Learning objectives

When you have completed this session, you should be able to

• draw, select, transform shapes,
• create objects.

Shapes

Drawing simple shapes

Let us draw! The Paint toolbar in Word is identical to the one here but it must be used here more often.

Let us start with a simple shape. Draw an ellipse. Select the Ellipse tool from Paint menu and with the cursor switched to a plus mark “+” start drawing in the slide. Try pressing the cursor in the upper left corner and hold it depressed. Then only release it in the lower right corner when the ellipse almost fills in the entire slide. If something is not made properly for the first time the last operation can be undone. Only press Delete (if the shape is selected).

Before starting to draw if CTRL is depressed the center of the shape will be located where the left mouse button is first pressed. This is called center point drawing. Depressing SHIFT makes drawing symmetrical shapes (circle, square…). CTRL+SHIFT buttons can be used together as well.

Selecting

When finishing with our shape it remains selected. If we click next to this shape it can be selected again if we click on it. Discontinuing selection can be done by clicking in an empty area. It is useful to click in the dark gray area surrounding the slide because possibly there is nothing there, however drawing in that area is also possible but that does not appear in the presentation. We need selections because forming shapes and changing their properties is only possible when they are selected. There is another way to make selections and this is especially useful when more shapes are to be selected at once. It is the selection web.

The ellipse which has been drawn should not be selected. Move the simple cursor more outside from the upper left corner to both directions than depressing the left mouse button pull the mouse to the right downward in a way that the selection web, which appears intermittently, should surround the ellipse which does not stretch over by any millimeter. Measurement points appearing around the shape show if the selection is successful. They are located at midpoints or (since an ellipse and not rectangle is involved) at imaginary corner points.

Sizing, Moving, and Copying

In order to size an object the cursor have to be moved on these points only and when the cursor is changed to a double ended black arrow the point can be grabbed and pulled to one or another direction. To rotate the green rotation point can be grabbed. To move the shape the cursor should be taken in the shape but not taken close to any measuring point. Grab the shape when the cursor turns into a four arrow cursor and move to de desired location. If ALT is depressed the ellipse can be moved more precisely. Depressing SHIFT results a movement along one axle. For movements the cursor moving keys of the keyboard can also be used but the shape must be selected in this case too.

Copies can be produced in several ways. The traditional way is to use the combination of CTRL+C, and CTRL+V, so the editor page also works here but the drag & drop method can be used too if the CTRL button is depressed. At this time a small plus sign and rectangle appears around the cursor.

Yes, for precise sizing and positioning the Size or Position flap of Format/Shape (last command) can be used respectfully. The upcoming dialogue window can be reached by double clicking on the shape. On Size flap pay attention on the check box for the proportion of the side. It this is activated the shape can only be resized proportionally. Giving the percentage value of the size works too (let the size be 50% of the actual one). The shape can be turned counterclockwise too is negative values are given. Clicking on the Sample button and removing the dialogue window for not hiding the content of the slide we can make sure of the changing effects. The position flap works interestingly with its limited ways for adjustments.

Mirroring Images

Mirror images can be made of the selected shape(s) horizontally or vertically. To do this, click on Paint menu and chose the proper mirroring among the two or Rotate from the Rotate or Mirror sub menu.

Adjusting

One or more objects can be adjusted. One object can only be adjusted in relation to the slide but in case of more objects the selected objects can be adjusted in relation to one another. Delete everything in the slide and draw a small symmetric circle in one corner. Depressing SHIFT symmetric shapes can be created. The circle can be moved in the center of the slide from the Paint menu. Select the circle and choose first from Paint tools the command Paint/Adjust or distribute/to Slide then return to Paint/Adjust or distribute/Center (the circle should be placed in the center of the slide along the horizontal axel). Finally, return here again and choose the command Paint/Adjust or distribute/Adjust to center and the circle will be located in the center along the vertical axle too.

Now let us draw another even smaller circle. In one corner of the slide and select both circles with the help of SHIFT or by using the selection web. Adjust these two circles in the center in relation to each other. To do this the command which makes movements in relation to the slide must be inactivated. Click on Paint/Adjust or distribute/ to Slide and return to Paint/ Adjust or distribute/to center (both slides will move). Finally, choose Paint/ Adjust or distribute/ to Center. The two circles are on one another in a concentric way. If everything has been followed as written here the smaller circle covers the larger one.

Sequence

The smaller circle can be moved to the back. The sequence of objects can be modified because they are laid on each other. Imagine as objects were on transparent foils and these foils would be laid on one another but the sequence could be changed. Select only the smaller circle above and choose Pain/Sequence/Move back in the Paint toolbar. Since the smaller circle is behind the larger one it is hidden and not being visible. The Move back command does not move objects all the way back only one step behind.

Forming Shapes

Draw a symmetric square and if the square is still being selected chose the Form/ Shape (lowest) command or simply double click on the square. This way the properties of the object dialogue window appears. Let us check the flaps one by one. First, let us click on the Colors/ Lines flap. Filling of the square, or any other objects, can be adjusted here besides transparency and the color or type of the edge lines (including thickness).

In case of the filling color for adjusting the background of the slide there is a possibility to choose from more colors. The object can be empty, filled with no color too. There can be some transition or pattern in the filling color or even pictures can be inserted in a way that in only appears inside the object. Edges can be inactivated too if the No line option is selected.

On the second flap of Size the size of the object can be given precisely in millimeters (or in the adjusted measurement). When height and width are the same we talk about a symmetric object. If we want the object remain symmetric before giving new parameters tick the box for proportional side which preserves the proportions of the ratio of the object and might be very useful for pictures too. In the Rotation box values can be given between 0-360° with negative sign too. For a double size object enter 200%. Values are enough to be entered only in one box if remain proportional side has been ticked. Click in the other box and check the other value entered. If the previous values need to be reset do not enter 100% because the current size is handled as 100% but enter 50%.

The Position flap has some interesting features. There are two choices for giving the coordinates of an along the horizontal and vertical axis. Either from the upper left corner of the slide or from the center of the slide. This particular point is nothing else than the upper left point of the imaginary rectangle (or square) framing the object. It is an imaginary point because in this case it is obvious which is the upper left point of our square but in case of a circle or ellipse is will not be so obvious. In the other hand all objects are located in a rectangle (square). There is no use to give more explanations. Everyone should check where these so called measuring points appear in case of a square or a circle. This way even century old rules may be proved wrong in front of a computer as circles can have “corners”.
Objects can be attached with shadows or three-dimensional effects can be given when clicking on the small icon symbolizing the two green squares, cubes on the right edge of the Paint toolbar. Obviously, the object must be selected first.

Modifying an Object (Switching) to another One

If an existing object needs to be changed to another one (square to circle, star to triangle) select the existing one, and choose the following command in the Paint toolbar Paint menu: Switch between objects built in and look for the one needed.

Free Hand Drawing

There is an option for making any kind of drawings from different lines. In Paint toolbar/ from Shapes menu/ Lines not only straight lines but arrow, curve and polygon tools can be selected. Using the curve tool is only a matter of practice. Try making clouds as an exercise and fill them with light blue color. These objects do not get filling color automatically (unless the starting and endpoints are hit). Thus, they can be selected when clicking on the edge. If the curve should not be closed we can get rid of the curve drawing tool by double clicking. In case of a more sophisticated drawing several objects might be needed, which are better to be grouped in advance. Most Cliparts are also made of several little elements. If an object cannot be closed and a little gap still remains it can be dragged to the edge of the object and by asking a local menu and ask the command for the Close curve. Moreover if we are not satisfied with the curves they can be modified by grabbing at the intersections. These intersections are located at the start or endpoints of a curved section but in most cases they can be found where two curves are joined. Moving intersections can be started from the local menu as well if Edit Intersection command is chosen. If the object is ready just click nearby to it. It is useful to take a look at the commands in the local menu while editing intersections. Local menus can be asked for sections and intersections too in order to modify the type of a junction. There are three types: normal, straight, and corner point.

Grouping, Dissolving Groups

At least two objects must be selected and choose the uppermost, Group command in Paint menu from the Paint toolbar. Discontinue the selection and try to select one object only. If the selection cannot be done the grouping was successful because it means that the program handles the objects as being one. They can be moved, resized, shaped, etc. together. They can also be separated. This is called dissolution of the group. In this case the group must be selected too and the Dissolution command can be found in the Paint menu (or in the local menu from Grouping submenu).