Symbol

You can get to the Symbol menu by clicking a symbol in the symbol box with the right mouse button, too.

New

Choose this command to create a new symbol. The New Symbol dialog box is displayed. Check the desired symbol type and click OK. A dialog box is shown where the parameters of the symbol can be defined, varying according to the symbol type.

For basic principles see Create a New Symbol.

• Point symbol: Symbol for point objects.
• Line symbol: Symbol for line objects.
• Area symbol: Symbol for area objects.
• Text symbol: Symbol for text.

For every text style, a separate symbol is required.

• Line text symbol: Line text symbols are used for text along curved lines.
• Rectangle symbols: Symbol for rectangular frames.

Edit

Choose this command from the Symbol menu or click with the right mouse button on a symbol in the symbol box to edit the currently selected symbol. According to the symbol type a dialog box is displayed where the symbol properties can be modified:
Edit Point Symbols
Edit Line Symbols
Edit Area Symbols
Edit Text Symbols
Edit Line Text Symbols
Edit Rectangle Symbols

If you edit a symbol, all objects on the map with this specific symbol are changed.

Icon

Choose this command from the Symbol menu or click with the right mouse button on a symbol in the symbol box to draw or edit the icon for the selected symbol. The Edit Icon dialog box appears, which contains a simple paint program to draw an icon.

Learn more about the Icon Editor on the Icon Editor page.

Enlarge Reduce

Choose this command in the Symbol menu to enlarge or reduce the selected symbol(s) or all symbols. The Enlarge Symbol dialog appears.

Factor

Enter here a percentage value to enlarge or reduce the symbol(s). A value of 100 means that the size of the symbol remains the same. A value smaller than 100 means the size of the symbol is reduced, a value greater than 100 means the size of the symbol is enlarged.

All symbols

If this check box is checked, all symbols are enlarged/reduced. If it is not checked, only the selected symbol(s) are enlarged/reduced.

Copy

Choose this command from the Symbol menu to copy the selected symbol(s) to the clipboard.

If a symbol has been copied to the clipboard, choose Paste from the Symbol menu to paste it either to the symbol box of the original map or to the symbol box of a different map.

Paste

This command is activated if the clipboard contains one or more OCAD symbols.

Choose this command to copy a symbol or a group of symbols in the clipboard to the current map. If a symbol number already exists, it is changed to the next free number. Use Copy from the Symbol menu to copy symbols to the clipboard.

Delete

Choose this command to delete the selected symbol(s). A confirmation message appears before the symbols are removed from the symbol box.

If a deleted symbol is used in the map, the respective objects are not deleted, but appear gray (as unsymbolized objects).

Duplicate

Choose this command to duplicate (create a copy of) the selected symbol(s). The duplicated symbols get the next free symbol number.

If one symbol is selected, the duplicated symbol is inserted after the selected symbol; otherwise the duplicated symbols are appended at the end of the symbol box.

Replace Font in Symbols

ToDo

Replace Color in Symbols

ToDo

Normal

Choose this command to change the selected symbols to Normal. Normal means that they are not protected and not hidden. Objects with symbols in the normal state are displayed on the screen and can be drawn, edited and deleted.

Protect

Choose this command to protect the selected symbol(s). Objects with a protected symbol are visible but cannot be edited.

Protected symbols appear with a gray diagonal in the symbol box.

Hide

Choose this command to hide the selected symbols. Objects with a hidden symbol are not visible, not printed and not exported.

Hidden symbols appear with a gray cross (x) in the symbol box.

There is an option in the category Warnings of the OCAD Preferences to turn on/off the warning that the map contains hidden symbols.

Show Unsymbolized Objects

Show or hide Unsymbolized Objects

Show Graphic Objects

Show or hide Graphic Objects

Image Objects

Show, protect or hide Image Objects