Can I change color of clipart inserted into Publisher document?

[diamondbreeze]

Can I change color of clipart inserted into Publisher document? It is
currently blacl clipart from one of thise clipart CDs.

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

No, you can't.. but what you can do is load the clipart into a graphics
editor.. Windows Paint is an example, albeit a simple one..

 

[Mary Sauer]

Sure, if it is a vector, (.wmf, .emf) you can select the image and ungroup and
re-color each segment. If it is a bitmap, you can re-color the entire image to one
single color, select the image, right-click, click format picture, Picture tab,
recolor button. If you have an early version of Publisher it will be approached
differently but it still can be done.

 

[John]

Mike.
I'm not at all sure of the technical definition
of clipart, but I do knowthat using PUBLISHER 2002
items of clipart -shown in black- are changed to colour
by means of the following method.

1. Highlight the clip.
2. Go to "Format"
3. Bottom item shown is "Format Picture."
Click on "Format Picture"
4. Choose "Recolour" Box.
Then follow the illustrated instructions.

Comes in handy when creating Logos.

Excuse any errors in definitions, but this
method does work.

Hope this helps.

John.
==================================

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

John

I will go back and try that in 2003.. I did look at the problem first, and
couldn't change anything.. will report back


--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/user

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

OK

After a play, Mary's wmf files are capable of being changed, but please
somebody remove those dot thingy's.. I found it quite difficult to change
various elements because I couldn't select them so easy.. the same image in
Paint is a breeze but the colours are limited..

A single colour jpg changes colour in Publisher very easily, but put it in
Paint and it becomes a nightmare..

Bmp files colour in Publisher easily, but the effect is just terrible, and
Paint is not a whole lot better unless each colour is 'solid' solid..

So what have I learned?..

At a personal level, if you don't like the colour of some piece clipart or
image, pick another.. .. it is far too easy to lose patience in attempts
to get what you want..

I have more than one 'photo' editor, but you really don't want to go there
just to change a colour.. Paint shop Pro I use purely to convert graphics
file formats.. I did try to change a colour there too, but if you load a
monochrome image, you get a monochrome palette, and I wasn't about to find
out how to get colour onto it..

I was a confirmed Serif PagePlus user for the longest time.. Serif also
produce a series of other graphics programs, eg LogoPlus, and if I was going
to get heavy into graphics again, I think that I would re-acquaint myself
with Serif products..

I do believe that Publisher has improved over the years (to the point where
I do use it occasionally), but the target audience holds it back a little in
much the same way as some of the 'greetings cards' programs are held back..

I also have a question.. during these trials, I completely messed up
Microsoft Clipart organiser.. when I select the clipart function, the images
are all over the place, and some show up but the location can't be found and
I can't use them.. can somebody please help me sort this mess out?
Publisher 2003, btw..

--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/user

 

[Mary Sauer]

Mike, the dot thingy's can be turned off by View, clear boundaries and guides...

Open the Clip Organizer, file, "Add clips to Organizer", click automatically. Click
help, compact.

 

[Ed Bennett]

After a play, Mary's wmf files are capable of being changed, but
please somebody remove those dot thingy's.. I found it quite
difficult to change various elements because I couldn't select them
so easy.. the same image in Paint is a breeze but the colours are
limited..

Mike,

ClipArt comes in different shapes and sizes.

JPEG ClipArt is limited in resolution, and is normally only used for photos.
It is particularly difficult to edit the colours in (especially in Paint),
due to JPEG artifacts.

BMP, GIF, PNG ClipArt is also resolution-limited, but do not have the
artifacts.

These file formats are quality-limited and will normally be at least a
little pipxellated when printed on a desktop printer of reasonable quality.

(Also, double-click a colour in Paint to change it to a different colour -
Paint does give you access to about 16.7 million colours. Or is that not
enough for you? )

ClipArt in WMF or EMF format is not resolution-limited, as it is defined by
shapes. By loading the file into a PAINT program, you are converting it to
a fixed resolution, meaning that you lose quality and will be unable to
scale the image. I always recommend against this.

It is a good idea to edit this sort of ClipArt by ungrouping in Publisher.
You can scale it up and zoom right in before editing to allow you to select
individual components. The even better alternative is to use a DRAW
application (such as CorelDraw! or Serif DrawPlus) to work with the graphic
before converting it back to WMF and importing it into your document.

If you have the perfect piece of ClipArt of a guy in a T-shirt in WMF
format, but the T-shirt is the wrong colour: go for it, ungroup it and
change the colour. You can even delete logos and other elements, as are
described (IIRC) in a tutorial of Mary's somewhere.

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

Mary

I tried that but it didn't appear to work.. I will run Office repair and
then try again..

--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/user

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

Ed

DrawPlus is what I have used in the past.. I have the full Serif version 6
line-up on a computer in Spain, and I have all of the CD's too..
unfortunately, the purchase receipt carries the registration number which I
need to install and run the programs.. my agent in Spain is unable to find
it, so until I get back over there, I use MS Publisher.. I have to admit
that Publisher and I have never gotten along too well, but I am trying..

For sure, Publisher is ok, but I wish that Microsoft would release
additional software like Serif do that would still keep the basic program in
tact but add more functionality for those that require it.. maybe you guys
could suggest that at your online meetings with the 'Publisher' team..

In the meantime, thanks for the help, y'all.. I will go away and play for a
while..

--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/user

 

[Mike Koewler]

Mike,

Registration is not a problem. If a screen comes up asking you to
register, do it via the Net. Serif really doesn't care if the program
has been registered before. If you have questions, go to
http://www.serif.com/forum/default.asp and post a message. No log-in needed.

Mike

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

Mike

In that case, I will send for the CD's..

--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/user