Operation Manual

Formatting area fill
The term area fill refers to the inside of an object, which can be a uniform color, gradient, hatching
pattern, or bitmap (Figure 190). An area fill can be made partly or wholly transparent. In most
cases, you will choose one of the standard fill options, which are all available from the Line and
Filling toolbar. You can also define your own area fills. For more information on formatting area fill,
see the Draw Guide Chapter 4 Changing Object Attributes.
Figure 190: Different types of area fill
Using styles
Suppose that you want to apply the same area fill, line thickness, and border to a set of objects.
This repetitive process can be greatly simplified by the use of styles. Styles allow you to define a
formatting template (a style) and then to apply that style to multiple objects. For more information
on styles, see Chapter 3 Using Styles and Templates in this guide, the Writer Guide Chapter 6
Introduction to Styles and the Draw Guide Chapter 4 Changing Object Attributes.
Positioning objects
Snap function
In Draw, objects can be accurately and consistently positioned using the snap function. Grid points,
snap points and lines, object frames, individual points on objects, or page edges can all be used
with the snap function.
Snap function is easier to work with at the highest zoom values that are practical for your display.
Two different snap functions can be used at the same time; for example snapping to a guide line
and to the page edge. It is recommended, however, to activate only the functions that you really
need.
For more detailed information about the snap function, see the Draw Guide Chapter 3 Working
with Objects and Object Points and Chapter 10 Advanced Draw Techniques.
Snap to grid
Snap to grid allows you to position an object to a grid point (Figure 191). Go to View > Grid >
Snap to Grid on the main menu bar or click on the Snap to Grid icon on the Options toolbar
to turn on or off the snap to grid function. If the Options toolbar is not displayed, go to View >
Toolbars > Options on the main menu bar.
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