GeoPublish Tutorial Part 13 - Importing Graphics Part 2

This time out we are going to have a look at another technique for importing graphics into geoPublish (gP) documents. The method we will use this time is similar to the Page Layout (P.L.) method we used on Page 20 in installment 10. We will create P.L. regions but we will do the imports in Page Graphics Mode (P.G.).

The big difference between these methods is that P.G. gives us access to Attributes, including some important options, that let us manipulate the images after we have placed them on the page. You'll see how this can be desirable when using graphics.

Since we are going to be changing the size of our image I am going to choose the "Open Scroll" graphic from the Fantasy Photo Album on the 2-Disk gP version. Scrolls roll and unroll and change size in the process so it seems appropriate. Use Photo Manager to copy this graphic to a Photo Scrap on your Tutorial Project disk.

Our first import will not change anything with the image proportions. We are just going to center the image. Go into P.L. and create a region (9"V to 4 2.5") and then press the SHOW button to ripple the text. Return to P.G., change to Zoom view and scroll to the region. Choose the Bitmap Placement Tool [gP Page 3-6] and click on the top left corner of the region.

Once the graphic has been pasted into place choose the pointer Tool and click the picture. Now press "C= A" or click on the Attributes Icon [gP Page 3-5]. In the Attributes box [gP Page 4-45] make sure "Centered in Region" is selected. If you compare this to the P.L. box [gP Page 3-19] you'll see some big differences. Along with the 3 main options and Smoothing we can make the graphic transparent or set it in a pattern. Click OK to close the Attributes box.

You will notice that the image looks normal. Click on the image and use the Resize button to align the image with the region. In Zoom View you can see that there is room between the text and the region so you could drag the edges of the graphic outside of the region. No matter how big you expand the graphic boundary the image will remain a constant size. Also, when you choose Centered, if you resize smaller than the original size the image gets cropped, losing some of the graphic.

Our next placement will use the Scaling option. Go to P.L., create a region (2"F to 3"Z) and ripple the text. Return to P.G., change to Zoom view and scroll to the region. Place the graphic, open Attributes and choose the second option (Scaled to fit).

The graphic doesn't look any different than the first time we placed it but now we can do some neat things. Highlight the graphic, click on the Resize button and align the boundary with the P.L. region. The graphic will be scaled to fit into the new area. Scaling enlarges or reduces the image but will not distort it.

Finally return to P.L., create a region (6"X to 8"F) and ripple the text. Back to Zoom View in P.G. and locate the new region. Paste the image and then choose the Stretched and Scaled to fit Attributes option.

Now, when we click on the graphic and stretch it down to the bottom of our region it gets distorted and does not hold its original shape.

And that is it for importing into P.G. where we have more control over the Graphics than in P.L. or Editor Mode. Next time we are going to look at yet another method (and my favorite) for importing Graphics. Transparency will come later.

Until then, enGEOy your Commodore!

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