Serif PhotoPlus X3 User Manuals

Table of Contents

• Welcome

  9
  • New features

    11
    • Effects and Adjustments

      12
    • Import/Export

      12
    • Printing

      13
    • Correction

      13
    • ..and some other enhancements you've requested

      13
  • Existing features

    13
    • Document power

      13
    • Essential Tools

      14
    • Color

      15
    • Brushes, lines and shapes

      16
    • Text

      16
    • Effects

      17
    • Adjustments

      18
    • Productivity/Workflow

      18
    • Web and Animation

      19
    • Print and Share

      19
  • Installation

    20
    • System Requirements

      20
      • Minimum:

        20
      • Optional:

        20
    • First-time install

      21
    • Manual install

      22
• Getting Started

  23
  • Startup Wizard

    25
  • Starting from scratch

    26
    • To create a new picture or animation (using Startup Wizard):

      26
    • To create a new picture or animation (during your session):

      27
  • Opening an existing file

    27
    • To open a saved image file (via Startup Wizard):

      28
    • To open any image file:

      28
    • To open images by drag-and-drop:

      28
  • Opening a raw image

    29
    • To adjust a raw image:

      31
  • Acquiring a TWAIN image

    32
    • To set up your TWAIN device for importing:

      32
    • To import a TWAIN image:

      33
    • To select a different TWAIN source for scanning:

      33
  • Saving a file

    33
    • To save your PhotoPlus Picture:

      34
    • To save your currently open image:

      34
    • To revert an image file:

      34
  • Closing files and exiting

    35
    • To close a single image window (file):

      35
    • To close all image windows (files):

      35
    • To close PhotoPlus:

      35
  • Color modes

    35
    • To switch from 16-bits/channel to 8-bits/channel working:

      36
• Manipulating Images

  37
  • Making a selection

    39
    • Selection basics

      39
    • Selection tool options

      41
    • Using the Magnetic Selection Tool

      44
      • To use the Magnetic Selection tool:

        44
    • Color Range

      45
      • To select a color range:

        45
      • To create a selection based on the active layer's alpha (opacity) channel:

        46
    • Storing selections

      46
  • Modifying a selection

    47
    • Transforming the selection

      47
    • Making the selection larger or smaller

      47
      • To add or subtract to/from the existing selection with a selection tool:

        48
    • Modifying the selection

      48
    • Soft-edged and hard-edged selections

      49
    • Paint to Select mode

      50
  • Manipulating a selection

    51
    • Moving the selection marquee

      51
    • Using the Move Tool

      51
    • Cut/Copy/Delete/Paste

      52
  • Changing image and canvas size

    54
    • Changing image size

      54
      • To resize the whole image:

        54
    • Changing canvas size

      55
      • To change canvas size:

        55
    • Cropping an image

      56
      • To crop unconstrained:

        56
      • To crop to a specific print size or resolution:

        57
      • To crop the image to the selection:

        59
  • Flipping and rotating

    59
    • To flip:

      60
    • To rotate:

      60
  • Straightening a photo

    60
    • To straighten:

      61
  • Deforming

    62
  • Mesh warping

    64
    • To select a mesh node:

      65
    • To warp the mesh:

      65
    • To deform the mesh systematically:

      66
    • To add a new node:

      66
    • To delete one or more nodes:

      67
    • To change a node to a different type:

      67
    • To reset the mesh to full-frame and rectangular:

      68
    • To hide the mesh for a better preview of the image:

      68
  • Extracting part of an image

    69
  • Using channels

    69
    • To hide/show channels:

      70
    • To select specific channels for edit:

      71
  • Interpreting histograms

    71
    • To view a specific channel:

      72
• Painting and Drawing

  73
  • Choosing colors

    75
    • Foreground and background colors

      75
      • To define foreground and background color:

        76
      • To set the mode:

        77
    • Storing colors

      77
      • To add, edit or delete a Gallery category:

        78
      • To choose a Gallery category:

        78
      • To add a color to the Swatches tab:

        78
      • To apply a color from the Swatches tab:

        78
  • Painting

    79
    • To use the Paintbrush or Pencil tool:

      81
  • Stamping and spraying pictures

    81
    • To draw with the Picture Brush:

      82
    • To import a Paint Shop Pro picture tube file:

      82
  • Erasing

    83
    • To erase with the Standard Eraser:

      84
    • To erase with the Background Eraser:

      84
    • To erase with the Flood Eraser:

      85
  • Using patterns

    86
    • To paint with a pattern:

      86
    • Creating your own patterns

      87
      • To create a new pattern:

        87
  • Filling a region

    87
    • Flood and pattern fills

      88
      • To use the Flood Fill Tool:

        88
      • To use the Fill command:

        89
    • Gradient Fill Tool

      90
      • To apply a gradient fill:

        91
      • To change a text or shape layer’s fill type, or edit its color(s):

        91
  • Cloning a region

    92
    • To clone a region:

      93
  • Creating and editing text

    94
    • To create new solid text:

      94
    • To edit text:

      94
    • To change text's solid color:

      95
    • To swap to a gradient color:

      95
    • To convert any text layer to a standard layer:

      95
    • To edit existing text:

      95
    • To create a text selection:

      96
  • Drawing and editing lines and shapes

    96
    • Overview

      97
      • To change the fill type, or edit its color(s):

        98
    • Creating and editing QuickShapes

      99
      • To create a QuickShape :

        99
      • To edit a QuickShape:

        100
    • Creating and editing outline shapes

      101
      • To edit an outline shape:

        102
      • To edit a node:

        103
  • Creating outlines

    104
    • To create an outline from a selection:

      104
    • To create outlines on a layer (as a layer effect):

      105
    • To switch off the layer effect:

      106
  • Using paths

    106
    • To create a path outline from a QuickShape/outline or selection:

      107
    • To duplicate the selected path and its outline:

      107
    • To delete the selected path:

      107
    • To rename the selected path:

      107
    • To edit a path outline:

      108
    • To create a selection from a path:

      108
    • To draw (stroke) a path onto a bitmap layer:

      109
    • To create a filled bitmap from a path:

      109
• Image Adjustments and Effects

  111
  • Introduction to image adjustments

    113
  • Overview: Adjusting image colors

    114
  • Using QuickFix Studio

    116
    • To launch QuickFix Studio:

      117
    • Adjustments overview

      117
      • To apply an adjustment:

        118
  • Retouching

    119
  • Overview: Applying special effects

    121
  • Instant Artist effects

    121
    • To launch Instant Artist:

      122
  • Warp tool effects

    123
  • Applying 2D layer effects

    124
    • To apply a shadow, glow, bevel, or emboss effect:

      125
  • Applying 3D layer effects

    126
    • To apply an Instant Effects tab preset to the active layer: :

      127
    • 3D effects overview

      127
    • Transparency

      129
    • 3D Reflection Map

      130
  • Using the Filter Gallery

    131
    • To view the Filter Gallery:

      132
    • To add a filter in the Filter Gallery:

      132
    • To switch a filter on or off:

      133
    • To collapse/expand filter properties:

      133
    • To modify a filter:

      133
    • To replace a filter:

      134
    • To reorder filters:

      134
  • Using plug-ins

    134
    • To apply a plug-in filter:

      134
    • To check or change the plug-in filter folder:

      135
  • Merging bracketed photos

    135
    • To select and merge bracketed photos:

      136
    • To adjust your intermediate image:

      138
• Layers and Masks

  141
  • Basics of using layers

    143
    • Kinds of layers

      143
    • Selections and layers

      145
    • Operations involving layers

      146
      • To carry out basic layer operations:

        146
      • To control layer content:

        148
      • To carry out advanced layer operations:

        148
  • Using layer groups

    149
    • To create a Layer Group:

      150
    • To add one or more layers to a Layer Group:

      150
    • To remove a layer:

      150
    • To merge a Layer Group:

      150
  • Using adjustment layers

    151
    • To create an adjustment layer:

      153
    • To change the specific settings for an effect:

      153
    • To access layer properties for an adjustment layer:

      153
  • Using filter layers

    154
    • To convert to a filter layer:

      155
    • To edit the filter layer:

      155
  • Using blend modes

    155
    • To set a tool's blend mode:

      156
    • To set a standard layer's blend mode:

      156
  • Using blend ranges

    157
    • To apply a blend range:

      158
  • Adjusting opacity/transparency

    158
    • To set a tool's opacity:

      159
    • To set a layer's opacity:

      159
    • To read the opacity values of pixels on the active layer:

      159
  • Using depth maps

    160
    • To create a depth map:

      161
    • To switch the depth map off and on:

      161
    • To remove the depth map and cancel its effects on the layer:

      161
    • Importing a depth map

      162
  • Using masks

    162
    • Creating the mask

      163
      • To create a mask:

        163
    • Editing on the mask

      164
      • To edit the active layer:

        164
      • To edit the active layer's mask:

        165
      • To view the active layer's mask:

        165
      • To disable the active layer's mask:

        165
    • Masks and selections

      166
      • To create a mask from a selection:

        166
• Creating Animations

  167
  • Getting started with animation

    169
    • Layers and frames

      169
    • Single-layer animation

      171
  • Working with animation frames

    172
    • To create a new frame:

      172
    • To select a single frame:

      172
    • To select more than one frame:

      173
    • To speed up the animation process:

      173
    • To mirror a frame layer's attributes:

      174
    • To delete one or more frames:

      174
    • To reposition a frame in the sequence:

      174
    • To play (preview) the animation:

      174
    • To stop the animation:

      175
    • To export the animation as a .GIF file:

      175
    • To preview the animation in your Web browser:

      175
    • To flatten your frames:

      175
  • Applying animation effects

    175
    • To apply a special effect:

      176
• Making Images for the web

  179
  • Slicing images

    181
    • To slice the image:

      181
    • To specify the alternate text and/or link:

      182
    • To export a sliced image:

      182
  • Creating image maps

    182
    • To draw a hotspot:

      183
    • To edit a hotspot:

      184
    • To export an image map:

      184
• Macros and Batch Processing

  185
  • Understanding macros

    187
    • Recording Macros

      188
      • To create a new category:

        188
      • To record a macro:

        188
    • Playing Macros

      189
      • To play a macro:

        189
    • Modifying Macros

      190
      • To switch a command off:

        191
      • To enable command interactivity:

        191
      • To add manual instructions to your command list:

        192
    • Copying, duplicating and deleting Macros

      193
  • Batch processing

    193
    • Using macros

      194
    • Changing file type

      195
    • Changing image size

      195
    • Changing file names

      196
• Printing and Exporting

  197
  • Printing

    199
    • To print:

      200
    • Sizing and rotating images in cells

      202
    • Cropping images in cells

      203
      • To crop an image:

        204
    • Printing using color separations

      205
  • Publishing a PDF file

    205
    • To export a PhotoPlus picture as a PDF:

      206
  • Exporting to another file format

    207
    • To export an image:

      208
    • To open the Export Optimizer:

      209
    • To adjust the preview display:

      210
    • To compare export settings:

      210
    • To proceed with exporting:

      211
    • To preview an image in your web browser:

      211
  • Sharing documents by email

    211
    • Setting the file type

      212
    • Setting your image size

      212
• Index

  213