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# Converting 2-D Objects to Curves, Polygons, and 3-D Objects

You can convert two-dimensional (2-D) objects to create different shapes. LibreOffice can convert 2-D objects to the following object types:

- Curved object based on Bézier curves

- Polygon object consisting of straight line segments

- 3-D object with shading and a light source

- 3-D rotation object with shading and a light source

### Two types of 3-D objects

- The Status bar displays "3-D scene selected". The 3-D scenes are built from objects which have dimensions in x-, y-, and z-coordinates. Examples are the objects inserted by the 3-D Objects toolbar, and rectangles, ellipses, or text that got created by the Rectangle, Ellipse, or Text icons left on the Drawing toolbar, or any Custom Shapes, and that got converted to 3-D by using the context menu "Convert - To 3-D". These 3-D scenes can be entered (for example, by pressing F3), and the objects can be rotated in 3-D. Microsoft Office doesn't know these real 3-D objects. When exporting these 3-D scenes to Microsoft Office formats, a snapshot of the current view will be exported as a bitmap. 3-D bars in charts are of this type, too.

- The Status bar displays "Shape selected". The Custom Shapes can be viewed in a 2-D mode or in a 3-D mode. At any time, you can switch the view between the two modes. You use the Basic Shapes, Symbol Shapes, and the following icons on the Drawing toolbar to create Custom Shapes. The Custom Shapes can be changed using the 3-D Settings toolbar. They do not form a 3-D scene, they cannot be illuminated by more than one light source, they show no reflections, and there are some more limitations. You can convert them to a 3-D scene, but then they are no longer Custom Shapes. Custom Shapes in 2-D or 3-D mode can be exported to and imported from Microsoft Office formats.

### To convert an object to a curved shape:

1. Select a 2-D object on the slide or page.

2. Right-click the object and choose Convert - To Curve.

To modify the shape of the object, click the Points icon on the Drawing toolbar, and drag the handles of the object. You can also drag the control points of a handle to modify the shape of the curve.

### To convert a 2-D object to a polygon:

1. Select a 2-D object on the slide or page.

2. Right-click the object and choose Convert - To Polygon.

To modify the shape of the object, click the Points icon on the Drawing toolbar, and drag the handles of the object.

### To convert a 2-D object to a 3-D object:

1. Select a 2-D object on the slide or page.

2. Click the Extrusion On/Off icon on the Drawing bar, or right-click the object and choose Convert - To 3-D.

To edit the properties of the 3-D object, use the Line and Filling toolbar and the 3-D Settings toolbar.

To convert a text object to 3-D, use the Fontwork icon on the Drawing toolbar.

### To convert a 2-D object to a 3-D rotation object:

A 3-D rotation object is created by rotating the selected object around its vertical axis.

1. Select a 2-D object on the slide or page.

2. Right-click the object and choose Convert - To 3-D Rotation Object

To edit the properties of the 3-D object, use the Line and Filling toolbar and the 3-D Settings toolbar.

You can rotate the 2-D object before converting it to create a more complex shape.

Related Topics

Drawing Curves

Editing Curves

Converting Bitmap Images into Vector Graphics

Converting Text Characters into Drawing Objects