Drawing Basic Shapes

Drawing Basic Shapes:

Title: Drawing Basic Shapes: Version: 1 .0 First edition: November 200

Contents !verview..........................................................................................................................................ii "op#right and trademar$ in%ormation.........................................................................................ii Feedbac$ ..................................................................................................................................... ii &c$nowledgments.......................................................................................................................ii 'odi%ications and (pdates................................................... ....................................................... ii Drawing Basic Shapes.................................................. .................................................................. iii Drawing a segment o% a straight line......................................................................................... iii Drawing a rectangle................................................ ................................................................... vi Drawing a circle......................................................................................................................... vi The Basic Drawing Shapes................................................ ............................................................ vii The Te)ts.................................................................................................................................. vii *ectangles and S+(ares..............................................................................................................i) "ircles, -llipses and &rcs................................................... ....................................................... i) D !b/ects..................................................................................................................................)i "(rves....................................................................................................................................... )ii ines and &rrows.....................................................................................................................)iii "onnectors................................................... ............................................................................ )iv -diting l(epoints................................................................................................................... )vi

Drawing Basic Shapes

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Overview

Overview This chapter describes the basic methods %or drawing simple shapes (sing !pen!%%ice.org Draw.

Copyright and trademark information The contents o% this Doc(mentation are s(b/ect to the (blic Doc(mentation icense, Version 1.0 3the 4icense456 #o( ma# onl# (se this Doc(mentation i% #o( compl# with the terms o% this icense. & cop# o% the icense is available at: http:77www.openo%%ice.org7licenses7D.rt% The !riginal Doc(mentation is Drawing Basic Sh apes. The 8nitial 9riter3s5 o% the !riginal Doc(mentation is7are inda 9orthington © 200. &ll *ights *eserved. 38nitial 9riter contact3s5:lindawopeno%%ice.org. The 8nitial 9riter contact3s5 is to report errors in the doc(mentation. For +(estions regarding how to (se the so%tware, s(bscribe to the ;sers 'ail ist and post #o(r +(estion there: http:77s(pport.openo%%ice.org7inde).html.5 ortions created b#: original French doc(ment written b# 'ichel in+(ier, translated to -nglish b# &le) Th(rgood and previo(s content revised b#
Feedback lease direct an# comments or s(ggestions abo(t this doc(ment to: a(thors(ser=%a+.openo%%ice.org.

Acknowledgments Than$s to Daniel "arrera, "arol eather and ollis 9eber %or reviewing this chapter.

Modifications and updates Version

Date

1.0

1? November 200


Description of Change First p(blished edition.

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Drawing Basic Shapes This chapter will teach #o( the basic methods %or drawing simple shapes. 8n the remainder o% this doc(ment, we@ll (se the term objects to designate the vario(s shapes drawn 3whether the#@re simple lines, rectangles or more complicated shapes5. This is common notation in vector drawing so%tware. The %ollowing three sections ill(strate how to draw three basic shapes: a straight line, a rectangle and a circle. This ill(stration shows the b(ttons on the 'ain Toolbar that correspond to the ne)t three sections.

Drawing a segment of a straight line et@s get started with drawing the simplest o% shapes, a segment o% a straight line. To begin, clic$ on the ines and &rrows b(tton on the 'ain Toolbar. The de%a(lt line on the 'ain Toolbar ines and &rrows b(tton is an arrow. To change to a line, long=clic$ the &rrow St#le b(tton to see a list o% all the di%%erent arrow heads and tails available on line segments.

To draw a straight line segment, clic$ the straight line b(tton and place the mo(se c(rsor at the point where #o( wish to start drawing. Drawing Basic Shapes

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Start Point

Drag the mo(se while $eeping the b(tton pressed down. et go o% the mo(se b(tton when #o( want to stop drawing the line. Two bl(e or green handle points located at each end o% the line will appear, showing that this is the c(rrentl# selected ob/ect. The handle colors depend on the de%a(lt select mode 3the# will be green %or simple selection and bl(e when in point edit mode5.

9hile drawing the segment, i% #o( hold down the Shi%t $e# as well, #o( will %orce the line to be drawn at angle which is a m(ltiple o% A with respect to the horiContal. The star in dots shows the angles that are permitted %or the straight line when the Shi%t $e# is pressed.


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8% #o( replace the Shi%t $e# with the "ontrol $e# "trlE, the constraining angle will be 1A. o( can set this angle in the Tools > Options > Drawing > Grid dialog bo).

8% #o( hold down the <E $e#, the line will be drawn s#mmetricall# with respect to the start point. This techni+(e lets #o( draw straight lines b# starting %rom the middle o% the line. Note: You must press the left mouse button BEFORE ou press the !"lt# $e to draw our line% &ressing the !"lt# $e first will 'ause ou to mo(e the program panel instead of drawing a line%

Start Point

The line #o( draw will have the de%a(lt attrib(tes 3color, line t#pe, and arrow st#le5. o( can change the line attrib(tes b# activating 3clic$ing5 the line. *ight=clic$ and select the line, and then ma$e #o(r attrib(te changes with the men( provided. o( can reach this same dialog bo) b# clic$ing the line b(tton on the ob/ect bar.


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Drawing a rectangle Drawing rectangles is similar to drawing straight line segments, e)cept that #o( (se the *ectangle b(tton %rom the 'ain Toolbar.

The line drawn with the mo(se shows the diagonal o% the rectangle.

Start Point

8% #o( hold the Shi%tE $e#, #o( will get a s+(are and the <E $e# enables #o( to draw a rectangle starting %rom its center.

Drawing a circle To draw an ellipse or a circle, (se the -llipse b(tton %rom the 'ain Toolbar.

The ellipse or circle is de%ined b# a rectangle that is lin$ed to the diagonal drawn with the mo(se. The diameter o% the ellipse or circle corresponds to the longest side o% the rectangle. Start Point

-)tended %(nctions shown b# long=clic$ing the -llipse b(tton incl(de circles, ellipses, ellipse and circle pies, segments, arcs, %illed and non=%illed closed shapes.


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There are three other wa#s to draw an ellipse or circle: ➢

Shi%t=circle = %orces the ellipse to be a circle.

➢

<=circle = draws a s#mmetrical ellipse or circle %rom the center instead o% dragging corner to corner. Note: You must press the left mouse button BEFORE ou press the !"lt# $e to draw our 'ir'le% &ressing the !"lt# $e first will 'ause ou to mo(e the program panel instead of drawing a 'ir'le%

➢

"trl=circle = snaps to grid lines.

he Basic Drawing Shapes This section provides a complete overview o% the vario(s basic o b/ects that #o( can draw in the Draw mod(le. These ob/ects can then be edited, combined, and manip(lated to create more comple) shapes. 8n the preceding pages, we have seen ho w to (se some o% these basic drawing shapes. &ll o% the tool palettes described here can be displa#ed %rom the 'ain Toolbar.

he e!ts The te)t mode palette loo$s li$e this:

The Te)t tool lets #o( write te)t in the de%a(lt %ont, color and siCe.

8% #o( clic$ on an empt# space in the wor$space, the te)t will be written at that spot. 8% #o( clic$ on an ob/ect, the te)t will be written in the center o% the ob/ect and will remain within the ob/ect, and the border o% the ob/ect will become the te)t@s %rame. 9hen #o(@ve %inished t#ping #o(r te)t, clic$ inside the %rame. 8% #o( wish, #o( can drop to the %ollowing line b# pressing the -nterE $e#. The te)t can be edited at all times b# clic$ing Drawing Basic Shapes

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The Basic Drawing Shapes

on it. 9hen #o( t#pe #o(r te)t, #o( will notice that the (pper r(ler incl(des the (s(al paragraph attrib(tes: indents, %irst line, tab stops. o( can, as in 9riter, change the st#le o% all or part o% the characters #o( enter. The St#list also wor$s here, so #o( can create st#les that #o( can (se again in other te)t %rames e)actl# as #o( wo(ld with 9riter. The te)t %rames can also be manip(lated /(st li$e an# other draw ob/ects. o( can assign them %ill colors, shadows etc. o( can also rotate the %rame and write the te)t at an# angle. The Fit Te)t To Frame tool lets #o( t#pe in te)t, b(t #o( can also change the siCe o% the res(lting te)t b# manip(lating the ob/ect@s selection handles.

>ere is a te)t the siCe o% which has been changed d#namicall#

>ere is a te)t the siCe o% which has been changed d#namicall#

8n the e)ample above, the same te)t has been d(plicated, b(t the selection rectangle has been changed. 8n order to ma$e the e%%ect clearer, we have displa#ed the border o% the rectangle. The "allo(t tool in the palette is (sed %or creating captions 3callo(ts or %ig(re labels5. 8n %act it@s a tool that p(ts a %rame aro(nd te)t and provides a connector 3an artic(lated arrow5. This tool has been (sed man# times %or the captions in this man(al.


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"ectangles and S#uares This toolbar palette has G tools:

These b(ttons let #o( draw %illed or empt# rectangles. These b(ttons let #o( draw %illed or empt# s+(ares. Note: 8% #o( hold the Shi%tE $e# down when drawing a rectangle, #o( will create a s+(are. These b(ttons let #o( draw %illed or empt# ro(nded rectangles. These b(ttons let #o( draw %illed or empt# ro(nded s+(ares.

Circles$ %llipses and Arcs


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These two tools let #o( draw empt# or %illed ellipses. These two b(ttons let #o( draw empt# or %illed circles. Note: Drawing an ellipse while holding down the Shi%tE $e# at the same time also lets #o( draw a circle. These two b(ttons let #o( draw an elliptical sector. >ere@s the wa# to do this: First draw the ellipse. Then indicate on the ellipse with the mo(se the position o% the %irst segment and then repeat this %or the second segment. o( will note the partic(lar shape o% the mo(se c(rsor when drawing the elliptical sector. These two tools let #o( draw circ(lar sectors. The wa# to draw them is similar to that %or elliptical sectors. o( can also draw elliptical segments. &n elliptical segment is an ellipse that has been c(t into two along a straight line segment. The idea is simple: %irst draw the ellipse, then place the %irst and second segment points. o( will note the partic(lar shape o% the mo(se c(rsor. These two b(ttons let #o( draw circ(lar segments. This b(tton lets #o( draw an elliptical arc. This wor$s in a similar wa# to elliptical sectors, e)cept that the res(lting %ig(re isn@t closed. >ere again, note the shape o% the mo(se c(rsor. <(st li$e with sectors and segments, arcs can be changed at an# time. The last tool in the ellipse palette lets #o( draw circ(lar arcs.


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&D Ob'ects Draw lets #o( draw three dimensional ob/ects. The D ob/ect palette o%%ers a choice o% G basic primitives that can be (sed to create more comple) ob/ects thro(gh merging or combination.

The creation o% a D ob/ect alwa#s wor$s in the same wa#: clic$ on the a ssociated b(tton and then draw a rectangle on the wor$ area corresponding to the %oregro(nd area o% the ob/ect to be drawn. & c(be silho(ette 3bo(ndar# bo)5 that will contain the %(t(re ob/ect is displa#ed.

This tool creates a c(be. 'ore generall#, this tool can be (sed to create D parallelepipeds. 8% #o( want to draw a c(be, press down the "trl $e# "trlE while drawing #o(r shape. This tool lets #o( draw a sphere. 8n realit#, the ob/ect drawn b# de%a(lt with this tool is an ellipsoid. To obtain a sphere, /(st press the "trl $e# while drawing. This tool lets #o( draw a c#linder. This tool lets #o( draw a cone.


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This tool draws a p#ramid. This one lets #o( draw a tor(s 3a ring5. &nd this one a shell or c(p shape6 that is, a hollowed o(t hemisphere. This b(tton lets #o( draw a complete hemisphere6 that is, %illed.

Curves The c(rve palette o%%ers G tools %or drawing non=linear pro%iles.

These icons represent the basic tools %or drawing c(rves. The res(lting c(rve can be manip(lated b# BeCier c(rves as we have seen previo(sl#. The principle behind the tools is as %ollows: "lic$ on the drawing area to position the %irst point. Heeping the mo(se b(tton pressed down, move the mo(se to draw the tangent to the c(rve that passes thro(gh the start point. et go o% the mo(se b(tton a nd move the mo(se to draw the c(rve. To %inish the shape, do(ble=clic$ on the le%t mo(se b(tton. This operation can be repeated immediatel# starting %rom the newl# created end point. The shape #o( create will be %illed or empt# depending on the b(tton #o( pressed. 9here the shape is %illed, a segment will be drawn %rom the start point to the end point. The ob/ect that res(lts can be manip(lated li$e an# other, b(t #o( can also pla# with the tangents o% the ob/ect in edit points mode.


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This tool lets #o( create pol#gons. & pol#gon is a series o% straight segments. The wa# it wor$s is %airl# simple: /(st clic$ on the wor$space to set the %irst point, move the mo(se to the ne)t position where #o( want to set a second point and clic$, and a segment will be drawn between the two. The pol#gon is drawn b# repeating this proced(re (ntil all o% the points have been drawn. 9hen #o( have %inished, do(ble=clic$ on the mo(se to release the pol#gon %rom edit mode. 8% #o( chose to create a closed shape, a segment will lin$ the start point to the end o% the last segment that #o( have drawn. This tool is similar to the previo(s one, b(t vario(s segments will all have angles that are a m(ltiple o% A in relation to a horiContal a)is. The shape drawn will be open or %illed depending on the b(tton chosen. 9hen #o( clic$ on these b(ttons, #o( can draw a %reehand line. The principle behind this is as %ollows: move the mo(se and at the same time hold down the le%t mo(se b(tton. The movement o% the mo(se as shown on screen will become the c(rve that is drawn. !pen!%%ice.org act(all# draws a c(rve composed o% several control points. o( can chec$ this b# switching into edit points mode. >ere again, depending on the icon chosen, #o( can draw a closed or open %reehand c(rve.

(ines and Arrows

This b(tton corresponds to the simplest o% drawing shapes, a straight line segment. The line drawn will begin or end with an arrow. The two ends o% the segment are made (p o% a circle at one end and an arrow at the other.


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The two ends o% the segment will be made (p o% a s+(are at one end and an arrow at the other. The segments drawn will have an angle that is a m(ltiple o% A  to the horiContal a)is. o( can get the same e%%ect b# pressing the "trl $e# when #o( draw #o(r line. This b(tton lets #o( displa# the dimensions o% the ob/ect being drawn. & dimension ob/ect incl(des a do(ble=headed arrow, two segments that indicate the e)tremities o% the meas(red Cone, and a meas(re in the c(rrent (nit o% meas(re. 8% a dimensioned ob/ect is resiCed, the corresponding change in siCe is recalc(lated a(tomaticall# and displa#ed. 8% #o( gro(p an ob/ect with dimensions, an# change in the siCe o% the ob/ect will be re%lected in the siCes reported in the dimensions. 8n s(ch a case, we call them a ssociated dimensions. The dimensions can be con%ig(red (sing a dialog bo) that is available %rom the local dimensions men(. The dimensions are shown as de%a(lt in the (n it o% meas(rement corresponding to that o% the sheet. o( can change the (nits (sing the men( Format I Dimensions. The Dimensioning options dialog lets #o( set (p the positions o% the elements that ma$e (p the dimension. o( can enter line thic$nesses, distance and overhang to the g(ide mar$s, te)t position and also change the (nit o% meas(rement displa#ed 3or even not to displa# the (nit o% meas(rement5. o( can also set the line t#pe and te)t attrib(tes (sing the classical available %(nctions alread# disc(ssed. 9ith this tool6 #o( can draw a segment bearing arrows at each end.

Connectors "onnectors are a partic(lar t#pe o% c(rve, the ends o% which are attached to gl(epoints on other ob/ects, and which stic$ to these gl(epoints when the associated ob/ect is moved. The# are partic(larl# (se%(l %or ma$ing organiCational charts. o( can reorganiCe the bloc$s o% #o(r chart while $eeping the lin$s between them. !pen!%%ice.org Draw has a whole panopl# o % %(nctions that are reall# +(ite remar$able as %ar as connectors are concerned. Finding the vario(s %(nctions is not at %irst sight ver# eas#, b(t we shall loo$ at the wa#s o% ma$ing them visible. Connector drawing basics

The principle behind drawing a connector is as %ollows: all ob/ects have gl(epoints associated with them. The gl(epoints are invisible b# de%a(lt. The connectors #o( can draw position themselves a(tomaticall# onto the gl(epoints o% the ob/ect. Draw sets the de%a(lt n(mber o% gl(epoints %or an ob/ect to . 9e will see later how #o( can change the position o% the gl(epoints and add new ones. Drawing Basic Shapes

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The de%a(lt gl(epoints are located at the centers o% the lines %orming the edges o% the selection rectangle aro(nd an ob/ect. &s #o( can see on the %ollowing %ig(re, this means that the gl(epoints are not necessaril# located on the conto(r o% the ob/ect:

9hen #o( move one o% the ends o% a connector over an ob/ect, its gl(epoints become visible. o( can drop the end o% the connector onto one o% the gl(epoints. &%terwards, whenever either the connector or the ob/ect are moved, the end o% the connector will remain attached to the ob/ect gl(epoint.

o( can also drop the end o% the connector onto the ob/ect. 8n this case, when #o( move the ob/ect or the connector, !pen!%%ice.org will a(tomaticall# choose the best gl(epoint in order to avoid a too length# connector:

9herever possible, !pen!%%ice.org will attempt to avoid drawing the connector over the top o% the ob/ect. o( can alwa#s brea$ the lin$ between a connector and an ob/ect b# moving the end o% the connector awa# %rom the gl(epoint to which it was attached. &s with all ob/ects, control points are associated with connectors in order to %acilitate their drawing. The main control point is located in the middle o% the connector and lets #o( decide on the siCe o% each segment either side o% the control point.


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Connector toolbar The connector toolbar contains a large n(mber o% b(ttons.

&s shown b# the %ig(re above, the connectors can be gro(ped into %o(r categories. -ach categor# is s(bdivided into J connector t#pes depending on the arrowhead %or each end. The b(ttons in this row let #o( draw traditional connectors li$e the ones #o( have seen on the previo(s pages. These connectors are made (p o% a line segment and two smaller segments at the horiContal or vertical ends. These connectors are comprised o% a simple straight line. These connectors are based on BeCier c(rves.

%diting )luepoints l(epoint management is handled b# a special toolbar. This toolbar isn@t visible b# de%a(lt. To displa# it, press the b(tton in the option toolbar. The gl(epoint toolbar loo$s li$e this:

>ere@s a brie% description o% the wa# these b(ttons wor$:


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This b(tton lets #o( insert a new gl(epoint. 8% the ob/ect is %illed, the point can be inserted an#where within the ob/ect and not onl# on its conto(r. &%ter #o(@ve chosen this tool, clic$ on the ob/ect to add the gl(epoints.

The gl(epoints remain visible %or as long as the b(tton is pressed down. The# are displa#ed as little bl(e crosses and the gl(epoint that is c(rrentl# selected appears highlighted. o( can move the gl(epoints with the mo(se and delete them with the DelE $e#. These %o(r b(ttons let #o( choose the directions o% movement that are allowed aro(nd the /(nction o% a connector gl(epoint. o( can also select several o% these b(ttons %or an# given gl(epoint. >ere@s an e)ample o% their (se:

>ere@s a ver# simple drawing to which a gl(epoint has been added.

B# de%a(lt, connector lines can attach themselves to this point %rom an# direction. Now clic$ on the . The e%%ect o% this is to %orce an# connector placed on the gl(epoint to come in %rom the le%t as shown in the %ollowing drawing:


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8%, when #o( are in gl(epoint edit mode, #o( clic$ on the b(tton, #o( can add a new possible direction to a gl(epoint. 8% we $eep the preceding e)ample, this wo(ld give:

The addition o% this e)tra direction enabled !pen!%%ice.org to draw a shorter connector. 9hen this b(tton is pressed 3as it is b# de%a(lt5, an# resiCing o% an ob/ect will ca(se gl(epoints to move with the associated ob/ect. 8% this b(tton is deactivated, the gl(epoint will not move, as shown b# the %ollowing ill(strations:

9hen the b(tton is deactivated, the last si) b(ttons on the toolbar that were gra#ed o(t now become (sable. These b(ttons let #o( choose how the gl(e points will be rearranged when the ob/ect is re dimensioned. These three b(ttons let #o( choose the horiContal positioning o% the g l(epoint. o( can choose to maintain the same position with respect to the le%t edge 31st b(tton5, with respect to the center 32nd b(tton5 or with respect to the right edge 3rd b(tton5.

These three b(ttons let #o( choose the vertical positioning o% the gl(epoint. o( can choose to maintain the same position with respect to the (pper edge 31st b(tton5, with respect to the center 32nd b(tton5 or with respect to the lower edge 3rd b(tton5.


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Drawing Basic Shapes

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