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)).

   Figure 11.31: Bus Example--Editing the Path

   

   (a)

   

   (b)

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.

   Figure 11.32: Bus Example--Break the Path

   

   (a)

   

   (b)

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