TOPIC LOCATION:     `Project Editor`

PRECEDING TOPIC:    `Sub-Project Options`
FOLLOWING TOPIC:    `Movie`

In the middle of the`project editor`screen is the Stills area.  This area
provides commands that allow you to`select`and`render`individual scenes
or an entire`range`of scenes.  There is a grid area partitioned into
seven sections.  Each section holds a possible 10 frames for a total list
of 70 frames immediately visible.  Of course, more than 70 frames could
exist - the Stills slider bar allows you to scroll beyond the initial 70
frames.  Frame numbers will appear in this area depending on the
specifications you enter in the`Stage Editor`; namely the highest frame
number via the`Action`script editor.  For instance, if you create a 30
frame animation, the numbers from 1 thru 30 will appear in the Stills frame
counter.  When you are ready for rendering, this`frame counter`area
allows you to select an individual frame, by clicking on its frame number,
or select multiple frames by holding the shift key.  The buttons directly
below the`frame counter`provide the following options:

     Generate
     This button will`render`the selected frame(s) using the settings of
     the `rendering parameters`requester.

     Show
     Whenever a frame has been completely`rendered`an asterisk (*) will
     appear below it in the`frame counter`.  Clicking Show will display the
     selected files(s).  When you are finished viewing a file, press
     the`escape key`to return to the`Project Editor`screen.

     NOTE:  If you are not returned to the`Project Editor`after typing
    `escape`, it may be necessary to drag down the picture's screen (by
     clicking and holding at the very top of the screen with the left
     button and dragging downwards).  This should make the
    `Project Editor`visible so that you can click into it and activate it.
     At that point, pressing the `escape key`will close the view of the
     picture.

     Delete
     This button will erase any existing picture files for the selected
     frames(s).

     Range
     This button allows you to select a range by specifying starting and
     ending frame numbers and the number of steps to take between those
     frames (entering 1, 30, 2 will select all even frames in a 30 frame
     animation).

     Info
     This button will display an informative requester that pertains to the
     selected frame(s).  This includes`image file size`and`rendering time`.

     Import
     Import is used to mark selected frames with an asterisk (*).  Its main
     purpose is in the creation of an Imagine animation from individual
     picture files.  Usually, the Make function creates an animation from
     the stills that are generated by Imagine.  An undocumented use for the
     Import function is to place a numbered series of RGBN or IFF
     compatible picture files into a SUB-PROJECT.PIX sub-directory.  These
     files can come from other sources such as DPaint III, DigiPaint, DCTV
     etc., as long as the file format for the pictures are supported (see
     the`rendering parameters`for supported formats).  The files also must
     be numbered using the following convention:  PIC.0001, PIC.0002, etc.
     Since the Make function only works with existing stills in the
    `frame counter`, You can use Import to mark the specific frames as
     already generated.  This will allow Imagine to build an animation
     using the images you placed into the SUB-PROJECT.PIX sub-directory.

     Generate New Cells Only
     Frames that have stills generated are indicated with an asterisk (*)
     below the frame number.  When Generate New Cells Only is selected, and
     frame(s) are selected, only those frames without`stills`will
     be`rendered`.  Otherwise, all selected frames will be rendered.  This
     affects both the `Generate`and`Make`functions.

     Auto Dither
     Auto Dither is specifically used when`24 bit`files are generated.
     Since the Amiga can not normally display a`24 bit`image (without using
     a `framebuffer`), Auto Dither allows you to view a`24 bit``Still`by
     converting the image "on the fly" when you select`Show`.

     Use Firecracker 24
     This option will`render`directly to Impulse's Firecracker 24
    `framebuffer`board to display a`24 bit`file in 16.8 million colors.
     This option will only be available if the card has been installed.

