Tux Paint Basics - eduScapes

<strong>Tux</strong> <strong>Paint</strong> <strong>Basics</strong><br />

Download the Open Source <strong>Tux</strong> <strong>Paint</strong> software.<br />

http://www.newbreedsoftware.com/tuxpaint/download/<br />

<strong>Tux</strong> <strong>Paint</strong> works much like KidPix and other paint pages for young people.<br />

Choose a Tool from the options on the left side of the screen. Then, make<br />

choices from the right side of the screen. Directions are provided at the<br />

bottom of the screen.<br />

Saving Files<br />

When you save your file, it will be saved in the <strong>Tux</strong><strong>Paint</strong> folder as a PNG file.<br />

GIF file format is proprietary, but the PNG (Portable Network Graphic) is<br />

the open source alternative.<br />

If you want to change where the files are saved, go to<br />

Programs><strong>Tux</strong><strong>Paint</strong>>Configure<strong>Tux</strong><strong>Paint</strong><br />

Then, choose the Saving tab and browse for the folder where all documents<br />

will be saved. They are automatically named based on the current date/time<br />

it was produced.<br />

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Adding Stamps to <strong>Tux</strong><strong>Paint</strong><br />

Open a picture in PowerPoint or other software or choose one from the web.<br />

Click on a picture to select it.<br />

Right-click and choose Save As Picture.<br />

Go to Program Files><strong>Tux</strong><strong>Paint</strong>>data>Stamps.<br />

Create a New Folder if you wish.<br />

Name your new stamp.<br />

Open <strong>Tux</strong><strong>Paint</strong> and it will appear in your Stamps.<br />

<strong>Tux</strong><strong>Paint</strong> Activities<br />

Consider some of the following project ideas:<br />

Communication Arts<br />

• Write a poem and illustrate<br />

• Write a riddle and provide the answer<br />

• Illustrate a famous quote<br />

• Illustrate an idiom<br />

• Create word books<br />

• Retell a story<br />

• Illustrate part of a story<br />

• Create a new end for a story<br />

• Follow a character into a new story<br />

• Illustrate sentences<br />

• Create an environment for an animal<br />

Math<br />

• Use shapes to create a quilt block<br />

• Organize and categorize objects<br />

• Visualize math problems<br />

• Sort objects into patterns<br />

• Create simple graphs<br />

Science and Health<br />

• Draw and label objects such as plants, insects, body parts<br />

• Compare two things such as two insects<br />

• Show a process or cycle such as life cycle, water cycle, or rock cycle<br />

• Show an example of a good meal<br />

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• Create a food pyramid and add objects<br />

• Classify objects such as rocks, animal kingdoms<br />

• Create a visual showing the senses<br />

Social Studies<br />

• Illustrate a stanza from a famous poem such as The Shot Heard<br />

Round the World or Casey at Bat.<br />

• Illustrate a scene from a historic event<br />

• Create a visual to represent a line in a famous “freedom” document<br />

• Create a flag for a new country and describe its meaning<br />

• Create a “coat of arms” and describe its meaning<br />

• Create a small version of a billboard<br />

• Create a pottery design for a Hopi tribe<br />

• Create a rug design for a Navajo tribe<br />

Go to the Artist Gallery<br />

(http://www.newbreedsoftware.com/tuxpaint/gallery/) for ideas.<br />

Brainstorm ways you could use <strong>Tux</strong><strong>Paint</strong> to address special learning needs.<br />

Connect with other software. Create a picture in <strong>Tux</strong> <strong>Paint</strong>. Insert it into<br />

PowerPoint and add bubbles and audio narration.<br />

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