Import images into CavePainting: Difference between revisions

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== Image Format ==
== Image Format ==
All images used in [[CavePainting]] must be JPEGs (extension .jpg).  See [http://www.cs.brown.edu/courses/cs137/assignments/HelpSession1_CaveIntro.html the CavePainting introduction] for information while this document is under construction.
Images in [[CavePainting]] may be used as slides (also known as billboards &mdash; flat planes with pictures on them that you can place in virtual space) or as patterns or masks on paint strokes.  All images used in CavePainting must be JPEGs (extension .jpg).  In the filename patterns described below, an asterisk (<tt>*</tt>) indicates any text you want.
<!--
 
See [http://www.cs.brown.edu/courses/cs137/assignments/HelpSession1_CaveIntro.html the CavePainting introduction] for information while this document is under construction.
 
=== Slides ===
=== Slides ===
Slides, also known as "billboards", are flat images that you can place in virtual space like floating pieces of paper.  They have both an image and a mask.
Slides, also known as "billboards", are flat images that you can place in virtual space like floating pieces of paper.  Each slide depends on two files, an picture and a mask, which must be the same size and have matching filename patterns.
-->
 
{| {{Prettytable}}
|-
! {{Hl2}} | File
! {{Hl2}} | Name Pattern
! {{Hl2}} | Size
! {{Hl2}} | Function
|-
| Picture
| <tt>slide*.jpg</tt>
| rowspan=2 | 64x64, 128x128, 256x256, 512x512...
| The picture on the slide.
|-
| Mask
| <tt>alphamask*.jpg</tt>
| A black-and-white image matching the picture.  The picture is visible where the mask is white, and it's transparent where the mask is black.
|}


== Loading Images ==
== Loading Images ==

Revision as of 21:07, 25 September 2008

To use images in CavePainting, they need to be in a particular size and format, and have a particular sort of name. Loading them into the program is pretty easy, but the first time you do it you need to perform an extra setup step.

Image Format

Images in CavePainting may be used as slides (also known as billboards — flat planes with pictures on them that you can place in virtual space) or as patterns or masks on paint strokes. All images used in CavePainting must be JPEGs (extension .jpg). In the filename patterns described below, an asterisk (*) indicates any text you want.

See the CavePainting introduction for information while this document is under construction.

Slides

Slides, also known as "billboards", are flat images that you can place in virtual space like floating pieces of paper. Each slide depends on two files, an picture and a mask, which must be the same size and have matching filename patterns.

File Name Pattern Size Function
Picture slide*.jpg 64x64, 128x128, 256x256, 512x512... The picture on the slide.
Mask alphamask*.jpg A black-and-white image matching the picture. The picture is visible where the mask is white, and it's transparent where the mask is black.

Loading Images

To import images into CavePainting, log into any of the black computers in the Cave room. They are named dev1 through dev4.

Setup

You have to do a little bit of setup the first time you import images. After that, you should be able to just follow the steps in the next section.

  1. Right-click on the desktop and select "Open Terminal".
  2. In the window that opens, type
    /share/cs137/cs137-init
    and hit enter.
  3. Close the window.

This step creates a folder on your desktop called "CavePainting Directory". This is where all your files go. If you ever don't see this directory, just repeat the steps above.

Transferring Files

You can plug a key drive into the front of the computer or email files to yourself. Whatever you do, download the files to your desktop, and then drag-and-drop them into the folder called "CavePainting Directory" that you see on the desktop.

Using Images

You can use images as slides or as patterns or masks on a brush stroke. For instructions, see the Use Cavepainting HOWTO.