Select Tool

Select Tool Instructions

The Select Tool is the default tool when ColorCaps opens. ColorCaps automatically returns to it in many situations. Most of the common operations on layers are done with the Select Tool. Click on the left-most tool button to get the Select controls:

Multiple Layers

Multiple layers are extremely useful, but there can be some temporary confusion as to which one is currently selected.

For example, you might be painting color in an area but the lines don't automatically clip the brush like they are supposed to. The problem is you are painting in the wrong layer, and the layer doesn't have the lines in it.

ColorCaps provides quite a few features to help select layers, show which one is selected, and even detect when you are in the wrong layer.

Layer Controls

Notice the three Layer Controls to the right on the main toolbar. In this case the drawing has three layers in it: Gradient Light on the bottom, a Ghost layer underneath the main layer, and a top Model Lines Layer containing most of the drawing detail.

The Model Lines Layer is shown selected. Select a different layer by clicking on the name button of the new layer.

Under the name button are three small buttons labelled D,H and F: Dim, Hide and Fixed

Press D (Dim) to display a dim, partially transparent version of the layer.
Press H (Hide) to prevent that layer from displaying.
Press F (Fixed) to prevent the layer from being moved.

Click and drag the name of the selected layer onto another layer to change the Order. If you drag the selected layer onto a layer to the right, the selected layer will be above that layer. If you drag onto a layer to the left, the selected layer will be under that layer. Abort a drag by dropping onto something other than a layer control

To Merge (combine) the selected layer with another layer, click again on the already-selected layer name and the cursor will change to the words "Merge Into". With the "Merge Into" cursor active, click on a second layer and the two will be combined. The new combined layer will have the name of the second layer and the order will be the lowest position of the two. Abort a "Merge Into" operation by clicking on something other than a layer control.

The layer controls are always available (enabled) in the Select environment. The Lines, Lighting, and Color Tools allow you to change the layer selection without returning to Select. In other enviroments, changing the layer will automatically change to the Select Tool. The Dim, Hide and Fix buttons are always available.

Selection Marquee

When ColorCaps opens, it shows a blank layer with a dotted rectangle around it, and the rectangle has handles on each corner and in the middle of each side. This rectangle is the selection marquee.

Only one layer is selected at a time and the selection marquee gives an indication of the selection. If there are multiple layers with the same footprint, you have to look at the layer controls to see which of the stacked-up layers is selected.

You can also dim the unselected layers by pressing "D" on the keyboard or clicking View\Dim Unselected Layers. Display only the selected layer by pressing "O" or clicking View\Show Selected Layer Only.

When not in the Select Tool, the handles disappear, leaving just the dotted rectangle.

When returning to the Select Tool after performing an operation on a layer, the marquee shuts off for a clear view of the drawing. You can press Shift to get the marquee back.

Selecting

You can select a layer by clicking on some part of it.

If layers are stacked up, it will pick the top one unless you click on a line and then it will figure out which layer the line is in and select that one. And you can also use the layer controls to make the selection, especially when you are aware of the layer names.

You can move the selected layer by holding down the Shift key, getting the move cursor. Click and drag to move it. A Fixed selected layer cannot not be moved.

When you have multiple layers, you can select the next one down with the Page Down key or Layer\Select\One Down. Similar situation for selecting one up. Hold shift key down to select bottom layer with Page Down or top layer with Page Up.

Cropping and Expanding

Cropping and expanding is done with the handles marked "C", located in the middle of the 4 sides of the selection marquee. The Proportional checkbox needs to be checked for cropping and expanding in order to get the "C" handles.

To crop, drag the handle towards the object center. To expand, drag it away from the center. Expanding will add blank area to the layer. Cropping will cut off a portion of the layer. Use Undo if a mistake is made.

When zoomed in, the handles are always available in the viewport so accurate adjustment can be made.

Resizing

Resizing is done with the handles marked "R", located on the 4 corners of the selection marquee. Drag towards the center to reduce and away to enlarge. The Proportional checkbox needs to be checked for resizing.

Stretching and Compressing

The Proportional checkbox needs to be unchecked for Stretching and Compressing. When you uncheck it, the "C" handles will change to "R" handles, giving you the ability to resize without keeping the aspect ratio proportional. Stretch by dragging a handle in the middle of a side. The layer will stretch in that direction only. Stretch away from the center and Compress towards the center.

If you use a corner "R" handle with Proportional off, both the vertical and horizontal dimension of the layer will change and the aspect ratio will be controlled by the position of the mouse.

Selection Control Bar

The selection control bar is the bar with the title "Select" on the left end of it.

Title Button

Mouse over the title button to pop up a fairly comprehensive help window.

Proportional Lock

Keep this checked except when you want to stretch or compress only one dimension of a layer.

Rotate 90 Degrees Counter-Clockwise

Press this button to rotate the selected layer 90 degrees counter-clockwise.

Rotate 90 DegreesClockwise

Press this button to rotate the selected layer 90 degrees clockwise.

All Layers

Ordinarily, the various operations apply only to the selected layer. Press the"All Layers" button to move all the layers, for example. It will also work on rotate, crop and resize.