2. Simple Images:

Last week we used a tool called Paint to create objects. We learned that we could have several copies of the application open simultaneously. We could then copy and paste portions of various objects to form other objects. We learned how to copy with either transparent or opaque backgrounds. We also learned how to locate and size objects at the PIXEL level.

Today we will use PAINT to create objects and EMBED them into other objects which are created by a Word Processing Application. In so doing we will create Greeting Cards. This can be accomplished in several ways. We will look at two ways; (1) Multiple passes through a printer and (2) a Single pass with mirrored and flipped images. There are several word processing programs available. Our card can be composed of one or many objects. Lets see how this works.

Greeting cards can readily be constructed using any word processing software which is graphics based. Also there are many good software programs available at low cost which can be used. Today we will concentrate on a very simple approach to creating remarkable cards using MS Works and a reasonable printer. MS works allows you to construct cards by inserting all types of graphics into documents. All you need to do is to configure your printer and layout your card with the desired text and graphics you choose.

Clip Art

Clip art is graphics available with many word processing applications. It is simply a collection of graphic images available for insertion into documents to add color, special effects, and other interesting information. SeniorNet Learning Centers use MS Works for their main software application. The word processing portion of that package has many images suitable for greeting cards of all occasions. Other images and loads of clip art are available on the Internet. This class will provide two ways to create cards without the necessity to purchase additional special purpose software for greeting card construction.

Insertion into Documents

Using the MS Works Word Processing Application all types of graphic art work may be inserted into your documents. The Microsoft Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) feature can be used. Various graphics formats can be used. Pictures and Photographs in addition to clip art are easily inserted using the Insert Menu which is on the menu bar. Most word processing program posses all the features necessary to produce colorful and personal greeting cards. If you can create documents containing graphics and have a sheet printer at your disposal greeting cards are a snap.

MS Works - Word Art

Another feature of MS Works (and most other Word Processing Software Applications) is a feature known as "Word Art". This is useful for decoration and distortion of text. In combination with all the fonts and color selections you can really get some outstanding effects. Also most graphics software packages have features which allow distortion of objects. This also works well for word art. It is sufficient for this course to rely on the Word Art training provided in Word Processing courses. If you haven't been exposed to it you can experiment on your own. It is fairly easy and depending upon which version you use there are some minor differences. Some examples are provided below.

 

Greeting Cards by Word Processors

There are two basic approaches, for the construction of greeting cards, each has it's pros and cons. The simplest approach is to use the page layout feature; adjust the margin settings to fit your paper and printer; and then to print each part (or page) of the card in a separate pass through the printer. The other approach is to use a graphics software package to invert and flip some of the graphics and then to insert the individual four graphics onto one page for one pass printing. Both approaches will be presented today. Any full featured graphics word processing software can be used to create cards for any and all occasions. Photographs and any other graphic or art can be included. Use can also be made of the word art which is a part of the MS Works package. In fact anything which you can include in a word processing document can be put on a card. It is simple and fun. The card will never be better than the quality of printing you can achieve with your printer. The proper paper also makes a difference. You will need to experiment and practice with your own hardware and software. Have fun and be creative. Some examples are provided. Special paper can be purchased at most Office Supply Outlets. Good quality, white, heavy weight, laser printer paper works well in most printers, even Ink Jets, if you select the proper paper source setting on your printer set-up dialog box.

Printed In The Landscape Mode

Printed In the Portrait Mode

The easiest way to make these cards is to set your margins such that the lower left quarter of the sheet is printed ( for sides B and D ). Then set your margins to print the lower right quarter of the sheet ( for sides A and C ). Pass the sheet through the printer 4 times, once for each quarter quadrant. You will have to rotate the sheet 180 degrees to print two of the quadrants. This procedure may require some trial and error experimentation to arrive at the proper margin settings for your Word Processing software and Printer Combination. Once you get these setting you can make cards fast and easy. Each quadrant of the card can be a separate file. You can also make each quadrant a separate page of one document ( this will require changing the margin settings from left to right during the printing process. There maybe other approaches which are easier for you. Experiment.

The second method for making the entire card as a single graphics document can be accomplished using the features of "Paint" which was used in making the signs. You could have four Paint Applications open at once. One for each quadrant. You could then open a fifth Application of Paint and size it properly to place the four on. Note that two of the quadrant images would require both flipping and mirror operations. This approach will become easier later in the course when we learn how to use more powerful graphics applications. Many of these programs allow you to position your graphic on any part of a page prior to printing. You can also readily zoom the size of your graphic. ( Revised 12/19/99)

Click on link below for a learning task.

TASK 2. GREETING CARD

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