***** AISS (available on OS4 Depot) is required to use this program *****

"Collage Maker" is another one of my 'bloated' programs made with Hollywood
4.7---I hope you enjoy it!

The idea of this program is to make it easy to combine multiple picture (up to
20) into one picture (a collage) that can then be printed in such common sizes
as 4x6, 5x7, 8x10, 11x14, and 16x20.

There are many options available for picture layout and grid options---including
the use of patterns that can be tinted with color, and special options like fade
and shadow effects. The best thing to do is to experiment with the buttons and
learn what can be done that way.

*Hint 1: When using Zoom, clicking the left mouse button over a picture will
zoom further into that picture; however, holding down the SPACE key while
clicking the mouse button will cause the picture to zoom out instead.

*Hint 2: If you drag and drop new pictures onto the collage, they will be ADDED
to the ones that are already there. If you want a picture you drag and drop to
REPLACE the image under it, then you need to activate the Replace Picture Button
in the toolbar.

*Hint 3: Right-clicking on a PNG image that has an alpha-channel transparency
will give the option of using or ignoring the transparency.

*Hint 4: Sub-borders can be added to a picture cell using the "Mask" button (the
one that has an ellipse on it). Once a sub-border has been added, it can be
customized by RIGHT-clicking on the picture while still in masking mode.

For saving your collage, there are two options: 1) You can simply save the
collage *picture*, which can then be printed; or 2) You can save the collage
*project*, which allows you to come back and adjust any aspect of your collage
at a later time.

Depending on how many pictures you use in your collage (and depending on how
high of resolution those pictures are), you may not have enough system
memory---Collage Maker does not make use of virtual memory. If you need it,
there is a Low Memory option that can be turned on or off through the "Prefs"
text file. Setting LowMem=1 will use much less memory, but it will also slow
down certain aspects of Collage Maker. (Setting it to LowMem=0 will turn off the
Low Memory option.)

Special thanks to:
*Mason for his AISS artwork and Icons.

Version 3.0 (3/2/11):
*Two new kinds of collages (in addition to the standard grid collage) are now
possible to create:
1) Special Templates are ones that combine a specific number of pictures into a
collage design that cannot be achieved using normal grid lines. There are only a
few currently built into Collage Maker. If you have a design that you would like
to see added, send me an e-mail with a sample.
2) Freestyle collages are ones where the placement, size, rotation, and borders
of the picture cells can all be freely changed. When the Freestyle button is
pressed, the pictures will first arrange themselves in an orderly way according
to the last active template; but they can then be dragged anywhere and further
configured by Right-clicking on them.
*Top graphics with alpha-channel transparencies can be added.
*Outside borders can be added around the picture cells.
*Collage projects can now use multiple pages of different formats.
*Built-in help and reference guide.

Version 2.1 (8/30/10):
*Fixed some bugs that showed up with AISS 4.10.

Version 2.0 (4/5/10):
*Redesigned the GUI.
*Now pictures can be added or replaced using "Drag & Drop."
*Added the ability to drag the borders of individual cells to increase or
decrease their thickness.
*Custom text can now be added to the collages (right-clicking the text blocks
shows options).
*PNG images with alpha-channel transparencies can now be used and the grid
border will be seen through the transparent areas.
*Another "mask" (in addition to the ellipse) option has been
added---"sub-border" (an inner border around a specific picture cell).
*Placement "crosshairs" have been added when moving pictures with the "Hand"
tool.
*Many old functions have been made faster.

Version 1.0 (5/18/09):
*First attempt.

*********** If you like this program and would like to drop me some e-mail or
PayPal encouragement (or if you have any suggestions to make this program
better) my e-mail address is: revbloedel()gmail.com***********