Line is the easiest Primitive to learn at Image Magick. It requires four numbers at a time [ two sets ]. The first set is where you begin drawing the line and the second set is where your line will stop. The sets appear like this. [ 10,10 280,10 ] or [ +10+10 +280+10 ]
Starting with the first set 10,10. The first number of the first set determines how far from the left side you want to start drawing. So you move 10 pixels from the left side or 10 pixels across.
Now the second number of the first set. This number will determine how far down from the top edge you want to start drawing. That would be 10 pixels down from the top. You start drawing where these two 10's meet at 10 across and 10 down.
The second set is like the first set except this is where your line will stop. first number, second set, 280 pixels from the left edge or across. Second number, second set, 10 pixels from the top edge. Your line will stop where these two numbers meet. 280 across from left edge and 10 pixels down from the top edge.
The line can be started and ended at any pixel on your gif
If you would like to draw shapes, such as squares, rectangles and so on, you just connect the lines. For a square. Draw a line for the top line of the square[ 10,10 200,10 ]. Where it beings let that be also the beginning of the left side of your square [10,10 10,200 ]. Where that one ends let it be the beginning of the bottom line [ 10,200 200,200 ]. Where this one ends, let it be the start for the right and last side of the square [ 200,200 200,10 ]. Do you see how they are connected? The same is done for other shapes like it.
I have found other uses for the line. For example, I have used it to blot out a word or something I didn't want in the gif. I found where the word begins from the left across and from the top. Then were it ends so I will be able to put the proper numbers in the parameters window. I used the stroke size of 20 or more so the line will be really wide enough to cover the word. It worked something like correction paper in typing. You will have to get the correct color for your background of your gif [ for the color of your line ] you wish to do this on. Otherwise, it will show on your image what you did.
Line can be used for other things as well so I encourage you to explore and don't be limited in your choices.
Susanna Mitchell
