Using CitectSCADA > Defining and Drawing Graphics Pages > Understanding the Drawing Environment > The Bitmap Editor
The Bitmap Editor

You use the Bitmap Editor to create and edit bitmap images. You can use bitmap images on your graphics pages, and as animated symbols.

The background color in the Bitmap Editor is always transparent, indicated as a white pixel with a black dot at the center. To draw with the background (transparent) color, click (and hold) the right mouse button.

Flashing colors are represented by a diagonally split pixel, indicating the on-state and off-state colors used.

The tool bar of the Bitmap Editor has the following buttons:

Exits the Bitmap Editor and saves editing changes.

Exits the Bitmap Editor and discards changes.

Zooms in on the image.

Zooms out on the image.

Selects a color from the image to set as the current color (keyboard shortcut is Shift+P). You can also select the current color from the color swatch.

Displays the Bitmap Size dialog box where you can view the image's current dimensions and edit the image's edge.

To resize a bitmap:

  1. In Graphics Builder, click the bitmap.
  2. Choose Tools | Bitmap Editor, or press F9.
  3. Click Resize. The Bitmap Size dialog box appears.
  4. Select a mode. Click Grow to enlarge the image, or Shrink to reduce it.
  5. For each side of the bitmap, specify how many pixels you want to add or remove, then click OK.

To set a color from a bitmap as the current color:

  1. In Graphics Builder, click a bitmap.
  2. Choose Tools | Bitmap Editor, or press F9.
  3. Click Eye Dropper, and then click a color in the image. The selected color becomes the current color, and is used when you click elsewhere on the image.

To convert an object (or objects) to a bitmap:

  1. Select the object(s).
  2. Choose Tools | Convert to Bitmap.

  3. Note: The Convert to Bitmap operation is only supported in 8-bit (256) color mode.

To invoke the Bitmap editor:

To paste a bitmap (from another application):

  1. Create the image in an external application.
  2. Use the external application's copy command to copy the image to your computer's clipboard.
  3. Switch to the graphics builder.
  4. Choose Edit | Paste.

You can edit pasted bitmaps by selecting the object and then choosing Edit | Properties.

To import a graphic:

  1. Choose File | Import. The Import dialog box appears.
  2. Select the file you want to import by using the Import dialog box.
  3. Click OK (or click the file that you want to import and drag it onto a page in Graphics Builder.

You can edit imported bitmaps by selecting the object and then choosing Edit | Properties.

To import a flashing graphic:

  1. Choose File | Import as Flashing. The Primary Import dialog box appears.
  2. Select the first file you want to use for your flashing image.
  3. Click OK. The Flashing Import dialog box appears.
  4. Select the second file you want to use for your flashing image.