Using Image Tools

Image tools allow you to manipulate your images in various ways. You can add notes to an image, scribble or draw on the image, measure an object in the image, and define regions of interest. Image tools are only visible when you are on the Drop or Compare tabs, and they are accessible from the Tools tab (pictured below) or from the right-click menu when you right-click on a drop image.

Image Tools

Image Tools

Annotating an image with the Annotation tool

The Annotation tool allows you to make notes directly on an image. When defining constraints for searches and image management tasks, you can include your annotations in the search criteria.

  1. In the Images tab set, click the Tools tab, and click the Annotate button image1.

  2. Click anywhere on the image and drag until the annotation box is the desired size.

    When you release the mouse button, the Enter Text box appears.

    Enter Text Box

    Enter Text Box

  3. Type a note in the box and click OK. The note is inserted in the image. You can move the note around and place it somewhere else on the drop image if it is obscuring anything of interest.

    Note Box

    Note Box

Working with Annotations

  • To resize an annotation, click and drag its lower-right corner.

  • To change the text in an annotation’s, right-click it and select Annotation Text.
  • To change the annotation’s font attributes, right-click it and select Annotation Font.

    OR

    Click the annotation, and then select a new font from the font list in the Annotate group on the Tools tab.

    Font Group Area

    Font Group Area

  • To reduce visual clutter, you can change the annotation into a small button by right-clicking and selecting Switch to Icon.

  • To remove an annotation, right-click it and select Delete Annotation, or press Delete on your keyboard.

  • To move an annotation behind other annotations and drawings, right-click it and select Move to Back.

    OR

    Click the ruler and click the Move to Back button image4 on the Tools tab.

Measuring objects in an image with the ruler

With the ruler, you can draw measure the size of crystals and other objects found in your images.

  1. In the Images tab set, click the Tools tab, and then click the Ruler button image5.

  2. Position the crosshairs at one end of the object you want to measure.

  3. Drag the crosshairs until you reach the end of the object. ROCK MAKER draws a line and displays its length as you drag.

    To change the color of a ruler, select a different color from the Ruler button image6 in the Color group on the Tools tab.

    OR

    Right-click a ruler and select Ruler Color.

  • To move a ruler behind other annotations and drawings, right-click it and select Move to Back.

    OR

    Click the ruler and click the Move to Back button image7 on the Tools tab.

  • To change the length of a ruler, position the pointer over one end of it, and when the pointer turns into a quadruple arrow, drag the end until it is the desired length.

  • To delete a ruler, right-click it and select Delete Ruler.

    OR

    Press the Delete key.

Drawing on an image with the Scribble tool

With the Scribble tool, you can create free-form drawings on an image.

  1. Click the Scribble tool image8 on the Tools tab of the Images tab set.

  2. Hold down the left mouse button to draw on the image.

  3. Release the mouse button when you are finished.

  • To change the color of the Scribble tool, select a different color from the Scribble color selector image9 in the Color group on the Tools tab, or right-click a scribble and select Scribble Color.

  • To move a scribble behind other annotations and drawings, right-click it and select Move to Back.

  • To delete a scribble, right-click it and select Delete Scribble, or press the Delete key.

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