Inserting shape objects

Primitive shape objects include polygons, rectangles, rounded rectangles, and ellipses.

About this task

To insert a shape object into your visual project:

Procedure

  1. In the editor window, select the visual report page or visual dashboard scene to which you want to add the object. If the page or scene is not open in the editor, then double-click the page or scene in the Project Explorer.
  2. From the Palette view, select one of the following shape objects:
    • Rectangle: You use this object to draw a rectangle. Select the Rectangle object from the Palette view and click in the editor window (cursor has changed to a plus sign to represent drawing mode), drag the cursor to draw the rectangle, and release the mouse button. The rectangle is drawn.
    • Rounded Rectangle: You use this object to draw a rectangle that has rounded corners. Select the Rounded Rectangle object from the Palette view and click in the editor window (cursor has changed to a plus sign to represent drawing mode), drag the cursor to draw the rectangle, and release the mouse button. A rectangle with rounded corners is drawn.
    • Ellipse: You use this object to draw an ellipse. Select the Ellipse object from the Palette view and click in the editor window (cursor has changed to a plus sign to represent drawing mode), drag the cursor to draw the ellipse, and release the mouse button. The ellipse is drawn.
    • Polygon: You use this object to draw a closed, multi-sided figure. Select the Polygon object from the Palette view and click in the editor window (cursor has changed to a plus sign to represent drawing mode), move the cursor to the point where you want the first line of the polygon to end, click the mouse button, move the cursor to the point where you want the second line of the polygon to end, click the mouse button, continue until you have drawn the polygon shape. When you have finished drawing, select the Esc (Escape) key to terminate the drawing process. The cursor returns to an arrow (selection mode). The polygon figure is drawn.
    • Multiple Polygon: You use this object to draw multiple polygons. Select the Multiple Polygon object from the Palette view and click in the editor window (cursor has changed to a plus sign to represent drawing mode). Draw your first polygon and select the Esc key. The cursor remains in the drawing mode. Draw your second polygon. Select the Esc key. The cursor returns to an arrow (selection mode). Both polygons are drawn and are considered a single Multiple Polygon object.
  3. From the Properties view, modify the properties, such as color, width, and style to draw your shape object as you want. There are many properties that you can specify that will dictate the appearance of the shape or specify how the shape object will behave on the visual report page or visual dashboard scene. There are several ways to specify property values for the shape object. You can select values that are listed in the Properties view, type values directly in Properties view, use the Expression Designer, or use the Variables toolbar.
  4. For visual dashboards, you can define an event action for the shape object. This means that when a user performs a certain action on the object (such as a mouse click) an event (such as a jump to a scene) will occur.