In-class Exercise

Figure 1. Salticus scenicus eating prey. Creative Commons licensed image by Tom Houslay

https://flic.kr/p/nyWmve

Figure 1. Tardigrade with eggs. Focus stacked image of non-living tardigrade. Creative commons licensed image by Specious Reasons https://flic.kr/p/ZHFAdR

Screencasts for making multipanel scientific figures using Inkscape

Creating Figures: Part 1. Compositing
Creating Figures: Part 2. Labels and Arrows
Creating Figures: Part 3. Document Properties and Exporting

Hints

• Think ahead of time. What is your figure going to look like? Should you crop imagery ahead of time? Do you need to adjust image or exposure? (Note: Some journals don't allow digital manipulation of imagery). Do this in a bitmap editing program (e.g. GIMP or Photoshop).
• Do all your work in a folder. Put your image files in there. Save your SVG file in there. Save early and often.

Workflow

1. Import all your images: Either Link or Embed. Note things can be “above” or “below” others. Click or drag over to select. Hold the “shift” key to select multiple objects.
2. Composite your images to make your design: Lock proportions to avoid stretching. Turn “snapping” on or off. Set height and width directly to resize. Use Align and Distribute (switch to "relative to first selected").
3. Construct one label: Make a square box, make both stroke and fill the same (black or white). Put a text field in and add a letter. Use sans font. Use align and distribute to center letter.
4. Duplicate label to make more: Select both, duplicate object, move. Repeat as necessary.
5. Finish each label: Replace each letter as necessary. Use Align and Distribute to center. Select both and group. Use align and distribute to put labels at corners of each panel.
6. Create arrows: Use the Line Tool to draw a straight line segment (click, click-click). Then use Fill and Stroke tool to set the line width and add arrow head to start (or end).
7. Set the Page Size: Open Document Properties. Resize Page to Drawing. Set background to not be transparent (increase alpha channel to 255).
8. Export Finished Figure: Export PAGE. Set width to 1200pixels. Save with name “Lastname-Original.png” The resultant PNG file is your finished figure.

Note: Do not share your finished figure or include in your METHODS manuscript until your methods have been followed!

Attending class includes a variety of preparation and engagement to do well. The least complicated aspect of doing well in a class is also the most obvious: Show up on time. Knowing what time the class starts, where it is, and how long it will take to get there sets me up for success every morning but what actually happens in the classroom is just as important. I sit down and listen to what the teacher is saying and i bring notebooks and pencils for writing down important concepts. I'm confused about something so I raise my hand and asked a question and make sure i understand the answer in my notes. Having a well prepared backpack with notebooks, textbooks, and writing utensils helps me keep up with the class.I also take sips of tea throughout to help myself stay awake throughout.

Walking is an activity we all perform throughout every day. Ranging from walking to grab a tissue or walking to class. I love to walk because it’s a good start to the day and also a good way to stay healthy. Throughout my Thursday schedule, an activity that I engaged in an abundant amount of time is walking. I walk to all my classes and extracurricular activities throughout the day. Starting from the morning I wake up and do my usual routine and then head out to my Cancer Genetics lecture at Goodell. Then I walk to the library to do any assignments or get breakfast. Then I walk to my Population Genetics course located in Morrill III and after that walk to a seating area in Morrill II. Then walk to my Mammalogy course in Morrill II. Then walk to the gym to a group fitness class. Overall, throughout my day I do an abundant amount of walking. This is a common activity in my everyday lifestyle.      

On the day of Tuesday January 30th, I used the bus to travel to my destinations several times. At about 2:25 PM I went to the Totman bus stop outside of the North Apartments and waited for about fifteen minutes for the Route 35 bus to arrive. I got on the bus at approximately 2:45 PM. The bus arrived my bus stop in front of the Fine Arts Center at about 2:52 PM. After going to UHS and class, I walked back to the Fine Arts Center bus stop at approximately 5:15 PM and waited for the Route 31 bus to take me into South Amherst. The bus arrived about two minutes later. After attending to my activities in town, I waited at the bus stop next to the gas station and took the Route 31 bus to the Arnold House bus stop at approximately 5:50 PM. After returning home and dropping off my things, my roommate and I went back to the Totman bus stop at 5:35 PM and waited for ten minutes for the Route 35 bus to take us to the Mullins Center. After watching the basketball game, we attempted to take the Route 34 bus home. However, after finding out that the bus driver was going to the parking garage, we got off of the bus and walked home.

    Yesterday, February 1st, 2018, I indulged in many different foods throughout the day. It started off like any other Thursday, I grabbed a coffee from the small cafe in the Morrill Science Center and sipped on it throughout my Developmental Biology class. Lunch time was enjoyed at Franklin Dining Common, where I filled my plate with yaki udon noodles, a taco, and some green beans, accompanied by a glass of sparkling water.  Dinner, however, did not go as planned. Upon my arrival at the Newman Center cafe, in great anticipation for my long awaited grilled chicken wrap with garlic parmesan sauce, I was regretfully informed that the kitchen was fresh out of both burgers, and all styles of chicken. Disappointed, I returned home and made pasta with garlic and herb sauce. Late at night, my roommate and I decided to get Insomnia Cookies, and I ordered a peanut butter cookie with vanilla ice cream on top, and a red velvet cookie on the side.

Over the course of the day, I spent a lot of time and did a lot of activities with my friend. We both went to our micro biology class and took notes. After our class, we went to frank to eat some food. Once I finished my lab, I went to pick him up at his dorm and we drove to target to buy a stand and tv. After I dropped him off at his dorm with the tv and we grabbed food at hamp. After eating we went back to his dorm to set up his tv and his stand. Lastly, once we completed setting up his tv and stand, I went back to my dorm and we played fortnite for a couple of hours with our friends.

Every single day people use elevators to bring them up and down in a building. I especially use the elevators during my Thursday schedule. After I finish my morning routine, I walk to the elevator and hit the down button because I need to leave my building to go to class. After classes I come back to my building, and hit the up arrow to go to my dorm on the 22^nd floor. I also use the elevator to go to dinner by hitting the down arrow in order to exit the building. When I come back to my building after having dinner with friends and going to my extracurricular activities, I use the elevator again to return to the 22^nd floor. Overall, I use the elevator multiple times a day to get from my dorm to the lobby of my building or to get from the lobby of my building to my dorm. 

Travel is a constant part of any day, and is an important way to get to and from activities in a timely manner.  Even when there is no reason to leave the house, there are still methods of moving the body from one room to the next or up the stairs that constitute movement no matter how small the distance.  On a typical school day, the forms of travel may vary from walking to longboarding to driving. Each type of movement from point A to point B are carefully selected upon depending on the distance being traveled and time constraints.  I normally being my school day by walking out of my house and to my car.  I then drive the distance to campus from my house off campus, which is long and driving is normally necessary.  After I have parked my car I normally remove my longboard from the trunk in order to travel to class and on time because I have to park far away.  I will occasionally walk to class if the conditions do not permit longboarding.  I finish my day by driving home, parking my car, and walking into my house.  Each day I use about three modes of transportation which are specifically tailored to the distance and time needed to arrive where I need to be punctually.