CABRI GEOMETRYTM II Plus

Innovative Math Tools

REFERENCE
 WELCOME!

Welcome to the interactive world of Cabri Geometry!

The following Reference document describes in details

all possibilities offered by the software to discover, learn and
explore the exciting world of dynamic geometry.

Cabri Geometry II Plus is hereafter referenced as

Cabri Geometry.

This manual consists of 6 chapters:

Chapter [1] OBJECTS AND TOOLS describes the various
objects and tools offered by Cabri Geometry to build your
gure.
Chapter [2] INVESTIGATIVE TOOLS presents tools that can
be used to investigate and explore deeper the dynamical
aspect of a gure.
Chapter [3] ATTRIBUTES shows the attributes available to
control the graphical aspect of your gure.
Chapter [4] PREFERENCES AND CUSTOMIZATION
shows you how to change preferences and customize the
software.
Chapter [5] USER INTERFACE describes Cabri Geometry
user interface, both on Windows and Macintosh
environments.
Chapter [6] EXPORTING AND PRINTING describes how to
print and export gures to graphing calculator
(Texas Instruments).

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 CONTENTS

REFERENCE SECTION
CHAPTER 1
OBJECTS AND TOOLS P4

CHAPTER 2
INVESTIGATIVE TOOLS P 22

CHAPTER 3
ATTRIBUTES P 25

CHAPTER 4
PREFERENCES AND CUSTOMIZATION P 29

CHAPTER 5
USER INTERFACE P 34

CHAPTER 6
EXPORTING AND PRINTING P 46

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CHAPTER 1

OBJECTS AND TOOLS

This chapter lists the set of objects manipulated by

Cabri Geometry, all different ways of creating them and their
attributes. The list of attributes and the way to change them is
detailed in chapter [3] ATTRIBUTES.
All objects can have an associated label. It consists of
alphanumeric characters attached to an object, for example,
the name of a point. When an object is created, it can
immediately be given a name, typed in on the keyboard. The
label can be changed subsequently, using the tool
[Text and symbols]Label.

POINT 1.1

The point object is the basis of all shapes. Cabri Geometry

manipulates points in the Euclidean plane, with an appropriate
behaviour for points at innity.

An independent, movable point can be created on the plane,

using the [Points]Point tool and clicking on an empty part of
the drawing area. The point can then be moved anywhere in
the plane (using [Manipulation]Pointer).
A point can be created on a line (segment, line, ray...) or on
a curve (circle, circular arc, conic, locus) either implicitly
using the tool [Points]Point, or explicitly with [Points]Point on
object. A point created this way can be moved freely on the
object. Finally, one can create a point of intersection of two
lines/curves, either implicitly with [Points]Point, or explicitly
with [Points]Intersection points. All points of intersection of
the two objects are constructed simultaneously using [Points]
Intersection points and selecting objects.
The [Constructions]Midpoint tool constructs the point which is
midway between two existing points, or the midpoint of a line
segment, a vector or side of a polygon.

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The [Constructions]Measurement transfer tool transfers a

length onto:
a ray (select measurement and ray),
a vector (select measurement and vector),
an axis (select measurement and axis),
a circle (select measurement, circle and a point on
circle),
a polygon (select the measurement and the polygon).
In all these cases a new point is constructed.

A point can be constructed as the image of a point under a

transformation, using one of the tools in the [Transformations]
toolbox.

When any other tool is used which requires the selection of

a point, this can be done either by selecting an existing point
or by constructing a point implicitly with the current tool (on
a line or curve, or at the intersection of lines or curves). In
this case, the operation is the same as for the [Points]Point
tool.

When a line or a ray is being created, the second point can

be created on the y as an explicit point by holding down the
Alt key until the position for the second point is selected.
The attributes of a point are its color, shape, size, label and
picture (optional).

LINE 1.2

Cabri Geometry manipulates lines in the Euclidean plane, with

the additional possibility of a line of points at innity if the
treatment of innity has been activated in the preferences.

The [Lines]Line tool is used to create a line through a given

point. First select the point then, by clicking, x the direction
of the line which is otherwise rotating freely as the cursor
moves. This tool can also be used to construct a line through
two points. The second point can be created on the y by
holding down the Alt key. In the case of a line dened by two
points if the two points coincide, the line is undened.
Constructing a line through one point while holding down the
Shift key will constrain the direction of the line relative to
the screen horizontal to multiples of 15 (15, 30, 45, 60, 75,
90). 5
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The tools [Constructions]Perpendicular line and

[Constructions]Parallel line construct the unique perpendicular
or parallel line in a direction (given by a segment, a line, a
ray, a side of a polygon, a vector or an axis), passing through a
given point.
The [Constructions]Perpendicular bisector tool creates the line
equidistant from two points, or the perpendicular bisector of a
line segment, a vector or side of a polygon.

The [Constructions] Angle bisector tool constructs the line

which bisects an angle. By selecting the three points A, B and
C, the angle dened by the segments BA and BC is bisected.
The second point selected must be the vertex of the angle.

A line can be constructed as the image of another line under

a transformation by using the tools from the [Transformations]
toolbox.

The attributes of a line are its color, thickness, line style and
label.

LINE SEGMENT 1.3

The [Lines]Segment tool is used to construct the segment

between two points. If the two points coincide, the segment
is still dened, but is reduced to a point. A segment can be
constructed as the image of another segment under a
transformation. Pressing Shift key will constrain the
direction as for a line.

The attributes of a segment are its color, thickness, line style,

endpoint style, label and picture (optional).

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RAY 1.4

The [Lines]Ray tool is used to create a ray starting from a

point. First the point is selected, then, as the mouse is moved,
a ray from the point appears which pivots freely about this
point until its direction is xed by a click. This tool will also
construct a ray starting from a rst point and passing through
a second point. Alternatively, the second point can be created
on the y by holding down the Alt key. Pressing Shift key
will constrain the direction as for a line.

In the case of a ray dened by two points, if the two points

coincide, the ray is undened. A ray can be constructed as
the image of another ray under a transformation by using the
tools from the [Transformations] toolbox.

The attributes of a ray are its color, thickness, line style and
label.

VECTOR 1.5

A vector is dened by its two endpoints. Consequently, a

vector is manipulated as if it is a directed line segment, the
direction being shown by an arrow.

The [Lines]Vector tool uses two points to construct a vector. If

the two points coincide, then the vector that has been dened
is the zero vector.
The [Constructions]Vector Sum tool constructs the resultant of
two vectors. Select the two vectors and the initial point of the
sum, which can be created on the y. The order selection is
not relevant.

A vector can be constructed as the image of another

vector under a transformation by using the tools from the
[Transformations] toolbox.

The attributes of a vector are its color, thickness, line style,

label and picture (optional).

TRIANGLE 1.6

A triangle is a polygon with three vertices. Triangles and

polygons are generated in the same way. Since the triangle is
by far and away the most frequently used polygon, a special
tool is available for it. 7
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The [Lines]Triangle tool uses three points to create a triangle.

It is possible to have triangles with zero area, or with two or
three coincident points.

An image triangle can be created of another triangle under a

transformation by using the tools from the [Transformations]
toolbox.
The attributes of a triangle are its color, thickness, line style, ll
color, label and picture (optional).

POLYGON 1.7

In mathematics, the concept of a polygon can be dened in

several ways. In Cabri Geometry, a polygon is the sequence of
n segments dened by n points (n 3).

P1P2, P2P3Pn-1Pn, PnP1

The [Lines]Polygon tool constructs a polygon using at least

three points. To nish off the construction, the rst point
created must be reselected, or the nal point must be created
by double-click. If all points are collinear, it has zero area and
is represented by a segment.

The [Lines]Regular polygon tool is used to construct regular

convex polygons or stars. First select the center of the polygon,
then the rst vertex. The number of sides, and the interval
between vertices for a star, can be chosen next.

In the nal phase of construction, a pop-up message follows

the cursor to display the numbers describing the type of
polygon. For example, {5} indicates a regular pentagon, while
{10/3} is a ten-branch star, drawn by linking vertices 1, 4, 7,
10, 3, 6, 9, 2, 5, 8, and 1 of a regular decagon.
A polygon can be constructed as the image of another polygon
under a transformation by using the tools from the
[Transformations] toolbox. The attributes of a polygon are
its color, thickness, line style, ll color, label and its picture
(optional) in the case of a quadrilateral.

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CIRCLE 1.8

Select the [Curves]Circle tool to create a circle anywhere on

the drawing area. Click once to position the center and second
to x the radius of the initially variable circle. The radius can
then be changed at will. Alternatively, a second point (which
will be on the circumference) can be created on the y by
holding down the Alt key.

The [Curves]Circle tool also constructs a circle by selecting

rst its center, then a previously created point on the
circumference.
Pressing the Shift key constrains the radius to be integer.

A circle can be constructed as the image of another

circle under a transformation by using the tools from the
[Transformations] toolbox. The attributes of a circle are its
color, thickness, line style, ll color and label.

CIRCULAR ARC 1.9

An arc of a circle can be determined by 2 end-points and one

intermediate point.

The [Curves]Arc tool constructs an arc using three such points:

the rst is an extremity, the second is an intermediate point,
and the third is the other extremity.
If the three points are collinear, the arc becomes a line
segment or the complement of a line segment (a line with
a gap in it), depending on the relative positions of the three
points on the line.

An arc can be constructed as the image of another arc under

a transformation by using the tools from the [Transformations]
toolbox.

The attributes of an arc are its color, thickness, line style, ll

color (of the associated segment) and label.

CONIC 1.10

Cabri Geometry enables all proper conics (ellipses, parabolas,

hyperbolas) to be manipulated in the Euclidean plane.
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Degenerate conics, consisting of two intersecting straight lines,

are also possible.

The [Curves]Conic tool constructs a conic through ve points.

If four of the points are collinear, or two of the points coincide,
no conic is created. In contrast, if only three points are
collinear, two intersecting straight lines (a degenerate conic)
are constructed.

A conic can be constructed as the image of another conic

under an afne transformation by using the tools from the
[Transformations] toolbox.

The attributes of a conic are its color, thickness, line style, ll

color and label.

LOCUS 1.11

Different types of objects are created by Cabri Geometry under

the name locus. In general, a locus represents all those
positions which can be assumed by an object A as a point M
moves on an object. Normally, the construction of A makes
use of the point M.

A locus is constructed using [Constructions]Locus, rst

selecting the object A, then the variable point M.

Object A can be one of the following types: point, line,

ray, segment, vector, circle, arc, or conic. Point M can be a
variable point on any type of line or curve, including a locus,
or even a point on a grid.
Object A can equally well be a locus, a set of loci is then
constructed.

In the case where A is a line, ray, segment, vector, circle or

conic, the locus is either the envelope of the lines, rays... or
the entire set of the objects, depending on whether or not the
box Envelope has been ticked in the Preferences dialog box.
(See chapter [4] PREFERENCES AND CUSTOMIZATION).
Vectors behave in just the same way as segments for the
creation of a locus.

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The envelope of a set of rays, segments, or vectors is the

same as the envelope of the lines of which they are part, but
restricted to those points through which they pass.

In the case where A is an arc, the locus is automatically the set

of positions taken up by A.

The attributes of a locus are its color, thickness, line style,

label, construction method (envelope or set of positions),
drawing method (continuous or set of points) and the
minimum number of positions to be calculated when its
representation is not continuous.

TRANSFORMATION 1.12

Cabri Geometry does not have an explicit object-type which

is transformation. Rather, transformations are accessed
by tools. Each tool, in applying a transformation to an
object, requires various elements to dene it (center, axis,
angle...). Cabri Geometry enables the usual afne and
Euclidean transformations (dilation, translation, reection,
point symmetry, rotation) to be used, as well as inversion.
In all cases, the object must be selected, in addition to the
elements which dene the transformation. If the object to be
transformed is of the same type as one of the elements that
dene the transformation, it has to be selected rst. In other
cases, the order of selection is not relevant. For example, for
the point symmetry transformation of point M with point C as
center, M is selected rst, then C. For point symmetry of line
D with respect to point C, select rst D and then C. The tool
[Transformations]Inversion, transforms only points. However,
it is possible to create the reection of other objects by using a
macro or the tool [Constructions]Locus.

The tool [Transformations]Reection applies orthogonal

symmetry with respect to an axis. The object for
transformation is selected and then the line which is to be
taken as the axis: line, ray, segment, vector, side of polygon,
axis.

The tool [Transformations]Point Symmetry applies symmetry

with respect to a point (point symmetry or half-turn). The
object for transformation is selected and then the center of
symmetry (a point).
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The tool [Transformations]Translation applies a translation.

The object is selected and then the vector which denes the
translation.

The tool [Transformations]Dilation applies a dilation. The

object to be enlarged is selected, then the scale factor (a real
number on the drawing area), and the center of dilation (a
point). It is possible to use the dilation tool in order to create a
Similitude. Instead of selecting a numerical scale factor and
a center of dilation, the user must select three points, A, O and
B. If those points are collinear, the dilation will be performed
with respect to point O as center with a scale factor OB/OA. If
the three points are not collinear, an enlargement is computed
according to center O with a factor OB/OA, combined with a
rotation of center O having an angle AOB.

The tool [Transformations]Rotation applies the rotation: Select

the object to be rotated, select the center of rotation (point)
and nally the angle of rotation. The angle of rotation can be
dened by:

3 points, existing or created. The three points can be created

on the y.
a numerical value entered through [Text and symbols]
Numerical Edit tool.

The tool [Transformations]Inverse constructs the inverse of a

point with respect to a circle. The point to be transformed is
selected, then the circle which is invariant under the inversion
or vice versa. Remember that an inversion with center O, and
positive power k, has invariant points on the circle, center O,
whose radius is the square root of k.

In Cabri Geometry inversion is applied to points. For a more

powerful inversion tool replace the inversion by a more
exible macro.

MACRO 1.13

A macro denition is based on a gure. Once it has been

dened, a macro can be used in just the same way as any
other tool, and reproduces this part of the construction process
using the initial elements that are selected by the user.

For example, a macro can be dened to construct a square on

a given diagonal.
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To dene the macro, rst construct the square using any

segment as the diagonal, then select the initial objects
here the segment and the nal objects here the square
and nally save the macro.
This is now a new tool in the [Macros] toolbox, which
requires the selection of a segment, upon which it
constructs a square. The objects which are created as part
of the construction method are hidden, and cannot be
displayed.

To dene a macro, it can be seen that the corresponding

construction must already have been carried out. With
the construction displayed on-screen, the [Macros]Initial
Objects tool is activated and the initial objects of the
construction are selected. For objects of the same type, the
order of selection is important, and the same order will be
required when the macro will be used. For initial objects of
different types, the order of selection is not important.
The set of initial objects on the gure ash or are displayed
with marching ants outlines. To add objects to or remove
them from the list of initial objects, simply click on them.
When the selection of initial objects has been completed,
the nal objects must be dened. The [Macros]Final
Objects tool is used, with selection of members of the nal
objects set being made in the same way as before. Until the
macro is saved, the sets of initial and nal objects are held
in memory and can be changed at will.
Finally, the macro just has to be dened, using [Macros]
Dene Macro. Cabri Geometry rst checks that the nal
objects can indeed be constructed from the set of initial
objects selected. If this is not the case, the macro will not
be dened, and an error message is displayed: This
macro-construction is not consistent. Cabri cannot determine
all nal objects with the given initial objects.
If the macro is a consistent entity, a dialog box is displayed,
for the user to edit the attributes of the macro. The only
item mandatory to be completed is the name of the
construction. All other attributes are optional.

Name of the construction. This is the name of the macro

as it will appear in the [Macros] toolbox.

Name of rst nal object. This name appears to identify

the object, as the cursor is moved over the drawing area.
For example if the macro constructs the perpendicular
bisector of the segment joining two points, the name of
the nal object could be This perpendicular bisector.
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 Reference Section

Password. If a macro is assigned a password, its

intermediate construction objects are inaccessible from the
gure description window, which displays the macro in text
form. (This window is opened using the F10 key (windows
only).

Icon. An icon for the construction can be created in the

other part of the dialog box. A set of predened icons is also
available. Since icons in the toolbar can be displayed either
small or big, there are two icons to edit. A button is available
to automatically adjust the big icon to the small one.

Clicking on Save button allows the macro to be saved as a

stand-alone le. The macro is saved also within the document
where it has been created and within any document where it
is used. A macro which is loaded into a document is available
to all other documents opened simultaneously.
If a macro has the same name as one already dened,
Cabri Geometry gives users the alternative of adding the new
macro to the existing macro or replacing it. If users decide
to add it to the existing macro, Cabri Geometry will choose
the appropriate macro to use depending on the initial objects
selected. For example, if a macro is dened with two points
as initial objects, another macro could be added to it which
is identical apart from having a segment as the initial object.
The standard tools [Constructions]Perpendicular Bisector and
[Constructions]Midpoint have been added to in this way.

To use a macro, the corresponding tool in the [Macros]

toolbox is activated, and then the initial objects are selected.
When the initial objects have been selected, the construction
follows automatically, and the new set of nal objects appears.
The objects which are created as part of the construction
method are hidden, and cannot be displayed by using the
[Attributes]Hide/Show tool. When a macro is used, an object
can be dened as an implicit argument of the macro by
holding down the Alt key when the object is selected.
When the macro is used subsequently, it will not be necessary
to select this object as an argument: it will be selected
automatically. If, for example, a macro requires the selection
of two points and a circle, and on one occasion two points
are selected, and the Alt key is held down while a circle
is selected, then in future the macro will only require the
selection of two points but the circle is selected automatically.
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This would be useful in the case of a macro designed for

hyperbolic geometry: the horizon or limiting circle of the
Henri Poincar 1 model can be implicitly added to the macro.
If the attributes of the nal objects are not the same as the
default attributes when the macro is dened, they will be
saved with the macro and applied to those objects which are
created when the macro is used.

NUMBER 1.14

A number which is displayed on the drawing area is a real

number, and can be given an associated unit. To change
measurement units, type Ctrl + U (Windows) or double-
click and select U (Mac OS) this will open a pop up menu.
(Also see chapter 8.1.5).Numbers are displayed as dynamic
elements within text messages. (See section [5.17] Text). When
a number is created, Cabri Geometry creates a text message
whose sole content is the number. The text message can be
edited subsequently.

The [Text and symbols]Numerical Edit tool enables users to

enter the number directly onto the drawing area. The number
can then be edited and animated. The up and down arrows
immediately to the right of the number, and also animation,
can be used to modify its value, increasing or decreasing it.
The step size for the change is dependent upon the position
of the cursor within the number. For example, if the number is
30.29 and the cursor is between 2 and 9, animation or the use
of the arrows will change the value of the number by steps of
0.1.
The [Measurement]Distance or Length tool creates a number
representing the distance between: two points, a point
and a line, a point and a circle; the length of a segment, a
vector, an arc of a circle; the perimeter of a polygon; or the
circumference of a circle or ellipse. The resulting value is given
with cm as the default unit of measurement.
The [Measurement]Area tool creates a number representing
the area of a polygon, circle or ellipse. The text message
includes a unit of area, the default unit being cm2.
The [Measurement]Slope tool measures the gradient of a line,
ray, segment or vector relative to the screen horizontal. The
value is dimensionless.
The [Measurement]Angle tool measures the size of an angle.
The required arguments are three points: A, O and B in that 1
Henri Poincar
order, where the sides containing the angle are OA and OB, or
1854 - 1912
a single argument, being the already existing mark of an angle. 15
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The [Measurement]Calculate tool is used to perform

calculations on numbers displayed in the drawing area,
the constants pi and innity, or directly entered real values.
The usual operators used are: x+ y, x- y, x* y, x/ y, - x, xy, and
brackets. The calculator also recognizes the following standard
functions: abs(x), sqrt(x), sin(x), cos(x), tan(x), arcsin(x),
arccos(x), arctan(x), sinh(x), cosh(x), tanh(x), arcsinh(x),
arccosh(x), arctanh(x), ln(x), log(x), exp(x), min(x,y), max(x,y),
ceil(x), oor(x), round(x), sign(x), random(x,y). Some variants
of these spellings are recognized: an initial capital letter, asin,
sh, ash, argsh...
The inverses of functions can be used by combining the inv
button with the function button. For example, to use the arcsin
function, click on buttons inv then sin. This extends to inv-sqrt
which gives sqr, inv-ln which gives exp (ex), and inv-log which
gives 10x.

Apart from standard operators, for which the syntax is

well-known, oor(x) returns the largest integer less than or
equal to x, ceil(x) returns the smallest integer greater than or
equal to x, round(x) returns the integer nearest to x whose
modulus is also nearest to that of x, sign(x) returns - 1, 0 or +
1, depending on whether x is negative, zero or positive and
nally, random(x,y) returns a randomly-generated real number
belonging to the uniform distribution over [x,y].
To ensure that random(x,y) is updated as the gure is modied,
it is sufcient to introduce a parameter from the gure into
one of its arguments, even if this parameter has no effect on the
resulting value, for example random (0,1 + 0 * a), where a is a
number, dependent on some independent element of the gure.
The = button calculates the result. It can then be placed
anywhere on the drawing area, using drag-and-drop directly
on the answer or by double-clicking on = and dragging the
result to the desired position. This result will be updated as the
gure changes. Different units can be used, for instance 0,1 m
+ 1 cm is evaluated as 11 cm.

The [Measurement]Apply an Expression tool calculates the

value of an expression which is displayed in the drawing area.
Users must rst select the expression, and then a number in
the drawing area for each variable of the expression.

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Suppose, for example, that the expression is 3 * x+ 2 * y-1:

Cabri Geometry requires a number for x and another for y,
when it produces a new number which is the value of the
expression, and this can then be placed anywhere in the
drawing area. The number can now be selected for use in
new calculations.
As it has been said above, a number is only displayed on
the screen as part of a text message. A number inherits the
graphical attributes of the text of which it is part. (See text
attributes in the [5.17] Text section). In addition to these
attributes, there is one attribute specic to a number: the
number of gures to be displayed.
For each letter a, b, cor x, y Cabri Geometry asks for a
value after a click on the expression. When the expression
is of the form f(x), clicking on the axis after a click on the
expression plots the graph of y= f(x) automatically.

PROPERTY 1.15

A property is displayed as a text message on the gure. It is

generated in a similar fashion to a number, and is updated
as the gure changes. The text message corresponding to a
property can be edited.

The tool [Properties]Collinear? checks the alignment of three

points. The corresponding text message is either:
The points are collinear, or
The points are not collinear.

The tool [Properties]Parallel? checks whether two directions

are parallel. Each direction is dened by a line, ray, segment,
vector, side of a polygon, or axis. The text message displayed is
either:
The objects are parallel, or
The objects are not parallel.

The tool [Properties]Perpendicular? checks whether two

directions are perpendicular. Its use is identical to that of
[Properties]Parallel?. The text message displayed is either:
The objects are perpendicular, or
The objects are not perpendicular.

The tool [Properties]Equidistant? requires the selection of three

points: O, A and B, and checks whether the distances OA and
OB are equal. The text message displayed is either:
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These points are equidistant or

These points are not equidistant.

The tool [Properties]Member? requires the selection of a point

and another object other than a point. It checks whether the
point lies on the object. The text message displayed is either
This point lies on the object or
This point does not lie on the object.

The text relating to a property inherits the attributes of the text

message of which it is part. (See text attributes in the [5.17] Text
section).

EXPRESSION 1.16
An expression is a text message displaying a syntactically
correct calculator expression a function of one or more
variables. The names that are allowed for the variables are:
a,b...z (lower case).

The [Text and Symbols]Expression tool enters a new

expression. Expressions are edited as text. The syntax is only
checked at the moment the expression is evaluated. (See the
previous section on numbers).

Operators cannot be omitted (3 *x is recognized but 3x

is not). The expression can be evaluated for different values
of its variables, using the [Measurement]Apply an Expression
tool. This tool requires the selection of an expression, then of
numbers that correspond to the values of the variables. If the
expression f(x) contains the x variable, this tool also enables
users to select the expression and then an axis on which
the graph of y=f(x) will be drawn. When the expression to
graph contains others variables than x, the tool also needs
the selection of numbers to x them. The attributes of an
expression are its character font, its alignment and the colors
of the background, border and characters.

TEXT 1.17

A text message is a rectangular box in which static characters

are entered, as well as dynamic elements. Dynamic elements
are updated with the gure; these are the numbers and
properties displayed on the working area.
All the text messages displayed on the drawing area can
be changed at will. The tools which create numbers and
properties construct implicitly a text message which contains
the number or the property. If the distance between two points, 18
 Reference Section

A and B, is measured, then AB = can be inserted directly in

front of the value of the measurement produced.

The [Text and Symbols]Text tool can be used to create a text

message. Once created, dynamic elements such as numbers
can be added to it.
If a label in the gure has been inserted in a text message, it
will be updated automatically if the label is modied.

The [Measurement]Equation or Coordinates tool produces

a text message which represents the coordinates (of points)
or the equation (of other objects) according to the object
selected. The object can be a point, a line, a circle, a conic,
or a locus. In the case of points, a text message of the type
(3.14, 2.07) is displayed. For other objects, an algebraic
equation is displayed, according to which of the various
preferences has been selected:

For lines:
ax+by +c=0
y=ax +b
for conics:
ax2 +bxy+cy2 +dx +ey+f=0
(x-x0)2 /a2 (y-y0)2 /b2 =1

For a locus, the algorithm produces its algebraic equation

if its degree is no greater than 6. For loci whose points are
of very different magnitudes, numerical errors appear very
rapidly as the degree increases.

When several sets of axes exist, [Measurement]Equation or

Coordinates requires the relevant set to be selected.

The attributes of a text message are: character font, size and

style, and the three colors of the background, the border and
the text. Equations have additional attributes: equation type
and the associated coordinate system.

ANGLE MARK 1.18

The mark of an angle is created with [Text and

Symbols]Mark angle. It requires the selection of three
points, A, O and B, in that order and marks the angle
between the arms OA and OB, whose vertex is at O. If the
angle is a right angle, the shape produced is automatically
changed to the standard form.

The [Manipulation]Pointer tool is used to change the size

of a mark, also to change from marking the convex angle to
the concave one (the other side of a convex angle).
19
 Reference Section

For the latter procedure, it is sufcient merely to drag the angle

mark through the vertex of the angle and drop it on the other
side. The attributes of an angle mark are: its color, thickness,
line style, mark type, and label.

AXES 1.19

A set of axes consist of a point the origin and two lines

which pass through this point, each of them marked one
unit away from the origin. The axes are not necessarily
perpendicular, but they must not coincide if they are to dene
a system of axes.

Every gure has a default origin and set of axes. The origin is
initially at the center of the drawing sheet and the axes are
perpendicular with the unit distance being 1cm.

The [Attributes]Show Axes and [Attributes]Hide Axes tools will

show or hide the default axes.

The [Attributes]New Axes tool creates a new set of axes

according to two possible procedures:
One point and two direction: with three clicks, you
successively select the origin, the direction of the rst axis,
and the direction of the second axis. Scale is automatically
indicated with one unit equal to 1 cm for both axes.
One point, one direction and one scale: create one point
before activate [Attributes]New Axes tool. Activate it and
with three clicks, you successively select the origin
(anywhere), x simultaneously the direction of the rst axis
and its scale by clicking on the existing point (user can also
create the point on the y by using the Alt key), then x
the direction and scale of the second axis by clicking.

The attributes of a system of axes are: its color, thickness and

line style.

GRID 1.20

The denition of a grid is based on the current system of axes.

It represents an innite set of points spread regularly according
to the current reference system on the working area (either
Cartesian coordinates or polar coordinates).
20
 Reference Section

A grid is created with the [Attributes]Dene Grid tool, which

requires selection of the relevant set of axes.
The attributes of a grid are: the color of its points and the
type of coordinate system (Cartesian or polar).

TABULATE 1.21

A table is initially blank, and is used to store and display

numbers extracted from the working area. A gure can only
contain one table.

A table is created with [Measurement]Tabulate. A rst click

creates a blank table at the cursor position (on Mac, drag
and drop creates and resizes the table in a single action.)
then, clicking on existing numbers, they are placed in the
rst row of cells. This table can be subsequently selected
and resized by dragging on the bottom right-hand corner. If
text has been added in front of the number, this text will be
used as the column heading.

If the gure is now changed, the Tab key can be used

to create a new line containing the current values of the
numbers chosen in the previous line. If the table is selected
before starting an animation, the table will be lled
automatically by the animation up to a maximum of 1000
lines. If the table is selected before using the command
[Edit]Copy, the numerical contents of the table are copied
to the clipboard in text format and can be pasted into any
spreadsheet such as Microsoft Excel, so that the produced
data can be analyzed (Windows only).

21
 Reference Section

CHAPTER 2

INVESTIGATIVE TOOLS

TRACE 2.1

The [Text and Symbols]Trace On/Off tool enables users to

select the set of objects which will leave a trace of their
movements as the gure is manipulated. When the tool is
active, those objects which will leave a trace are displayed
with marching ants outlines. Objects can be added to or
removed from this set by selecting them, in the same way
as described for other tools of this type (initial objects, nal
objects, hidden objects). As the different parts of the gure
are moved around, the selected set of objects leaves behind
a trace of their position, which enables users to study the way
that they change.

FIX/FREE 2.2

The [Text and Symbols]Fix/Free tool is used to x the position

of points which are free to be moved around the working area,
or free to move on an object. When this tool is activated, such
points are indicated by a small thumbtack.
Fixing a point means that not only is this point immovable, but
it cannot be deleted.

REDEFINITION 2.3

Redenition is a powerful function which enables users to

redene elements whose construction is already complete.
For example, users could replace one construction method
by another, or change the number of degrees of freedom of
an object. To redene an object, the [Constructions]Redene
Object tool is activated, and the object selected. An object
dependent menu appears, with the redenition options listed.
Depending on the option chosen, one or more objects will
have to be selected, or just possibly none (for example for the
redenition of a point on object into a free point). 22
 Reference Section

ANIMATION 2.4
The [Text and Symbols]Animation tool and the
[Text and Symbols]Multiple Animation tool are used to
animate one or more elements of a gure. Animation
consists of launching one or more objects along a
trajectory dened by users.

To start a simple animation, activate [Text and Symbols]

Animation, then click on the object to be animated, but
hold down the mouse button while moving the cursor
slowly away from the object. A small spring appears,
which is stretched by users to x the direction and speed
of the animation. Overall speed of the animation is initially
set by the size of the spring. Later pressing + or - increases
or decreases animation speed. The animation is launched
when the mouse button is released, and continues while the
tool is active. It is stopped by clicking in a free part of the
drawing area. Points on object are animated continuously
alongside their support. For instance, points on a segment
are animated back and forth. In addition, a number (free or
in text) can be animated up and down.

To dene and start a multiple animation, activate the [Text

and Symbols]Multiple Animation tool. A control window
appears, in which one can dene or remove springs (top row
of buttons), start or stop the animation (bottom left button),
and restore the diagram to its initial state (bottom right
button).
When using Multiple Animation, click once on each object
to be animated. This will create a spring with one side
attached to the object to be moved. Use the mouse to move
the other end of the spring, to set the direction and speed
of the object during animation. The animation parameters
for a multiple animation are kept when the tool is no longer
active, and when the gure is saved. An option during the
save process allows for the animation to start automatically
when the gure is loaded in future.

RECORDING A SESSION 2.5

The [Session] menu enables users to record a session, for
example to analyze the strategies used by students in solving
a problem, and then to print it out stage by stage (several
stages per page). It allows users to review the construction of
the last step and also acts as an unlimited undo function. 23
 Reference Section

FIGURE DESCRIPTION WINDOW (Windows only) 2.6

The F10 key displays or hides a window which contains a

textual description of the gure. In this window, the full set of
steps used in the construction can be seen, in the order used.

This window can be used to help with the design and naming
of objects. A single click on an object highlights in bold the
objects that were used to create it. This window can also be
used to help with the design of objects and to name those not
previously named.

The contents of the window can be copied and pasted into

other applications, as a textual description of the gure.
To create this copy, use the shortcut menu, which appears
following a right click in the gure description window. This
shortcut menu can also be used to display hidden objects
and intermediate objects in macros (possibly after entering a
password, if this was a requirement in the macros creation or
when the gure was saved).

A click on an object in the gure highlights the corresponding

line in the gure description window. Conversely, a click on a
line in the gure description window selects the corresponding
object in the gure.

24
 Reference Section

CHAPTER 3

ATTRIBUTES

The attributes of an object can generally be accessed in

several ways:

using a tool from the [Attributes] toolbox to change one

specic attribute,

using the [Attributes]Modify Appearance tool,

by means of the shortcut menu for the object, which is

opened by right-clicking on the object( Ctrl + clic with
Mac),

with the assistance of the attributes toolbar, which is

displayed by selecting the menu item [Options]Show
Attributes or pressing F9 key,

opening the Preferences dialog box to change the default

attributes of new objects, or those of selected objects. (See
chapter [4] PREFERENCES AND CUSTOMIZATION.)

COLOR 3.1

The color is changed with the [Attributes]Color tool, by

selecting a color from the palette displayed, then clicking on
those objects which are to take on that color.

25
 Reference Section
The color of one or more objects can also be changed by
using the tool from the attributes bar. The object(s) are
selected, then the color.
Finally, the color of an object can be calculated. This can
only be done via the shortcut menu for the object, by
clicking on the right mouse button and selecting Variable
Color and then Select Red/Green/Blue Parameter. Cabri
Geometry then requires a number to be selected from the
working area. The correspondence between the intensity
i of a color component (in the interval [0,1]) and the
number x selected from the working area is determined by a
sawtooth function of period 2. The function is dened by
the identity (i = x) between 0 and 1 and a linearly decreasing
function (i = 2 - x) to return its value to 0 over the interval
[1,2].
For example, the number 7.36 corresponds to the same
intensity as the numbers 5.36, or 3.36, or 1.36, or - 0.64...
because the function has periodicity 2.
Undened color components are assigned the current
values. Using coordinates (R,G,B): (0,0,0) corresponds to
black, (1,1,1) is white, (1,0,0) is red, (0,1,0) is green, (0,0,1)
is blue, (1,1,0) is yellow, (1,0,1) is magenta, and (0,1,1) is
cyan.
7.2
FILL COLOR 3.2
This color applies to circles, arcs, polygons, and text
messages. For text it is the background color of the
rectangular box enclosing the text.
The ll color is changed with [Attributes]Fill..., by selecting
the new color from the palette, then the objects to be
colored. To revert to the original color, it is just reselected
in the same way. The ll color can also be changed with the
tool from the attributes bar, by selecting the object(s)
to be colored, then the color. The shortcut menu can be
used (as in the preceding section) to assign an objects color
numerically.
By default, when lled objects are overlapping, their colors
are mixed. To control this, an object can be made opaque
or transparent, using its shortcut menu. When the colors are
mixed, the nal color is the result of a logical and between
the colors of the concerned objecrts.
For example, a mixture of yellow with cyan gives green
( (1,1,0) and (0,1,1) = (0,1,0) ).
Opaque objects are displayed in front of transparent
objects, in the order in which they were created.
26
 Reference Section

TEXT COLOR 3.3

The [Attributes]Text Color... tool is used to modify the color of

the individual characters. The color is selected rst, then the
objects to be colored.
The tool from the attributes bar can also be used to color
text. The objects are selected rst, then the color in the palette.

POINT STYLE AND SIZE 3.4

The size of points is changed with the [Attributes]Thick...

tool. The corresponding tool is also accessible from the
attribute bar. The point style is accessed via [Attributes] Modify
Appearance and also from the attributes bar.

LINE STYLE AND THICKNESS SMART LINES 3.5

The line style (plain, dashed, dotted) and the thickness

(standard, thick, very thick) is accessed via [Attributes]Dotted
and [Attributes] Thick..., and also via the corresponding tools
on the attributes bar. The display of lines and rays can be
limited to the visible window (default setting), or to the region
used on the lines and rays (smart lines). In this case,
Cabri Geometry decides where to cut off the line according
to the position of points marked on it. There are two possible
styles for these smart lines: with or without an arrow
accessible from the attributes bar.
How much of a smart line is displayed can be changed at
will. If two non-parallel smart lines do not currently extend
to their point of intersection, but the [Point]Intersection
Point(s) tool is used with them, the lines will be extended
automatically beyond the point of intersection.

CHARACTERS AND ALIGNEMENT 3.6

The shortcut menu of a text box is used to change the

alignment (left, right, centered) of sections of text within it.

27
 Reference Section

This menu is also used to change the font, size and style of
selected characters in a text box. Each character can have
different attributes. The [Options]Font... menu can also be
used to change the attributes of characters.

EQUATIONS AND FIGURES 3.7

The precision displayed for a number is dened as a default

setting in the Preferences.
The number of gures displayed can be changed by
selecting the number and using the + or - keys.
The type and format of an equation can be changed via the
shortcut menu and also in the preferences dialog box.

PICTURES/TEXTURES ATTACHED TO OBJECTS 3.8

Cabri Geometry allows bitmap images (in GIF, JPG or

BMP formats) to be linked to points, segments, triangles,
quadrilaterals, and to the background of the window. This
possibility allows the user to change the default appearance
of these objects to an image of their choice. In the case of
a triangle, the picture is sized to t a parallelogram derived
from the triangle.

In all cases, this function is accessed via the shortcut menu

for the appropriate object (right-click on the object while the
[Manipulation]Pointer tool is active (Ctrl + cilc with Mac
OS)). For the background of a window, right click in an
empty part of it.

The menu then enables the user to choose from a default list
of images: the screens of the TI-83, TI-84, TI-89 or TI-92; or
by reading a GIF, JPG or BMP le from any directory.

Once the image has been attached to an object, it can be

removed using the shortcut menu.

ON THE FLY USE THE ATTRIBUTE BAR 3.9

Once a user has already started a construction, for instance

when having already clicked on a rst point to draw a line,
it is possible to click in one of the Attribute boxes from the
Attribute bar to change on the y the corresponding attribute
(color, thickness, smartness for lines) of the coming line.
28
 Reference Section

CHAPTER 4

PREFERENCES AND CUSTOMIZATION

DIALOG BOX FOR PREFERENCES 4.1

The dialog box for preferences details the available options

for the attributes of new and existing objects, and the settings
for software parameters. It is accessed through the [Options]
Preferences menu. This dialog box shows a number of
themed tabs which will be described in detail in the following
paragraphs.

On all tab sheets, clicking on the button labeled Factory

settings will restore the factory settings: these are the settings
in effect as the software is installed.

On the tab sheets which deal with objects attributes, there are
two tick boxes next to the Apply to button, offering the choice
of applying the new set of attributes to the current Selection,
or to New Objects.

A button labeled Save to le can be seen in the lower section

of the dialog box which is common to all tab sheets. Clicking
on this saves a new version of a le with the .ini extension,
containing all the current preferences. These preferences will
be applied when this le is opened with [File]Open.

Clicking on the Cancel button closes the dialog box without

making any of the changes selected, and without changing the
default settings le. Clicking on OK closes the dialog box after
all the changes specied in each tab sheet have been made
and, if the Keep as defaults check box has been ticked, the
default settings le is updated.

The following paragraphs detail one by one the various tab

sheets in the preferences dialog box.

29
 Reference Section

Loci Options 4.1.1

8.1.1

This tab is for attributes specic to loci. The Number of

objects in a locus is the number of positions of the variable
object which will be used to draw the locus as a discrete set.
In the case of point loci, they can be connected to create a
curve, or left as a set of unconnected dots.
For the locus of lines, segments, vectors and circles,
Cabri Geometry can calculate the envelope of these objects,
that is to say the curve which is tangent to all of the objects
in the locus, or simply draw the set of objects, depending on
whether or not the Envelope box is ticked.

Default Styles 4.1.2

This tab deals with those attributes which are common to

text and graphical objects. For each type of text, a font can
be chosen, together with a style, size and color. Choices can
be made for each type of graphical object: color, line style,
line thickness, point style, point size, extremity style and
angle mark style. Depending on the type of object, some of
the attributes are not relevant, and so are not displayed.

Geometry 4.1.3

Options under this tab control the manner in which the

geometrical constructions evolve.
By default, Cabri Geometry creates points implicitly during
a construction: when a point is selected which has not yet
been dened on a curve or at an intersection. This will
often increase considerably the ease of use and the speed
of construction of gures. However, this behavior can be
turned off.
The way Cabri Geometry manages innity is to draw
extensions to the Euclidean plane which serves as the
geometric model for the software. If this option is active, the
model is extended by a line to innity: two parallel lines
will have a point of intersection, a circle can have its center
at innity, etc. Certain constructions which are specically
not projective, cannot be extended. For example, a segment
cannot have one of its extremities at innity, and would not
be dened in this case, whatever option has been chosen. 30
 Reference Section

System Options 4.1.4

On this tab sheet, the user can change a few system

parameters in relation with the interface.

If the option Bitmap Copy is activated, the command

[Edit]Copy causes a bitmap image of the selection rectangle to
be held in the clipboard. If this option has not been activated,
selected objects will be held in the clipboard in vectorial
format (Windows Enhanced Metale). For more information
on this option, see chapter [6] EXPORTING AND PRINTING.
The Tolerance is the distance within which the software
searches for elements under the cursor. A larger tolerance
facilitates the selection of isolated objects, but is a difculty in
case of close or overlying objects.

The Cursor Font is the character font used to display dynamic

text messages which appear alongside the cursor as it is
moved, for example Symmetric to this point...

The Menu Font is used when the various toolboxes are

opened, to display the names of the tools.

Display precision and Units 4.1.5

This tab sheet manages the attributes of numbers, obtained

when measurements are made on the gure. For the various
types of numbers (Length, Angle, Other), the number of
digits to be displayed after the decimal point is chosen, as well
as the units (for length and angle).

Coordinate System and Equations 4.1.6

This tab controls the display style and the system of

coordinates to be used for the equations of lines, circles and
conics. In all these cases, Cabri Geometry attempts to obtain
integer or rational coefcients in the equations.

For lines, the user chooses between equations of the type y=ax+b
(which possibly becomes x= constant) and ax+ by+c= 0.
31
 Reference Section

For circles, the choice has to be made between the general

equation, x 2 + y 2 +ax +by + c= 0, and the equation which
shows clearly the coordinates of the center and the length
of the radius, (x-x0) 2 +(y -y0) 2 = R 2.
In this case, if the center of the circle is at innity, and if
innity management has been activated, Cabri Geometry
displays an equation of the type y= ax + b and line at
innity, and the circle is represented by a line.
If the line itself is at innity, it shows double line at innity.
(Center point at innity and a different radius point at
innity).

For conics, the choice must be made between the general

equation ax2 + bxy+ cy 2 +dx + ey+ f= 0, and the equation
which shows the center of the conic (x - x0) 2 / a 2 (y - y0) 2
/ b 2 =1. In this case, the conic must be the one which has
a center (ellipse, hyperbola), and its axes must be parallel to
the coordinate axes. If this is not the case, the general form
is used.

For loci, only the Cartesian system of coordinates is used.

If one of the coordinates x or y can be isolated from the
equation obtained, the display is given in the form x= f(y) or
y= f(x); otherwise the display is in a general form with the
sum of the terms aij xiyj equal to 0.

CUSTOMIZED TOOLBAR 4.2

Users can add their own tools (constructed with macros) to

the toolbar, and also move these tools to other toolboxes. It
is also possible to remove tools from toolbars.
This customization is useful for extending the features
available in Cabri Geometry, and also in class for working
on exercises with a restricted number of tools (for example
without perpendiculars or parallels). For work in class, the
customized toolbar can be protected with a password,
preventing students from modifying it.
When macros are created, the corresponding tools are
added to the [Macros] toolbox.

32
 Reference Section

The toolbar is changed by selecting [Options]Tool

Conguration...the customization dialog box then appears.
Whilst this dialog box is displayed, the tools can be moved
from one toolbox to another: one click to select the tool,
another to put it in position. To remove the tool, it is moved to
the Recycle Bin whose icon appears to the right of the toolbar.
Changes to the toolbar are not saved with the gures.
Thus, to reuse it in another session, the toolbar must be saved
separately.
If a password is entered when the toolbar is modied, it will be
requested before the toolbar can be changed again.

LANGUAGE 4.3

The menu item [Options]Language... displays a dialog box

which opens a le. This dialog box enables a Cabri Geometry
language le to be selected, extension .cgl, containing the
full set of text messages displayed by the software for a
given language. The new language is installed immediately
without having to restart the software. After installing the new
language, Cabri Geometry asks if this language le is to be
used routinely whenever the software is run.
It is also possible to drag and drop a software language le
xxx.cgl into Cabri Geometry.

The set of language les distributed with the software varies

between distributors. Cabri Geometry has been translated into
most languages by mathematics teachers, practicing in the
countries concerned. You can contact us at [email protected]
with any questions you may have on the available languages.

33
 Reference Section

CHAPTER 5

USER INTERFACE

MENU BAR 5.1

The following tables describe the available menus for Cabri

Geometry. Both Windows and Macintosh versions are
shown here. Since both environments have their proper
specications, some menus are not the same. A grey color in
the box corresponding to a menu item on a specic platform
indicates that this menu item is not available on that platform
and might be found elsewhere: reading the description of the
action will tell you where it can be found. A pale blue color
indicates the existence of a shortcut for this action. Note that
Cabri II Plus menu is only available on Macintosh.

MAC PC MENU ACTION

About Cabri
Opens a Cabri Geometry II Plus le.
Geometry II plus

Preferences
Default settings relating to loci, axes, units,
precision, equations.
+Q Exit Exits from Cabri Geometry.

1. File

+N Ctrl + N New
Opens a new drawing sheet, which becomes the
active document.
+O Ctrl + O Open Opens a Cabri Geometry document.
+W Ctrl + W Close Closes the active document.
+S Ctrl + S Save Saves the active document.

Save As...
Saves the current drawing under a name to be
specied.
Saves the gure as a Cabri Jr. le (Cabri
Export gures application available for Texas Instruments
to calcs... graphing calculators).
Reverts to the previously saved version of the
Revert
gure.
Shows the full drawing page (1mx1m) in order to
Show page...
select which portion is to be seen on the screen.
Page setup... Denition of parameters for printing.
+P Ctrl + P Prints the curent drawing sheet or a selected
Print...
portion.

Alt+F4 Exit Quits Cabri Geometry II Plus.

Mac users: see Cabri II Plus menu. 34
 Reference Section

2. Edit

MAC PC MENU ACTION

+Z Ctrl + Z Undo Cancels the most recent operation.

+Z Ctrl + X Cut
Removes the current selection from the gure
and place it to the clipboard.

+C Ctrl + C Copy Copies the current selection to the clipboard.

+V Ctrl + V Paste Pastes clipboard contents to current drawing.

Del Clear Deletes all selected elements.

Ctrl+A Select All Selects all objects in the drawing.
Replay Enables the construction to be replayed.
Construction... There are several possible options.
+F Ctrl+F Refresh
Redraws the entire contents of the window.
Drawing

Figure 1...
On Macintosh, the list of open gures is shown
in this menu.

3. Options

Displays or hides the attribute bar which controls

F9 Show Attributes
appearance of objects.
Show Figure
F10 Shows or hides the gure description window.
Description

With possibility to save in a le as default settings

Preferences... for locus, axes, units, precision, equations.
Mac users: see Cabri II Plus menu.
Tool
Selection and arrangement of tools.
conguration...

Language... Language selection.

Font... Selection of font characteristics.

4. Window

Cascade
Tile Horizontal Standard Windows menu for managing open les
Tile Vertical and display open windows.
Close all

Figure 1...
The list of open diagrams is shown in this menu.
Mac users: see Edit menu.

35
 Reference Section

5. Session

PC MENU ACTION

F2 Start
Starts or stops recording a session.
Recording...
F4 PlayBack Selects a le. Reviews the stages of a construction.
F5 Print a session Prints a session using the selected print settings.
F6 Previous Shows the previous step of the construction.
F7 Next Shows the next step of the construction.

6. Help

F1 Help
Displays a help message for the current tool, at
the bottom of the screen.
About Cabri Displays the software version number as well as
Geometry the type of registered license.
II plus Mac users: see Cabri II Plus menu.

7. Others

Ctrl + D Toggles the display between Bold and Normal to improve

egibility for the visually impaired or for presentations.
Ctrl + + Global dilation (Zoom in effect)

Ctrl + - Global reduction (Zoom out effect)

Ctrl + U Displays the menu which enables the selected units of
measurement to be changed.
Ctrl + Tab Brings a previously opened gure to the front of the window.

A sustained click in a blank portion of the drawing sheet makes

all movable points pulsate.

36
 Reference Section

TOOLBAR 5.2

The default tool bar is the one shown below:

Properties
Points Measurement
Lines Text and Symbols
Curves Attributes

Macros
Transformations
Constructions
Manipulation

It can be completely redened by the user. (See Chapter

[4] PREFERENCES AND CUSTOMIZATION).

Each icon corresponds to a word (or phrase) which

describes the appropriate object. This is fundamental for
teaching geometry to children who manipulate objects and
learn the terminology at the same time, thus enabling them
to talk about the geometry they are doing.

Selection of the line tool

in the line toolbox.

Click and Hold (hold down the lefthand mouse button for
a while until you move the pointer down) when pointing
at an icon to open a toolbox: a list of tools appears from
which the new tool can be selected. The icon of the chosen
tool then replaces the original one on the toolbar.
A quick single click on an icon selects the tool displayed
on the toolbar. All the icons available from the toolbox are
shown in the following lists.
37
 Reference Section

1. Manipulation

---------------
Pointer Select and move objects (translation).
Rotate Dilate an object about its centroid or a selected point.

Dilate or shrink an object about its centroid or a selected

Dilate
point.

Dilate and Simultaneously rotate and dilate an object about its centroid
Enlarge or a selected point. (A combination of dilation and rotation).

2. Points
-------------------

Mark a point, a separate point, or a point on an object or at

Point the intersection of two objects (depending on the position of
the cursor).
Point on
Object Mark a point on an object (Create a point on an existing
object).

Construct the intersection of two objects. Clicking

Intersection successively on two objects constructs all their intersection
Points points. Note that clicking close to one of their graphical
intersections will construct only that intersection point.

3. Lines
-------------------------------------------

Construct the straight line dened by a point and either a

Line direction (selected by a second click) or a second point. If the
Alt key is held down as the direction is selected, a second
point is created.
Segment Construct the segment dened by two points.

Construct the ray (half-line) dened by a point and a direction

Ray
or a second point.
Construct the vector dened by two points. The rst is the
Vector starting point of the vector. The Alt key can be use as for the
construction of a line.
Triangle Construct the triangle dened by three selected points.

Construct the polygon dened by n points (3 n 128). To

Polygon complete the construction, either double-click on the last
point, or re-click on the rst point.

Construct a regular polygon by selecting a point at its center,

a second point to dene the long radius and the number
of vertices. The number of sides or branches of a star is
Regular selected by moving the cursor around the central point: in
Polygon the semi-circle to the right of the center for a polygon, and in
the semi-circle to the left of the center for a star. A message
{n/p } is displayed for a star of n points, taking a point every
p points around the vertices of a regular n-sided polygon. [A
pentagram is a {5/2} star polygon.]

38
 Reference Section
4. Curves

-------------------
Construct a circle. First select an existing point or create on
the y a new one which becomes the center of the circle,
Circle then select the size of the radius by clicking at the desired
distance. If the Alt key is held down as the radius is selected,
a second point is created.
Construct an arc of a circle dened by three points: rst an
Arc end-point then an intermediate point and nally the other
end-point.

Conic
Construct the conic dened by 5 points (No more than 3 of
them can be collinear).

5. Constructions
---------------------------------------------------

Perpendicular Construct the line passing through a point, perpendicular to a

Line given direction: line, ray, segment, axis

Construct the line passing through a point, parallel to a given

Parallel Line
direction.
Construct the midpoint between two points or of a segment
Midpoint
(dened by two points), a vector or the side of a polygon. The
two points can be created on the y.
Perpendicular Construct the perpendicular bisector of two selected points or of
Bissector a selected segment, side or vector.

Angle Construct the bisector of an angle dened by three points, ABC,

Bissector where B is its vertex.
Construct the resultant of two vectors. Select the two vectors, and
Vector Sum the starting point for the resultant. The order of selection is not
relevant.
Construct the circle dened by a point and a radius. Select the
Compass radius length, by selecting a segment (or two points or a number)
and select the center. The order of selection is not relevant.
Transfer a measurement dened by a number, to a vector, a ray,
Measurment
an axis or a circle (in the counterclockwise direction from a
Transfer
selected point).
Construct a locus. Select an object A and a point M, constrained
Locus to move on another object. This tool constructs the locus of A as
M moves.

Redene
Redene the geometrical characteristics of an object (a point,
Objects
line, circle, conic, etc) without having to delete it or redo the
construction.

6. Transformations
-------------------

Reection Construct the mirror image of an object. Select rst the object
then the axis of symmetry.

Point Transform an object by point symmetry. Select rst the object to

Symmetry be transformed then a point.

Translation Construct the image of an object under a translation. Select rst

the object then the translation vector.

Construct the image of an object under a rotation. Select rst the

Rotation object then the center and nally an angle dened by a number
or by 3 additional points (second point as vertex). 39
 Reference Section

-------------------
Construct the image of an object under a dilation or a similitude.
Through Numerical Edit tool, enter anywhere on the drawing
sheet the scale factor number. For a dilation, select in this order
an object, a point for the center and previously entered scale
Dilation factor nuber. For a similitude, select an object and three points
A,O,B in this order. O is then the center of the similiture, OB/OA
the scale factor and AB its angle. If A,O,B are collinear, the
similitude coincide with the dilation with center O and a scale
factor of OB/OA.

Construct the image of a point under inversion in a circle. Select

Inverse
the point and the circle.

7. Macros
------------

Initial Select the set of initial objects to be used in the construction

Objects macro.
Final
Objects Select the nal objects of the construction macro.

Dene Having dened the initial and nal objects, this validates the
Macro... macro.

8. Properties
-----------------------

Display a message to conrm or contradict the collinearity of

Collinear?
three points.

Parallel?
Display a message to conrm or contradict the parallel direction
of two lines, segments, sides of polygons

Display a message to conrm or contradict whether two

Perpendicular?
selected directions are perpendicular.
Display a message as to whether a point is equidistant from two
Equidistant? other points. The rst point selected is the one to be tested relative
to two other points.
Display a message to conrm or contradict whether a point
Member?
belongs to an object.

9. Measurments

Measure the length of a segment, the magnitude of a vector,

-----------------------------

Distance the distance from a point to a line or a circle, or the distance

or length between two points. Measure also the perimeter of a polygon, of
a circle or an ellipse. The number displayed in the working area
is given an unit (cm by default).
Measure the area of a circular disc, an ellipse or a polygon. The
Area
units of area are displayed.

Display the gradient of a line, ray, segment or vector. A

Slope dimensionless number is displayed, which is innity if the
direction is vertical.

Angle Display the size of an angle dened by three points (the second
of which must be the vertex).
Give the equation of a line, a circle, a conic or a locus. The
Equation or
type of displayed equation depends on the settings made in
coordonates
[Options]Preferences menu item. Give the coordinates of a point
too.
40
 Reference Section

-------------------
Display a calculator upon which scientic calculations can
Calculate be carried out using numbers from the keyboard or values
taken from the gure.
Calculate the value of an expression displayed in the working
Apply an area. Select the expression, and then a number in the drawing
Expression area for each variable of the expression. The calculated value of
the expression can be used for new calculations.

Display a table into which successive numerical values taken from

Tabulate the gure can be placed. The Tab key enables the current values
to be placed in the table, in a new row.

10. Text and

Symbols
----------------------------------------

Name points, lines, circles, rays, triangles, polygons, loci by

Label
means of a label attached to the newly named object.

Let users enter text anywhere on the drawing sheet. Dynamic

Text elements from the gure such as numbers, names can be
included by selecting them.
Numerical
Edit
Enable a number to be entered anywhere on the drawing sheet.

Enter a new expression anywhere on the drawing sheet.

Expressions are edited as text. The syntax is checked only when
Expression
the expression is evaluated i.e. when values are entered for
variables.

Mark an angle with an arc. The second point of the three which
Mark Angle
dene the angle is the vertex.

Fix/Free Fix and unx the position of a point.

Trace Produce or suppress the outline of an object during its

On/Off displacement.
Animation Move objects automatically.
Multiple
Move several objects automatically.
Animation

11. Attributes
-----------------------------

This tool is used to select a set of objects in the gure which are
to be hidden. These objects are no longer seen on the screen nor
Hide/Show
printed. This simplies the work on complex gures. This same
tool is also used to show objects that have previously been hidden.

This tool is used to let users who will look at the gure to control
the display of one or more objects. A button will appear on the
gure and pressing/releasing this button will hide/show some
objects.
To associate one or more objects to a button, rst drag and drop
Hide/Show the button, then click on one or more objects
Button (Shift key + objects).
In case of modication of an existing button, select the button
through [Attribute] Hide Show Button and associate the new
objects.
Once created or modied, the button is activated
with pointer tool. It can be moved on the drawing
sheet by drag and drop.
41
 Reference Section

-----------------------------------
Color... Let users choose the color of an object. First select a color
from the palette then the objects to colorize.
Fill polygons, circles and text with the color chosen from a
Fill
palette.

Change the color of text. Select a color from the palette and
Text color...
then the text to colorize.

Thickness... Change the thickness of lines and points.

Line Style Change the line style.

Change the appearance of certain objects: points, angle
Appearance
marks, line marks and axis.
Hide/Show
Hide or show the default system of axes.
Axes

Dene a new system of axes, by selecting the origin, a point

New axes
on the x-axis and a point on the y-axis. If two last points
already exist, they dene the units on axis.
Dene Grid Display a grid for a system of axes.

42
 Reference Section

12. Calculator

The toolbar showing the calculator button selected.

The calculator enables calculations to be carried out on values

coming from the gure (measurements, displayed numbers,
calculation results) or entered from the keyboard.

The results are displayed temporarily at the right of the

calculator window. In order to save the answer it must be
copied to the drawing. (In the calculator window, click and
drag the answer to the point in the drawing where it is to go).
When the gure is altered, measurements and associated
calculations are instantaneously updated. The change in a
calculation is immediately updated in the gure.

There are other functions available on the calculator than those

which are listed on the screen. The list of functions and their
alternative forms is given below.

43
 Reference Section

Functions Synthax
Arc Cosine ARCCOS( x), arccos, acos, ArcCos

Hyperbolic Arc Cosine ARGCH( x), argch, ArgCh; arccosh

Arc Sine ARCSIN( x), arcsin, asin, ArcSin
Hyperbolic Arc Sine ARGSH( x), argsh, ArgSh, arcsinh

Arc Tangent ARCTAN( x), arctan, atan, ArcTan

Hyperbolic Arc Tangent ARGTH( x), argth, ArgTh, arctanh

Round (to nearest integer) ROUND( x), round, Round

Square SQR( x), sqr, Sqr, Sq

Cosine COS( x), cos, Cos

Hyperbolic Cosine COSH( x), cosh, CosH, ch

Exponential e x
EXP( x), exp, Exp

Common Logarithm log10( x), Log10, lg, log

Natural Logarithm LN( x), ln, Ln

Maximum of (a, b) MAX(a ,b ), max, Max

Minimum of (a, b) MIN(a ,b ), min, Min

Random (a ,b ), random (a ,b ), Rand

Random number between 0 et 1
(a ,b ), rand (a ,b )

Pi (p) , , pi, Pi

Least integer x CEIL( x), ceil, Ceil

Greatest integer x FLOOR( x), oor, Floor

Powers of 10 10^ x

Square Root SQRT( x), sqrt, Sqrt, SqRt,

Sign (-1 if x < 0, +1 if x > 0, 0 if x = 0) Signe( x), signe, sign

Sine SIN( x), sin, Sin

Hyperbolic Sine SINH( x), sinh, SinH, sh

Tangent TAN( x), tan, Tan

Hyperbolic Tangent TANH( x), tanh, TanH, th

Absolute Value (Modulus) ABS( x), abs, Abs

44
 Reference Section

MENU BAR 5.3

The attributes bar is displayed vertically to the left of the

drawing sheet, and is shown/hidden by [Options] Show
Attributes F9. The attributes bar behaves differently from the
Attributes toolbox. When a tool is selected to construct a
particular type of object (point, line...) the attributes bar is
updated to show the default attributes of this type of object.
These can then be modied, and changes will affect all new
objects of this type. For example, if [Points] Point is activated,
the attributes bar is updated to show the default properties of
points (color, style, size). If blue is then chosen as the drawing
color, all new points created after this will be blue.
It is also possible to select objects in the Pointer mode and
then choose a value for an attribute on the attributes bar. This
value will then be applied to the selected objects.

The rst three buttons , , on the attributes bar relate

to drawing colors, ll colors and text colors. The current color
appears on the icon (black here).

The buttons are used to increase and reduce the size

of characters.

The buttons are used to change the size of points

and the thickness of curves and lines.

The buttons are used to control the line style

(plain, dotted, dashed) of curves and lines.

The buttons control the form of points.

The and buttons

control the type of mark used to mark angles and segments.
These marks show, for example, that angles are the same size,
or that segments are the same length.

The buttons determine the endpoint style of

smart lines.

Finally, the buttons control the type of

coordinate system (linked to a grid): Cartesian, or polar in
degrees, radians, or grades.

45
 Reference Section

CHAPTER 6

EXPORTING AND PRINTING

There are several ways in which a gure created in
Cabri Geometry can be used in other documents, or in
published work. To use all or part of a gure in most other
applications, or in another Cabri Geometry document, select
the objects required, possibly select all of them with Ctrl+A
( +A for Mac OS), then [Edit]Copy and then [Edit]Paste in the
other document.

To use the gure in another application, it can be copied into

the clipboard in two formats: bitmap or vector. The choice
between the two is made in the Preferences dialog box, under
the System Options tab. In both cases, a selection rectangle
must be dened using click-and-drag in Pointer mode. The
contents of the rectangle will be copied to the clipboard.

The bitmap format is more suitable for the publication of static

gures (non-manipulable) on the Internet, and will have a
pixelated appearance when printed. The vector format is
the enhanced Windows Meta le type, and can be copied in
vector form into most software. The appearance when printed
will be excellent, since it uses the same resolution as the
printer.

To obtain high resolution bitmaps, or PostScript les, the

[File]Print command is used. The page is printed using a
PostScript printer driver (for example the Adobe PostScript
generic printer driver) by selecting Print to le and, for
example, the Encapsulated PostScript (EPS) option in the
driver. In this way one obtains a vector format which is
portable (for example to other operating systems, which is not
possible with Windows Metales). An Encapsulated PostScript
version can be converted later into other formats using suitable
utilities: Ghostscript (freeware) for example, using whatever
resolution one wishes. The textual description of the gure can
also be copied from the Figure description window using the
shortcut menu (right click Windows only). Multi-page printing
(poster mode) and print preview are Mac OS specic
functions.

Users can also save the gure as a Cabri Jr. le (Cabri Jr is

a Cabri verision available for Texas Instruments graphing
calculators). 46