ClarisWorks: Paint Documents, Memory, and Margins

When you create a new painting document in ClarisWorks 2.0 and higher, the default margins are set to one inch, with a size of 468 pixels across and 648 pixels down, a resolution of 72 dpi (dots per inch), and typically a depth of 256 colors. Pixels are the equivalent of dots. Changing the margins does not automatically change the number of pixels down or across. Use the following formula to calculate the number of pixels for a different size document:

(Number of Inches) * (72 pixels per inch)

So, for a new, untitled, letter-sized painting document, 468 pixels across by 648 pixels down equates to 6.5 inches across by 9 inches down. Now, if you want a letter-sized document with a 1/2 inch margin all around, your printable area would be 7.5 inches across and 10 inches down. To fill that page with a painting, set the size to 540 pixels across and 720 pixels down by choosing Document from the
Format menu.

(7.5 inches) * (72 pixels per inch) = 540 pixels across
(10 inches) * (72 pixels per inch) = 720 pixels across

If you see an error message like "The document size has been reduced to fit the available memory," "Out of Memory," or "Not Enough Memory to Perform Operation" while you are working in an application, it doesn't necessarily mean you don't have enough memory in your computer. When you launch a Macintosh application, it requests the amount of memory set in its Get Info window. To increase an application's memory allocation:

1. Quit the Application and return to the Finder.

2. Go to the actual application program icon (not a document created in the application or the folder that contains it) and click once to select it.

3. From the File menu, choose Get Info.

4. Increase the memory in the Application Memory Size box at the bottom of the Get Info window. If you are using System 7.0, increase the Current Size. If you are using System 7.1, increase the Preferred Size. The formula for the amount of memory needed is:
(Application Memory Needed)k = (Width * Height * Pixel per inch * Number of colors)/1024

A letter size page with a .5 inch margin and 256 colors:

1350k = ((7.5 inches) * (10 inches) * (72 pixels per inch) * 256 colors))/1024

If you find that you can get the Info window open, but cannot change the memory size, double-click on the application icon and choose Quit from the File menu.

Once you find a memory allocation that works, return to the finder and choose About this Macintosh from the Apple menu. Make sure there is still some available memory. Otherwise, the System won't be able to grab more memory when it needs it.