Chapter 9
MDL Shared Imager
Overview
The MDL Shared Imager is a collaborative tool used to display and edit presentation graphics with the Communique! Conference Manager. The Imager has a powerful suite of graphics manipulation and drawing tools for the user, and has an easy-to-use system for preparing slide shows.
This chapter discusses:
- The Imager’s interface
- The Imager’s graphics toolbox
- Creating a slide show
- Presenting a slide show
Imager Requirements
An Imager license key is required to use the Shared Imager Plugin.
Starting the Shared Imager
The Imager is an OpenDVE based Plugin for use with the Communique! Conference Manager. In order to run the Imager, you will need to add it to the Conference Manager using the Plugin Configuration Tool. To load the Imager, select the icon depicting a man standing at a multicolored whiteboard.
As the Shared Imager loads, you will see its interface appear.
The Shared Imager’s Interface
The Shared Imager is divided into five sections: the Menu Bar, the Tool Bar, the Toolbox, the Canvas, and the Status Bar.
The Menu Bar
The Menu Bar provides access to the Imager’s controls. The menus are File, Edit, Conference, View, Capture, Page, Options, and Help. These menus provide the user with the basic controls for manipulating, loading and saving images.
The Toolbar
The Tool Bar provides users with easy access to certain Imager commands, including opening and saving images, and manipulating Imager pages.
The Toolbox and Tool Characteristics
The Toolbox provides painting and annotation tools. Tool characteristics are items which modify the behavior of certain tools.
The Canvas
The Canvas is the area of white space where images are loaded and markups are made. The Canvas can be thought of as having two layers: an image layer where images are placed and a markup layer where changes made by the user are stored. When an image is loaded from disk, it is placed in the image layer of the Imager. When you draw on the canvas with tools from the Toolbox, or you run any of the processes available on the Edit menu, the changes are made on the markup layer. This enables the user to erase changes made to the markup layer without affecting the image layer.
The default canvas size for the Shared Imager will be equal to the size of the current system display. If you are conferencing between platforms, it is possible that each member will have a different sized Shared Imager. The Change Canvas Size feature can be used to select a common setting.
The Status Bar
In addition to providing notification of conference events, the Status Bar gives hints on the usage of menu items and tools. When you position your mouse pointer over a tool icon or menu item, a short note in the status bar will remind you of that item’s function.
In the right hand corner of the Status Bar, the current Canvas page and total page count are displayed. In the far right hand corner of the Status Bar, the current X and Y coordinates of your pointer location on the Canvas are displayed. By double clicking on the current page number, you can bring up the Go To Page dialog. The button to the left of the page number is selectable between Solid and Clear, toggling the behavior of fill patterns. Further to the left is the eraser behavior button, which is selectable between Image and Markups.
The Toolbox
The Toolbox contains icons representing tools for drawing with on the Canvas. The tools from the Toolbox make modifications on the markup layer of the Canvas.
With the Toolbox you can:
- choose drawing tools
- select the thickness of marks made
- choose fill patterns for the drawing tools
- choose the tools’ marking color
Marker
The Marker allows you to draw freehand lines on the Canvas.
To use the Marker:
1. Click the icon in the Toolbox that looks like a marker.
2. Hold the left mouse button and drag the cursor over the Canvas to draw a line.
When you let go of the mouse button, the Marker stops drawing. The width of the line you draw depends on which width is currently selected by Line Width in the Toolbox. The Marker will draw in the current Color and Fill pattern, as well.
Eraser
With the Eraser, you can remove either markups or both markups and background images from the Imager’s Canvas.
To use the Eraser:
1. Click the Eraser icon in the Toolbox.
2. Hold down the mouse button and drag the cursor over the Canvas to erase.
The Eraser stops erasing when you let go of the mouse button. The width of the Eraser’s path depends on which Line Width is selected in the Toolbox.
To toggle the Eraser to erase images, choose Image from Erase Style, a cascading menu item, found in the Options menu. You can also toggle the Eraser’s behavior by double clicking on the Markups/Image Button on the Status Bar.
Box
With the Box tool you can create rectangles on the Canvas.
To draw with the Box tool:
1. Click the Box icon in the Toolbox.
2. Press down the left mouse button at the point in the Canvas to be one corner of your rectangle.
3. Drag the cursor over the Canvas defining the area of the rectangle.
As you move your mouse, you will see an outline of the rectangle you are creating. The outline will expand and shrink relative to your mouse’s movement.
Pressing Shift while making a rectangle will cause the Box tool to create a square.
The width of the box’s lines you draw depends on which Line Width is selected in the Toolbox. The Box will draw the rectangle according to the Line Width, Color and Fill Pattern currently chosen.
Filled Box
As with the Box tool, the Filled Box tool creates rectangles on the Canvas. However, the rectangles created with the Filled Box will be filled with the Color currently selected in the chosen Fill pattern.
To use the Filled Box tool:
1. Click the Filled Box icon in the Toolbox.
2. Press the mouse at the point in the Canvas to be one corner of your rectangle.
3. Drag the cursor over the Canvas defining the area of the box.
As you move your mouse, you will see an outline of the rectangle you are creating. The outline will expand and shrink relative to your mouse’s movement.
Pressing Shift while making a rectangle will cause the Filled Box tool to create a filled square.
Ellipse
With the Ellipse tool you can create ellipses on the Canvas.
To use the Ellipse tool:
1. Click the Ellipse icon in the Toolbox.
2. Press and hold the mouse button at some point on the Canvas to begin drawing an ellipse.
3. Drag your cursor across the Canvas.
As the mouse crosses the Canvas, its vertical and horizontal movements describe both the major and minor axes of an ellipse.
4. When you have drawn an ellipse of suitable size and shape, release the mouse button.
Pressing Shift while making an ellipse will cause the Ellipse tool to create a circle.
The appearance of the ellipse is described by the tool’s specified characteristics: thickness by Width, shading by Fill, and color by Colors.
Filled Ellipse
Like the Ellipse tool, the Filled Ellipse tool creates ellipses; however, ellipses created by the Filled Ellipse tool shade all covered areas according to the tool’s current Fill Pattern and Color characteristics.
To use the Filled Ellipse tool:
1. Click the Filled Ellipse icon in the Toolbox.
2. Press and hold the mouse at some point on the Canvas to begin drawing an ellipse.
3. Drag your cursor across the Canvas.
As the mouse crosses the Canvas, its vertical and horizontal movements describe both the major and minor axes of an ellipse.
4. When you have drawn an ellipse of suitable size and shape, release the mouse button.
The appearance of the ellipse is described by the tool’s specified characteristics: thickness by Width, shading by Fill, and color by Colors.
Pressing Shift while making an ellipse will cause the Ellipse tool to create a circle.
Pointer
The Pointer appears on the Canvas as a large arrow. The pointer is visible to other conference members, and is useful for pointing out markups or particular spots in images on the Canvas.
To use the Pointer:
1. Click the Pointer icon in the Toolbox.
2. Move the pointer across the Canvas.
While your pointer is over the Canvas, it can be seen by the other conference members.
If another conference member is using the Pointer, you can differentiate your Pointer by choosing a different color from the Color Palette.
The pointer can also be used to place stamps on the Canvas. Stamps are small icons that can be used to highlight particular points or illustrate the Canvas. When you click on the Canvas with the pointer, a box with a list of the available stamps is displayed. The stamp you choose is then placed on the canvas where you had clicked. For more information on using stamps, see the Stamps section later in this chapter.
Text
With the Text tool you can type on the Canvas.
To use the Text tool:
1. Click the Text icon in the Toolbox. It appears as a capital ‘T.’
2. Click in the Canvas to place the cursor.
3. Type.
Text is distributed to the conference whenever you hit a carriage return or choose another tool.
The text will appear in the current color, pattern, and font currently set for the tool. Color and pattern are given by the characteristic selections from Colors and Fill, respectively.
Changing fonts affects all text typed since the last carriage return.
Line
With the Line tool you can draw straight lines on the Canvas.
In order to draw lines:
1. Click the Line icon in the Toolbox.
2. Press and hold the mouse button at the point in the Canvas where you want the origin of the Line.
3. Drag the cursor across the Canvas releasing at the desired endpoint for your line.
The line’s appearance is dictated by Width, Fill, and Colors.
Constrained Line
The Constrained Line tool is similar in function to the line tool, but restricts the user to making only vertical or horizontal lines.
To draw a Constrained Line:
1. Click the Constrained Line in the Toolbox.
2. Press and hold the mouse button on the Canvas at the point where the line will originate.
3. Drag the cursor across the Canvas and release at the desired horizontal or vertical distance from the origin, defining the endpoint.
As with Line, the constrained line’s appearance is specified by Width, Fill, and Colors.
Width
Width is a tool characteristic letting you pick a thickness that most Imager drawing tools will use when marking the Canvas. You have four width choices. Toolbox tools not affected by Width are the Filled Box and Ellipse, Pointer, and Text.
To choose your Width, click one of the four Width icons in the Toolbox.
Fill
The tool characteristic of Fill lets you select the mark pattern made by the drawing tools. You may choose from a pure fill or three patterns. The patterns are different mixes of the marking color and a background, either Solid or Clear.
When Solid is chosen for patterns background, any marks completely overlay the Canvas. Clear, however, permits the Canvas itself to appear as the background in the pattern giving a transparent effect to your markings.
Choose your Fill pattern by clicking one of the four Fill icons in the Toolbox. Additionally, choose either Solid or Clear from the Fill Style cascading menu selection under Options. The two tools from the Toolbox unaffected by the Fill selection are the Eraser and Pointer.
Colors
As a tool characteristic, Colors determines the color used by all drawing tools in the Toolbox and the Pointer. You may choose from the twenty available colors.
To choose your Color, click the corresponding colored square in the Toolbox. The only Shared Imager tool independent of Colors is the Eraser.
The Toolbar
The Toolbar provides users with access to frequently used commands at the click of a button. The functions of individual buttons on the Toolbar are as follows.
Load Image
The Load Image button enables the user to load an image from disk and paste it on the Imager’s Canvas. When you click on the Load Image button, a standard Motif file requester will be launched, and you can choose which file you wish to load. An outline of the image will appear, and you can move it into place over the Canvas. To place the image, click the left mouse button.
Load Slide Show
The Load Slide Show button allows the user to select a slide show and load it for presentation. When you click on the Load Slide Show button, a list of available slide shows is presented, and the user can select from the list. There are several other controls on the Open Presentation panel as well. The Delete Old Pages button automatically removes slides that no longer exist from the slide show. Selecting Append allows you to include the slide show that you are loading after any Imager pages that are already in memory. The Info button launches a panel with the names of the slides that are included in the currently selected slide show.
Save Imager Contents
Using the Save Whiteboard Image, you can write the contents of the Canvas to an image file on disk. When you click on the Save Whiteboard Image button, a file requester will be launched. In addition to the normal directory browsing functions available to the user, you can select the graphics format that you wish to save the image in. You can also choose to save only the part of the Canvas that is currently visible on the screen.
Print Imager Image
The Print Imager Image button allows the user to print the contents of the Canvas. From the printing dialogue you can select the printer you wish to use, page size, orientation and a number of other settings. You can also choose between printing the entire Canvas or printing only the visible section of the image.
Copy Image to Clipboard
To select a section of the image to copy to the OpenDVE Clipboard, click on the Copy Image to Clipboard button. Next place the crosshairs where you want to anchor one corner of the section you are copying, and click the left mouse button. By dragging the mouse you can resize the box that outlines the section that will be copied. When the box is positioned correctly, click the left mouse button again to copy the selected area onto the Clipboard.
Paste Image from Clipboard
If there is image data present in the clipboard, the Paste Image icon will appear in color. To paste the graphics data in the clipboard onto the Canvas, click on the Paste Image button. An outline of the image will appear. Use the mouse to place the outline on the Canvas, and click the left mouse button to place the image. Note that the image will be pasted onto the image layer rather than the markup layer of the Canvas.
Font
The Font button allows the user to change the font used by the Text Tool. When you click on the Font button, it expands into a menu of fonts that can be selected. Simply drag the mouse to highlight the font that you wish to use and release the button to select that font. The button displays the font that is currently selected.
Font Size
The Font Size button is similar to the Font button, except that it allows the user to choose the size of the font used by the Text Tool. In order to select a font size, click on the button and hold down the mouse. The button will expand into a menu showing all the potential font sizes. Drag the mouse to select the size that you wish to use and release the button. The current font size that is selected is displayed on the button.
Bold Text
The Bold Text button toggles whether text from the Text Tool is in boldface. If this button is selected, bold text is on; if it is deselected, bold text is off.
Italics
The Italics button toggles whether text from the Text Tool is italicized. When this button is selected, text is italicized.
Go to First Page
The Go To First Page button is used to move to the first Imager page stored in memory. If you are on the first page, this button is ghosted out and is not selectable.
Go to the Previous Page
By clicking on Go to the Previous Page, you will move up one page in the slide show.
Go to the Next Page
Clicking on the Go to the Next Page button will take you to the next page in the slide show. If you are on the last page of the slide show, clicking on this button will create a new slide show page.
Go to the Last Page
Clicking on this button will move you to the last page in the slide show.
Help
Clicking on the Help button will bring up the Imager’s Help dialog.
Working with Files
The File menu contains options that enable the user to work with image files, including saving them to and loading them from disk.
Open
The Open option allows you to open an image file and paste it to the Canvas. This duplicates the functionality of the Load Image button on the Toolbar.
Open Slide Show
The Open Slide Show function allows you to open a slide show for presentation. This option duplicates the functionality of the Load Slide Show button on the Toolbar.
Create Slide Show
The Create Slide Show function launches the Imager’s Slide Show Editor. Using the Slide Show Editor, the user can create a presentation for use while conferencing. The creation of slide shows is discussed later in this chapter, in the section entitled, "Creating a Slide Show".
Save
Selecting Save stores any changes that have been made to an image that was loaded from disk. This option can only be selected if there is an image on the Canvas that was loaded from a file.
Save As
Save As allows the user to write the contents of the Canvas to a file on disk. This option duplicates the functionality of the Save Image button on the Toolbar.
Print enables the user to send the current contents of the Canvas to the printer. This duplicates the functionality of the Print button on the Toolbar.
If you are using lp as your printer command, you will need to add the -c option to copy the temporary file to the print spool rather than linking to it.
Close
Selecting Close exits the Shared Imager.
Editing the Canvas
The Edit menu contains functions that allow the user to cut and paste information from the clipboard, and to make changes to the Canvas.
Copy
The Copy function allows the user to select an area of the Canvas and copy that area into the OpenDVE Clipboard. This option duplicates the functionality of the Copy Image to Clipboard button on the Toolbar.
Paste
The Paste function places the image contained in the OpenDVE Clipboard on the Canvas. Paste duplicates the functionality of the Paste Image from Clipboard button on the Toolbar.
Process...
Selecting Process brings up a menu of possible graphics processes that can be used to enhance the image on the Canvas. These processes can be run on the entire Canvas, or on a section selected by the user. The user can also choose to include the markups in the information that is processed, or the processes can write over any markups that have been made. Also note that the processes are made on the markup layer, so they can be erased, leaving the image below unaltered. The various processes available to the user are discussed later, in the section on Graphics Processes.
Clear Markups
Clear Markups wipes the markup layer of the canvas clean, leaving the image layer below untouched.
Clear Canvas
Clear Canvas discards all graphics information on the canvas.
Synchronize Current Page
In some situations, an odd combination of factors may cause one or more conference members’ Canvas images to appear differently than the conference’s working Canvas. Synchronize Current Page will correct this problem.
When you select Synchronize Current Page, your page will become the master page of the conference, and all conference member’s Canvases will be updated to appear the same as yours.
Controlling the Imager
In a Conference, one user has control over the Imager. The user with control can allow or disallow markups by other users, and is the only person authorized to turn the pages in the slide show. By default, the user who initiates the conference has control, and can seize control at any time. The Conference menu provides the conference members with options regarding control of the Imager.
Request Control
If you are not the user who initiated the conference, you can request control of the Imager. When you request control, the user who currently has control of the Imager will be prompted as to whether they want to yield control to you. If they agree, you will be granted control over the Imager.
Grab Control
If you are the user who initiated the conference, you can "grab control" of the Imager. This means that whoever is currently in control automatically reverts control to you.
Tolerate Markups
The person in control of the Imager can toggle whether other users are allowed to make markups on the Canvas.
The View Menu
The View menu consists of options that change the way the user sees the Canvas without actually changing the image on the Canvas.
Magnification
With the Zoom In and Zoom Out commands you magnify the image for better viewing. Seven different degrees of magnification are available.
Zoom In:
- maximum magnification at 1:8
- moderate magnification at 1:4
- light magnification at 1:2
Actual:1:1 aspect ratio for Original Size
Zoom Out:
- moderate scaling at 3:1
- heavy scaling at 5:1
- extreme scaling at 9:1
Zooming In
1. Pull down the View menu and pick one of the Zoom In commands—1:8, 1:4, or 1:2.
The cursor will look like a magnifying glass when you move it over the Canvas.
2. Click in the Canvas at the point you want to be used as the center of the magnification.
The view in the White Board will magnify accordingly and pan (shift) to center on the clicked point.
Using the magnifying glass to select a center point is not strictly limited to the Zoom In commands. Also, you must use the magnifying glass to choose a center point any time you reduce scaling (i.e. going from 9:1 to 3:1).
Zooming Out
Pull down the View menu and pick one of the Zoom Out commands—3:1, 5:1, or 9:1.
The view in the Imager scales down relative to the original Canvas size.
Original Size
To return to the original image size from either Zooming in or out, pull down the View menu and pick the Original Size command.
Refreshing the Image
If for some reason the contents of the Canvas become corrupted, you can redraw the Canvas on your screen by selecting Refresh.
Synchronize
Selecting Synchronize forces the other members of the conference to view the image at the same scale that you are viewing it at. This is useful if you want the other members to notice something that can only be seen at the scale which you are viewing the image at.
Capturing Images
The Capture menu contains tools that allow you to capture portions of the desktop or other windows for use in the Imager. Note that items captured this way are moved to the image layer of the Canvas.
Capture a Region
To Capture a region and place it on the Canvas:
1. Choose Region from the Capture menu.
Your mouse cursor will change to a symbol that looks like a corner.
2. Press anywhere on the desktop to define a corner of the region you will capture and drag the mouse cursor across your display.
An outline of the area you are defining appears relative to the movement of your mouse cursor; the outline will change dimensions as you move your mouse. The outline is a bounding box and defines the area of the image you will capture.
3. Release the mouse button when the bounding box encloses the desired region.
After capturing an image of the described region, an outline of the image will attach itself to your mouse cursor as you move it across the Imager’s Canvas. This image will help you decide the placement of the image. If you want to see a preview of the entire image before you place it, press Shift.
4. Click the Canvas at the spot where you want the upper left corner of the image.
The image will appear on the Canvas page at the chosen location. The other conference members will get the image soon after you place it on the Imager.
Capture a Window
To Capture a window and place it on the Canvas:
1. Choose Window from the Capture menu.
2. Click any window on your desktop.
An image of the clicked window will be created, and you will see an outline of the image move with your cursor across the Canvas. The outline will help you decide where to place the image. If you want to see a preview of the entire image before you place it, press Shift.
3. Click in the Canvas at the spot where you want the upper left corner of the image to be placed.
The image will appear on the Canvas page at the location clicked.
Capture the Desktop
To Capture your desktop and place it on the Canvas:
1. From the Capture menu, choose Desktop.
After a few moments, an outline proportional to your desktop will appear and move according to your mouse cursor’s movement.
2. Click the Canvas at the spot where you want the upper left corner of the image to be placed.
As much of the desktop image will appear as the Canvas page can hold. If you want to see a preview of the image before you place it, press Shift.
Working with Pages
The Page menu allows the user to navigate through a slide show, and enables the user to manipulate the pages that are currently loaded into the Imager.
Go To Page
When Go To Page is selected, a window with a thumbnail sketch of each page that is currently loaded is launched. From that window, the user can select the page that they wish to move to, or they can select New Page to create a new, empty page.
Turning Pages
To turn to the page before or after the one you’re viewing, choose Previous or Next, respectively, from the Page menu. You can also turn to the Previous or Next Page using the respective buttons on the Toolbar.
Additionally, you can jump to the first or last Canvas page of the Imager by choosing either First or Last, respectively, from the Page menu.
Further, by attempting to go to the Next page when you are currently viewing the last of them, or by jumping to that page with Go To Page, you cause the Imager to create a new page.
Deleting Pages
As too many Canvas pages can become cumbersome, you can eliminate specific sets of pages. From the Pages menu, there are three options for deleting pages:
Delete Current Page—useful for eliminating a redundant or incidental page
Delete All Pages—a good option for starting fresh; destroys all current Canvas pages and leaves you with one new, clean page
Delete All Except Current—when only a single page is necessary or pertinent, this option efficiently removes all pages except the one currently being displayed
The COMM_IMAGER_TMP Variable
When you are working with multiple pages in the Imager, pages other than the one that you are currently working on are stored in temporary files on disk, so as to save the markup layer of the Canvas. By default, these files are written to the /tmp directory. If you want the Imager to use another directory for temporary storage of these files, you can set the COMM_IMAGER_TMP variable to the path where you want the pages to be stored.
Options
The Options menu contains items that allow you to configure the behavior of the Imager.
Fill Style
There are two options for Fill Style, Solid and Clear. If Solid is selected, when you make markups on the Canvas, the patterns will totally cover the image below them. If Clear is selected, the image under the markups will show through the spaces in the pattern.
Erase Style
The two options for Erase Style are Image and Markups. If Image is selected, when you use the eraser both the image and markup layer will be rubbed out. If Markups is chosen, only the markup layer will be removed when you use the eraser.
Compress Images
If Compress Images is turned on, image data will be compressed before it is sent to other conference members. This increases the amount of CPU time operations will take, but lowers the amount of bandwidth used.
Compress Pages
Compress Pages compresses white space on Imager pages in order to save disk space.
Floating Toolbox
The Floating Toolbox option toggles whether the window that allows you to select various markup tools is movable independent of the rest of the Imager, or if it is set in the Imager window.
Hide On Capture
When using functions from the Capture menu, the Imager may often obscure items on the desktop that you would like to import. If you wish to hide the Imager window when you are capturing parts of the desktop, make sure this option is on. If you wish to capture part of the Imager window, turn this option off.
Fast Capture
Fast Capture allows faster image capturing. With this option enabled, Capture operations grab images using a default colormap. If the option is disabled, Capture operations must accommodate any private colormaps encountered. Accurate colors are guaranteed when private colormaps are used at the expense of processing time.
Fast Capture is enabled by default. Switch it off if you experience any problems capturing images from a specific application.
Pop Up On Receive
The Pop Up On Receive option, when chosen, makes the Imager window open automatically when a conference member loads a new image or creates new markups.
Enhanced Zoom
If Enhanced Zoom is on, when you magnify an image a smoothing algorithm will be run so that the image’s pixelization is minimized. This process is somewhat CPU intensive.
Show Progress Indicator
When you perform certain CPU intensive functions, the Imager takes a few moments to complete the command. If you would like to see a clock that shows how close to completion a task is as it is being performed, select this item.
Preload Next Slide
If Preload Next Slide is toggled on, when you load a new slide from a slide show, the next slide in the show will also be loaded into memory if it hasn’t been already. If this option is off, only the current slide will be loaded when you change pages.
Background Repainting
If the image on the Canvas uses a private colormap, when the Imager is not the active window, the image and colors will be distorted. If Background Repainting is on, then the image distortion is minimized because the images are repainted with pictures from the default colormap. This option is only useful on 8 bit displays.
Canvas Size
Canvas Size changes the total size of Imager markup pages. The default canvas size is variable, depending upon which platform the Imager is running on. If you wish to make the canvas size of each member of the conference homogenous, you should use the Canvas Size option. When you select this option, you will be prompted for the Width and Height that you wish the Canvas to be.
Creating a Slide Show
To create a slide show, select Create Slide Show from the Edit menu. The Slide Show Editor consists of a menu bar, a list of slide shows that currently exist, and a dialog on the bottom where the creator and the date of last edit for the currently selected slide show are displayed.
To edit an existing slide show, use the pointer to highlight it, and select Edit from the File menu. To create a new slide show, select Create from the Slide Show pulldown menu. You can also delete existing slide shows with the Delete command found on the Slide Show menu.
To rename a slide show, highlight the slide show you wish to rename, and select select Rename Show from the Edit menu.
Using the Slide Show Editor
Whether you choose to create a new slide show or you edit an existing one, the Slide Show Editor’s interface is the same. The Slide Show Editor window includes a menu bar with three menus (File, Edit, and Help), a window that shows the slides that are included in the presentation, and a dialog that allows the user to select a new slide.
Naming A Slide Show
When you create a slide show for the first time, you must give it a name. To name it, simply enter a name in the Slide Show Name field of the editor window. To later rename the slide, use the Rename Show option from the Slide Show Editor window.
Adding Slides To A Slide Show
There are three different ways to add a slide to a slide show. The first is by entering the path of the image you wish to include in the slide show, and the name of the slide in the respective fields on the window. When you have entered the name and path, you click the add image button (the button with a plus sign on it) to include it in the presentation.
The second method for adding a slide is through the browser. Clicking the Browse button on the editor launches a Motif file selector with which you can find and select a file to include in your presentation. When you select the file, a name and path will be entered for you. You can change either the name or path, and when you are ready to include the slide, click Add Image to Slide Show.
If you wish to add all of the images in a directory at once, you should choose the Bulk Add function from the Slide pulldown menu. A window will be launched, prompting you for a directory from which to add images. After you enter the name of the directory from which you wish to add images, click on Add Images, and all of the images in that directory will be included in your slide show.
If the Link to Image Files button is selected, when a slide is added to the presentation a symbolic link that points to the image file you chose will be added to the slide show database instead of a copy of the file.
Manipulating Slides
Once slides have been added to a slide show, they can be removed, viewed, repositioned, and renamed.
Removing A Slide
In order to remove a slide from the slide show, select it from the list and select Delete from the Edit pulldown menu. The slide will then be removed from the list of slides in the slide show.
Viewing A Slide
To preview a slide that you have added to the slide show, highlight it on the list of slides and select View from the Edit pulldown menu. A window will pop up and the slide will be displayed there.
Repositioning Slides
By selecting slides from the list and using the arrows directly below the list, slides can be moved up and down on the list. Once you have moved all of the slides to the order that you want them in, select Apply Changes from the Edit menu to update the database with the new order.
Renaming A Slide
To rename a slide, select the slide on the list and choose Rename from the Slide menu. A window will show the current name and prompt you for the new name. Enter the new name and select Rename to apply the change.
When you are done editing the slide show, select OK from the bottom of the Slide Show Editor to save all of the changes. To update the database with any changes that you have made without leaving the Slide Show Editor, click on the Apply button. To leave the Slide Show Editor without making any changes, click on the Cancel button.
Presenting a Slide Show
To present a slide show, select the Open Slide Show option from the File menu on the Imager (you can also use the Open Slide Show button on the Toolbar). When you select Open Slide Show, a window is launched that lists all of the slide shows available to the user.
When you are loading a slide show, additional options available are Delete Old Pages and Append. If you have Delete Old Pages selected, any images that no longer exist are automatically removed from the slide show when it loads. Selecting Append allows the user to add the slide show being loaded to the Imager behind any pages that are already stored.
By selecting the Preload option, you can cache all of the slides that you will be presenting locally. However, you must Preload the slides before joining a conference. By Preloading, you can improve the transfer times of the slides somewhat.
Selecting a slide show and clicking on the Info button will bring up a window with information on that slide show, including the creator and a list of slides that are in the show.
Paging Through the Slide Show
You can page through the slide show using the appropriate buttons on the Toolbar, or via the Page menu on the Imager.
Note that only the conference member who has control of the Imager can turn pages in the slide show. If you wish to present a slide show, and you were not the initiator of the conference, you should request control of the Imager.
Graphics Processes
There are several Graphics Processes available to the user from the Edit menu under the Process option. These processes filter images on the Canvas in various ways to create special effects or improve image quality. Changes to images made by these processes are made on the markup layer, so if the effect of the process was undesirable, you can erase markups and retain the original image below.
When you are using a Process function, several options are available. By selecting Whole Image, you can run the process on the entire contents of the Canvas rather than selecting the area that you want to manipulate. Include Markups toggles whether the existing markups are processed, or the process is run only on the image layer. If Outline the Result is selected, a dashed line is drawn around the area that has been processed after the process is completed.
When you select Process, if you don’t have Whole Image toggled on, a crosshair icon will appear, and you will need to select an area of the Canvas to process.
The following Graphics Processes are available to the user:
Sharpening: Sharpening enhances edges detected within the selected area.
Heavy Sharpening: Like sharpening, but the enhancement of edges detected is increased.
Edge Detection: Edge detection attempts to discern edges within the image, turning smooth areas black and brightening edges that it detects.
Smoothing: Smoothing blurs the selected area of the image, lowering contrast.
Heavy Smoothing: Heavy smoothing further blurs edges in the image, decreasing contrast significantly.
Flip Vertical: Flips the selected area vertically, or with respect to the X axis.
Flip Horizontal: Flips the selected area horizontally, or with respect to the Y axis.
Invert: The invert process inverts all of the colors within the selected area.
Equalize: Equalize enhances the contrast within the selected area using histogram equalization.
Lighten: Lighten increases the brightness in the selected area of the image.
Darken: Darken lowers the brightness in the selected area of the image.
Maximum: Maximum is a process that increases image separation on images with light objects on a dark background.
Minimum: Minimum is a filter that increases image separation on images with dark objects on a light background.
Median: Median is a smoothing algorithm that is used to smooth colors without distorting sharp edges. It works by setting the value of each pixel by looking at the pixels around it and taking the median value.
Heavy Median: Heavy Median works similarly to Median, except that it uses a larger number of pixels to determine the value for each one.
Drawing: Drawing converts the selected area to make it look like a hand drawing.
Stamps
Stamps are small icons that are used to illustrate or highlight important points on images. Stamps are placed on the Canvas using the Pointer tool from the Toolbox.
Placing Stamps
In order to place a stamp on the Canvas, just click on the spot where you would like it to be placed with the Pointer tool. A window with a list of all available stamps will be launched, and when you select a stamp from the list, it will be placed on the Canvas.
If you wish to use the same stamp more than once, and don’t want to see the dialog box with stamps in it every time you click the mouse button, check the box on the Stamp list labeled, Don’t show this dialog on left mouse click. If you have turned off the box, you will place the stamp you last selected whenever you click the left mouse button. If you wish to change the stamp that you are using, you can bring the box back up by clicking the right mouse button. Then you can select a new stamp to place, or turn the box back on so that every time you click the left mouse button you can select a new stamp.
The stamps are stored under the Communique! home directory in the plugins/ISImager/stamps directory.
Imager Performance
[ImageDlls]
DontUnload=1
[Display]
PreserveGeometry=0
[Display]
TrySharedMemory=1