The Clear rectangle command allows you to clear rectangular areas in raster image. You may clear several areas at once, defining rectangles on several selected drawings. Monochrome drawings are cleared to white background. For color images, there is a need to specify which color should be used to fill the hole in the raster after clear operation. The intuitive white is not proper for the most of color images. The user can define the best fill color using the Options – Fill Color... function.
After issuing the Clear rectangle command, point and click the left mouse button to define opposite vertices of the rectangle. Repeat the action if you want to clear more then one rectangular area of raster drawing. To finish defining rectangles and execute clearing, use the OTM Accept option. Use the OTM Cancel option instead, if you want to discard whole operation.
During defining each rectangle, you may use the OTM Reject option if you want to withdraw the current rectangle being defined and start to define it again. Before final acceptance, you may drag vertices of the rectangles defined previously to correct them; use the OTM Delete option to delete the previously defined rectangle. The latter option is accessible only if you call OTM using right click while the cursor is over edge of some rectangle. You may observe hints displayed in the Status bar that tell you about details of your current possibilities.
The Clear polygon command allows you to clear polygon areas in raster image. You may clear several areas at once, defining polygons on several selected drawings. Monochrome drawings are cleared to white background. For color images, there is a need to specify which color should be used to fill the hole in the raster after clear operation. The intuitive white is not proper for the most of color images. The user can define the best fill color using the Options – Fill Color... function.
After issuing the Clear polygon command, point and click the left mouse button to define subsequent vertices of the polygon. Use the OTM End polygon option to finish defining vertices (the point of the right click is not included in the polygon definition). Repeat the action if you want to clear more then one polygonal area of raster drawing. To finish defining polygons and execute clearing, use the OTM Accept option. Use the OTM Cancel option instead, if you want to discard whole operation.
During defining each polygon, you may use the OTM Reject option if you want to withdraw the current polygon being defined and start to define it again. Before final acceptance, you may drag vertices of the polygons defined previously to correct them. Use the OTM Add Vertex / Delete Vertex options pointing where appropriate to add or delete vertices. Use the OTM Delete option to delete the previously defined polygon. The latter options are accessible only if you call OTM using right click while the cursor is over some polygon’s vertex or its edge, appropriately. You may observe hints displayed in Status bar that tell you about details of your current possibilities.
The Transparent Clear Rectangle command allows you to clear specified colors within any number of rectangles. You can define rectangles in the way you do it in the ordinary Clear Rectangle command. You can choose colors for clearing in Transparent Color Filter dialog . It is invoked by Options – Transparent Colors command.
The choosen colors define a transparent mask. You can work with it only if there are rasters of True Color type and TIFF format selected.
You can enable / disable transparent viewing with changing the check-box Enable image transparency state in the Options - Configuration - View dialog.
The Transparent Clear Polygon command allows you to clear specified colors within any number of poygons. You can define polygons in the way you do it in the ordinary Clear polygon command. You can choose colors for clearing in Transparent Color Filter dialog . It is invoked by Options – Transparent Colors command.
The choosen colors define a transparent mask. You can work with it only if there are rasters of True Color type and TIFF format selected.
You can enable / disable transparent viewing with changing the check-box Enable image transparency state in the Options - Configuration - View dialog.
It is possible to choose from Transparent Color Filter dialog that is invoked by Options/Transparent Colors command the colors, which are to be cleared within the chosen area. These colors define the transparent mask. You can work with it only if there are rasters of True Color type and TIFF format selected.
You can can invert the actual transparent mask of the selected drawing ( Raster - Transparent Mask - Invert ) or remove it ( Raster - Transparent Mask - Remove Invert ).
You can enable / disable transparent viewing with changing the check-box Enable image transparency state in the Options - Configuration - View dialog.
Transparent masks introduced in color drawing are transformed properly in Resize / Rotate / Calibrate operations and preserved in Cut / Copy / Paste operations.
The Crop rectangle command allows you to crop raster image or enlarge its extents, depending on the former size and the size and shape of the cropping rectangle. Use it to clear unwanted outer parts of raster image of regular shape or to enlarge image extent. You may crop or extent several selected drawings at once, monochrome or color ones, to the common rectangular frame.
After issuing the Crop rectangle command, point and click the left mouse button to define opposite vertices of the rectangle. Use the OTM Accept option to execute cropping. Use the OTM Cancel option instead, if you want to discard whole operation.
Before final acceptance, you may use the OTM Continue option if you want to correct the shape of the rectangle by dragging its corners. Instead, you may delete the rectangle using the OTM Delete option with the cursor placed over the edge of the rectangle, and start to define it from the beginning.
The Crop polygon command allows you to crop raster image to the common part of image’s former extents and the extent of given cropping polygon. Use it to clear unwanted outer parts of raster image of irregular shape. You may crop several selected drawings at once, monochrome or color ones, each to separate parts that result from cutting the polygon by former drawing’s frame.
After issuing the Crop polygon command, point and click the left mouse button to define subsequent vertices of the polygon. Use the OTM End polygon option to finish defining vertices (the point of the right click is not included in the polygon definition). Use the OTM Accept option to execute cropping. Use the OTM Cancel option instead, if you want to discard whole operation.
Before final acceptance, you may use the OTM Continue option if you want to correct the shape of the polygon by dragging, or add / delete its vertices. Instead, you may delete the polygon using the OTM Delete option with the cursor placed over the edge of the polygon, and start to define it from the beginning.
The Filter spots / holes command allows you to remove spots or holes from raster image that contain less or equal pixels than defined by the user. You may define maximal spot / hole to remove by selecting sample spot / hole from the raster image or entering maximal spot / hole size by the keyboard. You may remove spots / holes from the whole raster image or defined rectangular area. You may perform filtering on several selected drawings at once. Since color or gray scaled raster drawings cannot be filtered in the way the Filter spots / holes operation works, the command is unavailable if you select raster drawings of that type.
Immediately after entering this option, you may define rectangle area containing sample spot / hole by pointing and clicking two opposite corners of the rectangle. The OTM Spot / Hole size option shows you the size calculated or recently used.
The default area to be affected by this operation is presented as a rectangle taken from single raster drawing extent or covering all raster drawings if more than one has been selected. You may drag its corners if you want to redefine editing area, e.g. when cleaning only some part of the drawing(s).
Choose appropriate OTM Clear spots / Fill holes option if you want to change the way the image is to be filtered.
Choose the OTM Spot / Hole size option if you want to enter spot / hole size numerically in additional Filter Spots / Holes dialog. The spot / hole size is the maximal number of adjacent black / white pixels, isolated from other pixels of the same color, that will be regarded as spot to clear / hole to fill. You may choose the type of filtering operation in the dialog as well.
Use the OTM Accept option to execute filtering. The Drawing window regenerates its content to reflect changes made to raster image. Use the OTM Cancel option instead, if you want to discard whole operation.
Before final acceptance, you may use the OTM Continue option if you want to redefine editing area – or rectangle containing sample spot / hole – by dragging their corners. You may try to examine another sample spot / hole by spanning new rectangle over it; the previous one is automatically deleted and the OTM Spot / Hole size option shows you new value.
Because the spot / hole size and the type of filtering operation is remembered, you do not have to define these parameters if you want to filter a number of subsequent raster images in the same session. Simply call Options and Tools Menu ( OTM ) just after entering the Filter spots / holes command by right-clicking into Drawing window area, and choose the OTM Accept option without additional activity to perform filtering immediately with the same settings.
The Move raster command is used to move raster image to a new location by moving chosen base point to a new position called target point . You may move several selected drawings at once, monochrome or color ones, together to the new position. Moving raster image does not affect raster data itself; only the insertion point parameter stored in the parameters’ file is changed.
Immediately after entering this option, you may redefine the default position of the base raster point marked as small gray circle with two perpendicular axes (the lower, left frame corner). You may drag the actual base point, marked as small yellow circle connected to the cursor, to desired position and accept it as a new base point by the left mouse click. You may want to choose some raster point, which coordinates have known values. Use the OTM Default option to maintain the default base raster point position.
The drawing frame is still displayed in its original position and a copy of the frame is dragged by its base according to movements of the cursor that takes shape of the moving symbol. Drag the target point marked as small red circle, moving the copy of the frame to desired position, and fix it defining the target point position by the left mouse click.
You may want to enter known coordinates of target point for chosen base raster point numerically. Use Input bar with absolute coordinate system (OXY) activated to enter desired values, as described earlier.
Use the OTM Accept option to execute moving. The Drawing window regenerates its content to reflect the new position of raster image. Use the OTM Cancel option instead, if you want to discard whole operation.
Before final acceptance, each time you may go back and start redefining the command parameters of any phase that you already passed. Go back to defining base point or target point, by choosing the appropriate OTM Base Point / Target Point option (they are accessible only when passed).
The Resize raster command is used to expand or shrink raster image around fixed base point according to a ratio of scaling vector and reference vector . You may resize several selected drawings at once, monochrome or color ones, together to the new size. Do not use the Resize raster command to bring the raster image to a new scale. Redefine the Scale parameter (the scale the raster data are presented) on the Raster Image Properties dialog and then use the Resize raster command to match raster data precisely with actual dimensions. Negative scale factors are not allowed.
Immediately after entering this option, you may redefine the default position of the base raster point marked as small gray circle with two perpendicular axes (the lower, left frame corner). You may drag the actual base point, marked as small yellow circle connected to the cursor, to desired position and accept it as a new base point by the left mouse click. You may want to choose some raster point that corresponds to the start of some reference distance of known value. Use the OTM Default option to maintain the default base raster point position.
Then the default position for a reference vector is displayed as a gray arrow, that starts from the base point just defined, with slope of 45°. You may change the default by dragging the end of the actual reference vector, displayed as an yellow arrow with its end connected to the cursor, to desired position and accept it by the left mouse click. You may want to choose some other raster point that corresponds to the end of some reference distance of known value. Use the OTM Default option to maintain the default reference vector position, for example if you are supposed to enter the scaling factors numerically.
Then the scaling vector is displayed as a red arrow, with its end connected to the cursor, which takes shape of scaling symbol. The drawing frame is still displayed in its original position. Drag the end of the scaling vector, rescaling the copy of the frame to desired size, and fix it defining the scaling vector by the left mouse click.
While defining the scaling vector, you may use the OTM Isotropic option, if you want to keep the same scaling ratio for both X and Y coordinates. Use the OTM Anisotropic option to let the scaling ratios be independent, as results from scaling to reference vector ratio. Use the OTM Horizontal / Vertical options if you want to resize the raster only along horizontal or vertical axis, accordingly.
You may want to enter known X and Y scale factors numerically. Use Input bar with scale system ( SxSy ) activated automatically while defining scaling vector to enter desired values. If you want to enter known length of the reference distance with endings pointed earlier as base point and end of reference vector, switch to the distance – angle system ( D<A ) during defining scaling vector and enter desired distance. The OTM Isotropic option should be activated in the latter case.
Use the OTM Accept option to execute resizing. The Drawing window regenerates its content to reflect the new size of raster image. Use the OTM Cancel option instead, if you want to discard whole operation.
Before final acceptance, each time you can go back and start redefining the command parameters of any phase that you already passed. Go back to defining base point, reference vector or scaling vector, by choosing the appropriate OTM Base Point / Reference Vector / Scaling Vector option (they are accessible only when passed).
The Rotate raster command is used to rotate raster drawing around fixed base point according to an angle between rotating vector and a reference vector . You may rotate several selected drawings at once, monochrome or color ones, together by the same angle. Do not use the Rotate raster command to rotate the raster image by ±90° or 180°. Use the Change orientation buttons on Parameters tab on Raster Image Properties dialog affecting logically the way the raster data are presented. Alternatively, use the Change orientation command, rearranging the raster data physically in desired way. Then use the Rotate raster command if necessary to align raster data precisely. To minimize degradation of raster data and assure best results, the same procedure is recommended when the desired angle exceeds ±45°.
Immediately after entering this option, you may redefine the default position of the base raster point marked as small gray circle with two perpendicular axes (the lower, left frame corner). You may drag the actual base point, marked as small yellow circle connected to the cursor, to desired position and accept it as a new base point by the left mouse click. If you want to align raster according to desired direction of some line visible on raster, choose a point that lies on that line. Use the OTM Default option to maintain the default base raster point position.
Then the default position for a reference vector is displayed as a gray arrow, that starts from the base point just defined, with horizontal direction. You may change the default by dragging the end of the actual reference vector, displayed as an yellow arrow with its end connected to the cursor, to desired direction and accept it by the left mouse click. You may want to place the reference vector along the line you want to align, choosing another raster point that belongs to that line. Use the OTM Default option to maintain the default reference vector position, e.g. if you are supposed to enter the rotating angle numerically.
Then the rotating vector is displayed as a red arrow, with its end connected to the cursor, which takes shape of rotating symbol. The drawing frame is still displayed in its original position. Drag the end of the rotating vector, turning the copy of the frame by desired angle and fix it defining the rotating vector by the left mouse click.
While defining the rotating vector, you may fix it using the OTM Horizontal / Vertical option, if you want to align reference line horizontally or vertically, i.e. at slope 0° or 90 °, respectively.
You may want to enter desired value of rotating angle numerically. Use Input bar with relative angle system (@<A) activated automatically while defining rotating vector to enter desired relative angle. If you want to enter known desired slope of the reference line with endings pointed earlier as base point and end of reference vector, switch to distance – angle system (D<A) during defining rotating vector and enter desired absolute angle.
Use the OTM Accept option to execute rotating. The Drawing window regenerates its content to reflect the new shape of raster image. Use the OTM Cancel option instead, if you want to discard whole operation.
Before final acceptance, each time you can go back and start redefining the command parameters of any phase that you already passed. Go back to defining base point, reference vector or rotating vector, by choosing the appropriate OTM Base Point / Reference Vector / Rotating Vector option (they are accessible only when passed).
The Change orientation command can rotate raster drawing by ±90° or 180°, or mirror it horizontally or flip it vertically. After transformation, the new left lower corner of the raster drawing remains fixed in the same position as the old left lower corner.
The Orientation dialog that is displayed contains buttons that rotate raster left, right, upside down, or perform its horizontal mirroring or vertical flipping. Click buttons as desired to reach the orientation you want to. Watch result of subsequent clicks on raster pictogram. Accept the final orientation by OK button. On the picture below, you can see the result of turning office.tif image right and then flip it horizontally.
Notice that the operation change locations of pixels in the raster file. If you want to change only logically the way the raster data are displayed, use Change orientation buttons on Parameters tab on Raster Image Properties dialog.
The Cut rectangle / polygon command allows you to cut raster data contained in rectangular or polygonal area from the current raster image to a separate raster file. You may use named raster file if you want to store cut image for later use. For faster editing, you may utilize the temporary raster file maintained by SuperEdit and referred to as clipboard , if you want to use it immediately in subsequent Paste raster operation and discard it at the end of the SuperEdit session.
To perform the Cut rectangle / polygon command, exactly one raster drawing – monochrome or color one – have to be selected. After cutting raster data from pointed area, monochrome drawings are cleared to white background. For color images, there is a need to specify which color should be used to fill the hole in the raster after cut operation. The intuitive white is not proper for the most of color images. The user can define the best fill color using the Options – Fill Color... function.
After issuing the Cut rectangle command, point and click the left mouse button to define opposite vertices of the rectangle that define boundary of the raster area to be cut.
After issuing the Cut polygon command, point and click the left mouse button to define subsequent vertices of the polygon. Use the OTM End polygon option to finish defining vertices (the point of the right click is not included in the polygon definition).
During defining the rectangle / polygon, you may use the OTM Reject option if you want to withdraw the rectangle / polygon being defined and start to define it again.
Immediately after defining rectangle / polygon, you may redefine the default position of the base raster point marked as small gray circle with two perpendicular axes (the lower, left corner of the extents of pointed area). The base point determines the origin of the coordinate system associated with the cut raster data and will be used in subsequent Paste raster operation as an insertion point.
Choose the OTM Accept option if you want to fix the new origin at the default position of the base point, directing left lower corner of the cut area to be an origin of the new coordinate system. Choose the OTM Zero base point option if you want to direct the new origin to coincide with the current one, keeping cut raster data in the same coordinate system as the source raster image. Alternatively you may drag the actual base point, marked as small yellow circle connected to the cursor, to other desired position and accept it as a new base point by the left mouse click. You may want to choose some detail visible on raster data to be used as a reference while inserting later the cut area in subsequent Paste raster operation. Alternatively, you may enter numerical coordinates using the Input bar if you know them in advance. Choose the OTM Accept option after defining the base point. Use the OTM Cancel option instead, if you want to discard whole operation.
Before final acceptance, each time you can go back and start redefining the command parameters of any phase that you already passed. Go back to correcting an area or a base point, by choosing the appropriate OTM Correct area / Correct base point option (they are accessible only when passed). While correcting an area, you may drag its corners (vertices) marked with red grips and choose the OTM Accept option when satisfied. Alternatively, you may define brand new rectangle / polygon from the beginning. After defining it, the old one will be automatically discarded.
During all phases of the Cut rectangle / polygon command, you may inspect and set properly the OTM To clipboard / To file mutual options. The active one is marked with a dot symbol. These settings are remembered during current session, so you do not have to change them until necessary.
If the OTM To clipboard option is active, the command is executed immediately after final acceptance. The raster data are cut to the temporary file maintained by SuperEdit to be ready to use in subsequent Paste raster operations performed in the same or parallel instance of SuperEdit . If the OTM To file option is active, you have to complete command’s data by the file name and type chosen in the Cut to dialog. The clipboard file maintained by SuperEdit is deleted automatically at the end of the SuperEdit session, so if you want to use it in a later time, use named file instead.
The Copy rectangle / polygon command allows you to copy raster data contained in rectangular or polygonal area from the current raster image to a separate raster file. You may use named raster file if you want to store cut image for later use. For faster editing, you may utilize the temporary raster file maintained by SuperEdit and referred to as clipboard , if you want to use it immediately in subsequent Paste raster operation and discard it at the end of the SuperEdit session.
To perform the Copy rectangle / polygon command, exactly one raster drawing – monochrome or color one – have to be selected.
After issuing the Copy rectangle command, point and click the left mouse button to define opposite vertices of the rectangle that define boundary of the raster area to be copied.
After issuing the Copy polygon command, point and click the left mouse button to define subsequent vertices of the polygon. Use the OTM End polygon option to finish defining vertices (the point of the right click is not included in the polygon definition).
During defining the rectangle / polygon, you may use the OTM Reject option if you want to withdraw the rectangle / polygon being defined and start to define it again.
Immediately after defining rectangle / polygon, you may redefine the default position of the base raster point marked as small gray circle with two perpendicular axes (the lower, left corner of the extents of pointed area). The base point determines the origin of the coordinate system associated with the copied raster data and will be used in subsequent Paste raster operation as an insertion point.
Choose the OTM Accept option if you want to fix the new origin at the default position of the base point, directing left lower corner of the copied area to be an origin of the new coordinate system. Choose the OTM Zero base point option if you want to direct the new origin to coincide with the current one, keeping copied raster data in the same coordinate system as the source raster image. Alternatively you may drag the actual base point, marked as small yellow circle connected to the cursor, to other desired position and accept it as a new base point by the left mouse click. You may want to choose some detail visible on raster data to be used as a reference while inserting later the cut area in subsequent Paste raster operation. Alternatively, you may enter numerical coordinates using the Input bar if you know them in advance. Choose the OTM Accept option after defining the base point. Use the OTM Cancel option instead, if you want to discard whole operation.
Before final acceptance, each time you can go back and start redefining the command parameters of any phase that you already passed. Go back to correcting an area or a base point, by choosing the appropriate OTM Correct area / Correct base point option (they are accessible only when passed). While correcting an area, you may drag its corners (vertices) marked with red grips and choose the OTM Accept option when satisfied. Alternatively, you may define brand new rectangle / polygon from the beginning. After defining it, the old one will be automatically discarded.
During all phases of the Copy rectangle / polygon command, you may inspect and set properly the OTM To clipboard / To file mutual options. The active one is marked with a dot symbol. These settings are remembered during current session, so you do not have to change them until necessary.
If the OTM To clipboard option is active, the command is executed immediately after final acceptance. The raster data are copied to the temporary file maintained by SuperEdit to be ready to use in subsequent Paste raster operations performed in the same or parallel instance of SuperEdit . If the OTM To file option is active, you have to complete command’s data by supplying the file name and type chosen in the Copy to dialog. The clipboard file maintained by SuperEdit is deleted automatically at the end of the SuperEdit session, so if you want to use it in a later time, use named file instead.
The Paste raster command allows you to paste raster data into the current raster image. Raster data to be pasted may be taken from the clipboard file maintained by SuperEdit , from named raster drawing filled in previous Cut / Copy Rectangle / Polygon operations, or from other raster drawing originated from any source.
The Paste From. dialog that the Paste raster command invokes let you select the source of raster data. If it is a file you can inspect its content in the preview window. The chosen raster is displayed as an icon that is dragged according to the cursor’s movement.
The origin, i.e. the (0,0) point of the coordinate system associated with pasted raster data is used as insertion point in the Paste raster operation. In its subsequent phases, you may define location, size and rotation of the pasted data in similar way as while inserting vector blocks.
To perform the Paste raster command, exactly one raster drawing – monochrome or color one – have to be selected. Using the Paste raster operation, you may combine raster drawings of different scale, density, orientation and color format. The resulting raster drawing inherits the parameters of the current raster drawing. All necessary modifications and recalculations of the raster file to be pasted are made automatically.
During all phases of the Paste raster command, you may inspect and set properly the OTM From clipboard / From file mutual options. The active one is marked with a dot symbol. These settings are remembered during current session, so you do not have to change them until necessary.
If the OTM From clipboard option is active, command’s data can be defined immediately as described below. If the OTM From file option is active, you have to start from supplying the file name and type chosen in the Paste from dialog.
If you worked recently with the OTM From file option active and now you want to use clipboard data, activate the Clipboard button on the Paste from dialog that appears automatically after command starts in this mode. In opposite situation, call the OTM From file option after command starts with clipboard data, to bring the Paste from dialog instead.
The Paste raster command consists of three phases: Move raster , Resize raster and Rotate raster . They are described in former paragraphs, but their implementation during Paste raster command is shortened and limited to defining target point, scaling vector and rotating vector, respectively.
Rectangular frame corresponding to extents of the pasted raster image shows current position and shape of the pasted drawing. A copy of the frame, with position, size and rotation being changed respectively in subsequent phases, is dragged together with cursor moving when you define target point, end of scaling vector, and end of rotating vector. By pointing and clicking left mouse button, or by entering numerical values in the Input bar, you may define each phase and go immediately to the next one.
You may stop defining the command parameters at each phase when you are satisfied with current position and shape defined so far, by choosing the OTM Accept option that executes pasting raster data with all necessary recalculations as directed. Alternatively, at each phase you may skip it and switch to other latter or former one, choosing appropriate OTM Move / Resize / Rotate option as needed (the phase currently being defined is marked with the check sign). Switching to latter phases takes default settings for phases omitted; switching to former phases withdraws latter ones and enables to restart the command definition at the pointed phase.
The Move raster phase starts from the default position with origin of the pasted drawing coincident with origin of the current raster image. The origin of the pasted drawing is its (0,0) point, the point declared as a base point if the pasted raster image comes from the Cut / Copy Rectangle / Polygon operations. You may not see the pasted frame if the (0,0) point lies far away the window limits. If you want only to merge both raster drawings in the same coordinate system, choose the OTM Accept option (to merge two or more raster drawings at once, the Merge rasters command is recommended). Otherwise, fix new position of the pasted frame by defining the target point or switch to desired phase as needed using OTM options.
The Resize raster phase starts from the position defined in previous phase. If you want only to insert pasted data in desired place without transforming it further, choose the OTM Accept option. Otherwise, fix rescaled size of the pasted frame by defining the end of scaling vector or switch to desired phase as needed, using the OTM options.
The Rotate raster phase starts from the position and size chosen in previous phases. If you do not want to rotate pasted data and are satisfied with its position and size, choose the OTM Accept option. Otherwise, fix rotated position of the pasted frame by defining the end of rotating vector or switch to desired phase as needed.
Choose finally the OTM Accept option to execute pasting. If you want to correct some earlier phase of the Paste raster command, choose appropriate OTM Move / Resize / Rotate option. Use the OTM Cancel option instead, if you want to discard whole operation.
The picture below shows the result of Paste raster command. Pasted raster data has been defined by Copy polygon command performed as shown in previous paragraph.
In Paste Drawing operation, interpretation of image transparency in drawing being pasted depends on the setting of Enable image transparency option from the View tab on Configuration dialog. Those areas of pasted drawing that have been defined as transparent ones, are not pasted to current drawing if the Enable image transparency option is on. Otherwise, the whole drawing (excluding areas of color equal to fill color – see Fill Color section) is pasted, ignoring transparent mask.
The Merge rasters command allows you to merge selected raster images into a single raster file. You may merge raster images of different scale, density and orientation; each subdocument preserves its position in the world coordinates system. You may merge monochrome and color raster images or color images with different palettes. The image palette of the component image that has the greatest number of colors defines the palette of the merged raster image.
The Merge rasters command is available only when more than one raster image is selected. They can have different resolutions and scales. If either any of the resolutions differ from one another or scales are not the same, a dialog is shown to let the user choose the best of the possible parameters. A parameter can be chosen from a list (which contains values concerning all of the selected drawings) or written in an edit-box. However a typed-in value is accepted only if it is between the minimum and maximum values in the appropriate list.
On the Merge selected images to dialog, type in or choose the name of the raster file to be created as a result of merging. The types of the raster image are limited to formats, that can accommodate all possible types of source images.
Raster drawing created by Merge rasters command is saved to the external disk file and may be opened in a separate SuperEdit session.
The dimension of file being created can exceed 32768 pixels. In this case, choice of raster file formats for a destination file is limited to TIFF CALS, or BMP only.
While subdocuments are being merged into one picture, the progress of that operation (in %) is shown on the status bar of the main window.
To merge raster images together with vector drawings, use the Create raster command.
The Insert vectors command inserts (rasterizes) selected entities from the foreground vector drawing to the selected raster image within the indicated rectangular area.
To perform the Insert vectors command, exactly one raster (monochrome or color one) and one vector drawing have to be selected. Vector entities that are to be inserted came from the selected vector drawing. If you start the Insert vectors command with some vector entities already selected, only these entities are going to be rasterized. With no entities selected, all entities from the vector drawing are taken into account. These settings may be changed during command definition.
Rectangular frame corresponding to the common extents of the raster drawing and the vector entities involved, shows default inserting area. You may confirm it using the OTM Accept option form the menu that appears automatically. Alternatively, you may correct the rectangle of the inserting area by dragging its corners, if you want to exclude some parts of some entities, or define a brand new one by entering its first and then the second corner. The redefined rectangle is clipped to the common extents of the raster drawing and the vector entities involved; if the resulting area would be empty, your changes are discarded.
During all phases of the Insert vectors command, you may inspect and set properly the OTM Insert all / Insert selection mutual options. The active one is marked with a dot symbol. These settings depend on the empty or not empty selection state of vector entities when the command starts; you may change them as desired.
If the OTM Insert all option is active, all entities from the vector drawing are going to be rasterized. To rasterize only selected entities, enter the OTM Insert selection option. Then you may perform additional selection / deselection by clicking desired vector entities, selecting by window / crossing or using the OTM Select sub-menu options. Confirm final selection using the OTM Accept option. With empty selection, or with selection that lies outside the selected raster extent, the OTM Insert all option is activated.
After any changes made to the OTM Insert all / Insert selection settings, the inserting area is redisplayed back as the common extents of the raster drawing and the redefined set of vector entities involved.
Choose finally the OTM Accept option to execute inserting. Use the OTM Cancel option instead, if you want to discard whole operation.
The Create raster command creates a raster “printout” of the current drawing – vector entities, raster image or whole composite document – into a bitmap that is saved as new raster image. The Create Raster Image tabbed dialog allows you to specify parameters of the new raster, as described below. The rectangular frame displayed on top of the current document show extents to be rasterized.
After pressing OK on Create raster image dialog, the standard OTM pop-up is displayed. Choose the OTM Accept option to start raster creation. Alternatively, use the OTM Continue option if you want to correct the rectangle of the rasterized area by dragging its corners, or define a brand new one by entering its first and then the second corner. After any changes made to the rasterized area, the Create raster image dialog is displayed again to validate new extents. Use the OTM Cancel option instead, if you want to discard whole operation.
After accepting raster extents and parameters, you can select raster file name and format on Rasterize current document to dialog and specify compression options for raster file on Compression mode for output image dialog.
Now SuperEdit starts rasterization process, displaying progress dialog. After end of the rasterization process, you may examine rasterization result by opening the raster just created as a separate raster drawing.
The Window tab is used to determine which rectangular area of the current document will be rasterized, and what scale and what kind of units is to be used. You can choose one of the following options:
Display - create a raster with final extents defined by extents currently displayed in the Drawing window area ;
Extents - create a raster with final extents defined by overall extents of viewports of enabled drawings in current document ;
Limits - create a raster with final extents defined by total extents of current document ;
Window - create a raster with final extents defined manually. You may enter desired coordinates in the First Corner and Other Corner text boxes. Alternatively, click the Pick button and define the rasterizing window on screen by entering its first and then the second corner;
Scale - specify a scale of created raster image. Because the physical size of the raster file depends on its logical extents, scale and resolution, it is up to you to choose parameters you want to change that the resulted file size would be reasonable. See Resolution tab for the file size and resolution ;
Units - choose units for area coordinates that you specify for the created raster image ;
The Resolution tab is used to specify raster image resolution and to verify its size. To change resolution, select the Resolution combo box and choose appropriate value. Choose the Custom option if required resolution is not shown on that list. Then enter the required value using X dpi and Y dpi edit fields.
Calculated physical image width and height may be shown in inches, millimeters or in pixels, as selected in the Image size units combo box.
Scanned drawings are often skewed, stretched, crumpled or damaged in some other way. Multi-point Calibration supports sophisticated kind of correction of deformed scanned images by applying a transformation computed according to one of five models: Helmert, affine, bilinear, biquadratic or bicubic.
Mathematically these models can be described as follows.
Isotropic linear (Helmert) model - requires at least two correction vectors.
x ’ = a 10 + a 1 x + a 2 y
y ’ = a 20 - a 2 x + a 1 y
Anisotropic linear (affine) model - requires at least three correction vectors.
x ’ = a 10 + a 11 x + a 12 y
y ’ = a 20 + a 21 x + a 22 y
Bilinear model – requires at least four correction vectors.
x ’ = a 10 + a 11 x + a 12 y + a 13 xy
y ’ = a 20 + a 21 x + a 22 y + a 23 xy
Biquadratic model – requires at least nine correction vectors.
x ’ = a 10 + a 11 x + a 12 y + a 13 xy + a 14 x 2 + a 15 y 2 + a 16 x 2 y + a 17 xy 2 + a 18 x 2 y 2
y ’ = a 20 + a 21 x + a 22 y + a 23 xy + a 24 x 2 + a 25 y 2 + a 26 x 2 y + a 27 xy 2 + a 28 x 2 y 2
Bicubic model – requires at least 16 correction vectors.
x ’ = a 10 + a 11 x + a 12 y + a 13 xy + a 14 x 2 + a 15 y 2 + a 16 x 2 y + a 17 xy 2 + a 18 x 2 y 2 + a 19 x 3 + a 1,10 x 3 y + a 1,11 x 3 y 2 + a 1,12 x 3 y 3 + a 1,13 x 2 y 3 + a 1,14 xy 3 + a 1,15 y 3
y ’ = a 20 + a 21 x + a 22 y + a 23 xy + a 24 x 2 + a 25 y 2 + a 26 x 2 y + a 27 xy 2 + a 28 x 2 y 2 + a 29 x 3 + a 2,10 x 3 y + a 2,11 x 3 y 2 + a 2,12 x 3 y 3 + a 2,13 x 2 y 3 + a 2,14 xy 3 + a 2,15 y 3
The a ij parameters in each model are computed from the least mean squares formula, based on data provided by correction vectors. Each correction vector starts from the actual point ( x n o , y n o ) of the raster and ends in its desired position ( x n * , y n * ). The evaluated calibration function generates actual raster modification vectors that try to approximate the corrections imposed by user within the limits imposed by the chosen calibration model. They are shown as calculated vectors , each of which starts from the corresponding actual point ( x n o , y n o ) and ends in the model-computed corrected point ( x n ’ , y n ’ ).
where N is the number of calibration data (correction vectors), and sqrt of mean-square error (mean-square difference between the requested and model-computed positions):
where M is the model order (the minimal number of vectors required to determine the model coefficients). With M == N , the Diff is not computed because it has no statistical meaning, as the all requested points will be matched exactly. Generally, the Diff should be small enough comparing to Corr .
After issuing the Calibrate raster command, you may start immediately defining correction vectors in default Add free vectors mode, described below. You may use the OTM Execute option to apply transformation imposed by current Calibration model to raster data. This activities may be sufficient for simplest matching raster images with known numerical data, e.g. basing on the drawing frame visible on the raster drawing, with known nominal dimensions. More sophisticated use of the Calibrate raster command possibilities may be accomplished using the Calibration toolbar that supervises more advanced actions as described below.
The Load vectors button allows you to load calibration vectors from a CAV file to which they were previously saved. Practically, the calibration vectors may be re-used only if applied to exactly the same image for which they were defined.
The Save vectors button allows you to save calibration vectors to a CAV file for further usage. The file format is ASCII. The file extension is CAV. The coordinates are listed in units defined for the raster image being calibrated (see Raster Image Properties dialog), so you cannot re-use the CAV file if you change the image units.
The Save report button allows you to save calibration report in a file with the extension REP. The calibration report includes: date, time, the name of calibrated raster file, the calibration area, the name of calibration model used, the mean square length of requested correction vectors, the mean square calibration error and the list of correction vectors. Three points describe each correction vector in the calibration report: point to be corrected, its requested position and its position after calibration.
The Add free vectors button is used to define correction vectors one by one manually. First, enter a raster point to be corrected. Choose visible detail on raster data, which nominal coordinates are known, point it, and click the left mouse button. Use Raster Snap and Magnifying Glass when appropriate. It will become the starting point of a new correction vector. Then you enter target position for this point. Enter desired coordinates numerically using Input bar. It will become the ending point of the correction vector. After entering these two points, the new correction vector is displayed as a Requested vector arrow (default red).
The Add free vectors button is automatically activated after the Calibrate raster command starts, so you may immediately start defining free correction vectors. During defining each vector, you may use the OTM Reject option if you want to withdraw the current vector being defined and start to define it again. Before final acceptance, you may drag endings of the vectors defined previously to correct them; use the OTM Delete option to delete the previously defined vector. The latter option is accessible only if you call OTM using right click while the cursor is over some vector. You may define any number of correction vectors. Choose another function using appropriate buttons in the Calibration toolbar if necessary.
The Add net-based vectors button is used to define correction vectors one by one but with reference to pre-defined set of target points. In the situation when a raster image needs to be calibrated to match e.g. map coordinates grid, the functions automates the most standard activities. The CALIBRATOR procedure performs auto zooming to next grid point, and provides precise definition of target points without typing their coordinates.
If you enter the Add net-based vectors action with no net defined, the procedure starts from the Define net action and then continues with defining net-based vectors.
The net points defined using the Define net button are used as Target points (ends) of correction vectors - the user needs only to select the corresponding Raster points of correction vectors. Moreover, SuperEdit performs automatic zooms around the points in question, and switches automatically to successive pre-defined net points, which maximizes the operator's speed. The system zooms around the first point of the base net and you are asked to provide the corresponding raster point of the correction vector.
The OTM Next option allows you to skip defining start of the correction vector ending at the current net node. You may want to skip subsequent correction vector if a quality of the raster lying beside the nominal point is not good enough, or if the nominal point is outside the raster.
The OTM Previous option moves you back to definition of previous point, if you want to correct it.
With the OTM Next / Previous Node option, you may switch to next or previous node independently if the calibrating vector has been defined there or not.
With the OTM Next Empty / Previous Empty Node option, you may switch to next or previous node where the calibrating vector has not been defined yet.
If some of these options are disabled, it means that there are no nodes of given type in chosen direction.
With the OTM Delete Current option, you may delete the calibration vector from current node if it has been defined by mistake. This option is disabled if there is no vector at current node.
After skipping some vectors by the OTM Next option, you may decide that in fact you want to define them. For that purpose, switch the OTM Skip defined option on and press the Add net-based vectors button again. SuperEdit takes you to the first nominal point you have skipped and then to any other that has undefined correction vector. Alternatively, you may want to correct once more, redefine or simply examine all correction vectors entered so far. For that purpose, switch the OTM Skip defined option off and press the Add net-based vectors button again. Now you can correct raster points where defined or define them from the beginning where skipped. Use the OTM Reject option while correcting existing vectors if you do not want to change it. The OTM Skip defined option is accessible in Calibration Options dialog as a check box.
The OTM Finish option allows you to stop defining the correction vectors using the calibration net base. The alternative way to break this process is to activate the Add free vectors button. Do not press the Esc key on the keyboard to do it; it cancels the whole Calibrate raster command, similarly as the OTM Cancel option does. However, if you did not save the changes made to correction vectors, the system asks you to confirm it and gives you a chance to break exiting action if you pressed the Esc key by mistake.
The Add entities-based vectors button is used to define correction vectors one by one but with reference to subsequent vertices of selected vector objects. This case is convenient when you can supply (or create) a nominal vector drawing associated with the raster drawing, where actual shapes and positions of objects in raster drawing are defined by vertices of vector entities.
If you start the Calibration command with some vector entities already selected, they will be used as reference entities if applicable. If you enter the Add entities-based vectors action with no entities selected, or if the selection does not contain entities with vertices, the procedure starts from the Select entities action and then continues with defining entities-based vectors.
The vertices of vector entities chosen using the Select entities button are used as Target points (ends) of correction vectors - the user needs only to select the corresponding Raster points of correction vectors. Moreover, SuperEdit performs automatic zooms around the points in question, and switches automatically to successive nominal vertices, which maximizes the operator's speed. The system zooms around the first vertex of the first entity and you are asked to provide the corresponding raster point of the correction vector.
The details and options of Add entities-based vectors action are analogous to that of Add net-based vectors action.
Five Calibration model buttons allows you to declare the model to be used in the calibration process: Helmert model , Affine model , Bilinear model , Biquadratic model , Bicubic model with properties described at the beginning of this section. If you choose too high model order to be used with current number of correction vectors, the Toggle preview and Execute buttons become disabled. The type of Calibration model is remembered during SuperEdit session, so you do not have to change them until necessary.
The Toggle vector list button allows you to show/hide the numerical details of the calibration model.
The vectors can be previewed in the Raster Calibration Results dialog. The list box lists all Raster points and Target points as well as individual errors between Calculated points and Target points . The error values let you determine which correction vector is to be examined if its error is much worse than others are. The list can be sorted by any chosen column, to easily find e.g. the greatest error. Current Number of vectors , as well as Mean square correction and Mean square error are displayed below the list; these values assist you in choosing appropriate Calibration model . If you click a vector in the list, SuperEdit zooms automatically to show the vector at the current AutoZoom level . The AutoZoom level may be changed using the Calibration Options dialog. You may delete chosen vector by highlighting it on the list and hitting the Del key on the keyboard.
Release the Toggle vector list button if you want to close the Raster Calibration Results dialog.
The Toggle preview button allows you to switch the graphical preview of the calibration effects.
Before calibration is performed, the user may preview its mathematical model to see whether it satisfies the requested corrections. The preview displays requested Correction vectors in red and Model vectors in yellow. The calibration area is covered by a cyan reference net that is transformed according to calibration model into a blue calculated net. For Helmert , Affine and Bilinear models, the net is reduced to the four-corner frame. For Biquadratic and Bicubic models , density and shape of the calculated net shows how the calibration process will modify the raster image.
The colors of preview elements may be changed using the Calibration options dialog.
If the preview is on, any changes made to calibration model or correction vectors are immediately recalculated and shown by SuperEdit . Release the Toggle preview button if you want to remove the preview elements from Drawing window.
After evaluating the transformation's coefficients and previewing it visually, you may apply the calibration using the Execute button. After successful execution, you will be asked if you want to save calibration report (you may save it later using the Save report button).
Since performing proper calibration is often a trial-and-error process, its execution is separated from accepting the whole Calibrate raster command. After execution, you may want to examine individual correction vectors, still displayed on the screen, to see how chosen calibration model fulfills required corrections. With the Toggle preview button active, you may assure that raster data are transformed exactly along calculated vectors. If the correction vectors have been defined as net-based ones, you may automate examining process using the Add net-based vectors button with the Skip defined vectors option switched off. Use the Undo / Redo buttons on the Main toolbar to compare raster data before and after calibration is made. The Undo / Redo actions during calibration process are limited only to changes made to raster data, and not to the correction vectors, and their range cannot reach changes made before the Calibrate raster command start.
It has no sense to use repeatedly the Execute button for the same calibration data; it will rather distort raster data. It is unadvised to perform new calibration e.g. with model of higher order, defined by new correction vectors defined from the beginning on raster data once calibrated using model with lower order, because each calibration slightly deteriorates raster details.
If you are not satisfied with current calibration results, push the Undo button on the Main toolbar. Now you may complete calibration data by adding or adjusting correction vectors, and/or choosing another calibration model if appropriate; finally push the Execute button to perform new calibration from the beginning.
The Define net button starts defining the calibration net that makes it easier to enter larger series of correction vectors. When you calibrate an image, you often have a grid of points that should be placed in a regular way. In most cases, there are crossing points of the coordinate system on a map; they form a rectangular mesh. The command launches the Calibration Net dialog where you may enter numbers of horizontal and vertical net vertices, single cell width and height and the net insertion point.
Use the Pick button on the Calibration Net dialog to move the net by dragging its left lower corner and define the Net insertion point in Drawing window. Use the Create button to finally define the net.
The net vertices supply Target points ’ coordinates to be used by the Add net-based vectors command.
The Select entities button starts defining the selection set that makes it easier to enter larger series of correction vectors. This case is convenient when you can supply (or create) a nominal vector drawing associated with the raster drawing, where actual shapes and positions of objects in raster drawing are defined by vertices of vector entities.
After activating the Select entities button, you may perform additional selection / deselection by clicking desired vector entities, selecting by window / crossing or using the OTM Select sub-menu options. Confirm final selection using the OTM Accept option. With empty selection, or if the selection does not contain entities with vertices, the Add entities-based vectors action cannot start properly. You may select segments, rectangles, polylines and polygons or complexes that contain such entities; other entities, like circles, texts or icons, even when selected, will not be taken into account.
The subsequent vertices of vector entities that the selection set is consisted of supply Target points ’ coordinates to be used by the Add entities-based vectors command.
The Calibrate raster command supports a multi-point calibration of a whole raster image or any rectangular part of its area. After the Calibrate raster command starts, the calibration area, shown by cyan rectangle, is taken from the raster image extents; the Calibrate extents button is pushed and becomes disabled. You may change the calibration area simply by dragging its corners and defining other area. Then the Calibrate extents button is automatically released and becomes enabled. You may push it to reset the calibration area back to the raster image extents. Alternatively, you may use the OTM Delete option to delete the redefined frame, when the cursor is over edge of the rectangle; the frame defining calibration area will be restored automatically to the raster image extents.
The Set options button brings up the Calibration options dialog.
With help of thisdialog you may set colors for calibration preview elements and define default Auto Zoom level for vectors preview and editing operations. The Auto Zoom scale may be set to Current , which means that the currently used zoom level will be kept constant. Otherwise, you may define it as M:N , which means M screen pixels to N raster image pixels, or as None , which turns off the Auto Zoom feature. This method of scale declaration gives you the best displaying precision with fixed accuracy while working with raster data.
Additional Skip defined vectors check box gives you opportunity to set or clear this option before the Add net-based vectors action starts.
The Accept button lets you finally finish the Calibrate raster command, accepting its results. Using the OTM Accept option does the same.
The Accept button is available only after executing calibration that effectively changed raster data. Otherwise, use the Cancel button if you want to quit the Calibrate raster command.
If you did not save the changes made to correction vectors, the system asks you to confirm it and gives you a chance to break exiting action if you changed your mind.
The Cancel button lets you finally finish the Calibrate raster command, canceling changes made to raster data if they have been done. Using the OTM Cancel option or hitting the Esc key on the keyboard do the same.
If you did not save the changes made to correction vectors, the system asks you to confirm it and gives you a chance to break exiting action if you changed your mind or pressed the Esc key by mistake.