Windows Paint Program

MerpsMom

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
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I figure I'm probably taxing the patience of the leaders on this forum, but....

Is there a way in Paint to create a rectangle and then actually drag it around the screen? I'm trying to avoid having to use a CAD program. I want to "create" a blank wall, put rectangles, squares, etc. on it, and then move them around to my specs. I have to think there's a way but I've cut, copied, pasted, erased, and selected 'til I'm crazy. Is there a way, or is there another program on the computer that might do what I want?
 
Ask away.. that's why we're here to help each other.

I haven't played with Windows paint since Windows 3.1
, so I'm not going to be much help.

What are you trying to do? A floorplan layout? If so, I recommend a shareware program called IMSI FLOORPLAN 3D. We designed our shop with it in 30 mins, and the program simulates a 3d picture of what the finished product will look like. You can even "walk through" with a simulation and move the camera in any direction.

If for something else, I'm not sure what program to suggest. Maybe you can give us a little more info, and people will jump in with suggestions.
 
Cathie,

In most of your layout programs you can move the objects around in the "design" portion of the program but they become static when the layout is saved.

One program that I haven't played with for quite someitme is "Canvas" which is a program that will do much the same as the program that Mike mentioned. If I remember correctly, kyou can design a wall plan or an entire multi-storied floor plan and then go in later and move objects around within each floor area. (Or wall area in this case.) I haven't used Canvas since version 5 so I may be way off on what it can do now.

Framerguy
 
The short answer is no.

Paint works with a single layer and no objects.

I'm not sure what freebies are around but surely a Google search for freeware design software will get you something fairly simple that will do the job.
 
By any chance, do you have MS Publisher?

You could create rectangles or ovals of any size, color-code 'em if you want and move them around the screen.

I rarely use Publisher to actually do flyers and stuff, but I find a new use for it every day.
 
I will do the search. I do contract work for a restaurant chain. The job includes reframing and resizing some of the current wall decor. Because the decor package has changed character, we will eliminate and unclutter some of the many items framed and installed on the wall now.

If they give me a 10'wide x 6'tall wall, I must decide what size collage frames to use, how many, and how much space is left for smaller framed items to be interspersed among the larger ones. I need a view which allows me to be facing the wall and moving the items around so it looks good to me. I would attempt to learn CAD but there just isn't enough time or mental energy in this brain currently to do it.


Maybe "wall design", etc? I don't think floorplans would work because they keep wanting to put in silly things like stud walls doorways.
 
You can do it in MS Word(Office Pro). Go to view, check on the draw tool bar, the one which gives you word art, and it will put it on the desktop somewhere. Click on a spot on the screen. A box will come up to make your drawing here. Click on the box or circle and it will insert it, click on the corner to make larger etc., move it by clicking and drag out and do another. Much easier to work with than publisher to me. Need more detail? I'll try to be more specific tonight.

[ 02-03-2004, 10:26 AM: Message edited by: JPete ]
 
More specific, go to View,(the one at the top of your screen :confused: joke) toolbar, drawing. click on square, click on page, where it says create drawing here, click again and your square will appear. Make mutiples by clicking (left) on the shape so you have the little circles in the corners and sides, right click and do a "copy here" or copy and paste. Grab the little green handle and you can rotate. I'm sure there is much more you can do. I just had to play.

[ 02-03-2004, 11:09 AM: Message edited by: JPete ]
 
I've used CorelDRAW for nearly 10 years for creating simple to complex graphics. I just toyed with MSWord and find it direct, but with many limitations that could lead to much frustration for what you want to achieve. Unfortunately, (Like the Canvas software mentioned earlier)CorelDRAW will run you in the hundred$$$ to purchase. However, for what you describe re your ongoing line of work, you might consider picking up CorelDRAW as a solid graphics program. You can do ALL (and MORE)of what you say you wish to achieve.
NEWS BREAK...Just got invited for a FREE LUNCH! I'll pick up with this reply a bit later on.
By the way, let me look thru my software rack to see if I still have one the earlier releases of CorelDRAW. If so, you are welcome to it.
More later.
 
BACK FROM LUNCH...BBQ! As for the CorelDRAW software, I think it would be good for your intended use. It's a full graphics software and aimed at 2D graphics design. CAD software, by nature, is generally far more complicated and has a much greater learning curve than graphics software. In CorelDRAW you can change the SCALE within your drawings and size objects (i.e. squares, circles, etc.) by exact numeric dimensions--even drag these shapes to the desired dimension sizes. If you have digital images of the actual artwork to be hung onto wall spaces, simply import the image into the drawing you are working on and size the image to the wall space. You can drag images around how you like--even drag the wall layout around on the drawing page. You can fill shapes with Colors, Textures, etc. to simulate wall suface finishes. If you need to show dimensions along arrowed lines for any shape, that's a convenient automated tool within your drawing page. In short, the software will do it ALL. Also, there are loads of CorelDRAW User Sites that offer instruction and advice. So, if you choose to explore CorelDRAW and need some pointers for getting started, just let me know what help you need.
In the event that you locate an earlier release of CorelDRAW, let me point out the "LEMON" release to avoid. CorelDRAW 6 (for whatever the reason) is very unstable and not even worth installing. Releases 5,7,8 and 9 are terrific. Release 10 is hardly an upgrade from 9 and after using it for a short time I returned to 9. Any later releases I'm not familiar with. 9 serves my needs quite completely. I'll wait for your reply before digging thru my software rack. I think I still have release 7 or 8 somewhere around here. Let me know if any of this has been of help to you. Good luck!
 
What I have found is when you create the rectangle you then have to use the drag select tool at the top of the pallet. You then select the object and drag it. Note though the back ground will take on previous properties so you will have to fill where it was moved from.
Brent
at artteck software
 
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