Introduction

WonderBrush is an editor for bitmap graphics. These are called Canvas and are the WonderBrush documents. The main window holds any number of such documents. Every Canvas can contain several Layers. From the bottom to the top, every Layer overlays the previous according to its Mode setting until the final image is formed. Every Layer, which is empty and thus completely transparent by default, can contain any number of graphical Objects, which again overlay each other on the Layer. These Objects are created by the WonderBrush Tools. There are several types of Objects, like Brush strokes, Text objects or Filters. Each Object is associated with a number of Properties, which define its appearance. The power of WonderBrush lies in the fact that the order of Objects on the Layer or any of their Properties can be changed at any time. To simplify access to the Objects and their Properties, WonderBrush displays three lists: The Layer, Object and Property list. The active Layer is set in the Layer list, the Object list will only display Objects contained on that Layer. If only one Object is selected, that Object's Properties are displayed in the Property list. The Object and Property list each own their private clipboard, so that Objects or Properties may be quickly copied and pasted. Properties with the same name are compatible between different types of Objects.

The Main Window

To simplify access to objects and their properties, Wonderbrush displays three lists beside the actual canvas: The Layer, Object, and Property list. The active layer is selected in the Layer list; the Object list shows only the objects that are on the currently active layer. If there's just one object selected, its settings are shown in the Property list. The Object and the Property lists have their own clipboard, enabling quick copies of objects or transfers of properties. Properties by the same name are compatible between different types of objects.

Menus and lists

Besides the menu of the main window, Wonderbrush offers individual menus for all special areas. Most of the time the functions in these menus (e.g. in the Layer, Object, and Property menu) refer to the elements that are selected in that list. The corresponding menu items are only available when elements of the list are selected (more on selections in a bit). Furthermore, some menu items are only available when certain types of objects are selected. For example, Object->Special->Merge Shapes will only work, if at least two shape objects are part of the selection.

The Layer list, as well as the Object list support reordering by drag&drop. If the shift key is pressed while dropping, an element isn't moved, but duplicated instead.

In the Object list more than one element at a time can be marked (selected): To select a block you click on another object while pressing the shift key and every element between the clicked and the already marked will be selected. Specific objects are added or removed by clicking them with the second (right) mouse button.

In the Property list a setting is selected by clicking on its name. It can be edited by clicking on the field on its right. Several properties can be selected at once or separately just like it's done with objects.