Glossary

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active document

The document displayed in the active document window. 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 tiled), 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. Only one edit layer at a time can be active on each page.

active multipage

Active document that happens to be a multipage document. See current multipage.

active raster layer

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

annotation

A note placed on an image that 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.

API

Application programming interface. The API allows programmers to integrate Imagenation with other programs, to control the program remotely, and to customize the user interface. Microsoft’s Dynamic Data Exchange 2.0 protocols control Imagenation through the DDE API. You can also use OLE Automation with the DDE transactions. For those using the C programming language, you can use the C API interface. Image a•X is another way to integrate Imagenation functionality.

arc

Vector object in the shape of an unbroken curved line.

aspect ratio

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 scaled.

asynchronous

A non-blocking communication. Compare synchronous.

attributes

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

background

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

banner

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 a faxed page, or rasterized on an image. The banner appears outside the image boundaries. Compare stamp.

base layer

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

bilevel raster

Black-and-white image. 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.

CAD layers

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

calibration

Calibration is used when measurements that use based on the image resolution are not accurate. Calibration acts like a scale on a map. For example, you may know that an image line is 1.5 inches long, but the value returned when you use the Measure tool is 3 inches. In that case, you could calibrate the page by 0.5 so that the line measures 1.5 inches. All further measurements are then accurate.

cap

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

CCW

Counter-clockwise.

CFG file

A configuration file. Configuration files determine 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.

changing attributes

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

color raster

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

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.

consolidating 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

Page displayed in the active document window that is affected by commands.

Clockwise.

cyan

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

defaults

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.

dimension

Straight lines with arrows at one or both ends and dimension text in the middle or at the end of the line. Use these objects to draw scale lines on an image.

Types of dimensions

$image\extline_shg.gif$ external linear

$image\intline_shg.gif$ internal linear

$image\leader_shg.gif$ leader text

dirty

An object, such as a page, 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

Classification of documents according to the data they contain. Imagenation can read raster, vector, and text document types, in certain formats.

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

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.

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

Multipage document that contains embedded pages.

exporting

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

extents

Limits or edges of an image.

external resource file

An external resource file is a 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 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

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

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

hairline

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

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

header

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

hotspot icon table

A table of the icons that you can select as hotspots in the Hotspots category of the Tool Options and Preference Options dialog boxes. Each icon is assigned a number in the table, from 1 to 130. You can substitute custom icons for those currently in the hotspot icon table using the [Hotspots] section.

Hotspot layer

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

hotspots

Vector objects on edit layers that send messages to associated programs when 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

Graphic (raster or vector) or text displayed on a page or layer.

Image.ini

Default name for the Imagenation INI file. See INI file.

Image.src

Default name for the Imagenation source configuration file. See SRC 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

Initialization file that defines how Imagenation operates by default. You can set most defaults using the commands in the Preferences dialog boxes, but some require that you edit the INI file directly using a text editor. See Image.ini.

inverted image

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. Compare negative 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. Often used to label files for insertion into a database. Labels are displayed in document window title bars.

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.

magnify

See zoom in.

monochrome

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

multilayer page

Document file made up of one page containing two or more layers. Multiple layer page.

multipage document

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

negative image

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. Compare inverted image.

$image\negative_shg.gif$

Negative off Negative on

noise

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

object

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

OCR

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

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.

options

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

Office-View-Annotate (OVA)

Edition of Imagenation that allows for viewing and limited annotation of text documents and raster images.

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

pixel

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

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

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.

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. 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

Layer containing 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.

resize

Change the size of; 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.

root

The parent of all multipages, pages, and layers in a document. For example, the root of a page containing a single layer is the page. Compare section.

sampling

Displaying only a sample of image pixels, and discarding the others. Use sampling to clarify dense bilevel images and to load them faster.

$image\sample_shg.gif$

Sample Sample
off on

scale factor

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.

section

A node in a document that contains embedded pages. A section with no parent is also called a root. See root.

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 opened with the Open As Multipage 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 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 starting with the first page file followed by each consecutive page file. Spicer-defined format.

Spicer Vector (.edt)

Spicer-defined vector format. They usually have an .edt (for "edit") extension.

SRC file

A source configuration file. A SRC file is an ASCII text file that contains sections and keynames which you can edit. The CFG file is compiled from the SRC. The file is called Image.src by default.

stamp

A text string that can be placed "behind" or "on top of" an image. The stamp appears within image boundaries. It can just be displayed or it can be stamped onto prints, faxes, or rasterized images. Compare banner.

strikeout

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

Scan-View-Edit (SVE)

Edition of Imagenation that provides large-document scanning, raster improvement functions, edit tools, and some viewing functions.

Scan View-Markup-Edit (SVME)

Edition of Imagenation that provides all Imagenation functions, including scanning.

subordinate layers

See CAD layers.

symbol

Vector objects saved as an individual file.

synchronous

A blocking communication. All API commands are synchronous. Compare asynchronous.

text document

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

thumbnail

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

tiled images

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

translucent

Semi-transparent, or see-through color. Translucent is an option for some object attributes.

twips

Abbreviation for 1/20th of a point, a "point" being a typeset measurement equal to 1/72nd of an inch. Generally used to measure text.

user attribute

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

View (V)

Edition of Imagenation that provides all viewing functions, but no markup or edit ones.

vector images

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

View-Markup (VM)

Edition of Imagenation that provides all the viewing functions and markup tools, but no raster improvement functions.

View-Markup-Edit (VME)

Edition of Imagenation that provides all the Imagenation functions except scanning.

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

wireframe

A closed object with no fill pattern. Used to describe boxes, polygons, circles, and ellipses with a transparent fill.

$image\wirefram_shg.gif$

zoom in

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

zoom out

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.