Difference between revisions of "Documentation/OOoAuthors User Manual/Draw Guide/Tips and Tricks"

From Apache OpenOffice Wiki
Jump to: navigation, search
(Snap to grid)
 
(23 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Documentation/BeingEdited|Jean Weber (12 Jan 2008) - illos being added}}
+
{{DISPLAYTITLE:Tips and Tricks}}
 +
{{Documentation/TipsTricksTOC
 +
|ShowPrevNext=block
 +
|PrevPage=Documentation/OOoAuthors User Manual/Draw Guide/Examples for your own experiments
 +
|NextPage=Documentation/OOoAuthors User Manual/Draw Guide/Positioning objects with Zoom
 +
}}
 
This is Chapter '''8''' of '''OpenOffice.org 2.x Draw Guide''' (second edition), produced by the [http://oooauthors.org/ OOoAuthors group]. A PDF of this chapter is available from the [http://documentation.openoffice.org/manuals/oooauthors2/ OOoAuthors Guides page] at OpenOffice.org.
 
This is Chapter '''8''' of '''OpenOffice.org 2.x Draw Guide''' (second edition), produced by the [http://oooauthors.org/ OOoAuthors group]. A PDF of this chapter is available from the [http://documentation.openoffice.org/manuals/oooauthors2/ OOoAuthors Guides page] at OpenOffice.org.
  
[[Documentation/OOoAuthors_User_Manual| &lt;&lt; User Manuals page]]<br>
 
[[Draw Guide| &lt;&lt; Draw Guide Table of Contents]]<br>
 
[[Draw Guide/Working with 3D Objects| &lt;&lt; Chapter 7 Working with 3D Objects]] &nbsp;&nbsp;|
 
&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Draw Guide/Flow and Organization Charts|Chapter 9 Flow and Organization Charts &gt;&gt;]]
 
= Positioning objects with Zoom =
 
  
[[Image:DG8-1.png|Using zoom to place objects with greater precision]]<br>''Figure 1: Using zoom to place objects with greater precision.''
+
{{CCBY}}
 
+
[[Category: Draw Guide (Documentation)]]
=== Zoom adjustments using the status bar ===
+
The current zoom value is displayed in the status bar:
+
 
+
[[Image:DG8-2.png|Zoom level on the status bar]]<br>''Figure 2: Zoom level on the status bar.''
+
 
+
A double-click on the zoom value opens the Zoom window from which you can change the zoom factor (a right-click opens a more limited selection list).
+
 
+
[[Image:DG8-3.png|thumb|none|400px|''Figure 3: Window to select zoom factor.'']]
+
 
+
You can enter a zoom factor in the Variable field, select from one of the preset zoom values, or use one of the three other choices:
+
 
+
* ''Entire Page: ''The entire page is displayed on the monitor.
+
* ''Page Width: ''The right and left page edges are set to the vertical edges of the monitor.
+
* ''Optimal: ''The drawing (or selected object) is so enlarged that it just fits in the monitor window.
+
 
+
[[Image:DG8-4.png|thumb|none|700px|''Figure 4: Zoom values - Entire page, Page width, Optimal.'']]
+
 
+
=== The Zoom toolbar ===
+
The Zoom toolbar provides additional zoom options. On the Standard toolbar ('''View > Toolbars > Standard'''), click on the downwards arrow of the '''Zoom''' button [[Image:DG8-5aa.png]]. You can also permanently display the toolbar by clicking on '''View > Toolbars > Zoom'''.
+
 
+
[[Image:DG8-5.png|DG8-5.png]]<br>''Figure 5: Zoom Toolbar''
+
 
+
{|
+
| [[Image:DG8-5a.png]]
+
| Enlarges the monitor picture. First click on the button, then on the object. Alternatively drag to create a zoom “window”.
+
 
+
|-
+
| [[Image:DG8-5b.png]]
+
| Makes the monitor picture smaller. Just click on the button.
+
 
+
|-
+
| [[Image:DG8-5c.png]]
+
| Zooms objects to their original size.
+
 
+
|-
+
| [[Image:DG8-5d.png]]
+
| Change between the last zoom factors.
+
 
+
|-
+
| [[Image:DG8-5e.png]]
+
| Zoom to the Entire Page.
+
 
+
|-
+
| [[Image:DG8-5f.png]]
+
| Zoom to page width.
+
 
+
|-
+
| [[Image:DG8-5g.png]]
+
| Zoom all objects of the drawing to Optimal.
+
 
+
|-
+
| [[Image:DG8-5h.png]]
+
| Zoom the selected object to Optimal.
+
 
+
|-
+
| [[Image:DG8-5i.png]]
+
| The drawing can be moved inside the draw window.
+
 
+
|}
+
 
+
= Positioning objects with snap functions =
+
In Draw, objects can be positioned to grid points, to special snap points and lines, to object frames, to single object points, or to page edges. This function is known as ''Snap''. In this manner objects can be very accurately positioned in a drawing.
+
 
+
If you want to use the snap function it is much easier to work with the highest practicab zoom value. It is possible to use two different snap functions at the same time, for example snap to a guide line and to the page edge. It is best however to activate only those functions that you really need.
+
 
+
Examples for setting up the snap functions are found in Chapter 10 (Advanced Draw Techniques).
+
 
+
== Snap to grid ==
+
Use this function to move an object exactly to a grid point (see Figure 6). This function can be switched on and off with '''View > Grid > Snap to Grid''' and on the Options toolbar with the icon [[Image:SnapIcon.png]].
+
 
+
=== Showing the grid ===
+
Make the grid visible under '''View > Grid > Display Grid'''. Alternatively turn the grid on and off with the icon [[Image:ShowGridIcon.png]] on the Options toolbar.
+
 
+
[[Image:DG8-6.png|Exact positioning with the snap to grid function]]<br> ''Figure 6: Exact positioning with the snap to grid function.''
+
 
+
=== Changing the color of the grid points ===
+
By default the grid points are bright gray and not too easy to see. Under '''Tools > Options > OpenOffice.org > Appearance''' in the section Drawing / Presentation the color of the grid points can be changed (see Figure 7). On the ''Color Settings'' pulldown menu select a more suitable/visible color, for example black.
+
 
+
[[Image:DG8-7.png|Changing the color of the grid points]]<br>''Figure 7: Changing the color of the grid points.''
+
 
+
=== Configuring the grid ===
+
Under '''Tools > Options > OpenOffice.org Draw > Grid''' you can change the settings of the grid (Figure 8).
+
 
+
[[Image:DG8-8.png|Configuring the grid]]<br>''Figure 8: Configuring the grid.''
+
 
+
No adjustment is necessary in the ''Grid'' field, for these settings can be changed directly from the icons on the Options toolbar.
+
 
+
''Resolution'': sets the horizontal and vertical distance between two grid points (see Figure 9).
+
 
+
[[Image:DG8-9.png|Grids with different resolutions]]<br>''Figure 9: Grids with different resolutions.''
+
 
+
''Subdivisions'': determines how many steps there are between adjacent grid points. Intermediate steps make it possible to have a larger separation between 2 grid points and so the drawing remains clearer (see Figure 10). Objects can snap to intermediate points in exactly the same way as grid points.
+
 
+
[[Image:DG8-10.png|Grid with subdivisions]]<br>''Figure 10: Grid with intermediate steps (subdivisions).''
+
 
+
The other settings are largely self-explanatory. One important setting is the field ''Snap range.'' Grid points and guiding lines are both optical help elements which are managed separately by Draw. If you have activated a snap function and then move an object, Draw looks in the vicinity of the position of the object for those special help elements. This determines the final position of the object, and with the snap range setting you can determine the extent of this search ‘area’. Exactly how large the snap area is depends on the current environment – which particular snap functions are in use, how the grid is configured and whether or not there may be collisions with other objects. It is usually necessary to do a little experimenting to find what best suits your needs.
+
 
+
== Snap to Snap objects (snap lines and snap points) ==
+
''Snap lines'' run horizontal or vertical and appear are dashed lines. ''Snap points'' appear as small crosses, again with dashed lines.
+
 
+
{{Documentation/Note|In Version 2 of OOo the name of the buttons in the Options toolbar are “Display Guides” and “Snap to Guides” when what is actually meant is “Display Snap line” and “Snap to Snap line”. These will be corrected in subsequent versions.}}
+
 
+
If you have activated this function, you can position objects exactly. Horizontal and vertical snap lines can be used together. Snap lines are not active immediately after inserting them but are turned on (or off) using the [[Image:]] icon or with the '''View''' menu. If the snap line is no longer needed you can hide it (or subsequently display it again) with the ''Display Guides'' icon [[Image:]] or using the '''View''' menu.
+
 
+
[[Image:|]]<br>''Figure 11: Objects 'connected' to snap lines (left) or to a snap point (right). Note that the snap point functions in principle as if it was the intersection of two snap lines.''
+
 
+
=== Inserting a snap line with the mouse ===
+
To insert a snap line in a drawing:
+
 
+
# Hover the mouse cursor over either ruler.
+
# Click and hold the right mouse button.
+
# Drag the mouse into the drawing area to produce a snap line.
+
 
+
The snap line can at any time be moved with the mouse. Moving a snap line will not, however, move any objects that have been snapped to that line.
+
 
+
=== Inserting snap points and snap lines using coordinates ===
+
The command '''Insert > Snap point / line''' opens a window (Figure 12) where you can specify X and Y coordinates and choose the type of snap object: point, vertical line, or horizontal line.
+
 
+
[[Image:|]]<br>''Figure 12: Setting a) snap object type and b) snap object position using X,Y coordinates''
+
 
+
=== Editing snap points and snap lines ===
+
All snap objects can be subsequently edited after setting them. If you right-click on a snap object, an appropriate menu is opened. This contains a number of possible commands, including ''Delete''.
+
 
+
== Snap to page edge ==
+
With this function you can snap objects to the page edge(s) (Figure 13). A combination with snap lines and snap to grid is also possible.
+
 
+
[[Image:|]]<br>''Figure 13: Objects positioned on the page margins''
+
 
+
== Snap to object frame ==
+
With this function you can position one drawing object on the frame of another. The connection point can lie anywhere on the object frame. If you want to use this function you should deactivate “snap to grid”. Figure 14 shows some examples of this function. Take note that a typical object frame 'touches' the frame of a round object at only one of four points.
+
 
+
[[Image:|]]<br>''Figure 14: Objects positioned on the frame of another object''
+
 
+
== Snap to object points ==
+
This function operates in a similar manner to the one just described. The difference is that the connection point can lie only at one of the four corner points of both the object being moved and the target object. This leads to the situation where two round objects have a 'connection point' which does not lie on either object but at one of the red circled points in Figure 15.
+
 
+
[[Image:|]]<br>''Figure 15: Objects connected to the object point of another object''
+
 
+
== Positioning objects with helper lines ==
+
To simplify the positioning of objects it is possible to make visible guiding lines – extensions of the edges of the object – while it is being moved. These guiding lines have no snap function.
+
 
+
[[Image:|]]<br>''Figure 16: Working with guiding lines''
+
 
+
The guiding lines can be (de-)activated under '''Tools > Options > OpenOffice.org Draw > View '''> Guides when moving, or by clicking on the [[Image:]] icon on the ''Options'' toolbar.
+
 
+
= Drawing to scale =
+
In Draw a drawing is made on a predefined drawing area or canvas. This will usually be in the Letter or DIN A4 format depending on your locale settings, and will be output to some “standard” printer that you have set up on your computer (usually referred to as the Default Printer). Depending on the actual size of the drawn objects it will often be necessary or convenient to reduce or enlarge the drawing by some scaling value. The scale that you wish to use can be input under '''Tools > Options > OpenOffice.org Draw > General'''.
+
 
+
The scale and selected unit of measurement will be automatically reflected in the ruler(s), the window position and the window size. If you work regularly with scaled drawings it may be useful to store the details in a template which you can call up when you start a new drawing and not have to input the various settings every time.
+
 
+
Whether you draw in a 1:1 scale or in another has no effect on the basic drawing operations. Draw will automatically calculate for you the necessary values (for example dimension lines). The grid spacing is independent of drawing scale as the grid is not a drawing element but only an optical drawing aid.
+
 
+
{{Documentation/Note|If you want to insert elements in a drawing from the Gallery or Clipboard you should draw these to the same scale as you are using for the drawing to ensure the proper size ratio is maintained.}}
+
 
+
= Splitting complex drawings on multiple layers =
+
Layers are like transparencies which lie one on top of another on an overhead projector. You can insert and extract single layers as desired. For example in architecture the floor plan, heating and electrical wiring can all be on separate layers. With complex drawings this layer technique offers many advantages. You can make layers visible or invisible as needed or you can protect a layer from further changes while you work.
+
 
+
In Draw three layers are always present by default: Layout, Controls, and Dimension Lines.
+
 
+
[[Image:]]
+
 
+
To change to a layer, click on its tab. Everything which is drawn will be placed on the currently selected layer (usually “Layout” – this is the default layer when you create a new drawing). The Controls layer is for control elements (for example icons, pull downs etc) and is not usually used for ordinary drawing elements. The Dimension Lines layer is used whenever you insert a dimension line on a drawing (unless the layer is made invisible). With the command '''Insert > Layer''' you can insert a new layer in a drawing (Figure 5 left).
+
 
+
[[Image:|]]<br>''Figure 17: Insert and Modify layers''
+
 
+
Right-click on a layer tab to bring up a menu where you can insert or delete a layer, rename an existing layer, or modify it. You can change the names of the user-defined layers; the default layer names cannot be changed.
+
 
+
If you choose '''Modify''' you will see the dialog box in Figure 5 right. On the '''Modify Layer''' dialog you can specify the following properties:
+
 
+
* ''Visible'': If this property is not activated the layer will not be shown (the layer is removed from the stack)
+
* ''Printable:'' If this property is not activated the layer will not be printed. This useful if you use a 'draft' layer for guides or annotations that you use in making the drawing but should not appear in the final output.
+
* ''Protected'': All objects on this layer are protected from deletion, editing or moving. No additional objects can be added to a protected layer. This property is useful when a base plan is to be protected while adding a new layer with other details.
+
 
+
{{Documentation/Tip|Somewhat confusing is the fact that you can move objects on one layer although you are working on another layer. To prevent deleting or moving objects on another layer you should protect that layer.}}
+
 
+
== An example drawing – house plan and furniture ==
+
A popular application for programs like Draw is the “moving the furniture” scenario. The floor plan of a room or a house is easily drawn with Draw. The simplest way is to draw walls as thick lines. You can also draw single rectangles or polygons, place them together, select them and then from the right-click menu use '''Shapes > Merge''' to make a single figure, then add a hatching pattern. Before you do this, you should read the section “[[#Drawing to scale|Drawing to scale]]” on page [[#Drawing to scale|8]].
+
 
+
For this example a suitable measurement unit is centimeter. The drawing scale and grid settings will depend on the size of the floorplan.
+
 
+
With the field Position and Size you can very easily position and dimension the individual wall sections. Watch out that the rectangles completely overlap (see Figure 18) otherwise the merging will give uneven edges.
+
 
+
[[Image:|]]<br>''Figure 18: Wall corner from two rectangles. From upper to lower: before merging, after merging and after hatching''
+
 
+
Figure 19 shows the finished floor plan. In addition a chest of drawers has been added. The body of the chest would be drawn on the ''Layout'' layer, the pulled out drawers and the open doors drawn as a group and put on a separate user defined layer.
+
 
+
[[Image:|]]<br>''Figure 19: Floorplan with chest of drawers''
+
 
+
Making this latter layer visible or hidden will show the doors and drawers open and closed. Hidden layers are shown with a colored tab (see Figure 20).
+
 
+
[[Image:|]]<br>''Figure 20: Making layers visible or hidden''
+
 
+
{{Documentation/Caution|If you copy a drawing object to the Clipboard or in the Gallery all layers other than the three standard layers (Layout, Controls and Dimension Lines) are 'lost' and all objects will, by pasting into a new Draw document, be placed on the Layout layer. The reconstruction of layers is much easier if you assemble objects on a layer into a group before copying.}}
+
 
+
=== Changing the layer of a drawing object ===
+
Draw has no direct command to change layers. If an object is to be moved to another layer, simply change to the new layer, select the desired object or group, and then cut and paste it in position. If you watch the status bar (here the information field) you can easily follow and check the change in layer. You can also click on the object, hold the mouse button pressed for about two seconds to copy the object to the Clipboard and then paste it on the appropriate layer.
+
 
+
= Multi-page document =
+
Draw documents, in the same way as presentation (Impress) documents, can consist of multiple pages. As in Impress, tools to manage the page area and page backgrounds are available.
+
 
+
== Page area ==
+
 
+
{| class="prettytable"
+
| [[Image:]]Ctrl+double click to dock and undockShow and hideAdjust width of window
+
| By default the page area is docked on the left. It shows every page in the document as a small picture. Select a picture from the page area and the corresponding page is loaded in the middle area and with a click on the page activated for editing.
+
 
+
The page area window behaves similarly to the template window. Drag on the gray separator line to change the width of the page area. Click on the middle of this line to show or hide the page area. Double-click with the ''Control'' key pressed in the upper gray area to dock or undock the window.
+
 
+
|-
+
| [[Image:]]
+
| In the Page area you can drag and drop a picture to change the order of pages in the document; a black horizontal line shows the position where the page will be inserted.
+
 
+
|-
+
| [[Image:]][[Image:]]
+
| Using the context menu you can insert or delete pages or duplicate pages with copy and paste.
+
 
+
|}
+
Pages are automatically named as “Slide 1”, “Slide 2”, etc. This description is relative; if you move sheets around they are automatically renumbered. If you want to have fixed slide (page) names you must name them yourself. Page names are useful for working with the Navigator and when you want to insert single slides using ''Insert > File'' into another document.
+
 
+
== Using page backgrounds ==
+
With background pages you set common page settings for multiple pages of the Draw document. These include setting the color or graphics of the background, background objects and fields such as page numbering and author.
+
 
+
{{Documentation/Note|The terms used in this area may not be completely consistent, so that the terms Slide – Page and Master – Background – Page template are used more or less interchangeably in places. If you seek for information in Help, it may serve to use alternative search terms.}}
+
 
+
=== Creating a page background ===
+
Change with '''View > Master''' to the Master view and note that a related toolbar ''Master View'' is opened. If this toolbar does not appear, activate it with '''View > Toolbars'''. In this toolbar are switches for a new background page and to rename the master page. The same functions are available through the context menu of a page picture in the page area of the Master View. The button for deleting a master page is only available when you select a background page in the page area which has not yet been assigned to any page.
+
 
+
[[Image:|]]<br>''Figure 21: Master View toolbar''
+
 
+
To return to normal mode use the ''Close Master View'' button or '''View > Normal'''.
+
 
+
You can edit such background pages just like normal pages. With '''Format > Page > Background''' you can set the color, pattern or background picture. These settings are specific to each background page. You can set in the Master view the size and orientation of the page; such settings apply however to all pages.
+
 
+
If you insert drawing objects on a background page they are visible on all pages which use this background page. This a convenient way for example to place a firm's logo on every page.
+
 
+
Master pages are organized in layers just like normal pages. The layers of normal pages are associated with the layer of the same name on the Master page. Accordingly the layers Layout/Control/Dimension Lines are considered to be a unit and the Master page layer Background objects is associated with them.
+
 
+
With '''Insert > Fields''' you can insert the date, time, page number, author and filename. No other fields are available. With page number you cannot insert a fixed page number but a variable – only on the page itself does the number appear and then determined by the position of the page. The number is automatically adjusted if the page is subsequently moved.
+
 
+
=== Assigning and managing page backgrounds ===
+
From the context menu of the page choose '''Page > Slide design '''(see Figure 22). This opens the dialog ''Slide design'' with a choice of the available background pages for that page.
+
 
+
[[Image:|]]<br>''Figure 22: Commands on the Page pop-up menu''
+
 
+
In the status bar the bottom right shows which background page is considered as the current one. Double-click in this field to open the dialog ''Slide design ''(Figure 23).
+
 
+
[[Image:|]]<br>''Figure 23: Slide design dialog''
+
 
+
Watch out in the dialog for the option ''Exchange background page''. If this box is selected, the selected background page will be used on all pages of the document, not just on the currently active page.
+
 
+
The option ''Delete unused backgrounds'' (previous bug fixed in Version 2.3.1 and later) deletes any backgrounds (as shown in the Slide Design dialog) which have not been assigned to a page.
+
 
+
In this dialog you can load previously prepared background pages (Figure 24). All Draw and Impress templates can be used for this purpose. Note however that using Impress templates will bring in only the background and not the other elements prepared in Impress.
+
 
+
[[Image:|]]<br>''Figure 24: Dialog Load Slide Design''
+
 
+
There is no special option to store background pages as templates. Instead you can load a document with the desired background page and store this document as a document template with '''File > Template > Store'''.
+
 
+
= Color palette – adding or changing single colors =
+
Draw (like all OOo program modules) uses color palettes for the representation of colors. In addition you have the chance to customize the color palette to suit your own needs and wishes. Colors in a palette can be modified, other colors added or new color palettes created.
+
 
+
You reach these options with '''Tools > Options > OpenOffice.org > Colors''' or with '''Format > Area > Color''' (tab) (see Figure 24). This latter method allows color palettes to be loaded or to be stored for future use. Any modifications made to colors apply only to the currently active palette.
+
 
+
OpenOffice.org always uses internally the RGB color model. For the definition of a color value other methods are also available. The conversion to R, G and B values is made automatically.
+
 
+
The color values can be input directly as numbers. Choose between the color model RGB (base colors Red, Green and Blue) and CMYK (base colors Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black, K= Key).
+
 
+
{{Documentation/Tip|Information about color models can be found under:<br>
+
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_model http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_model]}}
+
 
+
The individual color tones are produced with different values of the base colors. The color value can be any integer value between 0 and 255. As an example, Red 3 has (in the RGB model) a red value of 184, a green value of 71 and a blue value of 0. The CMYK model uses percentages (in this case 0%, 44%, 72%, and 28% respectively).
+
 
+
By changing these values you manipulate the color tone. Either enter a number directly or use the spinners on the right side of each field. The change in color will be shown in the lower color field (see Figure 25). Click the button ''Modify'' to apply and store the new setting.
+
 
+
[[Image:|]]<br>''Figure 25: The Color tab in the Area Menu''
+
 
+
You can add a new color to the current palette. Enter a new name in the Name field and set the desired color values. Click ''Add''. The new color will be added to the end of the palette and stored in the currently active palette.
+
 
+
If you wish, you can also delete colors from a palette. Simply select the color from the ''Color'' pull down menu and click on the ''Delete'' button, then on ''OK'' to confirm the change.
+
 
+
Clicking on the Edit button opens a special dialog to allow setting individual colors (see Figure 26). Many more input possibilities are available in this dialog.
+
 
+
In the lower area you can enter values in the RGB and CMYK models as well as the HSB (Hue, Saturation and Brightness) model.
+
 
+
The two color fields at lower right show the value of the color as selected (left) and the currently set value from the color value fields (right).
+
 
+
[[Image:|]]<br>''Figure 26: Color dialog''
+
 
+
The color windows in the upper area permit a direct selection of color without any knowledge of color values. The right upper color window is linked directly with the various color model input fields, as you choose a color in this window the numbers change accordingly and a preview of the color appears in the right of the two color fields (lower right in Figure 26).
+
 
+
If you click '''OK''', the color window is closed and the input field is again active. You can at this stage select your previously defined color, as described above, give it a new name and store it by clicking the ''Add'' button. The old color will then (without any further warning) be overwritten.
+
 
+
== Using the color picker dialog ==
+
 
+
=== Method 1: ===
+
You can change the current color by modifying the individual color values. It is possible to jump from one color model to another during this process. The settings will always be calculated and stored according to the RGB model, possibly with some slight adjustment to your input values in the other models.
+
 
+
[[Image:]]With the HSB model the color tone of the three parameters Hue (possible values from 0 to 359), Saturation (possible values from 0 to 100) and Brightness (possible values from 0 to 100) is defined. The number for the color represents the angle in a color wheel, the other two are both percentage values.
+
 
+
=== Method 2 ===
+
It is also possible to select a new color by clicking on a color in the color window at the upper right of the dialog. The chosen color is shown in a black frame. The frame can be dragged with the mouse. If this color is not quite right you can fine tune it as described above in Method 1 by changing the color values.
+
 
+
As you drag the small square you will see the value change in the number fields. The CMYK and RGB are more or less self explanatory. To make the HSB model a little clearer some additional comments are necessary.
+
 
+
[[Image:]]HueSaturationGray level according to the brightness settingTo better understand the working of the HSB model, move the frame from left to right and top to bottom. You will see that the Hue and Saturation values change from their maximum to their minimum (hue by horizontal movement and saturation by vertical movement), the brightness remains the same (see figure at left). This latter can only be adjusted by inputing a value into the number field.
+
 
+
=== Method 3 ===
+
The left color window is divided like a chess board into 8 x 8 individual fields, each with a different color. Most important are the colors in each of the corner fields. The color red changes stepwise to green in the first row, and stepwise to yellow in the first column. The color green in the last column changes stepwise to blue.
+
 
+
This window thus contains a stepwise change between each of the four main colors in the corner points. If you hover the mouse over a square the RGB value will be shown as a tooltip. The yellow corner field (lower left) has for example RGB values of 255, 255 and 0 (full red, full green and no blue).
+
 
+
Click on this yellow field. A frame appears. If you click the -> arrow under the color windows the selected color is assigned (see picture below).
+
 
+
[[Image:]]
+
 
+
It is also possible to change the color fields, by changing (one or more) of the corner fields. Click on the field you want to change, then set the color with the mouse in the right color window and/or with the number fields. When you click now on the <nowiki><-</nowiki> arrow, the new color will be assigned to the corner square you selected (see Figure 25).
+
 
+
[[Image:|]]<br>''Figure 27: Changing the color of a corner square''
+
 
+
= Cool effects =
+
 
+
== Duplication ==
+
Duplication makes copies of an object while applying a set of changes (such as color or rotation) to the duplicates. To start duplication, click on an object or group and choose '''Edit > Duplicate'''. The Duplicate dialog appears:
+
 
+
[[Image:Duplication.png|thumb|none|500px|The Duplicate dialog.]]
+
 
+
Choose the number of copies, their separation (placement), rotation, and so on. The choices above applied to a blue rectangle produce the following result:
+
 
+
[[Image: DrawDuplication.png]]
+
 
+
Here is another example, showing the result of a different set of choices:
+
 
+
[[Image:DG8-28.png|DG8-28.png]]
+
 
+
== Cross-fading ==
+
Cross-fading transforms one shape into another. The result is a new group of objects including the two end points and the intermediate steps. To do a cross-fade, select two objects.
+
 
+
[[Image:|]]<br>''Figure 29: The two objects selected for cross fading''
+
 
+
Then choose '''Edit > Cross-fading'''.
+
 
+
[[Image:Crossfade.png|Cross-fading dialog]]<br>''Figure 30: Cross-fading dialog.''
+
 
+
On the dialog choose the number of increments (transition steps). You probably want to have ''Cross-fade attributes'' and ''Same orientation'' both checked. The end result is shown below.
+
 
+
[[Image:|]]<br>''Figure 31: Cross-fading with 6 steps.''
+
 
+
=== Which object goes in front? ===
+
How do I tell OpenOffice.org I want  and not ?If you want  then select  (the object we want in front), right-click and choose '''Arrange > Bring to Front '''(or ''Ctrl'' + ''Shift'' + ''+''). Or select  (the object we want behind), right-click and choose '''Arrange > Send to Back '''(or ''Ctrl'' + ''Shift'' + ''-'').
+
 
+
 
+
{{Manual}}
+
[[Category:Draw Guide (Documentation)]]
+

Latest revision as of 01:28, 12 April 2008


This is Chapter 8 of OpenOffice.org 2.x Draw Guide (second edition), produced by the OOoAuthors group. A PDF of this chapter is available from the OOoAuthors Guides page at OpenOffice.org.


Content on this page is licensed under the Creative Common Attribution 3.0 license (CC-BY).
Personal tools