Drawing Toolbar

Office97 shares functions between programs. For example, both PowerPoint and Word use the same drawing functions. These functions are controlled by the drawing toolbar. This tutorial will address most of these functions.

The drawing toolbar is loaded automatically when you start PowerPoint or Word. But, if the drawing toolbar is not visible for some reason, then you can display it by selecting [View] [Toolbars] [Drawing] and it will be displayed. This toolbar can also be repositioned by using the click and hold on the left-hand edge of the bar (designated by the two vertical lines). You can then move the toolbar to any position within the window.

Draw

The "Draw" pulldown menu contains a number of operations which will assist you with managing your drawings. These include Grouping, Order, Grid, Nudge, Align or Distribute, Rotate or Flip, Edit Points, and more.

Grouping

Often when you are developing drawings they will be made up of various entities. When it comes time to move the entities you will need to select all of these you wish to move at the same time. You could window all to select all, or, you could select all the entities and then group them. This will group all the separate entities into one. When you need to edit just one entity of a group, you will need to ungroup...and then edit.

• Group
• Ungroup
• Regroup

Order

You will often need to order the position of entities in relation to forward or backward. This is the case if you want to position one entity ontop of another, or establish the order of multiple entities in relationship to forward and backward. Order contains the following options:

• Bring to Front
• Send to Back
• Bring Forward
• Send Back
• Bring to Front of Text
• Send Behind Text

Nudge

If you just want to move an entity a little bit, try the nudge option. Select the entity you wish to nudge and then use one of the following options:

• Up
• Down
• Left
• Right

Rotate or Flip

You can rotate or flip entities by first selecting the entity and then one of the following options.

• Free Rotate
• Rotate Left
• Rotate Right
• Flip Horizontal
• Flip Vertical

The Free Rotate tool is also available on the draw toolbar. To use the free rotate tool, select the entity you wish to rotate. Then click on Free Rotate and move the rotate cursor to one of the handles. Click and hold, then rotate the entity.

AutoShapes

AutoShapes contains a number of shape options on a selection palette. Click on the shape you want and move your cursor to the first position of the shape. Click once to establish the starting position. Then move your cursor to the size you want the shape to be.

NOTE: If you want the shape to be proportional, hold down the [Shift] key as you move your cursor.

Lines, Arrows, Rectangles, and Ovals

The draw toolbar contains buttons for drawing lines, arrow lines, rectangles or squares, and ovals or circles .

NOTE: If you want to draw a horizontal or vertical line, a square, or a circle, hold down the [Shift] key as you move your cursor.

Text Box

When you want to add text to your drawing, use the text box . This will create text in the form of a drawing entity and make manipulation of that text as easy as other drawing entities. Click on the text box button and then select the size of your text box. Once you have created the box you can enter text.

NOTE: You can resize the box by grabbing a handle and moving it.

WordArt

You can also create "fancy" text by using the WordArt function. When you select the WordArt button , you will be presented with a palette of WordArt style options. Select the WordArt style you want.

After you make the selection, a n Edit WordArt Text box will popup. You can change the font, size, or make it bold or italic. Then enter your text and click [OK]. Your WordArt will be displayed on your drawing.

NOTE: You can change the size or location of the WordArt by repositioning or selecting a handle and resizing.

Fill and Line Color

You can change the color of your lines, rectangles or ovals. To change the color of a rectangle or oval you will need to select the Fill Color pulldown button. You will then be presented with the Fill Color palette (shown below).

Select the color or effect you want for your object.

Line color can be changed in the same way. Only you will need to select the Line Color pulldown button. You will then be presented with the Line Color palette (shown below).

Select the color you want for your line.

Font Color

You can also change the color of your font (i.e. graphic text). Select the Font Color pulldown button. You will then be presented with the Font Color palette (shown below).

Select the color you want for your text.

Line Style, Dash Style, and Arrow Style

You can change the style for lines and arrows by using the buttons. Each of these will popup a control/options box. Change the style to your desired configuration.

Shadow

You can add a shadow to entities by selecting the button. When you select this button you will be presented with a popup shadow style options palette. Choose the shadow effect you want to add to your rectangle, oval, or autoshape.