Start the CreataCard program:
If starting the program from the CD-ROM: After program starts, replace the CreataCard CD-ROM with ours (only if using our CD-ROM version of clipart. You can leave the CreataCard CD in if you're using our "Tidbits To Go" clipart NOT on CD-ROM).
If starting the program from the "Start" menu:
Version 2: Click "CANCEL", when asked for the CreataCard CD.
Version 3: When told to "Insert the CreataCard Application CD", click "OK". It will then say, "Can't find the CreataCard data file ...", click "CANCEL".

The CreataCard screen will appear. Proceed with the following ...
Click on "CREATIVE WORKSHOP". Select the project you will be working on, for example...

To create Stationery, Flyers, T-shirt transfers, etc. click on "SIGNS/CERTIFICATES/STATIONERY", "VERTICAL" (or "HORIZONTAL"), then "CONTINUE".

IMPORT an image: In the main menu, click on "ART BOOK", "IMPORT".

NOTE: For "Tidbits To Go" clipart which is NOT on CD-ROM, you need to replace "d" with "c" (drive letter), and "WMF" folder will instead be "Lww" folder for the instructions below.

Step 1, in the #1 Section: On the left half of this section, click on "d" (or whatever the drive letter of your CD-Rom). On the right half of this section, click the "WMF" folder. The list of image files should appear in the #2 section.

Step 2, in the #2 Section: Click anywhere on this section. A preview shows up on the right. From your keyboard, type the name of the clipart image you want to import (ex: C075 or c6101). The program will jump to the image. You can scroll down with the "down arrow" key on your keyboard to see the preview of neighboring images. Click "PASTE ART", then "CLOSE BOOK" when see the image you want.

Always make sure the image you are working on is "selected". You can tell if an item is selected because there will be a box with 8 black squares around it. To select an image, move your pointer to the image and click on it.

SIZING the image: Move the pointer to one of the corners of the image. The hand should now turn into two opposing arrows. Click and drag inward to reduce the image, or drag outward to enlarge. Another way to scale an image is to continuously click on the triangles in the "SIZE" icon located on the bottom right half of your screen. NOTE1: If you do not see this item, click on the round "MOVE" icon above or on the left (depending on the project) of your worksheet. You have to have an item selected to see this icon.

MOVING the image: Position your pointer on the image. FOUR opposing arrows should appear. Click and drag the image to where you want to move it. Another way to move an image is to continuously click on the direction arrows in the "MOVE" icon located at the bottom right half of your screen (see NOTE1 above, if you do not see this item).

ROTATING the image: If the image is "selected", you should see a circle with a square attached to it in the middle of the image box. Position your pointer on the square, two curving arrows should appear. Click your mouse button and drag to pull the handle out of the box. Gradually move to the right or left until you have the rotation you want. Another way to rotate is by continuously clicking on the "ROTATE" icon located at the bottom right half of your screen (see NOTE1, if you do not see this item).

SELECTING an image: Click directly on the image. Another way is to click on the round "SELECT OBJECT" icon above or on the left of your worksheet. If you have a lot of images on the sheet, keep clicking the icon until the correct clipart is selected.

SELECTING more than one image: Hold down your "SHIFT" key and click on subsequent images. Each item clicked on once will add to your selection. If you click on the same image again, you will remove it from the selection. You can also click and drag a box around several images, but make sure you encompass the WHOLE image. If even a tiny portion of the image is outside the imaginary box you dragged, it will be missed and not be selected.

DESELECTING an image: Click on the orange background outside the worksheet. You'll know that an image is deselected when there is no longer a box with 8 black squares around it.

You may now import another image by repeating from "IMPORT".

ORDER or OVERLAPPING: Select the image you want to put on a layer behind another image (example: a tree behind a bear). Put your pointer on the worksheet and click your right mouse button. Click on "ORDER", "MOVE TO BACK".

COPYING: Click on the round "COPY" icon that is located above or on the left (depending on the project) of your worksheet. Click "PASTE" soon after. The duplicate image will appear in the middle of your worksheet. If you need more copies, click "PASTE" again (there is no need to click "COPY" again unless you want to copy a different image).

ADDING A BACKGROUND COLOR: In the main menu, click "DRAW", below the main menu click on the square. Put your pointer in the upper left corner of the sheet, click and drag to the lower right corner. Click the color palette to choose a fill color and/or outline color. See "ORDER" paragraph above to send to the back-most layer.

ADDING TEXT: In the main menu, click on "TEXT", click on "NEW TEXT" below the main menu. Move your pointer to the worksheet. A box with an "ab" and an arrow should appear. Click and drag your pointer until you have a box the size you want the text to fit inside. A blinking vertical line (cursor) appears in the box. Type in your text.

RESIZING THE TEXT BOX: While in the editing mode (blinking cursor in the box), place your pointer on the lower right corner of the box. When you see a "b" with four arrows, click and drag to make your box bigger or smaller.

TEXT ALIGNMENT: To center your text, click on "CENTER", then "MIDDLE" in the "ALIGNMENT" box on the bottom right half of your screen.

TEXT COLOR: Place the bottom part of the pointer (looks like a capital "i") at the beginning of the text you want to color, then click and drag to where you want the color to end. Click on "TEXT COLOR". Under "INSIDE COLOR", click the upside-down triangle, scroll down and click on the color you want. If you want an outline around each letter, do the same under "OUTLINE COLOR". The "OUTLINE SIZE" determines how thick to make the outline. Click "APPLY".

TYPEFACE: Click "CHANGE TYPEFACE", a list appears. Click and hold down the upside-down triangle to scroll down the list to find a typeface you like (or hit your "PAGE DOWN" key on your keyboard). If you know the name of a particular typeface (ex: Cooper) you can start typing the name and the program will jump to it. Click on the typeface to select it, then click "APPLY".

TEXT SIZE: Under "TEXT SIZE", click on the triangles to enlarge or to reduce. Holding down your mouse button will continuously enlarge or reduce the text.

When you are done adding text, click on "STOP EDIT". You should now see a box with 8 black squares around it. You can move, rotate, etc. the text like you did the clipart (see NOTE1 under "SIZING" paragraph above, to get the MOVE menu). If you need to change the text, double-click inside the text box and that puts you back into the text editing mode.

GROUPING images together: "Group" images and text together if you want to treat them as ONE entire clipart. This ensures them staying together when you move, rotate or flip them. Click and drag your pointer to encompass all the items you want to group, click your right mouse button. Click "ARRANGE", "GROUP". You can always "UNGROUP" them if you want them separate again.

CHANGING THE COLOR OF AN IMAGE: Move the image to a blank spot on the worksheet. Select the image, then ZOOM in closer (click the "ZOOM" icon in the main menu, scroll with the triangles until you see the clipart) click your right mouse button, "ARRANGE", "UNGROUP". Click on the item you wish to color, click the "DRAW" icon in the main menu, click the palette located at the bottom right of your screen. Select the color you want from the list, click "APPLY". When you are done, "GROUP" the image again by doing the above. DO NOT change browns or flesh color.

FLIPPING the image: To flip (or mirror) the image when making transfers for t-shirts, mousepad, coasters, or just to make an image face the other direction, select the image (or image group). Click your right mouse button, click "FLIP", "HORIZONTALLY". Flipping "horizonally" flips the image left-to-right and visa-versa. Flipping "vertically", flips the image up-and-down.

UNDO: Immediately click the round "UNDO" icon (located above or left of the worksheet) if you make a boo-boo. If you do any action right after the mistake (even just clicking your mouse button), it will NOT undo the mistake.

PRINTING: Click on "PRINT".

In the #1 Section: Click on the printer you will use (use the to find your printer if not already shown).
#3 Section: Make sure the correct paper size is selected.
#4 Section: Use this section only if you want to change your printer's setup (ex: changing the quality, printing on card stock, transparencies, envelopes, etc.)

Click on "PRINT NOW".

You will need to put the "American Greetings CreataCard" CD back into the CD-Rom drive if you want to use one of their pre-made cards with their clipart, etc.

Refer to the "American Greetings CreataCard" manual for other features of the program.