Example: Add a figure to a question

Updated 28 Aug 2023

In the example, you'll create a figure based on an imported image.

You are creating a question where students must calculate the time that subway trains take to travel between stations based on speed and distance. You want to add a simple map to your problem and you already have a file, map.gif, that shows the subway line.

You want to use the drawing tools in the Figure Editor to annotate your map so that the final map looks like this:

To create your figure:

In the question section of the question-and-answer area, enter:
The following map shows the stations on a subway line and the distances between some of the stations:
Press the Enter key to go to a new line and click Figure in the left menu.
The Figure Editor displays.
Click Edit > Insert Image to get your browser file navigator, locate the map.gif file, and click Open.
The map displays in the lower-left corner of the drawing area:
The map is larger than the drawing area and not in the correct location, so:
- Click the image to select it and then drag one of the blue selection boxes on the image border to make it smaller.
- With the map still selected, move it to the top of the drawing area.
To add annotations to the map, use in the drawing tool palette and then click where you want the text to show. Enter:
distance = 7 miles
Select in the drawing tool palette and draw a rectangle around your annotation.
Select in the drawing tool palette and position your cursor at the top and center of the rectangle. Then draw a line pointing to Riverside station.
Make sure your line is selected in the drawing area. Then, on the Figure Objects tab of the Objects and Settings area, select Head Arrow to make your line a pointer:
Draw another arrow from the top center of the rectangle to Newton Centre station and add a pointer. The first annotation looks like this:
Repeat steps 5 to 8 to add another rectangle containing distance = 5 miles that indicates the distance between Newton Centre station and Brookline Village station.
Click OK to add your figure to the question.