... I just don't get it....

[flir48]

I have Paint Shop Pro.
I create a circle with two vertical lines going down the center.
I save as WMF

I import with Xara3d v6 and it says:
Error.
File contains bitmap data that is ignored. It does not contain any outlines.

I cannot import animated gifs, gifs, or anything else.

Can someone please advise me on this?
This ONE task is the whole reason why I bought the program...

Thanks
flir48

[Sammo]

Hi Flir48,

With PSP you must first create a vector layer rather than a raster layer. Raster layers contain bitmap images that remain bitmap even when exported (saved as) WMF files. So ... create a new image file, add a vector layer, delete the raster layer(s), do all your drawing on the vector layer with PSP's vector tools, save as WMF, and import to Xara3D.

Works for me!
-- Sam

[flir48]

Sammo,
PSP doesn't give me a choice...

When I create a new drawing....
132x68
-vector-

I paste my image (from a transparent background gif) into it.

when I save as .wmf
PSP(v8) says it must flatten it and retain bmp information..everytime! I don't have any other choice.

You follow up advise would be appreciated....

thanks Sammo for your reply.
flir48

[flir48]

I know what's happening...
Reguardless if I'm in Vector mode , if I touch the image in any way
it converts it to raster.... then I can't save as wmf.

I just spend the last 40 creating a simple Circle with two rectangles going thru it (up - down) in vector mode.

As soon as I colorized it, it switched to raster, and I can't do a thing about it..... Is there a way to convert from raster to vector (yes I did review the manual and online help.. nothing either way)

I'm trying to make a 3d spinning log from this:
Edited : Image Deleted

I can't convert it to vector. can anyone tell me how to do it? (not do it for me!)

[Soquili]

Hi Flir48,

Welcome to the forum. Bitmap graphics, also called raster graphics, are datafiles that are a map of pixels and colour information. There is no shape information contained within them. Gif, jpg, png, bmp, images typically edited with Paint Shop Pro and Photoshop are raster graphics. Vector graphics are akin to computer programs. Instead of containing maps of pixels and colour they contain instructions that describe the shape and colour of an object.

When you paste the gif into your PSP vector layer, you are not converting it into a vector object. The opposite is taking place, the vector layer will not contain any instructions for a shape and it's colour, but a reference to your gif bitmap image. When you save the file PSP will dutifully tell you that the image will be flattend to the only information within, the bitmap data.

I have owned PSP since version 5, but have never actually used it to draw anything. Only manipulating photos. If you know how to use it's vector tools to draw the circle and rectangles you want, do that and do not include any gif or other image. Export the vector layer as a wmf and then you should be able to import that into Xara3D and have the shape appear within.

[Terry]

Hi Flir48,

You should have gotten a copy of Webster with Xara3D6. Draw your image with Webster, ctlc-c copy it, flip to Xara3D6, and paste it. http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

Of course, if you're working from a download of Xara3d6 while waiting for the CD, this suggestion is no help... http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

[Egg Bramhill]

The difference between vector and raster images is often very difficult to grasp. I don't know much about PSP, haven't used it for years. But If you email me I'll send you a xar file so you can import it.
Once you see the results and play around you will grasp the different image types.
Egg
http://www.xlwebdesign.co.uk/tg/flir48png.png

[Egg Bramhill]

A wire frame view showing the SHAPE construction.
Egghttp://www.xlwebdesign.co.uk/tg/wireframe.gif

[flir48]

Guys...
Thank you for your time on this...
I really do appreciate it...

Soquilli... thanks.. That really helped me understand what to do...

Terry.. I just order it, and the CD haven't arrived..
*the funny thing is I didn't read what webster was and just
just thought it was another cheap dictionary program* (rtfm)

Egg Bramhill..
Dude.. thanks much for your time.
I was able to create the stick figure as a vector in PSP and save as a wmf file but Xara wouldn't see the circle when importing.
I ended up making the center part and using the border module
of Xara to do the circle.
I got it to look just like yours above, (animated gif.. spin 3x then stop).
The problem I'm running into now is while in Xara, it looks great,
but when exporting (75x90) the edges of the drawing is quite
terrible...not smooth, but grainy and jagged.

I've deleted all my work on this "simple" little dodad, and going to
restart it and will post here what I'm comming across..

flir48

[flir48]

Hi guys..
..

<EDITED OUT... old info>