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

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3D rotation objects; generating
3D objects; generating
3D scenes; creating
converting; to curves, polygons, 3D
extrusion objects
added 3D scenes, issue 109330
Converting 2D Objects to Curves, Polygons, and 3D Objects
You can convert two dimensional (2D) objects to create different shapes. $[officename] can convert 2D objects to the following object types:
- Curved object based on Bézier curves
- Polygon object consisting of straight line segments
- 3D object with shading and a light source
- 3D rotation object with shading and a light source
Two types of 3D objects
- The Status bar displays "3D scene selected". The 3D scenes are built from objects which have dimensions in x, y, and z coordinates. Examples are the objects inserted by the 3D Objects toolbar, and rectangles, ellipses, or text that got created by the Rectangle, Ellipse, or Text icons left on the Drawing toolbar, or any Custom Shapes, and that got converted to 3D by using the context menu "Convert - To 3D". These 3D scenes can be entered (for example, by pressing F3), and the objects can be rotated in 3D. Microsoft Office doesn't know these real 3D objects. When exporting these 3D scenes to Microsoft Office formats, a snapshot of the current view will be exported as a bitmap. 3D bars in charts are of this type, too.
- The Status bar displays "Shape selected". The Custom Shapes can be viewed in a 2D mode or in a 3D mode. At any time, you can switch the view between the two modes. You use the Basic Shapes, Symbol Shapes, and the following icons on the Drawing toolbar to create Custom Shapes. The Custom Shapes can be changed using the 3D Settings toolbar. They do not form a 3D scene, they cannot be illuminated by more than one light source, they show no reflections, and there are some more limitations. You can convert them to a 3D scene, but then they are no longer Custom Shapes. Custom Shapes in 2D or 3D mode can be exported to and imported from Microsoft Office formats.
To convert an object to a curved shape:
- Select a 2D object on the slide or page.
- Right-click the object and choose Convert - To Curve.
To modify the shape of the object, click the Points icon Icon on the Drawing toolbar, and drag the handles of the object. You can also drag the control points of a handle to modify the shape of the curve.
To convert a 2D object to a polygon:
- Select a 2D object on the slide or page.
- Right-click the object and choose Convert - To Polygon.
To modify the shape of the object, click the Points icon Icon on the Drawing toolbar, and drag the handles of the object.
To convert a 2D object to a 3D object:
- Select a 2D object on the slide or page.
- Click the Extrusion On/Off icon Icon on the Drawing bar, or right-click the object and choose Convert - To 3D.
To edit the properties of the 3D object, use the Line and Filling toolbar and the 3D Settings toolbar.
To convert a text object to 3D, use the Fontwork icon Icon on the Drawing toolbar.
To convert a 2D object to a 3D rotation object:
A 3D rotation object is created by rotating the selected object around its vertical axis.
- Select a 2D object on the slide or page.
- Right-click the object and choose Convert - To 3D Rotation Object
To edit the properties of the 3D object, use the Line and Filling toolbar and the 3D Settings toolbar.
You can rotate the 2D object before converting it to create a more complex shape.