Graphics Export

 

C.a.R. can export constructions to files in either pixel or vector format. Graphics can be scaled to any resolution. C.a.R. can save information into the files about the print size. Thus graphics can be printed with 1 unit in the C.a.R. coordinate system equal to 1 cm.

Graphics can be imported to almost all programs that can handle graphics. The most important case will be a word processor, of course. Graphics can also be exported over the clipboard.

PNG Export

PNG is a flexible, open and free pixel format and can be used by word processors, graphics programs and in the Web. PNG uses lossless compression. Like any pixel format, it stores graphics in an array of pixels, each pixel in one of 256^3 colors.

Besides the picture width and height in pixels, C.a.R. stores information about the resolution of the picture in dots per inch (dpi - 1 inch equals 2.54 cm). Thus programs can compute the dimensions of the picture for printing.

In the graphics export dialog, the user can set either the dimensions in pixels, the resolution, or the dimensions in cm. The dialog will adjust the other fields, as soon as the return key is pressed in the input field.

There are presets in the graphics export dialog. One very important preset will fill the sizes in cm from the coordinate system of C.a.R. for an output that is exactly scaled (1 unit equals 1 cm). Take care that the picture must fit on the page, and that e.g. Word scales the graphics to 100%. Other presets choose output in various sizes, or output designed for screens, not for print.

For screen output, it is also possible to cut out a section in the middle of the screen. A red frame will appear in preview mode.

If the output is printed smaller than on the screen (i.e. not to full page width on a normal page), lines, fonts and texts should be scaled. There is a special option to this in the graphics export dialog. To see the effect and make corrections there is a preview. When the preview is switched on, the graphics export dialog will show up too.

Clipboard

It is possible to copy to the clipboard. The same scaling as with PNG takes place, using the same dialog. For a screen dump use "Window Size". The difference to PNG is that no information about the resolution is transmitted. The graphics must be scaled in the receiving program for print.

Vector Export

From the various vector formats supported in C.a.R. only EPS (encapsulated postscript) and PDF (Adobes portable document format) are well known. EPS can be imported into Word and can be used in TeX. PDF is a good format to store small pictures in the Web. However, both formats do not support transparent areas and Greek letters currently, nor anti-aliased lines.