working with objects

The following operations can be performed with objects (parts, graphical shapes and text):

Selecting an object

Object (symbol or graphic object) can be selected by the left mouse button. If you want to select several objects at a time, press and hold the Ctrl key while selecting the objects by clicking the left mouse button. If the objects we want to select are located in a rectangular area, we can select them in the following way:

1. click the left mouse button in the upper left corner of the area you want to select.

2. move the mouse pointer to the bottom right corner of the area you want to select while holding the left mouse button.

Cloning an object

Press and hold Ctrl key. Drag the object with mouse (as if you wanted to move it). A copy of the object is created.

Rotating

Symbols and texts can be rotated by angles with multiples of 45°. To rotate an object use the menu commands "Object" - "Rotate". On the Rotate tab enter the rotation angle. You can also use icons from the toolbar to rotate the object per 90° steps (for 45° rotation use the commands from the menu).

Flipping

Symbols and some graphical objects can be flipped both vertically and horizontally. To flip an object use the menu commands "Object" - "Flip horizontaly" or "Flip verticaly". You can also use icons from the toolbar to flip an object.

Alignment

Symbols, texts and graphical shapes can be aligned. Use the "Align" menu commands. The alignment commands become available when at least two objects are selected. You can align to both right and left side (vertical axe aligning) and upper and lower borderline (horizontal axe). The alignment is always based on the first object you have selected.

Changing the order of graphical shapes layers

Sometimes it may be necessary to change the order of graphic object layers. This can be done by using the arrows in the Explorer panel (they move the selected object one position closer or further).

 

Availability of described operations

The following table summarises operations, which can be performed with objects:

	symbols	graphical shapes	texts	group of symbols
rotating	YES	NO	YES (only one row texts)	NO
flipping	YES	lines, curves and polygons	NO	YES
alignment	YES	YES	YES	NO
changing the order of graphical shapes layers	YES	YES	YES	NO