Interface

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{{Title|Interface}}
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{{Navigation|Category:Manual|Doc:Adding Layers}}
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{{Category|Manual}}
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{{Category|Interface}}
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{{Category|Tutorials}}
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{{Category|Tutorials Basic}}
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Synfig Studio start in one window, and dock a number of individual {{l|Panel|panels}} into that window. The default layout of user interface is divided in three parts : the toolbox, the canvas and the other panels.
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[[File:Interface-preview.png|900px|thumb|center|SynfigStudio - User Interface]]
  
Synfig doesn't start in one window, but opens a number of individual windows on your desktop. If you are familiar with [http://www.gimp.org The GIMP], you will recognize this layout.
 
 
This page tries to give you a short introduction to the different elements you will find after opening synfig.
 
This page tries to give you a short introduction to the different elements you will find after opening synfig.
  
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==The Toolbox window==
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[[File:ToolBox.png|400px|thumb|center|The Toolbox]]
  
<div style="float:left; margin-right:20px; margin-bottom:10px;">[[image:Toolbox.png|left|The Toolbox]]</div>
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The {{l|Category:Toolbox}} is a major piece of Synfig : even if you have several open projects, there will only be one Toolbox.  
The [[Toolbox]] is the main window of Synfig: even if you have several open projects, there will only be one Toolbox. The window is separated into three areas or palettes:
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* The upper palette contains buttons with access to standard '''file operations''': create a new file, open a file, save (all) file(s) (under a new name), undo and redo as well as access to the settings dialog and the help system.
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The toolbox is separated into two areas:
  
* Located in the palette underneath are the '''tools''' which allow you to create and manipulate objects (or better: [[layer|layers]], as each object lies in its own layer). You can find a detailed description of each tool in the [[Categorical Help]].
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* The upper palette contains the '''tools''' which allow you to create and manipulate objects. In synfig we will talk of {{l|layer|layers}}, as each object lies in its own layer. You can find a detailed description of each tool {{l|Category:Tools|here}}.
  
* The lowest palette contains the '''standard settings''' for new layers: fore- and background colours, line width, opacity and layer mode.
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* The lowest palette contains the '''default settings''' for new layers: fore- and background {{l|New_Layer_Defaults#Brush_Colors|colors}}, {{l|New_Layer_Defaults#Brush_Size|Brush Size}} and {{l|New_Layer_Defaults#Current_Gradient|Current Gradient}}. You can find a detailed description of each default settings {{l|New_Layer_Defaults|here}}.
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<div style="float:right;">[[image:canvas.png|right|600px|The Canvas]]</div>
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==The Canvas window==
Once you have opened a file or created a new project (e.g. via the buttons in the toolbox) you'll see the '''canvas''' window. This is where you'll create your animation!
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[[File:Canvas 1.0.png|900px|thumb|center|The Canvas]]
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Once you have opened a file or created a new project you'll see the {{l|Category:Canvas_Window}}. This is where you'll create your animation!
  
Whereas most graphics apps have a set of menus at the top of the screen, the top of the MDI window, or the top of the drawing window, Synfig has a '''[[Canvas Menu Caret|caret]]''': the little black triangle in the upper left corner of the canvas. Beneath are all the menus you would expect and that allow you to access most of Synfig's features.
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In addition of set of menus at the top of the screen, or the top of the drawing window, Synfig has a '''{{l|Canvas Menu Caret|caret}}''': the little black triangle in the upper left corner of the canvas. Beneath are all the menus you would expect and that allow you to access most of Synfig's features.
  
 
The area with the grey check-board pattern is your '''working area''' in which you can create elements/layers and manipulate them.
 
The area with the grey check-board pattern is your '''working area''' in which you can create elements/layers and manipulate them.
  
The [[Timebar|timeline]] that you can see in the picture here only appears when you have defined a duration in the settings dialog of your project. To the left you can see the number of the current frame and on the right side two buttons to switch the animation status and to lock/unlock the keyframes. The [[Animation Basics]] Tutorial gives a good introduction on how to work with this buttons.
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The {{l|Timebar|timeline}} that you can see in the picture here only appears when you have defined a non-zero duration in the {{l|Canvas Properties Dialog|properties}} of your project. To the left you can see the number of the current frame and on the right side buttons to {{l|Lock_Keyframes|lock/unlock}} the keyframes and to switch the {{l|Animate_Editing_Mode|animation status}}. The {{l|Doc:Animation Basics}} Tutorial gives a good introduction on how to work with this buttons.
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In the picture above there are three elements on the canvas, the black curve - called {{l|Spline|Spline}} - is selected. The little orange and brown dots along the spline control the curve and are called {{l|handle|handles}}. Also you can see the {{l|Group_Transformation_Widget}} of the selected {{l|Group Layer}}.
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=== Show/Hide Menu Bar===
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With the menu entry {{c|<Display>|Show Menu Bar|}} you can hide the menu bar. To show again the menu bar use the same entry from the {{l|Canvas Menu Caret}}.
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==The other panels==
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===The Navigator, Tool Options and Layers Panel===
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[[File:Info ToolOption Layer Panel.png|200px|center|thumb|Navigator and Layers Panel]]
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To the right side, three areas, each of which can show different {{l|Category:Panels|panels}}: in this picture the {{l|Navigator Panel}}, the {{l|Tool Options Panel}} and the {{l|Layers Panel}} are active.
  
In the picture above there are three elements on the canvas, the black curve - called [[Bline_Tool|Bline]] - is selected. The little coloured dots control the curve and are called [[duck|ducks]].
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You can access detailed descriptions of the other panels {{l|Category:Panels|here}}.
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<div style="float:right; margin-left:20px">[[image:layers_window.png|250px|Navigator and Layers Panel]]</div>
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===The Parameter and Time Track Panel===
The third window contains again three areas, each of which can show different panels: in this picture the [[Navigator Panel]], the [[Tool Options Panel]] and the [[Layers Panel]] are open.
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[[File:Parameters TimeTrack Panel.png|600px|center|thumb|Parameters and Time Track panels]]
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Finally, at the bottom you can see the {{l|Parameters Panel}}, where you can find detailed {{l|Parameter|parameters}} and settings for the active element like colour, width, opacity, location and so on. To the right is the {{l|Timetrack Panel}} that allows you to create and modify {{l|waypoints}}.
  
You can access detailed descriptions of the other panels via the [[Categorical Help]].
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{{Navigation|Category:Manual|Doc:Adding Layers}}
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[[image:params_etc.png|600px]]
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The fourth and last window shows the [[Params Panel]], where you can find detailed parameters and settings for the active element like colour, width, opacity, location and so on. To the right is the [[Timetrack Panel]] that allows you to create and modify [[waypoints]].
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Latest revision as of 11:17, 6 February 2016

Languages Language: 

English • español • français • italiano • română


Navigation Navigation:  <<Manual>>


Synfig Studio start in one window, and dock a number of individual panels into that window. The default layout of user interface is divided in three parts : the toolbox, the canvas and the other panels.

SynfigStudio - User Interface

This page tries to give you a short introduction to the different elements you will find after opening synfig.

The Toolbox window

The Toolbox

The Toolbox Panel is a major piece of Synfig : even if you have several open projects, there will only be one Toolbox.

The toolbox is separated into two areas:

  • The upper palette contains the tools which allow you to create and manipulate objects. In synfig we will talk of layers, as each object lies in its own layer. You can find a detailed description of each tool here.
  • The lowest palette contains the default settings for new layers: fore- and background colors, Brush Size and Current Gradient. You can find a detailed description of each default settings here.

The Canvas window

The Canvas

Once you have opened a file or created a new project you'll see the Canvas Window. This is where you'll create your animation!

In addition of set of menus at the top of the screen, or the top of the drawing window, Synfig has a caret: the little black triangle in the upper left corner of the canvas. Beneath are all the menus you would expect and that allow you to access most of Synfig's features.

The area with the grey check-board pattern is your working area in which you can create elements/layers and manipulate them.

The timeline that you can see in the picture here only appears when you have defined a non-zero duration in the properties of your project. To the left you can see the number of the current frame and on the right side buttons to lock/unlock the keyframes and to switch the animation status. The Animation Basics Tutorial gives a good introduction on how to work with this buttons.

In the picture above there are three elements on the canvas, the black curve - called Spline - is selected. The little orange and brown dots along the spline control the curve and are called handles. Also you can see the Group Transformation Widget of the selected Group Layer.

Show/Hide Menu Bar

With the menu entry "<Display> → Show Menu Bar" you can hide the menu bar. To show again the menu bar use the same entry from the Canvas Menu Caret.

The other panels

The Navigator, Tool Options and Layers Panel

Navigator and Layers Panel

To the right side, three areas, each of which can show different panels: in this picture the Navigator Panel, the Tool Options Panel and the Layers Panel are active.

You can access detailed descriptions of the other panels here.

The Parameter and Time Track Panel

Parameters and Time Track panels

Finally, at the bottom you can see the Parameters Panel, where you can find detailed parameters and settings for the active element like colour, width, opacity, location and so on. To the right is the Time Track Panel that allows you to create and modify Waypoints.

Navigation Navigation:  <<Manual>>


Languages Language: 

English • español • français • italiano • română