Introduction:

• Optic.com is a playroom for your imagination. It is loaded with useful tools for creating your own personal works of art, but it's true strength lies in the surprises, the happy accidents that emerge along the way. You may not get exactly what you had in mind, but that's also the beauty of Optic. It's a place to play, have fun, and along the way discover your own amazing creations.
• When you first create a new account, there will be no images in your account. You can upload images by clicking the blue plus sign top left, or you can return to the root folder (click the left blue arrow) and load or copy any image you want to use and then return to your folder. To copy an image right click the thumbnail and select 'copy'.
• The best way to explore the creative possibilities is by combining two layers (images) and merging them together, for example by applying a mask or a blend to the top image. Also be sure to play around with rotations, warp, fold, and skew, etc. The key is have fun... explore the possibilities!

Nomenclature:

• Picture: The Picture is what you see in the main window of Optic. It consists of one or more Layers and some global settings such as background color etc. When a collection of layers are saved it creates a saved Picture. This is not an image but a webpage that re-creates the Picture when loaded. Your collection of Pictures are listed at the bottom of the left hand menu box. To get the URL for a Picture right click it and it will be opened in a new tab in your browser. To create an actual image from a Picture, click the blue camera.
• Layer: Each Picture is a collection of Layers. Each Layer can be an Image, Video, or Text layer. To turn Layer into an Image, click the snapshot camera.
• Filter: A Filter is a special type of image. It is partially transparent and acts like a filter when placed over another Layer. To add a Filter click the blue plus icon (top right).
• Ghost: A Ghost is a layer that lies behind it's parent layer and always has the same size and position. A background layer is one type of Ghost. This can be added by clicking the icon. This type of Ghost can be independantly modified, but always has the same size and position as it's parent. It useful for when some sort of transparency or blending is applied to the parent and you always want the same background to be visible.

New Account Instructions:

• The ID will be used as the name for your home folder. No spaces or special characters are allowed.
• A message will be sent to your email address. Click the link to authorize account setup.
• Passwords must be at least 8 characters and have at least one capital letter and one number.

Content:

• These are the different types of content that will appear in the left hand menu. Each category will be disabled until something has been saved to it.
• Folders: New sub-folders can be added to your account by clicking the blue 'plus' icon top left and clicking 'New Folder'.
• Images: New images can be uploaded to your account. You can also fetch remote images by entering the URL. (also on the blue 'plus' icon menu)
• Videos: You can search Youtube and add videos to your account. These are just links - the videos are not actually downloaded. (also on the blue 'plus' icon menu)
• Text: Formatted text files can be added as needed and displayed in their own layer. (also on the blue 'plus' icon menu) Note that a Text layer cannot selected (made current) by clicking on it. To make it current, click the layer thumbnail top right.
• Pictures: This is your collection of saved Pictures.

Buttons and Icons:

• and  Show/Hide menus.
•   Allows you to upload images, search for videos, etc.
•   Returns to your home folder and Loads your home Page (Picture).
•   Opens your account settings page.
•   Opens your profile page.
• and   Load the last/next image into the current layer.
•   Starts a slideshow in the current layer.
•   Allows you to select the mode/action for mouse movements on an image (click and drag).
•   Allows you to add various types of layers to the current Picture.
•   Use this to change the background color for the current Picture.
         Note that if any of the layers are fullscreen (and have no form of transparency) the color will not be visible.
• and   Undo/Redo recent changes.   Clears the change history.
•   Take a quick snapshot of the current LAYER. The resulting image will be saved to your current folder.
         (functionality limited - this does not handle shadows, text, videos, etc, but it is quick)
•   Take a snapshot of the current PICTURE. The resulting image will be saved to your current folder.
  
•   Save the Picture
•   Reset the current layer.
•   Change the layer stacking order.
•   Lock the stacking order. If unlocked then clicking a layer brings it to the top/front.
•   This indicates the current layer is not hidden. Click it to hide the layer contents.
•   This indicates the layer contents are hidden, but not the frame and it's background.
•   This indicates the entire layer, including the frame, is hidden.
•   Delete the current layer.
•   Toggle layer fullscreen mode.
•   Show/Hide the layer handles.
         (Only available when the layer is not fullscreen)
•   Maintain the layer size ratios (height/width) when the window size ratio changes.
         (Only available when the layer is not fullscreen)
•   Apply the actual (real) image size ratio. To maintain the ratio and reize the layer, use the 'Size' slider.
•   Add a background layer. This is a type of Ghost.
•   Pick a working color from the image. Clicking another image in the thumbnail list will load that image.
         This allows a color to be picked from any image. (See Tools / SwapColors and FillColor)
•   Pick an area of the image to fill with color. (See Tools / FillColor)

Quick Tips:

• To switch between layers, click the current layer thumbnail at the top of the right side menu.
• The padlock locks/unlocks the z-index (layer stacking).
• The order of the layer thumbnails reflects the z-index so when the z-index is unlocked and you click a thumbnail it's position automatically changes (it becomes the top layer).
• To hide ALL menus doubleClick the red arrow in the top left corner. To restore the menus, mouseOver the top left corner and doubleClick the green arrow.
• Double Click a layer to expand/contract it's size.
• Use the arrow keys to rotate the tiling of the current layer.
• Use the arrow keys + the Control key to fine adjust the current mouse mode setting.
• Control/s will open the "Save Picture" box.
• To apply mouse events to the current layer (regardless of where you click) press and hold the Control key.
• To select 'transparent' as the color when using the popup color selection box click the icon in the top right corner.

Controlling Layer Size and Shape:

• The 'Fullscreen' button will expand a layer to always cover 100% of the window. When a layer is in fullscreen mode the size and position handles are not available.
• A layer's size and shape can be adjusted by selecting the 'Size' mouse mode, or by using the 'Size' sliders under 'Image' settings, or by turning on the layer handles and using the mouse to drag the size change button.
• When 'Fixed Ratios' is turned ON the shape and size of the layer will remain unchanged regardless of the shape of the window.
• When 'Fixed Ratios' is turned OFF the shape will always fill the same width and height percentages of the window (UNLESS the layer is set to 'Fullscreen').
• Natural Size : When this button is clicked the layer size ratio (width and height) is changed to match the actual size ratio of the image. This can be adjusted so that the 'natural' size is still kept by using the 'Size' slider to adjust both the X and Y axis at the same time.
• Lock Position : When turned on it locks the position of the top/left corner when resizing the layer. (see Frame / Size)

Opening a Picture:

• Right clicking a Picture in the left hand list and then clicking "Open" will load it in a new browser tab without any toolbars showing. Although no toolbars are visible certain actions are still available. These are as follows:
  • Arrow keys (Left/Right/Up/Down) 'Turns' the picture.
  • Arrow keys + Ctrl 'Warps' the picture.
  • Arrow keys + Shift 'Folds' the picture.
  • Arrow keys + Ctrl + Shift 'Skews' the picture.
• To get a link to the Picture, simply copy the URL for that tab.

Filters:

• A Filter is actually a partially transparent image that can be placed over another image to create a filter like effect.
• To Add a Filter click the green plus icon (top right) and select 'Add Filter'.
• Multiple Filters can be added to overlay each other.
• To change the filter, do the same thing while the existing filter is current.
• The default Tiling for a Filter is 1x1, but this can be changed. Rotating the layer will provide 4 different filtering aspects without re-tiling. You can also use the 'Fold' setting to re-position the filter.

• These provide a way to manipulate the pixel content of image layers. They are not available for other types of layers.
• Each tool comes with default settings that can be customized as needed.
• Please note that these tools do not modify the original image, but only it's representation on the layer. If the Picture is saved then these are applied dynamically everytime it is loaded. If you wish to create an actual image you can take a snapshot.
• Because these tools apply changes one pixel at a time they are significantly slower than the Styling effects. This will become noticeable if several are all applied together.
• The best way to use them is to take a snapshot of the layer once you have the desired effect, and then you can simply use the resulting image.

• Mask:
  • This applies a transparency gradient to the layer.
  • NOTE: It is best used when there is another image behind the current layer. Otherwise only the layer or picture background will be visible in the transparent areas.
  • The best way to understand the various options is to simply play around with them.
• RGB Tint: Use the sliders to tint the layer in any combination of Red, Green, and Blue.
• Sketch: This option turns an image into a sketch and can also back fill it with color.
  • The color palette allows the line color to be changed from the default black.
  • Sharpness controls the weight and degree of sketching.
  • Adjusting the Depth actually adjusts the opacity of the white areas (not the sketched lines). This allows the background to fill the white space. This can be another image behind the current layer of the Picture background color. Or it can be the same image (see the next option).
  • The 'Color with Same Image' will fill the layer's transparent spaces with it's own colors.
• BackLight: This brightens an image to make it appear as if the light is shining on it from behind. Reducing Opacity gives it a more 'sketched' effect and also allows you mix in other images or a background color (by setting the Background in Frame).
• Swap Pixels: These are used to swap one color component from the top image with another from the underlying image.
  • If there is no other image/layer it can use to swap pixels with, then this setting is not available.
  • If there is no underlying image it will use an image 'above' it if there is one.
  • It will only use another image/layer if it is the same size or larger.
  • If the underlying image is a different size the effect is distorted.
  • At least one of "red, green or blue" must be selected, but not all three.
  • The swap is applied to every pixel in the top image.
• Pixelate:
  • This converts the image into blocks of color (like giant pixels).
  • Because this transformation is applied before the others in Tools, combining it with others can result in some interesting effects.
  • For example try combining it with Color Fill and Swap Pixels, or Sketch and Comic.
  • Here's another idea... create some large pixels then apply some Blur and then apply about a 50% Opacity and take a snapshot. This way you can create your own amazing filters.
• Swap Colors: These are used to swap one color for another.
  • Picker Tool : Click to select a color. Clicking another image in the thumbnail list allows a color to be picked from any image.
  • Opacity : This will make the new color semi-transparent. If there is an underlying image it will become partially visible.
  • Tolerance : This determines how exact the color match must be.
• Color Fill: This is used to fill an area with a new color.
  • When it is first enabled, nothing will happen until a location on the image is selected to be filled. This is done by clicking the 'Color Filler' tool and then clicking a location on the image. This can be done in multiple locations. Changing the settings below will change all 'fills'. To do multiple 'fills with different settings, take a snapshot after each one and then work with the resulting image.
  • Picker Tool : Click to select the color to be used. Clicking another image in the thumbnail list will load that image. This allows a color to be picked from any image.
  • Selecting "Fill Color with Image" will fill the selected area with pixels from another layer (instead of using the color). If there is only one layer this option is not available.
  • Please note that if the other layer's image is subsequently changed, the fill pattern will also change automatically. If you wish to 'lock in' the fill pattern take a snapshot and then work with the new image.
  • Opacity : This allows you to make the filled area partially (or even completely) transparent.
  • Tolerance : This determines how exact the color match must be.
  • Merge : This allows you to merge the new color with the old.
  • Blur : This will blur/soften the edges.
  • Warning: The color fill(s) are applied to the X/Y coordinates of a particular location on the LAYER which is not necessarily always the same location on the image. To 'lock it in' take a snapshot of the layer (see the small camera icon) and then use the new image thereafter.
• Comic: This option gives an image a pixelated comic like resolution.
  • The default background color is white, but this can be changed.
  • The size and the spacing of the dots can also be changed.
  • The spacing between the dots can be made transparent (opacity). This allows for interesting effects when another layer is behind the comic layer.
  • Tolerance will adjust which areas have the comic effect applied (depending on brightness).
• Stress: This option adds grain and scratches to an image. A vignette of any color can also be added. These effects give an image an 'aged' appearance especially when combined with certain Filters.
• Water Color: This softens the image to mimic a water color painting.
  • WARNING! The Water Color effect can be slow to load!
  • The best approach is to apply the desired effect and then take a snapshot of the layer and work with the resulting image.
  • Radius : This adjusts the breadth of the blurring.
  • Intensity : This adjusts the number of levels of blurring.
• Melt: This option adds warps and swirls the image. When the intensity is cranked up cool abstract patterns appear.
• Draw: This provides a bunch of different tools and modes for drawing directly onto the layer.
  • WARNING! The only way to save Drawings is to take a snapshot of the layer and then work with the resulting image.
  • Any action that causes the layer to be repainted will automatically discard all 'Draw' changes. Furthermore, the changes are not saved when a Picture is saved.
  • Opacity softens the drawings. When using the 'Eraser' tool, opacity governs the strength of the eraser.
  • The 'Eraser' tool can be used to create a transparent drawing that allows an underlying layer to be partially visible.
  • Blur often creates annoying 'rings' of image density. Unfortunately this is difficult to avoid.
• Other: This section includes a few pre-defined effects (currently Emboss, Sharpen, and Dither).

• These options govern warp, skew, fold, zoom, etc.
• The best way to see what these do and how they interact with each other is to just play around with them. Rotating the image can result in very different effects.
• Shift : This shifts the amount of image between the panels. When changed some panels will contain less of the image and others more. The effect is similar to 'Warp' but interacts differently with other settings and creates some interesting effects. The primary difference is that it adjusts where in the image the panel borders occur.
• Warp : This squeezes and expands the relative panel sizes.
  • Center : This option warps from the center (on) or the edge (off).
• Fold : This 'folds' the image into itself at the mirror boundaries. To best appreciation this effect apply some rotation to the layer.
• Skew : This skews each panel in the opposite direction of its neighbors. The effect changes dramatically with different tiling patterns.

• Size : The 'Lock Position' option will lock the top left hand corner in place as the size is changed. Otherwise the image expands equally in all directions.
• Shadows:
  • Frame vs Image/Text : Each layer consists of a container frame and within that the content (normally an image). Each shadow can be applied to either the frame or the content within the frame. For 'Text' layers you can select 'Text' and apply one or more shadows directly to the text itself.
  • Multiple Shadows: Clicking the "Add a New Shadow" to add multiple shadows - each with it's own color settings etc. To choose a shadow to edit click it in the list.
  • Inset Shadows : Note that if "Inset" is selected and it is applied to an Image (ie. not the Frame) it will not be visible unless the image is masked or zoomed out or partially erased (see 'Draw').
  • Setting the shadow to the dominant color will generate the color based on the averaged image color.
• Background:
  • Background settings (color, gradient, etc.) will not be visible (because they are applied behind the image) unlesss the image has a Mask applied, has Opacity applied, has been partially erased, or is zoomed out.
  • If you wish to see a layer behind the current layer (for example when a Mask is applied) then make the background transparent (see the icon top right in the color selection popup).
• Opacity:
  • Frame Opacity: This applies to the entire frame, including it's shadows.
  • Image Opacity: This only applies to the contents of the frame.
  • Note that when a layer has a Ghost layer behind it, Frame Opacity will be applied to both the current layer AND the Ghost layer. On the other hand Image Opacity is only applied to the current layer and thus increases the visibility of the Ghost layer.

• Layer Slideshow Settings: These options apply to the layers within a picture (see the play buttons top center) and are saved with a Picture.
  • 'Fade Images' will enable a fade in/out of images in a slideshow.
  • 'Slideshow Timer' is the pause between images.
• Window Slideshow Settings: These options apply to Slideshows opened from the left hand menu (right clicking the 'Images' heading) and they are opened in their own browser tab/window. Note: The options are set on the account options page.
  • 'Fade Images' will enable a fade in/out of images in a slideshow.
  • 'Slideshow Timer' is the pause between images.
  • A slideshow simply displays the images as is. There is no formatting applied.
  • To get a link to the slideshow, simply copy the URL for that tab.

• Ethereum/Polygon: MetaMask
• Solana: Phantom
• Binance Smart Chain: Trust Wallet

Step 2: Choose an NFT Marketplace

• Ethereum/Polygon: OpenSea, Rarible
• Solana: Magic Eden, SolSea
• Binance Smart Chain: BakerySwap

Step 3: Mint Your NFT

1. Connect your wallet to the marketplace.
2. Create a new NFT collection.
3. Upload your digital file (JPEG, PNG, GIF, MP4, etc.).
4. Set metadata (Title, description, properties, royalties).
5. Choose a blockchain.
6. Pay gas fees and confirm the transaction.
7. Mint your NFT!

Step 4: List & Sell Your NFT

• Go to your NFT collection and click "Sell."
• Set a price (Fixed or Auction).
• Pay listing fees (if applicable).
• Your NFT is now live for sale!