Chapter 7 StarOffice Draw

StarOffice Draw enables you to create line art or vector drawings. You can combine the line art with pixel graphics. You can convert 2D graphics to 3D. You can export the graphics to many bitmap image formats.

Opening a Sample Drawing

To Open a Sample Drawing

1. In any StarOffice program, choose File->New->Templates and Documents

2. In the left pane, click Samples.

3. In the middle pane, double-click the Drawings folder.

4. Select a sample drawing and click Open.

Creating a Drawing

To create a new drawing from within any StarOffice program, choose File->New->Drawing.

Drawing Basic Shapes

You can use the tools in Draw to create and modify freeform or precise lines, as well as 2D and 3D shapes. These tools are available on the Drawing toolbar.

To Draw a Rectangle

You can use the Rectangle icon to easily create rectangular shapes.

1. On the Drawing toolbar, click the Rectangle icon.

2. Move the mouse pointer to where you want to start the rectangle, and then drag to draw the shape.

To Draw an Oval

You can use the Ellipse icon to easily create oval shapes.

1. On the Drawing toolbar, click the Ellipse icon.

2. Move the mouse pointer to where you want to start the oval, and then drag to draw the shape.

Drawing 3D Shapes

You can create three-dimensional (3D) objects by converting an existing two-dimensional (2D) object.

To Convert a 2D Object Into a 3D Object

1. Select a 2D object in your drawing.

2. Right-click the object, choose Convert from the context menu, and then select To 3D or To 3D Rotation Object.

Adding Text to Your Drawing

You can add text to your drawings with the Text icon on the Drawing toolbar.

To Add Text to Your Drawing

1. On the Drawing toolbar, click the Text icon.

   The Format Text toolbar opens.

2. In the document, drag to create a rectangle where you want to type your text.

3. Type the text.

4. To format the text, select the text, then click one of the icons on the Format Text toolbar.

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   Tip –

   To add text to an existing rectangle or ellipse, double-click the object and then type the text.

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Editing Your Drawing

You can modify or delete objects and change the formatting of text in your drawing.

Using the Line and Filling Toolbar

Use the Line and Filling toolbar to quickly change the appearance of objects in your drawing. To use the toolbar, select the object that you want to modify and click an icon on the toolbar, or select an option from one of the fields in the toolbar.

To Align Objects on a Drawing

1. On the Drawing toolbar, click the arrow right of the Align icon.

   The Align toolbar appears. You can drag the title bar to keep the toolbar open, or you can just click an icon on the toolbar.

   

2. Drag to select the objects that you want to align.

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   Note –

   You can also select an object, and then hold down Shift while you select other objects.

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3. On the Align toolbar, click the icon for the type of alignment that you want to apply.

To Arrange Objects on a Drawing

Each object that you add to your drawing is placed on top of the last object that you added. You can only see this effect if the objects overlap. You can use the Position feature in Draw to change the stacking order of objects.

1. On the Drawing toolbar, click the arrow right of the Arrange icon.

   The Position toolbar appears.

   

2. Select the object that you want to arrange.

3. On the Position toolbar, click the icon for the type of stacking order that you want to apply.

To Edit Text on a Drawing

1. Select the object that contains the text that you want to edit.

2. Modify the object.

   • To format the text, choose Format->Character or Format->Paragraph, and then choose your formatting options.

   • To change the text, double-click the object, select the text, and then make your changes.

   • To delete the entire text and the object, press Delete or Backspace.

To Delete Objects From a Drawing

1. Select the object that you want to delete.

2. Press Delete.