9.

Modifying An Image
1. Using the Image Toolbar
The Image Toolbar contains tools to format and modify images directly within the document.
Steps:
• Insert an image → Click on it → Image Toolbar appears.
• If not visible: Go to View → Toolbars → Image.
Key options on Image Toolbar:
Tool Function
Crop Trims edges of the image
Flip Horizontally Flips the image left-to-right (mirror image).
Flip Vertically Flips the image upside down.
Rotate Rotates the image by a selected angle (via Position and Size dialog).
Transparency Makes the image partially see-through.
Using Drop Down list, red, blue or green colour can be modified or
Colour
adjustment for brightness, contrast and gamma can be made.
Two other toolbars also become available when an image is selected:
1. Image Filter Toolbar – Which can be used as a floating toolbar. It opens up a window with 11
filters.
2. Colour Mode – Which opens as a separate floating toolbar. Clicking on the colour button will
display the colour drop down list.
1. Image Mode
Image mode determines how the colors in an image are displayed. It is useful when you want to
change the appearance of an image to suit the document's layout or theme.
Types of Images Modes in LibreOffice Writer:
Mode Description
Color Displays the image in its original, full-color format (default mode).
Grayscale Converts the image into various shades of gray (like a black-and-white photo).
Black & White Converts the image into only two colors – black and white, no shades in between.
Watermark Lightens the image and makes it semi-transparent, useful for background images.
2. Flip Vertically or Horizontally
Flipping changes the direction or orientation of an image. It mirrors the image either vertically (up-
down) or horizontally (left-right).
Flip Type Effect
Flip Horizontally Reverses the image from left to right (like viewing it in a mirror).
Flip Vertically Turns the image upside down (top becomes bottom and vice versa).
3. Filters
Filters are special effects that can be applied to an image to give it a new appearance or stylized
look. These are part of Graphic Filters in LibreOffice Writer.
Filter Name Effect Description
Invert Reverses all colours in the image, creating a negative effect.
Smooth Softens edges and blurs image slightly to reduce sharpness.
Increases contrast at edges to make the image appear clearer and
Sharpen
crisper.
 Filter Name Effect Description
Remove Noise Eliminates grainy or speckled appearance from an image.
Solarization Simulates partial photo exposure – creates artistic dark/light contrast.
Aging Makes the image look older with a brownish tone (sepia effect).
Posterize Reduces the number of colors – gives a comic or paint-like effect.
Pop Art Adds strong colors and effects for a modern, comic-style appearance.
Relief Gives a 3D effect, making image elements appear raised or embossed.
Mosaic Breaks the image into square blocks, like tiles or pixels.
Converts the image into a black-and-white sketch resembling a
Charcoal Sketch
charcoal drawing.
4. Colour (Brightness, Contrast, and Mode)
Colour settings allow you to adjust the brightness, contrast, and color mode of the image. These
changes affect how light or dark the image appears and how vivid the colors are.
Setting Description
Brightness Increases or decreases the lightness of the image. Higher values make it lighter.
Increases the difference between light and dark parts. Higher contrast makes
Contrast
details clearer.
Allows switching between Color, Grayscale, Black & White, and Watermark
Color Mode
modes.
5. Transparency
Transparency determines how much of the image is visible. It makes the image partly see-through,
allowing text or background to be visible behind it.
Transparency Level Effect
0% (Default) Image is fully visible (opaque).
50% Image is semi-transparent (partially see-through).
100% Image is fully transparent (invisible).

2. Rotating Images
Rotation changes the direction of an image for better alignment or visual effect.
Steps:
1. Select the image.
2. To rotate the image, do one of the following
1. Open Image Dialog Box by double clicking on image ➔ in the Rotation tab set the rotation
angle and click on OK.
2. Go to Format > Rotate or Flip on the Menu Bar. Select Rotate Option.
3. In the Image toolbar, select Rotate.
4. Select the Rotation option in Position and Size panel on the Properties deck of the Sidebar.
3. Set angle (e.g., 90°, 180°, 270°), or use rotation handle (for 2nd and 3rd method).
4. To quickly flip an image or graphic, use one of the following methods:
i) Flip > Flip Vertically or Flip Horizontally from the context menu.
ii) Click on Flip Vertically or Flip Horizontally on the Image Toolbar.
iii) Go to Format > Rotate or Flip > Flip Vertically or Flip Horizontally on the menu bar.
iv) Click on Flip Vertically or Flip Horizontally in the Position and Size panel on the Properties deck
on the Sidebar.
 3. Cropping Images
Cropping removes unwanted outer parts of an image. When we are only interested in a section of
the image for the purpose of our document, we may crop parts of it. LibreOffice provides two ways
to crop and image or graphic.
Steps:
1. Crop Tool -
1. Click on the image → Click the Crop icon on the toolbar OR Right click on image or graphic in a
context menu > click on Crop.
2. Drag blue cropping handles inward.
3. Press Enter or click outside to apply.
2. Image Dialog Box > Crop –
1. Double Click on Image or Graphic to open Image Dialog Box.
2. The Crop page provides more control when cropping.

The following parameters can be controlled in the Crop page:

1. Keep Scale / Keep Image Size
Keep Scale
• This option maintains the scale (proportions) of the image after cropping.
• The visible area is reduced, but the size of the image frame remains the same, which may zoom in
on the cropped part.
• Useful when you want the image to stay the same size visually on the page, even after cropping.
Example: If you crop the left and right 20%, the image "zooms in" to fill the same space.
Keep Image Size
• This option maintains the original image content size, and cropping will reduce the frame size
(visible part).
• The overall image becomes smaller on the page.
• Useful when you want to reduce space used by the image.
Key Difference:
Option Keeps frame size? Image appears?
Keep Scale Yes Same size, zoomed-in
Keep Image Size No Smaller after crop

2. Left, Right, Top, and Bottom

• These options define how much of the image is cropped from each side.
• You can enter exact values (in cm or inches) to crop precisely.
• Positive values remove parts of the image from that side.
• Negative values (rarely used) can extend the canvas beyond the image.

Side Effect
Left Crops the image starting from the left edge
Right Crops from the right side
Top Crops from the top of the image
Bottom Crops from the bottom edge

3. Width and Height

• These fields show the dimensions of the visible (cropped) part of the image.
• As you crop the image, the Width and Height values will automatically adjust.
 How They Work:
• Width: Final width of the cropped image on the page.
• Height: Final height of the cropped image on the page.
• Can be manually adjusted after cropping to resize the image further.

4. Resizing Image
o Resizing means changing the dimensions (width and height) of an image.
o It can make the image larger or smaller.
o Resizing helps in adjusting the image to fit the layout of the document or make it visually
balanced.
Method 1: Using Mouse (Drag Handles)
1. Click on the image to select it.
2. Small squares (handles) will appear around the edges.
3. Drag a corner handle to resize the image proportionally. Hold Shift to maintain aspect ratio.
4. Drag side handles (top/bottom or left/right) to resize in one direction only.
* Tip - Dragging without holding Shift may distort the image (stretch or squash it).
Method 2: Using Format Menu
1. Right-click on the image and choose Properties or use the menu: Format > Image > Properties
2. Go to the Position and Size tab.
3. Enter the Width and Height values manually. Click OK to apply.

5. Deleting Image
Deleting an image means removing it from your document.
• The image is not needed.
• You want to replace it with another image.
• You inserted it by mistake.
Steps:
Method 1: Using the Keyboard
1. Click on the image to select it. (It will show selection handles around it.)
2. Press the Delete key on your keyboard.

6. Creating Drawing Objects

Drawing objects are shapes, lines, text boxes, and other graphic elements that you can insert into a
document. They help to visually enhance your document. Used for illustrations, diagrams, charts, or to
highlight important information. e.g.
1. Line - A straight line to connect or separate content.
2. Arrow - A line with an arrowhead used to point or indicate.
3. Rectangle - A box shape often used for layout or emphasis.
4. Ellipse/Circle - Round or oval shapes for diagrams or highlighting.
5. Text Box - Box that contains text, movable and resizable.
6. Basic Shapes - Stars, hearts, callouts, flowchart symbols, etc.
Steps:
1. Go to View > Toolbars > Drawing to display the drawing toolbar at the bottom.
2. Click on the object you want to draw (e.g., Rectangle, Line, Ellipse, etc.).
3. Move your cursor to the document. Click and drag to draw the object. Release the mouse when
done.
 4. To cancel the selected drawing function, press the Esc key or click the select icon (the arrow) on
the Drawing Toolbar.
5. For formatting (fill colour, line type and weight) of an object use Drawing Object Properties
toolbar OR right click on object and select the desired choice.

7. Resizing Objects
Resizing means changing the width and/or height of an object. Resizing is useful when you need to:
o Adjust the layout of the page.
o Emphasize or reduce the size of visual elements.
o Fit objects neatly with the text.
Method 1: Using Mouse
1. Click on the object to select it.
2. You will see resizing handles (small squares) around the object.
3. Move your mouse pointer over a corner or side handle.
4. Click and drag the handle to resize:
o Corner handles resize proportionally (both width and height).
o Side handles resize in one direction only (either width or height).
5. Release the mouse button to set the new size.
* Tip: Hold the Shift key while dragging a corner to maintain the original aspect ratio (proportional
resizing).

Method 2: Using Format Settings

1. Right-click on the object and select Position and Size. OR Format > Text Box and Shapes > Position
and Size. OR Position and Size section in the Properties deck on the Sidebar.
2. In the dialog box:
o Set the Width and Height manually (in cm/inches).
o If the Keep Ratio option is selected, then the width and height change so that the
proportion is maintained, allowing for a scaled resizing.
3. Click OK to apply changes.

8. Grouping Drawing Objects

Grouping is the process of combining two or more drawing objects so they behave like a single
object. It makes it easier to move, resize, rotate, or format multiple objects at once. Grouped
objects maintain their individual properties, but can be managed together.
Steps:
1. Insert or draw two or more shapes or objects (e.g., rectangles, arrows, text boxes).
2. Select the objects:
(1) Hold down the Shift key and click each object.
(2) OR, drag the mouse to draw a selection box around all objects.
3. Group the objects:
(1) Go to menu: Format > Group Shapes > Group
(2) OR right-click on any selected object and choose Group from the context menu.

9. Positioning Image / Graphics within the Text

Positioning an image means deciding where the image will appear in relation to the surrounding
text in a document. LibreOffice Writer provides several options to align, wrap, and anchor images
and arrange graphics for better document layout. It controls how the image moves, aligns, and
interacts with other content in the document.
1. Arrangement
Sometimes, multiple objects (shapes, images, text boxes) may overlap. LibreOffice allows you to
control their stacking order using Arrange options. The Drawing Object Properties toolbar consists
of the arrangement tools and these are the six tools in the order of appearance given as below:
1. Bring to Front - Moves the object above all other objects.
2. Forward One- Moves object one step forward in stacking order.
3. Send to Back - Moves the object behind all others.
4. Backward One - Moves object one step back in stacking order.
5. To Foreground - Brings selected object in front of text. It is only available for drawing objects.
6. To Background - Sends selected object behind the text. It is only available for drawing Objects.
2. Anchoring
Anchoring means attaching an image or object to a specific part of the text in the document. I t
controls how the image or object moves when you add or delete text. Without anchoring, objects
might shift unpredictably as you edit the document.
1. Click on Format menu > Anchor and choose appropriate option
2. Right click on object or image > Anchor and choose appropriate option.
1. To Page - Anchors the object to a fixed position on a specific page. The object does not
move, even if you add or delete text elsewhere. Useful for fixed layouts like certificates,
posters, or title pages.
2. To Paragraph - Anchors the object to a specific paragraph. When the paragraph moves
(up/down), the object moves with it. Best for placing images near related text.
3. To Character - Anchors the object to a specific character in the paragraph. The object moves
exactly with that character. Offers fine control, especially useful when formatting detailed
layouts.
4. As Character - Treats the object like a text character. The image is placed in line with the
text. Text flows before and after, just like with words or letters. Useful for inserting small
icons or inline graphics.
3. Alignment
It allows the vertical or horizontal placement of the image with respect to its anchor.
Alignment tools are located under Drawing Properties Toolbar > Position and Size OR Right
click on image or object and choose Align option. An image can be aligned in six different
styles –
o Horizontal Alignment – Left, Centered, Right
o Vertical Alignment – Top, Center, Bottom.
4. Text Wrapping
It allows the placement of image in relation to text. Text Wrapping tools are available under
Drawing Object Properties Toolbar. LibreOffice Writer offers six main text wrapping styles
that allow you to position images alongside or within paragraphs in various ways. They
namely None, Parallel, Optimal, Before, After and Through in the order of their appearance
from left to right.