Programmer Tom Hudson (DEGAS, CAD 3-D) has outdone himself with DEGAS Elite ($79.95) and deserves another ST Applications medal. This second-generation ST picture processor adds many new features, as well as more power for old functions. By many estimates, DEGAS has been the biggest-selling ST program to date. And I'm sure most DEGAS fans will want to take advantage of the current half-price upgrade offer from Batteries Included.
At first glance, DEGAS Elite operates very much like the original DEGAS. You control your program from a menu screen and you draw on a work screen. The right mouse button toggles between these two. DEGAS Elite still works in the two color resolutions as well as monochrome high resolution, so it can be used with any ST monitor.
But now DEGAS Elite allows as many as 8 separate work screens for individual pictures on a 1040ST. A 520ST has room for up to four screens. You can cut and paste sections of pictures between each other. For example, cut a ball out of picture one and paste it into picture two. Or paste multiple copies of the ball into picture two. Or use the cut-out ball as a brush
The menu screen in DEGAS Elite has something the original DEGAS didn't have-a real GEM menu. Across the top of the screen you'll find the selections Desk, File, Set, Make, and Block. Below the menu is a bar showing available colors for the resolution you're working in. On the left of the screen are command boxes and the right side of the screen shows the current fill pattern, line style, and text shape. Eight numbered boxes along the bottom indicate the current work screen in use.
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