Tips.txt 5/15/93

Tips for Using RebusRhythm ToonKits Clip Art

ToonKits are collections of cartoon oriented images that take
advantage of postscript special effects. (requires a postscript
printer) These .eps files include TIFF image headers, allowing you
to view them in your page layout application. Postscript files 
print out sharp, well defined images at any scale and allow the 
inclusion of clean tone or blended fills. They can also be opaque 
(unlike TIFF or other bit mapped images which are transparent) 
objects when brought into a page layout program such as Ventura 
Publisher. This allows you to create complex, collaged effects 
with text and images right on your page without going out to an 
illustration program.

ToonKit images allow you to: 1) collage opaque images one on top 
of the other and create new composite images or pictures; 
2) modify your page designs that include transparent bit mapped 
images and text by adding opaque (or transparent) images on
top of them; 3) mask out or frame other images just like you place
a painting in a frame or see a scene out of a window.

ToonKits come in collections that offer you a variety of visual 
elements designed to be used together to modify or form whole new 
pictures. For instance there are text balloons, arrows, check 
marks and hand drawn circles that can be superimposed over you 
page layout to create special effects. There are cartoon frames 
with interiors that you can add other clip art to (such as a 
figure or character) and possibly text balloons (and add your 
text into the balloon) to create custom cartoons. ToonKit frames, 
windows and doors such as pframe1.eps allow you to mask out or 
frame another image file.
 
Here's how you can use the file pframe1.eps to frame one of your 
friends halftone portraits in your page layout program. After you 
have placed your friend's portrait on your page, load pframe1.eps 
on top of the portrait. Scale it to the right size that will allow
the center opening of pframe1's frame to crop your friend's 
picture. Move it around and scale it with your mouse until looks 
like it will properly crop the picture. Pframe1 will appear 
transparent on your page, but will print as an opaque mask with a 
transparent opening in the center. your friend's portrait will 
appear to be framed just like in picture frame.

The most important thing to realize in working with postscript 
images like this is that each image must be placed in the proper 
sequential order, one on top of the other, for them to work. Be 
very careful and know what is attached to what, when you start 
overlaying these images with text and other images. If your images
are placed in frames such as in Ventura Publisher, be sure that 
the order that the frames are created, and the frames that other 
elements are attached to, are in the right order to do what you 
want them to do.

Experiment with multiple layers of these opaque and transparent 
images. You can create artwork that mixes text and images right 
inside of your page layout program without going out to another 
illustration program for special effects. Or of course, bring 
them into your postscript compatible illustration program and 
combine your images to make composite illustrations. With 
practice you can get excellent results. They will enhance your 
documents and are fun to use. I hope you enjoy using these 
useful image devices. 
