On 26/01/2023 by: maleik-rostom
The subtractor is a tool that can modify the shape of an object, such as a shape or a picture.
User’s Goal:
Customize graphical objects
Command:
The subtractor reifies the command of changing the shape of an object into a directly-manipulable tool.
Focus:
Slide
Customization
Graphical Objects
We introduce the subtractor. The subtractor is a tool that acts as a shape punch. Any polygon created with the original Google Slides tool can become a subtractor.
To use this tool, you first have to draw a shape, select it and then click on the button on the toolbar to define it as a subtractor.
You can then drag it above any graphical object, such as another shape or an image, and press the "Subtract" button to cut it out.
It is also possible to subtract multiple objects at the same time.
The altered object and the created hole can also be defined as subtractors and be reused.
The objects that were altered by the subtractor share a relationship with the tool.
Any modifications, such as resizing the subtractor, will also affect the holes.
When selecting multiple shapes at a time, it is possible to merge them as one subtractor. The same hole can then be made with only one subtractor, or multiple ones.
The created shapes and subtractors can be saved as custom objects to reuse them on other documents.
The subtractor reifies the command of changing the shape of an object into a directly-manipulable tool.
The same subtractor can be applied to different types of object.
Any shape object can become a subtractor and can be reused to alter another object.
The relationship between the altered object and the subtractor is maintained: when the subtractor is modified, the object is modified accordingly.
The relationship is supported for different types of objects.
Modifications made to the subtractor affect all objects that were altered by it.
When selecting a shape, two buttons show up on the default toolbar of Google Slides. One is to transform the shape into a subtractor and the other is to cut out the graphical object. Tooltips help the user understand how to use the tool.
A subtractor is highlighted with a striped pattern.
Any polygon drawn with the Google Slides shape tool can be defined as a subtractor.
When selecting multiple shapes at a time, it is possible to merge them as one subtractor.
The subtractor and the holes that share the same relationship are highlighted with a striped pattern when one of them is selected.
The altered graphical object can also become a subtractor and modify other objects.
The same hole can be the result of one subtractor, or multiple subtractors. The difference lies in the relationships between holes and subtractors.