iCalamus > Reference > Inspectors > Frame inspector Index

New Shape Object

Shape frames in iCalamus don't have to keep their content – you can easily change them at any time. Simply choose the action menu item 'New Shape Object' and select one of the offered shapes.

The first group of shapes offers basic shapes which cannot be changed. The second group offers 'dynamic' shapes which bring along user-editable parameters. All shapes are described in detail below.

Rectangle

  
A rectangle is not a square, but a square is also a rectangle.

Oval

  
An oval is not a circle, but a circle is also an oval.

Caro

  
A caro is more than just a rotated rectangle.

Triangle

Please keep in mind that you can even flip triangles in horizontal or vertical direction (in the Geometry inspector) to get more shape varieties from this basic shape.

Triangle (top right)

You can also flip this type of basic triangle in horizontal or vertical direction (in the Geometry inspector) to get more shape varieties from it.

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Circle Arc

A full circle is just a special case of a circle arc here. A circle arc is described by a start angle and an end angle. They form a piece of cake – and it's up to you how much you can eat. (The sample is also known as PacMan pie.)
  

Double Circle Arc

Double circle arcs are even more complex vector shapes. Using different start and end angles, they will form various types of a C shape, while only the full double circle arc forms two centered circles. Use the inset parameter to change the inner circle's size.
  

Double Triangle

The appearance of this shape is rather strange and maybe not the expected one, but it's pure geometry. Try changing the X- and Y-inset parameters to your needs.
  

Double Rectangle

Here we have the down-to-earth double rectangle which is very often used in layout. But as it offers X- and Y-inset parameters, you can create even more interesting shapes easily.
  

Rounded Corner

The rounded corner is a rounded corner, not more, not less. But – you can flip the direction of the curvature. Maybe you have heard of convex (and it's counterpart concave) before. As all shapes are updated in real-time whenever you change a parameter, you will quickly see what is what.
  

Corner

The corner is a really nice and handy vector shape. Feel free and try everything here.
  

Multi-cornered Polygon

A shape with three corners is a triangle. A shape with four corners is a rectangle (and maybe a square). A shape with five corners is a pentagon, followed by a hexagon and so forth. Here you get them all in just one dynamic shape. But – don't be so silly and try a multi-cornered shape with too many corners. Use the Oval shape instead, okay?
  

Rounded Rectangle

One of the most useful shapes ever is the rounded rectangle. Use it in preference to simple rectangles in framed layouts, as picture frames, etc. Use the Invert arcs parameter for more interesting frame shapes.
  
  

Rectangle with Flattened Corners

Some like it rounded, some don't. Here is the rectangle with flattened corners, which behaves almost like its rounded counterpart above. You may even exceed the expected values for the insets and get really surprising results. Enjoy – the sample is still a vector shape.
  

Star

Last but not least, here is the star among the shapes – the star, isn't it? Just two parameters can be changed, but they offer a great variety of different stars.