Labels

Dia supports free labeling of diagrams. To do this, select the T icon from toolbox (top left). Click on the canvas where you want to place label and then start inputting text. Double-clicking on the text opens a small dialog window where you can format the text, including font, size, and fill color. You can reposition your label on the canvas by dragging the text while holding down the left mouse button.

Images

Aside from the existing objects, Dia also lets you integrate image files (in common formats such as JPG, PNG, or SVG). Drag the desired image from your file manager directly to Dia's canvas. Dia first positions the image in the top left corner, but you can drag it to the appropriate location. Image files can also be modified like other objects using the small green handles (Figure 3).

Figure 3: Dia lets you use images in your diagrams.

Point of View

With very detailed graphics such as electronic circuits, you will not be able to see all the individual elements that are displayed on the canvas on a conventional monitor. To remedy this, you can use the zoom in and zoom out icons located in the buttonbar at the top to change the view size. Alternatively, you can use the View menu.

For accurate positioning and adjustment of objects, Dia superimposes a grid on the entire canvas by default, with rulers at the edges. If you don't want to see the grid or rulers, go to the View menu and uncheck Display grid and Display rulers. From the View menu, you also can select AntiAliased to smooth out edges on enlarged bitmaps.

Clicking on the magnifying glass icon in the toolbar enables magnification. Unlike the zoom function, this tool only enlarges the area that you select on the desktop after enabling the function.

Dia lets you to keep several diagrams open simultaneously for editing. While the toolbar and buttonbar remain the same, the canvas has a tabs along the top that let you toggle between the canvases.