Estimating Menu Commands

Tools Menu

The Tools menu is only available if you have turned on the Show Painting Menus option in Preferences (see page 94).

Use the Tools menu to change graphics in BidMagic, if you want to customize the way it looks.

Using the Tool Palette

To choose a different tool, click the mouse on the Tools menu, move it to the tool you'd like to use, then lift up on the mouse.
You can also turn the Tools menu into a floating tool palette. To do so, follow these steps:
1. Click on the Tools menu, and keep holding down the mouse button.
2. Drag the mouse into the Tools palette, then outside the palette. A small outline of the palette will follow the mouse.
3. When the palette's outline is in a convenient location, release the mouse button.
HINT: To move the palette, click in its top bar and drag it elsewhere. To remove the palette, click in its close box at upper left.

Using the Finger Tool

Most of the time in BidMagic you'll be using the Finger tool. To use it, click on the Finger icon at the upper left corner of the Tools palette.
The Finger tool allows you to click on buttons, enter text, and otherwise use BidMagic normally.
HINT: To return to the Finger tool quickly, type command-tab.

Using Painting Tools

The remaining tools on the Tools palette are used for changing graphics on the screen.
NOTE: For more information about the use of paint tools, check the manual for MacPaint, HyperCard, or any other graphics program that offers bit-map editing.
Each tool is used as follows:

The Selection tool lets you select a rectangular area of screen graphics. You can then Cut or Copy the selection, or drag it elsewhere with the mouse.
The Lasso tool lets you select an irregular area of screen graphics. You can then Cut or Copy the selection, or drag it elsewhere with the mouse.
The Pencil tool lets you change screen graphics, one dot at a time.
HINT: To enlarge the screen to make it easier to work on individual dots, double-click on the Pencil tool. To return to normal size, double-click again.
The Paintbrush tool lets you draw on the screen, using the current pattern (see page 414).
HINT: Double-click on the Paintbrush tool to set the size of the paintbrush.
The Eraser tool erases black areas on the screen.
The Line tool draws straight lines.
The Spraycan tool scatters dots on the screen using the current pattern, producing an 'airbrush' look.
BidMagic Menus Page 413
The Rectangle tool draws rectangles, while the Rounded Rectangle tool draws rectangles with rounded corners.
HINT: Double-click on either tool to draw shapes that are filled with the current pattern.
The Paint Bucket fills enclosed areas with the current pattern. Use it carefully!
HINT: Double-click on the Paint Bucket to show a floating palette that lets you change the current pattern (see page 414).
The Oval tool draws ovals, while the Freehand tool draws irregular shapes.
The Text tool lets you type words or numbers onto the screen. Double-click on the Text tool to set the font, style and size of text.
NOTE: Text entered with the Text tool is in the form of graphics printed on the screen. To enter text into fields, use the Finger tool.
The Multigon tool draws regular polygons, while the Polygon tool draws multi-sided figures of any shape.