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<head>
<title>Drawing Objects</title>
</head>
<body>
<a href="contents.html"><img src="images/xfig-title.png"
alt="XFIG Users Manual" border=0></a>
<hr>
<h1>Drawing Objects</h1>
Buttons to create new objects are in the drawing mode panel,
and users can create new objects using operations on the canvas
after selecting a drawing mode.
<p>
<dl>
<dt><a href="#circle"><img src="images/ellipse-rad-button.png"
align="middle" alt="[Ellipse by rad]">
<img src="images/ellipse-diam-button.png" align="middle" alt="[Ellipse by diam]">
Circles and Ellipses</a>
<dt><a href="#closed-approx-spline"><img src="images/closed-approx-spline-button.png"
align="middle" alt="[Closed Approx Spline]"></a>
<a href="#approx-spline"><img src="images/open-approx-spline-button.png"
align="middle" alt="[Open Approx Spline]"></a>
<a href="#closed-interp-spline"><img src="images/closed-interp-spline-button.png"
align="middle" alt="[Closed Interp Spline]"></a>
<a href="#interp-spline"><img src="images/open-interp-spline-button.png"
align="middle" alt="[Open Approx Spline]"></a>
<a href="#spline">Spline Curves</a>
<dt><a href="#polyline"><img src="images/polyline-button.png"
align="middle" alt="[Polyline]">
Polylines and Dimension lines</a>
<dt><a href="#polygon"><img src="images/polygon-button.png"
align="middle" alt="[Polygon]">
Polygons</a>
<dt><a href="#regular-polygon"><img src="images/regular-polygon-button.png"
align="middle" alt="[Regular Polygon]">
Regular Polygons</a>
<dt><a href="#box"><img src="images/box-button.png"
align="middle" alt="[Box]">
Rectangular Boxes</a>
<dt><a href="#arc-box"><img src="images/arc-box-button.png"
align="middle" alt="[Arc Box]">
Arc Boxes (Rectangular Boxes with rounded corners)</a>
<dt><a href="#arc"><img src="images/arc-button.png"
align="middle" alt="[Arc]">
Arcs</a>
<dt><a href="#picture"><img src="images/pict-button.png"
align="middle" alt="[Picture]">
Picture Objects (Imported image files)</a>
<dt><a href="#text"><img src="images/text-button.png"
align="middle" alt="[Text]">
Texts</a>
<dt><a href="#library"><img src="images/library-button.png"
align="middle" alt="[Object Libraries]">
Object Libraries</a>
</dl>
<p>
The drawing mode is selected by clicking on the corresponding button.
The image on the button will turn negative, indicating that it is selected.
Settings in the <a href="attributes.html">Attribute Panel</a> will
be applied to newly created objects,
so users should set those attributes before creating new objects.
<p>
<img src="images/pict-info.png" alt="">
For overlapping objects, the depth attribute is important for <b>xfig</b> to
know the drawing order. Please see <a href="layers.html">Layers (Depths)</a>
for details.
<p>
Predefined styles may be created by the user by using the
<a href="main_menus.html#manage-styles">style manager</a>.
<p>
It is also possible to modify the attributes of an object
using <a href="editing.html#edit">EDIT</a> or
<a href="editing.html#update">UPDATE</a>
after the object has been created.
<p>
The function of each mouse button will change
depending on the selected drawing mode or situation.
This is displayed in the
<a href="miscellaneous.html#mouse-indicator">Mouse Function Indicator</a>.
Mouse button 1 is mainly used for creating objects,
but mouse button 2 is also used in some cases.
In most cases, mouse button 3 (`cancel') is used
to cancel an operation.
<p>
By default, there is a point positioning grid (snap-to grid) which forces
the points of the object you draw to a discrete grid. This grid may be
turned off or set to various sizes.
See <a href="attributes.html#point-position">POINT POSITION</a>
<dl>
<hr>
<dt><img src="images/ellipse-rad-button.png" alt="">
<img src="images/ellipse-diam-button.png" alt="">
<a name="circle">(CIRCLE AND ELLIPSE)</a>
<dd>Create circles and ellipses.
To draw a circle, mouse button 1 is used. For an ellipse, mouse button 2 is used.
<h2>Circles</h2>
<a name="circle"></a>
Users can specify the center point and either the radius
or diameter of the circle.
<p>
In the former mode,
users should click mouse button 1 (`Circle center')
at the center point of the circle first,
and then click mouse button 1 (`set radius') again
at any point on the circle.
<p>
In the diameter mode,
users should click mouse button 1 (`Circle diameter')
at any point on the circle,
and then click mouse button 1 (`set radius') again
at the opposite point on the circle.
<p>
<blockquote>
<img src="images/circle-example.png" alt="[Circle Example]">
</blockquote>
<p>
If area fill is specified by
<a href="attributes.html#fill-style">FILL STYLE</a>,
the inside of the circle will be filled according to the setting.
If you want to create tiny filled circle,
you can also use <a href="#polyline">POLYLINE</a>.
<p>
When creating a circle, the size (radius or diameter) of the circle
is displayed on the
<a href="introduction.html#message-panel">Message Panel</a> dynamically.
<p>
<dl>
<dt><b>Related Attributes:</b>
<dd><a href="attributes.html#depth">depth</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#pen-color">pen color</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#fill-color">fill color</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#fill-style">fill style</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#line-width">line width</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#line-style">line style</a>
</dl>
<hr>
<dt>
<dd>
<h2>Ellipses</h2>
As in <a href="#circle">CIRCLE</a>,
users can specify the center point and radius
or diameter of the ellipse.
But because it is necessary to specify vertical and horizontal length,
the operation is somewhat different from CIRCLE.
<p>
In the former mode,
users should click mouse button 2 (`Ellipse center')
at the center point of the ellipse first,
and then click mouse button 2 (`first corner') again
at any corner point of the imaginary rectangle which encloses the ellipse.
<p>
In the diameter mode,
users should click mouse button 2 (`Ellipse corner')
at any corner point of the imaginary rectangle which encloses the ellipse,
and then click mouse button 2 (`final corner') again
at the opposite corner point of the rectangle.
<p>
<blockquote>
<img src="images/ellipse-example.png" alt="[Ellipse Example]">
</blockquote>
<p>
If <a href="attributes.html#text-angle">TEXT/ELLIPSE ANGLE</a>
is set to non-zero, the ellipse will be rotated by the angle, positive
being counter-clockwise.
<p>
<dl>
<dt><b>Related Attributes:</b>
<dd><a href="attributes.html#depth">depth</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#pen-color">pen color</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#fill-color">fill color</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#fill-style">fill style</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#line-width">line width</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#line-style">line style</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#text-angle">text/ellipse angle</a>
</dl>
<hr>
<dt><img src="images/closed-approx-spline-button.png" alt="">
<a name="closed-approx-spline">(CLOSED APPROXIMATED SPLINE)</a>
<dd>Create a closed approximated spline curve
(smooth closed curve which approximates the specified points).
The operation is similar to <a href="#polygon">POLYGON</a>
or <a href="#closed-interp-spline">CLOSED INTERPORATED SPLINE</a>.
<p>
To make a freehand line for any SPLINE, POLYGON, or POLYLINE,
click mouse button 2 (`freehand') at the first point,
then drag the mouse to make the line.
As you move the mouse points will be added to the line.
Click mouse button 2 (`final point') again to finish.
<p>
See also <a href="#spline">About Spline Curves</a>.
<p>
<dl>
<dt><b>Related Attributes:</b>
<dd><a href="attributes.html#depth">depth</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#pen-color">pen color</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#fill-color">fill color</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#fill-style">fill style</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#line-width">line width</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#line-style">line style</a>
</dl>
<hr>
<dt><img src="images/open-approx-spline-button.png" alt="">
<a name="approx-spline">(APPROXIMATED SPLINE)</a>
<dd>Create an open approximated spline curve
(smooth curve which passes through two end-points
and approximates the specified points).
The operation is similar to <a href="#polygon">POLYLINE</a>
or <a href="#interp-spline">INTERPORATED SPLINE</a>.
<p>
See also <a href="#spline">About Spline Curves</a>.
<p>
<dl>
<dt><b>Related Attributes:</b>
<dd><a href="attributes.html#depth">depth</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#pen-color">pen color</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#fill-color">fill color</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#fill-style">fill style</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#line-width">line width</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#line-style">line style</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#cap-style">cap style</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#arrow-mode">arrow mode</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#arrow-type">arrow type</a>
</dl>
<hr>
<dt><img src="images/closed-interp-spline-button.png" alt="">
<a name="closed-interp-spline">(CLOSED INTERPOLATED SPLINE)</a>
<dd>Create a closed interpolated spline curve
(smooth closed curve which passes through the specified points).
The operation is similar to <a href="#polygon">POLYGON</a>
or <a href="#closed-approx-spline">CLOSED APPROXIMATED SPLINE</a>.
<p>
See also <a href="#spline">About Spline Curves</a>.
<p>
<dl>
<dt><b>Related Attributes:</b>
<dd><a href="attributes.html#depth">depth</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#pen-color">pen color</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#fill-color">fill color</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#fill-style">fill style</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#line-width">line width</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#line-style">line style</a>
</dl>
<hr>
<dt><img src="images/open-interp-spline-button.png" alt="">
<a name="interp-spline">(INTERPOLATED SPLINE)</a>
<dd>Create an open interpolated spline curve
(smooth curve which passes through the specified points).
The operation is similar to <a href="#polygon">POLYLINE</a>
or <a href="#approx-spline">APPROXIMATED SPLINE</a>.
<p>
See also <a href="#spline">About Spline Curves</a>.
<p>
<dl>
<dt><b>Related Attributes:</b>
<dd><a href="attributes.html#depth">depth</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#pen-color">pen color</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#fill-color">fill color</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#fill-style">fill style</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#line-width">line width</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#line-style">line style</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#cap-style">cap style</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#arrow-mode">arrow mode</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#arrow-type">arrow type</a>
</dl>
<hr>
<dt><img src="images/polyline-button.png" alt="">
<a name="polyline">(POLYLINES and Dimension Lines)</a>
<dd><h3>Polylines</h3>
Create polylines (line segments connecting a sequence of points).
A simple line segment or point may also be created with this function.
<p>
To create a polyline or line segment,
specify the first point by clicking mouse button 1 (`first point') at the point,
and then specify intermediate points
by clicking mouse button 1 (`next point') repeatedly.
Finally, click mouse button 2 (`final point') at the final point.
<p>
To make a freehand line for any SPLINE, POLYGON, or POLYLINE,
click mouse button 2 (`freehand') at the first point,
then drag the mouse to make the line.
As you move the mouse points will be added to the line.
Click mouse button 2 (`final point') again to finish.
<p>
To enter a single point click mouse button 3
(`single point').
The shape of the point will be a filled circle
if <a href="attributes.html#cap-style">CAP STYLE</a> is <i>ROUND</i>,
or a filled square otherwise.
The size of the point will be equal to the
<a href="attributes.html#line-width">line width</a>.
<p>
If area fill is specified by
<a href="attributes.html#fill-style">FILL STYLE</a>,
the region enclosed by the polyline
(first point and last point are considered connected)
will be filled according to the setting.
When filling a complex region, the
`even-odd rule' will be used to decide the area to be filled.
<p>
<blockquote>
<img src="images/polyline-example.png" alt="[Polyline Example]">
</blockquote>
<p>
<img src="images/pict-info.png" alt="">
For all objects, clicking mouse button 3 (`cancel') will cancel all input.
For objects that may have more than two points,
clicking mouse button 1 while pressing the SHIFT key (`del point')
will cancel entered points one by one.
<p>
<img src="images/pict-info.png" alt="">
When entering lines, splines or polygons, the number of points entered and the
distance from last point (length, dx and dy)
is displayed on the
<a href="introduction.html#message-panel">Message Panel</a> dynamically.
<p>
<img src="images/pict-info.png" alt="">
For open-ended objects,
if <a href="attributes.html#arrow-mode">ARROW MODE</a> is not <i>None</i>,
an arrow head will be added to one or both end-points.
<p>
<img src="images/pict-info.png" alt="">
If <i>Show line lengths</i> is set ON
(see <a href="global_settings.html"><i>Global Settings</i> panel</a>
and <a href="main_menus.html#view-menu">View menu</a>),
more information about the lengths of lines being drawn is shown. This is true
for most <b>Fig</b> objects being drawn.
<p>
<dl>
<dt><b>Related Attributes:</b>
<dd><a href="attributes.html#depth">depth</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#pen-color">pen color</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#fill-color">fill color</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#fill-style">fill style</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#line-width">line width</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#line-style">line style</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#join-style">join style</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#cap-style">cap style</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#arrow-mode">arrow mode</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#arrow-type">arrow type</a>
</dl>
<dd><h3>Dimension Lines</h3>
Dimension lines are lines that show length and have one or more of the following:
<ul>
<li>Text surrounded by a box showing the length of the line
<li>End "ticks" perpendicular to the line
<li>Arrowheads at either or both ends of the line
</ul>
To create a dimension line, hold down the <b>Shift</b> key and press
mouse button 1 on the first endpoint of the line and again at the
other endpoint. <b>xfig</b> will automatically calculate the length
of the line and label it <i>in the units currently selected for the rulers</i>.
<p>
By default, end "ticks", arrowheads and a box around the text are
automatically included in the dimension line, but these are controlled
in the attributes listed below.
Here are several examples of dimension lines:
<img src="images/dimension-lines.png" alt="">
<dl>
<dt><b>Related Attributes:</b>
<dd><a href="attributes.html#dimension-lines">dimension line settings</a>
</dl>
<hr>
<dt><img src="images/polygon-button.png" alt="">
<a name="polygon">(POLYGON)</a>
<dd>Create polygons.
This is identical to <a href="#polyline">POLYLINE</a>
except that a line is drawn between the first point and the last point.
<p>
<dl>
<dt><b>Related Attributes:</b>
<dd><a href="attributes.html#depth">depth</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#pen-color">pen color</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#fill-color">fill color</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#fill-style">fill style</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#line-width">line width</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#line-style">line style</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#join-style">join style</a>
</dl>
<hr>
<dt><img src="images/regular-polygon-button.png" alt="">
<a name="regular-polygon">(REGULAR POLYGON)</a>
<dd>Create regular polygons.
<p>
Click mouse button 1 (`center point') at the center of the polygon,
and then click mouse button 1 (`final point') again
at the any vertex of the regular polygon.
The number of sides is specified by
<a href="attributes.html#num-sides">NUM SIDES</a> in advance.
<p>
This will create a simple <a href="#polygon">POLYGON</a> object,
and each point of the object may be
<a href="editing.html#move-point">moved</a>
independently after it is created
(and result of the edit will no longer be a regular polygon).
<p>
<dl>
<dt><b>Related Attributes:</b>
<dd><a href="attributes.html#depth">depth</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#pen-color">pen color</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#fill-color">fill color</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#fill-style">fill style</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#line-width">line width</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#line-style">line style</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#join-style">join style</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#num-sides">num sides</a>
</dl>
<hr>
<dt><img src="images/box-button.png" alt="">
<a name="box">(BOX)</a>
<dd>Create rectangular boxes.
<p>
Click mouse button 1 (`corner point') at any corner of the rectangular box,
and click mouse button 1 (`final point') again at the opposite corner.
<p>
If area fill is specified by
<a href="attributes.html#fill-style">FILL STYLE</a>,
the box will be filled according to the setting.
<p>
A box created with this function
can't be rotated by an arbitrary angle, only by multiples of 90 degrees.
To create an arbitrarily rotatable rectangular box,
you should use <a href="#polygon">POLYGON</a>
(it may be easier to create non-rotated rectangle first
and then rotate it by <a href="editing.html#rotate">ROTATE</a>).
You may also use <a href="#regular-polygon">REGULAR POLYGON</a>
to create a rotated square.
<p>
<dl>
<dt><b>Related Attributes:</b>
<dd><a href="attributes.html#depth">depth</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#pen-color">pen color</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#fill-color">fill color</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#fill-style">fill style</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#line-width">line width</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#line-style">line style</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#join-style">join style</a>
</dl>
<hr>
<dt><img src="images/arc-box-button.png" alt="">
<a name="arc-box">(ARC-BOX)</a>
<dd>Create rectangular boxes with rounded corners.
This is identical to <a href="#box">BOX</a>
except that the corners of the box will be arcs with the radius
specified by <a href="attributes.html#box-curve">BOX CURVE</a>.
<p>
It is also possible to convert objects between
<a href="#box">BOX</a> and <a href="#arc-box">ARC-BOX</a>
with <a href="editing.html#spline-line">BOX <-> ARC-BOX</a>.
<p>
<dl>
<dt><b>Related Attributes:</b>
<dd><a href="attributes.html#depth">depth</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#pen-color">pen color</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#fill-color">fill color</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#fill-style">fill style</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#line-width">line width</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#line-style">line style</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#join-style">join style</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#box-curve">box curve</a>
</dl>
<hr>
<dt><img src="images/arc-button.png" alt="">
<a name="arc">(ARC)</a>
<dd>Create arcs.
<p>
There are two ways to draw arcs in <b>xfig</b>:
<p>
<dl>
<dt><img src="images/redballdot.png" alt="-">The "Original" Way
<dd>
<ol>
<li>Click mouse button 1 (`first point') at the one end-point of the arc
<li>Click mouse button 1 (`mid point') at any intermediate point on the arc
<li>Click mouse button 1 (`final point') again at the end-point
</ol>
<dt><img src="images/redballdot.png" alt="-">The "New and Improved" Way
<dd>
<ol>
<li>Click mouse button 2 (`center point') at the center of the arc radius
<li>Click mouse button 1 (`first point') to define one end-point of the arc
<li>Click mouse button 1 (`mid angle') again to define direction of the arc
<li>Click mouse button 1 (`final angle') a final time to define the ending <b>angle</b> of the arc
</ol>
<dt>
<p>
There are two types of arcs, open-arc and pie-wedge,
which may be selected by <a href="attributes.html#arc-type">ARC TYPE</a>.
<p>
<img src="images/arc-examples.png" alt="[Arc Example]">
</dl>
<p>
<dl>
<dt><b>Related Attributes:</b>
<dd><a href="attributes.html#depth">depth</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#pen-color">pen color</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#fill-color">fill color</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#fill-style">fill style</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#line-width">line width</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#line-style">line style</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#cap-style">cap style</a>*,
<a href="attributes.html#arrow-mode">arrow mode</a>*,
<a href="attributes.html#arrow-type">arrow type</a>*,
<a href="attributes.html#arc-type">arc type</a>
<br>
(* These attributes are only effective for OPEN ARC)
</dl>
<hr>
<dt><img src="images/pict-button.png" alt="">
<a name="picture">(IMPORTING PICTURE OBJECTS)</a>
<dd>Import image files and create PICTURE objects.
<p>
Click mouse button 1 (`corner point') at the corner
where the upper-left corner of the imported image should be placed,
then click mouse button 1 (`final point') again at the opposite corner.
The imported image will be rotated automatically according to the
order of the corners entered, e.g. if you start with the
lower-right and end with the upper-left the image will be rotated 180 degrees.
Similarly, starting with the lower-left and ending with the
upper-right will rotate the image 90 degrees counter-clockwise,
and starting with the upper-right and ending
with the lower-left will rotate the image 90 degrees clockwise.
It is not necessary to try to set the exact size here
because it is possible to modify size or height/width ratio of the image later.
<br>
After this, the <a href="editing.html#edit-pict-panel">Edit Panel</a>
will open, where you enter the file name of the image file.
It is also possible to capture an image from the screen using the
<a href="editing.html#screen-capture"><i>Screen Capture</i> button</a>.
<p>
It is possible to read image files in the following image formats:
<dl>
<dd><img src="images/blueballdot.png" align=bottom alt="-">
<A HREF="http://www.adobe.com/prodindex/postscript/overview.html#whatpostscript">EPSF (Encapsulated PostScript)</a>
<br>
<dd><img src="images/blueballdot.png" align=bottom alt="-">
<A HREF="http://www.dcs.ed.ac.uk/%7Emxr/gfx/2d-hi.html">GIF</A>
with transparency
<br>
- See also <a href="authors.html#gif-patent">Important Note about GIF</a>
<br>
<dd><img src="images/blueballdot.png" align=bottom alt="-">
<A HREF="http://www.dcs.ed.ac.uk/%7Emxr/gfx/2d-hi.html">JPEG</A> (JFIF)
<br>
<dd><img src="images/blueballdot.png" align=bottom alt="-">
<A HREF="http://www.dcs.ed.ac.uk/%7Emxr/gfx/2d-hi.html">PCX</a> (PC Paintbrush)
<br>
<dd><img src="images/blueballdot.png" align=bottom alt="-">
<A HREF="http://www.dcs.ed.ac.uk/%7Emxr/gfx/2d-hi.html">PNG</a> (Portable Network Graphics)
<br>
with alpha transparency blended with xfig's background
<br>
<dd><img src="images/blueballdot.png" align=bottom alt="-">
<A HREF="http://www.dcs.ed.ac.uk/%7Emxr/gfx/2d-hi.html">PPM</a> (Portable Pixmap)
<br>
<dd><img src="images/blueballdot.png" align=bottom alt="-">
<A HREF="http://www.dcs.ed.ac.uk/%7Emxr/gfx/2d-hi.html">TIFF</a> (Tagged Image File Format)
<br>
<dd><img src="images/blueballdot.png" align=bottom alt="-">
<A HREF="http://www.dcs.ed.ac.uk/%7Emxr/gfx/2d-hi.html">XBM</a> (X11 bitmap)
<br>
<dd><img src="images/blueballdot.png" align=bottom alt="-">
<A HREF="http://www.dcs.ed.ac.uk/%7Emxr/gfx/2d-hi.html">XPM</a> (X11 pixmap)
</dl>
<p>
Although it is possible to
<a href="editing.html#move">move</a>,
<a href="editing.html#scale">scale</a> and
<a href="editing.html#rotate">rotate</a>
an imported image,
it is not possible to edit the image itself using <b>xfig</b>.
To edit images, use another application such as
<a href="installation.html#xpaint"><b>xpaint</b></a>
or <a href="installation.html#gimp"><b>GIMP</b></a>.
The
<a href="editing.html#edit-image"><i>Edit Image</i> button</a>
on the <a href="editing.html#edit-pict-panel">Edit panel</a>
will start an external image editor (default is <tt>xv</tt>
and it may be changed to your favorite image editor, e.g. <tt>xpaint</tt> by
changing the <a href="options.html#resources"><tt>Fig.image_editor</tt> resource</a>
or starting <b>xfig</b> with the <tt>-image_editor</tt> option followed
by the name of your image editor).
<p>
If you want edit figures in formats such as PostScript or HP-GL using
<b>xfig</b>, try <a href="installation.html#pstoedit"><b>pstoedit</b></a>
or <a href="installation.html#hp2xx"><b>hp2xx</b></a> to first
convert them to <b>Fig</b> files then
<a href="main_menus.html#file-menu">Load or Merge</a> them into <b>xfig</b>.
<p>
To import EPSF files, <b>xfig</b> invokes
<a href="installation.html#ghostscript"><b>GhostScript</b></a>
to render the image.
<b>GhostScript</b> must be compiled with `pcx256' and `pbmraw' drivers.
The `pcx256' driver will used to generate color images,
and `pbmraw' driver will used to generate monochrome images (used when
<b>xfig</b> is running on a monochrome X server or with the <tt>-mono</tt> option).
<p>
JPEG and XPM support may be included or excluded
depending on the configuration when
<a href="installation.html">compiling <b>xfig</b></a>.
<p>
<b>xfig</b> can also read files compressed with <b>compress</b> (<tt>.Z</tt> suffix)
or <a href="installation.html#gzip"><b>gzip</b></a> (<tt>.z</tt> or <tt>.gz</tt> suffix).
To do this, the <b>uncompress</b> and
<a href="installation.html#gzip"><b>gunzip</b></a> command
must be available for <b>xfig</b> to invoke them.
<p>
See also <a href="editing.html#edit-pict-panel">Edit Panel</a>
about PICTURE objects.
<p>
<dl>
<dt><b>Related Attributes:</b>
<dd><a href="attributes.html#depth">depth</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#pen-color">pen color</a> (only for XBM images)
</dl>
<hr>
<dt><img src="images/text-button.png" alt="">
<a name="text">(TEXT)</a>
<dd>Create text strings.
<p>
Click mouse button 1 (`posn cursor') at the desired position on the canvas
to specify the position where the text should be placed,
then enter text from the keyboard, or to paste text already selected from
another application (the <i>PRIMARY cut buffer</i>),
press the shift key and mouse button 2,
or F18 (the `Paste' key on Sun Workstations), or F20.
Selecting <i>Paste Text</i> from the
<a href="main_menus.html#edit-menu"><i>Edit</i> menu</a>
will also paste text from the <i>PRIMARY cut buffer</i>.
<p>
It is also possible to edit existing text by
clicking mouse button 1 (`posn cursor') at any point on the existing text.
See <a href="#text_editing">Character Editing</a> for editing facilities.
<p>
If <a href="attributes.html#text-angle">TEXT/ELLIPSE ANGLE</a>
is set to non-zero, the text will rotated by the angle, positive being
counter-clockwise.
<p>
It is possible to enter Latin-1 glyphs
such as `<img src="images/a-umlaut.png" alt="a umlaut">' or
`<img src="images/c-cedilla.png" alt="c cedilla" align=top>'
(Compose characters) using the COMPOSE (META) key.
See <a href="#compose-char">Latin-1 Characters</a> about this. These tables
also show the keyboard mapping for glyphs from the Symbol font.
<p>
<img src="images/pict-i18n.png" alt="[I18N]">
In <a href="i18n.html">international-<b>xfig</b></a>, it is possible to
<a href="i18n.html#input-japanese">enter local text such as Japanese</a>
with this.
<p>
A simplistic superscript/subscript facility is provided. While entering
text, if <b>Ctrl-^</b> (control caret) is pressed, a new, smaller
string is started above the baseline
of the current string, which acts as a superscript.
Conversely, if <b>Ctrl-_</b>
(control underscore) is typed, a new, smaller string is started below
the baseline of the current string.
These may be nested to create super-superscripted or sub-subscripted text to
four levels.
<br>
Here are some examples:
<blockquote>
<img src="images/super_subscript.png" alt="super/subscript example">
</blockquote>
There are several caveats:
<dl>
<dd><img src="images/blueballdot.png" align=bottom alt="-">
Since separate strings are created each
time a super- or sub-script is initiated,
if you want to move them together,
you must glue all the strings into a
<a href="editing.html#glue-compound">compound</a> first.
<dd><img src="images/blueballdot.png" align=bottom alt="-">
Editing one of the
strings may be problematic because the other strings will not move if
characters are added or deleted to/from the string being edited.
<dd><img src="images/blueballdot.png" align=bottom alt="-">
This doesn't work for right justified or centered text.
</dl>
<p>
<h3><a name="text_editing">Character Editing</a></h3>
The following editing facilities are available:
<br>
<table >
<tr><th><tt><Backspace></tt> or <tt>Control-H</tt><td>Delete a character to the
left of the cursor.</tr>
<tr><th><tt><DEL></tt> or <tt>Control-D</tt><td>Delete a character to the
right of the cursor.</tr>
<tr><th><tt>Control-X</tt><td>Delete all the characters to the left
of the cursor.</tr>
<tr><th><tt>Control-K</tt><td>Delete all the characters to the right
of the cursor.</tr>
<tr><th><tt><Home></tt> or <tt>Control-A</tt><td>Move cursor of the start of the
text.</tr>
<tr><th><tt><End></tt> or <tt>Control-E</tt><td>Move cursor of the end of the
text.</tr>
<tr><th><tt><Left></tt> or <tt>Control-B</tt><td>Move cursor left one
character.</tr>
<tr><th><tt><Right></tt> or <tt>Control-F</tt><td>Move cursor right one
character.</tr>
<tr><th><tt><Return></tt> or <tt>Control-M</tt><td>Finish entering the text and
start entering text on the next line.<br>
See also <a href="attributes.html#text-step">TEXT STEP</a>.</tr>
<tr><th valign=top><tt><Paste></tt> or <tt><F18></tt><br>
or <tt><F20></tt><td>Paste text from the <i>PRIMARY cut
buffer</i> (cut/paste buffer of <b>xterm</b>).<br>
Selecting <i>Paste Text</i> from the
<a href="main_menus.html#edit-menu"><i>Edit</i> menu</a>
will also perform this function, as will <b>Shift+Mouse Button 2</b>.</tr>
<tr><th><tt><Compose></tt> or <tt><Alt></tt> or <tt><Meta></tt>
<td>This key is used to enter Latin-1 character
such as `<img src="images/a-umlaut.png" alt="a umlaut">' or
`<img src="images/c-cedilla.png" alt="c cedilla" align=top>'.<br>
See also <a href="#compose-char">Latin-1 Characters</a>.</tr>
</table>
<p>
It is also possible to
<a href="miscellaneous.html#search-replace">search, replace</a>,
and <a href="miscellaneous.html#spell-check">spell-check</a>
all the text in the figure.
<p>
<dl>
<dt><b>Related Attributes:</b>
<dd><a href="attributes.html#depth">depth</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#pen-color">pen color</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#text-font">text font</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#text-size">text size</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#text-step">text step</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#text-flags">text flags</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#text-angle">text/ellipse angle</a>,
<a href="attributes.html#text-justification">text justification</a>
</dl>
<hr>
<dt>
<img src="images/library-button.png" alt="">
<a name="library">(OBJECT LIBRARIES)</a>
<dd>
Pick objects from libraries to place on the canvas.
<p>
Clicking on this button will pop up a panel from which you may choose
a library of <b>Fig</b> objects. From there, you may select an object
and place copies of it on the canvas by clicking
on the canvas where you want it placed.
<blockquote>
<img src="images/library-icon-view.png" alt="[Library Panel]">
</blockquote>
<p>
In the panel there is a pull-down menu of the
<a href="#availablelibraries">available libraries</a>.
Select one and the library will automatically be loaded. The status window will show
how many objects it contains after it loads the library,
and the icons of the library objects will appear in a view box.
Double clicking on an icon or single clicking and pressing the <b>Select Object</b>
button will select that object and pop down the panel.
<p>
A diamond on the left side of the menu entry indicates that objects are at
that level in addition to subdirectories:
<img src="images/libpulldown.png" align=top>
<br>
The size of the icons may be chosen from a pulldown menu.
The options are 40, 60, 80, 100 and 120 pixels.
<p>
As you move the mouse around the canvas you will see the object you
chose from the library appear under the curser. Simply click mouse
button 1 (`place object') to place it anywhere on the canvas.
This may be repeated for the same object.
<p>
If you wish to place the object at the position it was originally created, e.g. for
laser printer labels, hold down the <b>Shift</b> key and press mouse
button 3 (`place at orign posn') to place it.
<p>
There is an alternate list view of the library objects, which may be selected
by choosing <b>List View</b> from the pulldown menu next the <b>View:</b> label.
<blockquote>
<img src="images/library-list-view.png" alt="[Library Panel]">
</blockquote>
In this mode, you will see the object names in a list area.
Single clicking on an object name will generate a preview in the
small canvas on the right. After selecting the desired object, press
`Select object' and the panel will pop down, or double-click on the
object name to perform the select and popdown in one step.
<p>
If the shift key is pressed when mouse button 1 (`place and edit')
is clicked to place the object,
the <a href="editing.html#edit-panel">Edit panel</a> is popped up
so you may change any comments in the object.
This allows customizing of comments in library objects.
<p>
The object may be rotated, flipped or scaled before placing it on the canvas
by pressing <b>l</b> to rotate left, <b>r</b> to rotate right,
<b>h</b> to flip horizonally, <b>v</b> to flip vertically, <b>s</b> to scale
down by 0.9 and <b>S</b> to scale up by 1.1.
<p>
To choose another object from the library either click mouse button 2 (`new object')
or press the library button in the drawing mode panel again.
<p>
If you have a slow display or if the library object is complex, you may
elect to have <b>xfig</b> show only the outline rectangle as you move the
mouse around before placing the object. To switch to this mode, press
SHIFT and mouse button 2 (`change draw mode').
You may toggle between drawing modes with this sequence.
<p>
To cancel the library placing mode, press mouse button 3 (`cancel library')
or any other drawing/editing mode button.
</dl>
<hr>
<h2><a name="availablelibraries">Available Libraries of Fig Objects</a></h2>
The <b>xfig</b> distribution comes with several libraries of <b>Fig</b> objects which
you may use:
<dl>
<dd><img src="images/redballdot.png" alt="-">
Various 3D arrows
<br>
<dd><img src="images/redballdot.png" alt="-">
Audiovisual components
<br>
<dd><img src="images/redballdot.png" alt="-">
Some buildings
<br>
<dd><img src="images/redballdot.png" alt="-">
Some charts (polar, log-log)
<br>
<dd><img src="images/redballdot.png" alt="-">
Various computers
<br>
<dd><img src="images/redballdot.png" alt="-">
DSP (Digital Signal Processor) components
<br>
<dd><img src="images/redballdot.png" alt="-">
Electrical - electrical objects, e.g. connectors
<br>
<dd><img src="images/redballdot.png" alt="-">
Electronic Physical - symbols for creating electronic wiring diagrams or layouts
<br>
<dd><img src="images/redballdot.png" alt="-">
Electronic Schematic - symbols for creating electronic schematics
<br>
<dd><img src="images/redballdot.png" alt="-">
ERD (Chen's model of Entity Relations)
<br>
<dd><img src="images/redballdot.png" alt="-">
Examples - various examples of xfig drawings contributed by users
<br>
<dd><img src="images/redballdot.png" alt="-">
Flags of various countries and some U.S. states
<br>
<dd><img src="images/redballdot.png" alt="-">
Flowchart symbols
<br>
<dd><img src="images/redballdot.png" alt="-">
GUI widgets (buttons, sliders, etc.)
<br>
<dd><img src="images/redballdot.png" alt="-">
Hospital equipment
<br>
<dd><img src="images/redballdot.png" alt="-">
Knitting symbols
<br>
<dd><img src="images/redballdot.png" alt="-">
Various printer labels (CD, Avery address labels)
<br>
<dd><img src="images/redballdot.png" alt="-">
Logic symbols
<br>
<dd><img src="images/redballdot.png" alt="-">
Maps - outline maps of countries, U.S. states and Canadian provinces
<br>
<dd><img src="images/redballdot.png" alt="-">
DIN Mechanical symbols
<br>
<dd><img src="images/redballdot.png" alt="-">
Miscellaneous - various fun items here
<br>
<dd><img src="images/redballdot.png" alt="-">
Music symbols
<br>
<dd><img src="images/redballdot.png" alt="-">
Networking devices
<br>
<dd><img src="images/redballdot.png" alt="-">
Office equipment - filing cabinet, telephone, overhead projector
<br>
<dd><img src="images/redballdot.png" alt="-">
Optics symbols
<br>
<dd><img src="images/redballdot.png" alt="-">
Process Flowsheet - chemical process flow symbols
<br>
<dd><img src="images/redballdot.png" alt="-">
Structural Analysis symbols
<br>
<dd><img src="images/redballdot.png" alt="-">
Unified Modelling Language (UML) symbols
<br>
<dd><img src="images/redballdot.png" alt="-">
Welding - common welding patterns and errors
</dl>
<img src="images/exclaim.png" alt="">
It is hoped that users will contribute Fig objects to the libraries to
expand and enhance them for all <b>xfig</b> users.
If you wish to contribute any Fig objects to existing or new libraries, please send
them to me at <a href="mailto:bvsmith@lbl.gov">bvsmith@lbl.gov</a>.
You may restrict their usage by users if you
wish, but all will benefit if you allow free usage, i.e. copying, using them
in published reports, etc.
<h2><a name="makelibrary">Making Your Own Libraries of Fig Objects</a></h2>
A library is simply a directory containing <b>Fig</b> files.
There are two ways to create your own libraries in <b>xfig</b>;
simply put all libraries in a directory,
or use a text file which contains list of libraries.
<h3>Method 1</h3>
In the first method, you put all libraries
(directories containing <b>Fig</b> files) in a directory.
If you want use additional libraries in other directories
(for example, libraries of somebody else),
simply make a symbolic link to those directories
in your library directory.
<p>
Then you can start <b>xfig</b> specifying
your library directory with <tt>-library_dir</tt> option
or <tt>Fig.library_dir</tt> resource.
<b>xfig</b> scans the library directory
and all libraries in the directory and any subdirectories will become available.
<p>
The default value of <tt>library_dir</tt> is
"<tt>$XFIGLIBDIR/Libraries</tt>", where libraries comes
with <b>xfig</b> will be installed automatically
when <a href="installation.html">installing <b>xfig</b></a>.
So, you don't have to specify <tt>library_dir</tt>
if you want to use libraries comes with <b>xfig</b>.
<p>
This method is more versatile than the second method
because you can add more directories in the top-level directory
(or sub-directories) and there is no need to edit the file
which contains list of libraries.
<p>
Using this method, the names of the libraries are
simply the names of the directories;
e.g. if the resource "<tt>Fig.library_dir: /xfig/Libraries</tt>"
is defined, the <tt>/xfig/Libraries/Flowchart</tt> directory
will result in the library name "Flowchart",
and the <tt>/xfig/Libraries/Electrical/Physical</tt> directory
will result in the library name "Electrical - Physical".
<h3>Method 2</h3>
In the second method,
you create a text file which contains list of libraries.
Each line of the file contains the absolute path
of the library (a directory containing <b>Fig</b> files)
followed by the name of the library,
which may be multiple words with whitespace.
<p>
And then you can start <b>xfig</b> specifying
the file with <tt>-library_dir</tt> option
or <tt>Fig.library_dir</tt> resource.
<p>
Here is an example of the file:
<p>
<pre>
/xfig/Libraries/Electrical/Logic Electrical Parts (Logic)
/xfig/Libraries/Electrical/Analog Electrical Parts (Analog)
/home/tim/lib/Flowchart Tim's Flowchart Elements
/home/chim/xfig/Buildings Computer Clipart
</pre>
<p>
The advantage of this method is flexibility;
you can easily put libraries in various directories
into your list of libraries,
and you can use any name for each library
independent of the filenames.
<p>
N.B.: In both methods,
any sub-directories (and their sub-directories) found with
<tt>*.fig</tt> files in them will be included in the list.
<h3>Limits</h3>
There are some limits with the libraries.
These limits are independent of the two methods used.
<p>
<dl>
<dd><img src="images/redballdot.png" alt="-">
Number of libraries:
at most 100
<br>
<dd><img src="images/redballdot.png" alt="-">
Length of each library name:
at most 40 characters
<br>
<dd><img src="images/redballdot.png" alt="-">
Number of objects in a library:
at most 400 (for each library)
<br>
<dd><img src="images/redballdot.png" alt="-">
Length of each object name (filename of <b>Fig</b> files):
at most 40 characters
</dl>
<img src="images/blueramp.png" alt="-">
<h2><FONT COLOR="#CC00AA"><img src="images/pict-info.png" alt="">
<a name="spline">About Spline Curves</a></FONT></h2>
A <i>Spline curve</i> is a smooth curve controlled by specified points.
<p>
Users may select from four types of spline curves on the
<a href="drawing.html">Drawing Mode Panel</a> of <b>xfig</b>.
It is also possible to change the type of spline curves using
<a href="editing.html#spline-line">SPLINE <-> LINE</a>,
or adjust the shape of the curve by adjusting
"<a href="#xspline">shape factor</a>" after curve has been created.
<p>
<dl>
<dd><img src="images/blueballdot.png" align=bottom alt="-">
<a href="#closed-approx-spline">CLOSED APPROXIMATED SPLINE</a><br>
Smooth closed curve which approximates specified points.
<br>
<dd><img src="images/blueballdot.png" align=bottom alt="-">
<a href="#approx-spline">OPEN APPROXIMATED SPLINE</a><br>
Smooth curve which approximates specified points.
<br>
<dd><img src="images/blueballdot.png" align=bottom alt="-">
<a href="#closed-interp-spline">CLOSED INTERPORATED SPLINE</a><br>
Smooth closed curve which passes through specified points.
<br>
<dd><img src="images/blueballdot.png" align=bottom alt="-">
<a href="#interp-spline">OPEN INTERPORATED SPLINE</a><br>
Smooth curve which passes through specified points.
</dl>
<p>
<blockquote>
<img src="images/spline-curves.png" alt="[Spline Curves]">
</blockquote>
<p>
Using splines, curves such as the following may be easily drawn.
<p>
<blockquote>
<img src="images/spline-examples.png" alt="[Spline Example]">
</blockquote>
<p>
<h2><a name="xspline"><img src="images/pict-info.png" alt="">About X-Splines</a></h2>
<b>xfig</b>'s new
<a href="authors.html#xspline">X-Spline</a>
is bit more flexible.
Each points (<i>control points</i>) of spline has `<i>shape factor</i>'
and value of the <i>shape factor</i> controls
behavior of the curve near the point.
Value of <i>shape factor</i> can be changed independently
using <a href="editing.html#edit-point">EDIT POINT</a>,
and it is possible to mix approximated spline, interpolated spline
and polyline in one continued curve.
<p>
<blockquote>
<img src="images/spline-sf-example.png" alt="[Spline - Shape Factor]">
</blockquote>
<p>
Caveat: Because previous spline models (quadratic B-splines and Bezier
with hidden points) are no longer supported per se, curves that are present
in <b>xfig</b> version 3.1 and older files are automatically converted to X-splines.
This translation is only an approximation process. It means that the
converted curves may not be exactly the same as the original ones. Though
they are usually very close, some hand-fitting may be needed in
some pathological cases.
<p>
<img src="images/blueramp.png" alt="-">
<h2><img src="images/pict-info.png" alt="">
<a name="compose-char">Latin-1 and Symbol Characters (Compose Characters)</a></h2>
In <a href="#text">TEXT</a> mode,
the following Latin-1 glyphs may be entered using the COMPOSE (META) key.
For example to enter `<img src="images/a-umlaut.png" alt="a umlaut">',
press and release the COMPOSE key (or META or ALT key),
enter the character `<tt>a</tt>',
and then the character `<tt>"</tt>' (double quote).
To enter `<img src="images/c-cedilla.png" alt="c cedilla" align=top>',
enter COMPOSE, `<tt>c</tt>' and `<tt>,</tt>'.
<p>
<blockquote>
<img src="images/latin1-chars.png" alt="[Latin-1 Charactors]"><br>
<i>Note</i>: glyphs <b>OE</b> and <b>oe</b> will not be displayed on the screen, because
they are not in the X11 font sets, but they will export and print to PostScript,
EPS, PDF and the bitmap formats.
</blockquote>
The following glyphs from the Symbol font may be entered in the same way:
<blockquote>
<img src="images/symbol-chars-upper.png" alt="[Upper Symbol Charactors]"><br>
</blockquote>
<p>
Here is the keyboard mapping for the lower set of glyphs from the Symbol font:
<blockquote>
<img src="images/symbol-chars-lower.png" alt="[Lower Symbol Charactors]"><br>
</blockquote>
<p>
Not all COMPOSE, META and ALT keys can be used on all systems.
On some systems such as Sun Workstations, the META key may be labeled as
<img src="images/sun-meta-key.png" alt="Diamond Mark">.
<p>
<img src="images/pict-i18n.png" alt="[I18N]">
If <a href="i18n.html">international-<b>xfig</b></a>
is used in environments which use character set other than Latin-1
(Japanese or Korean, for example),
it is not possible to use these Latin-1 glyphs
when `<i>Times-Roman + Mincho</i>' or `<i>Times-Bold + Gothic</i>'
is selected in <a href="attributes.html#text-font">TEXT FONT</a>.
<p>
<hr>
[ <a href="contents.html">Contents</a> |
<a href="introduction.html">Introduction</a> |
<a href="authors.html">Credits</a> ]
</body>
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