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Print and Export Constructions

There are several ways to export constructions to other programs or view them externally.

First of all, you can print your constructions. There is an option to print in exact scaling, so that units of 1 are 1 cm exactly. Make sure, the construction window fits on the paper for this option.

Moreover, you can export in various graphics and vector formats (graphics export). For word processors, I recommend using PNG, properly scaled for the exact output width. There is not much sense in using PDF or PS for print, since the line widths, the fonts and the point sizes have to be scaled for the exact output size.

For PNG output, a dialog will open, where the output size is set. Alternatively, use a factor relative to the screen size. It is also possible to determine the size using the graphics width and height in cm and the resolution in dpi. There is a drop down selection box for various formats. If "1:1 scaled" is used, a scaled version (1 unit = 1 cm) with a 300 dpi resolution is used. Make sure, the output fits on your paper.

Since lines, fonts and points may become too small in small pictures, it is possible to scale these sizes in cm. Use the preview to see the effect on the screen.

For use with the typesetting program LaTeX, C.a.R. can generate two accompanying files, the bounding box file, and a file to draw the image. The latter has the same name as the PNG file, but an extension "ztx" (zirkel tex). It is possible to let LaTeX do the drawing of the strings and equations in the construction. In the dialog, select the type of strings that should be done by LaTeX. The graphics export will generate the necessary LaTeX commands. This type of LaTeX export will work with pdflatex and latex. In the LaTeX source, it is necessary to import the "graphicx" package, and to load the image file with an input command, like in

\begin{figure}
\centering
\input{image.ztx}
\end{figure}

C.a.R. can also copy graphics to the clipboard. The same scaling will apply as in the PNG output. If a screen dump of the construction is needed, use "screen size" in the scaling dialog.

For PDF output, only set the picture sizes in cm. PDF can also scale lines, fonts and points. Of course, you will then have to set the intended print width of the PDF output.

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