Using randompaint
Even though you won't have many problems using randompaint, here are some hints and instructions how to use the interface. But first of all, the interface is not too crowded, however, nearly everything is clickable, dragable, usabe ... So it's easy to play around and find out how everything works.
Note: Not every controller has an effect of each plug-in. The programmers decide which controller values they use in their plug-ins and how!
1. Drawing Area
I don't think I have to explain this part of program in detail. It's just the place where you create your designs. Interface elements related with this part are 5. Pan Hand, 6. Drag Layer and 12. Zoom Controller.
2. Parameters Controller
These
three controllers handle the values of the variables x, y and z.
These variables may be used by every plug-in in a different way.
The "squares" function for instance uses them for random width, height
and stroke, others for the distance from your mouse cursor, where
the functions paints ect. Playing around with the values often creates
totally different results. To use the controller, drag it with your
mouse or type any value between 0 and 200 into the textfield in front.
3. Color / Fill Panel
The
only interaction with this element is a click on it. This will fill
the object with the same color the stroke has. It controlls a variable
used in plug-ins working with filled and unfilled shapes. However,
the variable may also be used by some plug-ins for any other purpose.
4. RGB Mixer
Of
course randompaint works with RGB colors only. Here, mixing colors
is nearly the same like in other well known vector software programs.
The Mixer works the same way the 2. Variables
Controller is used. The only difference is that you can type any
numbers from 0 to 255. Whan you change the value of one of the
color channels you see the effect instantly in 3. Color
/ Fill Panel as well as in the first color field of the 11.
Color Palette. Importing colors from a *.txt file will change the
values of the rgb color mixer to the first color in the array.
5. Pan Hand
It
only works when there are scrollbars at the drawing area. By
clicking and draging you move the whole drawing area in the drawing
window. If you painted over the visible area, but there are no scrollbars,
just select another or the same zoom level again.
Note: As long as the Pan Hand is selected, you can select plug-ins but you are not able to paint!
6. Drag Layer
If
you selected this button you are able to move the whole content
of the selected layer. If you want to move more than one layer
you have to move them one after another. For each layer you have
to 1. select the layer you want to move, 2. select the Drag Layer
button, 3. move the layer, 4. deselect Drag Layer button 5. select
the next layer ...
Note: As long as the Drag Layer function is active you can select plug-ins but you are not able to paint!
7. Print Button
Printing
your artwork ist the "Save" button in Flash. By pressing this
button your standard print dialog will appear. Select a PDF printer
driver or any Post Script printer and make a cross at "Print
to File". Macromedia Flash produces vector data which is processable
in other vector, layout, bitmap software and so on if you export
it like this. Of course you can also print it to paper :-)
Although there is a DIN A4 shape in the background the program
will print the whole drawing because you may find parts of your
work attractive which do not lie on the A4 shape.
Hint: Hidden layers will not be printed! Therefore you can save your work layer by layer.
8. Layer Panel
The
layer panel has all important functions a layer panel must
have. It is possible to add and delete layers, show / hide
layers, rename them and to swapDepths();
On the dotted grid you can drag the whole panel. Add a layer by
clicking the "+" at the upper right side of the panel.
One click on the eye sets the layer invisible, another click makes
it visible again. Click on the tree lines in the middle to select
the layer. Use the up and down arrows to change the order / depth
of your layers. The red "x" deletes the layer again.
Note: There is still a bug in the layer panel! Sometimes layers get mixed up when changing the depth.
9. Plug-in Panel
Althouth
the most important fuctions are contained in this panel it
has only little user interaction. The panel is dragable just
like the layers panel. A function which is especially interesting
for developers is the reload plug-ins button, the two arrows
at the top left. Plug-ins are selected by clicking anywhere
on them.
Install Plug-ins
First of all each programmer may decide to use his own directory
structure to load components for his plug-ins. So please read
the instructions comming with each new plug-in!
To install a new plug-in you just have to to two things:
1. Unzip or copy the plug-in files in the randompaint "plugins"
subdirectory ( the plug-in may use more subdirectories! )
2. Open the plugins.config file
with your text editor and type in the path under the plugin directory
in a new line
Example:
Your plugin lies in "/your randompaint
directory/plugins/shape/shape.swf". Then the entry in
the plugins.config file must be:
plugins=plugin1.swf plugin2.swf shape/shape.swf
Hint: Developers may want place their *.fla file in the same directory they insalled the *.swf in. In this way you can work on your plug-in and test it at the same time. Just reload the plug-in panel each time you published your *.swf.
10. Color Import
The
color import tool is very useful if you want to work with a predefined
color array. To create an importable color file you simply have to
make a new text file and write in the colors in hexadecimal format,
comma separated and the characters "0x" in front of
each color instead the commonly used "#".
The file than looks like this:
colors=0x31e45d,0xfb9265,0xf01354,0xe99239,0xd83165,0xe3cf78,0x854b24,0xef87e9, 0x5d7592,0x9fe608,0xa54304,0x11b4d5,0x96e4d8,0x7b4114,0x509af9
Another possibility is to use the PHP colorstripping tool http://randompaint.maxkloker.de/colorstripping.php to extract colors out of a small GIF file.
11. Color Palette
At
the color palette all colors are shown you can use for painting.
These color sets can either be created manually, by adding one color
after another. Or an array of colors can be imported with the 10.
Color Import. The color export plug-in will export all colors dispayed
in the palette in the same order.
An new color is added to the palette by clicking on the arrow in
front of the first color field. The color of the first field will
be added. Then you can edit the first color and add the new color,
and so on.
To delete one color of the array just click on the color field of
that color. This will make the first color the deleted color and
may be edited. If you don't want to loose the first color, add it
to the palette before you delete a color!
12. Zoom Controller
It
just zoomes the drawing area. Should be self explanatory.