Symbol

Symbols are used to define a map object’s graphic appearance (characteristic). For example, a tree is represented by a green point on the map. Every map object drawn using the “tree” symbol will therefore have the same graphic appearance. If the symbol is changed using the symbol editor, all map objects drawn using it are also changed. OCAD provides four basic symbol types that correspond to the properties of the respective objects:

• Point symbol
• Line symbol
• Area symbol
• Text 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. Keep in mind that when you copy a symbol to a different map, the colors are not copied.

Paste

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

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

Delete

Choose this command from the Symbol menu 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 from the Symbol menu 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.

Sort Symbol Box

You can sort the symbol box by number, color or status (normal, protect or hide). Learn more about sorting the symbol box on the Symbol Box page.

Select

You can select used, unused, all, by symbol number, by color or by font or you can invert the selection. Learn more about selecting symbols on the Symbol Box page.

Replace

Replace Font in Symbols

Choose the Font function in the Replace submenu of the Symbol menu to replace a font in symbols. The Replace Font in Symbols dialog opens.
The font can be replaced either in all symbols with a specified font (e.g. every text symbol with the font Arial gets a new font) or in all selected symbols (All selected text objects no matter which font they have get a new font). Choose the desired option. Afterwards, choose a new font in the New font dropdown menu and click the OK button to finish.

Replace Color in Symbols

Choose the Color function in the Replace submenu of the Symbol menu to replace a color in symbols. The Replace Color in Symbols dialog opens.
Choose wheter you want to replace the color in all symbols or only in the selected symbols of the symbol box. Then select the old color in the Old color dropdown list as well as the new color in the New color dropdown list.

Click the OK button and the color is replaced.

Symbol Status

Normal

Choose this command in the Symbol menu 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.

Alternatively, you can press the F2 key (Shortcut by default) to set the symbol status of the selected symbols to Normal.

Protect

Choose this command in the Symbol menu 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.

Alternatively, you can press the F3 key (Shortcut by default) to protect the selected symbols.

Hide

Choose this command in the Symbol menu 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.

- Alternatively, you can press the F4 key (Shortcut by default) to hide the selected symbols.

Show Unsymbolized Objects

With this menu item you can show or hide Unsymbolized Objects.

Show Graphic Objects

With this menu item you can show or hide Graphic Objects.

Image Objects

With this menu item you can show, protect or hide Image Objects.
Normal: The image objects are visible and can be edited, moved or deleted
Protect: The image objects are visible but cannot be selected, edited, moved or deleted.
Hide: The image objects are not visible.

Symbol Favorites

Learn more about the Symbol Favorites functions on the Symbol Box page.

Symbol Tree

Learn more about the Symbol Tree functions on the Symbol Box page.

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