Microsoft Office 2003

Modifying Objects

Once you have created an object, you can change its appearance to meet your design needs by resizing, shading, adding shadows, and/or creating 3-D effects. This document will show you how to use all of these Office drawing options. To learn how to access the Drawing toolbar, see Office Drawing Toolbar.

Resizing Objects
Reshaping AutoShapes
Coloring Objects
Adding Shadows
Adding 3-D Effects

Resizing Objects

Select the shape that you want to adjust
Click and drag a handle until the shape is the size you want
HINT: To maintain the shape's width-to-height ratio, hold down [Shift] while you drag the corner handle.
Once your shape has reached the desired size, release the mouse button

Reshaping AutoShapes

Some AutoShapes appear with a yellow diamond(s). If your shape has one or more, you can use a diamond to change the width, rotation, or parts of your shape without affecting its overall size. Here are some examples of how the yellow diamond works:

Before	After

Before	After

Using the Yellow Diamonds:

Select your shape
Click and drag the yellow diamond for the desired effect

Coloring Objects

Once you have drawn objects using the drawing tools or selected a shape from the AutoShape menu, you can enhance them with color. There are two ways to add color to your object: use the FILL COLOR and LINE COLOR buttons on the Drawing toolbar, or use the Format AutoShape dialog box.

An even more customized look can be obtained by adding a gradient, pattern, texture, or picture as fill for your object. You can do this by using the Fill Effects dialog box.

Coloring Objects: Toolbar Option

To color the inside of the object:

Select the object or line that you want to shade
From the Drawing toolbar, click the arrow next to FILL COLOR
From the Color submenu, select the desired color

To color the border of the object:

Select the object or line that you want to shade
From the Drawing toolbar, click the arrow next to LINE COLOR
From the Color submenu, select the desired color

Coloring Objects: Dialog Box Option

Select the object that you want to shade
From the Format menu, select AutoShape...
The Format AutoShape dialog box appears.
Select the Colors and Lines tab
To color the inside of an object, in the Fill section, from the Color pull-down list, select the desired color
To color the border of an object, in the Line section, from the Color pull-down list, select the desired color
Click OK

Adding Shadows

You can add a shadow to any object. The size, direction, and color of shadows can also be modified to fit your needs.

NOTE: You can enhance objects by adding 3-D or shadow effects. You may add one or the other to any object, but not both.

Select the object or group of objects you want to shadow
From the Drawing toolbar, click SHADOW STYLE
From the Shadow pull-down list, select the desired shadow effect

Customizing Shadows

Select the object or group of objects you want to customize
From the Drawing toolbar, click SHADOW STYLE
From the Shadow pull-down list, select Shadow Settings...
The Shadow Settings toolbar appears.
Use the Shadow Settings toolbar to make the desired changes

Adding 3-D Effects

Lines, most AutoShapes, and freeform objects can be given a 3-D appearance. With 3-D, you can change depth, color, rotation, angle, direction of lighting, and surface texture.

NOTE: You can enhance objects by adding 3-D or shadow effects. You may add one or the other to any object, but not both.

Select the object or group of objects you want to appear in 3-D
From the Drawing toolbar, click 3-D STYLE
From the 3-D pull-down list, select the desired 3-D effect

Customizing 3-D

Select the object or group of objects you want to customize
From the Drawing toolbar, click 3-D
From the 3-D pull-down list, select 3-D Settings...
The 3-D Settings toolbar appears.
Use the 3-D Settings toolbar to make desired changes