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PhotoSuiteSE TM
Version 1.0
Idea Guide
MGI Software Corp.
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MGI PhotoSuite SE Idea Guide
Copyright © 1993-1996 MGI Software Corp., All Rights Reserved.
The use and copying of this product is subject to the Software License
Agreement (see On-Line Help Contents, "License"). Any other use is
prohibited. No part of this publication and/or databases may be reproduced,
transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system or translated into any
language in any form by any means without the prior express written
permission of MGI Software Corp. Information in this manual and/or
databases is subject to change without notice and does not represent a
commitment on the part of the vendor.
Federal copyright law permits the purchaser to make one backup copy of
this software for archival purposes only and for the purchaser's personal use
only. Any other duplication of this software, including copies offered
through sale, loan, rental or gift is a violation of law and subject to both
criminal and civil penalties. MGI Software Corp. supports the industry's
efforts to fight the illegal copying of personal computer software.
MGI PhotoSuite and MGI PhotoSuite SE are trademarks of MGI Software
Corp. Microsoft, the Microsoft logo, Microsoft Explorer logo and Windows
95 are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Netscape logo and Netscape
Navigator are trademarks of Netscape Communications Corporation. All
other product names are copyrights and registered trademarks and/or
tradenames of their respective owners.
97-04 PSREF80
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Table of contents 3
1. Introduction...............................................................................................6
Welcome to the World of PC Photography!.......................................6
1.1 Creative Things You Can Do............................................................6
1.2 Getting Started...................................................................................9
1.2.1 System Requirements................................................................9
1.2.2 Installation.................................................................................9
1.2.3 How to Register.......................................................................10
Why Register?...................................................................................10
2. Tutorial....................................................................................................11
2.1 Taking Better Photos.......................................................................11
Start with a Clean Lens.....................................................................11
When is the Best Time to Shoot Outdoors?.....................................11
Short Subjects? Get Down!..............................................................12
Stay in Focus.....................................................................................12
Going Lighter or Darker...................................................................12
Better Indoor Pictures in a Flash!.....................................................13
Get the Red Out................................................................................13
2.2 Putting Photos on Your Computer.................................................13
2.2.1 Getting Your Photos on Disk..................................................13
From a Hard Drive or Floppy Diskette............................................14
2.2.2 From a Digital Camera............................................................14
2.2.3 From a Scanner........................................................................14
2.2.4 From a CD...............................................................................15
2.3 MGI Activity Guide.........................................................................16
2.4 MGI Photo Editor............................................................................17
2.4.1 Button Bar...............................................................................17
2.5 Tool Bar...........................................................................................19
2.5 Detailed descriptions of some icons in the Tool Bar:.....................22
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4 Table of contents
2.5.1. Freehand Select.......................................................................22
2.5.2 Smart Magic Wand .................................................................22
2.5.3 Clone Tool...............................................................................22
Need Help?.............................................................................................23
3. Fun with Your Photos.............................................................................23
3.1 How to Create a Photo Album...................................................23
3.2 How to Create a Photo Calendar................................................24
3.3 How to Create a Photo Greeting Card .......................................25
3.4 How to Create a Photo Sports Card...........................................25
3.5 How to Create a Magazine Cover..............................................26
3.6 How to Resize Photos to fit a Frame..........................................26
3.6.1 Manual Adjustment.................................................................26
3.6.2 Auto Fit....................................................................................26
3.6.3 Auto Fill...................................................................................27
3.7 Add a Picture Frame...................................................................27
3.8 How to Turn your Photo into a Coloring Book.........................27
3.9 How to Turn your Photo into a Cartoon....................................28
3.10 How to Turn your Photo into an Oil Painting .........................28
3.11 How to Create a Body Switch..................................................28
3.12 How to Add Word Balloons.....................................................29
3.13 How to Add Props....................................................................30
3.14 How to Add Text Captions.......................................................31
3.15 How to Repair Cracks or Remove Objects from Photos .........31
3.16 How to Remove Red Eye.........................................................32
3.17 How To Adjust Brightness.......................................................33
3.18 How To Enhance Colors..........................................................33
3.19 How to Change Your Photo's Layout......................................34
3.19.1 Photo Size..............................................................................34
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3.19.2 How To Change Photo Orientation ......................................34
3.19.3 How to Trim an Area of Your Photo....................................35
3.20 Use Your Photos to Create Great Flyers and Advertisements.35
3.21 Use Your Photos to Create A+ School Projects......................35
3.22 Use Your Photos to Create Powerful Business Presentations..36
3.23 How to Put Your Photos Into Windows Wallpaper.................37
3.24 How to Put Your Photos Into a Windows Screen Saver..........37
3.25 Printing.....................................................................................37
4. Photos and the Internet............................................................................38
4.1 How to Get (download) a Photo From the Internet....................38
4.2 How to Put a Photo on the Internet............................................38
4.3 How to Make MGI PhotoSuite SE Your Internet Image Viewer.39
5. How to Get Technical Support...............................................................39
6. How to Order your MGI PhotoSuite 8.0 Upgrade.................................40
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6 Introduction
1. Introduction
Welcome to the World of PC Photography!
Experience photography in new and exciting ways – with MGI PhotoSuite
SE it's so easy and fun for you and your family to get creative and make
your treasured photographs even more special!
Using MGI PhotoSuite Starter Edition (SE), you can transform or enhance
the pictures you take by altering colors, making collages, and more. Put
your photos into frames, like posters, calendars and greeting cards. You'll
see your photos in a whole new light. Out of a frame and into a screen
saver, or into a school science report, or wherever you'd like them to be.
Surprise yourself, impress your friends, and create your own exciting new
photo collection!
1.1 Creative Things You Can Do
There are many ways to take advantage of having your photos on your
computer. Here are some examples of what you can do with MGI
PhotoSuite SE:
Use word Balloons to make
your pictures worth 1000 & 1
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Make your photo look like an
oil painting. Voilà, a
masterpiece!
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Introduction 7
Create calendars with your
photos in them
Create a magazine cover with
your face on it
Make a poster to find your lost
cat or sell your home
Create personalized cards for
special occasions
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8 Introduction
Create your own Rookie card
in the sport of your choice
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Create a crazy
photo collage
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Introduction 9
1.2 Getting Started
1.2.1 System Requirements
This is the hardware and software you need to get your MGI PhotoSuite
SE up and running:
• DX 33 or better
• Windows 3.1, Windows 3.11 or Windows 95
• Minimum 8 Megabytes of RAM
• Minimum 2 to 38 Megabytes of Hard Drive space, depending on
your version of MGI PhotoSuite SE
• Super VGA Monitor
• At least 256 color video
1.2.2 Installation
It's easy to install MGI PhotoSuite SE!
1. Insert the CD into your CD-ROM drive.
2. Select your CD drive.
3. Run the program “Setup.exe” by double clicking on this file. A
message, “Setup is initializing. Please wait” will appear on the
screen.
4. Follow the step-by-step instructions on how to install MGI
PhotoSuite SE to your hard drive.
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10 Introduction
1.2.3 How to Register
Don't forget to register your copy of MGI PhotoSuite SE. You'll find your
product code number by selecting Help from the menu bar and choosing
“About MGI PhotoSuite SE.” Registering is easy.
You can choose online registration by clicking on the Help menu. Choose
“Register MGI PhotoSuite SE” and then follow the onscreen instructions.
When prompted, type in the product code number of your MGI PhotoSuite
SE.
Or, you could choose to register by mail, postage paid, by simply filling in
the registration card provided with this guide and sending it to us.
Remember to record the product code number of your MGI PhotoSuite SE
software in a safe place like the inside cover of this Idea Guide. You will
need this number for Customer Support and to take advantage of special
upgrade offers.
Why Register?
You will receive great benefits when you register your MGI PhotoSuite
SE!
By registering, you will receive online technical support through Internet
email or by fax. By becoming an MGI member, you'll also get the latest
information on product news, contests, promotional discounts, product tips
and more. So there are many reasons why it's a good idea to register your
MGI PhotoSuite SE right away.
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2. Tutorial
2.1 Taking Better Photos
There are so many things you can do with MGI PhotoSuite SE. Now
taking your photographs is just the beginning – when you start with clear,
well-composed photos, your MGI PhotoSuite SE enhancements will be
truly spectacular. It takes just a minute to set up a good shot. Here are a
few basic tips for new photographers:
Start with a Clean Lens
That may sound obvious, but surprisingly, it's the one thing many people
don't consider when they are taking pictures. Even though the lens may
look clean, take an extra moment to really make sure it is as clean as
possible. Even the tiniest speck of dirt, smudge of sunscreen, or fingerprint
can ruin what might have been your most spectacular shot! So take care of
your camera with lens cleaner, lens cleaning tissue, a lens cleaning pen, or
optical cleaning cloth. And remember, never use regular cleaning tissue on
your camera lens.
When is the Best Time to Shoot Outdoors?
The least effective time of day to take outdoor photos is high noon, when
the sun is at its strongest and brightest, casting harsher shadows and
contrasts. The best times to take outdoor photos are in the early morning
and late afternoon hours. These are the times when the sunlight is softer,
casting longer shadows, and enhancing your subjects with a warm, rosy
glow.
When you are composing a picture, consider the “Rule of Thirds”,
particularly for showing depth and balance in landscape photographs. Just
mentally divide the view you see through the lens into thirds, and put your
primary subject in the first or last third of your frame, balancing the rest of
your photo with the two remaining thirds.
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The Rule of Thirds. The first or third boxes contain the
Short Subjects? Get Down!
The next time you photograph pets, children or other small subjects, try
taking the shot from a new perspective. Keep the lens at their eye level by
crouching down to get the shot. You'll notice a big difference.
Stay in Focus
Avoid taking blurred or out-of-focus shots by locking in (with an
auto-focus camera) on the part of the shot that you want to be the sharpest.
Hold the camera with both hands, squeezing the shutter button gently.
Remember, faster films allow you to freeze action (such as a swimmer's
dive) and require less light than slower film.
Going Lighter or Darker
If your photos appear too light, next time try standing further back when
using a flash. If your photos appear too dark, use a flash, and try standing
closer to the subject. When shooting with a flash, you should stand between
5 and 12 feet from your subject. Remember, always to wait for the “flash
ready” signal before taking the next picture.
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Also, make sure the film you're using is the appropriate one for the image
you want to capture. For example, for many bright outdoor shots, choose
100 ISO (ASA); for most indoor shots and other outdoor shots, 200 ISO is
best; and for indoor or outdoor shots where conditions are darker or when
you want to capture fast action (such as auto racing), a 400 ISO film might
work best.
Better Indoor Pictures in a Flash!
Did you know that if your subject appears too dark, it may be because you
are photographing it beside a brighter light source such as a window or
lamp? Remember, the camera reacts to the brighter background, so use
your flash in such circumstances to avoid leaving the subject
underexposed.
Get the Red Out
You can do something to prevent “red eye” effect when you take your
photos. If there is enough existing or natural light, try taking pictures
without using a flash. Other tricks you can do include having your subjects
look off to one side instead of directly into the camera, or you can turn up
the room lights when taking flash photos to reduce the size of your subject's
pupils. If you still get “red eye”, simply remove it using the tools in MGI
PhotoSuite SE.
2.2 Putting Photos on Your Computer
2.2.1 Getting Your Photos on Disk
Before you are ready to begin work on your photos with MGI PhotoSuite
SE, they need to be converted into a digital format that your computer can
use. There are many ways to get your photos or any other images you want
to use onto your computer. Retrieve photos from your hard disk, floppy
diskette, digital camera, scanner, CD-ROM, or directly from the Internet.
Here are some of the ways you can get your images on your computer and
into MGI PhotoSuite SE:
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From a Hard Drive or Floppy Diskette
Use the Open File button to open photos you have already
saved on your hard disk, or click on Open from the File menu.
file you want, click “Find” and type the file name).
2.2.2 From a Digital Camera
Follow the instructions provided with your digital camera on the
procedures for taking digital photographs and saving to your computer's
hard drive or to floppy diskette. Once you have saved the photo you want,
simply follow the instructions for bringing in an image from a hard disk.
Choose the file you want and click Open (if you don't see the
2.2.3 From a Scanner
Follow the instructions provided with your scanner on the procedures for
scanning images and saving to your computer's hard drive or to floppy
diskette. Once you have saved the photo you want, simply follow the
instructions for bringing in an image from a hard disk.
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2.2.4 From a CD
You can buy photo content stored on a CD-ROM or have your own
photographs transferred to CD by your photo developer, and then work
with them in MGI PhotoSuite SE.
1. Insert the CD into your CD-ROM drive.
2. Click on the Open File Button or choose Open from the File menu.
3. Choose the drive letter which represents your CD-ROM.
4. You can browse the CD and open the photo of your choice.
Some versions of MGI PhotoSuite SE do not support Kodak Photo CD
(.PCD) import. If your version does not, and you wish to import PCD files
from CD, please see section 6. for information on how to upgrade to MGI
PhotoSuite 8.0
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2.3 MGI Activity Guide
The MGI Activity Guide is your window into MGI PhotoSuite SE's full
range of creative photo enhancement options and it is the starting point for
selecting all of your photo activities. Get ready for an amazing creative
journey in which you are the artist, cartoonist, designer and photo editor!
The MGI PhotoSuite SE Activity Guide takes you through the steps to get
creative with your photos, making your own greeting or sports cards,
calendars or magazine covers. Have your friend appear in a calendar and
send it as a gift. Select the photo you want to work with and have fun
adding text or painting over it, or by using any of the amazing special
effects that appear under Fun in the menu bar or on the button bar.
The activities are:
Get Your Photos - This allows you to transfer photos from disk to your
computer.
Edit or Enhance Photos - This takes you to the MGI Photo Editor, where
you have access to all the tools you need to manipulate and enhance your
photos.
View Photo Album - This takes you to your photo album to see your
photos.
View a SlideShow - This lets you see your photo album in a slide show.
Print Your Photos - This allow you to print your photo.
Create Sports Card - This lets you put a photo of your choice into a
Sports Card.
Create a Greeting Card - This lets you put a photo into a Greeting Card.
Create a Calendar - This lets you put a photo of your choice into a
Calendar.
Create a Magazine Cover - This lets you put a photo into a Magazine
Cover.
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Fun With Your Photos! - This option calls up a dialog giving you more
fun with your photos.
WARNING !
Whenever you make changes to the image make sure to save it under a
new filename using “Save As” under the File menu. Otherwise you could
lose the original copy of your photo.
2.4 MGI Photo Editor
This is your primary photo editing and enhancement desktop - the menus
for all MGI PhotoSuite SE functions. The MGI Photo Editor offers several
menu bars. There is a Button Bar, along the top of the screen, and a Tool
Bar, along the left side of the screen, where functions are represented by
graphic icons for quick at-a-glance selection. See the Quick Tour for
descriptions of these features. Notice also the Menu Bar at the very top of
your screen display (above the Button Bar). Many of the actions you can
select from the Button Bar (such as Open File) are also accessible from the
word list on the top Menu Bar.
2.4.1 Button Bar
The Button Bar appears as a series of buttons or icon across the top of your
screen and is a handy shortcut for reaching many frequently used features.
Select, manipulate and enhance your images using the Button Bar. You
can also access the same functions by selecting them from the Menu Bar,
located above the Button Bar on the top of your screen.
Open Image
Opens the photo you want to use.
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Save Image
Saves the image after you've made changes you want to keep.
Print Image
Prints the active screen image on the printer connected to your
computer or network.
Cut
Cuts out a selected image or area.
Copy
Copies a selected image or area to the clipboard for future use.
Paste
Adds selected images or areas to any photo.
Mirror Image
Flips the entire photo or just a selected area.
Rotate Clockwise
Moves the entire photo or selected area 90 degrees.
Change Brightness
Alters the brightness level.
Image Enhance
Adjusts the level of contrast.
Cartoonize
Applies a funny Cartoon Effect to your photo or selected area.
Coloring Book
Turns your photo into a black and white outline, like a page in a
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coloring book.
Oil Painting
Turns your photo into a stunning work of art.
Zoom In
Brings you closer and shows more detail with each mouse click.
Zoom Out
Allows you to step back and see a bigger picture with each
mouse click.
Normal View
Shows the picture in its actual size.
View Photo Album
An at-a-glance view of your stored photos.
Start Slide Show
Presents your album photos in sequential order.
Activity Guide
Where the fun begins! Activity Guide lets you exercise your
creativity.
2.5 Tool Bar
The Tool Bar presents the range of options available to you for selecting,
drawing, painting, writing, etc. on specified areas of your photos.
Select by Ellipse
Chooses an oval shaped area.
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Select by Rectangle
Chooses a rectangular area.
Select by Freehand
Chooses an irregularly shaped area.
Select by Magic Wand
Selects area when scribbled over area's surface.
Draw Filled Ellipse
Draws a filled oval shaped area.
Draw Hollow Ellipse
Draws a hollow oval shaped area.
Draw Filled Rectangle
Draws a filled rectangle.
Draw Hollow Rectangle
Draws a hollow rectangle.
Draw Filled Rounded Rectangle
Draws a filled, rounded rectangle.
Draw Hollow Rounded Rectangle
Draws a hollow, rounded rectangle.
Draw Filled Polygon
Draws a filled irregular shape with as many sides as you want.
Draw Hollow Polygon
Draws a hollow irregular shape with as many sides as you want.
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Draw Straight Line
Draws a straight line as long as you want.
Freehand Draw
Draw whatever you wish on the screen.
Flood Fill
Fills a one-color area with another color.
Add Text
Allows you to write your own captions, headlines, etc. right on
your photo.
Eyedropper
Allows you to pick a color from your photo and use it as a
primary drawing color.
Clone Tool
Copies one area to another area on your photo. Useful for
repairing damaged areas or covering unwanted objects.
Pen Settings
Allows you to choose the pen shape and size you prefer. Note:
The pen size you choose will be used for all the other drawing
Foreground/Background Colors
Shows the foreground color currently in use on the left and
the background color in use, under it, on the right.
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2.5 Detailed descriptions of some icons in
the Tool Bar:
2.5.1. Freehand Select
Freehand Select allows you to choose an irregularly shaped area.
To draw a straight line polygon (irregular shape), simply click
the area you want. When finished drawing, click once on the right mouse
button.
To draw a curved shape freehand, click on the left mouse button and hold it
down as you move the mouse around the area you've selected. When you
have outlined the shape, click on the right mouse button to seal it.
After you have outlined your straight line or curved shape, click inside the
outlined area and you can move the image wherever you wish.
2.5.2 Smart Magic Wand
scribble over the area with the left mouse button held down, and when you
release the mouse button the wand will create a copy of the area.
For example, you could select only a cloud in a landscape photo, by
scribbling with the Smart Magic Wand over part of the cloud's surface. The
entire cloud will then be copied (provided the color was fairly uniform to
begin with). The Smart Magic Wand is also ideal for removing red eye
from your photos! See the section on “How to Remove Red Eye.”
once on the left mouse button, for each line in the shape around
The Smart Magic Wand is a special tool that targets areas of
similar color, to select an entire area.
Move the wand to the area of the photograph you want to select,
2.5.3 Clone Tool
This tool copies a selected color from one area of your image to
another.
This tool is especially effective for repairing damaged photos.
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Click on the clone tool, and then on the area of the image you want to
clone. This is usually a specific area of a photo (such as a background or
texture) you wish to copy to another area. The tool appears on the photo as
a large “+”. Click on the mouse and you'll see a second flashing “+” to
indicate the area you will be copying. Decide where you want to copy to,
and move the large “+” to that location. Click and hold while you move the
mouse. You are now cloning the area under the flashing “+” to the large
“+”. You can copy as much of the original image as you wish, simply by
moving the large “+” around the new area and using the flashing “+” as a
guide to indicate how much of the original image you want to copy.
Remember to adjust the Pen Setting size to obtain the best results. This is
an ideal method for repairing damaged photos or removing unwanted
objects (see section 3.15).
Need Help?
If you have any questions about these functions or about any other MGI
PhotoSuite SE features, simply consult the online help. Use the Help menu
and select Contents. If you have more questions, you can visit our home
page at http://www.mgisoft.com.
3. Fun with Your Photos
3.1 How to Create a Photo Album
When you create a PC photo album you have an at-a-glance view of the
photos you want to work with in MGI PhotoSuite SE. It's a great way to
quickly capture and view the photos you want instead of sifting through a
directory of filenames.
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1. From the Activity Guide, click on “Get Photos
from Disk or Floppy”. You will see the “Insert
Photos into Album” dialog box.
2. Choose the drive and directory where the photos
are located. Highlight only the photos you want for
the album. Select them all instantly by clicking on
the first one, holding down the shift key and
clicking on the last image.
3. Click on “OK” and create your own photo album, complete with all
stored photos.
4. You can save your Album under “File” then “Save” from the menu bar.
3.2 How to Create a Photo Calendar
1. Select “Create a Calendar” in the
Activity Guide.
2. Select a photo from your photo album,
or click on Select from Disk or Floppy.
Once your selected photo appears on the
screen, you'll notice it appears within a
calendar frame.
3. Choose a Calendar from the left hand
selection menu.
4. Adjust the size of your calendar photo by clicking and dragging the
corner of the photo. For more information, see “How to Resize Photos
to Fit a Frame.”
5. Choose print to make a printout.
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3.3 How to Create a Photo Greeting Card
1. Click on “Create a Card” in the Activity Guide.
2. Then select a photo from your photo album, or
click on Select from Disk or Floppy. Once your
selected photo appears on the screen, you'll notice it
appears within a Card frame.
clicking on the card you want.
4. Adjust the size of your Card photo by clicking and dragging the corner
of the photo. For more information, see “How to Resize Photos to Fit a
Frame.”
5. Choose print to make a printout.
3.4 How to Create a Photo Sports Card
clicking and dragging the corner of the photo. For more information,
see “How to Resize Photos to Fit a Frame.”
5. Choose print to make a printout.
3. Choose a card from the left hand selection menu by
1. Click on “Create a Sport Card” in the Activity
Guide.
2. Then select a photo from your photo album, or
click on Select from Disk or Floppy. Once your
selected photo appears on the screen, you'll see
that it appears within a hockey, football, or
baseball frame.
3. Choose the sport you want from the left hand
selection menu.
4. Next, adjust the size of your Card photo by
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3.5 How to Create a Magazine Cover
1. Click on “Create a Magazine Cover” in the Activity
Guide.
2. Select a photo from your photo album, or click on
Select from Disk or Floppy. Once your selected
photo appears on the screen, you'll see that it
appears within a magazine cover.
3. Choose the cover you want for your card from the
left hand selection menu.
4. Adjust the size of your photo by clicking on the corner of the photo. For
more information, see “How to Resize Photos to Fit a Frame.”
5. Choose print to make a printout.
3.6 How to Resize Photos to fit a Frame
You can resize your photo to fit your calendar, sports card or magazine
cover in three different ways.
3.6.1 Manual Adjustment
One way to change the size is to click on a tab at the corner of the photo
and drag to the desired size. Adjust the photo until it fills the allowed space.
Clicking the “Aspect Ratio” checkbox will ensure that the horizontal and
vertical proportions of your photo remain constant, so people or objects
will not appear too wide or too tall.
3.6.2 Auto Fit
If you want the picture to fit into the predefined area and keep its
proportions, you can click on the Size menu and choose “To Fit”. This
sizes the picture to the predefined area with no overfill. If, however, the
proportions of the photo do not match the predefinition, there will be a
blank section wherever the photo is too narrow to fill the space. To
eliminate this space and completely fill the frame, choose “Auto Fill”.
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3.6.3 Auto Fill
If you want the picture to fill in the
default predefined area, click on the
Size menu and choose “To Fill.”
This fills the predefined space with
the picture. If “Aspect Ratio” is
checked, the proportions will remain
constant, but part of the photo may
remain hidden from view behind the
frame.
Whatever adjustment method you
your photo if you wish (See Section 3.6.1: Manual Adjustment), and then
print.
3.7 Add a Picture Frame
This effect does just what it suggests - puts your favorite photos in a
suitable frame. There are many frames from which you can choose, from
classic frame styles to amusing ones such as a TV screen or film strip.
1. Get the photo you want to frame by clicking on Open Image from the
Button Bar, or choosing Open under the File menu.
2. Select “Insert” then “Picture Frame” from the menu bar.
3. Choose the picture frame you want from the left hand selection menu
and click “OK”.
4. You can print your framed photo by selecting “File” then “Print” from
the menu bar.
choose, you can still manually resize
3.8 How to Turn your Photo into a Coloring Book
1. Get the photo you want either from the photo album, by using Open
Image on the Button Bar, or by choosing Open under File on the Menu
Bar.
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1. Select the Coloring Book button on the Button Bar.
2. Click OK, and your photo will become outlined like a page
out of a coloring book!
3.9 How to Turn your Photo into a Cartoon
1. Get the photo you want either from the photo album, by using Open
Image on the Button Bar, or by choosing Open under File on the Menu
Bar.
1. Select the Cartoonize button on the Button Bar.
2. Click OK and watch your photo turn into a funny cartoon.
3.10 How to Turn your Photo into an Oil Painting
1. Get the photo you want either from the photo album, by using Open
Image on the Button Bar, or by choosing Open under File on the Menu
Bar.
1. Select the Oil Painting button on the Button Bar.
2. Click OK, and your photo will instantly show softened lines
and even suggest the appearance of brush strokes as it
becomes a work of art.
3.11 How to Create a Body Switch
1. Select “Fun with Photos” in the Activity Guide.
2. Select “Do a Body Switch”
3. Select the photo you want from your photo album or
click on Select from Disk or Floppy.
the cartoon body will appear on a split screen.
5. Highlight your photo by clicking on it.
4. Choose the cartoon body you want. Your photo and
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1. Pick a selection tool from the
top of the tool bar (Select by
Ellipse, Rectangle or
Freehand) and outline the
head area on your photo.
2. Click the left mouse button
and drag the cutout photo
over to the cartoon image.
Release the mouse button and
the head will appear on your
cartoon screen.
3. Place it on the body and adjust the head size as required, using the tabs
outlining the image.
3.12 How to Add Word Balloons
1. Select “Fun with Photos” in the Activity Guide.
2. Select “Add A Word Balloon”
1. Select the photo you want from your
album or click on “Select from Disk”.
2. Choose the word balloon you want and
click “OK”.
3. Resize the balloon to the size you want and
click outside of the outlined balloon area.
text you want in the space provided. Adjust text size, remembering that
it needs to be small enough to fit within the balloon.
5. Click “OK” and position the text within the balloon. If the text is too
big you can delete it by selecting “Edit”, then “Undo” from the menu
bar, and then select the Add Text tool again, write in your text, and
choose a smaller text size.
4. Select the “Add Text” tool and write the
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3.13 How to Add Props
1. Select “Fun with Photos” in the Activity Guide.
2. Select “Add a Prop”.
3. Choose the prop you want, click “OK” and it will appear on top of your
photo.
4. You can resize the prop if desired and move it to the area of your photo
where you want it to appear.
5. Click outside the dashed line and your new prop will be set in place.
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3.14 How to Add Text Captions
1. Get the photo you want either from the photo album, by using Open
Image at the far left of the button bar, or by choosing “File” then
“Open” from the menu bar.
1. Select the Add Text tool from the tool bar and type in your
text.
2. Choose the font, style and size you want.
3. Click “OK”. The text will appear at the top of your photo. Notice a
dashed outline surrounding your text in a box. Move the box of text
around until you place it where you want it to appear on your photo.
Then, click on the mouse outside the text box and the dashed line will
disappear.
3.15 How to Repair Cracks or Remove Objects from Photos
If you have a favorite wedding photo, for example, with too many people in
the picture, or an old photo with a damaged area, you can remove or repair
sections of your photo using the Clone Tool.
1. Get the photo you want from the photo album, or by using Open Image
at the far left of the button bar, or by choosing “File” then “Open” from
the menu bar.
2. Select the Clone tool from the tool bar.
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3. Find an unaffected area of the image that resembles the damaged part
you wish to cover up, so you may clone a good area over the blemish.
Click on the undamaged area; a flashing cross appears. Move the cursor
a short distance and click the left mouse button so that the two crosses
become linked. Now scribble the clone tool over the damaged area
while holding down the left mouse button. You can adjust the size of
the clone tool using the pen setting icon on the tool bar. Scribble with
the clone tool to cover as much of the image as necessary.
3.16 How to Remove Red Eye
1. Get the photo you want from the photo album or by using Open Image
at the far left of the button bar, or by choosing “Open” under File on the
Menu Bar.
1. Zoom in to the eye using the zoom button.
2. Select the Magic Wand from the tool bar on the left side of
the screen.
3. Scribble the Magic Wand over the red area of the eye by
holding down the left mouse button.
4. Choose the foreground portion of the foreground/ background color tool
at the bottom of the Tool Bar.
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1. The Color dialog box will appear. Click
on the grey area at the bottom right of
the color square (cross hairs) then select
black from the color bar on the right of
the dialog box. Click OK.
2. Go to the scissors on the button bar and
click once. That will change the red eye
pupil to normal black.
3.17 How To Adjust Brightness
1. Go to the sun icon on the button bar and click once.
2. Move the cursor on the brightness slide bar up for brighter or
down for darker.
3. Click on “Preview” to see the changes on your image.
4. If you are happy with the changes in brightness, click “OK” (You can
also adjust brightness by choosing Photo and then Brightness on the
menu bar).
3.18 How To Enhance Colors
To enhance your image by sharpening or softening contrasts.
1. Go to the color meter button.
2. Move the cursor on the slide bar up for brighter or down for
darker.
3. Click on Preview to view your selected enhancement level.
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4. Click “OK” if you are satisfied with the change (You can also enhance
your image contrast by choosing Photo and then Enhance Colors on the
menu bar).
3.19 How to Change Your Photo's Layout
3.19.1 Photo Size
1. Go to “Image” on the top menu bar
2. Go to “Resize” on the Image menu
3. Select the desired size on the “Change Image Size” window. This
changes the size of your working area.
4. Decide whether you want the photo to expand to cover the working
area, and if so click on “Stretch to Fit New Size” so that the box is
check marked. If you want to add more blank drawing space without
enlarging the photo, be sure that the “Stretch to Fit” box is not check
marked.
5. Click “OK”.
3.19.2 How To Change Photo Orientation
To rotate the image 90 degrees clockwise, go to the Rotate
Clockwise icon on the button bar and click once. (Or, from the
menu bar choose Image, and then Rotate). To rotate 180 degrees
degrees, click three times. To return the photo to its original position click
a fourth time.
(to in effect, turn it upside down), click twice. To rotate it 270
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For a mirror image of your photo, go to the button bar and select
the mirror icon. (Or you can choose Photo, and then Mirror from
the menu bar above it). This will automatically flip, or reverse
an area of the photo, then click on the mirror image “apples” icon on the
button bar to mirror that part of the photo.
3.19.3 How to Trim an Area of Your Photo
To remove a selected area of your photo, drag an area with the mouse and
select the Cut icon from the Button Bar. The area highlighted will be
removed.
To keep the selected area and discard the surrounding image, drag an area
with the mouse to define a part of the photo to retain, then select “Trim”
from the Edit menu. The area outside the square will be discarded.
3.20 Use Your Photos to Create Great Flyers and Advertisements
There are many ways you can use photos to give your advertisements and
flyers added impact. For example, you could choose to use a photo as the
entire flyer background, adding text on top of it. Or you could arrange
several photos on the same page, such as showing the antique table, the old
bike, and other items you have for your garage sale.
For every layout you choose, simply get the photos you want and resize
them to suit the flyer or ad, and then write your advertisement using the
Add Text tool. You can copy and paste your photos into other applications
like Microsoft Works, Microsoft Office, Microsoft PowerPoint and
Broderbund Print Shop.
3.21 Use Your Photos to Create A+ School Projects
Impress your teacher and classmates when you import your photos into
your next school project. Make your geography project on the Galapagos
Islands come alive with a picture of a giant turtle. Submit a science project
complete with “before” and “after” photos of your experiment to show
graphically how your plants grew using a particular kind of fertilizer. Use
the orientation of your photo. Note: If desired you can first select
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MGI PhotoSuite SE to alter and enhance your photos before you copy and
paste them into your project.
• Use the Special Effects to add interest to your projects. Try the
Crystallize, Mosaic, Emboss or other filters to create unique effects
and backgrounds.
• Experiment with changing the size and orientation of your
photograph.
• Create Text Captions, use a Body Switch, or surround your photo
with a Picture Frame.
• Drag & drop, or Cut & Paste photos from MGI PhotoSuite SE or
other applications.
• Get photos from other applications and the Internet to create exciting
multiple photo collages!
3.22 Use Your Photos to Create Powerful Business Presentations
Imagine how impressive your next business presentation will be with
photos to grace the cover or illustrate important points. Consider how much
more effective your charts and graphs will turn out with a photo behind
them, representing your topic. Use a photo as a background, or as a
centerpiece.
Presentations can easily be made more impressive with MGI PhotoSuite
SE. Enhance your photos using MGI PhotoSuite SE and then import them
into the word processing package, spreadsheet or slide presentation
program you want, using the Insert feature on those packages.
• Use the Special Effects to add interest to your projects. Try the
Crystallize, Mosaic, Emboss or other filters to create unique effects
and backgrounds.
• Experiment with changing the size and orientation of your
photograph.
• Create Text Captions, use a Body Switch, or surround your photo
with a Picture Frame.
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• Drag & drop, or Cut & Paste photos from MGI PhotoSuite SE or
other applications.
• Get graphics from other applications and the Internet to create
exciting multiple photo collages!
3.23 How to Put Your Photos Into Windows Wallpaper
You can use MGI PhotoSuite SE to put your photo on the background of
your computer screen.
1. Get the photo you want either from the photo album, by using Open
Image at the far left of the button bar, or by choosing Open under File
on the menu bar.
2. Select Fun from the menu bar above your screen.
3. Choose Set as Windows Wallpaper. Click on that and your photo
will be positioned in the center of the page as your screen
“wallpaper” or background.
3.24 How to Put Your Photos Into a Windows Screen Saver
It's easy to turn photos into a Screen Saver with MGI PhotoSuite SE.
1. Get the photo you want either from the photo album, by using Open
Image at the far left of the button bar, or by choosing Open under File
on the menu bar.
2. Select Photo from the menu bar above your screen.
3. Choose Set as Windows Screen Saver. Click on that and your photo
will appear every time you leave your PC unattended for a few
minutes.
3.25 Printing
MGI PhotoSuite SE has been created to work well with all popular black
and white as well as color printers (such as Epson, Citizen, Hewlett
Packard, Canon and Lexmark inkjets.) When you print the photos that
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you've enhanced through MGI PhotoSuite SE you can be assured of great
printouts on the most basic, affordable printers.
4. Photos and the Internet
The Internet is a popular medium for people to access and download
information such as text, drawings, and photos. There are many interesting
photos to choose from that you can download and use as “canvases” for
your own artistic enhancements using MGI PhotoSuite SE.
4.1 How to Get (download) a Photo From the Internet
Running your favorite browser program, such as Netscape Navigator or
Microsoft Explorer, locate the photo you want to capture on the Internet.
Saving a photo can be done many different ways, so consult the online help
of your browser program. Using Netscape Navigator (note: for other
browsers, consult the online help):
1. To select a photo from a web page, click with the right mouse button.
2. From the menu that appears, select View Image.
3. From the same menu (or from the File menu), click on Save Image
As, type in a name for the image, and save it into a hard drive
directory. Once saved, your photo can be opened up, deleted or
modified in MGI PhotoSuite SE whenever you wish.
4.2 How to Put a Photo on the Internet
There are few things to consider before you post a photo on the Internet. A
file size can affect the time required to transfer and display a photo over the
Internet. The larger the file size the longer it takes to transfer the photo
electronically over phone lines. Therefore, the image file size should be
small. A good rule of thumb is to use JPEG when posting a photo on the
Internet. This format compresses the file size to minimize transfer time over
phone lines.
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4.3 How to Make MGI PhotoSuite SE Your Internet Image Viewer.
Most Internet Browser programs such as Netscape Navigator allow you to
specify what software to use when viewing downloaded images from the
Internet. MGI PhotoSuite SE is an excellent program for viewing
downloaded images and we recommend that you make it your Internet
image viewer. To do this with Netscape Navigator (2.0),
1. Open Netscape Navigator
2. On the menu bar select Options, General Preferences.
3. In the General Preferences dialog box, click on the tab marked
"Helpers"
4. Select "image/jpeg".
5. In the "Action" section of the General Preferences dialog box click
"Launch the Application"
6. Browse to pstarter.exe. The default path for this is:
c:\photos\pstarter.exe
7. Repeat steps 4-6 for "image/tiff" and "image/gif".
8. Click OK when done.
9. MGI PhotoSuite SE will now act as you Internet Image Viewer for
downloaded images in Netscape Navigator.
If you use an Internet browser program other than Netscape Navigator,
please consult your Internet browser program user guide for how to install
an image viewer.
5. How to Get Technical Support
Need help? No problem. Simply consult the MGI PhotoSuite SE online
manual by selecting “Help” on the menu bar and then clicking on
“Contents”. You can also fax your questions to MGI at (905) 764-7110 or
e-mail us at [email protected]
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Don't forget to visit our website from time to time to find out what's new
with MGI PhotoSuite Starter Edition, MGI PhotoSuite, and MGI's other
exciting software products! And check for new templates as they become
available. Our website address is: http://www.mgisoft.com
6. How to Order your MGI PhotoSuite 8.0
Upgrade
It's easy to upgrade from MGI PhotoSuite SE. MGI PhotoSuite 8.0 will let
you create even more dazzling photo effects. It has more special effects,
lens effects, decorations and frames; TWAIN support for digital cameras
and scanners; a photo organizer; screen capture for retrieving images from
CD-ROM encyclopedias or from the Internet; and a bonus Multimedia
Library filled with hundreds of professional color photos, sound effects,
music files and animations. You can do so much with MGI PhotoSuite SE,
just imagine what you can achieve with MGI PhotoSuite 8.0!
To upgrade to MGI PhotoSuite 8.0, just call our Sales Department at
1-888-MGI-SOFT toll free, choose Product Ordering, or visit our Internet
Home Page at http://www.mgisoft.com
MGI PhotoSuite
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