Here are the basic steps to create a picture using the import feature...
1. Get the initial picture.
Ideally you want to start with a picture that is as big or BIGGER than the final coloring page size. A good coloring page size, that fits nicely on most screens without scrolling is 700 pixels wide, by 500 pixels high.
You can start with a picture that you've downloaded from a website, or found on a clip-art CD, etc.
You can also draw a picture and then scan it in.
To make it easy to find it later, save the file into My Pictures\Kea Coloring\import\.
2. Import the picture.
 |
Open the Parent Tools and select File | Import graphic file (Ctrl+I) from the menu. Enter a simple Title for the coloring page (e.g. "Guinea Pig"). Put your name for the Author (optional), and enter a short Description (optional). Do not enter the size. It will be filled in automatically once the file is imported. Click the [OK] button. Select the file to import (e.g. guineapig2.jpg). Click the [Open] button. |
3. Convert the picture
 |
All Kea Coloring pages must be just black and white (no colors or gray). The Image Conversion tool opens automatically when you are importing a picture. Adjust the light/dark threshold and the gray-to-black setting to get the best result you can (In our example we used a threshold of 80). When you have a good result, click [OK]. |
4. Resizing the picture
You can resize the picture, by choosing Edit | Resize from the menu. For best results we recommend scaling your image to the size you want in a graphics tool BEFORE importing. (GIMP is a great free graphics editor that will do an excellent job).
5. Editing the picture
You can edit the picture by selecting Edit | Edit picture (F2). Use the pencil tool to fix up gaps in the outline, or to add small details. The eraser can be used to erase unwanted spots or smudges.
6. Testing the picture
 |
You should always test your picture to be sure it colors in the way you want it to. Choose a dark color (e.g. purple) and use the bucket to fill in all the white areas. Make sure that paint doesn't leak out where it shouldn't, and that there are no little white spots that are hard to paint. You may want to zoom in close to tidy up little gaps and other fine details. |
7. Saving the picture
Choose File | Save from the menu. Enter a name for the file (e.g. guineapig), and click the [Save] button. The .kcx extension will be added automatically.
8. Putting the picture into the catalog
The Parent Tools will then ask if you want to add the picture to the Catalog. If you choose [Yes] the catalog editor opens and you can move your new creation over to the Catalog and move it to the place you want it to appear in the coloring book.
9. Share it with other kids!
We'd love to put your finished coloring pages into the catalog, so that kids from all over the world can enjoy your creations. Please see our submission guidelines for more details.
DinoPaint is now available 
