LogoArt for OS/2 v1.10 - by Christopher B. Wright

ogoArt, a vector drawing application from WORKLab System Solutions, is a good program. It has the potential to be a great program, but first it needs to overcome a few self-imposed limitations and improve its user interface a bit to make it more flexible to use. Despite its flaws, it has some great features and is a worthy consideration for anyone thinking of doing simple layouts that combine bit-mapped and vector graphics.

Installation

LogoArt comes on a CD-ROM that contains not only the program, but clip art as well. Along with the CD-ROM, you get a 3.5" disk (an upgrade to the original code) and a small, 75-page manual.

Installing LogoArt is fairly straightforward. At one point during the installation, you are asked to insert the upgrade disk in your A: drive, but this is the only deviation from the standard install routine. After this is finished, you are asked to restart your machine. LogoArt and KVEC, a command-line bitmap-to-vector conversion utility that is included with the program, are ready to go.

I found during repeated installation tests that the install process would, occasionally, quit without finishing. This didn't happen often enough for me to determine why, but it happened at the same place -- just before the Desktop folder and icons were created -- each time. LogoArt appears to function normally despite the premature exit, however.

The latest update for LogoArt, which adds the bitmap-editing capabilities I discuss later in this review, can be downloaded from WORKLab's web site. This is actually a full version of the program, but it won't install unless it detects an older version of LogoArt already installed on your machine.

Documentation

LogoArt's manual is adequate for people who are already familiar with vector graphics programs, but beginners may find it a little too brief in some areas. Also, there were a few errors in the documentation which lead me to believe that it was written based on an unreleased version of the code.

For example, in Section 3.2.1 ("Settings"), the manual says that to make the Crosshair visible on screen, go to the "View" menu and select "Crosshair". The problem is, there is no setting called "Crosshair" in the "View" menu (GIF, 10.2k). Likewise, it says that to alter the appearance of the background, select the "Grid Style" option in the "View" menu and set it to "Checks". Unfortunately, the "Checks" option is not one of your available choices (GIF, 18.1k).

The manual does include a tutorial which shows users how to create a butterfly, and this will help beginners grasp the basics of the various line types, including bezier curves and fillets. But looking for specific information is something of a challenge, even when using the index in the back, because the information you read isn't always completely accurate.

Features and Use

One of the most frustrating things about LogoArt is that it seems to couple each really great idea with a cumbersome implementation.

For example, all of the basic drawing elements of LogoArt are readily accessible on the main screen (GIF, 34.2k) without having to deal with roll-up palettes, nested menus, or settings folders. Unfortunately, what you see is what you get -- it is completely uncustomizable. You can't add buttons, move the button strips around, or even arrange the current buttons more to your liking. Unfortunately, this causes a screen real-estate problem when you're working on a smaller monitor or at lower resolutions.

I'd like the buttons to be sized a little smaller, too. They're bigger than they need to be, which takes up screen space that would be better used as space for drawings. Great idea: All basic controls on main screen. Cumbersome implementation: All basic controls are unchangeable.

Layers

LogoArt allows you to work in layers, keeping some parts of your work on different "levels" of the graphic. The layers bar allows you to specify the characteristics of each layer in the graphic. Unfortunately, the layers bar disappears as soon as you click on something else.

The program's design allows creation of both single-line and area text, but you can't enter text directly onto the graphic area -- you must instead use a text area that appears as a toolbar on the screen.

LogoArt allows you to create highly complex shapes using splines and polylines. The visual cues LogoArt uses to identify a foci on a spline differs from most vector graphics programs, and I find the difference refreshing and easier to use in some cases. But sometimes it can be difficult to figure out exactly what focus to move when there are a lot of curves in the graphic.

LogoArt's method of modifying fonts and colors is different from any other program I've seen. LogoArt actually calls up versions of the OS/2 Font Palette and the OS/2 Mixed Color Palette so you can drag and drop the colors or fonts onto your project. Because the font palette only accepts 8 different font styles, and because the Mixed Color Palette only displays 256 colors, however, this may limit many people.

Despite LogoArt's awkward moments, however, it has a lot of features that will surprise you. For example, if you import a digital image (like a .gif) into a spline, the spline will act as a cropping tool. How did you import a .gif into a picture? Just drag it from any folder onto the open application. This drag-and-drop functionality (GIF, 26.5k) can make importing digital graphics a lot easier than dealing with nests of dialog boxes.

Once you've imported your bit-mapped graphic, you can perform some rudimentary photo-editing techniques (GIF, 17.7k), as well as apply various masks and effects (GIF, 20.5k). While these features can't match a package like Impos/2, Embellish or Photo>Graphics, they are useful if you're working with both bit-mapped and vector graphics in a primarily vector graphics environment.

KVEC

One of the most powerful features that comes with LogoArt isn't actually part of the program, but is a command-line utility called KVEC. KVEC is a tool that allows you to convert bit-mapped graphics into scalable vector art. KVEC works very well, but in order to fully exploit its features you need to be willing to type out long command strings from an OS/2 command-line. With KVEC, I was able to take an early "Help Desk" comic strip and convert it into a smudgy but recognizable vector graphic.

KVEC, by the way, needs to be registered separately from LogoArt. The first time you use it, it will generate a text file with the information you need to register the application.

Weaknesses

While LogoArt has some compelling features, it also lacks some features that I sorely missed.

1. Object Guides. Many vector graphics programs have little guides that you can drag out of the rulers and use to line up whatever objects you're working with at the time. LogoArt does not have this; I'd like to see it in a future version.

2. LogoArt is also poorly suited to technical drawings because there is no way to set a scale to your canvas in anything but inches or millimeters.

3. LogoArt currently forces you to keep your graphics on one "page" or "canvas". I'd like to see support for multiple pages added in future releases.

Final Evaluation

As I said above, LogoArt is a good program, and if you don't mind the strangeness of some of the UI choices you'll find it a very capable, useful tool for a graphics design package. However, the oddities need to be kept in mind or you'll find yourself getting frustrated. LogoArt is a good program for inexperienced end-users who want to cut their teeth at vector graphics design, and its more powerful features make it attractive to more experienced users as well. However, I think more experienced users will find LogoArt incomplete for more involved work, though I expect this will be less of a problem the more the program matures.

All in all, I recommend the program to anyone who wants a good, one-page layout and design program, especially if you're new to these types of apps. On the other hand, if you do detailed work, you might be happier with NeoN 2D vector, or even Photo>Graphics Pro, StarImpress, or Freelance 96.

LogoArt for OS/2 v1.10

by WORKLab System Solutions
download the demo from WORKLab's web site
MSRP: US$69.00

Christopher B. Wright is a technical writer in the Northern Virginia/D.C. area, and has been using OS/2 Warp since January 95. He is also a member of Team OS/2.

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