SignBank 2002 Instruction, Task 2

[Valerie Sutton]

SignWriting List
October 2, 2002

SignBank 2002 Instruction, Task 2

Make GIFs or JPEGs of Signs in SignWriting....
Someday we will have a way to type SignWriting directly in SignBank.
But for the next year or two, we have no choice but to add the signs
as GIFs or JPEGS. This is a slow task for the person who is the
SignBank Editor, but once the GIFs are entered, you will have a
database that others can use and enjoy. Those new users will never
know how much work it was for you and other SignBank Editors, to add
those signs!

Task 2 is to create the SignWriting GIFs, name each one in a specific
way, and place those GIFs in a special folder.


Task 2
1. Type the signs in SignWriter DOS.

2. Export the signs to BMP...or....do a screen capture of each sign.

3. Open your graphics program, such as PhotoShop, Illustrator,
AppleWorks, CorelDraw, or MS Paint...There are many programs that
will create a GIF or JPEG for you...but it is different for everyone.
Choose a program you like and know.

4. Bring the SignWriting BMP file into your graphics program.

5. Create individual GIFs or JPEGs for each sign you wish to enter
into SignBank.


6. The GIFs should be a standard size. The SignBank standard SignSize
is to place the sign in the center of a perfect square that is:

86 by 86 pixels

or

1.194 by 1.194 inches

or

7.17 by 7.17 picas



7. What happens when the sign is wider or taller than the SignBank
standard size? Make that one GIF larger to fit that unique sign, and
don't worry about. Just use the standard size whenever possible.


8. Name each GIF following the SignBank standard. This is important,
so that later, we can all coordinate our databases. The SignBank
SignName Standard is:

SignName-Number-Country.GIF

Here are examples:

USA
hello-01-US.gif
hello-02-US.gif

GERMANY
gutentag-01-DE.gif
gutentag-02-DE.gif
hallo-01-DE.gif

NORWAY
goddag-01-NO.gif
hej-01-NO.gif

A single dash separates each section. Always put a number for the
sign, like 01 or 02, even if you only have one sign with that name.
That will make it easier later, if you want to add more signs with
the same name.


9. Save all your GIFs inside ONE folder. Call the folder "SignWriting
(plus your country code)". Here is an example:

SignWriting US (USA signs)
SignWriting DE (German signs)
SignWriting NO (Norwegian signs)
SignWriting CHde (Swiss-German signs)

Your folder will be placed in the SignBank Archives folder, with
folders from other countries.

End, Task 2 ;-)

-------------------------------------


P.S. Do not start adding signs into an older version of SignBank,
since the program has changed quite a bit...so wait til Monday for
the new download.

Hopefully on Monday we can start Task 3, which is to download the
newest version of SignBank, before you begin adding signs. I will
tell you when to download. I want to finish the Navigation Languages
in SignBank this weekend.

Feel free to ask questions about Task 2. I would be grateful to
anyone on the List who can help others....

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!
--
Val ;-)


.....................................................

Valerie Sutton
Sutton at SignWriting.org

Sign Languages are
written languages!

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