Microsoft Drawing

[tomfs53]

I would like to see Microsoft Drawing embedded in Word again as it was years
ago, at least as an option. The present method of drawing in Word is
overcomplicated as shown by some of the feedback.
Every time I get a new version of Word (with a new PC) I have to add files
and adjust the registry so that Microsoft Drawing comes up in the Insert
Object dialog.
As a simple vector drawing tool with classical interface and good zoom it is
unmatched by anything Word has had since. Many of my documents just require
simple line drawings with maybe a bit of colour and Microsoft Drawing is
ideal for this.

 

[Mary Sauer]

http://register.microsoft.com/mswish/suggestion.asp?

 

[Bob Buckland ?:-\)]

Hi Tom,

FWIW, the MS Office Drawing canvas is an embedded
version and replacement for MS Draw, although the canvas can be
turned off in Tools=>Options=>General in Word 2002/2003
as the default but still used through
Insert=>Picture=>New drawing as could MS Draw
in earlier versions.

What features of the MS Draw add-in are you looking for
that are no longer available through the use of
the MS Drawing Canvas?

Which version of MS Draw are you using through
Insert=>Object?

======
I would like to see Microsoft Drawing embedded in Word again as it was years
ago, at least as an option. The present method of drawing in Word is
overcomplicated as shown by some of the feedback.
Every time I get a new version of Word (with a new PC) I have to add files
and adjust the registry so that Microsoft Drawing comes up in the Insert
Object dialog.
As a simple vector drawing tool with classical interface and good zoom it is
unmatched by anything Word has had since. Many of my documents just require
simple line drawings with maybe a bit of colour and Microsoft Drawing is
ideal for this. >>

 

[tomfs53]

I'm using MS Draw V1.01

I've just got a new PC at work which came with Office2003. Your question
prompted me to do a quick and not exhaustive comparison.
Overall I found Drawing Canvas nicer to use than in previous versions of Word.
Academic, but zoom in Draw is 800% vs 500% in Word.
I miss the guides in Draw (and the 'jump to guides') which eased drawing to
approximate scale. Maybe I just haven't found this function yet?
When zoomed in on Canvas I find that at the conclusion of placing objects
the page suddenly jumps away so I have to zoom out to find where I was
drawing again. So it's still buggy!
When you scale the drawing, the grid doesn't expand with it so that all the
elements are off-grid. So you can't easily add to the drawing any more.
Dragging the corners of the Draw object box scales the drawing as if it was
any other graphical object. The actual drawing hasn't been altered so it can
be edited using the grid as required.
Just a few early observations. I'll give Canvas more of a workout.

Cheers: Tom

 

[LarryranTX]

The BIG problem with Word drawings - and the one that has led me to
absolutely prohibit the use of Word drawing in our documents - is the lack of
scalability and maintainability. If you attempt to re-size a Word drawing,
the boxes change size, but the text does not. Arrows also lose their scale.

In many, many documents, we have been completely unable to recover the Word
drawing. (If no success after 30 minutes, it is better to re-create the
drawing.) Our standard practice is to copy whatever we can to PowerPoint,
and work from that.

For these reasons, all of our graphics must be created in PowerPoint, Visio,
or some "real" graphics tool - then imported to Word by Edit->Paste special
as "Picture (Enhanced metafile)". (Visio drawings have none of the issues,
but few people have Visio, and one rule is a rule - two rules are equal to no
rule....)

Larry Randall

 

[tedoniman]

Re: tomfs53 and larryranTX posts in "'Microsoft Drawing"
(and w/ due respect to advice from Bob Buckland ? and Mary Sauer)

My sentiments exactly. Would love to see a rollback to the earlier version
of 'Draw' -although my needs (and handle on the subject) are quite elementary.

I came to search for a solution. The post is all ready, such that it is. So
here's my gripe as well. Hopefully someone can advise (I will look into
possible solutions I've
seen here already, 'tho' don't think can take full advantage w/o a bit more
detail).

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11-Mar-06/ Word Drawing & Graphics; Microsoft Drawing

Drawing problem in Word 2003.

Win XP SP2 / 256 Mb RAM / Office 2003

How can I re-configure Word 2003 to get back the old Word Draw
characteristics?
This "canvas frame" thing is a real pain for me. I undid that in Options but
then I had problems placing one drawing object on top of another.

I tried different sorts of "frames" for each object and also used the "Alt +
drag"
method but no luck. Even if I copy the already formatted objects into a
"canvas"
(after re-enable that option in Tools, Options), the objects still jump and
won't
superimpose. I don't know what type frame is best. I prefer no frame for
objects
(like the old way) but don't know how to get rid of them completely.

Had to start all over from scratch on a new canvas before things would align.

My point is, we didn't have to mess with confusing 'canvases' and 'frames'
with earlier Word versions. It was pure simplicity, no clutter and a joy to
create drawings in Word (even w/ the obvious failings). Now it's a mess and
extra work ('tho I'm sure there must have been a good reason why the
'canvas' ploy was adapted).

Is there any way to get back the old and simple way?

Thanx for your ears...