Use the Figure Editor

Updated 28 Aug 2023

The Figure Editor lets you insert and edit figures in your question. You can import graphic files or create your own figures using the drawing tool palette.

To access the Figure Editor, click Figure in left menu of the Custom Question Builder. The Figure editor is not available in all disciplines.

  • The drawing tool palette - Tools you can use to draw your own figures. This palette displays on the left side of the main Figure Editor window. See Use the drawing tool palette for details on working with the options in the palette.
  • The drawing area - The area where you import or draw your figure. You can change the size of the drawing area by using your mouse to drag the blue borders of the window to the correct size. Or you can specify the window size in pixels on the Figure Settings tab.
  • The Objects and Settings area - The area where you can define line properties, image size, and other properties of objects selected in the drawing window. This window displays on the right side of the Figure Editor. See Use the Objects and Settings area for information on setting properties for graphical elements.

Use these components together to create your figures. For an example, see Add a figure to a question.

The menus at the top of the window contain additional options for working with your figures.

  • New - Opens a new blank drawing area.
  • Open Figure - Opens a previously saved figure.
  • Save Figure - Saves your figure as an XML file.
  • Undo and Redo - Reverts actions in the drawing area. You have multiple levels of undo and redo.
  • Edit Source - Opens the XML source file for your image.
  • Insert Image - Opens your browser's file navigator so you can locate a file to insert in the drawing area. See Importing images for details.
  • Show Editor - When selected, displays the Objects and Settings area.
  • Show Grid - When selected, displays a drawing grid.
  • Snap - When selected, makes drawing objects align with the nearest grid point.
  • Grid Settings - Lets you format your grid. You can choose:
    • Dots - The grid displays as dotted lines.
    • Lines - The grid displays as solid lines.
    • Set Size - Lets you set the width and height of the grid cells in pixels.

Use these four options to specify how graphic objects, including text, overlap each other:

  • Bring to Front - places the selected object(s) on top of all other objects.
  • Bring Forward - moves the selected object(s) up one layer.
  • Send to Back - moves the selected object(s) under all other objects.
  • Send Backward - moves the selected object(s) down one layer.

Click OK to add to the figure your question.

 

See also: Import images | Use the drawing tool palette | Use the Objects and Settings area