1. Drawing, Labeling Object and Changing their Appearance
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1.1. Drawing Objects

To draw an object, select a tool (press the corresponding button in the upper row) and draw the object. If you are not sure what to do or which button to press, try to:

  1. Hover the cursor over a button. Name of the tool will show.

  2. Look at the status line (under the thin line at the bottom). After you select a tool, it will tell you what you are expected to draw or define.

Tutorial - Drawing Objects

Under the dotted line, try to copy the given images of a point, line segment, cicle and quadrilateral. Observe the button hints and directions in the status line.
Note: To draw a quadrilateral, after selecting 4 distinct points, you must close the shape by clicking on the point you started with. No "Well Done" message window will show in this activity.

Note: To undo your last steps, use the button . Press it repeatedly in the construction above and observe how objects dissapear. In Cabri, use "Undo" from the edit menu.

1.2. Labeling Objects

Labeling objects in your drawing is a very important habit for at least two reasons:

  • It ads to the drawing's neatness and readability.

  • It is necessary when you want to write down your construction (step-by-step instructions so that anyone can re-construct it).

Cabri offers easy and fast method of labeling objects. If you hit a respective letter key immediately upon drawing an object, the letter will stay there as the label. Otherwise you can locate "Label" toolbar button or Label command in the menu or use right-click as described below:

To label an object:

  1. Right-click the desired object. A pop-up window will come up.

  2. Enter object's label/name (the first line in the pop-up window).

  3. Press the button    to activate label for the desired object.

  4. Close the pop-up window.

Tutorial - Labeling Objects

Label the objects below the dotted line according to the picture above it. If you try to use the same labels (letters), you'll see that the computer ads an asterisk and your points appear as A* or P* etc. This is absolutely normal and points to another important habit: in a drawing, never use the same label (letter) for two distinct object. (Note that A and a are two different labels).
No "Well Done" message window will show in this activity.

 

1.3. Changing Object's Appearence

You may have noticed that the pop-up window contains many more options. Try to identify some of them and change the display of some of our objects:

Tutorial - Changing Object's Appearence

Change the appearence of the objects according to the picture above the dotted line. Changes are summarized in the following:

  • line segment - change to dotted
  • circle - change to thick blue
  • quadrilateral - change to red
  • point - change its symbol to a small square

Note: No "Well Done" message window will show in this activity.

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