Apache OpenOffice Community Forum

Hello. I would like to ask about the basic differences between "word processors" and "graphics editors". Why do you prefer one over another?

OO Draw is a graphics editors whereas OO Writer is a word processor.

Meanwhile draw can open pdf documents.

Hi, I'd like to ask about the basic difference between a hammer and a frying pan. One is a percussion tool and one is a cooking implement - why do you choose one over the other.

OO Draw is a graphics editors whereas OO Writer is a word processor.

You have answered your own question.

Okay, but would you please give me two lists. First list be a few tasks one can do another can't. The second list be a few tasks one can do better than the other.

There is no point doing such list because the 2 kinds of applications are OBVIOUSLY for different tasks.
If you have some usual tasks, then try to perform them with Writer and then with Draw, you'll quickly see the differences.

Please do your homework. For such "learning", actually doing things is the best way to evaluate the different options available to you.

For such basic questions, ask Google. In this case, I would start with searches for "what is a word processor" and "what is a graphics editor".

A clearing up of concepts may be in order.

mtnylmz wrote: ↑Wed Nov 23, 2022 12:40 am[...]
Meanwhile draw can open pdf documents.

A word processor is text flow oriented and "verbal". Linear sequence, and the logical structure this sequence builds, are important.

A graphics editor is object oriented and "visual". Objects (lines, pixels) builds more complex objects (polygons, planes) which make more complex objects (page, canvas).

A PDF is intended to be predictably rendered visually. It is not intended for future editing.

A PDF may appear as a simple text flow document, but the underlying structure is object oriented. Each section of content is treated as a graphic (more or less) and put on a specific spot on the canvas. When you export a text document to pdf, the logical structure is no longer maintained in the underlying data. It is only maintained by visual rendering, appearance.

If you must edit a PDF anyway, the objectifying of text makes Draw the logical choice from the tools available in the office suite. Anyway, Draw is not your ideal PDF editor.

If your layout is substantially words (hundreds or thousands of these, in flowing order), then a word processor or desktop publisher is appropriate. If your layout is "things", pictures, graphics, words in limited number as display items, then a graphics processor is the tool to use.

RoryOF wrote: ↑Wed Nov 23, 2022 12:43 pm If your layout is "things", pictures, graphics, words in limited number as display items, then a graphics processor is the tool to use.

IMHO, a graphic editor is only to be used for picture/graphics edition (color management, quality improvement...). As soon as there are [even few] words involved, then another application is required (most likely desktop publishing then). The only corner case being the design of logos where the few words that could be included may be considered as shapes (often with some artistic distortion). Something for Inkscape typically.

mtnylmz wrote: ↑Wed Nov 23, 2022 12:40 am Hello. I would like to ask about the basic differences between "word processors" and "graphics editors". Why do you prefer one over another?

The answer is in the question. Use a word processor to process words and use a graphics editor to edit graphics.

QED

Methinks this is a school homework question ...

... so do some original, personal research. Use a word processor such as Writer. Use a graphics editor such as IrfanView (pixel based) or Draw (vector based). What differences do you find between them?

OO Draw is a graphics editor

More precisely:
OO Draw is a vectorgraphics editor.