Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
start point and opposite corner for an end point of a rectangle. Once drawn,
the rectangle is treated as four separate lines, not a single entity. When you
select any one of the lines and move it, the adjacent lines adjust to maintain
the shape of a rectangle.
Thepanelhastwobuttonsfordrawingpolygons:oneforapolygoninscribed
in acircle and one for apolygon circumscribed around acircle .Either
one gives you choices on the Options Bar for the number of sides and also
to draw at an offset. You can select the Radius box on the Options Bar to set
the radius of the imaginary circle that determines the size of the polygon.
To move or edit a shape as a whole, you must select all the lines that make
up the shape. This is easily done by using a selection/crossing window or by
placing your mouse pointer over one of the lines and then pressing the Tab
key until all the lines are highlighted. Once you have selected a shape, you
can use the grips at the end points to edit the shape without breaking the
connection of the lines.
Figure18.2
showstworectanglesthathavebeenedited.Therectangleonthe
left was edited by selecting the line on the right side and dragging the line's
end point. The one on the right was edited by selecting the entire shape and
dragging the end point in the upper-right corner.
Figure 18.2
Editing options for linework
TheCirclebutton allowsyoutodrawacirclebyselectingthecenterpoint
and then dragging your cursor to set the radius. You can type in a length
for the radius after you click to set the center point, and the circle is drawn
automaticallywitharadiusofyourchosenlength.Thetemporarydimension
fortheradiusremains onthescreenafteryouclicktosettheradius.Youcan
then click the temporary radius dimension to edit it. When you click a circle
that has been drawn, the Drag Line End grip that appears can be dragged to
set the size of the circle. The Options Bar also has a radius option to set the
size of the circle prior to selecting a center point.
