Table of Contents Welcome Opening the Toolbox Getting Started Getting into the Wizard Using the Software...

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Table of Contents Welcome Opening the Toolbox Getting Started Getting into the Wizard Using the Software..."

Aileen Collins
6 years ago
Views:

2 Table of Contents Table of Contents Welcome What is Art Xpress? System Requirements to Run Art Xpress Windows System Requirements MAC System Requirements About this Manual User Assumption Opening the Toolbox Getting Started Get Started with Registration Know the Software General Features of Art Xpress Controls & Navigations Preferences and Settings Shortcut Tools to Work Faster Getting into the Wizard Using the Software Predefined Sizes Design Creation in Art Xpress Endless Creativity Possibilities with Art Xpress Various Tabs to Compose Page Alignment Tools to Manage Objects on Page Ruler and Guidelines Other Tools on Canvas Area Nuts & Bolts Templates & Decors Software Templates & Decors Customize your Templates Get More Save Delete Fine Tune Images with Editing Tools Normal Editing Basic Filters Artistic Filters Table of Contents Page 01 of 113

3 6.2. Advanced Editing Import Plug Ins Lasso Chroma Touchup Highlighter Eraser Edit Images in Photoshop Job s Done Saving & Exporting Saving the Project Proceed to Page Exporting Exporting in JPG Format Exporting in PNG Format Exporting in PDF Format Exporting as Low-Resolution PDF Exporting as High-Resolution PDF Exporting as Layered PDF Exporting in PSD Format Open Saved Project FAQ Table of Contents Page 02 of 113

4 1.0. Welcome Welcome to Art Xpress. This section is a welcome kit that will let you start and proceed to the software. After going through this section, you will be able to know Art Xpress - Introduction System Requirements This Section explains 1.1. What is Art Xpress? System Requirements to Run Art Xpress Windows System Requirements MAC System Requirements About this Manual User Assumption Welcome Page 03 of 113

5 1.1. What is Art Xpress? Art Xpress understands the importance of time and hence offers the tools to simplify designing of different articles having its own special size and style requirements. It includes different controls over the alignment of titles and images, a prosperous collection of Backgrounds, shapes, cliparts and much more. Simplified image editing and much more. every different article has its own printing requirement and by considering this requirement, Art Xpress allows to export different articles with different color profiles and different formats. This manual explains the uses of Art Xpress and serves as your guide as you navigate the world of fast and high-quality design creation. Welcome Page 04 of 113

6 1.2. System Requirements to Run Art Xpress This section outlines the Minimum and Recommended system requirements for installing and running Art Xpress in Windows and MAC operating systems Windows System Requirements Before installing Art Xpress on Windows system, make sure you fulfill at least minimum system requirements. Having recommended system requirements installed in your computer will make the software run more smoothly. Table 1:1: Windows System Requirements Equipment Minimum Recommended Operating System! Processor Computer Memory Hard Disk Space$ Additional Space requirement for Input Ports Additional Requirements Microsoft Windows XP (Service Pack 2) Microsoft Windows 7 and above Pentium 4, 2.8 GHz Processor and above 1 GB RAM 2 GB RAM Microsoft Windows XP (Service Pack 2) Microsoft Windows 7 and above Pentium 4, 2.8 GHz Processor and above 1 GB Free Hard Disk space 2 GB Free Hard Disk space Saving Project Files Exporting Projects For Processing and Printing Saving Templates for Future Use CD/DVD- ROM drive USB Port * Internet # Internet # Saving Project Files Exporting Projects For Processing and Printing Saving Templates for Future Use CD/DVD- ROM drive USB Port * Important: It is anticipated that Art Xpress will support future versions of the popular operating system!, however, it is advised to visit online portal of Art Xpress for latest system requirements. Note: USB port * is required to connect Dongle which is available only for Art Xpress PRO+ version box pack users. Alert: 1) Hard Disk Space $ requirements are approximately stated. 2) Internet # is required to register the software. Welcome Page 05 of 113

7 MAC System Requirements Before installing Art Xpress on MAC system, make sure you fulfill at least minimum system requirements. Having recommended system requirements installed in your computer will make the software run more smoothly. Table 1:2: MAC System Requirements Equipment Minimum Recommended Operating System! Mac OS and above Mac OS and above Processor Mac Intel, min 1 GHz Mac Intel, min 1 GHz Computer Memory 1 GB RAM 2 GB RAM Hard Disk Space$ 1 GB Free Hard Disk space 2 GB Free Hard Disk space Additional Space requirement for Input Ports Additional Requirements Saving Project Files Exporting Projects For Processing and Printing Saving Templates for Future Use CD/DVD- ROM drive USB Port * Internet # Internet # Saving Project Files Exporting Projects For Processing and Printing Saving Templates for Future Use CD/DVD- ROM drive USB Port * Important: It is anticipated that Art Xpress will support future versions of the popular operating system!, however, it is advised to visit online portal of Art Xpress for latest system requirements. Note: USB port * is required to connect Dongle which is available only for Art Xpress PRO+ version box pack users. Alert: 1) Hard Disk Space $ requirements are approximately stated. 2) Internet # is required to register the software. Welcome Page 06 of 113

8 1.3. About this Manual This manual explains the features and uses of Art Xpress in detail and will serve as your guide as you navigate the world of easy and instant Page creation. The manual provides detailed instructions and screenshots * that depicts the system response. Note: * Sometimes the screenshots in this manual may not exactly match to the screen on your computer due to the difference in the operating system or any other hardware or software components DgFlick Solutions Pvt Ltd. All Rights Reserved. All trademarks and logos are the property of their respective holders. Copying or infringement of any part of this software product may amount to both civil and criminal offense under Indian laws and International laws. DgFlick Solutions Pvt Ltd reserves the rights to alter product specifications without prior notice or obligation. Welcome Page 07 of 113

9 1.4. User Assumption This guide assumes that the users are familiar with the version of the operating system they are using and with the terms like a dialog box, icon, option, drop down menu and more such terms. Welcome Page 08 of 113

10 2.0. Opening the Toolbox Getting Started This section helps you to get started with Art Xpress and know the functionality and tools. After going through this section, you will be able to know Art Xpress Registration Process Features of Art Xpress Settings and Shortcut tools This Section explains 2.1. Get Started with Registration Know the Software General Features of Art Xpress Controls & Navigations Preferences and Settings Shortcut Tools to Work Faster Opening the Toolbox Getting Started Page 09 of 113

2.1. Get Started with Registration Once you have installed the Art Xpress software on your computer, you need to proceed to Registration.

The screen that you first see on starting the software is Registration window that needs to be completed as a first step. Here is how: Enter your details in the relevant fields.

Click on the Buy Now button to buy the complete version of Art Xpress if you have installed the trial version.

11 2.1. Get Started with Registration Once you have installed the Art Xpress software on your computer, you need to proceed to Registration. This ensures that all features of the software are made available to you. Registration is very easy and the user-friendliness of the software makes the process quick and simple. The screen that you first see on starting the software is Registration window that needs to be completed as a first step. Here is how: Enter your details in the relevant fields. These are Name, , and Phone or Mobile number. Serial Number will be automatically generated in the serial number text box. You will also find the serial number inside the software box pack. Click on the Buy Now button to buy the complete version of Art Xpress if you have installed the trial version. Figure 2:1: Registration window After ensuring that all the fields are filled correctly, click on Register in the lower right-hand corner. To run Art Xpress as a trial, click on 'Run as Trial' option. The message confirming the completion of the registration process appears on the screen. You are now registered and can use the software. Any Queries? support@dgflick.com Opening the Toolbox Getting Started Page 10 of 113

12 2.2. Know the Software This section gives you a basic understanding of Art Xpress before you actually start working on the software. Running through this section will enhance your understanding of the options available and will help you to make the finest use of the software General Features of Art Xpress Art Xpress comes with several features, which are discussed in this section: Feature Work in precise page sizes Enhanced 'Background' tab Multiple units for Ruler Add, copy or delete pages faster Smart image resizing Virtual Image Split Align with Instant Guidelines Quality Sliders for Output Watermark your creation Set your comfort of working Images are perfect for Background Clear only the unwanted effects Table 2:1: General Features of Art Xpress Description Type in up to 4 decimal points while to get the desired page size. Page designing is easier with enhanced 'Background' tab. When your page story demands the same Background for all the pages, apply it with one click. Work in the unit you are comfortable with. Multiple Ruler units for the canvas. Switch between ruler units anytime. 'My Project' tab has tools to add new pages at any point of the page. Even, you can create a copy of the article and just replace images. Now you no more need to drag unwanted pages at the end to delete them. Delete page from where it is currently located. Resize the image by defining width and height. Even batch image resizing to bring images to the same size. Split images to manage a percentage of important area in the whole image. Ideal while zooming, panning, and making faces more prominent. Snapping guidelines to guide you while aligning objects. While you are moving any object on the canvas, guideline appears with reference to page and other objects on the canvas. Sliders to manage output quality of JPG and PNG. While you are exporting pages in JPG format, you can manage the quality and generate low-quality JPG for client's approval. This stops the client from printing the pages. Watermark your creation while sending for approval. This restricts a client from printing and client can comment with reference to image numbers if he wishes to give any comment. Smart preferences to save your time at every stage of designing. Set parameters like ruler units, languages, software theme, hide/unhide tools, Tab layout, helping hands and much more to assist you. Also, Backup your projects with used images. Images are always perfect as Background. Drop the images on margins to set them as Background. Even if the image is already on the page, access the 'Set as Background' option in right click menu. While clearing effects, you do not need to clear all the effects. Just clear the unwanted one and proceed with the desired effect. Find it here Opening the Toolbox Getting Started Page 11 of 113

13 Reset image crops Scale the Groups Delete the unwanted path history Keep the needed objects unlocked Smart Object Moving Impressive interface Textures to fill titles and shapes Fastest management of title DPI choice for low-resolution PDF file Ready-to-Use Templates Online Cropping Onboard layer masking Free Transform Center zoom in Advanced Image Editing Multilingual Available on Windows and MAC Avoid zooming out by scrolling endlessly to get back the image to its original size. Just reset crop and get the original image back. Scale the groups by keeping their ratio with each other as it is. Smart group scaling tool to save scaling and realigning time. Art Xpress remembers the path accessed by you. Although it saves your re-browsing time, it may be hectic to find the right path to choose from. Delete the unwanted paths and keep only the path you want to access in future. Smart software saving your time of unlocking objects frequently. Now the objects on page canvas which you have unlocked will stay in 'Unlock' state unless and until you lock them again Get your objects moved across the page while you maintain the object vertical or horizontal position unchanged. Use 'Shift' and 'Alt' keys for smart image positioning. Art Xpress has impressive and simple to use interface that will give you more ease while working. Filling of titles and shapes are not restricted up to a solid color. Besides, Art Xpress provides 50 ready presets of textures, which can be used or your own textures can be imported. The texture can be filled in tiled or stretched style. You can manage the size of the title by just dragging the title. Apart from the solid colors and ready presets, you can fill the title with any texture. Manage the fill in tiled and stretched way. Customize title further with outline and shadow. The low-resolution file you generate through Art Xpress for customer approval can be saved in the multiple DPI. Art Xpress offers you different DPI options like DPI 50, DPI 72, DPI 96, and DPI 150. Save the page in the desired DPI and send it for approval. Art Xpress has a collection of templates. In addition, DgFlick releases new downloadable templates. Existing templates can be altered as per your specifications and saved. The online image crop feature allows you to trim out any part of the source image that you do not need. You can crop the image to give it the desired height and width before incorporating it in the Page. Work onboard and apply flexible masking effects with various types of brushes. Also, apply multiple brushes on one image. Easy mask applying with desired opacity and brush flow. In Art Xpress, borders and masks are freely transformable i.e. when you transform borders and masks, it will transform the image together. Art Xpress gives you the advance feature of center zooming. This helps you to align image properly. Art Xpress has features Lasso, Chroma, Touchup, Highlight, and Eraser for advanced image editing to enhance the quality of the images that make up the Page. Art Xpress is already loaded with multiple languages. Art Xpress supports Unicode. DgFlick keeps adding to its list of languages that Art Xpress works on. You could download the latest dictionary, which may include the language you are looking for. Else, you could add the language of your choice to DgFlick s dictionary for your own use. Art Xpress works on both Mac and Windows systems. DgFlick releases the updates for both versions Opening the Toolbox Getting Started Page 12 of 113

14 Print Anywhere Easy Backup You could export your project in (i) JPEG format; (ii) Low-Resolution PDF for customer approval (iii) as a print- ready PDF i.e. highresolution PDF; and (iv) as a layered PDF to allow color correction before final printing. You can also generate PNG files of the designs like CD top and get the required transparency while printing. Once the Page is ready, you can save the Page with the images and decors i.e. backgrounds, cliparts, borders, masks used in it for further usage Controls & Navigations Table 2:2: Controls and Navigations Icon Icon Name What does it do? Preferences Help Home Browse Undo Redo Show/hide gridlines Locked Unlocked Zoom in Zoom out Swap Fit to screen Actual size Lock/unlock objects Arrange objects Page-based alignment Object-based alignment Equal spacing between objects Equal size Group/Ungroup Objects Split Image Image Gird Rotate objects Reset Fill with texture Load original Edit Image Allows to set preferences to use this software Contains a list of shortcut tools Redirects to Home window Browse to select folder Undo the last action Redo last action Shows or hides gridlines while designing Object is locked Object is unlocked & can be modified Zoom in the screen Zoom out the screen Swaps image s position with another image Fits the canvas to the screen Displays the canvas at its actual size Locks or unlocks the object to customize it Arrange object s layers Align objects with reference to page Align objects with reference to another object Equalize space between objects Equalize size of images Group or ungroup objects for easy moving Split image in rows and columns Form grids of images Rotate objects in various angles Reset the customizations Fill titles and shapes with textures Get original image back Enhance the image,, Rotate in degrees Rotate in 90, 180 & 270 And Flip Flip the objects horizontally & vertically Opening the Toolbox Getting Started Page 13 of 113

Panning Info Make Layer Select Layer Start Masking Exit masking Clear masking Pan the image in the area Info about the layer masking tools Make new Layer Select layer to invert Activate masking brush

15 Panning Info Make Layer Select Layer Start Masking Exit masking Clear masking Pan the image in the area Info about the layer masking tools Make new Layer Select layer to invert Activate masking brush Exit from masking Clear all the masking effect on selected images Preferences and Settings Manage Language and Units of the software. Manage layout of working area. Manage helping hands in software. Set the path of Photoshop for image editing and PSD exporting. Clicking on the Preferences option on the top right-hand corner and choose 'Preferences' option. 'General' tab has following tools. o Choose your preferred language from various available languages. o Select the units in which you want to work in canvas area from the drop-down list. Figure 2:2: Preferences 'General' tab 'User Interface' tab has following tools. o Select the layout of tabs in designing window from various available options. o You can show or hide ruler and other tools in the toolbar by checking or unchecking check boxes of respective tools. Figure 2:3: Preferences 'User Interface' tab 'Actions' tab has following tools. o Ask the software to hide snapping guidelines while aligning objects. Check or uncheck checkboxes in 'Snap to' section. Opening the Toolbox Getting Started Page 14 of 113

16 o Backup used images with the project by checking 'Always Save Photos with Project' checkbox. Figure 2:4: Preferences window 'Actions' tab In Photoshop tab, browse from the Browse button and give the path of the location folder of Photoshop software. The path will be set. Once you set the path here, you will be able to edit an image in Photoshop without defining path each time. It saves your time of defining path every time you edit the image. Figure 2:5: Preferences window 'Photoshop' tab Save your changes by clicking on Ok. You might need to restart your software for the changes to take effect Shortcut Tools to Work Faster Click on 'Help' option. Here you will get different options. o Shortcuts: To view a list of Art Xpress shortcuts. o User Manual: To get advance help and procedure to operate Art Xpress. o Training Videos: To view training videos of Art Xpress. o About: To know about the software. 'Shortcuts' opens a shortcut list. Table 2:3: Art Xpress Shortcut Keys Works on Actions Windows MAC All Move Left Left Arrow key Left Arrow key Move Right Right Arrow key Right Arrow key Move Top Top Arrow key Top Arrow key Move Bottom Bottom Arrow key Bottom Arrow key Opening the Toolbox Getting Started Page 15 of 113

17 Image All All All All Move Left + Snap CTRL + Left Arrow key COMMAND + Left Arrow key Move Right + Snap CTRL + Right Arrow key COMMAND + Right Arrow key Move Top + Snap CTRL + Top Arrow key COMMAND + Top Arrow key Move Bottom + Snap CTRL + Bottom Arrow key COMMAND + Bottom Arrow key Crop Zoom In ALT + '+' ALT + '+' Crop Zoom Out ALT + '-' ALT + '-' Crop Left Pan ALT + Left Arrow key ALT + Left Arrow key Crop Right Pan ALT + Right Arrow key ALT + Right Arrow key Crop Top Pan ALT + Top Arrow key ALT + Top Arrow key Crop Bottom Pan ALT + Bottom Arrow key ALT + Bottom Arrow key Rotate X Increase ALT + X ALT + X Rotate X Decrease ALT + CTRL + X ALT + COMMAND + X Rotate Y Increase ALT + Y ALT + Y Rotate Y Decrease ALT + CTRL + Y ALT + COMMAND + Y Rotate Z Increase ALT + Z ALT + Z Rotate Z Decrease ALT + CTRL + Z ALT + COMMAND + Z Arrange Object Bring To Front SHIFT + Top Arrow Key SHIFT + Top Arrow Key Arrange Object Bring Forward SHIFT + Right Arrow key SHIFT + Right Arrow key Arrange Object Send to Back SHIFT + Bottom Arrow key SHIFT + Bottom Arrow key Arrange Object Send Backward SHIFT + Left Arrow key SHIFT + Left Arrow key Align Page based Top Left CTRL + 7 COMMAND + 7 Align Page based Top Center CTRL + 8 COMMAND + 8 Align Page based Top Right CTRL + 9 COMMAND + 9 Align Page based Center Left CTRL + 4 COMMAND + 4 Align Page based Center CTRL + 5 COMMAND + 5 Align Page based Center Right CTRL + 6 COMMAND + 6 Align Page based Bottom Left CTRL + 1 COMMAND + 1 Align Page based Bottom Center CTRL + 2 COMMAND + 2 Align Page based Bottom Right CTRL + 3 COMMAND + 3 Align Page based Top CTRL + T COMMAND + T Align Page based Bottom CTRL + B COMMAND + B Align Page based Left CTRL + L COMMAND + L Align Page based Right CTRL + R COMMAND + R Align Object based Top Left CTRL + SHIFT + 7 COMMAND + SHIFT + 7 Align Object based Top Center CTRL + SHIFT + 8 COMMAND + SHIFT + 8 Align Object based Top Right CTRL + SHIFT + 9 COMMAND + SHIFT + 9 Align Object based Center Left CTRL + SHIFT + 4 COMMAND + SHIFT + 4 Align Object based Center CTRL + SHIFT + 5 COMMAND + SHIFT + 5 Align Object based Center CTRL + SHIFT + 6 COMMAND + SHIFT Opening the Toolbox Getting Started Page 16 of 113

18 All All All All All Right Align Object based Bottom Left CTRL + SHIFT + 1 COMMAND + SHIFT + 1 Align Object based Bottom Center CTRL + SHIFT + 2 COMMAND + SHIFT + 2 Align Object based Bottom Right CTRL + SHIFT + 3 COMMAND + SHIFT + 3 Align Object based Top CTRL + SHIFT + T COMMAND + SHIFT + T Align Object based Bottom CTRL + SHIFT + B COMMAND + SHIFT + B Align Object based Left CTRL + SHIFT + L COMMAND + SHIFT + L Align Object based Right CTRL + SHIFT + R COMMAND + SHIFT + R Equal Spacing Horizontally CTRL + SHIFT + H COMMAND + SHIFT + H Equal Spacing Vertically CTRL + SHIFT + V COMMAND + SHIFT + V Move Selection to Next Object TAB TAB Move Selection to Previous Object SHIFT + TAB SHIFT + TAB Add Next Object to current Selection CTRL + TAB COMMAND + TAB Add Previous Object to current Selection CTRL + SHIFT + TAB COMMAND + SHIFT + TAB Select All Objects on page CTRL + A COMMAND + A Cut Object(s) CTRL + X COMMAND + X Copy Object(s) CTRL + C COMMAND + C Paste Object(s) CTRL + V COMMAND + V Delete Object(s) DEL DEL Undo Object(s) CTRL + Z COMMAND + Z Redo Object(s) CTRL + Y COMMAND + Y Show Image Information CTRL + SHIFT + I COMMAND + SHIFT + I Increase the size of Object from Top Left ALT + 7 ALT + 7 Increase the size of Object from Top Center ALT + 8 ALT + 8 Increase the size of Object from Top Right ALT + 9 ALT + 9 Increase the size of Object from Center Left ALT + 4 ALT + 4 Increase the size of Object from Center ALT + 5 ALT + 5 Increase the size of Object from Center Right ALT + 6 ALT + 6 Increase the size of Object from Bottom Left ALT + 1 ALT + 1 Increase the size of Object from Bottom Center ALT + 2 ALT + 2 Increase the size of Object from Bottom Right ALT + 3 ALT + 3 Decrease the size of Object from Top Left CTRL + ALT + 7 COMMAND + ALT + 7 Decrease the size of Object from Top Center CTRL + ALT + 8 COMMAND + ALT + 8 Decrease the size of Object from Top Right CTRL + ALT + 9 COMMAND + ALT Opening the Toolbox Getting Started Page 17 of 113

19 Decrease the size of Object from Center Left CTRL + ALT + 4 COMMAND + ALT + 4 Decrease the size of Object from Center CTRL + ALT + 5 COMMAND + ALT + 5 Decrease the size of Object from Center Right CTRL + ALT + 6 COMMAND + ALT + 6 Decrease the size of Object from Bottom Left CTRL + ALT + 1 COMMAND + ALT + 1 Decrease the size of Object from Bottom Center CTRL + ALT + 2 COMMAND + ALT + 2 Decrease the size of Object from Bottom Right CTRL + ALT + 3 COMMAND + ALT + 3 Page Flip Page composition Horizontally ALT + H ALT + H Flip Page composition Vertically ALT + V ALT + V Fit to Screen CTRL + F12 COMMAND + F12 View Actual Size (1:1) CTRL + SHIFT + F12 COMMAND + SHIFT + F12 Zoom In + + Zoom Out - - Screen Toggle Full Screen CTRL + SHIFT + F11 COMMAND + SHIFT + F11 Opening the Toolbox Getting Started Page 18 of 113

20 3.0. Getting into the Wizard Using the Software In the previous section, we learned about software functionality. Now in this section, we will learn how to use this software to create designs. After going through this section, you will be able to know Ready Page Sizes Design Creation Simple and Instant This Section explains 3.1. Predefined Sizes Design Creation in Art Xpress Getting into the Wizard Using the Software Page 19 of 113

21 3.1. Predefined Sizes Art Xpress is versatile software that lets you use its made-to-standard, predefined sizes. The ready-touse Page sizes conform to printing industry standards. You can choose the size that suits the Page you want to design. Figure 3:1: Project window Getting into the Wizard Using the Software Page 20 of 113

22 3.2. Design Creation in Art Xpress It is time to move on to the process of Page designing. Art Xpress gives you the option of designing the Page in the easy and fast way. The Tool Bar The toolbar at the top of the screen has a variety of options that make Art Xpress user-friendly and easy to work with. These options are explained below. Feature <Lock> <Arrange objects> <Page based alignment> <Object based alignment> <Equal spacing> <Equal size> <Group/Ungroup> <Photo Grid> <Split Image> <Rotate object> <Edit image> <Undo> Table 3:1: The Tool Bar Description Can be used to lock or unlock the images as per the requirement. The options in this tool help in moving objects forward and backward depending on the page layout. This option can be used to move the object around with respect to the page. This option can be used to move the object around with respect to the other objects on the page. Helps to equalize the horizontal and vertical spacing between objects. Helps to equalize the Width, Height, and Size of images on Page. Group and ungroup elements on the page. Grouping ensures that the images that are grouped move together as one unit with the spacing intact. To move an element of a group individually you need to ungroup the elements. Helps to form a grid of the images. It forms the grid of the selected images where you just have to define rows and columns. The grid is treated as one image and different page compositions can be formed by just changing the layout of the page. The grids you formed can be broken and every image can be treated as a different image while changing the layout of the page. Helps to split the image in grids. The selected image can be split into grids and each small part of the image can be enhanced by giving different effects. Rotates the object. To rotate the object as per your requirements, click on the tool and alter the x, y, and z-axis. You could also rotate it by 90 or 270 degrees and flip them vertically or horizontally. You could also rotate the image manually by using value box and entering the value of your choice or using the slider. Helps you to enhance the images. To reset the change you made to the page. Getting into the Wizard Using the Software Page 21 of 113

<Redo> <View> <Show/hide gridlines> <Zoom in> <Zoom out> <Fit to screen> <Actual Size> <Full size> To redo a change you made to the page. Shows/hides tabs on the page.

23 <Redo> <View> <Show/hide gridlines> <Zoom in> <Zoom out> <Fit to screen> <Actual Size> <Full size> To redo a change you made to the page. Shows/hides tabs on the page. Shows/hides the gridlines on the page. For zooming the page in. For zooming the page out. Adjusts the page size such that the page fits the screen. Shows the actual size of the page. View page in full size. Page designing with Custom Sizes using Art Xpress is a fast and user-friendly process, with an interactive interface. Set Page Size Once you open the Art Xpress software, the first screen you see is Project window. On this window, you can create a custom size of Page. Figure 3:2: Project window Here create size as per your need by defining DPI, units, width and height. Move next with 'Next' option. Ruler not just displays the page size, but it also helps to add some safe area guidelines on the page. Place the required guidelines that can guide you to keep the page contents inside the printable area. Click on the ruler at the point where you want to add ruler guideline. Getting into the Wizard Using the Software Page 22 of 113

Figure 3:3: Guideline added Multiple guidelines can be added on the page. Figure 3:4: Multiple guidelines added 'Title' tab Click on the Title tab to add a title for the image.

24 Figure 3:3: Guideline added Multiple guidelines can be added on the page. Figure 3:4: Multiple guidelines added 'Title' tab Click on the Title tab to add a title for the image. Use the white space to insert the title on the page. Figure 3:5: Inserting the title Set the font type and size from the respective drop down menu. Getting into the Wizard Using the Software Page 23 of 113

25 Figure 3:6: Font type and size changed You can also apply the effects like bold, italic and underline. The alignment of the title can be managed. The title can be filled with solid color or any texture. Use the 'Texture' option to browse through textures. DgFlick provides you 50 ready textures. You may browse and use your own textures as well. You can manage the opacity of the title fill from the opacity slider. Figure 3:7: 'Title' tab title filled with solid color Use the color picker or color palette to select the color for the shadow. Axis of the shadow can be manipulated. The blur and opacity level of the shadow can be manipulated from the respective slider. Figure 3:8: Shadow and Outline Panel Getting into the Wizard Using the Software Page 24 of 113

26 Reset the shadow with Reset option. The color of the outline can be selected via color picker or color palette. Figure 3:9: Ready Presets of Title Ready presets for title The outline can be reset with the help of Reset option. DgFlick also provides some ready presets of the title, which can be applied on one click. For Details, Refer Section 'Title' tab on Page 59. Titles can be placed within the printing area by minding the guidelines. Figure 3:10: Aligning Title with the help of Ruler guidelines While aligning the titles, you could take the help of snapping guidelines those appear while moving objects on the page. Getting into the Wizard Using the Software Page 25 of 113

Figure 3:11: Aligning Title with the help of snapping guidelines To equalize the space between the titles, the Vertical spacing equalising tool is available.

27 Figure 3:11: Aligning Title with the help of snapping guidelines To equalize the space between the titles, the Vertical spacing equalising tool is available. Figure 3:12: Equalizing space between titles 'Image' tab 'Image' tab in the 'My Project' window is to add images on canvas. You could browse for the image Folder and get in the images. To use an image, either double-click on it or drag and drop it on the canvas. Figure 3:13: My Project window - Image added For Details, Refer Section 'Image' tab on Page Getting into the Wizard Using the Software Page 26 of 113

28 Figure 3:14: Image resized and placed Image Quality Indicator The quality of images used in a Page must be good to ensure clarity in the final product. Art Xpress has an inbuilt Quality Indicator, which warns you whenever the image quality goes below the required standards. Once the image is placed into the frame, the indicator warns you if the resolution is inappropriate for the desired output size. In the same way, more details like address, website, etc. can be added through 'Title' tab and aligned. Figure 3:15: More details added through 'Title' tab Save Objects as PNG You may select multiple objects and save them as PNG and use in other projects. It saves your time of adding it again. You can just import this file and insert in design. To save the logo, address, and website, select them and right click on them. You will find a Save as option. Once you click on it, you will be redirected to a window where you will be asked to select the path to save the PNG file. Browse and give the path. Give a name to the PNG file and save the PNG by clicking on 'Save' option. Getting into the Wizard Using the Software Page 27 of 113

29 Figure 3:16: Saving multiple objects Go to the defined path and view the PNG. In this way, you can save PNG files of titles, shapes, and cliparts and save them as a single PNG. New Page Addition Let us add another page. Use 'Add Page' option. Define units, DPI, width, and height and add a new page. Figure 3:17: Adding New Page Once the new page is added, the designing can be started. Figure 3:18: New Page added The designing could be initiated by adding any object like here the image is added. Getting into the Wizard Using the Software Page 28 of 113

30 Figure 3:19: My Project window Image added on Canvas Get the important part of the image visible by zooming and panning with the mouse. Figure 3:20: My Project window Image set on Canvas 'Color Correction' tab Color Correction tab helps you to color correct images instantly. The instant color correction feature helps you to color correct images according to the background. Select the image you wish to color correct. Figure 3:21: My Project window - Color Correction tab Use the respective sliders to adjust the color values of the selected images. Getting into the Wizard Using the Software Page 29 of 113

31 Effects can be reset individually or all at once. For Details, Refer Section 'Color Correction' tab on Page 65. 'Mask' tab You get different types of masks in 'Mask' tab. Select the image to which you want to apply the mask and double click on the mask or drag and drop the mask on the image to apply it. You can transform these masks freely on the page. You can rotate or flip the masks. Figure 3:22: 'Mask' tab For Details, Refer Section 'Mask' tab on Page 56. 'Border' tab 'Border' tab has tools to add and manage borders on images. Figure 3:23: 'Border' tab Borders of various styles are available. You could browse and select a border of your choice from the path in which you have saved it. Double click on the border or drag and drop the border on the image to apply. Getting into the Wizard Using the Software Page 30 of 113

You could rotate or flip the border. You could change the color of the border to better suit the image by clicking on the Ready Tone button. Remove the border with the Remove button.

32 You could rotate or flip the border. You could change the color of the border to better suit the image by clicking on the Ready Tone button. Remove the border with the Remove button. You can transform these borders freely on the page. For Details, Refer Section 'Border' tab on Page 55. Split Image You can split an image into rows and column and can give a different look to the article. Figure 3:24: Image and the Split Image tab Select the image and define the rows and column to split the image in Split Image tab. Figure 3:25: Split Image option Manage the horizontal and vertical spacing between two parts of the image. Once you define all the parameters, to split the image and click on the Split The image will be split. You can resize the image and place it at the place you want. Figure 3:26: Image split into defined rows and columns Getting into the Wizard Using the Software Page 31 of 113

33 All the parts of the image are in a group. To break this group, use the Break option in the Split Image option. You can apply different effects to the different parts of the image. Select the part of the image by double clicking on it and give the effect from the Effects tab. 'Effects' tab Several effects can be applied to images. Art Xpress has some effects options combined in 'Effects' tab. In addition, there are ready presets in most of the effects to serve you with ready to apply sets. While providing such ready presets, Art Xpress offers you a choice to customize these effects as per the requirement of the design. Select the split parts on which you want to apply effects. Let us have a small tour of these effects for your knowledge. o Colorize: Several presets to give colorize effect to the image. o Blur: You could give a blurred appearance to images to make the page visually more appealing. o Opacity: Add opacity to the images by selecting the presets available under this option. o Feather: Apply the feather effect to the images by using the ready presets in Feather option. o Shadow: Use Shadow option to add shadow to the images. o Glow: Add a glow effect to the image using one of the various presets available in Glow. o Outline: Add an outline to images with a variety of ready presets available in Outline option. Figure 3:27: My Project window Effects applied Available effects o o Rotation: The images on the Page can be rotated using the predefined presets under the Rotation option. Blend: There are 12 blending modes that help you achieve the desired effect for the image. For Details, Refer Section 'Effects' tab on Page Getting into the Wizard Using the Software Page 32 of 113

34 'Shape' tab DgFlick has several simple and decorative shapes that can enhance the page composition. 'Shape' tab offers a choice for shapes. Double click on the shape or drag and drop onto the canvas. You can align and resize the shape or rotate it using option on the shape. To customize the shape according to your taste, use the Custom panel available in the tab. Figure 3:28: Shape added and customized For Details, Refer Section 'Shape' tab on Page 58. Images can be added at any point of page designing. Figure 3:29: Images added While adding titles on the page, the Background color can be added to the title. Getting into the Wizard Using the Software Page 33 of 113

35 Figure 3:30: Background color added for title The title can be rotated depending on the effect you want to create. You can manage the angle from the Rotate Objects tab located at the top of the window. You can rotate text in 900 and 2700 and in X, Y and Z angle with the help of sliders easily. Figure 3:31: Title rotated In addition to snapping guidelines, additional object based alignment is available, where multiple titles can be aligned in a single click. Figure 3:32: Aligning Titles using 'Object Based Alignment' tab This way simply by adding objects on the page, designs can be created. Getting into the Wizard Using the Software Page 34 of 113

New Page Addition Let us add another page. Use 'Add Page' option.

Figure 3:33: Adding New Page Once the new page is added, the designing can be

Figure 3:34: New Page added 'Background' tab Choose the 'Background' tab on the

36 New Page Addition Let us add another page. Use 'Add Page' option. Define units, DPI, width, and height and add a new page. Figure 3:33: Adding New Page Once the new page is added, the designing can be started. Figure 3:34: New Page added 'Background' tab Choose the 'Background' tab on the option bar. You have several Background categories to choose from. Figure 3:35: The page with the 'Background' tab Getting into the Wizard Using the Software Page 35 of 113

37 Besides the in-built backgrounds, you could access backgrounds that you have saved elsewhere by clicking on the Browse button. To use a background, double-click on it or drag and drop it on the canvas from the option bar. 'Ready Tone' option offers various ready tones of applied Background. You can remove the background with the Remove button. For Details, Refer Section 'Background' tab on Page 52. 'Layer Mask' tab In addition to the masks, you can also give a layer mask to the image. Layer masking helps to merge two or more images or also you can merge them with the background. Go to Layer Mask tab, Select the image, and brush from the available brushes. Click on the part of the image where you want to apply that brush. The part of the image will disappear. The image will get a different look. You can apply brush anywhere on the image to apply the mask. The area, which was behind the image, will appear in the part where the layer mask has been applied. Figure 3:36: Layer mask applied on image You can manage brush size, opacity, and flow of the brush from the given sliders in Layer Mask tab. You can apply correction by keeping control key pressed on your keyboard. The corrected area will display the image again. Keep shift key pressed to create mask horizontally. The mask will be applied horizontally. Keep Alt key pressed to create mask vertically. The mask will be applied vertically. In this way, you can apply different brushes and give an attractive look to the image. Getting into the Wizard Using the Software Page 36 of 113

Once you finish with applying the mask, click on the Exit button to exit from applying the mask. You can reset mask from the image by using Clear button after selecting the image.

38 Once you finish with applying the mask, click on the Exit button to exit from applying the mask. You can reset mask from the image by using Clear button after selecting the image. Navigate the page from the available navigator. For Details, Refer Section 'Layer Mask' tab on Page 57. The page can be filled up with required objects like the logo, image, shape and title. Figure 3:37: Various objects added 'Text' tab For the longer texts, 'Text' tab can be used. You could add text and change its look by using different options available in the tab. Figure 3:38: Text tab The empty white field can be used to type the text you wish to add. Manage the text using options available in the window. For Details, Refer Section 'Text' tab on Page 62. New Page Addition Let us add another page. Use 'Add Page' option. Define units, DPI, width, and height and add a new page. Getting into the Wizard Using the Software Page 37 of 113

39 Figure 3:39: Adding New Page Once the new page is added, the designing can be started. Figure 3:40: New Page added Set Image as Background You could also use an image of your choice as the background for the Page. To do this, go to the Image tab and select the image and click on Set as Background'. The image will be set as Background. (For Details, Refer Section Set Image as Background on page 49) Figure 3:41: An image as the background Getting into the Wizard Using the Software Page 38 of 113

40 'Mask' tab You get different types of masks in 'Mask' tab. Select the image to which you want to apply the mask and double click on the mask or drag and drop the mask on the image to apply it. You can transform these masks freely on the page. You can rotate or flip the masks. Figure 3:42: 'Mask' tab For Details, Refer Section 'Mask' tab on Page 56. Instead of applying masks on images, it can be applied on Page directly to design special size images like CD/DVD top. Here in Art Xpress, ready CD/DVD top mask is provided. Make sure any image or any other object is not selected. Now double click on the mask to apply it on the page. Figure 3:43: Mask applied on Background The page will appear in the shape of CD/DVD top. DVD top can be designed by adding other required objects. Getting into the Wizard Using the Software Page 39 of 113

Figure 3:45: Adding New Page Once the new page is added, the designing can be started.

41 Figure 3:44: CD/DVD top designed New Page Addition Let us add another page. Use 'Add Page' option. Define units, DPI, width, and height and add a new page. Figure 3:45: Adding New Page Once the new page is added, the designing can be started. Figure 3:46: New Page added Photo Grid You can form a grid of images in Art Xpress without any manual placement of images. Getting into the Wizard Using the Software Page 40 of 113

Use the Add Images button to insert all the images at once. Figure 3:47: Multiple images inserted Select all the images.

You may also manage horizontal and vertical spacing between two images in a grid.

42 Go to the Image tab. Now to insert multiple images at a time, keep the control key pressed, and keep on selecting the images you want to insert. Use the Add Images button to insert all the images at once. Figure 3:47: Multiple images inserted Select all the images. From the 'Photo Grid' option, define the rows and columns of the grid. You may also manage horizontal and vertical spacing between two images in a grid. After defining the grid parameters, create the grid with the help of Create option. The grid will be created. Figure 3:48: Grid created You may resize and move the grid on the page to give the desired look. Figure 3:49: Grid resized and placed according to the design Getting into the Wizard Using the Software Page 41 of 113

43 Pan the image and the make the important part of the image visible. If you want, you can merge two fields and place one image in a grid. Table 3:2: Grid (a) Before merging, (b) After merging (a) (b) You may apply any desired effect like outline or shadow to the grid to highlight it. You may break the grid with the help of Break option. (For Details, Refer Section 'Photo Grid' tab on Page 71) You can also add shape to the background of the grid to highlight the grid. Add shapes from the Shape tab and customize it from the Custom option. Figure 3:50: Shapes added and customized Place the shapes on the grid. To send these shapes to the backside of the grid, select the shapes and from the Arrange Objects tab, select Send to Back option. Figure 3:51: Shape sent at the back of the grid Getting into the Wizard Using the Software Page 42 of 113

44 Add any image from 'Image' tab and place it on the page at desired position. Figure 3:52: Image added 'Clipart' tab Cliparts are one of the main objects of designing. 'Clipart' tab has various clipart and that too of various themes. Double click on the clipart of your choice or drag and drop it onto the canvas to use it on the page. Figure 3:53: My Project' window 'Clipart' tab You could even use your own clipart by accessing them using. Figure 3:54: My Project' window Clipart added from another folder Getting into the Wizard Using the Software Page 43 of 113

Access ready tones via 'Ready Tone' option. For Details, Refer Section 'Clipart' tab on Page 54. In the same way, you can add cliparts on the page and manage their placement.

45 Access ready tones via 'Ready Tone' option. For Details, Refer Section 'Clipart' tab on Page 54. In the same way, you can add cliparts on the page and manage their placement. Figure 3:55: My Project' window 'Template' tab Speed up your designing with templates in 'Template' tab. Insert the page. You can filter templates by using available filters in the tab. Insert the desired template by double clicking on it. The template will appear on the page. Figure 3:56: Template appeared on the page Now update the contents with the help of available tabs. Getting into the Wizard Using the Software Page 44 of 113

Figure 3:57: Contents Updated in the design For Details, Refer Section 'Template' tab on Page 47. 'My Project' tab As you design one page after the other, you can view the Page wise on My Page tab.

46 Figure 3:57: Contents Updated in the design For Details, Refer Section 'Template' tab on Page 47. 'My Project' tab As you design one page after the other, you can view the Page wise on My Page tab. Figure 3:58: 'My Project' tab For Details, Refer Section 'My Project' tab on Page 65. This way, tools in Art Xpress help you forming the design faster. The ready project can be saved and exported in the format that fulfils your further requirements. Refer Section, Job s Done Saving & Exporting on Page 101) Getting into the Wizard Using the Software Page 45 of 113

47 4.0. Endless Creativity Possibilities with Art Xpress In the previous section, we learned how to create designs. After going through this section, you will be able to handle various designing tools for better page Composition Tabs and their usage Use of Alignment Tools This Section explains 4.1. Various Tabs to Compose Page Alignment Tools to Manage Objects on Page Ruler and Guidelines Other Tools on Canvas Area Endless Creativity Possibilities with Art Xpress Page 46 of 113

48 4.1. Various Tabs to Compose Page While working in Art Xpress, you have several tools to work with. These tools are categorized under different tabs to let you access them with great comfort. As we have tried the page designing, it is time to view the page creation tools so that you can use them and make your page perfect in less time. 'Template' tab 'Template' tab has various templates and that too for various types. Let us see how to add template on the page. First, we will have a look on 'Template' tab. Figure 4:1: 'Template' tab Now as Art Xpress has many templates to choose from. Here template filter serves your need by filtering the templates as per the theme. Double click on the desired template. The template will be applied on the page. Now add images from 'Image' tab. In this way, you can insert templates and images and design articles. You have some other tools in the tab. Let's have a brief look at them. o o Delete: It deletes the unwanted templates and gives you a precise view of desired templates only. Please note, templates once deleted cannot be retrieved. They are permanently deleted. (For Details, Refer Section Delete on Page 84.) Save: It saves your creation as a template. You can use it in any other page story. (For Details, Refer Section Save on Page 83.) 'Image' tab 'Image' tab is a gateway to import images on design. Let us start from the basic tools in 'Image' tab. First, we will have a look on 'Image' tab. Figure 4:2: 'Image' tab Endless Creativity Possibilities with Art Xpress Page 47 of 113

49 Now there is a drop down menu in 'Image' tab that offers the list of paths accessed by you recently. You can choose any path. The images in the selected path will be displayed in the tab. Figure 4:3: 'Image' tab Drop down menu You can delete any path in the list that you no longer want to access. You may need to access some other path that is not listed over here. In that case, 'Browse' option helps you to load new paths into 'Image' tab. External window opens up and here you can browse and load the folder. Once you select the folder, images in it will open up in 'Image' tab. Figure 4:4: 'Image' tab 'Browse' option Now here is a hidden tool that can help you access images faster. Suppose you have sorted images in different folders. You may need to access each folder as you progress page designing. If you load the main folder, all the sub folders will be displayed in the tab. Why not load the main folder? So here, the Main folder is selected. Let us see how the 'Image' tab appears. Figure 4:5: 'Image' tab Subfolders displayed in 'Image' tab Subfolders in the main folder will be displayed in 'Image' tab. This way, you can save on browsing time and access folders faster. This also avoids clutter in the drop down menu. Now let us learn about adding images on canvas. It is very simple. Whether you want to add images one by one or add them in bulk. Everything is simple. Let us try adding one image at a time. There are two ways to do it. You either drag and drop an image on canvas area or just double click on the image in 'Image' tab. The image is added to the canvas. Endless Creativity Possibilities with Art Xpress Page 48 of 113

Figure 4:6: Canvas area and 'Image' tab Image added on the canvas Now let us see how to add multiple images. In the 'Image' tab, select the images you want to add on canvas. Now select images.

50 Figure 4:6: Canvas area and 'Image' tab Image added on the canvas Now let us see how to add multiple images. In the 'Image' tab, select the images you want to add on canvas. Now select images. Please remember, holding control key is mandatory to select multiple images. Once you select required images, use the 'Add Photo(s)' option available in 'Image' tab. Within a glimpse, images will be taken to the canvas. Align tools using various alignment tools in the window. (For Details, Refer Section Alignment Tools to Manage Objects on Page on Page 66). Let us see other tools in 'Image' tab. You can set any image as Background. There are three ways to do it. Let us see each way. Figure 4:7: Image applied as Background Alternatively, you could just drag and take to the bottom margin area. Once the 'Set Photo as Background' option appears near your mouse cursor, drop the image and the image will be applied as Background on the page. Now the third way to set an image as Background. If the image you want to set as Background is added on canvas, just select the image and right click on it to access quick access toolbar. Now you Endless Creativity Possibilities with Art Xpress Page 49 of 113

will see 'Set as Background' option. Use this option and the image will be set as Background of the selected page. The images can be sorted in different orders like Date, Modified Time, Name, etc.

51 will see 'Set as Background' option. Use this option and the image will be set as Background of the selected page. The images can be sorted in different orders like Date, Modified Time, Name, etc. and that too in ascending and descending order. There is a sorting parameter called 'Used', which sorts the image according to its used status. Therefore, you can see all unused images at the same place. There is another useful tool in 'Image' tab. This can be used to filter the images based on its used or unused status. Choosing 'Un Used' option here displays only the unused images. This gives you an idea of which images to be used on rest of the articles. Although the 'Image' tab has the above-stated tools, images on the canvas still offer some more tools. Let us look at each of them. Once the image is on canvas, select the image. A virtual grid appears on the image. Figure 4:8: Image applied as Background Zooming In/Out While working on the Page you can focus attention on a specific area of the page by zooming in or take a look at the larger picture by zooming out. You can use a combination of these options to obtain the desired level of accuracy on the page. The virtual grid on image helps you to zoom and bring an important part of the image at desired height. Click on the image you want to work on and then use the scroll wheel of the mouse to zoom in or zoom out as per your requirement. Image Quality Indicator The quality of images used in a design must be good to ensure clarity in the final product. Art Xpress has an inbuilt quality indicator, which warns you whenever the image quality goes below the required standards. Once the image is placed into the frame, the indicator warns you if the resolution is inappropriate for the desired output size. Panning Panning lets you view specific areas of the image by moving the image up or down and sideways in the canvas area. This gives access to the areas that would otherwise remain obscure given the size of the image. Endless Creativity Possibilities with Art Xpress Page 50 of 113

Place the cursor over, which then changes to or the hand symbol. Now use your mouse to take hold of the image and move it around to get to the area you wish to work on.

Select the images you wish to swap by keeping the ctrl key pressed. When both the images are selected, the Swap option appears. Click on the option to swap the images.

52 Place the cursor over, which then changes to or the hand symbol. Now use your mouse to take hold of the image and move it around to get to the area you wish to work on. Swapping Images Many times you need to swap images on a page as you go along to. However, the borders if applied to the images are not swapped. Select the images you wish to swap by keeping the ctrl key pressed. When both the images are selected, the Swap option appears. Click on the option to swap the images. Making the images on a canvas of a particular size is easy. On each selected image, its current size appears at top center and left the center of the image. Image size Figure 4:9: Image Size Click on it. A window will appear. Define the desired width and height of the image. The units for the width and height are as per the canvas ruler units. You can resize multiple images too. Figure 4:10: Images resized The units of the ruler can be changed here itself. At the top left point where horizontal and vertical rulers are connecting each other, you could see an. Click on it and choose the units. You could also select the origin of the ruler i.e. you want to start ruler from top left or from the center. Endless Creativity Possibilities with Art Xpress Page 51 of 113

Figure 4:11: Ruler Units You could move images on the canvas. While doing so, you may observe that some lines are guiding you with reference to the page or other objects.

53 Figure 4:11: Ruler Units You could move images on the canvas. While doing so, you may observe that some lines are guiding you with reference to the page or other objects. These are alignment guidelines. These are displayed only if you have checked 'Snap Objects to Page' and 'Snap Object to other Objects' checkbox in 'Actions' tab in 'Preferences' window. This way, you can align objects easily without using alignment tools. While moving images on the canvas, if you want to move image horizontally in the straight line, hold the 'Shift' key on your keyboard and move the image. In the same way, to move image vertically in the same line, hold the 'Alt' key and move the image. Used Image Indicator While designing Page you may be dealing with a large number of images and managing them might turn out to be a cumbersome task. Art Xpress helps you sort the images and manage them better by indicating the images that have been used and the number of times they have been used in the Page. This helps you plan the Page with the remaining images and avoid using the same images multiple times without being aware that you are doing so. Green tab on the image: This indicates the images used in Page on another page. Blue tab on the image: This indicates the images used in Page on the current page. The number on the tab: This indicates the number of times the image has been used in the Page. 'Background' tab 'Background' tab offers tools related to Background of the pages. Backgrounds are the base of the articles that hold images and justify every design. Backgrounds need to be chosen carefully. Let us have a look on the 'Background' tab and tools offered in it. First, we will have a look on 'Background' tab. Endless Creativity Possibilities with Art Xpress Page 52 of 113

54 Figure 4:12: 'Background' tab DgFlick provides a collection of Backgrounds and that too of various themes. Apply the desired Background by double clicking on it. You could also drag and drop the Background on the page to apply it. If the Background has some other size, which is not similar to your canvas area size, the Background will be fit to canvas automatically by software. You can set the Background as it has appeared or expand it over the canvas and set it the way you want. A 'Fit to Size' checkbox is present in 'Background' tab. Uncheck this check box to expand the Background on the page. The background which is expanded on canvas can be zoomed and panned and can be set the way you want. To do so, take your cursor to the center of the Background where a Sun star symbol is present. This symbol appears only if Background is expanded over the canvas, now as you take cursor over the sun star, the cursor turns into the 'Hand' symbol. Now click and hold it. Zoom or pan the Background to bring the required part inside the canvas. Now there is a drop down menu in 'Background' tab that offers the list of paths that are accessed by you recently. You can choose from any path. The Backgrounds in the selected path will be displayed in the tab. You can delete any path in the list that you no longer want to access. You may need to access some other path that is not listed over here. In that case, 'Browse' option helps you to load new paths into 'Background' tab. External window opens up and here you can browse and load the folder. Once you select the folder, Backgrounds in it will open up in 'Background' tab. Figure 4:13: 'Background' tab 'Browse' option Now here is a hidden tool that can help you access Backgrounds faster. Suppose you have sorted Backgrounds in different folders like Nature, Studio, Sets, etc. You may need to access each folder as you progress page designing. Why not load the main folder? So here, the Main folder is selected. Subfolders in the main folder will be displayed. This way, you can save on browsing time and access folders faster. This also avoids clutter in the drop down menu. You could also fill Background with a solid color. Either use 'Color Picker' to pick the color from the canvas area or simply use the color palette to choose the Background color. You can make a combination of ready Backgrounds and solid colors to make the page more creative. Endless Creativity Possibilities with Art Xpress Page 53 of 113

55 You could apply the same Background on all the pages of the page. You have the option to apply the Background on all individual pages or all spreads. Choose the desired option as per your requirement. Removing Background from canvas is easy with 'Remove' option. Although Art Xpress has many Backgrounds to choose from, tools to use solid colors as Background and a special tool to import your own Backgrounds, there is always a desire to have more. Art Xpress understands the need of more Backgrounds and offers you 'Ready Tone' option. In this option, you can generate 18 ready tones of applied Background. You can apply different ready tones of the same Background on different pages of the page to make it a theme-based page. 'Clipart' tab 'Clipart' tab has a set of cliparts and tools related to managing the appearance of cliparts on the page. Let us have a look on the 'Clipart' tab and tools offered in it. First, we will have a look on 'Clipart' tab. Figure 4:14: 'Clipart' tab DgFlick provides a collection of Cliparts of various themes. Add the desired Clipart by double clicking on it. You could also drag and drop the Clipart on the page to add it. Now there is a drop down menu in 'Clipart' tab that offers the list of paths that are accessed by you recently. You can choose from any path. The Cliparts in the selected path will be displayed in the tab. You can delete any path in the list that you no longer want to access. You may need to access some other path that is not listed over here. In that case, 'Browse' option helps you to load new paths into 'Clipart' tab. External window opens up and here you can browse and load the folder. Once you select the folder, Cliparts in it will open up in 'Clipart' tab. Figure 4:15: 'Clipart' tab 'Browse' option Now here is a hidden tool that can help you access Cliparts faster. Suppose you have sorted Cliparts in different folders like Holy, Shapes, Flowers, etc. You may need to access each folder as you progress page designing. Why not load the main folder? Subfolders in the main folder will be displayed. This way, you can save on browsing time and access folders faster. This also avoids clutter in the drop down menu. Removing Clipart from canvas is easy. Choose the clipart and hit 'Delete' option on your keyboard. Endless Creativity Possibilities with Art Xpress Page 54 of 113

56 Although Art Xpress has many Cliparts to choose from, and a special tool to import your own Cliparts, there is always a desire to have more. Art Xpress understands the need of more Cliparts and offers you 'Ready Tone' option. In this option, you can generate 18 ready tones of applied Clipart. To reset the ready tone, use the Reset button. 'Border' tab 'Border' tab offers borders for images. Let us start from the basic tools in 'Border' tab. First, we will have a look on 'Border' tab. Figure 4:16: 'Border' tab DgFlick provides a collection of Borders of various themes. There are two ways to add a border on images. Either select an image and double click on the border that you want to apply. Alternatively, you could drag and drop the border on the image. Now there is a drop down menu in 'Border' tab that offers the list of paths that are accessed by you recently. You can choose from any path. The borders in the selected path will be displayed in the tab. You can delete any path in the list that you no longer want to access. You may need to access some other path that is not listed over here. In that case, 'Browse' option helps you to load new paths into 'Border' tab. External window opens up and here you can browse and load the folder. Once you select the folder, borders in it will open up in 'Border' tab. Figure 4:17: 'Border' tab 'Browse' option Now here is a hidden tool that can help you access borders faster. Suppose you have sorted borders in different folders like artistic, Creative, Plain, etc. You may need to access each folder as you progress page designing. Why not load the main folder? Subfolders in the main folder will be displayed in 'Border' tab. This way, you can save on browsing time and access folders faster. This also avoids clutter in the drop down menu. Removing border from the image is easy. Choose the image and use 'Remove' option in 'Border' tab. Although Art Xpress has many borders to choose from, and a special tool to import your own borders, there is always a desire to have more. Art Xpress understands the need of more borders and offers you 'Ready Tone' option. In this option, you can generate 18 ready tones of applied border. Endless Creativity Possibilities with Art Xpress Page 55 of 113

57 The borders can be freely transformed on the page. Use the White dots available on the applied border to drag it on the page. There are some additional tools in the 'Border' tab to manage border. Let us have brief look on the tools one by one. o Flip Vertical o Flip Horizontal horizontally. : To flip the border vertical. : To flip the border o Rotate CW90 : To rotate the border 90 degrees. o Rotate CW180 : To rotate the border 180 degrees. o Rotate CW270 : To rotate the border 270 degrees. Rotating Images Rotating images in a Page keeping the creative design in mind adds to the overall look of the pages. Art Xpress gives you the option of either rotating the image within the frame or rotating the whole picture along with the frame. To rotate the image within the frame: keep your cursor on the rotate option that is seen when you select an image. Once the hand symbol appears, use the mouse to rotate it in the direction of your choice. To rotate the image along with the frame: Unlock the image by clicking on. Now keep your cursor on and use the mouse to rotate the image with the frame when the hand appears. The objects on page canvas which you have unlocked will stay in 'Unlock' state unless and until you lock them again 'Mask' tab 'Mask' tab offers masks for images. Let us start from the basic tools in 'Mask' tab. First, we will have a look on 'Mask' tab. Figure 4:18: 'Mask' tab DgFlick provides a collection of Masks and that too of various themes. You can click on any theme and access masks listed in it. There are two ways to add a mask on images. Either select an image and double click on a mask that you want to apply. Alternatively, you could drag and drop the mask on the image. Now there is a drop down menu in 'Mask' tab that offers the list of paths that are accessed by you recently. You can choose from any path. The masks in the selected path will be displayed in the tab. Endless Creativity Possibilities with Art Xpress Page 56 of 113

58 You can delete any path in the list that you no longer want to access. You may need to access some other path that is not listed over here. In that case, 'Browse' option helps you to load new paths into 'Mask' tab. External window opens up and here you can browse and load the folder. Once you select the folder, masks in it will open up in 'Mask' tab. Figure 4:19: 'Mask' tab 'Browse' option Now here is a hidden tool that can help you access masks faster. Suppose you have sorted masks in different folders like artistic, Creative, Plain, etc. You may need to access each folder as you progress page designing. Subfolders in the main folder will be displayed in 'Mask' tab. This way, you can save on browsing time and access folders faster. This also avoids clutter in the drop down menu. Removing mask from the image is easy. Choose the image and use 'Remove' option in 'Mask' tab. The masks can be freely transformed on the page. Use the White dots available on the edges of the image to drag it on the page. There are some additional tools in the 'Mask' tab to manage mask. Let us have brief look on the tools one by one. o Flip Vertical o Flip Horizontal horizontally. : To flip the mask vertical. : To flip the mask o Rotate CW90 : To rotate the mask 90 degrees. o Rotate CW180 : To rotate the mask 180 degrees. o Rotate CW270 : To rotate the mask 270 degrees. 'Layer Mask' tab 'Layer Mask' tab offers layer-masking brushes for images. Layer masking helps to merge two or more images or also you can merge them with the background. Let us start from the basic tools in 'Layer Mask' tab. First, we will have a look on 'Layer Mask' tab. Figure 4:20: 'Layer Mask' tab DgFlick provides a collection of brushes for masking. Select an image on which you want to apply layer mask. Now select from the variety of brushes to apply the mask. Endless Creativity Possibilities with Art Xpress Page 57 of 113

59 Click and roll over the brush over the part of the image, which you want to merge. The part of the image will disappear. The area, which was behind the image, will appear in the part where the layer mask has been applied. Figure 4:21: Layer Mask applied This way, you can apply the mask on the image. Manage the brush size, opacity, and flow of the brush from the given sliders or value boxes in the 'Layer Mask' tab. Figure 4:22: Brush tools You can apply correction by keeping control key pressed on your keyboard. The corrected area will display the image again. Keep shift key pressed to create mask horizontally. The mask will be applied horizontally. Keep Alt key pressed to create mask vertically. The mask will be applied vertically. In this way, you can apply different brushes and give an attractive look to the image. Once you finish with applying the mask, click on the Exit button to exit from applying the mask. You can reset mask from the image by using Clear button after selecting the image. You can view the helping hands for layer masking from. Figure 4:23: Helping hands for layer masking 'Shape' tab 'Shape' tab has a set of shapes and tools related to managing the appearance of shapes on the page. Let us have a look on the 'Shape' tab and tools offered in it. First, we will have a look on 'Shape' tab. Endless Creativity Possibilities with Art Xpress Page 58 of 113

60 Figure 4:24: 'Shape' tab DgFlick provides a collection of Simple and artistic shapes. Add the desired Shape by double clicking on it. You could also drag and drop the Shape on the page to add it to that page. The shape can be resized using the black dragging points available on the edges of the shape. You can even rotate the shape and set it in the style you want. Move and place the shape at the place you want. Shapes can be customized using the 'Custom' panel available in the 'Shape' tab. Figure 4:25: Shape customizing options Manage the width of the outline from the slider or define width manually Fill the shape with color picker, color palette, or texture and manage the opacity of the color fill with slider or define the numbers manually Manage the color of the outline from the color palette and color picker and opacity of outline color from slider or define number manually Customize the outline, fill and color and match the shape with the page theme. 'Title' tab 'Title' tab allows you to add titles on the page. There are set of versatile tools that will make the title look best in the article. Let us see 'Title' tab and tools offered in it. First, we will have a look on 'Title' tab. Figure 4:26: 'Title' tab Style Panel Shadow Panel Outline Panel First, use the white space to insert the title on the page. Endless Creativity Possibilities with Art Xpress Page 59 of 113

Similarly, titles can be dragged to increase its size. You can also apply the effects like bold, italic and underline from the Style Panel. The alignment of the title can also be managed.

61 There are three panels in the window. o Style Panel: This panel allows you to set the style of the panel. Figure 4:27: Style Panel Title fill options Select font type and size for the title Opacity of the title fill Effects and alignment of title Set the font type and size from Style Panel. Similarly, titles can be dragged to increase its size. You can also apply the effects like bold, italic and underline from the Style Panel. The alignment of the title can also be managed. The title can be filled with solid color or any texture. Let us fill the title with texture. Click on the 'Texture' option. You will see Browse option. Once you click on the option, you will be redirected to a window where you can select the image you want to insert as texture. DgFlick provides you 50 ready textures. Figure 4:28: Ready textures by DgFlick You may browse and use your own textures as well. Select the texture image and click on Open option. Endless Creativity Possibilities with Art Xpress Page 60 of 113

The texture will appear in the title. You may set the texture in the Tile and Stretch style. These options get visible after you click on 'Texture' option.

There are various tools in the panel to customize the shadow effect.

62 The texture will appear in the title. You may set the texture in the Tile and Stretch style. These options get visible after you click on 'Texture' option. You can manage the opacity of the title fill from the opacity slider. You can also insert the values manually. o Shadow Panel: You can give shadow effect to the title from this panel. There are various tools in the panel to customize the shadow effect. Figure 4:29: Shadow Panel Reset shadow Color of the shadow Axis of the shadow Blur and opacity level of the shadow Use the color picker or color palette to select the color for the shadow. Axis of the shadow can be manipulated. You have got X and Y sliders to manage axis. You can either use the sliders or enter the values manually. The blur and opacity level of the shadow can be manipulated from the respective slider. Reset the shadow with Reset option. o Outline Panel: Title can be given an outline with the desired effect. Figure 4:30: Outline Panel Color of the outline Reset outline Width and opacity of the outline The color of the outline can be selected via color picker or color palette. Width and opacity of the outline are customizable and can be managed with either sliders or value box. The outline can be reset with the help of Reset option DgFlick also provides some ready presets of the title, which can be applied on one click. Endless Creativity Possibilities with Art Xpress Page 61 of 113

'Text' tab 'Text' tab allows you to add multiline text on the page. Versatile set of tools in this tab will make the text look superb on canvas. Let us see 'Text' tab and tools offered in it.

63 'Text' tab 'Text' tab allows you to add multiline text on the page. Versatile set of tools in this tab will make the text look superb on canvas. Let us see 'Text' tab and tools offered in it. First, we will have a look on 'Text' tab. Figure 4:31: 'Text' tab Click on the Text tab on the option bar to insert text to describe the images on your page, if required. You could add text and change its look by using different options available on the tab. The empty white field can be used to type in the title you wish to add to the image. You can change the following parameters for the text: o o Font from font dropdown menu, Font size from size dropdown menu, o o Style from various style options, Font Color from color palette, In this way, you can add text if you want. 'Effects' tab 'Effects' tab has set of effects for your images. In addition, these effects have ready presets that simplify your work of applying effects. Let us see 'Effects' tab and tools offered in it. First, we will have a look on 'Effects' tab and canvas area. Figure 4:32: Canvas area and 'Effects' tab Endless Creativity Possibilities with Art Xpress Page 62 of 113

64 Select the Image and then open the 'Effects' tab. Now choose from the available effects. You will see that the presets of the effect chosen are showing the preview of how that preset will look on the image. This way, you can have better judgment. It saves your time of applying preset and then judging the composition. There are different options under this category. They are Colorize, Blur, Opacity, Feather, Shadow, Glow, Outline, Rotation, and Blend. Apply the desired effect on the image. o Colorize: Click on the image to be modified and then click on the colorize preset to apply the effect to the image. To manually make changes or customize, use the Custom panel available in the tab and change the color, opacity, and level using Color Picker and sliders. Reset the effect with Reset option. o Blur: You could give a blurred appearance to some images to make the page visually more appealing. Click on the image you need to blur and then select the preset of your choice under this option. Use the Custom panel available at the right side of the tab and increase or decrease the level or blurriness using the slider. Figure 4:33: 'Effects' tab Blur Effect o Opacity: Add opacity to the images by selecting the presets available under this option. You could also manually choose the level of opacity from the Custom panel available on the right side of the tab. Figure 4:34: 'Effects' tab Opacity Effect o Feather: Apply the feather effect to the images by clicking on the image and then selecting the preset of your choice. Use the Custom panel available at the right side of the tab to change the values of the feather manually using the slider. Figure 4:35: 'Effects' tab Feather Effect Endless Creativity Possibilities with Art Xpress Page 63 of 113

65 o Shadow: To apply the shadow effect to the images, click on Shadow and then choose from the available presets. Use the Custom panel available at the right side of the tab and to apply the shadow by doing settings manually. Figure 4:36: 'Effects' tab Shadow Effect o Glow: Apply the required presets under the Glow option by clicking on the image and then clicking on the preset. Use the Custom panel available at the right side of the tab for changing your blur, color, and opacity values. Figure 4:37: 'Effects' tab Glow Effect o Outline: Select the image and click on the preset of your choice to apply the outline. To customize the outline, Use the Custom panel available at the right side of the tab and create the outline of your choice by filling in the values in these fields. Figure 4:38: 'Effects' tab Outline Effect o Rotation: The images on the Page can be rotated using the predefined presets under the Rotation option. Use the Custom panel available at the right side of the tab to change the values for the x, y, and z-axis and give the image a 3-D effect. You could also flip the image horizontally and vertically by using and, respectively. Figure 4:39: 'Effects' tab Rotation Effect o Blend: There are 12 blending modes that help you achieve the desired effect for the image. Click on the image and then select the blend option of your choice to apply. Figure 4:40: 'Effects' tab Blend Effect Endless Creativity Possibilities with Art Xpress Page 64 of 113

66 Apart from images, effects can be applied on cliparts too. 'Color Correction' tab 'Color Correction' tab allows you to color correct the images with reference to the Background. This is a kind of instant color correction. Let us see 'Color Correction' tab and tools offered in it. First, we will have a look on 'Color Correction' tab. Figure 4:41: 'Color Correction' tab Even multiple images can be color corrected. Let us select the images first. From Brightness, Contrast, and Gamma sliders, you can adjust the brightness, contrast, and gamma of the images. Individual 'Reset' option is available in front of each slider. To adjust the red, green, and the blue value of the images, use the Red, Green, and Blue sliders. Individual 'Reset' option is available in front of each slider. From Reset all button, you can reset all the color corrections in a single click. The color correction can be applied on the Background too. Make sure no image is selected. Now use the sliders and apply the color correction on Background. 'My Project' tab As you design one page after the other, you can view the page wise Project in 'My Project' tab. Figure 4:42: 'My Project' tab Alternatively, you could add a new page, create a copy of the current page, and delete any page with tools available on each page thumbnail. Select page thumbnail and hover your mouse at the top right corner of the page thumbnail. A 'Menu' option 'Create Copy', and 'Add Page' will get visible. will appear. Click on it and options to 'Delete', You can delete any unwanted page using the 'Delete' option. 'Add Page' option will let you add a new page in the desired size. Endless Creativity Possibilities with Art Xpress Page 65 of 113

67 4.2. Alignment Tools to Manage Objects on Page Top option bar offers various tools to manage objects on the page. It includes alignment tools and some other image editing and management tools. Let us have a brief look at each tool in detail. The Tool Bar The toolbar at the top of the screen has a variety of options that make Art Xpress user-friendly and easy to work with. These options are explained below. Feature <Lock> <Arrange objects> <Page based alignment> <Object based alignment> <Equal spacing> <Equal size> <Group/Ungroup> <Photo Grid> <Split Image> <Rotate object> <Edit image> Table 4:1: The Tool Bar Description Can be used to lock or unlock the images as per the requirement. The options in this tool help in moving objects forward and backward depending on the page layout. This option can be used to move the object around with respect to the page. This option can be used to move the object around with respect to the other objects on the page. Helps to equalize the horizontal and vertical spacing between objects. Helps to equalize the Width, Height, and Size of images on Page. Group and ungroup elements on the page. Grouping ensures that the images that are grouped move together as one unit with the spacing intact. To move an element of a group individually you need to ungroup the elements. Helps to form a grid of the images. It forms the grid of the selected images where you just have to define rows and columns. The grid is treated as one image and different page compositions can be formed by just changing the layout of the page. The grids you formed can be breached and every image can be treated as a different image while changing the layout of the page. Helps to split the image in grids. The selected image can be split into grids and each small part of the image can be enhanced by giving different effects. Rotates the object. To rotate the object as per your requirements, click on the tool and alter the x, y, and z-axis. You could also rotate it by 90 or 270 degrees and flip them vertically or horizontally. You could also rotate the image manually by using value box and entering the value of your choice or using the slider. Helps you to enhance the images. Endless Creativity Possibilities with Art Xpress Page 66 of 113

<Undo> <Redo> To reset the change you made to the page. To redo a change you made to the page. 'Lock/Unlock Object(s)' tab Art Xpress generally locks the objects on the page.

Figure 4:43: 'Lock/Unlock Object(s)' tab You can lock and unlock objects in two ways. Instant 'Unlock' option is given on each object in its top left-hand corner.

68 <Undo> <Redo> To reset the change you made to the page. To redo a change you made to the page. 'Lock/Unlock Object(s)' tab Art Xpress generally locks the objects on the page. This ensures precise designing. In addition, it restricts accidental moves while you are working on the page. Let us have a look on 'Lock/Unlock Object(s)' tab. Figure 4:43: 'Lock/Unlock Object(s)' tab You can lock and unlock objects in two ways. Instant 'Unlock' option is given on each object in its top left-hand corner. A click on this icon unlocks the object and you can freely move it anywhere on the page. Once you are done with the placement of the object, you can re-lock the object using 'Lock'. Now sometimes, the objects may be overlapped with each other and hence 'Lock' or 'Unlock' options are hidden behind another object. This time, it may find difficult for you to move such objects using a mouse. This time 'Lock/Unlock Object(s)' tab helps you to lock or unlock the objects. Just select the objects and choose the desired options from 'Lock/Unlock Object(s)' tab. 'Arrange Object(s)' tab A beautiful effect can be created by arranging objects on each other. While doing this, you may want to bring some objects forward and send some objects behind other objects. Art Xpress makes it easy. Manage the position of the objects using 'Arrange Object(s)' tab. Let us have a look on 'Arrange Object(s)' tab. Figure 4:44: 'Arrange Object(s)' tab 'Arrange Object(s)' tab brief. has four options to manage object position. Let us know each option in Table 4:2: 'Arrange Object(s)' tab Option Action Keyboard shortcut Send to Back Sends selected object behind all the objects. Shift + Down Send Backward Send the object one-step behind. Shift + Left Bring to Front Bring selected object in front. All the other objects are sent behind the selected object. Shift + Up Bring Forward Bring object one-step forward. Shift + Right Using keyboard shortcuts makes the placement of the objects easy and fast. Another way to access the 'Arrange Object(s)' tab is to right click on selected object and choose 'Arrange' option. This way, you can manage designing faster. Endless Creativity Possibilities with Art Xpress Page 67 of 113

'Page Based Alignment' tab Perfect page balancing is possible with 'Page Based Alignment' tab. A balanced page looks beautiful and it adds to the perfection of the page.

69 'Page Based Alignment' tab Perfect page balancing is possible with 'Page Based Alignment' tab. A balanced page looks beautiful and it adds to the perfection of the page. While designing page, several times you may need to align the objects with reference to the page. This time, options under 'Page Based Alignment' tab will help you to align better. Let us have a look on 'Page Based Alignment' tab. Figure 4:45: 'Page Based Alignment' tab 'Page Based Alignment' tab know each option in brief. has 15 options to align objects with reference to the page. Let us Table 4:3: 'Page Based Alignment' tab Option Action Keyboard shortcut Top Left Aligns the selected object at top left corner of the selected page. Ctrl + 7 Top Center Aligns the selected object at the top center of the selected page. Ctrl + 8 Top Right Aligns the selected object at top right corner of the selected page. Ctrl + 9 Center Left Aligns the selected object at center left of the selected page. Ctrl + 4 Center Aligns the selected object at the center of the selected page. Ctrl + 5 Center Aligns the selected object at the center right of the selected Right page. Ctrl + 6 Bottom Left Aligns the selected object at bottom left a corner of the selected page. Ctrl + 1 Bottom Aligns the selected object at the bottom center of the selected Center page. Ctrl + 2 Bottom Aligns the selected object at bottom right corner of the selected Right page. Ctrl + 3 Top Aligns the selected object at top of the current position. Ctrl + T Bottom Aligns the selected object at bottom of the current position. Ctrl + B Left Aligns the selected object at the left of the current position. Ctrl + L Right Aligns the selected object at the right of the current position. Ctrl + R Horizontal Aligns the selected object at the horizontal center of the current Center position. Shift + H Vertical Aligns the selected object at the vertical center of the current Center position. Shift + V Using keyboard shortcuts makes the alignment of the objects easy and fast. Another way to access the 'Page Based Alignment' tab is to right click on selected object and choose 'Align to Page' option. This way, you can build page faster. Endless Creativity Possibilities with Art Xpress Page 68 of 113

'Object Based Alignment' tab While designing page, you may need to align objects with reference to other objects like at the center of other objects.

70 'Object Based Alignment' tab While designing page, you may need to align objects with reference to other objects like at the center of other objects. Here 'Object Based Alignment' tab helps you to manage positions of objects. Let us have a look on 'Object Based Alignment' tab. Figure 4:46: 'Object Based Alignment' tab 'Object Based Alignment' tab has 15 options to align objects with reference to other objects on the page. Let us know each option in brief. Table 4:4: 'Object Based Alignment' tab Option Action Keyboard shortcut Top Left Aligns the selected object at top left corner of the selected object area. Ctrl + Shift + 7 Top Center Aligns the selected object at the top center of the selected object area. Ctrl + Shift + 8 Top Right Aligns the selected object at top right corner of the selected object area. Ctrl + Shift + 9 Center Left Aligns the selected object at center left of the selected object area. Ctrl + Shift + 4 Center Aligns the selected object at the center of the selected object area. Ctrl + Shift + 5 Center Right Aligns the selected object at the center right of the selected object area. Ctrl + Shift + 6 Bottom Left Aligns the selected object at bottom left a corner of the selected object area. Ctrl + Shift + 1 Bottom Center Aligns the selected object at the bottom center of the selected object area. Ctrl + Shift + 2 Bottom Right Aligns the selected object at bottom right corner of the selected object area. Ctrl + Shift + 3 Top Aligns the selected object at top of the current position. Ctrl + Shift + T Bottom Aligns the selected object at bottom of the current position. Ctrl + Shift + B Left Aligns the selected object at the left of the current position. Ctrl + Shift + L Right Aligns the selected object at the right of the current position. Ctrl + Shift + R Horizontal Aligns the selected object at the horizontal center of the Center current position. Ctrl + Shift + H Vertical Center Aligns the selected object at the vertical center of the current position. Ctrl + Shift + V Using keyboard shortcuts makes the alignment of the objects easy and fast. Endless Creativity Possibilities with Art Xpress Page 69 of 113

Another way to access the 'Object Based Alignment' tab is to right click on selected objects and choose 'Align to Object' option. This way, you can build page faster.

Even in the presence ruler and guidelines, making spaces equal takes time.

71 Another way to access the 'Object Based Alignment' tab is to right click on selected objects and choose 'Align to Object' option. This way, you can build page faster. 'Equal Spacing Between Objects' tab While designing page, you plan to place a trail of images. Arranging these images at an equal distance is a tedious task. Even in the presence ruler and guidelines, making spaces equal takes time. Now here, Art Xpress has an 'Equal Spacing Between Objects' tab which helps to equalize the space horizontally and/or vertically in a single click. Let us have a look at 'Equal Spacing Between Objects' tab. Figure 4:47: 'Equal Spacing Between Objects' tab 'Equal Spacing Between Objects' tab has two options to equalize the space between three or more objects. Let us know about each option in detail. Table 4:5: 'Equal Spacing Between Objects' tab Option Action Keyboard shortcut Horizontal Vertical Equalizes the horizontal spacing between three or more selected objects. Equalizes the vertical spacing between three or more selected objects. Using keyboard shortcuts makes the task easy and fast. Alt + Shift + H Alt + Shift + V Another way to access the 'Equal Spacing Between Objects' tab is to right click on selected objects and choose 'Equal Spacing' option. This way, you can build page faster. 'Equal Size (Photos)' tab While designing page, you may want to make some images of the same size. This may be a tedious task. 'Equal Size (Photos)' tab offers size equalization tools. Let us have a look at 'Equal Size (Photos)' tab. Figure 4:48: 'Equal Size (Photos)' tab 'Equal Size (Photos)' tab about each option in detail. Option Width Height Size has three options to equalize the size of selected images. Let us know Table 4:6: 'Equal Size (Photos)' tab Action Equalizes the width of selected images. Equalizes the height of selected images. Equalizes the size of selected images. Select the image to which size you want to bring all the images. Now select remaining images by holding control key. Choose the desired option from 'Equal Size (Photos)' tab. Endless Creativity Possibilities with Art Xpress Page 70 of 113

This helps to keep their alignment intact and you do not need to keep on selecting individual object if you want to move objects again. Let us see 'Group/Ungroup Objects' tab in details.

72 Another way to access the 'Equal Size (Photos)' tab is to right click and choose 'Equal' option. This way, you can build page faster. 'Group/Ungroup Objects' tab When you plan to move certain objects from one place to another place, you can simply group them and move them as a single object. This helps to keep their alignment intact and you do not need to keep on selecting individual object if you want to move objects again. Let us see 'Group/Ungroup Objects' tab in details. Figure 4:49: 'Group/Ungroup Objects' tab 'Group/Ungroup Objects' tab each option in detail. Option Group Ungroup has two options to group and ungroup objects. Let us know about Table 4:7: 'Group/Ungroup Objects' tab Action Groups the selected objects. Ungroups the selected object. Another way to access the 'Group/Ungroup Objects' tab is to right click and choose 'Group' or 'Ungroup' option. This way, you can build page faster. Groups can be scaled. Once the objects are grouped, select the group and scale using boxes at the edges of the group. 'Photo Grid' tab Image grids look beautiful on articles. Forming such grids can be tedious. Although Art Xpress has several tools like 'Equal Size (Photos)' tab, 'Equal Spacing Between Objects' tab that can help you form a quick grid, we still want to provide you a special tool for forming image grid. Let us see 'Photo Grid' tab in detail. 'Photo Grid' tab has tools to create image grid. Let us know about 'Photo Grid' tab in detail. Figure 4:50: Multiple images inserted Endless Creativity Possibilities with Art Xpress Page 71 of 113

You can form a grid of images in Art Xpress without any manual placement of images. Add the images individually or using 'Add Image(s)' option in 'Image' tab. Select all the images.

After defining the grid parameters, create the grid with the help of Create option. The grid will be created.

73 You can form a grid of images in Art Xpress without any manual placement of images. Add the images individually or using 'Add Image(s)' option in 'Image' tab. Select all the images. From the 'Photo Grid' option, define the rows and columns of the grid. Figure 4:51: 'Photo Grid' options You may also manage horizontal and vertical spacing between two images in a grid. After defining the grid parameters, create the grid with the help of Create option. The grid will be created. Figure 4:52: Grid created You may resize and move the grid on the pages to give the desired look. Pan the image and the make the important part of the image visible. If you want, you can merge two fields and place one image in a grid, first select the images and click on the Merge option. Table 4:8: Grid (a) Before merging, (b) After merging (a) (b) The field will be merged and a single image will be placed on the place. You may break the grid with the help of Break option. Endless Creativity Possibilities with Art Xpress Page 72 of 113

'Split Image' tab A single image can be split into small parts and creativity can be applied by adding different effects on different parts. 'Split Image' tab offers tools related to splitting images.

74 'Split Image' tab A single image can be split into small parts and creativity can be applied by adding different effects on different parts. 'Split Image' tab offers tools related to splitting images. Let us see 'Split Image' tab in detail. 'Split Image' tab images. has tools to split Figure 4:53: Image inserted Insert an image from the Image tab. Select the image and define the rows and column to split the image in Split Image tab. Figure 4:54: Split Image option Manage the horizontal and vertical spacing between two parts of the image. Once you define all the parameters to split the image and click on the Split The image will be split. You can resize the image and place it at the place you want. Figure 4:55: Image split In the same way, you can split image and create a wonderful design. Different effects can be applied to the different parts of the image. Select the parts on which you want to apply the effect and go to the Effects tab. Endless Creativity Possibilities with Art Xpress Page 73 of 113

Figure 4:56: Multiple parts of the images selected Choose the desired effect from the Effects tab and apply it by double clicking on it.

Figure 4:57: Colorize effect is given from the Effects tab Each part of the split can be applied a border.

The border can be rotated and used creatively. 'Rotate Object(s)' tab Sometimes a tilt adds to the beauty of the page.

75 Figure 4:56: Multiple parts of the images selected Choose the desired effect from the Effects tab and apply it by double clicking on it. The effect will be applied only on those parts of the image, which were selected by you. Figure 4:57: Colorize effect is given from the Effects tab Each part of the split can be applied a border. Select all the parts of the image by holding control key on your keyboard. Now go to the Border tab and apply the desired border onto it. The border can be rotated and used creatively. 'Rotate Object(s)' tab Sometimes a tilt adds to the beauty of the page. Tilt images and other objects using various rotating options in 'Rotate Object(s)' tab. Easy ways to manage rotation using sliders. Let us have a look on 'Rotate Object(s)' tab in detail. Figure 4:58: 'Rotate Object(s)' tab 'Rotate Object(s)' tab each option in detail. has tools to manage the rotation of selected objects. Let us know about Endless Creativity Possibilities with Art Xpress Page 74 of 113

Option Table 4:9: 'Rotate Object(s)' tab Action Z, X, and Y Rotate objects with sliders in respective axis 90 o and 270 o Rotate objects in 90 o and 270 o Flip Flip objects horizontally and

76 Option Table 4:9: 'Rotate Object(s)' tab Action Z, X, and Y Rotate objects with sliders in respective axis 90 o and 270 o Rotate objects in 90 o and 270 o Flip Flip objects horizontally and vertically Image Rotation It rotates images within the frame. Use value box or slider to rotate image within the frame. 'Edit Image' tab For an image to be a part of a page, it needs to be enhanced and features of the image should be beautified. Here, 'Edit Image' tab helps you by offering a complete set of editing tools. You will find all the editing tools over here that can make your images perfect for the page you are designing. Let us have a look on 'Edit Image' tab. 'Edit Image' tab has tools to edit images in different ways depending on your requirements. Let us know about each option in brief. Figure 4:59: 'Edit Image' tab Option Enhance Lasso Chroma Touchup Highlighter Eraser Photoshop Table 4:10: 'Edit Image' tab Action Tools to manage basic and artistic color correction on images. Also, lets you import plugins of Photoshop for editing images. Lasso cutting tools with the option to create multiple layers. Eliminate Chroma color from a plain Background image. Remove Blemishes and face marks using the brush in Touchup tool. Highlight those important elements of images. Erase those unwanted parts using the brush in Eraser tool. If your computer has Photoshop, access it for instant editing. Know more about these editing tools in Section Fine Tune Images with Editing Tools on Page 85. 'Undo' option You can undo the changes you performed recently with 'Undo' option. 'Redo' option You can redo the changes you undid recently with 'Redo' option. Endless Creativity Possibilities with Art Xpress Page 75 of 113

77 4.3. Ruler and Guidelines The Guideline Bar The Guideline bar at the top right of the canvas helps to manage page view and allow adding some non-printable guidelines. These options are explained below. Feature <View> <Show/hide gridlines> <Zoom in> <Zoom out> <Fit to screen> <Actual Size> <Full size> Table 4:11: The Guideline Bar Description Shows/hides tabs on the page. Shows/hides the gridlines on the page. For zooming the page in. For zooming the page out. Adjusts the page size such that the page fits the screen. Shows the actual size of the page. View page in full size. 'View' option Art Xpress offers various tabs to allow you flexible designing. You might have some favorite tabs that you might be using frequently. In this case, you would love to hide other tabs and have a precise set of tools visible. In this scenario, 'View' option helps you to make only preferred tabs visible. In the 'View' option, uncheck the checkboxes of unwanted tabs. You may make the tabs visible again by checking the checkbox. Figure 4:60: 'View' option and various tabs Endless Creativity Possibilities with Art Xpress Page 76 of 113

78 The changes you set here are remembered by the software, and next time when you open the software, the tabs are in the format set by you. 'Zoom in' option You can Zoom in the canvas to design precisely with 'Zoom in' option. 'Zoom out' option You can Zoom out the canvas to have a complete view of design using 'Zoom out' option. 'Show/Hide Gridlines' option Gridlines guide you to keep the designing element inside the printable area. These gridlines can be shown or hidden using 'Show/Hide Gridlines' option. 'Fit to Screen' option Fit canvas to screen size using 'Fit to Screen' option exercise 'Fit to Screen' option.. Use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + F12 to 'Actual Size' option Zoom the canvas to its actual size using 'Actual Size' option. Use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + F12 to exercise 'Actual Size' option. 'Full Screen' option Have a full-screen preview of canvas area using 'Full Screen' option Ctrl + Shift + F11 to exercise 'Full Screen' option.. Use the keyboard shortcut Endless Creativity Possibilities with Art Xpress Page 77 of 113

79 4.4. Other Tools on Canvas Area Art Xpress is a set of versatile tools. There are grouped in various tabs and toolsets. Still, some tools are accessible within the canvas area. This section explains the tools, which are accessible in the window. Right Clicking on canvas While working in Art Xpress, you could use the right click button to get several options right then and there. o Cut: Cut the selected objects. Use the shortcut key Ctrl + X to cut the selected objects. o Copy: Copy the selected objects. Use shortcut key Ctrl + C to copy the selected objects. o Paste: Paste the copied objects. Use shortcut key Ctrl + V to paste copied objects. o Delete: Delete Selected objects. Use key Delete on your keyboard to delete selected objects. o Copy Effect: Copy Effect on selected object to paste on some other object. o Paste Effect: Paste copied effects on selected object. o Clear Effect: Clear all or individual effects on selected object. o Effects: Quick access 'Effects' tab with the desired effect. (For Details, Refer Section 'Effects' tab on Page 62) o Arrange: Manage placement of objects with this quick access toolbar. (For Details, Refer Section 'Arrange Object(s)' tab on Page 67) o Align to Page: Access 'Page Based Alignment' tab with this option. (For Details, Refer Section 'Effects' tab on Page 62) o Align to Object: Access 'Object Based Alignment' tab with this option. (For Details, Refer Section 'Object Based Alignment' tab on Page 69) o Equal Spacing: Access 'Equal Spacing Between Objects' tab with this option. (For Details, Refer Section 'Equal Spacing Between Objects' tab on Page 70) o Equal: Access 'Equal Size (Photos)' tab with this option. (For Details, Refer Section 'Equal Size (Photos)' tab on Page 70) o Flip Page: Flip page horizontally or vertically without flipping images. (For Details, Refer Section Flip Page on Page 79) Figure 4:61: Right Click option o Find: Find source folder of image, mask, border, or Background in their respective tabs. o Group: Group the selected objects. (For Details, Refer Section 'Group/Ungroup Objects' tab on Page 71) o Ungroup: Ungroup the objects from the selected group. (For Details, Refer Section 'Group/Ungroup Objects' tab on Page 71) o Reset Image Crop: Reset the cropping and zooming of the image. o Set as Background: Set the selected image as a Background of the page. o Save as: Save selected object as PNG. Even if you have selected multiple objects, they will get saved as single PNG. (For Details, Refer Section Save Objects as PNG on Page 27) Endless Creativity Possibilities with Art Xpress Page 78 of 113

o Merge Shapes: Helps to merge shapes and create combinations. Right Clicking While working on Art Xpress, you could use the right click button to get several options right then and there.

Feather, Shadow Glow, Outline, Rotation, Presets and Blend. o The Flip option to flip the page either vertically or horizontally.

80 o Merge Shapes: Helps to merge shapes and create combinations. Right Clicking While working on Art Xpress, you could use the right click button to get several options right then and there. Right clicking outside images: As seen in the image, right clicking outside images lets you access the following options directly: o The Effects option- Give effects like Colorize, Blur, Opacity, Feather, Shadow Glow, Outline, Rotation, Presets and Blend. o The Flip option to flip the page either vertically or horizontally. o If you have selected any object, which is a group of multiple objects, then you can ungroup it from Ungroup option. Figure 4:62: Right clicking outside images o If you have selected multiple objects, and right click, then you get Group option to group selected objects. Right clicking on the images: Using right click after selecting an image lets you access the following options directly: o Cut, copy, paste (in case an element has been copied) and delete. o The Effects option- Give effects like Colorize, Blur, Opacity, Feather, Shadow, Glow, Outline, Rotation, Presets and Blend and copy, paste and clear effect. o Arrange objects- Send to Back, Send Backward, Bring to Front and Bring Forward. o Align to page- Top Left, Top Center and so on. Figure 4:63: Right clicking on the images o The Flip option to flip the page either vertically or horizontally. o The Find option to find the source of the object. Flip Page Art Xpress gives you the option of flipping a page both horizontally and vertically as per your requirements. Horizontal Flip: Right-click on the page and select the Flip page option on the drop list. Select Horizontal to flip the page horizontally. Endless Creativity Possibilities with Art Xpress Page 79 of 113

81 Vertical Flip: Right-click on the page and select the Flip page option on the drop list. Select Vertical to flip the page vertically. On the bottom option bar, you get some tools that automate your work. Let us see each tool in detail. Page Navigator Page navigator offers you to move across the articles. Even you can go one page backward or forward and you can go to the very first page and the last page. Figure 4:64: Page Navigator Print Preview Art Xpress has a smart print preview that offers you the preview of how the page will get bind after margin and spine cut. This helps in accurate designing. You can take designing elements inside the printable area. Smart print preview saves after printing headaches. Figure 4:65: Print Preview and option on bottom option bar You could see the blank area in the place of spines and margins. Once you previewed the pages, you can go back and manage design using 'Edit' option. Endless Creativity Possibilities with Art Xpress Page 80 of 113

82 5.0. Nuts & Bolts Templates & Decors In the previous section, we learned about Alignment tools. After going through this section, you will be able to know about Properties of Templates and Decors in Art Xpress Create your own Template Galleria This Section explains 5.1. Software Templates & Decors Customize your Templates Get More Save Delete Nuts & Bolts Templates & Decors Page 81 of 113

83 5.1. Software Templates & Decors Art Xpress has varieties of inbuilt templates and decor options, which offer a wide range of choices in designing Pages. The features are listed here: Art Xpress has various ready-to-use templates in 'Template' tab. Art Xpress also has a huge collection of decors for Page designing. These include a variety of backgrounds, cliparts, frames, masks, and shapes that help you to present the Articles in a more artistic and eye-catching manner. Besides the inbuilt decor option, Art Xpress also allows you to use your own backgrounds, borders, cliparts, and masks. Any PNG and JPG file can be used as a clipart or as a background and masks or borders can be used directly on the Articles. Besides, 18 ready-to-use color tones are available for Backgrounds, borders, and cliparts and you can change the color of your elements to match the page color. This option is available even for your imported decor. PSD templates can be converted to Ax templates to use while designing the Page. DgFlick provides PSD to Ax converter software free of cost. To download, visit It can be used for layerby-layer conversion of existing Photoshop templates to Ax templates.! You could download the utility from or buy relevant CDs/ DVDs. The versatility of Art Xpress enables you to create and save your own templates for future use. Existing templates can be modified and saved as new templates or new templates can be created from scratch using your own or DgFlick s decor elements. These can be saved as templates for later use. Nuts & Bolts Templates & Decors Page 82 of 113

Get More Art Xpress software provides you the facility to get more Backgrounds, cliparts, masks, and borders. You need to have an internet connection to download these decors.

84 5.2. Customize your Templates This section explains how templates can be saved, or deleted in Art Xpress. The versatility of Art Xpress lies in the fact that it gives you a wide range of ready-to-use templates to choose from beside letting you create or modify templates according to your choice Get More Art Xpress software provides you the facility to get more Backgrounds, cliparts, masks, and borders. You need to have an internet connection to download these decors. On My Project window, click on Get More. Choose the decor option you want to download. A window will appear. Select the decor thumbs, which you want to download and click on 'Get More'. The decors will be downloaded. Figure 5:1: The Get More window Save Create the template and click on Save in 'Template' tab. Figure 5:2: Saving the template In the text box that appears, enter the template Type, and Template Name. Nuts & Bolts Templates & Decors Page 83 of 113

Click on Ok to proceed and on Cancel to quit the process. 5.2.3. Delete Art Xpress also gives you the option of deleting any template that you no longer wish to retain in your template bank.

85 Click on Ok to proceed and on Cancel to quit the process Delete Art Xpress also gives you the option of deleting any template that you no longer wish to retain in your template bank. To delete a template, select the template that you wish to delete. Click on Delete at the bottom of the 'Template' tab. A text box asking for confirmation for deletion appears. Click on Yes to proceed with the deletion, else click on No to abort the process. Figure 5:3: Deleting Template Nuts & Bolts Templates & Decors Page 84 of 113

86 6.0. Fine Tune Images with Editing Tools Art Xpress has inbuilt image editing tools. You can do basic editing like adjusting brightness and contrast as well as advanced editing where chroma removal, lasso cutting, touch up tools will come handy. After going through this section, you will be able to know about Available Editing Tools Reverting Editing Saving Edits Advanced Editing within and outside the Art Xpress This Section explains 6.1. Normal Editing Basic Filters Artistic Filters Advanced Editing Import Plug Ins Lasso Chroma Touchup Highlighter Eraser Edit Images in Photoshop Fine Tune Images with Editing Tools Page 85 of 113

This section deals with the additional features in Basic Filters and all the features included under Artistic Filters. 6.1.

87 6.1. Normal Editing Art Xpress has Basic Filters and Artistic Filters that help in the editing of images to be used in Pages. Each of these filters includes several options that help you modify the images to suit your requirements and they add value to the pages without much effort. This section deals with the additional features in Basic Filters and all the features included under Artistic Filters Basic Filters Features such as BCG correction, RGB color modification, Curve, Level, Crop, and Rotation will be explained in detail in this section. You could access these options by clicking on Basic Filters tab on the option bar. This section deals with the filters one by one. Figure 6:1: Edit Photo' window Basic Filters BCG (Brightness, Contrast, and Gamma) Color Correction To adjust the brightness, contrast, and gamma of the image, click on the BCG button on the Edit Photo' window. Move the sliders for the three parameters forward and backward to achieve the desired effect. Alternatively, you could enter the values for the parameters in the value boxes above the respective sliders. Figure 6:2: The BCG option Clicking on the Auto Contrast button at the top will adjust the contrasts automatically The changes can be reset by clicking on Reset Fine Tune Images with Editing Tools Page 86 of 113

Figure 6:3: The RGB option Clicking on the Auto Color button at the top will adjust the color automatically. The changes can be reset by clicking on Reset.

88 RGB (Red, Green, and Blue) Color Correction To adjust the color tones of the images, you could use the RGB color correction option. Modify the color tone by altering the degree of Red, Green and Blue on the color sliders. Alternatively, you could enter the values manually in the value boxes above the respective sliders. Figure 6:3: The RGB option Clicking on the Auto Color button at the top will adjust the color automatically. The changes can be reset by clicking on Reset. Curve Color intensities can be adjusted by clicking on Curve button on the option bar of the Edit Photo' window. Figure 6:4: The Curve option Select the color to be adjusted (RGB i.e. red, green or blue) from the drop list under the Channel button. Adjust the intensity by clicking on the curve and moving it as per your requirement. Level To adjust the input and output levels of the image, click on Level button on the option bar of the Edit Photo' window. Figure 6:5: The Level option Select the color for which the input and output levels need to be modified (RGB i.e. red, green or blue) from the drop list under the Channel button. Modify the Input and Output level values in the value boxes as required. Blur To give the image a blurred effect; click on 'Blur button on the option bar of the Edit Photo' window. Adjust the blur level from slider forward and backward to achieve the desired degree of blurring. The changes can be reset by clicking on Reset. Figure 6:6: The Blur option Fine Tune Images with Editing Tools Page 87 of 113

Colorize To give a color film effect to the image, click on Colorize option on the option bar under Basic Filters. Select the color from Color Picker or Color Palette.

Adjust the feather effect by moving the slider forward and backward or by inserting the value in the value box. Figure 6:8: The Feather option It will help you to soften the hard edges of the image.

89 Colorize To give a color film effect to the image, click on Colorize option on the option bar under Basic Filters. Select the color from Color Picker or Color Palette. Figure 6:7: The Colorize option Adjust the opacity and level from slider. The changes can be reset by clicking on Reset. Feather Click on Feather option to give feather effect to the image. Adjust the feather effect by moving the slider forward and backward or by inserting the value in the value box. Figure 6:8: The Feather option It will help you to soften the hard edges of the image. The changes can be reset by clicking on Reset. Opacity Click on Opacity option to give opacity effect to the image. Figure 6:9: The Opacity option Adjust the opacity by moving the slider box. forward and backward or by inserting the value in the value The changes can be reset by clicking on Reset. Crop To crop the image to the desired dimensions and orientation, click on Crop button on the Edit Photo' window. Figure 6:10: The Crop option Change the aspect ratio by clicking on the Aspect Ratio box and select the required value. Select the orientation you desire by selecting either Landscape or Portrait. Fine Tune Images with Editing Tools Page 88 of 113

You can enter the values for the width and height after selecting the unit you want to work with. Uncheck the Maintain Aspect Ratio checkbox option cropping of the image.

using the slider. The changes can be reset by clicking on Reset. Figure 6:11: The Rotate option Uncheck the Show Grid box to remove the grid lines.

Other Options on Edit Image window Apart from the options that are available under Basic filters, there are few other aids in the Art Xpress that help you as you proceed with designing the Page.

90 You can enter the values for the width and height after selecting the unit you want to work with. Uncheck the Maintain Aspect Ratio checkbox option cropping of the image. if you would like to proceed with freehand Table 6:1: Cropping: (a) Landscape; (b) Portrait (a) (b) Rotate Select the Rotate option on the option bar and then rotate the image to the desired angle using the slider. The changes can be reset by clicking on Reset. Figure 6:11: The Rotate option Uncheck the Show Grid box to remove the grid lines. You also have the option of using grid lines on the image to help align it better while rotating. You could activate the grid lines by checking the Show Grid checkbox. Other Options on Edit Image window Apart from the options that are available under Basic filters, there are few other aids in the Art Xpress that help you as you proceed with designing the Page. These are discussed below. Correction Tool The correction tool appears with all options and can be used to correct any error that might happen while using the filters or add to the effects already created. The brush size and feather tool can be altered by using the respective slider or by entering the value of your choice in the value box. Fine Tune Images with Editing Tools Page 89 of 113

91 ! Remember to keep the Ctrl key pressed to activate the correction mode and to keep the Shift key pressed to undo the change. Original and Before and After Images Original Image: In the course of working on the images, you might decide to retain an original image or make a fresh set of changes. In such cases, you could load the original image once again by clicking on Load Original. Once the Load Original option is clicked, the software asks for confirmation by displaying a text box. This text box warns that all changes made on the image so far will be lost. You could click on Yes to proceed. Clicking on No will take you back to the image with changes. Before and After Images: After making a change, you could view how the image looked just before the change was made by clicking on Before and how the image looks after the change by clicking on After. This aids in better decision-making. Saving the Changes There are two Save options on the lower right-hand corner of the Edit Photo' window. Save : Clicking on this option causes the old file to be rewritten and the new copy now exists for your reference. Save as : Clicking on this option will allow you to save a copy of your work. A text box allowing you to name the copy appears and clicking on Ok after entering the name creates a new copy of your work. Fine Tune Images with Editing Tools Page 90 of 113

6.1.2. Artistic Filters Artistic filters provide more options for editing the image and adding more effects to get an eyecatching result.

92 Artistic Filters Artistic filters provide more options for editing the image and adding more effects to get an eyecatching result. Some of these options include Mosaic, Ripple, Shift, and so on. You could access these options by clicking on Artistic Filters tab on the option bar. This section deals with the filters one by one. Figure 6:12: Edit Photo' window Artistic Filters Mosaic Click on Mosaic option to add a mosaic effect to the image. You could apply the effect seen in any one of the ten presets on the option bar to the image by double clicking on the preset. To customize the size of the mosaic blocks, click on Custom button below the presets. Click on Reset button to reset the settings. Ripple To add a Ripple effect to the images, click on Ripple button on the option bar. Select the preset of your choice from the twenty available presets and double click on it to apply the effect to the image. You could customize your ripple by clicking on Custom button either adjusting the sliders for the amplitude and wavelength or entering values manually. Click on Reset button to reset the settings. Fine Tune Images with Editing Tools Page 91 of 113

93 Shift Click on Shift option to apply the shift effect to the image. Select and apply the effect you desire by double clicking on one of the ten presets available on the option bar. Click on Custom button if you wish to customize your shift value. Move the slider or manually insert the value in the shift value box. Click on Reset button to reset the settings. Splash Click on Splash button on the option bar to apply the splash effect to the image. Of the five presets that appear on the option bar, you could choose anyone for the image and apply the effect by double clicking on it. Click on Custom button to customize the density of the splash effect. Use the slider to change the value of the density or manually enter the value in the value box. Click on Reset button to reset the settings. Implode Click on Implode button on the option bar to apply the effects under implode to the image. Of the ten presets available on the option bar, double click on the desired preset to apply the effect on the image. Click on Custom button to alter the values for Implosion and Explosion based on your requirements. Use the sliders to alter the values, else manually enter the values in the value box. Click on Reset button to reset the settings. Swirl Click on Swirl button on the option bar to apply the swirl effect on the image. Of the eighteen presets available under this category, you could choose anyone for the image by double clicking on it. Click on Custom button to alter the degree of the swirl. Use the slider to alter the swirl value, else manually enter the value in the value box as per your requirement. Fine Tune Images with Editing Tools Page 92 of 113

94 Click on Reset button to reset the settings. Illusion Click on Illusion button on the option bar to apply different illusion effects on the image. Of the ten presets available under this category, you could choose anyone for the image by double clicking on it. Click on Custom button to alter the section count of the illusion effect. You could increase or decrease the section count by using the slider or entering the value manually in the value box. Click on Reset button to reset the settings. 3dGrid Click on 3dGrid option to apply the 3D grid effect on the images. Of the ten presets available under this category, you could choose anyone for the image by double clicking on it. To customize the cell size and line depth, click on Custom button. Use the sliders to adjust the cell size and line depth as per your requirements, else insert the values in the value boxes. Click on Reset button to reset the settings. Softlense Click on Softlense button on the option bar to apply the effects under the Softlense category. From the thirteen presets available, you could choose and apply the preset of your choice to the image by double clicking on the preset. Click on Custom button to modify the softness of the effect. Use the slider to make the required change, else enter the value manually in the value box. Click on Reset button to reset the settings. Oil Painting To lend an oil-painting effect to the image, click on Oil Painting button on the option bar. Select the effect you require by double clicking on the preset of your choice from the ten made available on the option bar. Fine Tune Images with Editing Tools Page 93 of 113

95 To customize your brush size, click on Custom button. Change the brush size by moving the slider or by manually entering the value in the value box. Click on Reset button to reset the settings. Sepia To apply a sepia tone to the image, click on Sepia option in the option bar. Check the box corresponding to Sepia to apply the effect to the image. Uncheck the Sepia box to reset the setting. Charcoal Drawing To add a charcoal drawing effect to the image, click on Charcoal Drawing button on the option bar. Check the box corresponding to Charcoal Drawing to apply the effect to the image. Uncheck the Charcoal Drawing box to reset the setting. Fine Tune Images with Editing Tools Page 94 of 113

6.2. Advanced Editing Art Xpress has several types of filters that help in adding special effects to the images and Page to make for an eye-catching end product.

Import Plug Ins On the Edit Photo' window, click on Advanced Filters tab to access the advanced filters.

96 6.2. Advanced Editing Art Xpress has several types of filters that help in adding special effects to the images and Page to make for an eye-catching end product. Basic Filters and Artistic Filters have been dealt with in detail in the previous section. We now take a look at the advanced editing option in Art Xpress the Advance Filters Import Plug Ins On the Edit Photo' window, click on Advanced Filters tab to access the advanced filters. Click on Import Plugins button on the page to import third-party plug-ins from the location in which you have saved it. You could even download plug-ins from the Internet. Most of Photoshop plug-ins are supported by Art Xpress. Figure 6:13: Edit Photo' window - Advanced Filters Note: Advanced Filters option is not available for MAC Lasso On the My Project window, select the image you wish to modify, then click on on top option bar and select the option Lasso. Fine Tune Images with Editing Tools Page 95 of 113

On the Lasso window, the tools are available on the top, left-hand corner above the image. Select from the top toolbar to make the layer you would like to use.

97 On the Lasso window, the tools are available on the top, left-hand corner above the image. Select from the top toolbar to make the layer you would like to use. The right-click on your mouse helps you to go back in case of an error. Table 6:2: The Lasso page with the tools. (a) Before (b) After (a) (b) Use to select the layer created. Finally, use to invert the layer. At any point of the process, click on 'After' to see how the picture will appear after the change is applied and to view the image as it was before the change. Save the changes by clicking on 'Save as'. This allows you to save a copy of the new file in the path Chroma On the My Project window, select the image you wish to modify, then click on option Chroma. and select the Table 6:3: The Chroma option (a) before (b) after (a) (b) Fine Tune Images with Editing Tools Page 96 of 113

The Chroma option is useful when you wish to change the background of an image or conceal some part of the image to suit your layout.

Adjust the values for the feather and tolerance as per your requirement by moving the sliders for these values backward and forward or by manually entering the values in the value boxes.

You could change the brush and feather size by using the sliders or by entering the values in the value boxes.

At any point of the process, click on After to see how the picture will appear after the change is applied and Before to view the image as it was before the change.

98 The Chroma option is useful when you wish to change the background of an image or conceal some part of the image to suit your layout. The color picker and Feather and Tolerance help in using this option. Click on the color picker and click on the area on the image that you want to be concealed. Adjust the values for the feather and tolerance as per your requirement by moving the sliders for these values backward and forward or by manually entering the values in the value boxes. To undo a change or to make corrections to the changes made, use the correction tool on the page. You could change the brush and feather size by using the sliders or by entering the values in the value boxes. Keep the Ctrl key pressed to activate the correction mode and the Shift key to reset the change. At any point of the process, click on After to see how the picture will appear after the change is applied and Before to view the image as it was before the change. Save the changes by clicking on 'Save as'. This allows you to save a copy of the new file in the path Touchup You can remove all the blemishes, wrinkles, unwanted spots, and marks with the help of Touchup tool. On the My Project page, select the image you wish to modify, then click on option Touchup. and select the Table 6:4: The Touchup option. (a) before (b) after (a) (b) Select a clone point by Alt + click to copy the same area to remove blemish i.e. any spot, mark, select the brush size according to the area that needs to be given a touch-up and now take your cursor on the affected area and click the mouse button. You could save a copy of the image with the changes by clicking on 'Save as' or overwrite the original image by clicking on 'Save'. Fine Tune Images with Editing Tools Page 97 of 113

6.2.5. Highlighter On the My Project window, select the image you wish to modify, then click on option Highlighter.

Once the image is selected and Highlighter option chosen, the image, initially in color, opens in black and white on the Highlighter page.

Move the brush over the area you want to be highlighted. That segment now appears in color and the remaining parts stay in black and white.

99 Highlighter On the My Project window, select the image you wish to modify, then click on option Highlighter. and select the The highlighter option helps to make any subject of your wish stand out in color against a black-andwhite background. Once the image is selected and Highlighter option chosen, the image, initially in color, opens in black and white on the Highlighter page. Table 6:5: Highlighter (a) before (b) after (a) (b) Adjust the brush size, feather, and opacity using their respective sliders or by entering the values in the value boxes. Move the brush over the area you want to be highlighted. That segment now appears in color and the remaining parts stay in black and white. Keep the Ctrl key pressed to activate the correction mode in case you need to undo your highlighting. To see how the image looked before and after the change, click on Before and After respectively. You could save a copy of the image with the changes by clicking on 'Save as' or overwrite the original image by clicking on 'Save' Eraser On the My Project window, select the image you wish to modify, then click on option Eraser. and select the The Eraser can be used to erase the portions of the image that you do not wish to retain in the Page. Fine Tune Images with Editing Tools Page 98 of 113

Adjust the brush size, the feather, and the opacity by using the corresponding sliders or by entering the values in the value boxes.

Table 6:6: Eraser (a) before (b) after (a) (b) Keep the Ctrl key pressed to reset the changes and the Shift key pressed to redo the erasing.

Select the image and select Photoshop option in Edit Photo tab.

100 Adjust the brush size, the feather, and the opacity by using the corresponding sliders or by entering the values in the value boxes. Move the eraser over the segments of the image that need to be erased. Table 6:6: Eraser (a) before (b) after (a) (b) Keep the Ctrl key pressed to reset the changes and the Shift key pressed to redo the erasing. You could save a copy of the image with the changes by clicking on 'Save as' or overwrite the original image by clicking on 'Save' Edit Images in Photoshop You can edit any image in Photoshop. Select the image and select Photoshop option in Edit Photo tab. If you have defined the path of the Photoshop software in the preferences, the selected image will directly open in the Photoshop software. If you have not defined the path, you will be asked to define the path now. Give the path of the location folder of Photoshop and open the image. Until you are editing the image in Photoshop, the Art Xpress will be locked and you will not be able to perform any action in Art Xpress. In Photoshop, do the required editing and save the image to the desired location. The Art Xpress will be open up. The image will directly appear on the existing place. If the image is not replaced, browse and select a new image. Alternatively, if you want to automatically update the image in Art Xpress with the edited image, enable the script in Photoshop. Fine Tune Images with Editing Tools Page 99 of 113

101 To enable the script, follow the path in tabs. File -> Scripts -> Script event manager. A window will be opened. In this window, check the Enable event to run scripts or actions checkbox. Now whenever you will perform any editing in Photoshop and save the image, the image will directly appear in place of selected image. This saves your time. In this way, you can edit the image in external software and easily bring it in Art Xpress. Fine Tune Images with Editing Tools Page 100 of 113

102 7.0. Job s Done Saving & Exporting Art Xpress allows you to save the file for future use and export it as required. These features add to the versatility of the software and simplify working on it to a great extent. After going through this section, you will be able to know about Saving the Project Approving the Page Designs Exporting the Page in Printable Format This Section explains 7.1. Saving the Project Proceed to Page Exporting Exporting in JPG Format Exporting in PNG Format Exporting in PDF Format Exporting as Low-Resolution PDF Exporting as High-Resolution PDF Exporting as Layered PDF Exporting in PSD Format Job s Done Saving & Exporting Page 101 of 113

$The default path for saving the project is displayed in the textbox as My Documents \My Art. You could either save the project in this path or provide the path of your choice to save the project.$

103 7.1. Saving the Project After the project is done, the next step is saving the project by clicking on 'Save'. The default path for saving the project is displayed in the textbox as My Documents \My Art. You could either save the project in this path or provide the path of your choice to save the project. Save the other elements used in the Project, such as cliparts, borders, shapes and so on, by checking the box against Also save my Images, Backgrounds, Borders, Masks, and Cliparts along with Project. Click on Ok to save the project or on Cancel to abort the process. Job s Done Saving & Exporting Page 102 of 113

7.2. Proceed to Page Exporting After a project is saved, it needs to be exported so that it can be sent to the customer or printed as the final output.

On the next screen, the Export page, you can see all the pages of the Project with little green tick marks on them.

104 7.2. Proceed to Page Exporting After a project is saved, it needs to be exported so that it can be sent to the customer or printed as the final output. Once the saving process is done, click on Next button to start the exporting process. On the next screen, the Export page, you can see all the pages of the Project with little green tick marks on them. Figure 7:1: Export page In case you do not wish to include any page in the Exporting process, simply uncheck the page by clicking on it. The green tick now disappears and the page will not be included in the final output. You can select all the pages in a single click by checking 'Select all' option. Job s Done Saving & Exporting Page 103 of 113

$jpg file appears in the textbox that is now visible on the screen. The path is My Documents\My exported Art. However, you could change the path and save it in any location of your choice.$

105 7.3. Exporting in JPG Format To save the project in a JPG format, click on JPG in the lower right-hand corner. The default path for saving the.jpg file appears in the textbox that is now visible on the screen. The path is My Documents\My exported Art. However, you could change the path and save it in any location of your choice. Figure 7:2: Export as JPG Set the color profile by clicking on Browse button. From Quality drop-down menu, choose the required quality standard or you can also manage it from the slider located next to the Quality drop down menu. You could add a watermark over the pages and images used in it. o o o o o o o Check the 'On Page' checkbox to add watermark on the page. The watermark can be any text or any image that is chosen by you. Choose the 'Text' or 'Image' If you choose 'Text', add the text in the empty box in front of 'Text' option. If you choose an 'Image' option, choose an image from 'Browse' option. It can be your logo or any other image. The style of the text or image watermark can be chosen. You can add it in tiled style, stretched style or at the center of the page. Opacity and rotation of the page watermark can be managed simply with sliders or value boxes. The images used in pages can have a watermark. When you send this output to the client for approval purpose, he can comment on designs by mentioning reference of image watermark. Like Image 2 should be replaced. Or make Image 13 large, etc. You have the option to add original file name of the image as a watermark or you can simply number the images. Click on Ok to proceed with the exporting or on Cancel to abort the process. Once the project has been exported, you get the confirmation in a text box. Job s Done Saving & Exporting Page 104 of 113

106 7.4. Exporting in PNG Format To save the project in a PNG format, click on PNG in the lower right-hand corner. The default path for saving the.jpg file appears in the textbox that is now visible on the screen. The path is My Documents\My exported Art. However, you could change the path and save it in any location of your choice. Figure 7:3: Export as PNG Set the color profile by clicking on Browse button. From Quality drop-down menu, choose the required quality standard or you can also manage it from the slider located next to the Quality drop down menu. You could add a watermark over the pages and images used in it. Click on Ok to proceed with the exporting or on Cancel to abort the process. Once the project has been exported, you get the confirmation in a text box. Job s Done Saving & Exporting Page 105 of 113

107 7.5. Exporting in PDF Format To save the project in a PDF format, click on PDF in the lower right-hand corner. The PDF file can be exported in three different formats: Low-resolution PDF, High-resolution PDF, and Layered PDF Exporting as Low-Resolution PDF Select Low Resolution to save the file with a low resolution. Such low-resolution files can be used only for viewing and are not suitable for printing. Files are created in this format so that they can be sent to the client for approval or for general viewing purposes. Besides, the customer can add in comments for the images or pages. The low-resolution file can be generated with four different DPI options. When you choose the low-resolution option, you are asked to choose the DPI you want for the PDF file. The DPI options are o DPI 50 o DPI 72 o DPI 96 o DPI 150 Choose the desired DPI option. A window will appear. Give the file a name. Figure 7:4: Exporting as Low-resolution PDF Job s Done Saving & Exporting Page 106 of 113

108 The default path for saving the PDF file appears in the textbox. The path is My Documents\My Exported Art. However, you could change the path and save it in any location of your choice. You could add a watermark over the pages and images used in it. Clicking on OK will create a low-resolution PDF file. Clicking on Cancel will abort the process. Once the project has been exported, you get the confirmation in a text box Exporting as High-Resolution PDF Select to save the file with a high resolution. A file saved with this option will be in a printable format. The default path for saving the PDF file appears in the textbox. The path is My Documents\My Exported Art. However, you could change the path and save it in any location of your choice. Figure 7:5: Exporting as High-Resolution PDF You could add a watermark over the pages and images used in it. Clicking on OK will create a high-resolution PDF file. Clicking on Cancel will abort the process. Once the project has been exported, you get the confirmation in a text box Exporting as Layered PDF Click on 'Layered' to save a layered PDF file. Such layered PDF files are high-quality files in which color correction can be done before printing. The default path for saving the PDF file appears in the textbox. The path is My Documents\My Exported Art. However, you could change the path and save it in any location of your choice. Job s Done Saving & Exporting Page 107 of 113

109 Figure 7:6: Exporting as Layered PDF You could add a watermark over the pages and images used in it. Clicking on OK will create a layered PDF file. Clicking on Cancel will abort the process. Once the project has been exported, you get the confirmation in a text box. Job s Done Saving & Exporting Page 108 of 113

110 7.6. Exporting in PSD Format To save the project in a PSD format, click on PSD at the lower right-hand corner. If you have given the path of the Photoshop software in the preferences, the project will automatically get exported in PSD format. If you have not given the path earlier, you will be asked to give the path now. Give the path and export the project in PSD. The default path for saving the PSD file appears in the textbox that is now visible on the screen. The path is My Documents\My exported Art. However, you could change the path and save it in any location of your choice. Click on Ok to proceed with the exporting or on Cancel to abort the process. Once the project has been exported, you get the confirmation in a text box. View the PSD files with the help of Open button. Note: You will only be able to export project in PSD format if your computer has Photoshop software. Note: To export the project in Photoshop, the Photoshop software should not be running in the background. It means the Photoshop software should be closed to enable the PSD exporting. Job s Done Saving & Exporting Page 109 of 113

111 8.0. Open Saved Project Art Xpress gives you the great advantage of the opening and editing the saved projects as many times as you want. After going through this section, you will be able to know about Open the Projects for Re-editing Open Saved Project Page 110 of 113

To open a project that has been saved, click on the Home option of Art Xpress. You will be redirected to a Home page where you can see Open option at the left side of the screen. Click on Open option.

112 To open a project that has been saved, click on the Home option of Art Xpress. You will be redirected to a Home page where you can see Open option at the left side of the screen. Click on Open option. Figure 8:1: The saved projects in the path Browse and choose the folder in which projects are stored. The projects you have saved are now displayed on right side of the screen. Now choose the project you want to open. Then click on Open at the bottom right corner. The project will be opened. Open Saved Project Page 111 of 113

Table of Contents Welcome Opening the Toolbox Getting Started Getting into the Wizard Using the Software...

Table of Contents Welcome Opening the Toolbox Getting Started Getting into the Wizard Using the Software... www.dgflick.com Table of Contents Table of Contents... 1 1.0. Welcome... 3 1.1. What is Art Xpress?... 4 1.2. System Requirements to Run Art Xpress... 5 1.2.1. Windows System Requirements... 5 1.2.2. MAC