PicSyms:

 

PicSyms are line drawn graphic symbols created using Boardmaker™ software. Boardmaker along with the three addendum libraries contains over 6000 symbols in color or black and white. Sign language addendums are also available.

Getting Started:  Instructions for Boardmaker V. 1.4.A

Boardmaker™ V. 1.4A Instructions

 

     Open Boardmaker under Start: Programs: Boardmaker: in Black and White or Color

 

     For easier creating:

     1.  Go to View – Click on Show Grid

     2.  Go to View – Click on Show Ruler

 

     Create cells:

     1.  Click on cell symbol

      2.  On the grid, drag mouse while holding down the left button

 

     Create many cells of the same size:

   1.  Click on the 4 cell symbol (sprayer tool). 

     2.  Click on the cell to copy and drag across the page while holding down the left  
          mouse button

 

Adding picture symbols:

 1.  Click on the Boardmaker symbol (man)

      2.  You are now in the Picture files. Type in a word

      3.   Press return or go to Find First

      4.   Press return or Find Next until you’ve reached the desired picture symbol

      5.   Click on Draw

      6.   You are now back to your grid. Click on the cell where you want to place the  
            picture symbol

      7.   Continue until all picture symbols are completed

 

Adding or changing text:

      1.   Place the picture symbol in the cell

      2.   Click on the text symbol     A

      3.   Highlight  (click and drag over the text) the word(s) to change

      4.   Type in the new text

 

Combining two symbols in one cell:

      1.   Go to Preferences

      2.   Click on Auto resize

      3.   Follow steps above to select picture symbol and place in cell

      4.   Place arrow on small box in lower right corner. Drag to resize

      5.   Click on picture symbol and move to desired spot in cell

      6.   Repeat for additional picture symbols

 

Save grid / file:

      1.   Go to File

      2.   Go to Save

      3.   Name the file / grid

      4.   Press return

 

Print grid / file:

      1.   Go to File

      2.   Go to Print

 

Color:

      1.   Color the cell by clicking on it-click on a color

      2.   Color the Border by clicking on the cell, click on Line Tool, click on  
            a color

 

 Other Features:

       1.   File – Print setup / paper size / paper orientation

       2.   View – Size / Grids / Rulers

       3.   Text – Font  / Alignment / Style

       4.   Preferences – Auto resize / line thickness

 

Copying and Renaming Symbols:

      1.   Select symbol

      2.   Under Edit select Copy

      3.   Using double arrows locate the library and position for symbol

      4.   Under Edit select Paste

      5.   Click on Change next to Picture Name & Enter new name

      6.   Click OK

 

Copy a portion of a symbol:

      1.   In Symbol finder Screen, hold down the mouse button and drag  
            diagonally around desired portion of symbol

      2.   Under Edit select Copy

      3.   Using double arrows locate the library and position for symbol

      4.   Under Edit select Paste

      5.   Click on Change next to Picture Name & enter name

      6.   Click OK

 

Pre-made grids:

      1.   Go to File, select Open

      2.   Go to “pre-made” folder in the Boardmaker folder

      3.   Select the grid needed from the choices

      4.   Insert your pictures

      5.   “Save As” to rename your board

 

Creating a Symbol Library:

      1.   Open Boardmaker

      2.   Go to the Dictionary Screen

      3.   Under File select New

      4.   Enter the name of the new library ending with c.pcs if color

      5.   Save under Boardmaker Libraries

 

Coloring and Modifying and Creating New Symbols:

      1.   Open Boardmaker

      2.   Go to the Dictionary Screen

      3.   Select symbol to be modified

      4.   Under Edit select Copy

      5.   Open a paint program

      6.   Under Edit select Paste

      7.   Using the tools in the paint program color or modify symbol

      8.   Using the Selection Tool Select the revised symbol

 

Saving Revised Symbol:

      1.   Go to the Boardmaker Dictionary Screen

      2.   Using Double arrows on right side, find desired library name

      3.   Under Edit select Paste

      4.   Click on Change next to Picture Name

      5.   Enter name of symbol under English

      6.   Click OK

 

Getting Started:  Instructions for Boardmaker V. 5.0

Boardmaker™ V. 5.0 Instructions

 

Run the Program:

1.  Insert the Boardmaker CD into your disk drive. (Follow installation  
     procedures if Boardmaker 5.0 has not been previously installed).

2.  Click on the Boardmaker icon on the desktop to open the program.

 

Open a Board: 

Choose one of the following:

              New Board to start from scratch.

   Saved Board to work on a board already saved.

             Template to work from pre-made grids or pre-made templates.

 

Making a New Board:

1.  Open a new board.

2.  Make board by using the Cell Tool & Cell Spray Tool.

3.  Modify cells by using:  Corner, Thickness, Line and Shadow Tools.

4.  Retrieve symbols for the cell by using the Boardmaker man Tool. This tool  
     opens the Symbol Finder Window.

 

 Symbol Search:

 1.  Type word in text field.

 2.  Choose to search for word only at beginning of the word, anywhere in the  
      word or for the exact word.

 3.  Use previous/next arrows to view matches.

 4.  Use thumbnail button (shapes) to see all matches at one time.

 5.  Use categories button (man, house, apple) to select specific categories to  
      search.

 6.  To change from black and white to color libraries go into the preferences  
      tool (bottom left corner in symbol finder, next to marquee/lasso button) and  
      choose the desired category library.

 

Select/Edit Symbols:

 

Text Tool on Draw Window:

1.  Select text button and then click into cell to type.

2.  Change font, style, and size by using the text tool in the top menu bar.

 

Color a Cell or Cell Border:

1.  Click on the cell to color and then click on the color palette.

2.  Select border or button and then choose the color.

 

Modify Symbols in a Cell:

1.  Click on an item to delete, choose delete.

2.  To resize, click on an item and drag the corner of the item inward or outward.

3.  Click and drag item to move to desired location.

4.  You can add multiple pictures into the same cell.

 

Coloring, Modifying and Creating New Symbols:

1.  Open Boardmaker.

2.  Go to Symbol Finder.

3.  Select symbol to be modified.

4.  Paste into cell.

5.  Click on the symbol in the cell.

5.  The Tool Bar options will change giving you the option to flip, erase, draw,  
     rotate, paint…

6.  Select paint bucket and color to change the color of the symbol.

 

Creating a Symbol Library:

1.  Open Boardmaker.

2.  Go to File, Import, then Picture.

3.  Locate picture wanted (it must be in one of the following file formats - .wmf, .emf, or  
     .bmp).

4.  Graphic appears in dialog box. Name and categorize symbol.

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