Import images into CavePainting
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 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.
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. |
Stroke Patterns
See the CavePainting introduction for information while this document is under construction.
Stroke Masks
See the CavePainting introduction for information while this document is under construction.
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.
- Right-click on the desktop and select "Open Terminal".
- In the window that opens, type
/share/cs137/cs137-init
and hit enter. - 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
To load files into CavePainting, you need to get them onto one of the black computers in the Cave. You can do this by plugging a key drive into the front of the computer, emailing files to yourself, uploading files to some server, or any other way you choose. 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.
That's it! The next time you open up CavePainting, your new images should be enabled. If you don't see them in the palette where you expect them, try pushing the button on the non-brush controller to switch palettes.
Using Images
For instructions on how to use slides, stroke patterns, or stroke masks, see the Use Cavepainting HOWTO.