Chalkspiration starts by automatically converting your image to chalky outlines with light shading then allows you to place objects from a library of included flourishes, banners, embellishments and fonts.
Click t o hide the Style Browser
Chalkspiration - Info Page Desktop
Tips
Embed your own clipart into a preset
You can embed your own images into a preset by adding them with the 'Add Image' button. Once you save the preset using the + symbol in the bottom left corner your preset will permanently keep this image and remember exactly how you had it for future use.
Save transparent background
Chalkboard Color - You can remove the chalkboard color (background) and save it with a transparent one by first clicking first on the 'Chalkboard Color' box then adjusting the 'Alpha' slider to 0 (shown below). This powerful feature allows you to apply chalk to your own backgrounds.
Alpha Slider - Once you've clicked on the color box the color picker will open. Find the bottom slider named 'Alpha' and change it to 0. This will remove the chalkboard color making the background transparent.
NOTE: **When you save it is important to save the file as a .png otherwise a white background will be applied if saved as a .jpg.
Select objects behind other objects
To select to objects or text behind another object; click to the side of the document to turn off the selection lines, then roll over the objects with your cursor. Once the object you want is highlighted then click to select it.
NOTE:** If you can't get to an object keep repeating this. Each time you click to the side of the document it brings the rear objects forward.
Buttons
Top Bar Buttons
- Get Photo - Load a photo from your hard drive
- Save Photo - Save your image to your hard drive
- Crop - Cut out an area of your image hiding the rest
- Undo - Undo the last edit
- Zoom In - Zoom in to examine small details
- Move: Move your image within the app and pan through the presets, grains and tints
- Zoom Out - Zoom Out to view a larger proportion of your image
- Redo - Redo the last edit that was undone
- Original Button - Hold down to view the original image for a quick comparison.
- Info Button - Opens up this page
- Website - Takes you to our website
- Randomize - Randomizes the effect on the image.
Tools
- Object Editor - Displays the Transform Tool and the Object Editor Tools that allow you to edit, add and remove objects
- Brush Tool - Displays the Color Brush Tools allowing you to brush on color and remove color
- Eraser Tool - Displays the Eraser Tools allowing you to remove chalk in unwanted areas.
Object Editor Tools
- Add Image - Add another image to your chalkboard
- Add Accents - Add some accents to add character to your chalk art
- Add Text - Add text to your chalkboard with a variety of different fonts
- Reset Objects - Removes all objects that have been added and resets the image back to the original size
Color Brush Tools
- Colorbox - Choose a color to brush onto your chalk art
- Eraser - Use this to erase brushed on color. Use the brush size and slider to change the size of eraser.
- Reset - This will removes the brushed on color to the oject that is selected
- Brush Size - Change the diameter of the Color Brush tool
- Strength - Change the opacity of the Color Brush tool
Eraser Tools
- Reset Eraser - This will bring back all the erased chalk to the oject that is selected
- Brush Size - Change the diameter of the Eraser tool
- Strength - Change the opacity of the Eraser tool
Transform Tool Buttons
- Delete Deletes the chosen object
- Copy - Creates a copy of the selected object
Menu
File
- Get Photo - Load a photo from your or hard drive
- Save Photo - Save the image to your or hard drive
- Save Preset - Once you've created an effect you can use this option to save all the attributes and reuse them on another picture
- Preferences - Change where the application will save your image and rebuild presets that came with the product
Edit
- Undo - Undo your last edit
- Redo - Redo your last edit that was undone
Window
- Zoom In - Zoom in on areas of the image
- Zoom Out - Zoom Out to view a larger proportion of the image
- Fit In Window - Fill the window with the image
- Actual Size - Changes the images size to its original size
Help
- Jixipix Info - Brings you to this page
- Jixipix Products - Takes you to our website where you can view all our apps
Adjustments
You can use the Adjustment Tab to customize your picture. The Adjustment Tab changes depending on which Preset Style is chosen
- Border - Change the opacity of the border. Use the color box to choose a color for the border.
- Width - Choose the thickness of the border.
- Corner - Use the slider to make the corners of your border rounded.
- Inset - Adjust the distance the border is from the edge of your photo.
- Chalkboard Color - Use the colorbox to choose a color for your chalkboard and the slider to adjust its opacity
- Blackboard - Choose a texture for your Blackboard and use the slider to adjust its opacity.
Available when an image is selected
- Rotate/ Flip Horizontally/ Flip Vertically - Use these buttons to rotate your image or to flip it horizontally or vertically.
- Chalk Color - Use the colorbox to choose the color of your chalk, use the slider to adjust the colors opacity and the thumbnail to choose the texture of the chalk.
- Shade Strength - Adjust the opacity of the shaded areas.
- Shade Style - Choose which parts of your image are shaded in.
- Outline Detail - Move right to make your outline more accurate.
- More Detail - Add more detail to the oultine.
- Edge Style - Choose Round or Square to add a faded edge around your image blending it into the background.
Available when an accent is selected
- Rotate/ Flip Horizontally/ Flip Vertically - Use these buttons to rotate your image or to flip it horizontally or vertically.
- Chalk Color - Use the colorbox to choose the color of your chalk, use the slider to adjust the colors opacity and the thumbnail to choose the texture of the chalk.
Available when text is selected
- Multi-line/ One-line Buttons - Choose between using multiple lines or to have everything on 1 line
- Text Alignment Buttons - Pick a left, center or right orientation for your text.
- Font Style - Choose a font style to use.
- Chalk Color - Use the colorbox to choose the color of your chalk, use the slider to adjust the colors opacity and the thumbnail to choose the texture of the chalk.
Presets
Style Browser
Create a Preset using your current settings
Delete a Preset
Randomize the effect using the chosen preset style
Saving and Deleting Presets
Once you have applied a preset and modified it using the Adjustments Tab, you can save your own custom preset by clicking the Plus Symbol in the bottom right corner. To delete a preset click the Minus Symbol which is located in the bottom right corner. Then click the X on the preset you wish to delete.
