Sometimes i am using OpenOffice Draw to create some flowcharts and diagrams for my report so it can be clearly seen. With their objects and enhanced drawing tools you can create a better output.

## What is OpenOffice Draw?

<center>![image.png](https://res.cloudinary.com/hpiynhbhq/image/upload/v1512480871/zewaztjuj17ure2ysn27.png)</center>
<center><code>Screenshot on OpenOffice website</code></center>

OpenOffice Draw is a free and Open Source which can be used for free without paying the license since it is licensed under GNU.This application tool make your drawing much easier and just taking it for a less of your expected time. It support lot of graphic files names and also supports flash.

It's software can be downloaded in their website.

Website Download Page : https://www.openoffice.org/download/index.html
Github Repository : https://github.com/apache/openoffice

## OpenOffice Draw Layout

In OpenOffice Layout you can see that all of them are well-arange and that user will not be confused. First on the top section you will find Menu Optiosn where these following options are commonly used because they do significant effect on your working process.

Next are the quick tool bar where you can quick executions of functions such as immediate creation of new drawing document or even quikly open for a new document or save it.

On the middle portion you will see the editor placing on its top left and top area are rulers where it does make sure that you are properly aligned with your drawing.

Another one is the pages can be seen in the left side which visually be viewed the entire page.Below are the shapes and symbols that you can used for presenting a flowchart type ,diagram or purely drawing.   

<center>![image.png](https://res.cloudinary.com/hpiynhbhq/image/upload/v1512481436/qgcpamdjhcmlvxm5dv10.png)</center>
<center><code>Screenshot on OpenOffice Draw Application</code></center>

## Menu Options
Here you can see some menu options on the top section. This Menu options are the ones commonly used for your drawing document.

<center>![image.png](https://res.cloudinary.com/hpiynhbhq/image/upload/v1512484179/oqhn4zbqmgdvhxtcgiwp.png)</center>
<center><code>Screenshot on OpenOffice Draw Application</code></center>

***File** - Lets you create , open or save a document*
***Edit** - Helps you edit your drawing*
***View** - Has the option to view your document in much efficient way*
***Insert** - Inserts objects , slides and images into your drawing*
***Format** - Formatting tools for your drawing*
***Tools** - Has option to spell check*
***Modify** - Sets some modification for your drawing*
***Window** - Shifts to one window to another window*
***Help** - Some helpful guide for your drawing*

## Tools Bars 
In here you can see a lot of useful tools that you will be using for your drawing document
<center>![image.png](https://res.cloudinary.com/hpiynhbhq/image/upload/v1512484975/q5xhmmiez2pvfhfit8hg.png)</center>
<center><code>Screenshot on OpenOffice Draw Application</code></center>

**Available Tools**

Tool |Function
-|-
New | Creates new drawing document
Open | Opens another drawing document
Save | Save your current drawing document
Document as Email | Send your drawing document to email
Edit File | Edit a file
Export directly as PDF | Exports your drawing document into PDF Format
Print Directly | Prints your drawing document   
Spelling | Check for Spelling
Auto Spell Check | Checks for incorrect spelling and auto correct it
Cut | Cut a Text or Image
Copy | Copy a Text or Image
Paste | Paste a Text or Image
Format Paintbrush | Format via Paint Brush
Undo | Reverts one action backwards
Restore| Re perform undo action
Chart | Adds chart into your drawing document
Hyperlink | Adds link to your text or image
Navigator | Navigates from one slide to another slide
Zoom | Zoom In or Zoom Out your document
Help | Check your Help
Styles and Formatting| Sets some style and formatting for your drawing document
Line | Sets line to your drawing document
Arrow | Sets arrow line 
Line Style | You can set line style if continuous  or any form of line available
Line Width | You can set the width of the line
Line Color | Sets the color of the line
Area | Put a color into one area
Area Style and Filing | Sets style into particular area and how this is filed
Shadow | Adds shadow to the object

## Shape Tools 

You can see here many shapes that you can use to add to your drawing

<center>![image.png](https://res.cloudinary.com/hpiynhbhq/image/upload/v1512485730/fertixv90rclbkisuizv.png)</center>
<center><code>Screenshot on OpenOffice Draw Application</code></center>

**Available Tools**

Tools | Function
-|-
Select | Selects the particular object image or text
Line | Adds line into your drawing
Line ends with Arrow | Adds some arrow into the edge of your lines
Rectangle | Adds rectangular object to your drawing
Ellipse | Adds Ellipse object to your drawing
Text | Adds Text into your drawing
Curve | Makes some curve lines
Connector | Sets and customized your connector
Lines and Arrows | Customized your lines and arrows
Basic Shapes | Adds some basic shapes into your drawing
Symbol Shapes | Adds some fantastic symbols into your drawing
Block Arrows | Adds some block arrows into your drawing
Flowchart | Adds flowchart into your drawing
Callouts | Adds callouts into your drawing
Stars | Adds stars into your drawing
Points | Sets some points into your drawing
Glue Points | Glue some points
Fontwork Gallery | Adds some great fonts into your drawing
From File | Load some file from your local disk and attached it to your drawing
Gallery | A set of images can be found here
Effects | Adds some effects to your drawing
Alignment | Sets some alignment into your drawing
Arrange | Arrange objects and shapes
Extrusion | Sets Extrusion  Off and On

## What are the Advantages of this software
- Free to use software
- Has many function that can be very useful for your drawing document
- Easy drawing
- Many drawing tools can be used

<br /><hr/><em>Posted on <a href="https://utopian.io/utopian-io/@robin-ho/openoffice-draw-a-good-drawing-tool">Utopian.io -  Rewarding Open Source Contributors</a></em><hr/>