Arcsoft COLLAGE CREATOR Quick Start Guide

ARCSOFT PRODUCT FAMILY

ArcSoft PhotoStudio

®

Awesome photo editing for the home or office.
Work with layers and enhance your photos in a
number of ways.

Windows 98/Me/2000/XP.
Macintosh OS 8.6/9/X.

ArcSoft PhotoImpression

TM

This all-in-one solution blends powerful photo
editing with project templates and a slick,
easy-to-use interface.

Windows 98/Me/2000/XP.
Macintosh OS 8.6/9/X.

ArcSoft PhotoPrinter

®

Print multiple photos on a single page and
multiple pages at one time. Edit and enhance
your photos, too.

Windows 98/Me/2000/XP.
Macintosh OS 8.6/9/X.

ArcSoft VideoImpression

TM

Create multimedia presentations by combining
photos and video clips with audio, text and scene
transitions.

Windows 98/Me/2000/XP.
Macintosh OS 8.6/9/X.

ArcSoft PhotoBase

TM

Your complete multimedia manager. Sort, share
and archive your multimedia collections in the
easiest way possible.

Windows 98/Me/2000/XP.
Macintosh OS 8.6/9/X.

ArcSoft PhotoBase - Mobile Edition

TM

Manage, edit and share your photos wherever
you go. Currently available for Palm OS and
Pocket PC users.

Installs from Windows 98/Me/2000/XP.

ArcSoft Panorama Maker

TM

Stitch together photos to create awesome
panoramic images. Make horizontal, vertical,
tiled or 360° masterpieces.

Windows 98/Me/2000/XP.
Macintosh OS 8.6/9/X.

ArcSoft PhotoMontage

®

It's the coolest way to present and share your
pictures. Use thousands of photos to create a
larger, single image.

Windows 98/Me/2000/XP.
Macintosh OS 8.6/9/X.

ArcSoft ShowBiz DVD

®

Take your home videos and turn them into
incredible DVD movies complete with
customized menus and text.

Windows 98SE/Me/2000/XP.

ArcSoft Multimedia Email

TM

Send fully customized electronic postcards to
virtually any Windows or Macintosh user right
from your computer.

Windows 98/Me/2000/XP.

ArcSoft Funhouse

®

Put your face on a magazine cover, other
picture or scene. Take your imagination to
the next level.

Windows 98/Me/2000/XP.
Macintosh OS 8.6/9/X.

ArcSoft Greeting Card Creator

TM

Make your own custom greeting cards
year-round for any occasion using photos
from your own image collections.

Windows 98/Me/2000/XP.

ArcSoft 3D Text Factory

Form fun, animated 3D titles perfect for Web
pages, presentations and more. Customize
virtually every feature.

Windows 98/Me/2000/XP.

TM

ArcSoft Collage Creator

Piece together awesome collages that just
can't be made by hand. Tons of tools give
you boundless freedom.

Windows 98SE/Me/2000/XP.

To order: 1.800.762.8657 (for orders only) or log on to www.arcsoft.com
46601 Fremont Blvd., Fremont, CA 94538, USA • Tel: [phone] • Fax: [phone]

TM

PROFAM02

About ArcSoft
ArcSoft Inc. is a leading global provider or digital imaging technologies and services for

business and consumer use. The company develops world-class scalable imaging software and
infrastructure solutions for internet and network environments, delivering fully integrated,
comprehensive visual capabilities to corporate Web sites in all major markets. Its award-winning
desktop software is licensed to leading global manufacturers of still and video cameras, wireless
and mobile devices, printers, scanners and headquartered in Fremont, California, ArcSoft has
research and development centers in California’s Silicon valley and Hangzhou, China, as well as
sales and support offices throughout Asia, Europe and the Americas.

Licensing Agreement

The following is a legal software license agreement between you, the software end user, and
ArcSoft, Inc. Carefully read this license agreement before using the product. Using the product
indicates that you have read this license agreement and agree to its terms. If you do not agree
to the terms, promptly return the package to the place it was purchased within 10 days of the
date you acquired it for a full refund. Grant of License. This license permits you to use one copy
of the software included in this package on any single computer. For each software licensee, the
program can be in use on only one computer at any given time. The software is in use when it is
either loaded into RAM or installed into the hard disk or other permanent memory.

A multi-seat license permit from ArcSoft is required if the program is going to be installed on a
network server for the sole purpose of distribution by other computers, or if the program is going
to be installed on and used by more than one computer. Copyright. The software contained in
this package is owned by ArcSoft and is protected by United States copyright laws, international
treaty provisions, and all other applicable national laws. The software must be treated like all
other copyrighted materials (e.g. books and musical recordings). This license does not allow the
software to be rented or leased, and the written materials accompanying the software (if any)
may not be copied. Limited Warranty. ArcSoft, Inc., warrants that the software contained herein
will perform substantially in accordance with the accompanying documentation. No Other
Warranties. ArcSoft disclaims all other warranties, either express or implied, including but not
limited to implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, with respect
to the software, the accompanying written materials, and any accompanying hardware (if any).

No Liability for Consequential Damages. In no event shall ArcSoft or its suppliers be liable for any
damages whatsoever (including but not limited to damages for loss of business profits, business
interruption, loss of business information, or any other pecuniary loss) which result from an
inability to use this software, even if ArcSoft, Inc. has been advised of the possibility of such
damages. Because some states and jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of
consequential or incidental damages, the above limitations may not apply to you. U.S.
Government Restricted Rights. The software and documentation are provided with Restricted
Rights. Use, duplication, or disclosure by the U.S. Government is subject to restrictions as set
forth in subparagraph (c)(1)(ii) of the Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software
clause at DFARS 252.227-7013 or subparagraphs (c)(1),(2), and (3) of the Commercial Computer
Software - Restricted Rights at 48 CFR 52.227-19, as applicable, and any amendments thereto.
The manufacturer is ArcSoft, Inc., 46601 Fremont Blvd., Fremont, CA 94538.

If this product was purchased in the United States, this Agreement is governed by the laws of the
State of California; otherwise, local laws may apply.

Collage Creator Quick Start Guide

Table of Contents

System Requirements

Introduction 1

Getting Started 3

Adding Collage Pieces 4

Editing Collage Pieces 9

Creating New Collage Pieces 11

Saving Collages 13

Printing Collages 13

1

Collage Creator Quick Start Guide

System Requirements

• Windows 98SE/2000/ME/XP

• Pentium II-based processor or equivalent

• 100 MB free hard disk space

• 64 MB RAM (128 MB recommended)

• 16-bit color display at 1024 x 768

Introduction

Get ready—soon you’ll be creating the most unique and eye-catching collages ever. Collage
Creator takes all the fun from traditional collage building while leaves out all the messy paste,

paper trimmings, and most importantly, all the hard work. Because Collage Creator uses your
digital images, you’ll find it easy to construct and modify your collages in ways you never thought
possible.

One thing you’ll appreciate about the program is its ease of use. It’s a step-based program,
meaning all of the program options are segregated to prevent you from getting lost. While it’s
easy to use, this quick start guide will walk you through creating a sample collage. For more
detailed information on specific buttons, functions, and screens, consult the Interactive Help file
within the program.

Basic Vocabulary

If you’re an experienced user, you can probably skip this part and get right into the walk­through. Otherwise, take a few minutes to learn these basic terms.

• Digital photo/image/picture: The words “photo,” “image,” and “picture” can be used
interchangeably. Basically, any photo that you have on your computer is considered
digital. Once you scan a photo and it becomes a file on your computer—bingo—it’s now
a digital photo. The same can be said for documents. Text files are considered “digital
documents.” Once you print them out, they become “hardcopy.” It works the same way
with photos. They’re digital photos on your computer or digital camera until they’re
printed out, at which point they become “prints” or “posters” or whatever you print them
out as.

• Thumbnail: A thumbnail is simply a small version of a photo, mainly used for
previewing.

• Pixels: Pixels are the “unit of measurement” for screens such as your television or
computer monitor. Imagine a grid of hundreds or thousands of tiny squares covering
your monitor. Each individual square is a pixel. You’ve probably noticed that when you
zoom into a picture, it becomes blocky, with rough edges. This is because you’re getting
closer and closer to seeing the individual pixels that make up the image.

- 1 -

Collage Creator Quick Start Guide

• Resolution: You now know that the size of a digital image on your screen is noted in
pixels. Resolution is simply the measurement of an image’s width and height. For
example, an image that has a resolution of 100 x 100 means that it is 100 pixels high by
100 pixels wide. Note that this image may still look different on various monitors. This
is because your monitor has a “resolution” as well. Some people have their monitor
resolution set at 640 x 480; others have it as high as 1600 x 1200! In general, monitors
with a higher resolution will make pictures look much smaller than on a monitor with a
lower resolution. Why? If your monitor is set to a width of 640 pixels, a 100 x 100
image will take up almost 1/6 of the width. By comparison, the image will only take up
1/16 of the screen width of a monitor with a resolution of 1600 x 1200. It’s the same
100 x 100 image, but because of the different monitor screen resolutions, they appear
different in size.

• DPI: This can be a bit confusing, but in principle it’s very simple. When printing within
the program, the size of the printed image is directly dependent on two things: resolution
and DPI (dots per inch). By setting the DPI for your collage, you determine how many
pixels will be contained in each inch that is printed. For example, if you have a photo
that is 1000 x 1000 and print at a DPI of 100, you’ll get a 10” x 10” image. Because the
image is 1000 pixels high and you’re printing 100 pixels in an inch, you’ll have a print
that is 10” high (divide the image pixels by the DPI). Here’s the confusing part. The DPI

not

that you use to set your print size is
capabilities of your printer. For example, some printers can print at a DPI of 2000. This
means that for each inch that the printer prints, it will shoot out 2000 individual dots of
ink. Within the software, DPI refers to pixels printed per inch; with respect to your
printer, it refers to the number of individual ink dots the cartridge puts on the paper
within a single inch. A printer my use several dots of ink to make one single pixel of the
photo.

• Image Acquisition Device: An “image acquisition device” is any hardware device that
you can connect to your computer so you can download, or “acquire” images. These
include digital cameras, scanners, and webcams. It’s basically a fancy term that has
been adopted to describe these things.

• Driver: Drivers are actually programs or files that are placed on your computer
whenever you install a CD that comes with a piece of hardware. A driver basically tells
the computer what device you have, and is responsible for transferring data back and
forth from the device to your computer. Every piece of hardware you have on your
computer has a driver. Your printer, your video card, your modem, your sound card…
all of these devices have a driver installed on your computer that tell it exactly what the
device is, what it does, and how it does it. When you installed your flashy new digital
camera software, the drivers for the camera were installed as well. You can acquire
photos from your devices
actual downloading or acquiring. Whenever you acquire photos, the program basically
sits and waits while the driver for your device goes to work. If you’re having problems
downloading/acquiring images, contact the manufacturer of your camera (or other
hardware device) to see if they have an update. Most companies have their drivers
available for free download on their Web site, and update them whenever issues arise.

through

the same as the DPI used to describe the

Collage Creator, but the device driver is doing the

- 2 -