENT/GRAPHICS=RENDER
         • DOCUMENT/GRAPHICS=TEXT_FILTER
         • DOCUMENT/GRAPHICS=VIEW

         These commands are described in Appendix A. Chapter 3 features exercises that use these utilities.

         To access the command-line help:

         1. Enter:

            $ HELP DOCUMENT/GRAPHICS

         2. Choose the DOCUMENT/GRAPHICS command for which you need help.

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         Next

         Contents

         Index