by Sharla R. Hicks copyright 1999Part 1: What are the problems encountered using Internet fabric images in quilting software? Part 2: How can free software IrfanView solve your bitmap problems?
OK, we have payload of swatches ready for the gleaning right at our finger tips on the Internet? Yes, BUTTTT, gleaning fabrics is not as simple as just downloading your favorite image because the majority of the gleaned fabric images are in jpeg and gif formats and sometimes too large a image raises its head (especially when scanning but that is another lesson another time.) The reason you find these jpegs and gifs is they have a compressed formating that saves bandwidth across the Internet. PROBLEM? Yes, because these jpegs and gifs need to be converted to bitmaps using the file extension of .bmp that our favorite quilting software programs like Creative Impulse, Electric Quilt 4, Quilt-Pro 2 & 3, and PCQuilt. FYI: QuiltSOFT 4 accepts jpgs into its fabric library. (Wish list for quilt software programs--include jpeg and gif formating for fabric files in your next updates.) As I monitor the mail lists that computer quilters are using, I see there are three major complaints:
How can the free software, IrfanView, solve your bitmap problems?I have been researching, using trial and error, sweating, and losing sleep looking for a simple, easy to do solution. The biggest problem is computer variables. We all do not all have the same quality of machines, same operating systems, ram, or video cards, or scanners so what works for one does not necessarily work for another. What looks good on one machine, may not look good another. So is there a possible across the board solution that should produce OK to EXCELLENT results for most computer setups? Graphic programs will do the job, but are costly and often complicated. So I still was looking for simple, affordable solution that was easy to do and that anyone could use? |
|
|
Because of the ease built into the program for eleminating the problems encountered with converting to usable fabric library bitmap files, I have added a tutorial on how to download fabric from the Internet and then use IrfanView to convert your files to the usable 256 color .bmp files. But first, lets address how to download fabric images from the internet. When
you are ready to download IrfanView32,
go to How to download fabric images from the internet using Netscape or Internet Explorer:First:
Create two folders. One for your downloaded images and the second for your fabric
images that are going to be converted from jpegs and gifs. Suggestion: Use your desktop to place your folders. (This is the screen that is visible when no programs are open) This is an easy place to find and i not buried in directories and subfolders inside of subfolders inside subfolders if you get my drift. To create a Folder:Step 1: Right-click on an empty section of the Desktop (this is the screen that is visible when no programs are open) and a pop-up menu will appear.
Step 2: To create a new folder: Go to NEW in the pop-up menu (see above), then drag the cursor to the arrow to open the side fly-out menu that shows Folder. Select Folder (see above). Step 3: Change the name of the folder from New Folder to a name of your choice like Internet Fabric Search by doing the following:  a.
Using your mouse, RIGHT-Click on New Folder (it will grey out). b.
Type in a new name for the folder (suggestion: Internet Fabric Search) or name
of your choice. Step 4: Repeat steps 1-3 for a second folder that you will name: Converted Fabrics. Now you are ready to download fabrics from the InternetStep 1: Go to your favorite fabric site (I have included an extensive list of Links in this issue of Computer Quilting BYTES, to see the list, click here) Step 2: Find the fabric images you would like to download. Step 3: Using your mouse, RIGHT CLICK on the image of choice. One for the following pop-up menus will appear:
Step
4: In Internet Explorer,
select Save Picture As. In Netscape, select Save Image As. (see
examples above.) This brings up the Save As Dialogue Box shown below.  Step
5: Click on the Up-One-Level
Folder  until
the Desktop appears in the Save in: section as shown below. 
Step
7: Your are now ready to
save your fabric to the Internet Fabric Search Folder by clicking the Save button.
 HINT:
You may want to name each fabric something that makes sense to you for future
reference. See example above. I have named the file to be saved hawaii4. Keep
the name to 8 letters or less just for good measure (Quilt-Pro 2 users this is
required) -- do not worry about the type of file it is -- remember we will be
coverting all files to 256 color bitmaps in the next section of this tutorial.
NOTE:
If you continue to save fabrics during this search session, the Save As dialogue
box will automatically open up to the Internet Fabric Search Folder each time
and you will not have to repeat the above steps. If you end the fabric downloading
session and use the Save As dialogue box for something else, you will need to
repeat the above steps. Step
8: After you have saved several files, you are ready to convert your fabric
images. Go to the Tutorial for using Irfanview32 below to see an easy way
to convert multiple fabric image files at one. Best thing about IrafanView32
is it is a powerful, fast FREEWARE that meets our needs as gleaners of fabric
swatches! |
. (See
example in Step 4.) |
|
What is IrfanView32?
Converts fabric image files that are downloaded
off the Internet like jpegs, gifs and pngs to a useable 256 colors or less bitmap
format for the our quilting software fabric libraries. Shows
thumbnail views of a folder contents so that you can preview your downloads before
converting them. Act as your scanner destination program.
Lighten or darken your images. Tweak,
swap or change color settings to create new color versions of a fabric Add
special effects to create interesting variations to an image. Can
create a slideshow of your favorite images for show and tell. IrfanView32
does much more than the above list, but for our quilting software purposes this
is more than enough and remember, its FREE!
When you are ready to download
IrfanView32, go to
Step 1: Install the IrfanView32 on your
hard drive so that you can use it and open the program. See information above
for where to download the program for FREE. Step 2: To view Thumbnails of the contents of the Internet Fabric Search Folder: Click
on the File Menu and select Thumbnail OR
Better yet try the shortcut for simple opening and closing
of the Thumbnail box by using the Shortcut Key T. Hit T again the
Thumnail Viewer will close Note: Remember I said easy-to-use,
most of the shortcut keys are single keystrokes, much easier to remember and the
ability to close the options by hitting the key again is wonderful!
Thumbnail View
Click
on the File Menu and select Open OR
Use
the keyboard Shortcut Key O to open and close the Open dialogue box.
To select the
folder that contains the downloaded internet files: Click on the Up-One-Level
Folder until
the Desktop appears in the Look in section.  Highlight
the image you wish to see by clicking on the file name (see example above.)
NOTE:At
the bottom of the Open dialgue box there is a section that gives you the detail
of your image. Make sure sure that Preview active is checked. (see two example
below for closeups of Preview details) IrfanView32 lists the details of the preview.
This preview feature is not in found most graphic programs and yet here it is
in a freeware! It is a very useful in helping you identify the variable found
in your image. The most important to note, is the COLORS: both these examples
shown are 32 bpp (meaning 16 million plus colors using 32bit imaging.) Remember,
Electric Quilt 4 and Quilt-Pro 2 & 3 will accept only 256 colors. These images
will require converting. To
preview the next image in the Internet Fabric Search use the keyboard up or
arrow key (remember I said simple.)
Use IrfanView32 to:Convert multiple fabric files at one time Reduce the number of colors in a bitmap Resize multiple files automatically Step 1: To open the Batch Conversion dialogue box, use one of two methods: Go to the File Menu and select Batch Conversion. (See File Menu example above.) OR use the Shortcut keystroke B. (remember hitting B again will close the dialogue box) Step 2: To select the destination file folder for your output/converted files: NOTE: you want a separate folder from your download files or your original files will be mixed with the converted files. This will make it difficult to import converted files into the Quilt Software fabric libraries.
Open the Browse for folder Window by clicking Browse. (See example above.) Select the folder for Converted Fabrics or the destination folder of your choice from the Browse for Folder dialogue box (See example to the below.)
Step 3: To select the conversion options for the downloaded fabric files from the Set for all images dialogue box:
Check, select or fill in the appropiate boxes. (See example.)
Suggestions:Determine your optimum fabric file size. Somewhere between 100 to 200 pixels in width and height is best.** Check Aspect ration so that the image does not distort or skew to something different when converting the file. Check resample because it creates a better quality conversion. If your fabric is colorful, select 256 colors. If you have downloaded solid type fabrics, 16 colors may be OK. Or limit your colors by using CUSTOM. (Remember the process is so simple, that you can redo with another color option if needed.) **Too large of pixel
image for fabric can cause program slowing, freezing or in EQ 4 error messages
on importing.. Also the fabric may look like it is Step 4: To select the file formating to save your files to: Click the arrow and select BMP-Windows Bitmap. Step 5: To select the
folder that contains the fabric files for conversion: Click on the Up-One-Level
Folder
Then select the Internet Fabric Search Folder or the folder your files are in, your files will list in the white box to the right. (See example below.)
Step 6: The fabric files to be converted to the selected options in Step 2 must be moved to the left Files box. (See example below.) To move the files from the right to the left Files box, you can use several methods: Lighten or Darken or Change Coloring in a Fabric Image using IrfanView32.
Highlight
1 file from the right list shown above and click Add. To move all the files
from the right to left Files list, click Add All To select a portion
of the right list in order, hold down the shift key and select the first file
and the last file (all files between the two will hightlight). Click Add.
To
move random files from the right list to the left Files list, hold down the Control
keyboard key and select the files you want to move and click Add.
To
remove a fabric file from the left Files list, select Remove. To remove all the
files from the left Fiels list, select Remove All. Step
6: To convert all the files listed in the Files
box: Click  .Now that you have converted the fabric files, you want to preview
them to see if the conversion produced the results you want. Sometimes a bitmap
conversion to a smaller file can result in darker image or a color change. This
problem often arises when converting a large image. IranView32 allows you to quickly
preview each fabric conversion and make adjustments if necessary.
Click
on the File Menu and select Open. (see example below.) OR use the
Shortcut Key O. Hit O again the Open dialogue box will close.
 Step
2: To select the folder that
contains the downloaded internet files: Click on the Up-One-Level Folder
 Step
3: Open the fabric you wish
to view: Double-click
on the fabric name with the left mouse. OR
Click
on the fabric to highlight and click the OPEN button Step 4:
To quickly preview the next fabric file in the folder, click the keyboard
spacebar. (Remember I said this was an easy program). Repeat TIL you have
viewed all the fabrics and determined which ones might require some tweaking.
 Step
5: After returning to the
fabric that needs lighten or darken or to create a number of lighter and darker
variations of a fabric, I have found that the Gamma Correction option is a great
choice.In
the top Menu Bar, click Image. From the
Image Menu Select Gamma Correction and the below dialogue box will appear.
s  Here are
two variations of a converted fabric to show how dramatic of a change you can
get with gamma.
Now I have two fabric of the same style for my library
and I could have made more. Well
now you are ready to fly on own! Here are some ideas to follow: There are
several more options for changing color, swapping colors, and more under the Image
File Menu. Experiment here and find out how easy making fabric variations are.
Use
Capture under the Options menu to snag a picture of your favorite quilt on the
screen and send it to your buddies. Use
Wallpaper under the Options menu to set your favorite image as the computer desktop
picture centered or tiled without having to go into Windows Display options.
 Use
Effects under the Options menu to play around and create new inspiring
images for quilt, fabric and other things. Create
a slideshow of your favorite imaes using Slideshow under the File Menu.Check
out Sort Directory files under the Options menu to see additional
details about your files. Use IrfanView32 as
your scanner desitination file. Find Twain Source under the File Menu
and then use Aquire to bring in the scanned image. (I will be doing a tutorial
on this in a future issue of Computer Quilting BYTES). Remember,
IrfanView32 can be downloaded right here. For instruction on how to download and
the file, go to
Feedback and questions are welcome!
|
not
filling the patch because the tiled view is only a tiny portion of the fabric.
Therefore, it is best to stick with pixel sizes no greater than 200 in height
or width. 
Map Click Here
Pacific Time Zone
Office Hours: Monday to Friday 8 AM to 4:30 PM
Will Call at Warehouse: Monday to Friday 10 AM to 4:30 PM
StoreReviewsNewslettersGalleriesSharlaHelpLinks