This file is indexed.

/usr/share/doc/xfig/html/drawing.html is in xfig-doc 1:3.2.5.c-3.

This file is owned by root:root, with mode 0o644.

The actual contents of the file can be viewed below.

   1
   2
   3
   4
   5
   6
   7
   8
   9
  10
  11
  12
  13
  14
  15
  16
  17
  18
  19
  20
  21
  22
  23
  24
  25
  26
  27
  28
  29
  30
  31
  32
  33
  34
  35
  36
  37
  38
  39
  40
  41
  42
  43
  44
  45
  46
  47
  48
  49
  50
  51
  52
  53
  54
  55
  56
  57
  58
  59
  60
  61
  62
  63
  64
  65
  66
  67
  68
  69
  70
  71
  72
  73
  74
  75
  76
  77
  78
  79
  80
  81
  82
  83
  84
  85
  86
  87
  88
  89
  90
  91
  92
  93
  94
  95
  96
  97
  98
  99
 100
 101
 102
 103
 104
 105
 106
 107
 108
 109
 110
 111
 112
 113
 114
 115
 116
 117
 118
 119
 120
 121
 122
 123
 124
 125
 126
 127
 128
 129
 130
 131
 132
 133
 134
 135
 136
 137
 138
 139
 140
 141
 142
 143
 144
 145
 146
 147
 148
 149
 150
 151
 152
 153
 154
 155
 156
 157
 158
 159
 160
 161
 162
 163
 164
 165
 166
 167
 168
 169
 170
 171
 172
 173
 174
 175
 176
 177
 178
 179
 180
 181
 182
 183
 184
 185
 186
 187
 188
 189
 190
 191
 192
 193
 194
 195
 196
 197
 198
 199
 200
 201
 202
 203
 204
 205
 206
 207
 208
 209
 210
 211
 212
 213
 214
 215
 216
 217
 218
 219
 220
 221
 222
 223
 224
 225
 226
 227
 228
 229
 230
 231
 232
 233
 234
 235
 236
 237
 238
 239
 240
 241
 242
 243
 244
 245
 246
 247
 248
 249
 250
 251
 252
 253
 254
 255
 256
 257
 258
 259
 260
 261
 262
 263
 264
 265
 266
 267
 268
 269
 270
 271
 272
 273
 274
 275
 276
 277
 278
 279
 280
 281
 282
 283
 284
 285
 286
 287
 288
 289
 290
 291
 292
 293
 294
 295
 296
 297
 298
 299
 300
 301
 302
 303
 304
 305
 306
 307
 308
 309
 310
 311
 312
 313
 314
 315
 316
 317
 318
 319
 320
 321
 322
 323
 324
 325
 326
 327
 328
 329
 330
 331
 332
 333
 334
 335
 336
 337
 338
 339
 340
 341
 342
 343
 344
 345
 346
 347
 348
 349
 350
 351
 352
 353
 354
 355
 356
 357
 358
 359
 360
 361
 362
 363
 364
 365
 366
 367
 368
 369
 370
 371
 372
 373
 374
 375
 376
 377
 378
 379
 380
 381
 382
 383
 384
 385
 386
 387
 388
 389
 390
 391
 392
 393
 394
 395
 396
 397
 398
 399
 400
 401
 402
 403
 404
 405
 406
 407
 408
 409
 410
 411
 412
 413
 414
 415
 416
 417
 418
 419
 420
 421
 422
 423
 424
 425
 426
 427
 428
 429
 430
 431
 432
 433
 434
 435
 436
 437
 438
 439
 440
 441
 442
 443
 444
 445
 446
 447
 448
 449
 450
 451
 452
 453
 454
 455
 456
 457
 458
 459
 460
 461
 462
 463
 464
 465
 466
 467
 468
 469
 470
 471
 472
 473
 474
 475
 476
 477
 478
 479
 480
 481
 482
 483
 484
 485
 486
 487
 488
 489
 490
 491
 492
 493
 494
 495
 496
 497
 498
 499
 500
 501
 502
 503
 504
 505
 506
 507
 508
 509
 510
 511
 512
 513
 514
 515
 516
 517
 518
 519
 520
 521
 522
 523
 524
 525
 526
 527
 528
 529
 530
 531
 532
 533
 534
 535
 536
 537
 538
 539
 540
 541
 542
 543
 544
 545
 546
 547
 548
 549
 550
 551
 552
 553
 554
 555
 556
 557
 558
 559
 560
 561
 562
 563
 564
 565
 566
 567
 568
 569
 570
 571
 572
 573
 574
 575
 576
 577
 578
 579
 580
 581
 582
 583
 584
 585
 586
 587
 588
 589
 590
 591
 592
 593
 594
 595
 596
 597
 598
 599
 600
 601
 602
 603
 604
 605
 606
 607
 608
 609
 610
 611
 612
 613
 614
 615
 616
 617
 618
 619
 620
 621
 622
 623
 624
 625
 626
 627
 628
 629
 630
 631
 632
 633
 634
 635
 636
 637
 638
 639
 640
 641
 642
 643
 644
 645
 646
 647
 648
 649
 650
 651
 652
 653
 654
 655
 656
 657
 658
 659
 660
 661
 662
 663
 664
 665
 666
 667
 668
 669
 670
 671
 672
 673
 674
 675
 676
 677
 678
 679
 680
 681
 682
 683
 684
 685
 686
 687
 688
 689
 690
 691
 692
 693
 694
 695
 696
 697
 698
 699
 700
 701
 702
 703
 704
 705
 706
 707
 708
 709
 710
 711
 712
 713
 714
 715
 716
 717
 718
 719
 720
 721
 722
 723
 724
 725
 726
 727
 728
 729
 730
 731
 732
 733
 734
 735
 736
 737
 738
 739
 740
 741
 742
 743
 744
 745
 746
 747
 748
 749
 750
 751
 752
 753
 754
 755
 756
 757
 758
 759
 760
 761
 762
 763
 764
 765
 766
 767
 768
 769
 770
 771
 772
 773
 774
 775
 776
 777
 778
 779
 780
 781
 782
 783
 784
 785
 786
 787
 788
 789
 790
 791
 792
 793
 794
 795
 796
 797
 798
 799
 800
 801
 802
 803
 804
 805
 806
 807
 808
 809
 810
 811
 812
 813
 814
 815
 816
 817
 818
 819
 820
 821
 822
 823
 824
 825
 826
 827
 828
 829
 830
 831
 832
 833
 834
 835
 836
 837
 838
 839
 840
 841
 842
 843
 844
 845
 846
 847
 848
 849
 850
 851
 852
 853
 854
 855
 856
 857
 858
 859
 860
 861
 862
 863
 864
 865
 866
 867
 868
 869
 870
 871
 872
 873
 874
 875
 876
 877
 878
 879
 880
 881
 882
 883
 884
 885
 886
 887
 888
 889
 890
 891
 892
 893
 894
 895
 896
 897
 898
 899
 900
 901
 902
 903
 904
 905
 906
 907
 908
 909
 910
 911
 912
 913
 914
 915
 916
 917
 918
 919
 920
 921
 922
 923
 924
 925
 926
 927
 928
 929
 930
 931
 932
 933
 934
 935
 936
 937
 938
 939
 940
 941
 942
 943
 944
 945
 946
 947
 948
 949
 950
 951
 952
 953
 954
 955
 956
 957
 958
 959
 960
 961
 962
 963
 964
 965
 966
 967
 968
 969
 970
 971
 972
 973
 974
 975
 976
 977
 978
 979
 980
 981
 982
 983
 984
 985
 986
 987
 988
 989
 990
 991
 992
 993
 994
 995
 996
 997
 998
 999
1000
1001
1002
1003
1004
1005
1006
1007
1008
1009
1010
1011
1012
1013
1014
1015
1016
1017
1018
1019
1020
1021
1022
1023
1024
1025
1026
1027
1028
1029
1030
1031
1032
1033
1034
1035
1036
1037
1038
1039
1040
1041
1042
1043
1044
1045
1046
1047
1048
1049
1050
1051
1052
1053
1054
1055
1056
1057
1058
1059
1060
1061
1062
1063
1064
1065
1066
1067
1068
1069
1070
1071
1072
1073
1074
1075
1076
1077
1078
1079
1080
1081
1082
1083
1084
1085
1086
1087
1088
1089
1090
1091
1092
1093
1094
1095
1096
1097
1098
1099
1100
1101
1102
1103
1104
1105
1106
1107
1108
1109
1110
1111
1112
1113
1114
1115
1116
1117
1118
1119
1120
1121
1122
1123
1124
1125
1126
1127
1128
1129
1130
1131
1132
1133
1134
1135
1136
1137
1138
1139
1140
1141
1142
1143
1144
1145
1146
1147
1148
1149
1150
1151
1152
1153
1154
1155
1156
1157
1158
1159
1160
1161
1162
1163
1164
1165
1166
1167
1168
1169
1170
1171
1172
1173
1174
1175
1176
1177
1178
1179
1180
1181
1182
1183
1184
1185
1186
1187
1188
1189
1190
1191
1192
1193
1194
1195
1196
1197
<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 3.2//EN">
<html>
<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 &quot;ticks&quot; 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 &quot;ticks&quot;, 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 &lt;-&gt; 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>
	&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
	- 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>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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>&lt;Backspace&gt;</tt> or <tt>Control-H</tt><td>Delete a character to the
left of the cursor.</tr>

<tr><th><tt>&lt;DEL&gt;</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>&lt;Home&gt;</tt> or <tt>Control-A</tt><td>Move cursor of the start of the
text.</tr>

<tr><th><tt>&lt;End&gt;</tt> or <tt>Control-E</tt><td>Move cursor of the end of the
text.</tr>

<tr><th><tt>&lt;Left&gt;</tt> or <tt>Control-B</tt><td>Move cursor left one
character.</tr>

<tr><th><tt>&lt;Right&gt;</tt> or <tt>Control-F</tt><td>Move cursor right one
character.</tr>

<tr><th><tt>&lt;Return&gt;</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>&lt;Paste&gt;</tt> or <tt>&lt;F18&gt;</tt><br>
 or <tt>&lt;F20&gt;</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>&lt;Compose&gt;</tt> or <tt>&lt;Alt&gt;</tt> or <tt>&lt;Meta&gt;</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
&quot;<tt>$XFIGLIBDIR/Libraries</tt>&quot;, 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 &quot;<tt>Fig.library_dir: /xfig/Libraries</tt>&quot;
is defined, the <tt>/xfig/Libraries/Flowchart</tt> directory
will result in the library name &quot;Flowchart&quot;,
and the <tt>/xfig/Libraries/Electrical/Physical</tt> directory
will result in the library name &quot;Electrical - Physical&quot;.

<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 &lt;-&gt; LINE</a>, 
or adjust the shape of the curve by adjusting
&quot;<a href="#xspline">shape factor</a>&quot; 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>&quot;</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>
</html>