File Menu

The File Menu allows you to access functions related to opening, closing, saving and printing files. Keyboard equivalents vary depending on your platform.

New

The New… command allows you to create a new mandala. MandalaMaker can have only one open mandala at a time. If you have an unsaved mandala open when you choose New…, MandalaMaker will ask you if you want to save your mandala. If you answer yes, you will be shown the Save dialog. See below for details on saving files. If you answer no, MandalaMaker will discard your open mandala.

Open

The Open… command allows you to open a mandala which you have previously saved. MandalaMaker can only open files saved in the MandalaMaker format. Exported JPEG, PNG or GIF images can not be reopened in MandalaMaker. As with the New… command, if you have an unsaved mandala open when you choose Open…, MandalaMaker will ask you if you want to save your mandala.

Save

When you choose the Save… command, MandalaMaker presents you with the Save dialog box native to your platform. The dialog allows you to select a destination folder or directory and to name the file. MandalaMaker provides a default name which is something boring like "mandala1.mmk." The extension ".mmk" allows the OS to identify MandalaMaker files. It should be retained. (Currently on Windows systems, the extension may not appear automatically. In this case you will need to add the extension manually.) Certainly feel free to name your mandala "Blaze of Glory" or some other more fitting title. If you are unsure of how to use the Save dialog please refer to your operating system documentation. On some platforms the Save… command is dimmed if there is no open file or no changes have been made.

Save As

The Save As… command lets you save a previously saved mandala with a different name. You might want to do this to save two different versions of the same mandala. On some platforms the Save As… command is dimmed if the current mandala has not yet been saved.

Export Image

The Export Image command allows you to export the current mandala in a variety of pixel based image formats including JPEG, PNG and GIF. When this command is selected, it brings up the Export Dialog box.

The dialog allows you to customize the image output with the following parameters:

File Type

Choose a file type based on how you plan to use the image:

• JPEG - a high quality format designed for continuous-tone images - supports variable resolutions - images are opaque (no background transparency) - a great overall choice for MandalaMaker images if you do not require image transparency - particularly suited for fine rendition of gradient paints
  
  
• PNG - a high quality format - supports variable resolutions - supports image transparency - a good choice for MandalaMaker images where transparency is required
  
  
• GIF - a relatively low quality format designed for creating web graphics with small file size - limited to 72 dpi resolution - supports transparency - good for web graphics, particularly for mandalas without gradient paints

Resolution

For image types that support multiple resolutions, MandalaMaker provides a choice of four different resolutions: 72, 150, 300, or 600 dots per inch (dpi).

The higher the resolution the finer the image detail will be and the larger the resulting file will be.

72 dpi is essentially "screen resolution" suitable for images which will be viewed only on a computer screen, such as web graphics.

Higher resolutions are better suited for images that will be printed. We recommend 300 dpi for most applications, but you may want to use 150 dpi for a smaller file size or 600 dpi for extra high quality output.

Image Size

MandalaMaker always creates square output images. When the Export Dialog opens, the size is set to be essentially WYSIWYG — creating an image the apparent size of the onscreen Canvas image.

You can adjust the image size to suit your needs, and the image size can be expressed in inches, centimeters, or pixels.

To change the unit of measure, click on the popup unit menu and choose a unit type. MandalaMaker will recalculate the current size based on the unit you select.

Be Aware:

To conserve system resources and prevent overly long export delays, MandalaMaker limits the maximum size of exported images to 6000 pixels square.

This is equivalent to a 20 inch square image at 300 dpi.

If you attempt to export an image larger than the maximum. You will raise an alert box asking you to reduce the size or resolution.

Once you complete your export settings click the Export Button. You will be presented with a standard save dialog where you can name and select a destination for your exported image.

You should be sure the name you choose for your exported file includes the proper file extension (.jpg for JPEG, .png for PNG or .gif for GIF) to ensure that the image is properly recognized by other applications.

JPEG exports are generally fairly fast, but PNG or GIF exports, and exports of images containing complex gradients, may take a bit of time. Be patient while the export is being handled. MandalaMaker will show you a progress indicator and a message dialog telling you that your export is complete.

Print

The Print command allows you to print the currently open mandala to your printer. The image is automatically scaled to match your paper size and the Mandala is printed centered on the page.

Exit (Windows only)

The Exit command appears here on the Windows platform only. On Mac OS X a Quit item appears on the Application menu. Choosing Exit or Quit exits the MandalaMaker program. If you have an unsaved mandala open, MandalaMaker asks if you would like to save it before quitting.

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