Exercise 1 - Sign Creation
(Extra Help)
Review of File Management
Procedures...
Now we will save this default untitled drawing to the folder designated for the Exercises used in this course. We will look at the steps involved in creating files and folders.
1. Click on the File command and select the "Save As" command. When the Save As command window opens notice the three items you must consider. One is the "Save in" folder or address box, another is the "File name:" box, and the last one is the "Save as type:" box. Every file on your computer must have a unique combination of these three items.
2. First we will navigate to the folder we want to save our file in. Notice the black triangle pointing down just to the right of the "Save in:" box. This is an indication that we will get additional choices when we click on this triangle. When you click in this a menu will appear which is a table of contents for your computer and it's storage devices. We will use this feature to navigate to "My documents" folder, it will be found by going to the hard drive "c:", then selecting the "My documents" folder and clicking the open button. Notice how the "My documents" folder name now appears in the "Save in:" box.
Note: Every computer can have different default locations and folder names and paths. The example being used here may require some variations on your machine and your operating system. The principles are the same.
3. We will now create a new folder to be used in our exercises for this course. To place a new folder inside of the "My Documents" folder we will use the third tool button to the right of the black triangle. If you slide your mouse over this button without clicking the "Create New Folder" description should appear. Click in this button, notice that it is a yellow file folder with a small "star" located on it.
4. Now notice that in the List of items contained in the "My Documents" folder (this is the list just below the "Save in" box) a "New Folder" item appears, it is highlighted and the blinking typing cursor is located at the end of the highlight. You can now merely begin typing the name for this new folder. Let us call our folder "Graphics"; type that name. Do not click on the "Open" button at this time. We still have not completed the three necessary items; address, name, and type. If you double click on the yellow "Graphics" folder it should jump up into the "Save in:" box. It is important to get this desired folder named Graphics moved up into the "Save in" box.
5. To review this procedure please create a new folder inside of the "Graphics" folder and name it "Exercise 1". Double click on it to place it in the "Save in:" box.
6. Now we will complete the other two required items necessary for the creation of a new file. Near the bottom of the "Save as" dialog window you will see a box for the "File name". Click your mouse in this window to get your typing cursor to move there. Now type the name you desire, lets call this file "stop". Below the "File name:" box notice the "Save as type:" box. Use the black triangle to the right of this box to select the format you desire. This time we will select and use the "16 Color Bitmap(*.bmp)".
7. We have now completed the three reuirements for the creation of a new file: i.e. The address (Save in:), the name (File name), and the format or type (Save as type). Now we need to complete the task and click on the "Save" button. Notice that the file name in the title bar will change from "untitled.bmp" to "stop.bmp". This change tells us we were successful in the creation of a new file.
Note: The technique described and used above can be used for the creation of almost any file using almost any application with the MS Windows Operating Systems. The file command used to select and open files follows a very similar technique using the "Open" command on the file menu to obtain a "Open File" dialog box.
Suggestion: Close all applications and return to the desk top. Start a "Paint" application and use the "Open" command to locate and open the "stop.bmp" file.
Prepared 12/13/01
For Class Members use.
By: Dean Christensen