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.
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.