Glossary

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active document

The document that is displayed in the active document window, and is affected by the View and other commands. A document can appear in more than one document window at once. As long as one of those windows is active, the document itself is active.

active document window

This window appears "on top" of all other document windows (unless it is tiled) within the Imagenation window, and its title bar is a different color. It contains one view of the active document.

active edit layer

The "top" edit layer, the one that can be marked up and edited. New edit layers are always active. Existing edit layers can be activated with the Layers window. Only one edit layer at a time can be active on each page.

active multipage

An active document that happens to be a multipage document. See current multipage.

active raster layer

The raster layer that is affected by the Raster menu commands and raster functions, and can be cut, copied, and pasted. Raster layers are active when first opened or created.

annotation

A note placed on an image. The note can be displayed as text or as an icon: $image\draw_ann_shg.gif$ .

Annotation layer

A type of edit layer that permits annotations, arrows, text, highlighted sketches, and shaded areas.

arc

A vector object in the shape of an unbroken curved line.

aspect ratio

The relationship of width to height. When aspect ratio is maintained, the image is scaled proportionally. When it is not, the image is "stretched" vertically or horizontally when it is scaled.

asynchronous

A non-blocking communication. A client program can issue an asynchronous function, and go on to process the next instruction without requiring the server to return control to it. Notifies are asynchronous because they can occur at any time. Compare synchronous.

background

The part of the image that lies behind the color or black pixels (in positive images), vector objects, or text. Compare foreground.

banner

A text string, similar to a header or footer in a word processing program, that can be placed on the top or bottom of a printed or faxed page, or be rasterized with an image. The banner appears outside the image boundaries. Compare stamp.

base layer

The layer at the bottom of the page, below all other layers. The first layer to be rendered. Compare overlays.

bilevel raster

A raster that contains only two colors, generally black and white. A raster image in which data is stored as one data bit for one dot (or pixel) of raster data. The data is either on or off (black or white) with no intermediate status.

binding objects

Making a set of objects a permanent group so that all are selected when one is clicked.

bitmap

A raster image. A collection of dots (called pixels) that make up an image.

BLOB

A hotspot BLOB is the entire hotspot entity, including its identifier, data, shape, and location.

CAD layers

A subordinate layers on an edit layer that is in CAD format. Some CAD-based vector images have a base layer that consists of one or more CAD layers.

cap

The end point of an object line. It can be rounded or squared.

CCW

Counter-clockwise.

CFG file

A CFG file is a configuration file. Configuration files control the appearance of the user interface, determining which menus, commands, button bars, buttons, and dialog box options are available. Integrators can create a custom CFG file by editing the Image.src file in a text editor. For more information, refer to the Imagenation CFG Help.

changing attributes

Modifying the appearance (size, color, font, and so on) of an existing object.

color raster

A raster image in which combinations of red-green-blue (RGB) form the color pixels.

command table

An array of command structures that lists all commands available in Imagenation. To execute a command within Imagenation, it must be present in the table. When you add external commands to Imagenation, you are adding them to the command table. Therefore, external commands are processed the same way that an internal command is.

compression

A technique for making raster data sizes smaller, so that they consume less RAM and disk space. A raster file in its native or raw form is uncompressed. Compression is achieved by applying mathematical algorithms to the data storage process.

configuring

Defining the default attributes.

onsolidating layers

Combining two or more edit layers to form a single edit layer. Compare rasterize.

current multipage

The displayed portion of the active multipage, whether or not that is an embedded page.

current page

The page that is displayed in the active document window and is affected by commands. Its title bar is displayed in reverse field.

Clockwise.

cyan

A blue-green color, similar to turquoise. It reflects blue and green, and absorbs red.

data format

See file format.

defaults

The preset conditions and attributes that determine the operation of Imagenation. The default value is automatically assigned unless you specifically request another one. See preferences and options.

deselect

To "turn off" an object that is selected, so that it is no longer ready to be modified. See select.

deskewing

Straightening a raster image to compensate for a crooked scan.

despeckling

Removing unwanted black specks or white holes from a raster image. See noise.

Detail window

A floating window that shows a magnified view of the pointer location at the selected scale factor (by default 1:1).

$image\detail_shg.gif$

dirty

An object, such as a document window, that is dirty is one that has been changed since it was opened or last saved.

dither

To simulate gray or color in a bilevel image with a particular pixel pattern.

document

Any file that Imagenation can open, edit, and print. The totality of what is contained in a document window.

document types

The classification of documents according to the data they contain. Imagenation can read raster, vector, and text document types, in certain formats. Raster files are made up of dots, vector files of objects and equations, and text files of text with formatting.

These basic document types can be combined to create other document types: multilayer page documents, multipage documents, and sets.

docwinID variable

The most common parameter sent to Imagenation. docwinID is a unique identifier, of the IN_DOCWIN data type (an unsigned long value), that is assigned to every document window. It is the first parameter for any function that acts upon a specific document window, and it is returned when you request the identifier of the active window or open a new window.

dpcm, dpi

dp = dots per cm = centimeter

i = inch

Each is a measure of image resolution. See resolution.

edit layer

A layer that can contain vector objects, raster pastes, and the text from text documents, but not full raster images. See active edit layer.

editing

Erasing, cutting, despeckling, deskewing, and so on.

edition

The "edition" of Imagenation determines what commands and features can be used. For example, in the View edition, all view functions are available, but none of the Tool, Group, or Raster functions are. In the View-Markup edition, all functions are available except Scan and Raster.

Edit-type edit layer

A type of edit layer that permits any objects except annotations and hotspots. Layers saved under the AutoCAD data exchange (DXF) or Windows metafile (WMF) format become Edit-type edit layers as well.

embedded pages

One or more pages contained within a multipage document at a lower, more subordinate level than other pages.

enclosing multipage

A multipage document that contains embedded pages.

exporting

Saving an independent page or layer document without replacing the active document.

extents, image

The limits or edges of an image.

external document window

A document window which is a child of, or "belongs to", a client application, and not to Imagenation.

external linear dimensions

Dimension objects with arrowheads and extension lines at each end. The dimension text appears in the center of the line. Compare internal linear dimensions.

$image\extlin_shg.gif$

external reference

A reference within one file to another file of that type. The CADRA, DGN, and DWG/DXF vector file formats, and the RTF text file format, allow external references to other files of those types.

external resource file

An external resource file is a Windows DLL (dynamic link library) that is created in a program such as Visual Studio. You add bitmap icons, cursors, and so on through the resource editor that is supplied with these programs.

file format

The way the information is stored in a document. Often indicated by file name extensions, such as .dxf, .pdf, or .mil.

floating windows

Small windows that can be placed anywhere on your desktop--that is, they "float" above all other windows. Floating windows often show a different view of the image, and generally allow you to perform certain actions on the active document.

font

The complete assortment of characters for one style and size of a particular typeface, including uppercase and lowercase characters, figures, and punctuation marks.

Times

Courier New

Arial Narrow

foreground

The part of the image that consists of color or black pixels (in positive images), vector objects, or text, as opposed to the background behind the image.

Full Edit-type edit layer

A type of edit layer without restrictions. Text documents appear on Full Edit-type edit layers.

global

Settings that affect all documents, objects, or tools.

grayscale raster

A raster image in which each dot (or pixel) is assigned a number ranging from 0, for black, to some other number--often 255--for white. Each number in between represents an ever-lighter shade of gray.

group

A collection of objects that are logically connected so that they can be moved, changed, or deleted as though they were a single object.

hairline

A line objects of zero width These vectors are displayed as lines of 1 screen pixel thickness at all scale factors.

$image\hairline_shg.gif$

hatch

A fill pattern that consists of parallel line segments, or, in the case of vector hatch patterns, of a variety of patterns. Hatch is a fill option for boxes, polygons, circles, and ellipses.

Hatch-filled box: $image\hatch_shg.gif$

header

Data that is attached to the beginning of a file and describes or controls the actions that apply to the following data, such as rotation, mirroring, data type, and compression.

highlighting

Drawing with the Highlighter or Highlight Area tool, so that translucent (semi-transparent color) sketch lines or areas are produced. See translucent.

$image\cmhiligh_shg.gif$

hotspot icon table

A table of icons that are available to select for hotspots of the icon type. Each icon is assigned a number in the table, from 1 to 130. The icons then appear in the Hotspots category of the Tool Options and Tool Preferences dialog boxes. You can substitute custom icons for those currently in the hotspot icon table.

Hotspot layer

A type of edit layer onto which you can place hotspots, lines, arcs, arrows, sketches, and polylines.

hotspots

Objects on edit layers that send messages to associated programs when they are placed or activated or both. When activated, they generally cause actions to occur, such as opening programs, copying windows, or echoing text.

$image\hotspot_shg.gif$

image

A graphic (raster or vector) or text that is displayed on a page or layer.

Image.ini

The default name of the Imagenation INI file. See INI file.

imaging

Recording "human readable" images--pictures, images, text, and so on--into "machine-readable" formats--microfiche, computer data, videotape, OCR output, ASCII text, and so forth.

importing

To bring a layer or page into the active document.

INI file

The initialization file that defines how Imagenation operates by default. You can set most defaults by using the Preferences or other dialog boxes and functions, but some require that you edit the INI file directly in a text editor. The INI file is aimed at end users. See Image.ini.

integer

Any rational, whole number; that is, not a decimal or fraction.

internal linear dimensions

Dimension lines with arrowheads at both ends and text in the middle. They have no extension lines. Compare external linear dimensions.

$image\intlin_shg.gif$

inverted image

An image in which the black and white sections are reversed. Similar to negative images, except that the color ratio is maintained when the image is reduced. Reduced negative images look darker than reduced inverted ones. Inversion can be applied to any image.

$image\invert_shg.gif$

Invert off Invert on

keyboard shortcuts

See shortcut keys.

label

A text string that is associated with each symbol, layer, page, multipage, or set as it is saved. It can be up to 80 characters long and can include spaces. It is often used to label files for insertion into a database. Labels are displayed in document window title bars.

language table

Produced by an application called Lingo, language tables contain all of the translated user interface strings.

layer

Every image in Imagenation appears on a layer. Layers are two-dimensional planes that can be overlaid on one another. Raster layers contain raster data only. Edit layers can contain vector objects, raster pastes, and text documents.

Layers window

A floating window that lists all layers on the current page. When you select a layer name or names and click them with the right mouse button, you get a menu of commands that you can apply to that layer or layers.

$image\layerwin_shg.gif$

leader text dimensions

Dimension lines with text at one end and an arrowhead at the other. They have no extension lines and can be angled.

$image\leadtext_shg.gif$

Line Width window

A floating window that is used to select the line or frame width for the active tool. As you move the red line in the Line Width window, the current value (in the selected units) appears in the title bar.

$image\laywin_shg.gif$

magnify

See zoom in.

mask table

Mask tables are used to translate image lines during rasterization, display, or print. They can be used, for example, to convert lines of a specific color into patterned bilevel lines. Mask tables are contained in pen mapping files. Pen mapping files are created in the EditMask utility that is shipped with Imagenation.

maxSize variable

The maxSize variable defines the maximum size for an array. If the buffer is not big enough for all of the data, then an end of string (EOS) character is put as the last character in the array. No error is returned.

MER

Minimum enclosing rectangle, the spatial limits of each object drawn or placed in Imagenation. The MER becomes visible as dashed lines when you select objects.

merging layers

See rasterize.

monochrome

An image or screen that has only background and foreground colors. Same as black-and-white or bilevel.

multilayer page

A document file made up of one page that contains two or more layers. Multiple layer page.

multipage document

A document file made up of more than one page. Multiple page document.

negative image

An image in which a pixel value of 0 represents the image data, and a pixel value of 1 represents the background. Negative images often appear black when reduced because the 0 bits are discarded for display. Text and vector files are not made up of pixels and so cannot be negative.

$image\negative_shg.gif$

Negative off Negative on

noise

Irrelevant specks or marks added to images in the scanning or redlining process.

object

See vector object, objectID variable.

objectID variable

A generic variable of the IN_OBJECT data type. This variable refers to the different Imagenation entities. Depending on the function, it can be replaced with the document window ID (IN_DOCWIN data type), document ID (IN_DOCUMENT data type), page ID (IN_PAGE data type), or layer ID (IN_LAYER data type).

OCR

Optical character recognition. Software that translates bitmapped scans or faxes of printed alphanumeric characters into ASCII or formatted text.

ODMA

Open document management API--interaction between a document management system and client programs.

OLE

A communication protocol used to link Windows-based programs. When you embed or link objects, your document can contain information that was created in different programs, and you can edit any of this from inside your document.

opaque

Of solid color; not translucent or transparent. Opaque is an option for some object attributes.

optimize

To write or modify a program to achieve maximum efficiency in a specific area, such as memory allocation.

options

Options are used to change attributes for the active document or layer in the current session only. See preferences.

OVA

Office-View-Annotate edition of Imagenation, which allows for viewing and limited annotation of text documents and raster images.

output parameters

The "output" parameter pointers point to memory allocated by the client's integration program.

overlays

Layers on a page that are placed on top of the base layer. That is, all layers on a page except the one at the bottom.

page

A page refers to one or more stacked layers. However, a single layer is normally only referred to as a "page" when it appears in a window with other pages, or when it is saved as a Spicer Multilayer Page (.clf) or Spicer Document (.smf).

paper sizes

U.S. Europe and Japan
A = 8½ x 11 in. A0 = 84.1 x 118.9 cm
B = 11 x 17 in. A1 = 59.4 x 84.1 cm
C = 17 x 22 in. A2 = 42.0 x 59.4 cm
D = 22 x 34 in. A3 = 29.7 x 42.0 cm
E = 34 x 44 in. A4 = 21 x 29.7 cm

pen mapping tables

Pen mapping tables are used to translate specific vector document lines during rasterization, display, or print. They can be used, for example, to convert lines drawn with vector pen 243 to a specific bilevel pattern for both rasterization and printing.

pen mask table

See mask table.

pixel

The smallest element of a raster image--one dot. Abbreviation (more or less) of picture element.

placeholder

A placeholder is a parameter that is either not yet implemented or is not used under some circumstances, but still must be included so that an API function can be parsed properly. Placeholders must be given a value of 0.

points

A typeset measurement equal to 1/72nd of an inch. Points are typically used to measure text.

polylines

Vector objects in the shape of joined, straight lines. You draw them with the Polyline tool by defining all the line end points.

preferences

Preferences are generally used to change attributes for future documents or layers. See defaults, options.

preview image

A reduced-resolution view of a drawing that can be loaded and displayed before the main image is, to decrease load time.

property

Properties are the attributes in the actual object, layer, page, or document. By contrast, parameters are attributes that are passed in to the command.

proportional units

Coordinate values can be measured in proportional units, which are based on the enclosing rectangle of the page. The top-left corner of the page's enclosing rectangle is (0,0) and the bottom-right corner is (100000,100000).

$image\propunit_shg.gif$

raster image

A data type consisting of dots (also known as pixels) that are turned on or off--in bilevel rasters--or are assigned a shade of gray or a color. The dots are stacked into lines known as scan lines, which are themselves stacked to form the image. Raster images are created by scanning paper documents, or in graphics programs.

rasterize

To convert one or more layers on a page into a new, single raster layer. Compare consolidating layers.

raster layer

A layer that contains a raster image. It cannot contain vector objects or text documents.

redline

To append comments to a document and to make alterations with objects--circle something, strikethrough, underline, and so on. Traditionally done with a red pen.

Redline edit layer

A type of edit layer that permits all objects except annotations, hotspots, raster pastes, shaded areas, erased (or cut) areas, and rubouts. Also limits you to the transparent fill style.

reduce

See zoom out.

Reference window

A small window that shows the entire current page, and indicates (with the crossed box) which part of the page appears in the active document window. It can be used to magnify and reduce the page, and to scroll around it.

$image\refwin_shg.gif$

resize

To change the size of; to shrink or enlarge.

resolution

Drawing pixels (or dots) per unit of image in the horizontal and vertical directions. Determines the fineness or coarseness of the image and affects the size of the file.

RGB

Red-green-blue, the components of color in raster pixels and vector objects. See color raster.

RTF

Rich text format, a text document format.

Rubout

The freehand eraser tool. The "erase" is created by drawing on the active edit layer in the background color, which hides (but does not remove) the underlying layers.

rubout over text: $image\rubout2_shg.gif$

sampling

Displaying only a sample of image pixels, and discarding the others. This is a view option within Imagenation. Use it to clarify dense bilevel images and to load them faster.

$image\sample_shg.gif$

Sample Sample
off on

scale factor

The ratio of screen pixels to image pixels. For example, a scale factor of 0.2 (1:5) indicates 1 screen pixel for 5 image pixels, and a scale factor of 2 (2:1) indicates 2 screen pixels for 1 image pixel.

scrolling

Moving the image around the window to see different parts of it, without scaling the image.

select

To mark an item so that an action can be carried out on it. You usually select an item by clicking it or by pressing a key. With vector objects in Imagenation, however, you must activate the Select command, and then click the object. After selecting an item, you choose the action that you want to affect it (such as OK or Move).

session

The period of time in which Imagenation is running.

set

A grouping of any combination of other sets, multipages, pages, rasters, vectors, and text documents. When a set is opened with the Bind Selection check box cleared, each file in a set appears in its own window.

shortcut keys

Keyboard combinations that allow you to choose commands without using the mouse or the access keys.

speckle

A collection of extraneous black pixels on a raster image.

Spicer Document (.smf)

A file that can contain all the image data for any number of pages. When opened, Spicer Documents are displayed in one window. Spicer-defined format.

Spicer Multilayer Page (.clf)

Component list file, a single-page document file composed of a list of layers. When you open a Spicer Multilayer Page, the layers are gathered in order and are displayed in the document window, one on top of the other. Spicer-defined format.

Spicer Multipage (.das)

A collection of two or more single layers, multilayer pages, and other multipage documents. Made up of a list of file names that starts with the first page file, which is followed by each consecutive page file. Spicer-defined format.

Spicer Vector (.edt)

A file in the Spicer-defined vector format. Spicer Vector files usually have an .edt (for "edit") extension.

stamp

A text string that appears by itself on a layer that is rendered first or last, and that is not accessible through normal layer transactions. The stamp appears within the image boundaries. (Stamps were called watermarks in Release 4.3.) Compare banner.

Status Bar

A bar that displays pointer coordinates and status messages at the bottom of the Imagenation window.

strikeout

Text with a line drawn through it. ~~Strikeout.~~ Sometimes called "strikethrough."

submenu

A hierarchical or child menu.

$image\submenu_shg.gif$

subordinate layers

See CAD layers.

SVE

Scan-View-Edit edition of Imagenation, which provides large-document scanning, raster improvement functions, edit tools, and some viewing functions.

SVME

Scan View-Markup-Edit edition of Imagenation, which provides all Imagenation functions, including scanning.

symbol

One or more vector objects that are saved as an individual file. You can select symbols in the Symbols palette (or with IN_SetSymbol) and place them on an active edit layer with the Symbol tool (or IN_PlaceSymbol).

Symbols palette

A floating window that shows an image of all files that are defined as symbols and are located in the symbols directory. Symbols are saved groups of vector objects that can be assigned to the Symbol tool and placed on an edit layer.

$image\symbolp_shg.gif$

synchronous

A blocking communication. A client program that issues a synchronous function must wait until the server returns control to it. All C API commands and queries are synchronous. Compare asynchronous.

text document

A document file that contains text and (sometimes) formatting information. Text documents are created with word processing, spreadsheet, desktop publishing, OCR, and text editor programs.

text editor

A program, such as Notepad, that is used to create and edit basic text documents. Usually works in pure ASCII, with little or no formatting or layout features.

thumbnail

A smaller copy of an original image, often used to identify the original.

Thumbnails window

A floating window that shows a preview of each page of a multipage document, and indicates (with the highlighted box) which page appears in the active document window.

tiled images

Files in which the image is saved in several small pieces, called "tiles," that are stored and decompressed individually.

tiled windows

Document windows that are fully displayed in columns and rows. If the number of windows is even, each takes up an equal portion of the screen.

$image\tiled_shg.gif$

tiling in strips

Displaying document windows in horizontal bands that do not overlap, keeping all windows visible.

$image\tilstrip_shg.gif$

Tool Bar

The bar that normally contains the Tool and Group buttons. You can customize the Tool Bar through the API.

ToolTip

An explanation that appears when you place the pointer on a button.

$image\tooltip_shg.gif$

translucent

Semi-transparent, or see-through color. Translucent is an option for some object attributes. Objects drawn with the Highlighter and Highlight Area tools are also translucent.

TrueType fonts

Fonts that are standard to Windows. They can be sized to any height and print exactly as they appear on-screen.

Times New Roman

Arial

Courier New

twips

An abbreviation for 1/20th of a point, a "point" being a typeset measurement equal to 1/72nd of an inch. Twips are generally used to measure text.

Undo list

The list of canceled actions on the edit layer. The list is used by the IN_EditUndo function or the Edit, Undo command to restore previous versions of a document.

user attribute

A user attribute is a piece of data that you can attach to an Imagenation entity (a document, page, or layer), such as a reference to an external database. All user attributes are stored as text.

View edition of Imagenation, which provides all viewing functions, but no markup or edit ones.

vector images

Images that are defined mathematically and are displayed graphically. They are sed in CAD and engineering software for precise, mathematically editable designs. In Imagenation they are displayed on edit layers.

vector object

The base elements that make up edit layers. They include arcs, circles, boxes, lines, text, annotations, cuts, erases, and pastes. Also called objects. You place and modify objects on the active edit layer.

View-Markup edition of Imagenation, which provides all the viewing functions and markup tools, but no raster improvement functions.

VME

View-Markup-Edit edition of Imagenation, which provides all the Imagenation functions except scanning.

View-Redline edition of Imagenation, which provides a limited number of viewing functions and markup tools.

wireframe

A closed object with no fill pattern. Wireframe describes boxes, polygons, circles, and ellipses with a transparent fill.

$image\wirefram_shg.gif$

Work List

The Work List contains a list of the documents that were opened during the current session. You can save these documents as a set. Only available in custom versions of Imagenation.

zoom in

To enlarge the display size of the image so that can you see part of it in more detail. Also called magnify.

zoom out

To reduce the display size of a page so that you can see more of it. As a result, the image looks smaller and less detailed. Also called reduce.