Freely Designing

Creating unique designs using the auto design function

Adjusting designs

Rearranging objects using the design assist function

Switching objects using the quick exchange function

Performing a design check

Creating unique designs using the auto design function

PosterArtist's "Auto Design function" allows you to design posters automatically by simply entering titles and text, then selecting favorite images. From designs created by the auto design function, select one that you like.

1. Select the Select Template task.
The Select Template settings panel is displayed.

2. Click Auto Design.
The Auto Design dialog box is displayed.

3. Select the type of design for the poster you want to create from Poster Type, and click Next.
The Auto Design dialog box is displayed.

Select from four poster types: "Photos/Illustration Focus" to emphasize photos, "Keyword Focus" to maximize the appearance of text, "Sentence Focus" for entering large amounts of text, and "Long/Horizontal Banners" for horizontal or vertical banners.

4. In Design Image, select the design image for the poster you want to create.

The design image can be checked using the sample displayed to the right of Design Image.

5. In Title, enter a poster title (up to 60 characters).

6. In Subtitle, enter a subtitle (up to 60 characters).

7. In Body, enter text (up to 200 characters).

If Long/Horizontal Banners is selected in Poster Type, text cannot be entered.

8. In Organization, enter the organization name (up to 60 characters).

9. In Paper Orientation, select the paper orientation.

10. Select images to insert in the poster.
Images can be added from those you have prepared or from photos/clipart in the library and temporary tray.

Either "photos" or "clipart" can be specified. Photos and clipart cannot be specified at the same time.

"Photos" and "clipart" are defined as follows.

- Photos: Images in the photo library, photos in the temporary tray and image files with a .jpg, .tif, .bmp or .png extension.

- Clipart: Images in the clipart library, clipart in temporary tray and image files with a .svg , .wmf or .emf extension.

When Photos/Illustration Focus is selected in Poster Type, specify up to eight photos or up to two clipart items.
When other than Photos/Illustration Focus is selected in Poster Type, specify up to two photos or two clipart items.

To select from images you have prepared

1) Click From File.
The Insert Image dialog box is displayed.

In the Insert Image dialog box, .jpg, .tif, .bmp, .png, .svg, .wmf and .emf are displayed as images that can be inserted from Auto Design.

Files with a .jpg, .tif, .bmp or .png extension are inserted in the poster as photos, and those with a .svg, .wmf or .emf extension are inserted as clipart.

2) Specify the location of the image file you want to insert in the poster.

3) Select the image file you want to insert in the poster.
To select multiple files, hold down the Ctrl or Shift key as you click the thumbnails.
The selected images are displayed in the image list.

Image files can be added by dragging and dropping them from Windows Explorer.
For information about supported file formats, see "Supported images."

To select photos or clipart from the temporary tray

1) Click From Temp. Tray.
The Show Images in the Temporary Tray dialog box is displayed.

2) Select the photo or clipart you want to insert in the poster.
To select multiple files, hold down the Ctrl or Shift key as you click the thumbnails.
The selected image is displayed in the image list.

To select photos from the library

1) Click From Photo Library.
The View All Photos dialog box is displayed.

2) Select the photo you want to insert in the poster.
To select multiple files, hold down the Ctrl or Shift key as you click the thumbnails.
The selected photos are displayed in the image list.

To select clipart from the library

1) Click From Clipart Library.
The View All Clipart dialog box is displayed.

2) Select the clipart you want to insert in the poster.
To select multiple files, hold down the Ctrl or Shift key as you click the thumbnails.
The selected clipart is displayed in the image list.

To delete images from the image list, select one and click Delete.

Select a specified image again to specify the same image multiple times.

11. Click Next.
Designs are created automatically then their thumbnails are displayed. The number of designs to be created varies depending on the number of selected images, paper orientation, and design image.

Changing the order by dragging and dropping thumbnails from the list of photos and clipart recreates the design.
To select multiple files and change the order, hold down the Ctrl or Shift key as you click the thumbnails.

Click Close the image replacement window to close lists of photos and clipart.

12. In Color Patterns, select your favorite color.

Choices in Color Patterns are determined by the design image selected in step 4.

13. In Text Color, select your favorite text color.

14. Select your favorite design and click OK.
The design is inserted into the poster.

Multiple designs cannot be inserted into a poster.

To switch thumbnail display size for the created designs, click , or in the upper right. Enlarge the thumbnail display size to compare designs more easily.

Use the "Temporary Tray" when you are not sure which design to use. Place your favorite designs in the "Temporary Tray" and use them as replacements when needed, even after auto design.
To place created designs in the temporary tray, select a design and click Add to Temporary Tray.
Multiple designs can be added to the temporary tray at the same time. To select multiple designs, hold down the Ctrl or Shift key as you click the designs.

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Adjusting designs

The design assist and quick exchange functions allow to produce even higher quality designs from a created design.

Rearranging objects using the design assist function

The "design assist function" automatically adjusts poster layouts, rearranging images and text in the selected area.
Use the design assist function to simply place images and text in any position and then select the area to create several layout patterns from which you can select your favorite.

1. On the toolbar, click (Design Assist Area Set Mode).
Design Assist Area Set Mode is activated.

2. Drag the mouse to select the area in which you want to change the layout.
A selection box (framed in orange) is displayed around each object, and the objects are selected.

Specify up to a total of eight photos and clipart items or up to four text items.

3. Click Generate Design displayed on the lower right of the selected area.
Designs are created automatically then their thumbnails are displayed. The number of designs created varies depending on the size of the selected area and the number of objects.

4. Select your favorite design and click OK.
The design is inserted into the poster.

Multiple designs cannot be inserted into a poster.

Changing the order by dragging and dropping thumbnails from the list of photos and clipart recreates the design.
To select multiple files and change the order, hold down the Ctrl or Shift key as you click the thumbnails.

Click Close the image replacement window to close lists of photos and clipart.

To switch thumbnail display size for the created designs, click , or in the upper right. Enlarge the thumbnail display size to compare designs more easily.

Use the "Temporary Tray" when you are not sure which design to use. Place your favorite designs in the "Temporary Tray" and use them as replacements when needed, even after auto design.
To place created designs in temporary tray, select a design and click Add to Temporary Tray.
Multiple designs can be added to the temporary tray at the same time. To select multiple designs, hold down the Ctrl or Shift key as you click the designs.

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Switching objects using the quick exchange function

The quick exchange function allows to easily change the position of objects. This function is useful when you want to create an improved poster design from a created design.

1. On the toolbar, click (Quick Exchange).
Quick Exchange mode is activated.

2. Select one or more objects.
A selection box (framed in orange) is displayed.

3. Move the pointer inside the selected box, and use the (hand) to drag the object over the position of the object you want to switch.
The objects are switched.

When (hand and arrow) are displayed, the object can be switched with the one below the (hand and arrow). When (hand and x) are displayed, the object cannot be switched with the one below the (hand and x).

To move an object vertically or horizontally, drag it while holding down the Shift key.

Pressing and holding the Alt key switches to Quick Exchange mode. (Only when Grid/Guide are not displayed.)

4. When you are finished switching objects, click (Quick Exchange) again on the tool bar.
Quick Exchange mode is canceled.

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Performing a design check

The design check function automatically checks the font, superimposed objects, etc. for the poster.

For details, see Performing a design check.

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