In this chapter, we will simply take each menu item and explain its purpose and function. The symbol Æ points to a shortcut on the toolbar that triggers this menu item.
File
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New - Start a new fractal.
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Open - Open an IFS file.
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Save - Save the fractal as an IFS file. If the file is already saved, it overwrites the existing file.
Save As - Save the fractal as an IFS file. Always prompts for file name.
Æ
Print - Print the image in the fractal window.
Note: What you see is what you get. If you're printing a large picture, you will probably want to change the color of the background to white, to conserve on ink. Do this by right clicking on the white button in the fractal coloring window.
Export - Save the fractal as a bitmap picture file. Use this option if you want to manipulate your fractal in other programs or print it with a little more control over printer resolution, color, etc. You can also copy the fractal to the clipboard using Edit - Copy Image.
Exit - Close the program.
Edit
Æ
Cut - Place the selected transformation(s) in the clipboard and remove it from the fractal. To select multiple transformations, hold down the shift key and select the base of each transformation. Remember: You can only copy multiple transformations; you cannot move or edit more than one transformation at a time.
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Copy - Place the selected transformation(s) in the clipboard without removing them from the fractal.
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Paste - Place the transformation that is in the clipboard into the fractal.
Copy Image - Copy the fractal image to the clipboard. You can paste this image into any OLE compliant application.
Background - Set / Remove a graphic background in the fractal window. This is especially helpful in designing a fractal. You can set an image as the background and arrange the transformations over it, using the picture as a guide. There are three options. Paste as Background allows you to paste an image from the clipboard as the background. Open as Background allows you to open a graphics file to use as a background. Remove background, of course, removes the picture background and sets a blank background.
View
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Reset View - Erases the image in the fractal window and starts over. You will NOT lose any IFS data.
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Lock View Size - Lock the size of the of the fractal window to a specific size.
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View Fractal / Design Fractal - Switch between design mode and view mode.
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Fractal Generator - Turns the fractal generator on or off.
Center Base - Center the base of the fractal in the fractal window. Same as Center Base in Fractal Data Window.
Toolbar - Show / Hide the toolbar.
Fractal Data - Show / Hide the fractal data window.
Coloring - Show / Hide the fractal coloring window.
Raw Data - Edit the raw fractal data in a text editor. See IFS Code
Options - Shows a window to set startup defaults such as background color, window size, etc.
Help
Contents - Shows the contents page of this help file.
About - Shows version and copyright information about Visual IFS.