Chapter 6. Working with Graphics, Symbols, and Equations

6. Working with Graphics, Symbols, and Equations

Chapter at a Glance

In this chapter, you will learn to:
	Insert and modify pictures.
	Create fancy text.
	Draw and modify shapes.
	Change the relationship of elements on the page.
	Insert symbols and equations.

Some documents are straightforward communications of information that require nothing more than words. Others might benefit from the addition of graphics, either to reinforce their concepts or to make them more attention grabbing or visually appealing.

Graphics can include a wide variety of images, including pictures and drawing objects. Pictures are graphics that have been created outside of Worda scanned photograph, clip art, or a file created on a computer with a graphics program. Drawing objects are graphics that are created within Worda shape, a diagram, a line, or WordArt text. You can use the buttons on the Insert tab to insert pictures and draw different kinds of objects. No matter what the origin of the graphic, you can change its position and how it relates to other elements on the page.

Like other graphics, symbols can add visual information or eye-appeal to a document. However, they are different from other graphics in that they are characters associated with a particular font. Equations are not graphicsthey are accurately rendered mathematical formulas; however, they are similar to graphics in that they can be displayed inline with the surrounding text or in their own space with text above and below them.

In this chapter, you will insert and modify pictures, create WordArt objects, and draw shapes to create a simple picture. You will modify the text-wrapping, position, and stacking order of pictures in a document. Finally, you will also insert a symbol and build a simple equation.

See Also

Do you need only a quick refresher on the topics in this chapter? See the Quick Reference entries on pages xxxixlxiii.

Important

Before you can use the practice files in this chapter, you need to install them from the book's companion CD to their default location. See "Using the Book's CD" on page xxv for more information.

Troubleshooting

Graphics and operating systemrelated instructions in this book reflect the Windows Vista user interface. If your computer is running Microsoft Windows XP and you experience trouble following the instructions as written, please refer to the "Information for Readers Running Windows XP" section at the beginning of this book.