Essentials of Microsoft Paint

Microsoft Paint is an illustration program that is included free with Microsoft Windows.

Starting Paint

To start Paint from the Desktop:

Select Start/Programs/Accessories/Paint

Drawing area

When started, Paint displays a default drawing area, which is called the canvas.

You should set this to the size you want your final drawing to be.

Toolbox The toolbox is a floating toolbar that contains icons that change the mode of the program. By default, "Pencil" mode is active. To toggle the toolbox on and off, select Tools/Tool Box (shortcut Ctrl-T).

Line tool

The Line tool is used to draw a straight line.

Select the Line tool from the toolbox.

Select a line width at the bottom of the toolbox.

Choose a color for the line.

Draw a line on the canvas.

Line drawing tips:

Use the left mouse button to draw with the foreground color.

Use the right mouse button to draw with the background color.

To draw perfectly horizontal, vertical, or 45-degree angle lines, press and hold the Shift key while drawing the line.

Curve tool

The Curve tool is used to draw curves. You do this in the same way that you draw lines.

These buttons let you create other shapes:

Rectangle	Polygon
Ellipse	Rounded rectangle

Text

The Text tool is used to write text. Unlike words that you paint, if you use the Text tool, you can edit your text, use the delete key, choose a different color, size, and font and even use spell check.

Eraser

The Eraser/Color eraser is used to erase parts of the image or background.

Fill with Color

The Paintbucket is used to fill a closed shape with the currently selected color or pattern. You can fill any shape you create, but if it has openings, then the entire canvas will be filled with the color.

Free-form select

The Free-form Select tool is used to select irregular areas of the canvas for further processing.

Select

The Select tool is used to select rectangular areas of the image for further processing.

Here are the other buttons and what they do:

 

Pick Color The Eyedropper lets you match a color you already have on your canvas.	Magnifier The Magnifier lets you... magnify.
Pencil The Pencil lets you draw free hand. You can choose the thickness of the pencil.	Brush The Paintbrush lets you paint. You can choose the thickness of the brush.
Airbrush The Spraycan lets you give a spraycan effect.

To Save part of a picture

In the toolbox, click to select a rectangular area

or click to select a free-form area.

Drag the pointer to define the area you want to Save.

On the Edit menu, click Copy To.

Specify a folder and a file name, and then click Save.

Remember, if you do something you don't like, select Edit/ Undo (shortcut Ctrl-Z).

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