Tutorial: Selection accessories

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3D Gugle uses three devices for the selection. The devices are accessible from the menu: "Selection" or from the context menu of the mouse.

The first device is the "Box"
The Box is a graphic rectangle with which it is possible to perform a series of important operations described subsequently.
The Box can be activated manually or automatically by 3D Gugle.

The second and the third devices of selection don't have a defined graphic figure but can assume any form determinable from a series of points.

"Selection by points (curves)" draws a curve interpolating the position of the reference points.
The device uses for calculation, an algorithm of exclusive ownership of 3D Gugle, able to determine the angle and the most proper links to connect the points.
The algorithm of 3D Gugle doesn't use the classical equations of "Spline" but a sequential approximation method.

"Selection by points (Polygon)" draws a closed figure that connects the points of reference.
This method is particularly proper for the selection of graphic objects that have mainly straight lines.

The selections can be saved and recalled from the menu "Load Points Data".
When the "Load" function is used the data is immediately applied and the specific "By points" LAB selection is automatically activated.

The Box of selection is a graphic rectangle with which it is possible to perform a series of important operations.

The Box can manually be drawn or it is automatically activated by 3D Gugle when it is necessary to develop some functions.

To manually trace the BOX click on the image with the right button of the mouse.
In the context menu select "Selection Box".

After the click on the "Selection Box" the cursor changes aspect and assumes the form of a small hand.
Keep the left button pressed to drawn a rectangle with the preferred measurements.
Release the mouse button to complete the operation

To cancel the Box you can use two methods: the key "ESC" (Escape) or in the right mouse context menu "Deselect".

When the Box is activated you can move or modify the size with the mouse or with the keys.

With the Mouse
Move
When the cursor is inside to the rectangle the cursor changes to a crossed arrow. To move drag the rectangle to a new position.
Resize
When the cursor is on one of the rectangle sides, the cursor changes to a double headed arrow.
To resize drag the side of the rectangle.

With the keys
Move
The Arrow keys move the rectangle in the respective direction.
Resize
SHIFT + Arrow keys resize the rectangle for the side Right and the Lower side.
CONTROL + Arrow keys resize the rectangle for the Left side and the Upper side.

When the Box is active, the Box position and size is shown in the main Bar of 3D Gugle.

When the Box is active clicking it with the right button shows, in the context menu, the possible functions available..

"Crop" cut-out the image and deselect the Box.

"Copy" copy the image in the Box to the Windows Clipboard

"Fill" run the Fill LAB to fill a solid colour or various type of gradients.
For the functions and the use of this LAB click here "Fill LAB".

"Move Background" copies the image in the Box.
When you move the Box you move that part of the image.

Click the box again for more options, described below.
The context menu changes and a new set of functions is available.

"Ok" or the key "Enter" copies the Box image onto the main image and deselects the Box.

"Deselect" or the key "Escape" deselects the Box and restores the original image.

"Clone Box" copies and pastes the contents of the Box onto the main image. The cloned image can still be altered by right clicking and re-entering the context menu.

"Crop" cuts-out the image and deselects the Box.
The function "Crop" always retains the contents of the entire Box and removes the background image. When, however, you use the functions that operate within the box, for instance "Alpha blending", the parts of the main image which are under the Box but not visible, are also retained.

"Crop without Background" cuts out, always, the entire image from the background and deselects the Box
The background is replaced with black colour.

This functionality is very important for stereo images and the Layers because it enables the movement of a block without the background and therefore makes it easy to produce 3D effects .

In the example below the image has been deformed with the "Parallelogram" function and then cut out from the original image using "Crop without Background".
Note: The background results in black colour.

The menu "Crop without Background" is not always visible. The visibility depends from the type of functions that you use.
To understand the mechanism and the utility of "Crop without Background" functions it is necessary to practise.

"Copy" or "Copy without Background" copies the Box image to the Windows clipboard.
The functioning principle of these two functions is identical to those of "Crop" just described.

The menu "Zoom" has 3 sub-menus:

"Zoom Proportional" resize the Box image with proportional method.

    "Zoom Free" resize in free way.

    With these two functions if it is necessary to resize precisely, you can use the keyboard.

    "Parallelogram" deforms, rotates, resizes in a free way using the mouse.
    When the "Parallelogram" function is activated, in the corner of the Parallelogram, four little squares are visible.
    By dragging the little square with the mouse you apply the transformation to the Box image.

When the "Parallelogram" is active use only the Arrow keys to move the Box in X and Y.

Selecting: "Alpha Blending" the image in the BOX becomes semi-transparent.
The level of transparency can be chosen with the keys "Page UP/Down"
The level of transparency is shown. in the main window bar of 3D Gugle.

The menu "Rotate" has 7 sub-menus:

"30°, 45°, 60°, 90°, 180°, 270°" makes a fixed rotation to the selected angle.

"Free Rotation" shows a rotation dialogue.
To close the dialogue press "OK" to maintain the angle or "Exit" to restore the preceding conditions.
When the dialogue is in shown all the functions of the keyboard and the mouse they are active..
To use the keys click first on the main image.

The rotation dialogue works with a fine precision (0,25 degrees) and it uses an algorithm of high quality.

The menu "Flip" has 3 sub-menus:

"Flip X, Flip Y, Flip X and Y" flip the Box respectively.

"Transparencies" shows a sub-menu that contains a list of the transparent colours and a menu to activate a special dialogue.
This function is normally used for inserting a Logo, Text, other Images or Layers in the main image.
Select one of the colours in the list, and 3D Gugle considers this colour as transparent.

In the example below the transparency effects are being applied.

In the example:
the first panel is the original text;
the second panel uses the red colour as transparent;
in the third one the white colour is used as transparent
and in the fourth two colours, the white and the red, are used.

To contemporaneously use more transparent colours (max 9) use the dialogue "Select Colour".

Click on the button with the "small hand" and the cursor assumes the aspect of a cross and it enables selection of a colour in any point of the main image.

To select a colour click on the colour.

To operate with greater precision you can use the "Zoom" functions in the menu "View" of the 3D Gugle.

Click on the button showing a palette and a Windows dialogue to select a colour will appear.

The button "Set" applies transparency to the selected colour and cancels the preceding list of colours.
In other words "Set" restarts with a new series of colours.

On clicking on the button "Add", the selected colour is applied to the Box and added to the list.

When the dialogue of "Select Colour" is visible the keyboard and mouse functions are also active

"Math Operation" shows a sub-menu that contains a list of the possible Math operations.
With the mathematical operations you can achieve many graphic effects, analyse the stereo images, compare two images, recompose the separated RGB channels, etc.

Note
To add Logo, Text, other Images or Layers to the main image you can use the 3D Gugle's functions: "File\Open Add" or "Edit\Paste Add" or "File\Open Add Layer" or "Edit\Paste Add Layer"
When the "Add" function is used, the Box and its functions are automatically activated by 3D Gugle
The Box it is also automatically activated by 3D Gugle when "File\Resize Canvas" is used.

Please remember that, before extracting the Layers, it is necessary to normalize the image.
To normalize by the menu "2D to 3D" click on "Image Layer Preparation".

"Selection by points (curves)" and "Selection by points (polygon)" operate using the same procedures.

To activate these types of selection use the menu "Selection" or the right button of the mouse.

When the functions are active the context menu of the mouse changes and shows new functions.

The function "Copy" copies the selection to the Window clipboard.
The selection is copied as a Layer with the background in black colour.
To employ the images copied use "Paste Add Layer" from the menu "Edit."

In the examples below are the image as selected and then the copied image.

The function "Crop" cuts out the content of the selection.
The resultant selection is a new Layer. Save it.
To employ the images saved, in another image, use "Open Add Layer" from the menu "File."

The function "Fill" work the same as the "Fill" of "Selection Box", see also "Fill" LAB.

"Add new point", adds a new point to the series.
The point can be added also with the "Space bar".
The new points are added in a clockwise direction immediately after the selected point.
To select a point hover the mouse over a point until cross hairs appear and left click. The selected point is shown in yellow colour.

"Delete selected point", cancels the selected point.
The point can also be cancelled with the key "C".

When the cursor of the mouse has the form of 2 crossed arrows, it is possible to drag the selection in any direction
"Lock Shift" stops the movement of the whole selection but individual points can still be moved.

"Antialias", use the algorithm of Anti-alias for the contours.
When Anti-alias is active the contours are drawn in a way that minimises jagged edges.
Anti-alias is recommended for the selections that have a graphic use but not for the conversions in 3D.

The example below shows the same image. The left shows the use of the Anti-alias contours control.

3D Gugle's Anti-alias algorithm is extremely refined but the contour reconstruction is not always without consequences.
When the Layer is added to another image or Layer, the virtual contours produced by the Anti-alias are dark or in a different colour.
For this reason it is always worthwhile to save or to copy the Layers using the two possible methods, (with and without anti-alias) and only a practical test can establish which is the best solution.
"Anti-alias" is available for the functions: "Copy", "Crop" and "Save Points as Layer".

"Save Points Data" saves the points data coordinates and the line colour.
The data is saved with the extension "*.dps".

"Save Points as Layer" saves the selection as Layer directly without closing the LAB.
This function is very important because it allows you to make real verifications of the result.
Remember that 3D Gugle is constructed to work in multi-session: you can contemporaneously open two or more sessions of 3D Gugle, For example in a session you can extract the Layers and in the second session you can apply them.

To assemble the Layers, you can use the special laboratory of 3D Gugle’s "Layers assembly". In this LAB you can also create, animations and applications for lenticular use.

The Arrow keys move the selection in the respective direction.

"Deselect" from the context menu of the mouse or the key "ESC" (Escape) deselects and closes the "By points" LAB.

The LAB of "Fill"

The laboratory of "Fill" is used to fill the Box rectangle or the area contained in the "Points", with a solid colour or with gradients .The function is available for all the types of 3D Gugle selections and to run the LAB use the mouse context menu.

The laboratory has a drop-down box "Fill Method", which allows you to choose different methods of filling. Each selection also reveals different controls for the operation of your choice.

Colours selection
The main dialogue has 2 Boxes for the colours selection.
The first one (left) is for the main colour; the second is for the gradient mixture colour.
The second Box is visible when the fill method "Gradient" or "Linear gradient" is selected.

To select a colour, click on the coloured disk.
To increase/decrease the brightness, act on the right rectangle.
Note: if the red triangle is to the maximum low position you can see only the black and not the colours.
To select a pure colour, click on the little rectangle "Pure colours".
To change the "Alpha blending" use the scroll-bar. The value 255 corresponds to "Non-transparent"

The methods "Gradient" and "Linear Gradient" perform a rendering using a mixture of two colours.
When these two methods are selected the second colours-box becomes visible, along with a scroll ("D = x") for the graduation of the coloured mixture and a button "Trian" (Triangular) to modify the apex of rendering.

Gradient fills the selection trying to give a solid form while "Linear Gradient" fills from a point to a point, for instance from left to the right.

To change the "Linear gradient" direction you can use the scroll bar "Rot".
Acting on the scroll "D = " you change the curve of the rendering.

With "Lx" and "Ly" you can enlarge the apex of rendering.
See the below example.

The button "OK" pastes the coloured area onto the main image and closes the "Fill" dialogue.

Note
When the Dialogue of "Fill" shown it is possible to use a lot of the intrinsic functions of the various types of 3D Gugle selections.

For the selections type "By Points" it is possible to modify with the mouse the points position and with the keyboard you can add, cancel or Hide points. ("Space" to add, the key "C" to delete, "Z" Hide/Reveal).

For the "Box" selection it is possible to resize with the mouse or the keys.

With the selection type "By Points" you can extract Layers from photographic images, sketches or paintings for converting 2D to 3D stereo pairs or you can extract parts of images for every type of graphic, animation and lenticular use.

The method used is unique to 3D Gugle and allows you to work with greater precision and faster than any known method.

One of the important advantages of 3D Gugle's method is that you do not have to have previously applied a zoom to extract the layers.
The Zoom-In and Zoom- Out functions, often used by other applications, alter the image because they reduce its 'sparkle' and sharpness.

Attention: the method that will be described is not the recommended way to make high-quality selections. It is just a simple description of the main steps so that you can understand the procedure.

Graphic artists experienced in the art of 3D conversion or graphics assembly have their own methods or improvements derived from experience.

3D Gugle is designed to allow for the maximum operational flexibility and has tools with which it is possible to make many types of corrections and other preparations prior to making a selection. These operations can not only speed-up the work but also improve the quality of the result.

Many artists also use some hybrid techniques. These operations are relatively complex and require a deep knowledge of 3D Gugle's capabilities.

Direct Layers,                   To extract the Layers
Layers Assembly               The assemble or animate the Layers.
Algorithms to Layers and Stereo Analisys  To automatically create the intermediate frames required for lenticulars or animations.
Paint LAB                          To retouch or to clone areas
Combine LAB                     Maintenance of the Layers.
Write LAB                        To create Layers from word or text

Free deformation LAB        To create a free-form virtual depth or to make stereo deformations
Sphere LAB                       To create a spherical virtual depth or to make deformations
Depth LAB                         To create a virtual perspective or to make deformations

Resize LAB                        To resize the Layers
Rotate LAB                        To rotate or flip the Layers
Reconstruction by colours   To prepare the image for the Layer extraction

One Note
3D Gugle is designed to operate in multi-session mode.
This allows you to open multiple instances of 3D Gugle.
The multi-session mode allows you to make changes to your selection and then to immediately move to another 3D Gugle instance to make a test.

For these operations use the functions:
    right mouse button:
        "Copy",
        "Save Points as Layer",
        "Save Points Data",
    menu "File":
        "Open Add Layer",
    menu "Edit":
        "Paste Add Layer",
    menu "Selection":
        "Load Points Data".

To directly deform, rotate, flip, zoom, ecc. the Layers you can use the Box functionality., This function is automatic from the "Open Add" and "Paste Add" functions.

2) Clear the image so that all details are visible. To perform this operation the use of "Reconstruction by colours" LAB. is strongly recommended.

The image that you use for extracting the Layers can be different from the original image. In other words you can apply the saved layout to the final image later using "Load Points Data".
Save this clear image in *. bmp format.

3) Cut out from the clear image the sector on which you want to operate.
To cut out you use the function "Crop" from the "Selection Box (Rectangle)" and then you save this clip.

4) To begin, circle the area you want to select with a few points so that the detail is all inside the lines.
If the image is too big, select "Window" from the "View" menu.

5) Select a suitable colour for the lines from the menu "Line colour" and anchor the selection in place by using "Lock Shift".

To select a point hover the mouse over a point until thin cross hairs appear and left click. The selected point is shown in yellow colour. Then press the spacebar to add a point.

The new points are added in a clockwise direction immediately after the selected point.

7) Systematically move all the points towards the contour and if necessary add other new points.

8) Magnify the image, for instance using zoom 200%, from the menu "View" and continue to move the points towards the contour Add new points as necessary.
When you magnify the image the points are not magnified by the same amount as the image is.
The resize algorithm and the curves interpolation method used by 3D Gugle are very refined and what you see in zoom mode is exactly equal to the final result.

9) Magnify and continue with the curves approximation.
To hide/reveal the Points use the Key "Z" or from the context menu "Show/Hide points (Key Z)"

9) At this point it is possible to check the selection quality. With 3D Gugle this operation is extremely simple.
From the mouse context menu selected "Copy".
Now open a new session of 3D Gugle and from the menu "Edit" use "Paste" to have the Layer on the screen.
Magnify and observe the details and verify the precision of the contours.
In the example below the defects of selection have been underlined in red.

Modify the points and make further checks until you get an optimal result.
However remember that the image will be seen by your consumer in its original size and to be more precise is not always necessary.

To modify or to correct a Layer you can also use the laboratory of "Direct Layers" or the functions of "Combine" LAB.

If you use "Direct Layers" first open the Layer to modify and then access “Direct Layers” from the menu "2D to 3D".
After the modification, to save the Layer, use "Save single Layer" from the menu "Option".

If you use "Combine LAB" for the first time, read the information on its use in the example "A Stereo Image" of "Layers Assembly" in the section ": "Retusching..." and "The black hole".

10) Save the Points layout with "Save Points Data" and continue with the same procedure for the other selections of your image.

11) To apply the selections and to extract the Layers for final use, open the original image and from the menu "Selection" select "Load points Data".
Magnify the image and drag the selection to the required position.
To make a precise movement you can use the Arrow keys

Save again the layout so that the position co-ordinates are also saved using "Save Points Data".
Now save the Layer with "Save Points as Layer", possibly in two versions, one with "Antialias" and continue repeating the same procedure with the next new Layer.

The selection of the inside parts
If the figures have inside parts that have to cut out it is not a problem. Using the method "By Points" you simply enter in these areas.
In the example that follows, there are three very complex inside parts. These parts are marked with the red colour.

We recommend doing the job, initially, as if these parts don’t exist and therefore only edge the perimeter of the figure.

Before the finalisation of the points you need to open a passage to access the inside part. To do this select a point adjacent to the inside part and drag it inside.

Create more points and drag them to outline the inside area until you reach the starting point, closing off the inside part.

In the below image (without points (Key "Z")) you can easily see the areas and the method used to create the passages.

And finally the cloned angel is shown placed above and to the left of the original one

An inverted selection
When it is necessary to invert a selection for special effects or frames, it is enough to fill the selection with black.
Remember that 3D Gugle considers black colour (pure) as transparent colour and therefore uses black with the functions "Open Add Layer" or "Paste Add Layer" to add the images to the image of the screen.

The LAB of "Fill" can fill any form with gradients but also with a pure colour.

The method:

1) Draw the outline using "Selection by points (curves) " for example as in the figure below.

3) Select in the rectangle of "Pure colours" clicking with the mouse on the black colour and then "OK" to close "Fill" LAB.

Close the dialogue of "Fill" using the "ESC" (Escape) key to deselect the "points".
Save the image as "*.bmp" or "*gna".

4) Open, using "File/Open", the image that you want to use as background.
Now add the image just saved using from the menu "File" "Open Add Layer".
Move the Box with the keys or with the mouse to the preferred position.
Use “Enter” to memorise and to deselect the Box.

Note
In the tutorials of "Direct Layers" and "Layers Assembly" there is a lot of useful information on the Layers and on their employment.

Gradient	Gradient and D = 6

Linear Gradient	Linear Gradient and D = 11