Draw and Paint programs work in very much the same manner, although some features are different due to the different formats of the files. Every time you work with a graphics program, you will be doing the same few basic things, creating figures, moving or editing (modifying) figures, and deleting figures. If you think about it, these are the same things one does when word-processing or programming, except that the "items" are now figures instead of words and sentences or programming language statements.
Draw images are stored as a group of vectors or objects (not the same objects as in object-oriented programming).
Paint images are stored as a bitmap
To create figures in an graphic file, you first select the proper tool for the task - the rectangle tool to create a rectangular figure, the line tool to create a line, the freehand drawing tool to do freehand drawing, the text tool to add text, etc. After selecting the tool, you position the cursor using the mouse to add the figure to the file. Some items require dragging the mouse to define the borders of the object (how big do you want your rectangle?). Text will be entered on the keyboard and positioned within the figures.
To edit an object/region: First select the object or region using the selection tool. Then click on the object and its handles will appear or drag the mouse to define the area selected. Once the item is selected, it can be moved or modified as desired (reduce, enlarge, etc.)
To delete an object/region: Again, select the object or region using a selection tool. Choose [Edit-Delete] to remove the object that is selected (handles visible in draw, outline of region visible in paint).
A demonstration of some of these techniques with the Windows Draw program (a good, inexpensive draw program available for Windows/Windows95). A more expensive draw program available is called Adobe Illustrator. The labs on campus with graphics support have this program installed.
Windows Paint is a simple paint program that comes with Microsoft Windows 3.1 and Windows95. Paint can be found in the Accessories group or menu within windows. One of the more expensive paint program available is called Adobe Photoshop. The labs on campus with graphics support have this program installed.
In addition to text in presentations, Both draw and paint graphics are often included. I will demonstrate text to highlight points in a talk and some of each kind of graphics file.
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