richard6398

Actually, I'm finding that I get better results if I paintbrush my colours in. Because I get totally homegenious colouring, which you don't get using the bucket-fill because of the text in fields etc. And I don't have to start fixing broken lines. So, I've got the map lines on a layer "transparancy" above a background which background is totally white. That enables me to more clearly see the lines on the "transparancy". So all colouring is taking place on the background which has no lines. I have a slight niggle when I need to erase, because when I do erase something with the eraser, I see the chequeres, but not a big problem.

I was thinking (not saying anyone else was, I'm a total beginner) that it was a good idea to have the lines only show on a layer. And to remove colour (in this case, remove the white). I can do that with Black & Alpha (or maybe I used Colour and Alpha, not sure which I used). So on one layer just the black lines show, in-between lines is no colour, so on a physical level, it's like a transparancy with the lines drawn on. Of course, you see the chequeres on the layer Not sure what advantage doing that has. :c) Because bucket-fill won't work, except on a layer with the lines. Which in my case destroys the "transparancy" that I have just created. From what I've done, making this "transparancy", I have to draw in the colours on the background with a mouse using the transparancy (layer) to guide. Cannot use bucket-fill. As regarding using bucket-fill, if the lines are strong then of course that reduces the need to erase (or do little fill-ins to complete the fill). So, perhaps then the first focus is getting the lines strong. And if that is the key, if it's not unduly onerous, then one is going to use the bucket-fill. So, my transparancy layer I've made, has likely no value. :c) Unless it's quicker to "manually"colour in the backround, using the transparancy as a guide rather than "fix" the lines. Bucket-fill, or not to bucket-fill - that is the question. :c)

True: if I use a layer then I cannot erase the lines when colouring in. As you say, any editing will not disturb the lines. There are several options: 1 The original as background with coloured layer above containing just the colouring. 2 As above, but with original above the colouring layer. (I think 1 is the preference) 3 Somehow to seperate the lines so that they exist on a clear layer with colouring layer below 4 As above but with colouring layer below You suggest 3, I think. I think you are saying create a layer (clear layer) where there are only lines. That would mean getting rid of the white on the map. Somehow. And of course: 5 No layers, just one layer with colouring (which has been not recommended).

Oh, you can get pens, but expensive: Steadtler Pen

Okay, I now see how to make a layer active. Actually, what I should do is simply copy the original file and colour it in. I don't need to trace "over" the original by using a layer. So, my original stays intact because I'll colour in a duplicate of the map. My problem is with the mouse. I'm using an old rubber ball mouse and the control I have is not great, in fact poor. How much better is say an optical mouse? I presume very much better for freehand drawing or going over lines. And I wiil have to go over lines, because not all the lines (field boundaries, ponds, roads etc) on the map are always continuous and I will have to make them so. Can you get a pen-like device that acts like a mouse in fundamental operation? Or, is a (good/optical) mouse perfectly okay? Rich

A larger image:

I think I need to add another layer and "trace" over the image. So the new layer does not alter the original. I want to fill in ponds blue, fields green, etc etc. But, how do you do it with adding a new layer?I've got to be able to see the background layer, but when I "draw" it's got to appear on the overlain layer. Picture of my map below. I think I need to use a pen device to "trace" over with.

Are you wanting to see a .pdn file? If so, Flickr wont upload it, nor Photobucket!

I'm a beginner with graphics programs. My JPEG image is of a map. But I need to have continuous (not broken) boundary lines. So, I believe I will need a graphics tablet. I think though that Paint.NET is not the best suited program. Any comments? Thanks. Rich