Chapter 4. Basic Objects
Prev |  | Next

## Chapter 4. Basic Objects

## Basic Objects Introduction

The first, and most common type of object is the basic object. Basic objects normally are geometric shapes, which can be customized. Dia offers the user numerous basic objects.

### Text

Dia supports the use of text as its own type of object. Text can be placed on the canvas by clicking on the text button on the toolbox.

### Note

Text in Dia can use any font available to Gnome.

### Box

The boxes in Dia can be customized to be any size desired by the user. The properties available are:

- Corner Rounding - Causes the corners to be rounded instead of hard edges.

- Draw Background - Keeps the center clear or fills with the background color.

### Ellipse

An ellipse is a shape which has all rounded sides, such as a circle or an oval.

### Polygon

A polygon is any closed shape made up of straight lines. The polygon tool, allows the user to draw any shape with all straight lines.

### Beziergon

A beziergon is similar to the polygon as the user defines the shape. However, it differs in that it allows curves to exist in the shape.

### Line

A line simply...a line. Refer to the customizing a line section to find more information about a line.

### Arc

An arc is a line which has been bent to create a semi-circle shape.

### Zigzag Line

A zigzag line is a line which has sharp, 90 degree turns in it. They hold visual similarities to staircases.

### Poly Line

A poly-line is like a zigzagline, but does not necessarily have to have 90 degree turns to it. The angles can be customized.

### Bezier Line

A bezier line is a line which has curves in it. The bezier line tool is edited by clicking and dragging the green and orange dots. The green dots customize the size while the orange dots customize the angles at which the line curves at.

### Images

The Dia canvas can have pictures inside of it, as well as shapes.

To add an image, click on the image button and then add it to the canvas. An object that says "Broken Image" will appear. Double-click to open the properties. Click on "Browse" and select your file. Click "OK" and then the image will be updated accordingly.

Currently the following image formats are supported for inclusion in Dia diagrams:

- ANI

- BMP

- GIF

- ICO

- JPEG

- PNG

- PNM

- RAS

- SVG

- TGA

- TIFF

- WMF

- XBM

- XPM

Prev |  | Next
Colors | Home | Chapter 5. Special Objects