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The program allows you to manipulate with your photo on two levels: Image and Layer.

 

Layers are the graphic objects of your project. There are the following types of layers: image, text, shape, polyline, line, path, mask.

The layers are listed on the panel "Layers" on the main window. You can select them, delete, group, upgroup, make invisible, lock the layers and change their opacity.

 

To create image layer, select in the main menu: File -> Open and Place...   The selected image file will be imported into the canvas as a new layer.

 

To create shape layer, click at the button . Draw a Shape layer. Choose from hundred of ready-to-use shapes of all forms. Configure main parameters of the shape, and click on "Effects" button to apply various effects to layer.

 

To create Text layer, click at the button . Draw a Text layer. To edit the text, either double click on it, either click on "Edit" button (on the Text panel). When you end your editing, click the "End Ediiting" button.

If you want to change the size of the text, first try changing the font size option. To change the size of the text area, select the Select Layer tool and resize the layer so that all the text is visible.

Configure main parameters of the text, and click on "Effects" button to apply various effects to layer.

 

To create Line/Arrow layer, click at the button . Draw lines and arrows of all styles and types. Once you activate this tool, you need to click on the canvas to set the starting point and then click elsewhere to set the end point of the line.

Configure main parameters of the line, and click on "Effects" button to apply various effects to layer.

 

To create Polyline / Polygon layer, click at the button . Draw a shape of any form. There are two methods of drawing (you can select from the combo):

•Click for new point.  You need to click on the canvas to create nodes of the polyline. Press Enter (or click "Finish" button)  to end creation of the polyline.

•Freehand drawing. Draw the desired shape by holding down the left mouse button and moving the cursor across the canvas.

You can  transform polyline to polygon in the following way: enable the options "Closed" and "Fill".

Configure main parameters of the polyline layer, and click on "Effects" button to apply various effects to layer.

 

To create Path layer, click at the button . It allows precise selection and outlining of objects, especially those with curves or intricate details. Unlike selection tools, paths offer more control and are not pixel-dependent.

Using paths, you can create selections, polylines/polygons, draw along the path.

Path is always applied to the underlying layer.  It's not visible on the exported image.

 

 

 

The "Layer" item of the main menu contains the functions which allow you to work with selected layers of the project at once.

 

1. New

  - Empty Layer.  Creates the new transparent layer with coordinates 0, 0, and Width and Height equal to the size of background layer.

  - Layer via Copy. Creates a new layer by copying the selected area.

  - Layer via Cut. Creates a new layer by cutting out the selected area.

 

2. Duplicate. Copies selected layer(s) to new layer(s). New layer(s) has the same position as the source one(s).

 

3. Duplicate into. Copies selected layer(s) to another project (tab),

 

4. Remove layer. Removes selected layers from canvas and the list of layers.

 

5. Transform.  Provides several functions for manipulation with layers:

  - Horizontal flip.

 - Vertical flip.

 - Rotale right. Rotates the selected layers 90 degrees clockwise.

 - Rotate left. Rotates the selected layers 90 degrees counter-clockwise.

 - Rotate...  Display only rotation grips n selected layers. Move the grips to rotate the layers on canvas.

 - Resize...  Display only resize grips n selected layers. Move the grips to rotate the layers on canvas.  Enable the option "Lock Aspect Ratio" (Panel "Position")  to keep the aspect ratio while resizing the layers.

 - Crop ...  Enables the Crop tool and displays the Crop grid for selected layer.  If the layer is not image, you will need to rasterize it at first.

 - Crop transparent border. Trims the layer so that the opaque part fills the entire space.

 - Round corners. Makes the corners of a rectangular image rounded and the cut-off part transparent. For this function, you must specify the rounding radius.

 - Warp . Allows you to "push" an area of the image. This function is also available on toobar as Warp / Perspective Tool .

 - Perspective . Apply a perspective transformation to an image. This function is also available on toobar as Warp / Perspective Tool .

 

6. Effects. Shows the "Effects" window. Here you can apply the following effects to selected layer(s):

 - Soft shadow.

 - Inner glow.

 - Outer glow.

 - Edge feathering.

 - Pattern overlay.

 

7. Add Mask.  Adds the mask layer for the selected layer.

Warning! In AlterPhoto, a layer mask appears in the layers list just like any other layer. However, it only affects the layer below it.

When adding a mask to the selected layer, the program will create a layer mask and place it above the selected layer. In addition, the layer and the layer mask will be grouped. Thus, when moving or resizing the "main" layer, its mask will also automatically change.

There are the following masks you can instantly create:

- Empty Mask.  After such mask is created, the Brush tool is automatically enabled, and white color is selected. You can now paint on mask layer, and the he area you draw will show the underlying layer.

- Gradient. Makes a smooth transition from opaque to transparent.  Select the gradient direction on the "Shape" panel  (when mask layer is selected and Shape tool is active).

- Shape mask. Adds the shape layer as mask to selected layer. Select the shape direction on the "Shape" panel  (when mask layer is selected and Shape tool is activated on toolbar).

 - Text mask. Adds the text layer as mask to selected layer. Configure the text size, font and style on the "Text" panel  (when mask layer is selected and Text tool is activated on toolbar).

- Mask from image file. Loads the image and sets it as mask of selected layer. White pixels of the loaded image do not mask the underlying layer (the underlying area is visible), while black pixels of the loaded image completely mask the underlying layer.

- Set this layer as mask. Sets the "Mask" status to selected layer.

       * If this is image layer, then white pixels of the mask layer image do not mask the underlying layer (the underlying area is visible), while black pixels completely mask the underlying layer.

       * If this is shape layer, then vice versa: black pixels of the mask layer image do not mask the underlying layer (the underlying area is visible), while white pixels completely mask the underlying layer.

 

8. Unset this mask. Unsets the "mask" status to selected layer.

9. Convert to image layer.  Rasterize the selected layer(s). For example, shape layer becomes image layer.

10. Convert to polyline. Converts selected Shape layer to Polyline layer.

11. Group/Ungroup layers. When grouped, the layers are available for transformation and movement as a single object. In addition, the group and ungroup buttons are available at the bottom of the Layers panel .

12. Merge layers. Join selected layers into single image layer.

13. Arrange. Bring to front, bring forward, send to back selected layer.

14. Change position. Move selected layer(s) to specified X, Y coordinates.

15. Select All.  Select all layers except background.

16. Deselect All.