#opening files

[everythingfirealpaca]

Hi, so, I saved so.e pictures from deviant art, and want to use them as reference, well my FA won't open them in Reference or a new canvas, what do I fo, and yes, the images are saved as PNG

Check that the file is an expected size, e.g. probably a few hundred kB (kilobytes) or more. Very small file sizes sometimes indicate either an incomplete download or you ended up with a web page (HTML file) masquerading as a .png file, which sometimes happens depending on how you download/where you click.

Does it give an error? “Failed to open”?

Check the file in an image viewer. I recommend IrfanView if you are using Windows.

IrfanView will check if the file name does not match the internal structure (e.g. has a file name of something.png, but is a .jpg or .webp internally, like a cat wearing a label that says “dog”) and will offer to rename the image correctly.

Web browsers sometimes save with the wrong internal format, even if it was a .png online - I vaguely remember (possibly incorrectly) Internet Explorer (.bmp) and an earlier version of Firefox (.webp) were known for it.

Some paint programs will detect the internal format, but FireAlpaca won’t handle it if the internal structure does not match the file name.

-Obtusity

[everythingfirealpaca]

Hello, I know you've received this question a lot before, but I accidentally deleted a drawing and I was wondering if there is any way to get it back? Thank you!

Sorry, but probably not.

If you have updated to a recent version of FireAlpaca (current version 1.8.7, check the Help menu, About), and you have enabled autosave (File menu, Environment Setting) then you might have autosave (anti-crash) files, use Help menu, Open Config Folder to find the autosave folders.

See my workflow rant on ways to reduce this and other problems (e.g. save every half hour to a new filename, file01, file02, file03, etc). For full safety, you should be saving a copy on at least 2 media (e.g. hard disk and USB, or save to hard disk then copy to a network service or synced folder - do not save directly to an online synced folder).

-Obtusity

[everythingfirealpaca]

How do I open a file in the program when I need to edit it?

File menu, Open to open an existing mdp project file, or a png or jpg image (or some psd files).

Several of  the most recent files should be listed under File menu, Open Recent File.

Also see this guide for adding an image to an existing project.

-Obtusity

[everythingfirealpaca]

Can you add a gif into FA?

FireAlpaca will open a static (single-frame) GIF.

If you select a multi-frame animated GIF, only the first frame will be used.

-Obtusity

[everythingfirealpaca]

I am currently using Fire Alpaca and was wondering if there was a way to get rid of my recent files. When ever I click "Open recent file" it comes up with my previously opened tabs and takes up part of my screen. Is there a way to delete recent files?

That is what “Open recent file” is supposed to do, otherwise use File, Open, not Open recent file. 

However, you can clear your recent files by editing Config.ini (FireAlpaca, Help menu, Open Config Folder). It’s the mru list near the end of the file.

Please edit with care - a faulty config.ini can prevent FireAlpaca from starting.

-Obtusity.

[everythingfirealpaca]

Is there a way to import FireAlpaca files (with the layers) into Medibang? Or do I just have to finish up all my work in FireAlpaca and start afresh in Medibang?

Sure, most of the time you can save as .mdp, and open the .mdp file directly in MediBang Paint. Some of the new features (3D layers is a prime example) might not be compatible.

-Obtusity

[everythingfirealpaca]

Good day and thanks for your blog. I would like to ask if there is a way to use pre-existing images as layers (like "open as layers" command in GIMP, for example)?

File menu, Open will open an existing image.

In Windows, you can drag multiple images from File Explorer onto the layer list/panel to open all the images as layers. Mac users, is that still impossible with Mac and Finder, or has that been fixed?

If it is still impossible with Macs, you will have to leave the project open, open the image, copy, change back to your project using the tabs above the drawing area, and paste (which will paste the image as a layer).

-Obtusity

[consultthemuses]

intodxrkness replied to your post:I can't afford winzip tho...

There’s also WinRar which is a trial version but lets you use it endlessly, you just have to click away the window that pops up after 30 days telling you that you can buy it ;) But, I agree, 7-Zip is freeware, easy and safe.

Absolutely true as well!

WinRar is one I use on my old XP computer when I need to backwards test things & stuff. Also a really good program, but yes is it supposed to be paid for after 30 days, but as far as I know won't force you. 

- M