Creating Paint Objects

Creating Paint Objects

Creating Paint Objects

You can make new paint objects containing blank images or convert objects into images by rendering them.

Using the Paint Object Creator Tool

The Paint Object Creator tool creates blank paint objects that you can use as a painting canvas. In the Properties bar, you can select settings for image mode, resolution, and background to be applied to new paint objects you create with the Paint Object Creator tool or any painting tool (except the Crop tool).

To Select Settings for New Paint Objects:

  1. Select the Paint Object Creator tool from the Toolbox. 
  2. In the Properties bar, select the settings you want to use for paint objects.

Image mode

Choose an image mode in the menu. The image mode controls the number of colors that can be stored in an image. (See Image Modes for Canvas X Draw Paint Objects.)

Resolution

Enter a value from 1 to 2,540 pixels per inch and press Enter.

Background

Choose the background color for the paint object: Opaque or Transparent.

To Create a Blank Paint Object:

  1. Select the Paint Object Creator tool from the Toolbox.

  2. Drag diagonally in the document to create a rectangular paint object.

    A blank paint object appears in Edit mode. You can now use the painting tools to paint on the paint object.

  3. When you have finished with the paint object, press Esc to exit Edit mode.

Drag the Paint Object Creator tool to create a blank paint object

A paint object in Edit mode,
indicated by crop marks at each corner.

If the Auto Create checkbox is selected in the Properties bar for a painting tool, only the Paint Object Creator tool can be used to create blank paint objects. If the Auto Create checkbox is not selected, you can use any painting tool (except Crop) to create blank paint objects.

To Constrain the Height and Width of a Paint Object:

Do one of the following:

  • To constrain the height and width proportionally, press Shift as you drag with the Paint Object Creator tool.
  • To constrain the height and width symmetrically from the center, press Option as you drag with the Paint Object Creator tool.
  • To constrain the height and width proportionally and symmetrically, press Option +Shift as you drag with the Paint Object Creator tool.

Using the Create Command

The Create command creates new paint objects using the mode, size, resolution, and transparency settings that you specify. Use the Create command to create paint objects that are opaque or transparent. (See Create Image Options.)

To Create a Paint Object:

  1. With no objects selected, choose Image | Area | Create.
  2. In the Create Image dialog box, set the image mode, type of background, background color (for an opaque image), size, and resolution of the image.
  3. Click OK. The new paint object appears in the center of the view and is selected.

Setting Paint Object Dimensions

When you use the Create command, you can set the dimensions of a paint object using relative or absolute values, depending on what you choose in the menus next to the Width and Height text boxes. If you choose pixels to set the dimensions of the paint object, the size of the object is relative to its resolution; higher resolution makes pixels smaller, so the resulting object is smaller at the same width and height values. If you choose inches, centimeters, picas, or points, enter absolute values for the paint object’s dimensions.

Create Image Options

The Create Image dialog box has options for new images.

File Size

The amount of memory required by the paint object, based on resolution, size, and mode. Black & White mode requires the least memory; CMYK Color requires the most.

Mode

Choose an image mode. (See Image Modes for Canvas X Draw Paint Objects.)

Background

Choose Transparent or Opaque. For Opaque, you can select a color from the color palette.

Transparent creates a clear background for the image. When you choose this option, the color palette is not available.

Width and Height

Enter the object’s width and height. In the adjacent menus, choose pixels or a unit of measurement.

Res

Enter the image resolution. Choose pixels per inch or pixels per centimeter in the adjacent menu.

Auto

Click Auto to calculate the resolution based on halftone screen frequency and image quality.

To Create a Paint Object with the Properties Bar:

  1. Select the Paint Object Creator tool.
  2. In the Properties bar, enter the dimensions and resolution of the paint object.
  3. Select the mode and background.
  4. Specify the X/Y coordinates for the new paint object.
  5. Click Create.

See Also:

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