Shadow, triple shadow, quad shadow

[sboz]

With upgrade 1.06 we can now not only shadow but by changing the number in the property box we can triple shadow, quad shadow, etc! Cool!

Shari

[NELS]

Thanks Shari.. I am excited too. I posted a reply to you in the other post too. It was as simple as the icon... lol

[plg1117]

How are you getting it to shadow? I typed in the word Test using normal as the style - then I welded it....

I typed in the word Test using shadow and when I try and put one over the other so I can line them up to weld the shadow - I can't grab the shadow letters to move them with the nudge buttons... The only letters I can ever grab are the normal ones....

Is there another way to shadow? Or what am I doing wrong?

[dlwrules]

I've never used any other kind of software like this until SCAL.

What does shadow mean exactly? Is that an automatic mat so that we don't have to make a mat in inkscape?

And how does the weld function work?

I can see that this could be very very good!!!

[sboz]

How are you getting it to shadow? I typed in the word Test using normal as the style - then I welded it....

I typed in the word Test using shadow and when I try and put one over the other so I can line them up to weld the shadow - I can't grab the shadow letters to move them with the nudge buttons... The only letters I can ever grab are the normal ones....

Is there another way to shadow? Or what am I doing wrong?

To weld & shadow:
1. Type the word you want
2. Click on an individual letter until there is a bounded box around it (highlighted box) Click on 'weld' in the properties box.
3. Use the nudge arrows to overlap that letter to the adjacent letter.
4. Click on the next letter you want to overlap, continue with each letter until done with the word.
5. Click on the phrase so it is bounded (showing a box all around your word)
6. "Edit", "Copy", "Paste"
7. Move this pasted copy off to the side and keep it bounded (highlighted by the outline box)
8. Go to the properties box, change the style to shadow
9. A number appears to the right of shadow, select the number you want (this is personal preference)
10. Hit enter on your keyboard.

You can now move your boxed words around to see if the results suit your preference.

Now you have an original word and a shadow of your word. Taa daa! These are cut separate so place them where you want on your mat.

Shari

[shellieh]

I think my sure cut is complete! Happy camper.

[plg1117]

that is exactly what I'm doing - but without multiple mats you can't add an object to your word or whatever unless it is all typed at once.

Do you know what I mean? Say you type out the word TEST and then I wanted to weld to the bottom of those words an object... a square.

I would have to move my cursor to a blank space on the mat - add the square. Select>move to where I want it to join the word Test. I could weld that all together.

Now I want to make a shadow of that.... without multiple mats being open like in CDS I can't figure out a way to do that.... The copy/paste won't work for that. I can copy the word- change to shadow I can copy the square - change to shadow. but then when I want to make sure they line up to weld as a shadow - you have to move it on top of your first word... then you can't grab the shadow to nudge and then in order to cut you have to move it which unwelds it..... (the square from the word)

Either I'm missing something really simple (which I've been known to do ) or we really need to be able to open multiple mats and have the option to keep preview as background like in CDS....

[M.Newton]

What a pleasure to have welding and shadow. I made the file, put 2 different color papers and there it was the title and the shadow.
So much easier than DS

[Steph Stimson]

I just did a test using just the trial of SCA (was waiting for weld to be added before I bought) and I was able to weld a square to my name...I typed my name the checked 'weld' and returned, I then typed the shape of a square, checked 'weld' then moved the square up under my name. When I hit 'preview', it shows that the two are welded together. ???? Or am I understanding PLG1117's issue?

[sboz]

Stephanie,

The way I interpreted the situation was this:

Type a word - weld it
Type a shape - weld it to the word

Now, make a shadow of the word & a shadow of the shape.

Now try moving them, keeping the shape attached to the word, also keeping them positioned to remain a 'shadow' of the original.

This doesn't work because the shadow and the shape remain separate items.

I think the confusion is due to the word 'weld'. In the case of SCAL, 'weld' means one item overlapped by second item with produce ONE item when CUT.

Assuming the user is familiar with PC's Design Studio, the term 'weld' has a different meaning: In DSS once an item is 'welded' it stays 'stuck' to the adjacent object and the two objects become 'one' object can then be moved as one item. Not the case with SCAL when you are adding shapes to a word box (maybe Todd could look into this).

HOWEVER - There is a way to keep the original 2 items and the shadowed 2 items aligned after moving -

Just click one of the items until its bounding box is visible. Use your keyboard arrows keys to move this item away from the other items. IMPORTANT - Count the number of clicks on your arrow that you are moving the item. Now, go back and click on the first items companion piece until its bounding box is visible. Use your keyboard arrow keys to move this item in the same direction you moved its companion piece. Taa-daa!

Below is an example.

Shari