VectorPAD help

VectorPAD is used for exercises that involve vectors (in the plane and out of the plane), horizontal or vertical bars, lines, images and/or rectangles. This page provides information on how to create, move, change displacement, change labels, and delete these different objects.  One can do this either from the main screen/work area or from the pop-out panel.  If you are experiencing problems with java (e.g. you get an empty or grey box instead of the applet), here are some tips for resolving problems with java.
Main Screen Panel

Working from the main screen

Creating an object: move the cursor to the object's start position (e.g. tail of the vector).  Press the mouse button, and while holding it, drag it to the position the object should end.  Release the button.  If you cannot create an object, you may already have the maximum allowed for that particular exercises.

Moving an object: Move the cursor over the object near the start position (tail of a vector, base of a bar).  Press the mouse button and drag the object to where you want it.  Note: in some exercises the ability to move one or more objects is disabled.

Changing an object: To change the displacement or length of an object, place the cursor over near the end (tip of vector, end of bar).  Press the mouse button and drag so the object ends to where you want it to.  Note: in some exercises the ability to change displacement of one or more objects is disabled.

Deleting an object: To remove an object, click on it so it is highlighted.  (This will usually result in two small squares or "ears" appearing at the start and end positions.)  Then press the DELETE key.  Note: in some exercises the ability to delete one or more objects is disabled.

Working from the panel

The panel provides a way to directly see/edit values of objects.  It is not available in all exercises.  If it is available, a vertical bar will be visible on the right-hand side of the applet.

Opening the panel: To open the panel, click on the vertical bar on the right-hand side of the applet, OR double click on an object in the screen.  The second method will automatically make the object you clicked on the selected one for editing.

Closing the panel: To close the panel, click on the vertical bar on the left-hand-side of the panel OR click the button that says "Close."

Creating an object: Click on the button that says "Add."

Selecting an object: Click the "Next" button until the desired object is selected OR click on the object in the main screen.

Moving an object: If text boxes describing the starting position of the object are visible, change the values in the boxes.

Changing displacement of an object: If text boxes describing the displacement of the object are visible, change the values in the boxes.

Changing labels of an object: If text boxes with labels are visible, you may change their values, selecting from a list if a list is provided, or typing the label if it is not.

Deleting an object: To remove the currently selected object, click the "Delete" button.
 

Notes about the different type of objects.

VectorPAD objects can take on seven different forms, and there may be several types in a particular drawing.  However, the type of object you can draw is predetermined and can not be changed.
Vector (in the plane): an arrow with the start position at the tail (non-pointy end) and end at the head (pointy end).  Length is proportional to magnitude.
Vector (out of plane): a circle with either a dot in the center (pointing out of screen towards you) or an X (pointing into screen away from you).  Start is at center.  Change magnitude and direction by grabbing the top of circle for out of screen or bottom of circle for into screen, and dragging it up or down to make the vector more positive or negative.  Area is proportional to magnitude.
Horizontal and vertical bars: rectangle of fixed width that can be adjusted either in horizontal or in vertical direction.  Start is at the base (part that is wider than the rest), end is at the other end.  Length is proportional to value in the horizontal or vertical direction.
Line segment: Similar to vector in the plane, except with no arrow head.  Start and end are the two ends of the line; there is no way to distinguish them visually.  Segments are usually used for background objects and not something you need to manipulate.
Rectangle: Rectangle, start is one corner and end is the other one.  There is no way to distinguish them visually.  Magnitude is proportional to the diagonal.
Image: any image loaded as a *.gif file, start is one corner and end is the other one.  There is no way to distinguish them visually.  Magnitude is proportional to the diagonal.