  <chapter label="5" id="basic-objects-chapter">
  <title>Basic Objects</title>
  <sect1 id="basic-objects-introduction">
  <title>Basic Objects Introduction</title>
        <figure>
         <title>Basic Objects</title>
         <screenshot>
           <screeninfo>Basic Objects</screeninfo>
           <graphic format="PNG" fileref="graphics/toolbox-basic" 
  				 srccredit= "Hans Breuer" />
         </screenshot>
       </figure>
    <para>
     <application>Dia</application> has a dozen basic objects: Text, Box, Ellipse,
  	 Polygon, Beziergon, Line, Arc, Zigzagline, Polyline, Bezierline, Image and Outline. 
  	 </para>
    <sect2 id="text">
    <title>Text</title>
     <para>
      <application>Dia</application> 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. For tips on editing text, see 
  		
  			<link linkend="entering-text">Entering Text</link> in the Using 
  			Objects chapter.
      </para>
     <note>
      <para>
       Text in <application>Dia</application> can use almost any font available in the system.
       But if you plan to exchange diagrams with people using a different plattform, it would
       be samrt to restrict yourself to a common subset.
      </para>
      </note>
      <para>
The text object, and several other objects, offers direct text entry in the
diagram.  Text can be entered by selecting the object and then typing the text. The font,
size, and other formatting properties can be changed by double-clicking the
object.
</para>
<para>
Here are some important tips regarding short-cut keys when entering text.
</para>

<itemizedlist>
<listitem>
<para>
The normal Copy / Cut / Paste keys (Ctrl+C, Ctrl+X, Ctrl+V) don't work for
text. They work for entire objects. Use Ctrl+Shift+X to cut and 
Ctrl+Shift+V to paste just the text in an object. There is no shortcut to copy
just the text. 
</para>
<note><para>When you paste text into an object, the text is
formatted according to the Dia object properties, not the text source.
</para></note>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
You cannot select a section of text inside an object with the mouse (this
moves the object). You can insert characters at the current cursor position
just by typing. You can delete the character to the left of the mouse using
Backspace.
</para>
<note><para>
The DEL key used to delete the entire object, now it should work as expected: 
it either deletes the object or the text to the right of the cursor depending 
on the editing mode.
If you delete something (text or object) by accident use 
<menuchoice>
  <guimenu>Edit</guimenu>
  <guimenuitem>Undo</guimenuitem>
</menuchoice>or Ctrl+Z if you delete an object by mistake.) To
delete all of the text in an object, use the Cut (Ctrl+Shift+X). 
</para></note>
</listitem>

<listitem><para>
 If you are using a non-default font or font size, one trick for productivity
is to create a palette of empty objects with the desired font settings on a
separate diagram. Then copy and paste these objects onto your working diagram
as you need them (i.e., instead of using the Toolbox icons).
</para></listitem>
</itemizedlist>
</sect2>
   <sect2 id="box">
   <title>Box</title>
    <para>
     The boxes in <application>Dia</application> can be customized to be any
     size desired by the user.  The properties available are:
     <itemizedlist>
      <listitem>
       <para>
        Corner Rounding - Causes the corners to be rounded instead of hard
        edges.
       </para>
      </listitem>
      <listitem>
       <para>
        Draw Background - Keeps the center clear or fills with the background
        color.
       </para>
      </listitem>
     </itemizedlist>
    </para>
   </sect2>
   <sect2 id="ellipse">
   <title>Ellipse</title>
    <para>
     An ellipse is a shape which has all rounded sides, such as a circle or an
     oval.
    </para>
   </sect2>
   <sect2 id="polygon">
   <title>Polygon</title>
    <para>
     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.
    </para>
   </sect2>
   <sect2 id="beziergon">
   <title>Beziergon</title>
    <para>
     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.
    </para>
   </sect2>
   <sect2 id="line">
   <title>Line</title> 
    <para>
     A Line is a simple straight line. Unlike the other lines, the simple Line
		 does not have any handles to allow the shape to be altered. It just has
		 two connection handles, one at each end. 
    </para>
   </sect2>
   <sect2 id="arc">
   <title>Arc</title>
    <para>
     An Arc is a line which has been bent to create a semi-circle shape. Drag the 
		 orange handle in the middle to alter the curve of the arc.
    </para>
   </sect2>
   <sect2 id="zigzagline">
   <title>Zigzagline</title>
    <para>
     A Zigzagline is a line which has sharp, 90 degree turns in it.  
		 Zigzaglines have two special properties, 
		 Corner radius and Autoroute. Corner radius allows you to round the corners
		 of the line. On the Properties page, enter a number 
		 between 0 and 10.00, where 0 = square corners and 10.00 = maximally-rounded
		 corners. 
		 </para>
		 <para>
		 Autoroute is a yes/no property. If yes, the line is automatically
		 routed between the start and end points with the minimum number of 
		 segments. If you move or change the shape of 
		 the line, the Autoroute property is automatically set to no. Autoroute can
		 be set on the Properties page or using the right-click menu.
    </para>
		<para>
		Zigzaglines also allow you to add or delete line segments. This can be useful
		if you need the line to turn several corners (e.g., to traverse around some
		other objects) or to get the arrow pointed in the right direction. To add or
		delete a segment, right-click on the line at the point on the line 
		where you want to add or delete and select Add segment or Delete segment.
		</para>
				    <figure>
      <title>Zigzagline Right-Click Menu</title>
     <screenshot>
      <screeninfo>Zigzagline Right-Click Menu</screeninfo>
      <graphic format="PNG" fileref="graphics/zigzagline-rightclick" 
			srccredit=
      "Mark Dexter" />
			 </screenshot>
    </figure>	 
   </sect2>
   <sect2 id="polyline">
   <title>Polyline</title>
    <para>
     A Polyline has multiple segments like a zigzagline, but can have turns
		 of any angle. A Polyline starts with one segment. You add more segments 
		 by right-clicking and selecting Add segment from the menu. Like the Zigzagline, 
		 the Polyline has a Corner radius value between 0 and 10.00, where 0 = sharp
		 corners and 10.00 = maximally-rounded corners.  
    </para>
						    <figure>
      <title>Polyline Right-Click Menu</title>
     <screenshot>
      <screeninfo>Polyline Right-Click Menu</screeninfo>
      <graphic format="PNG" fileref="graphics/polyline-rightclick" 
			srccredit=
      "Mark Dexter" />
			 </screenshot>
    </figure>	 
   </sect2>
   <sect2 id="bezier">
   <title>Bezierline</title>
    <para>
     A Bezierline is a line which has curves in it.  The Bezierline's shape 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. With a right-click menu, you can add or delete segments. If 
		 you add one or more segments, three additional properties are available.
		    </para>
				<itemizedlist>
        <listitem><para>
				Symmetric control causes any dragging action on the added segment to be 
				symmetrical around this point.
				</para></listitem>
					<listitem><para>
				Smooth control allows you to pull away from the middle point  
				independently but rotations around the middle point are symmetrical.
				</para></listitem>
					<listitem><para>
				Cusp control allows you to drag each handle  
				independently, and actions on one handle have no effect on the other one.
				</para></listitem></itemizedlist>
									    <figure>
      <title>Bezierline Right-Click Menu</title>
     <screenshot>
      <screeninfo>Bezierline Right-Click Menu</screeninfo>
      <graphic format="PNG" fileref="graphics/bezierline-rightclick" 
			srccredit=
      "Mark Dexter" />
			 </screenshot>
    </figure>	
   </sect2>
   <sect2 id="line-properties">
   <title>Line Properties</title>
 		<para>
		All lines share the following properties: width, color, style, 
		and arrows. These properties may be edited using the Properties
		dialog box shown below. 
		</para>
		    <figure>
      <title>Standard Line Properties</title>
     <screenshot>
      <screeninfo>Standard Line Properties</screeninfo>
      <graphic format="PNG" fileref="graphics/standard-line-properties" 
			srccredit=   "Mark Dexter" />
      </screenshot>
    </figure>
      <sect3 id="line-thickness">
   <title>Line Width</title>
    <para>
     The line width is measured in centimeters and can be entered manually
		 or by using the increment / decrement buttons.
    </para>
   </sect3>
	    <sect3 id="line-colors">
   <title>Line Color</title>
	     <figure>
      <title>Line Colors</title>
     <screenshot>
      <screeninfo>Line Colors</screeninfo>
      <graphic format="PNG" fileref="graphics/line-colors" 
			srccredit=   "Mark Dexter" />
      </screenshot>
    </figure>
    <para>
     Line colors are edited by opening the Line color drop-down listbox and either
		 selecting one of the choices on the list or "More colors...", which opens the
		 Select color dialog. 
		 See <link linkend="colors">Colors</link> for more information on 
		 selecting colors.
    </para>
   </sect3>
   <sect3 id="line-styles">
   <title>Line Style</title>
  	     <figure>
      <title>Line Styles</title>
     <screenshot>
      <screeninfo>Line Styles</screeninfo>
      <graphic format="PNG" fileref="graphics/line-styles" 
			srccredit=   "Mark Dexter" />
      </screenshot>
    </figure>
  <para>
     The style of the line (solid, dots, etc.) can be changed 
     to one of the five options shown above using 
     the Line style drop-down listbox. If you select a line style with dashes, 
     you may also enter a dash length, measured in centimeters.
 </para>
   </sect3>

   <sect3 id="arrows">
   <title>Arrows</title>
	  	     <figure>
      <title>Line Arrows</title>
     <screenshot>
      <screeninfo>Line Arrows</screeninfo>
      <graphic format="PNG" fileref="graphics/line-arrows" 
			srccredit=   "Mark Dexter" />
      </screenshot>
    </figure>
    <para>
     The start and end arrow style can be changed using the drop-down listboxes
		 in the dialog. A large number of options are available. If you don't want
		 any arrow, just select the plain line at the top of the list.
    </para>
   </sect3>
	 </sect2>
   <sect2 id="image">
   <title>Image</title>
     <figure>
      <title>Image</title>
            <screenshot>
                <screeninfo>Image</screeninfo>
                <graphic format="PNG"
                         fileref="graphics/toolbox-image"
                         srccredit="Mark Dexter" />
            </screenshot>
      </figure>	
    <para>
     A diagram can contain images as well as shapes.
      To add an image, click on the Image icon and click on the canvas.
     An object that says "Broken Image" will appear.  Double-click it to
     open the properties dialog.  Then click on "Browse" and select your file.  
		 Click "OK" and then the image will display on the diagram. 
		 You can resize the image as desired using the object handles.
    </para>
    <para>The following image are usually supported for inclusion in
      <application>Dia</application> diagrams:
      <itemizedlist>
	<listitem><simpara>BMP</simpara></listitem>
	<listitem><simpara>JPEG</simpara></listitem>
	<listitem><simpara>PNG</simpara></listitem>
	<listitem><simpara>SVG</simpara></listitem>
	<listitem><simpara>XPM</simpara></listitem>
      </itemizedlist>
      The exact list depends on your system configuration (the concrete import
      format filters available to gdk-pixbuf).
    </para>
   </sect2>
    <sect2 id="outline">
      <title>Outline</title>
      One of the most requested features for <application>Dia</application> is rotated text;
      shortly before having transformation capabilities for everything ;-)
      The Outline object is a small step in that direction. It has known limitations in
      convenience (you need to open the properties dialog to change the text) and 
      rendering style (Dia's drawing model does not yet allow to 
      <ulink url="http://bugzilla.gnome.org/show_bug.cgi?id=568168">render holes</ulink>).
    </sect2>
  </sect1>
</chapter>
