Serif DrawPlus X3 User Manuals

Table of Contents

• How to Contact Us

  2
• Contents

  5
• Welcome

  11
  • Key features

    14
    • Document

      14
    • Design

      15
    • Colour and Transparency

      16
    • Lines, brushes, and shapes

      17
    • Text

      18
    • Effects

      18
    • Web and Animation

      19
    • Export and Print

      20
  • New features in DrawPlus X3

    22
    • Images

      22
    • Ease of Use

      22
    • Design

      23
    • Importing and Exporting

      23
    • Sharing

      24
    • ..and some other enhancements you've requested

      24
  • Installation

    25
    • System Requirements

      25
      • Minimum:

        25
      • Recommended:

        25
      • Optional:

        25
    • First-time install

      26
    • Manual install/re-install

      26
• Getting Started

  27
  • Startup Wizard

    29
  • Starting with a design template

    31
    • To create a drawing from a Design Template:

      31
  • Starting with a new drawing

    32
    • To start a new drawing from scratch using the Startup Wizard:

      32
    • To start a new drawing during your DrawPlus session:

      33
    • To turn on/off the Startup Wizard:

      33
  • Opening a saved document

    33
    • To open an existing document from the Startup Wizard:

      33
    • To open an existing document via toolbar or menu:

      34
    • Displaying drawings

      34
  • Opening other file types

    34
    • Opening images as a new document

      34
      • To open an image:

        35
    • Opening PDF and Adobe Illustrator files

      35
      • To open a PDF or Adobe Illustrator file:

        35
    • Opening AutoCAD files

      36
      • To open an AutoCAD file:

        36
  • Saving your work

    37
    • To save your work:

      37
  • Saving templates

    37
    • To save a drawing as a template:

      37
    • To edit a template file directly:

      37
  • Closing DrawPlus

    38
    • To close the current document:

      38
    • To close DrawPlus:

      38
• Working with Pages

  39
  • Setting up a document

    41
    • To adjust the basic layout of the document (Drawing mode):

      41
  • Using the page and pasteboard

    42
  • Setting measurement units and drawing scale

    43
    • Rulers

      43
      • To change the page unit:

        43
    • Moving rulers

      43
      • Rulers as a measuring tool

        45
      • Creating guides

        45
      • To create a guide:

        46
      • To move, delete and lock guides:

        46
    • Drawing scale

      46
      • To change the drawing scale:

        47
  • Using snapping

    47
    • To turn snapping on and off:

      48
    • To snap to guides and/or grid:

      48
    • To show or hide the snapping grid:

      48
  • Viewing pages

    49
    • To go to a specific page:

      49
    • To navigate pages:

      49
    • Zooming

      50
      • To zoom to a particular view:

        50
  • Adding and deleting pages

    51
    • To add one or more new pages:

      51
    • To delete one or more pages:

      51
    • To duplicate a page:

      51
    • To make a page a background for other pages:

      52
  • Using design aids

    52
    • Rotating your canvas

      52
      • To rotate your canvas:

        53
      • To reset your canvas:

        53
    • Applying the Rule of Thirds

      54
      • To apply a Rule of Thirds grid:

        54
      • To select the grid:

        55
    • Using divine proportions

      55
      • To apply a Divine Proportions grid:

        56
      • To select the grid (once deselected):

        56
    • Isolating an object

      56
  • Updating defaults

    57
    • To change which attributes synchronize:

      58
    • To switch synchronize defaults off (for manual default control):

      59
    • To set object defaults manually:

      59
    • Resetting defaults

      59
• Lines, Curves, and Shapes

  61
  • Selecting one or more objects

    63
    • To select an object:

      63
    • Selecting multiple objects

      64
      • To select more than one object (multiple selection):

        64
      • To select all objects on the page:

        64
      • To add or remove an object from a multiple selection:

        64
    • Selection using a lasso

      65
      • To select using a lasso:

        65
  • Drawing lines and shapes

    65
    • Drawing lines

      66
      • To draw a freeform line:

        66
      • To draw a straight line:

        67
      • To extend a line:

        68
      • To draw a curved line:

        68
    • Drawing shapes

      69
      • To close an existing curve (with a straight line):

        69
      • To close a curve (without new segment):

        70
      • To fill an unclosed curve automatically:

        70
  • Editing lines and shapes

    71
    • Redrawing part of a curve

      71
      • To redraw part of a selected curve:

        71
    • Reshaping a line

      72
      • To reshape a curved line:

        72
    • Simplifying or enhancing a line

      74
      • To adjust the smoothness of the most recent pencil line:

        75
      • To add or delete a node:

        75
    • Changing nodes and line segments

      75
      • To change one or more nodes to a different type:

        76
      • To change a line segment from straight to curved, or vice versa:

        77
      • To convert to straight lines:

        77
    • Adjusting a shape

      77
      • To break open a line or shape:

        77
    • Joining lines together

      78
      • To join two lines together:

        78
  • Using QuickShapes

    78
    • To create a QuickShape:

      78
    • To adjust the appearance of a QuickShape:

      79
  • Using the Gallery

    80
    • To use a design from the Gallery:

      80
    • To view your Gallery:

      81
    • To add, delete, or rename design folder (or category):

      81
    • To add, delete, or rename design categories:

      81
    • To copy an object into the Gallery:

      81
    • To delete or rename a design:

      81
  • Converting a shape to editable curves

    82
    • To convert an object into curves:

      82
  • Applying perspective

    83
    • To apply a perspective effect:

      83
  • Applying envelopes

    84
    • To apply an envelope:

      84
    • To remove an envelope:

      84
    • To create/edit your own envelope:

      84
  • Connectors

    85
    • To create a connection:

      86
    • Connector types

      87
• Using Brushes

  89
  • Selecting brushes

    91
  • Applying brush strokes

    93
    • To apply a brush stroke:

      93
    • Setting Brush Defaults

      94
    • Editing brush strokes

      94
      • To change brush stroke properties:

        95
      • To change brush stroke type:

        95
      • To change the shape of your brush stroke:

        95
  • Pressure sensitivity

    95
    • To apply a pressure profile:

      96
    • To create a new pressure profile:

      97
    • To save a new pressure profile:

      97
    • To delete a pressure profile:

      97
    • Altering brush width and opacity with pressure

      97
      • To adjust brush width or opacity with pressure:

        99
• Working with Text

  101
  • Entering text

    103
    • To enter new artistic text:

      103
    • To create frame text:

      104
    • To enter new shape text:

      104
    • Working with Unicode text

      104
  • Editing text

    105
    • Retyping text

      106
      • To retype text on the page:

        106
      • To create a new line:

        106
    • Formatting text

      106
      • To format selected text on the page:

        106
  • Fitting text to frames and shapes

    107
    • Text overflow

      107
      • To scale the frame or shape text:

        107
    • Positioning

      108
    • Resizing

      108
  • Fitting text to a path

    108
    • To flow text along a curve:

      109
  • Adding dimension lines and labels

    109
    • To draw a dimension:

      110
  • Spell-checking

    112
    • To check spelling:

      113
    • To change to a different spelling language:

      113
    • To check the spelling of a single word:

      114
• Working with Objects

  115
  • Copying, pasting, cutting, and deleting objects

    117
    • To copy one or more objects to the Windows Clipboard:

      117
    • To paste an object from the Clipboard:

      117
    • To cut one or more objects to the Clipboard:

      117
    • To delete one or more objects:

      117
  • Cloning an object

    117
    • Making duplicates

      118
    • Making multiple copies in a grid

      118
      • To replicate an object:

        118
    • Applying a transform

      119
      • To create a transform:

        119
    • Making "in-between" copies of two objects

      120
  • Cropping an object

    120
    • To crop an object:

      120
    • To apply the Rule of Thirds:

      121
  • Copying an object's formatting

    123
    • To apply one object's formatting to another:

      123
  • Moving objects

    124
    • To move one or more objects:

      124
  • Cutting up objects

    125
    • To cut selected objects (freeform or straight line):

      126
    • To cut out selected objects using cookie cutters:

      127
  • Erasing and adding to objects

    128
    • To erase portions of a selected object:

      129
    • To add to a selected object:

      129
  • Resizing objects

    130
    • To resize an object to a fixed aspect ratio:

      130
    • To allow free resizing of an object to any aspect ratio:

      131
  • Rotating and shearing objects

    131
    • To rotate one or more objects around a centre point:

      131
    • To change the centre point of rotation:

      132
    • To shear or copy shear an object:

      132
    • To undo the rotation or shear (restore the original object):

      132
  • Flipping objects

    133
    • To flip an object:

      133
  • Finding objects

    133
    • To find an object or group:

      134
  • Locking/unlocking an object

    135
    • To lock/unlock an object:

      135
  • Grouping objects

    135
    • To create a group from a multiple selection:

      136
    • To ungroup (turn a group back into a multiple selection):

      136
    • To ungroup multiple groups within a group:

      136
  • Combining, cropping, and joining objects

    136
  • Aligning and distributing objects

    140
    • To align two or more objects:

      141
    • To align one or more objects with a page edge:

      141
    • To distribute two or more objects:

      141
  • Ordering objects

    142
    • To change the object's order (from the Arrange tab):

      142
  • Working with layers

    143
    • To select a particular layer:

      144
    • To add a new layer:

      144
    • To rename a layer:

      144
    • To delete a layer:

      145
    • To move a layer in the stacking order:

      145
    • To merge a layer:

      146
    • Layer Properties

      146
    • Managing objects on layers

      147
      • To add objects to a particular layer:

        147
      • To select objects on a particular layer:

        147
      • To select any object on any layer:

        148
      • To change an object's or group's name:

        149
      • To move an object to another layer:

        149
      • To freeze any object on any layer:

        149
• Fill, Lines, Colours, and Transparency

  151
  • Setting fill properties

    153
    • Solid colours

      154
      • To apply a solid fill colour via the Colour tab:

        155
      • To apply a solid fill colour via the Swatch tab:

        155
      • To change a fill's shade/tint (lightness):

        156
      • To apply a gradient, bitmap, or plasma fill to one or more objects:

        156
      • To edit an object's fill colour(s) and tint:

        156
      • To apply no fill:

        157
  • Setting line properties

    157
    • Changing line style

      158
      • To change line style:

        159
      • To select a line end:

        159
    • Changing line caps and joins

      160
    • Changing line width

      161
  • Defining solid line and fill colours

    162
    • Changing the set of gallery colours

      162
      • To add a colour to the Document Palette:

        162
      • To add a new gallery colour:

        163
      • To redefine an existing gallery colour:

        163
      • To delete a gallery colour:

        163
    • Using the Colour Selector

      164
    • Managing colours and palettes

      164
      • To load a named palette:

        164
      • To create a new custom palette:

        165
      • To delete a new custom palette:

        165
      • To save the current Document Palette:

        165
  • Working with gradient fills

    165
    • Applying a gradient fill

      166
      • To apply a gradient fill (Fill Tool):

        166
      • To apply a gradient fill (Swatch tab):

        166
    • Editing the fill path

      167
      • To adjust the gradient fill path on a selected object:

        167
    • Editing the fill spectrum

      168
  • Working with bitmap and plasma fills

    169
    • Editing the fill path

      170
    • Changing bitmap gallery fills

      170
  • Working with mesh fills

    171
  • Setting opacity

    172
    • To apply solid opacity:

      174
    • To apply solid opacity (to a fill path):

      174
  • Using transparency effects

    174
    • Applying transparency effects

      175
    • To apply gradient or bitmap transparency effects:

      176
    • To apply gradient transparency with Transparency Tool:

      176
    • Editing gradient transparency

      177
      • To adjust the transparency path directly:

        177
      • To edit transparency levels (via dialog):

        177
• Working with Pictures

  179
  • Importing pictures

    181
    • To import a picture from a file:

      181
    • Notes:

      182
  • Importing camera and scanner images

    182
    • To set up your digital device for image acquisition:

      183
    • To import pictures from a digital camera or TWAIN device (scanner):

      183
  • Using Image Cutout Studio

    183
    • To launch Image Cutout Studio:

      184
    • Choose an output

      184
      • To create an alpha-edged bitmap:

        185
      • To create a vector-cropped bitmap:

        186
    • Selecting areas to keep or discard

      186
      • To select image areas for keeping/discarding:

        187
    • Refining your cutout area (alpha-edged bitmaps only)

      188
      • To restore or remove portions of your cutout:

        188
  • Autotracing

    189
    • To autotrace a selected image:

      190
    • Creating custom profiles

      193
      • To save a custom autotrace profile:

        193
      • To delete an autotrace profile:

        193
• Applying Special Effects

  195
  • Creating borders

    197
    • To create a border:

      197
  • Creating blends

    198
    • To create a blend with the Blend Tool:

      199
  • Creating rough edges

    200
    • To apply roughening:

      200
  • Adding drop shadows

    201
    • Applying drop shadows

      202
      • To change a shadow's colour:

        203
      • To remove the shadow from an object:

        203
  • Applying 2D filter effects

    203
    • Making feathered edges

      203
      • To apply 2D filter effects:

        205
    • Creating outlines

      205
    • Colour Fill

      205
    • Feathering

      205
    • Blur

      206
  • Using 3D filter effects

    206
    • To apply 3D filter effects from scratch:

      207
  • Applying paper textures

    208
    • To apply a paper texture:

      208
    • To remove a paper texture:

      208
  • Applying dimensionality (Instant 3D)

    209
    • To add dimensionality:

      210
    • To revert your Instant 3D transform:

      211
    • To switch off 3D effects:

      211
  • Applying Pseudo 3D

    211
    • To apply a Pseudo 3D projection:

      213
    • Selecting objects on the same plane:

      213
    • To project an object to a different plane:

      213
    • Using Advanced Pseudo 3D

      214
      • To apply an advanced Pseudo 3D projection:

        214
      • Creating a custom projection:

        214
      • Saving a custom projection:

        214
• Creating Animations

  215
  • Getting started with animation

    217
    • To begin a new Stopframe or Keyframe animation (from Startup Wizard):

      217
    • To begin a new Stopframe or Keyframe animation from scratch:

      218
    • To convert an existing drawing to either animation mode:

      218
    • To adjust the basic layout of your animation:

      218
    • To save an animation:

      219
  • Working with Stopframe animation

    219
    • To view the Frames tab:

      220
    • To clone the current frame to a new frame:

      220
    • To generate a new blank frame:

      220
    • To navigate between frames:

      220
    • To rename a frame:

      220
    • To change frame sequence:

      220
    • To delete a selected frame:

      221
    • Onion Skinning

      221
      • To turn onion skinning on or off:

        221
    • Previewing Stopframe animations

      221
      • To preview in the Preview window:

        221
      • To preview in a web browser:

        222
  • Using background and overlay frames

    222
    • Background frames

      222
      • To create a Background frame:

        222
    • Overlay frames

      222
      • To make the current frame an Overlay frame:

        223
  • Working with Keyframe animation

    223
    • Supporting tabs

      224
    • Advanced keyframe animation

      224
    • Getting started

      225
      • Choosing a Page Setup:

        225
      • To view the Storyboard tab:

        226
      • To insert keyframes:

        226
      • To split a selected keyframe:

        227
      • To view or edit a particular keyframe:

        227
      • To delete a keyframe:

        227
    • Keyframe duration

      228
      • To set the duration of an individual keyframe:

        228
  • Storyboard control

    229
    • Adding sound and movies

      229
    • Adding sound

      229
      • To add an audio clip:

        229
    • Adding movies

      230
      • To add a movie:

        230
    • Previewing keyframe animations

      231
      • To preview:

        231
  • Keyframe object control

    232
    • To run object(s) forward/backward:

      232
    • To change object placement:

      234
    • To change object attributes

      235
    • Autorun

      237
      • To autorun objects:

        237
  • Applying actions (keyframe animation)

    238
    • To apply an action to selected object(s):

      239
    • To apply action(s) to a keyframe:

      240
    • To create custom ActionScript:

      240
    • Creating markers

      241
      • To set a marker:

        241
  • Affecting change over time (keyframe animation)

    242
    • To apply an envelope:

      243
    • To reset a selected envelope:

      243
    • To save your custom profile:

      243
    • To delete a profile preset:

      244
  • Keyframe animation tips and tricks

    244
    • Using the Keyframe camera

      244
      • To enable the Keyframe camera:

        244
    • Masking

      245
      • To create a mask:

        245
    • State behaviour

      246
      • To convert to a state object:

        246
      • To change a sub-object's attributes:

        247
  • Exporting animations

    247
    • Flash SWF

      248
      • To export your animation as a Flash file:

        248
    • Video

      248
      • To export animation as video:

        249
    • Image

      250
      • To export as an animated GIF:

        250
    • Screensaver (Windows XP users only)

      250
      • To create a screensaver:

        251
      • To enable the Screensaver:

        251
    • Flash Lite/i-Mode

      251
      • To export to Flash Lite/i-Mode:

        251
• Publishing and Sharing

  253
  • Previewing the printed page

    255
    • To preview the printed page:

      255
    • To print:

      255
    • To cancel Print Preview mode:

      255
  • Basic printing

    255
    • To set up your printer or begin printing:

      256
    • To print:

      256
    • To save current print settings as a print profile:

      256
  • Printing special formats

    257
    • Folded documents

      257
    • Printing posters and banners

      257
      • To print a poster or banner from a standard size page:

        258
    • Printing business cards and labels

      258
    • Printing thumbnails

      258
  • Publishing as PDF

    259
    • To export your document as a PDF file:

      259
  • Exporting objects and drawings

    260
    • Exporting as image

      261
      • To export via the Export Optimizer:

        261
    • Defining a region for export

      262
      • To define an export region:

        263
      • To select the box:

        263
    • Dynamic preview

      263
      • To change export settings:

        264
      • To export via Dynamic Preview:

        264
      • To toggle between Normal and Preview Mode:

        264
  • Sharing via website

    265
    • Registering for the first time

      266
    • Setting up account details in DrawPlus

      267
    • Uploading

      268
      • To upload your design:

        268
• Index

  269
• 2D

  271
• 3D, 199, 201

  271
• Selector, 154

  272
• Tool

  281