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Hi Robin, In PM3 & PM4 (and assuming PMP) you can choose shapes from a toolbar button or menu bar. There is a shape that looks like a circle inside of a square. The circle is transparent and the the rest is opaque. You can stretch the shape into an oval and place it over the picture that you want to appear inside of the oval. You can change the color of the opaque part and add outlines or none. Also, in the art gallery, scan through the Shapes category and find something appropriate there. Goodnight! }-) Brooks
Hi, Robin, I can find a circle within a circle and a square within a square, (shapes 4 & 5 in Platinum) but I can't find Brooks' circle within a square, which sounds like a perfect solution. However, if you do a search in the art gallery for "oval frame" you will find several possibilities. By making the frame (or the hollow oval shape mentioned above) white and placing it over your centered graphic, it should make your graphic appear oval shaped. If it doesn't quite cover the corners, there is another shape called Shape 9 in Platinum that is a 90 degree corner with a concave inside curve which I have used for masking corners around rounded objects. Wouldn't a round or oval cropping tool be nice in version 5? Hint, hint, Mindscape. Lynn
I am a 3 week old user of PMP and I wan to give the new KIDS ON THE BLOCK a homework assignment. Get your local paper and go to the classified ads. Choose a large 2 col or 3 col X 5 or 6 inch BORDERED AD. CUT IT OUT RE-CREATE it on PM. THE REASONING BEHIND THIS IS YOU DON'T HAVE TO CREATE words and design WHILE YOU ARE LEARNING. Learn to refer often to your deminsion and line indicators at the bottom right of your screen. You will learn to observe FONT STYLES. Use spell check. I have started picking up flyers everywhere I go...I now have a flyer file, samples that I can use for FORMAT and style. Even if they are CRUMMY...you can see what not to do...write yourself a note on the crummy ones... font too small...to cluttered up...whatever. I had to design a CONVENTION DISPLAY BOARD while I was learning and it was hard...but it is almost done. and I don't mide making $75.00 to learn a program. SAVE OFTEN...SAVE EVRYTHING. when I when to cut and glue down this display...my paper cutter was off and had to do some re-prints...glad I saved it all! When Hubby went to glue, he rubbed on the printed page and got smears...had to reprint some. GLAD i SAVE THEM!!! hint ON DUPLICATE GRAPHIC:>>> WHEN THE program gives you the dup....use the arrow keys to move it away from the original!!! NOT THE MOUSE! mouse CAUSES UN INTENTIONAL resizing. FIX ON RESIZING ERRORS>>> go to edit...if you have resized it will have as first choice "UNDO RESIZE" CLICK ON THAT AND whella!!! Back to the original size! Brandy
Hi Sandi, (FYI….Pearson acquired Mindscape Inc., then known as The Software Toolworks Company Inc., in April 1994.) …You could contact Mindscape, Inc. 88 Rowland Way, Novato, California 94945 Phone 415/897-9900, Facsimile 415/897-8286. …..Patricia DePreist Public Relations at The Learning Company Inc.(510) 505-6749 or email pdepreist@learningco.com
Sorry…...Forgot to include the site address to contact Mindscape for comments about the forum and potential future of it…….http://www.mindscape.com/cgi-bin/omixlink?22290889299804+news/contact/index.htm….(Copy and paste to the address bar on your browser) and hit return…….Larry
Hi everybody, I don't know if you have noticed, but PMG leaves a lot of clutter behind when it executes. It is supposed to delete temporary files when it closes each time, but sometimes it doesn't. While it was Saturday I decided it to be a cleanup day and brought out WindowDOS, a new Windows 3.x & 95 sort of Explorer, much easier to use than Explorer itself. I discovered about 13 MB worth of clutter files in C:\PMW, worth to delete and regain that disk space. The files are easily recognizable. They all have the form "~000I79" or "~000U10" and because they all start with "~" they can be found at the end of all the files in C:\PMW, if you use alphabetical sorting. Have fun with your weekly cleanup. Maurice.
Hi Joann….Hmmm, well, ah, let's see. Technically speaking "you will need written permission from the artist or owner of the graphics, even if you alter the picture beyond recognition". In this case Mindscape, in the case of say Disney cartoons/graphics, it would be Disney, etc. Would have to have a determination made by Mindscape to say whether or not you could legally SELL or make money from the works of others. Might have to check with Customer support to get the LEGAL answer to your question. (I know what generally goes on in the real world is a bit gray). I'm sure we would all like to know what Mindscape feels in this area. Funny it never came up before. Larry
to joann suttles: copyright is almost as good as religion and politics to discuss in an open forum where you know someone will become disagreeable with the opinion. *** the basics: if you are doing something for profit and you have copyright questions (meaning you do not know where you stand on intellectual property) CONSULT with an attorney. *** just because it says it is royalty free does not mean you can use the materials (graphics, words, etc) as you see fit (well, you might until you get caught). *** the basics part dux: contact the vendor and learn from them directly what you can and cannot do and what if any are the restrictions (BTW, get it in writing and have an attorney review, too!!) -- we purchased some graphics and learned that yes we could use them in a newsletter; however, if more than two appeared in the newsletter, then we would have to pay for each additional graphic. *** the basics part three: everything from porn to religion is getting digital signatures. sure, if you are good and you have both the time and inclination, the digital signatures can be removed in many instances. *** finally, in many instances (most in the electronic end - graphics, pictures, stuff like this) the courts have not sorted it all out as far as the internet goes and who can really use what and does it really belong to the owner. with paper (books, magazines, and these kinds of things) the rule might be stated something like this (yup, see an attorney before doing more than taking this under advisement): you can make a copy for your own personal use. *** Best rule of thumb: ask! We have often gotten permission where others have been sent real nasty letters. It is just a courtesy! *** hope this helps *** jim
I just create and save the cut-outs in PSD and work with them there. After adjusting a photo behind one I use the export feature to export the entire image as a JPEG (other file formats available to choose from) and open that file in a PrintMaster project. Sure, it takes a little more file manipulation, but I am not into professional photo enhancement so it doesn't make sense for me to purchase a $500 program. Daisy
There's a new product out by XaosTools ("chaos tools") called FlashBox, that sells for $45. It allows you to do basic retouching, such as removing wrinkles, etc. And special effects, like removing/adding individuals, changing backgrounds, and such. It also comes with FlashXubes ("flash cubes") in various themes, that have cut outs where you can insert your own photos. New FlashXube designs will be available for download from their site (www.xaostools.com) each month. Sounds familiar, doesn't it? A Xaos rep called me and was very excited about this title, saying that it might even appeal to professional photographers who want to experiment with digital imaging, but who don't want to invest the time and money into learning Photoshop. Stanee Rae Murray
Hey all, Just found that Ulead Photo Assistant is a free registered copy for the first 70,000 who download it at the page below. Haven't tried it yet, but might be worth the disk space to check it out................ http://www6.zdnet.com/cgi-bin/texis/swlib/hotfiles/info.html?fcode=000P0D
Hi Judy, my former posting alluded to by Larry was a bit too cryptic, I find. Not enough detailed info. So here goes the entire story. I will assume that the program is presently not installed. If it is, UNINSTALL it. To copy the entire PROGRAM CD to the hard disk you will need about 680 MB of free space. To copy all the files on the CD to the hard drive, the easiest way is to use the XCOPY command in DOS. Suppose your CD drive is drive D: and your hard disk is drive C: Moreover, I suppose you selected the download directory on drive C: to be C:\PMGCD. (make the necessary substitutions if you prefer.) Put the PROGRAM CD in the drive and put your computer in DOS mode. Then type: XCOPY D:\*.* /s/e C:\PMGCD and press the ENTER key. (The two switches "/s/e" stand for "copy all subdirectory files and include all subdirectories, even if they are empty." ) You will now see a list of files being copied from D: to C: It will take about one half hour to copy all flies, and it will depend somewhat on the speed of your computer. When finished type the word EXIT and press the ENTER key. Then install the program from the C:\PMWCD directory, not from the CD as usual. When finished, and if you try to run it without the CD in the drive, in all probability, it will still ask you to put the CD in the drive. This is because the path in the PMW.INI is still pointing at the CD drive. Put your computer in DOS mode and type EDIT C:\PMW\PMW.INI and press the ENTER key. The content of that INI file should be on the screen. Look for the heading [Configuration]. If you don't have one, type one in on a separate line. Then underneath it type: CDPath=C:\PMGCD. Then click on SAVE or hold down the ALT key while hitting the S key. Next click on EXIT or hold down the ALT key while hitting the X key. Then type the word EXIT and press the ENTER key. You are now back in Windows and everything should work like a charm, if you followed these proven instructions and if you made sure to use upper- and lowercase characters as indicated. If you want to copy any other graphics CD to the hard disk, that can be done also, at a penalty of 680 MB of disk space. But you will need slightly different instructions. Good luck, Maurice.
Continental Inc. is the company that handles the Rebates for PrintMaster. You can Call 1-800-272-4274 or visit the web Site at www.cpginc.com. Hope this helps easy the pain. Jeff
Hello Ruth …. A little advice on repairing a scratched CD. There seem to be about as many ways of fixing scratches on CDs as producing them in the first place. However, they fall into 2 classes of techniques: Mild abrasives [1] Plastic or furniture polish, Brasso metal polish, toothpaste. Any and all of these will totally remove minor scratches. And fillers [2] car and furniture wax. Apply over the whole disc and buff out with a lint free cloth. Filling larger scratches should be fairly effective but the disc will be more prone to damage in the future due to the soft wax. As with cleaning a CD, when applying or rubbing any of these materials, wipe from the center to the outside edge as Frank said. The reason is the CD player can generally track across scratches that are perpendicular to its path reasonable well, but not those that run parallel to the tracks. A mild abrasive will actually remove the scratch entirely if it is minor enough. This is probably more effective where the surface has been scuffed or abraded rather than deeply scratched. Wax-like materials will fill in the space where the scratch is if the abrasive was not successful. Even deep scratches may succumb to this approach. A combination of (1) and (2) may be most effective. High priced versions of these materials are available specifically marketed for repair of CDs. However, the common abrasives and waxes will work as well IMO. Good Luck, Larry
Hi everybody. It's hard to believe that a nasty disease can make you become more creative. I had a severe case of hyperthyroidism which caused me to have tremors so badly that I could not even hold a scissors to trim my half-fold cards. I already had set the MarginStyle=0, but I could not trim the one side. Here is what I did. After choosing a half-fold card, I opened up the card and worked on the inside. Everything was created on the left side (smallest margins); then I clicked on "More" on the bottom of the screen . For the horizontal size, I checked:half page; for the vertical size :full page. Next, for position I checked left side for horizontal and space equally for the vertical position. Then I used the flip and mirror image icon to place the project in proper position for printing. When I printed the cards, I clicked on "print inside." The cards came out just great. For the inside of the card, I just created another inside. I think my thyroid is still effecting my brain; I think I am beginning to confuse you people. Sorry about that. I would be happpy to clarify anything if questions should come up. Take care. Helga.
Hi, as Frank said, I don't have a problem with it either. We have an HP870Cse here at the office. I fed the envelopes in wide, with the flap down. Then I typed in the return address, centered on the top. Then I clicked on PRINT and on ENVELOPE FEED. I selected FLAP DOWN, WIDE, RIGHT and REVERSE LANDSCAPE. No problem, prints every time. Maurice.
Hi everybody, I have had several requests for an "oldie," changing the default font in PMG. That worked already in PMG3 and, of course, works as well in PMG4 and PMP4. Even if its looks daunting, it is as easy as pie. The default font style and size can be changed by adding four lines to the PMW.INI file in C:\PMW. The easiest way is to put your computer in DOS mode and to type: EDIT C:\PMW\PMW.INI and pressing the ENTER key. The contents of that INI file should now be on the screen. Type the following four lines, each one on a separate line. (I have used dotted lines to separate them, Do not type those dotted lines ). -- - [Fonts] ---- DefaultFace="Arial" --- DefaultSize=36 --- FontKSize=512 --- Make sure the default face you use exists in your font list and that you copy the name exactly. Use quotes around the font name. Size refers to the point size. One point= 1/72nd of an inch. Font KSize is the font buffer size in Kbytes. (512 Kb is adequate) Any error in lower- or uppercase or the name of the font will result in a default to TMS Roman 12. Click on FILE or hit the ALT and the F keys at the same time. Click on SAVE or hit the S key. Click on FILE (or ALT F) and click on EXIT or hit the X key. Type the word EXIT and press the ENTER key. You are now back in Windows. Open PMG. If you didn't make any errors, the default font should be changed. You might maybe copy these instructions for possible future use. Maurice.
Hi Bill. You can make single fold 4 1/4 X 5 1/2 cards. Get some heavy paper like coverweight papre 67 lb or 90 lb or card stock. Use tall 1/4 fold format (Also works with wide 1/4). You have to make 2 cards at the same time so you don't waste half your paper. You can have both projects open at the same time in PM. You can go easily from one to the other just by clicking on the edge of the one not showing. On card #1, make the front & back (made by), go to card #2 and go to "inside". This will actually be the inside of card #1. After composing the inside, make the front & back of card #2. Go back to card #1 and make the inside of card #2. Confused, yet? Print card #1. Flip paper over end for end & print card #2 on back side of paper. Cut paper in half and fold each. You will have 2 cards, both printed on both sides. I cut mine apart with a paper cutter & sometimes I use paper edgers for a fancy edge around the 3 open sides. I also cut the same design on the flap of the envelope. I don't do men's cards as much as women's, but do have scissors called "bowtie" that I use for men. I hope this is clearer than mud. Good Luck! #8-) Koleta