An Artificial Neuron | A Poster

#
Bus

This example illustrates how to:

- break a path
- create a path union
- subtract paths
- Use the shapepar function to create a shaped paragraph in a TeX or LaTeX document.

1. If you have not already done so, enable the grid lock via Settings->Grid->Lock Grid.

2. Use TeX/LaTeX->Settings->Set Normal Size... to display the TeX/LaTeX Settings dialog box and set the normal font size to the value that you will be using in your document (see Figure 11.29). In my document, I have used 10pt.

   Figure 11.29: Bus Example--Setting the Normal Font Size

   To create the bus outline, start with the |
   |, and create a circle (Figure 11.30).

   Figure 11.30: Bus Example--Create a Circle

3. Select the circle, and select the |
   |. The
   at the start of the
   is always the first selected
   when you select the edit tool (Figure 11.31(a)). Select the second segment in the path (Figure 11.31(b)).

   (a)
   (b)
   Figure 11.31: Bus Example--Editing the Path

4. |
   | using the edit path
   and selecting Break path (Figure 11.32(a)). You should now have two separate semi-circles (Figure 11.32(b)). If you find that the circle has been split unevenly (i.e. you have a quadrant and a three-quarters of a circle) then you selected the wrong segment. Don't panic, just select Edit->Undo and try again.

   (a)
   (b)
   Figure 11.32: Bus Example--Break the Path

5. Exit edit path mode. Move and rotate the top semi-circle so that it looks like Figure 11.33.

   Figure 11.33: Bus Example--Move and Rotate Top Semi-Circle

   Select the |
   | and add in the two lines as shown in Figure 11.34.

   Figure 11.34: Bus Example--Adding Lines

6. Select all paths and use Transform->Path Union. You should now have just a single path.

7. Select this new
   , and use the |
   | tool to give the front end of the bus a slightly curved outline, as shown in Figure 11.35. (You may find it easier to temporarily disable the grid lock while you edit the path.)

   Figure 11.35: Bus Example--Convert Line Segment to a Curve

   Add the windows, as shown in Figure 11.36.

   Figure 11.36: Bus Example--Add Windows

8. This next operation assumes that you haven't changed the
   . The main outline of the bus must be at the rear. To ensure this, select the bus outline and use the |
   |.

9. Select all paths, and apply Transform->Subtract Paths. Set the fill colour to red using the Edit->Path->Fill Colour... dialog box. The windows should appear as holes. See Figure 11.37.

   Figure 11.37: Bus Example--Subtract Windows from Bus Outline and Set Fill Colour

10. Make sure that the bus is selected. Select the TeX/LaTeX->Shapepar... menu item. A dialog box will appear: select the Use Path option and click Okay. Scan lines will appear as Jpgfdraw works out the parameters. Once completed a file dialog box will appear. Give the file a name, e.g. `busshape.tex`.

11. If you are using LaTeX, create a document that looks something like:

        \documentclass{article}
        \usepackage{shapepar}
        \begin{document}
        \input{busshape}\frenchspacing
        The wheels on the bus go round and round...

        \end{document}

12. If you are using plain TeX, create a document that looks something like:

        \input shapepar.sty

        \input busshape.tex
        \frenchspacing
        The wheels on the bus go round and round...

        \bye

13. The resulting shaped paragraph is shown in Figure 11.38.

    Figure 11.38: Bus Example--Resulting Shaped Paragraph

An Artificial Neuron | A Poster